The Ducks are in town, and the preview will be out later today.

Some prospect opinions:

World Junior Ice Chips: Zayne Parekh, Brayden Yager on the ice | TSN
Team Canada is holding its first skates of World Juniors selection camp on Wednesday.
TSNTSN.ca Staff

If you missed it yesterday, Dakota Mermis and Alex Nylander are on waivers. Mermis broke his jaw in training camp or he would have been sent down to the AHL in the end-of-camp massive waivers lists. Nylander has never cleared waivers this season because he was not on an NHL contract until the Leafs needed him. He last cleared waivers when he was with Pittsburgh. We find out at 2 pm if both cleared as expected.

The PWHL is on a break for international tournaments:

IIHF - Olympic women’s qualifiers set to begin
Twelve nations chase dream of Milano Cortina 2026
IIHF International Ice Hockey Federation

So the Sceptres got in on the Nutcracker fun.

Looking back: NHLers and what they would tell their younger selves
A handful of NHL players, such as Nathan MacKinnon and Jack Eichel, reveal what they would tell their younger selves.
Sportsnet.caCanadian Press

And that's Thursday for you. See you later to talk Ducks.

From The Branches