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Rasmus Ristolainen Could Return Saturday
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (upper body) could be back in action on Saturday against Anaheim, Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports. The Finnish blue-liner practiced on Friday after missing nine games. Ristolainen has one goal, four SOG, seven blocks, and four hits in three games this season. With him and Cam York (upper body) out, Oliver Bonk has been thrust into a first-pairing role on defense. Bonk has performed well, notching four assists in the five games, but his fantasy appeal will take a big hit once the Flyers' defense is healthy again.
Source: Jordan Hall
Source: Jordan Hall
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Jiri Kulich Questionable Saturday
Buffalo Sabres center Jiri Kulich (face) is questionable for Saturday's matchup with Washington, Jane McNally of the Sabres' official site reports. Kulich took a puck to the face at Friday's practice and didn't finish the session. After recovering from a blood clot, Kulich has recorded three points (one goal, two assists), nine SOG, and seven hits in eight games this season. If Kulich can't play on Saturday, the Sabres are likely to use Tyson Kozak as his replacement. Kozak hasn't shown any signs in his young career that he can become a fantasy factor.
Source: Jane McNally
Source: Jane McNally
Vincent Desharnais Out 4-6 Weeks After Appendectomy
Washington Capitals defenseman Vincent Desharnais underwent an appendectomy and will be out 4-6 weeks, the team announced Friday. He was placed on Injured Reserve. Desharnais has been Washington's unsung hero this season, leading the team with a plus-nine rating. He ranks second with 22 hits and is third with 14 blocks. Offensively, Desharnais has chipped in with three assists in nine games. To cover for Desharnais' absence, the team will likely insert Dylan McIlrath back into the lineup on Saturday against Buffalo, but he should remain a free agent in fantasy leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Victor Hedman Leaves Friday's Action Early
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (undisclosed) didn't finish Friday's 6-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. He logged just 5:56 of ice time in the contest. Last season, Hedman was limited to 33 outings, and he might miss some time again. In 10 games, he has recorded four points (two goals, two assists), 13 SOG, and 13 blocks. The former Norris Trophy winner has had a smaller role, averaging 14:26 of ice time. He hasn't played more than 17:45. Tampa Bay dressed seven defensemen on Friday, so a forward might replace Hedman in the lineup if he's ruled out on Saturday against Utah.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Devon Levi Unavailable Saturday
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Devon Levi (undisclosed) didn't practice on Friday and won't dress for Saturday's contest against Toronto. Tristan Jarry will guard the Oilers crease on Saturday night. Edmonton has used Levi as the starter in back-to-back games and in four of the last five games. While he has been leaky, the Oilers have been on a winning path with Levi. He holds a 6-1-0 record this season and has allowed 3.11 goals with a .887 save percentage. Jarry has yet to lose in regulation, going 2-0-1, but he faces a difficult matchup on Saturday: the Maple Leafs have the eighth-best offense in the league, scoring 3.58 goals per game.
Source: TSN
Source: TSN
Evgeni Malkin Misses Practice Due to Illness
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (illness) didn't practice on Friday. A day after helping Pittsburgh beat Florida 4-0, Malkin felt under the weather and wasn't in shape to take the ice for practice. This leaves him questionable for Saturday's tilt against Nashville. Malkin shares the team lead in goals with Nick Robertson (6) and has amassed nine points in 11 games. Egor Chinakhov (lower-body) also didn't practice after missing Thursday's game, so the Penguins' frontline could be down to bare bones this weekend. Bryan Rust (lower body), Benjamin Kindel (undisclosed), and Justin Brazeau (lower body) are also on the shelf. The injuries have given Tommy Novak a first-line role. Rutger McGroarty and Andrei Kuzmenko could also soon find themselves in the top six.
Source: Pittsburgh Penguins
Source: Pittsburgh Penguins
Bowen Byram Misses Third Consecutive Game
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Bowen Byram (upper body) isn't ready to return to action on Friday night against Montreal. He'll miss a third straight game with an upper-body injury. Byram skated on Friday morning in a non-contact jersey. Chicago considers him day-to-day, so it shouldn't take long before Byram is back. His next chance to return will be a matchup against Florida on Sunday. So far this season, Byram has been one of the biggest fantasy disappointments, recording one assist, five SOG, and nine blocks in six games. Wyatt Kaiser's workload has significantly increased during Byram's absence, but he isn't a recommended fantasy target.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Mike Matheson Back in Action Friday
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson (lower body) will return from a four-game absence on Friday against Chicago. Matheson's absence left a big gap at the back end, as he averages 24:09 of ice time per game. The veteran blue-liner has recorded one assist, nine SOG, and 10 blocks in five games this season. Matheson will need to step up his offensive game to meet his fantasy expectations. Adam Engstrom will be scratched on Friday to make room for Matheson.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Anthony Cirelli Available Friday
Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (undisclosed) will suit up against Colorado on Friday. He didn't play in the third period of Tuesday's 6-2 win over Vegas, but Cirelli was apparently just banged up and isn't dealing with a serious injury. Cirelli has scored three goals and five points in nine games this season. On Tuesday, he had his best performance of the season, scoring two goals. Repeating that feat against a tough Avalanche team will be hard, though their defense hasn't been great this season, allowing three goals per game.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Dawson Mercer Moves to Winnipeg
Forward Dawson Mercer was traded to the Winnipeg Jets by the New Jersey Devils on Friday. The Jets got Mercer as the biggest piece in exchange for goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. The Jets also acquired forward prospect Alexander Command, goaltender Nico Daws, forward Nick Bjugstad (pectoral), a 2029 second-round pick, and a 2027 seventh-round pick. A first-round pick in 2020, Mercer averaged slightly above 0.5 points per game in 420 games with the Devils. He has four assists in 10 games this season. Mercer looks like a good addition to the Jets' middle-six group, but he doesn't offer too much fantasy value.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Connor Hellebuyck Shipped to New Jersey
The New Jersey Devils acquired goaltender Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets on Friday in exchange for forward Dawson Mercer, goaltender Nico Daws, forward prospect Alexander Command, forward Nick Bjugstad (pectoral), and two draft picks. The Hellebuyck trade saga is finally over, and both parties can move forward. The star goalie is heading to the Eastern Conference after becoming the NHL MVP and winning three Vezina Trophies in Winnipeg. In New Jersey, he's joining a team that has allowed only 22.0 SOG per game. The Devils rank 23rd in save percentage, and adding a netminder of Hellebuyck's caliber should improve it.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Gustav Forsling Exits Loss After Taking A Puck to the Face
Florida Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling (face) exited early against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. He was hit in the face by a puck late in the game. There was no update on Forsling after the game, leaving him questionable for Sunday's tilt against Chicago. Forsling's production has been underwhelming this season. He has recorded two points (one goal, one assist), 13 SOG, seven blocks, and five hits in 10 games. Niko Mikkola and Dmitry Kulikov will likely have busier times if Forsling isn't available over the weekend.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Nick Blankenburg Exits Early Due to Injury Thursday
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Nick Blankenburg (undisclosed) couldn't finish Thursday's matchup with the New York Rangers, Sportsnet's Luke Fox reports. Blankenburg entered the lineup to fill in for Marshall Rifai (lower body). Now, the Maple Leafs have suddenly lost two defensemen in quick succession. Chris Tanev (upper body) has also missed time recently, so the team's defensive depth is getting a stern test. Blankenburg has made six appearances with the Maple Leafs, recording one goal, six SOG, two blocks, and six hits.
Source: Luke Fox
Source: Luke Fox
Nino Niederreiter Hurt in Thursday's Loss
Winnipeg Jets winger Nino Niederreiter (face) didn't finish Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss to Dallas, Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press reports. With 6:51 remaining in regulation, Niederreiter took a high stick to the face from teammate Tyrel Bauer. Niederreiter's 2026-27 campaign is off to a very difficult start, with no points in seven outings. He was a healthy scratch for three games at the start of the month. The 16-year veteran is averaging 12:05 of ice time, his lowest since his rookie campaign. Cole Koepke will likely get a chance to play if Niederreiter misses time.
Source: Ken Wiebe
Source: Ken Wiebe
John Gibson Exits Early Thursday
Detroit Red Wings goaltender John Gibson (upper body) missed the third period of Thursday's 5-2 win over Vancouver. Gibson allowed one goal and made four saves before exiting the contest. The team initially announced Gibson was questionable to return. Throughout his career, Gibson has dealt with several injuries. However, it appears he isn't seriously hurt this time. According to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, Gibson got something in his eye. Michal Postava closed out Thursday's game, making seven saves. Gibson has primarily shared the net with Daniil Tarasov (undisclosed), but he isn't currently available. The American netminder is 3-3-1 for the season and has allowed 3.35 goals with a .871 save percentage.
Source: Detroit Red Wings
Source: Detroit Red Wings
Mattias Ekholm to Miss at Least One Week
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm (undisclosed) is expected to miss at least one week, Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 Edmonton reports. The Swedish veteran was injured in Thursday's 6-5 shootout win over Carolina. So far in 2026-27, Ekholm has been quiet. In 10 games, he's recorded three points (one goal, two assists), nine SOG, eight blocks, and five hits. However, he leads all defensemen in the league with a plus-15 rating. Ekholm's steady defense has allowed his partner, Evan Bouchard, to shine offensively. Bouchard's game might suffer with a new partner. Jake Walman is set to move up in the lineup, with Shakir Mukhamadullin filling the gap on the back end.
Source: Jason Gregor
Source: Jason Gregor
Igor Chernyshov to Be Out For "a Little Bit"
San Jose Sharks winger Igor Chernyshov (upper body) is set to miss time after being hurt in Thursday's win over Ottawa, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports. Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky said Chernyshov will be out for "a little bit." Chernyshov made his first 28 NHL appearances last season and was expected to kick on in 2026-27. Yet he has struggled to make an impact. In 11 games, Chernyshov has contributed two goals and two assists. With Chernyshov unavailable, Mason Marchment could get a look on the first line, though his fantasy production has been disappointing this season.
Source: Sheng Peng
Source: Sheng Peng
Pavel Mintyukov Out for Rest of Road Trip
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov (lower body) has returned home from the team's road trip. The Ducks have been traveling along the East Coast, but they were without Mintyukov on Thursday night against New Jersey. He will also miss Saturday's matchup with the Philadelphia, which will mark the final game of the team's four-game trip. Mintyukov has registered two assists and 16 blocks in nine outings this season. Nick Jensen entered the lineup as Mintyukov's replacement on Thursday, but he's a non-factor in fantasy.
Source: Anaheim Ducks
Source: Anaheim Ducks
Alexander Wennberg Downgraded to Week-to-Week
San Jose Sharks center Alexander Wennberg (upper body) was downgraded to week-to-week on Thursday, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports. Wennberg sustained an upper-body injury in Monday's loss to Toronto and was initially deemed day-to-day. However, his injury has proved more serious than first thought. The Swedish veteran has skated as San Jose's second-line center, contributing three assists in nine games this season. In Thursday's matchup with Ottawa, Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky plans to use winger Collin Graf as Wennberg's replacement.
Source: Sheng Peng
Source: Sheng Peng
Jared Spurgeon Returns to Wild Lineup Thursday
Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon (upper body) is set to return to the lineup on Thursday against Calgary after being activated from Injured Reserve. The Wild captain has been unavailable for four games due to an upper-body injury. After a 22-point campaign, Spurgeon hopes to regain his groove this season and has started well. Across six appearances, Spurgeon has recorded five points (one goal, four assists). Olli Maatta (upper body) is also available after missing three games, giving Minnesota back two key defensive pieces.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Quinton Byfield a Game-Time Call Thursday
Los Angeles Kings center Quinton Byfield (upper body) is a game-time decision on Thursday against the New York Islanders, Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports. Byfield sustained an upper-body injury Tuesday night against Washington and may now miss his first game of the season. Seven games into the season, Byfield boasts only one goal and one assist. If Byfield can't play against the Islanders, Erik Haula will take over as the second-line center. Scott Laughton could also see increased usage.
Source: Zach Dooley
Source: Zach Dooley
