January 27, 2026
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson (lower body) won't return to the lineup until after the Olympics. He has missed two games due to a lower-body injury and won't be available for five more contests. Edvinsson has formed an effective top defensive pairing in Detroit with Moritz Seider, logging 17 points (six goals, 11 assists), 57 shots, 104 blocks, and 63 hits with a plus-six rating in 48 games. Jacob Bernard-Docker has become Seider's new partner in crime, while Travis Hamonic replaced Edvinsson in the lineup last week.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 27, 2026
Buffalo Sabres center Josh Norris (upper body) isn't expected to return this week, Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald reports. While Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff labeled Norris day-to-day on Monday, he will be out for at least three more games. Norris is dealing with an upper-body injury and will miss a seventh consecutive contest on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. It's unfortunate to see Norris back on the sidelines after he amassed 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in 19 appearances. Norris' absence has given Kosta Helenius a spot in the lineup, and the 2024 first-round pick has made an encouraging start to his NHL career. Helenius has posted four points (one goal, three assists) in four games.
--Taavi PailkSource: Bill Hoppe
January 27, 2026
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Zeev Buium (face) was placed on Injured Reserve on Monday. He was hit in the face by a puck during Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Buium managed to finish the game wearing a bubble visor on his helmet, but he will now be out for at least three contests. On Sunday, Buium made his 20th appearance as a Canuck. He has logged six points (two goals, four assists), 18 shots, and 16 blocks since the Minnesota Wild traded him as part of the Quinn Hughes deal. The team has replaced Buium on the roster with Victor Mancini, who was recalled from the AHL on Monday.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 27, 2026
Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser (head) was placed on Injured Reserve. The 28-year-old took an elbow to the head on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Penguins and will miss at least the next three games. This marks another setback for Boeser during a rough campaign. He has been limited to 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists) in 50 games. The Canucks have recalled Jonathan Lekkerimaki from the minors to bolster their frontline, while David Kampf is also an option to replace Boeser in the lineup on Tuesday night against the San Jose Sharks. Conor Garland may take Boeser's spot on the second line.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 27, 2026
Utah Mammoth defenseman Sean Durzi (undisclosed) missed the final few minutes of Monday's 2-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Brogan Houston of the Deseret News reports. Durzi has battled several health issues in recent seasons and could now miss more time. Utah will return to the ice on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers. Durzi has registered 15 points, 54 shots, and 55 blocks across 31 outings this season. Olli Maatta will step into the lineup if Durzi isn't ready to play on Tuesday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: Brogan Houston
January 26, 2026
Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (lower body) will be sidelined for 6-8 weeks, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports. The recovery timeline began last week. Brodin was already ruled out for the Olympics, and it looks like he will also miss some time after the tournament. Minnesota's blue line is without Zach Bogosian (lower body) as well, leaving the defense without two seasoned veterans. In his 14th NHL campaign, Brodin has recorded 15 points (three goals, 12 assists), 43 shots, and 91 blocks in 42 games. Recent injuries in the Wild's backline have given Daemon Hunt and David Jiricek regular opportunities to play.
--Taavi PailkSource: Joe Smith
January 26, 2026
Edmonton Oilers right wing Kasperi Kapanen (lower body) will be back in the lineup on Monday night against the Anaheim Ducks. He missed a week of action due to a lower-body injury, sitting out three games. The Finnish forward will grab a second-line spot, pushing Andrew Mangiapane out of the lineup. Unfortunately, Kapanen has struggled to stay healthy all season, appearing in only 14 games. He's been impactful when in the lineup, recording nine points (three goals, six assists) and 28 hits. Edmonton's frontline has an excellent fantasy matchup on Monday against the NHL's second-weakest defense.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 26, 2026
Utah Mammoth winger Lawson Crouse (illness) is expected to return to the lineup on Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. After a pair of big performances, Crouse was forced to sit out Saturday's matchup against the Nashville Predators due to illness. Liam O'Brien is set to make way for him in the lineup. Crouse has earned a spot on the first line, amassing two goals and two assists in his last two appearances. He's having a good bounce-back year, sitting on 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists) through 50 outings. 10 of Crouse's 26 points have come in January.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 26, 2026
New York Rangers defenseman Carson Soucy will miss Monday's game against the Boston Bruins for roster management purposes. He is expected to be traded to the New York Islanders. The Rangers' neighbors are looking for additional help in defense after losing Alexander Romanov (shoulder) for several months. Soucy moved to New York less than 12 months ago when he was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks for a conditional third-round draft pick. He has tallied eight points (three goals, five assists), 39 shots, 66 blocks, and 71 hits in 46 outings this season. Urho Vaakanainen is set to take Soucy's spot in the lineup on Monday.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
January 26, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (upper body) was activated from Injured Reserve and will return to the lineup for Monday's tilt against the New York Islanders. The Finnish veteran has been sidelined for six games due to an upper-body injury. Ristolainen has made 13 appearances this season, registering three assists, 24 shots, 24 blocks, and 16 hits, while averaging 20:59 of ice time. He will join Emil Andrae on the second defensive pairing on Monday, bumping Noah Juulsen out of the lineup. While Ristolainen's return will be a big boost for a Flyers defense that has allowed 38 goals across the last eight games, he has minimal fantasy appeal.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 26, 2026
New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (upper body) will be out for a second consecutive game on Monday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The hardworking blue-liner sustained an upper-body injury on Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken. Pulock has improved offensively in 2025-26, tallying 21 points (two goals, 19 assists) in 50 appearances. He leads the Islanders with 92 blocked shots. Isaiah George joined the lineup on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres and is expected to make a second consecutive appearance on Monday night. George was limited to 13:56 of ice time against Buffalo and doesn't have any fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 26, 2026
New York Islanders right wing Simon Holmstrom (illness) is considered a game-time decision for Monday's meeting with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Swedish forward is battling an illness and could miss his second game of the season. Holmstrom is hoping to post a second consecutive 40-point campaign in 2025-26, sitting on 12 goals and 12 assists through 50 appearances. He has skated with Anthony Duclair and Mathew Barzal on the second line. The Islanders will turn to Maxim Tsyplakov or Calum Ritchie if Holmstrom doesn't feel well enough to play against Philadelphia.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 26, 2026
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood (personal) was activated from the non-roster list. He is ready to rejoin the action after missing Sunday's win over the Toronto Maple Leafs for personal reasons. Wedgewood's wife, Brittany, gave birth to their second child on Thursday. Wedgewood is having an extraordinary season, sharing the league lead with a 2.18 goals-against average and ranking second with a .918 save percentage. He boasts a 20-3-5 record and has produced two shutouts. However, Wedgewood has lost some momentum recently, posting a 2-2-1 record in his last five starts.
--Taavi PailkSource: Colorado Avalanche
January 26, 2026
Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov (lower body) didn't practice on Sunday, Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald reports. The Russian veteran was injured during Saturday's 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens. While he was able to finish the game, it's unclear whether Zadorov can play on Monday against the New York Rangers. So far, he has appeared in all 52 games this season, ranking third on his team with 130 hits and 76 blocks, while notching 17 points (one goal, 16 assists) on the offensive end. Bruins head coach Marco Sturm called Zadorov a game-time decision. If he can't play on Monday, Henri Jokiharju will step into the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: Steve Conroy
January 26, 2026
Ottawa Senators forward Stephen Halliday (undisclosed) didn't finish Sunday's 7-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. He left the game in the third period after Golden Knights forward Tomas Hertl hit him into the stanchion. It was an unfortunate end to a big performance, as Halliday was one of the stars in the win. The 23-year-old had his first career multi-goal game, finishing with two goals and one assist. Halliday recently entered the lineup as a replacement for David Perron (groin). He has made 21 appearances this season, scoring three goals and 10 points. Senators captain Brady Tkachuk commented after the game that Halliday "feels good, feels okay. So hopefully it's nothing too severe." Still, the rookie could miss some time.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
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