A generation ago, it felt like the best hope a short guy had of thriving in the NHL was in the crease. Today, the dynamic has largely flipped. Ryan Dixon takes a look at each team’s undersized players in this week’s Power Rankings.

RALEIGH, N.C. — In the weeks leading up to his trade to Carolina, Taylor Hall repeatedly said he wanted to stay in Chicago, that he wanted to be a part of what the Blackhawks were building, that he wanted to settle down in one city in the twilight of his peripatetic career.

Hall broke down the timeline of the blockbuster trade from his perspective Thursday. He claimed he's "definitely a better player than the amount I was playing" during his final weeks in Chicago.

Tonight, the Carolina Hurricanes skate on home ice for the first time since the blockbuster trade. Hall makes his first appearance against his former team, while Teuvo Teravainen returns to Raleigh for the first time since signing with Chicago this summer.

Former Chicago Blackhawks forward Taylor Hall broke his silence on the lack of playing time with Connor Bedard, delivering a bold statement aimed at interim coach Anders Sorensen.

Frederik Andersen has a six-game win streak going. Jesperi Kotkaniemi (4g, 2a) has points in five-straight games. Sebastian Aho (3g, 2a) has points in three consecutive games.

The Montreal Canadiens should be buyers ahead of the trade deadline to show youth a vote of confidence for a strong season so far.

Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson met the media this morning for a mid-season update on the state of the franchise. There were no Earth-shattering revelations during his 30-minute press conference,

Battle lines are being drawn as teams showcase their strengths and weaknesses. With tonight’s slate of games offering plenty of action, we’ve crafted a pair of exciting same-game parlays (SGPs) to help you dive into the matchups and find value on the ice.

The New York Rangers closed an excellent month of January with a dud of a game against the Carolina Hurricanes

Will he re-sign in Carolina after this season -- and if not, where else? And what will other contenders do to keep pace ahead of the March 7 deadline?

Many players drafted in the sixth or seventh round never pan out. But those who do often have a grinder's mentality and a hunger to stay.