![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TkachukBrady-218x300.jpg\")
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Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk (NHL Images).<\/p>\n
Tkachuk has been sidelined since Oct. 16 following surgery to repair torn ligaments in his right thumb. He\u2019s making his return in his hometown of St. Louis against the Blues. <\/p>\n
The Avalanche sit atop the overall standings with a record of 17-1-5 (39 points). They have an opportunity to win 11 straight games for the second time in franchise history. Center Nathan MacKinnon leads all NHL scorers with 18 goals and 39 points, while defenseman Cale Makar leads all defensemen with 30 points. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the \u201cBlack Friday\u201d tradition continues as the Boston Bruins host the New York Rangers. In California, the Anaheim Ducks host the Los Angeles Kings as the two rivals jockey for first place in the Pacific Division. <\/p>\n
CNBC<\/a>: Michael Ozanian made his annual evaluation of all 32 NHL franchises. <\/p>\n The Toronto Maple Leafs once again top the list at $4.30 billion, followed by the New York Rangers ($3.8 billion), Montreal Canadiens ($3.4 billion), Los Angeles Kings ($3.15 billion), and Edmonton Oilers ($3.1 billion). <\/p>\n The Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals, and Detroit Red Wings round out the top 10 franchises. <\/p>\n The Columbus Blue Jackets ranked 32nd ($1.4 billion), with the Buffalo Sabres at 31 ($1.42 billion), the Ottawa Senators at 30 ($1.44 billion), the Winnipeg Jets at 29 ($1.46 billion), and the San Jose Sharks at 28 ($1.55 billion).<\/p>\n SPECTOR\u2019S NOTE: Being in two of the NHL\u2019s smallest markets partly accounts for the Senators and Jets\u2019 placement. The Blues Jackets and Sharks have been rebuilding in recent years, while the Sabres have missed the playoffs for a league-record 14 years. <\/p>\n PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW<\/a>: There are conflicting reports regarding the sale of the Penguins. <\/p>\n Pittsburgh sports radio host Mark Madden claimed the attempt by current owner Fenway Sports Group to sell the team to the Hoffman Group was off. However, Sportsnet\u2019s Elliotte Friedman reported that the negotiations remain more difficult than expected, but the Hoffman Group remains within its exclusive negotiating window and is moving forward. <\/p>\n SPECTOR\u2019S NOTE: As Friedman said, \u201cWe will see.\u201d <\/p>\n TSN<\/a>: Edmonton Oilers winger Kasperi Kapanen appeared to suffer an injury during practice on Thursday. He has been sidelined since Oct. 19 with an undisclosed injury and only recently rejoined his teammates in practice. <\/p>\n