There's more WJC action today with Switzerland playing Germany and Latvia up against Denmark. Given the standings this might be the day that decides who comes last.

Yesterday Sweden beat Germany 8-1 and Victor Johansson, again the seventh defender, played less than seven minutes. They just don't seem to want to use him. He's had a rough injury-plagued early season, so hopefully he can go back and just get in the groove after this event.

In the evening contest, Canada played Denmark and it was 1-0 before I even figures out which TSN channel had the game on and not the end of the USA game. There's not much to be learned watching the big red machine beat up on Denmark unless it happens to be a great goalie year for the Danes.

Tonight the Leafs play the Devils and the preview will be out later today. The Sceptres also play the Frost at the same time.

The Penguins made a trade for Yegor Chinakov:

They had just put Danton Heinen through waivers, so Columbus gets a player they can put directly in the AHL. Pittsburgh has a mass of draft picks and it would appear they wanted a player who can play in the NHL, and who they think might become more than he ever did in Columbus. They are exactly the team to take these gambles right now.

Oh, and it was such a foregone conclusion, we never even mentioned it: Marshall Rifai cleared waivers and can start his season on the Marlies finally after his preseason injury.

It's that time of the year when teams start thinking about removing players that aren't working out. See the above trade and the Flyers putting Yegor Zamula through waivers.

Oilers F Mangiapane a healthy scratch vs. Jets
Edmonton Oilers winger Andrew Mangiapane is a healthy scratch tonight against the Winnipeg Jets, per TSN’s Ryan Rishaug.
TSNTSN.ca Staff
Hurricanes goaltender Kochetkov to have surgery for LBI; likely out for season
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov will have surgery to address a lower-body injury he has been managing and will likely be out for the season.
TSNTSN.ca Staff

This is not what the headline makes you think it is.

Bold hockey predictions for 2026: Maple Leafs opt for nuclear option
The Canucks and Devils finally become trade partners, a surprise nation nabs Olympic gold, and the Maple Leafs opt for the nuclear option. Nothing feels out of the realm of possibility anymore. With 2026 around the corner, Ryan Dixon takes a stab at some bold hockey predictions!
Sportsnet.caRyan Dixon

It's just one of those list of nonsense predictions to get people riled up. I hate this kind of crap.

NHL to make it snow in Miami for Winter Classic game on Friday
It’s going to snow in Miami on Friday night.
Sportsnet.caAssociated Press

The roster is announced tomorrow.

That's it for now. See you later as we try to understand who the Devils are this season.

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