The Columbus Blue Jackets forward Adam Fantilli (left) passes the puck while be pursued by the Seattle Kraken’s forward Yanni Gourde (right) at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Sat Jan 13, 2024. Fantilli was injured on Sun Jan 28, 2024 vs. Seattle (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Columbus Blue Jackets Adam Fantilli is expected to be out for the next eight weeks because of a lacerated calf. Fantilli got the laceration in the second period of the Jackets contest against the Seattle Kraken on Sunday when his calf caught the blade of Kraken Jared McCann. Fantilli hopped off the ice and down the tunnel to the dressing room without putting any pressure on his leg.

#2 Things are going well for the Vancouver Canucks who are tied for the best NHL record and going so well that they have extended their general manager Patrik Allvin to a three year deal to make sure he stays on with the club. The Canucks wanted to sign Allvin now and become active buyers before the NHL trade deadline on March 8th.

#3 The Carolina Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen was cleared to start working out. Andersen had been out since Nov 2 due to a blood clotting issue. Before going on the injured list Andersen was 4-1-0 with 2.87 goals against and a very respectable goals saved average of .894. Andersen said he was thrilled to be a step closer to joining his teammates.

#4 Len it’s going to be a very busy Thursday to star NHL All Star weekend with three events taking place all in one day at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Thursday’s events begin with Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Player Draft (6 p.m. ET; ESPN2, SN, TVAS), (U.S.)/Rogers (Canada) NHL All-Star Game on Saturday (3 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS).

#5 The Toronto Maple Leafs George Armstrong who lived to be 90 years old was a key player and team captain for the 1967 Maple Leafs who scored one of the three goals to defeat the Montreal Canadiens to win the Stanley Cup 3-1 it was the last time the Leafs won the Cup. The NHL Alumni Association will recognize and remember the 67 Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena as part of the three event program on Thursday. The Alumni Association will present the Keith Magnuson Award to the seven living 1967 Maple Leafs players  David Keon, Frank Mahovlich (both in the NHL Hall of Fame) and Bob Pulford, and fellow forwards Brian Conacher, Ron Ellis, Pete Stemkowski and Mike Walton.

Len Shapiro does the NHL podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com