December 12, 2025
Ottawa Senators center Lars Eller (lower body) may face another spell on the sidelines after getting hurt in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Eller played in his second game since returning from an undisclosed injury, and his day at the office ended early after Eller blocked a shot from Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski in the second period. Eller has next to no fantasy value, but he has added a lot of experience to the improving Senators team, while posting an outstanding 60.5 percent success rate in the faceoff circle. The Danish veteran has recorded six points (two goals, four assists) in 28 games. Stephen Halliday will get a chance to play on the fourth line if Eller misses Saturday's tilt against the Minnesota Wild.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 12, 2025
Boston Bruins winger Viktor Arvidsson (lower body) left Thursday's 6-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets after logging only 7:30 of ice time. He managed a power-play assist before his exit in the third period. Boston also lost defenseman Jonathan Aspirot (upper body) in the contest. Arvidsson only recently returned from a lower-body injury, recording one goal and three assists in five outings. Overall, he has contributed seven goals and six assists in 25 contests this season. If Arvidsson isn't ready to play on Sunday against the Minnesota Wild, the Bruins will likely bring Michael Eyssimont back into the lineup. The team would also have to make changes to its second power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 12, 2025
New York Islanders center Bo Horvat (lower body) was limited to 10:01 of ice time in Thursday's 5-2 home victory against the Anaheim Ducks. He departed the game midway through the second period due to a lower-body injury after Horvat got tangled with Ducks defenseman Drew Helleson and fell awkwardly. Islanders head coach Patrick Roy announced after the game that Horvat is considered day-to-day. It's extremely important for the Islanders that Horvat doesn't miss an extended period, as he's been their best player this season. Through 32 games, Horvat leads the Islanders with 19 goals and 31 points. Horvat would miss his first game of the season if he doesn't recover in time for Saturday's tilt against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 12, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (lower body) may have to miss time after getting hurt during Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss against the San Jose Sharks. He suffered a lower-body injury during a collision with Sharks forward Adam Gaudette early in the third period. Ekman-Larsson finished the game with zero points in 13:44 of ice time. After capping off November with a nine-game point streak, Ekman-Larsson has gone scoreless in all five December appearances. He has managed 20 points (four goals, 16 assists) in 30 games for the season. If Ekman-Larsson is not in the lineup on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers, it would be his first absence of the campaign. Philippe Myers is expected to step in for him.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 12, 2025
Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (foot) missed the end of Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild. He needed help to leave the ice after blocking a shot from teammate Miro Heiskanen with his foot. It was a rough night all around for Hintz, who finished with a minus-two rating and saw his point streak end on four games. Hintz has averaged close to a point per game this season, contributing nine goals and 17 assists in 27 games. Matt Duchene could replace Hintz in the top six if he has to miss additional time. The Stars will return to work on Saturday night against the Florida Panthers.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 12, 2025
Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley (lower body) must sit out at least eight weeks of action. He sustained a lower-body injury last week in a game against the Vancouver Canucks. The eight-week timeline suggests Cooley will return just before the Olympics break, but it would not be surprising if he returned after the break, which could give him more time to get back into game shape. Cooley has scored a team-high 14 goals and sits on 23 points through 29 outings. Barrett Hayton has settled into a top-six role during Cooley's absence, although the team may soon consider other options since Hayton is having a miserable season, scoring only one point in his last 18 appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 11, 2025
Washington Capitals right wing Ryan Leonard (shoulder) will be sidelined for 3-4 weeks. He will miss a second consecutive game on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 20-year-old rookie suffered a shoulder injury last week in a contest against the Anaheim Ducks. Leonard is fourth in scoring among first-year players with 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) in 29 outings. Sonny Milano has replaced Leonard in the lineup. Milano has tallied six points (four goals, two assists) in 18 appearances this season and should not draw fantasy attention. He typically logs very little ice time, averaging less than 10 minutes per game for the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 11, 2025
Minnesota Wild right wing Mats Zuccarello (upper body) was placed on Injured Reserve on Thursday. He was hurt in Monday's win over the Seattle Kraken and won't be available for a few games at least. Zuccarello has made only 15 appearances this season, registering two goals and 10 assists. On Thursday against the Dallas Stars, Vladimir Tarasenko is set to skate in Zuccarello's spot on the first line, giving him extra fantasy value. Minnesota also placed defenseman Jacob Middleton (upper body) on Injured Reserve on Thursday. In corresponding moves, forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel and defenseman Matt Kiersted were recalled from the minors.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 11, 2025
New Jersey Devils winger Timo Meier (personal) won't be in the lineup on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has taken a leave of absence to attend to a personal matter. The Swiss star may miss multiple games, as New Jersey has a back-to-back scheduled for the weekend. Meier has been the third-highest scoring Devil this season, posting 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 30 games. He is tied with Jesper Bratt for the most power-play points on the team (9). Paul Cotter will join the top-six group for Thursday's game. Cotter has not been a useful fantasy option in 2025-26, notching only seven points (three goals, four assists) in 30 appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 11, 2025
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (lower body) will make his first appearance since Nov. 11 in Thursday's matchup against the Buffalo Sabres. He has been out for 12 games due to a lower-body injury. Unfortunately, it has been another injury-disrupted campaign for Demko, who has made only 10 starts so far in 2025-26. He enters Thursday's clash with a 5-4-0 record, a 2.80 goals-against average, and a .903 save percentage. It is likely to be a busy night for Demko, as the Sabres average 3.00 goals and 29.0 shots per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 11, 2025
Buffalo Sabres center Josh Norris (illness) will sit out a second consecutive game on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. He has been dealing with an illness and soreness this week. Health issues have limited Norris to only five appearances in 2025-26. The 26-year-old has been very productive when on the ice, producing two goals and five assists. Buffalo's frontline also lost Jason Zucker (lower body) this week, giving Peyton Krebs an opportunity to skate on the first line. Krebs is also part of the second power-play unit. Buffalo's forwards could have a field day on Thursday night, as Vancouver is ranked 26th in save percentage and has the third-worst penalty kill in the league.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 11, 2025
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Boone Jenner (upper body) will rejoin the lineup on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators. He has been out of commission for 14 games due to an upper-body injury. The Blue Jackets captain will join Kent Johnson and Adam Fantilli on the second line. Jenner has notched 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 16 outings this season. He also adds a lot of physicality to the team, having averaged 2.2 hits for his career. It's a good matchup for Columbus' frontline on Thursday night, as Ottawa has the third-lowest save percentage in the NHL (.877).
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 11, 2025
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (undisclosed) will miss at least one week of action after he was placed on Injured Reserve. Hedman only recently returned from a 12-game absence. Now, he must sit out at least three games due to an undisclosed injury he sustained during Tuesday's win over the Montreal Canadiens. Hedman's absence will begin on Thursday night against the New Jersey Devils. To bolster its defensive depth, Tampa Bay has recalled Declan Carlile from the minors to take Hedman's spot on the roster. The major beneficiary of Hedman's injury will be Darren Raddysh, who has locked down a position on the first power-play unit. Raddysh is also seeing big minutes during even-strength play and has totaled 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) over his last 13 appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 11, 2025
Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy is set to return to action on Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets after he was activated from Injured Reserve. McAvoy has missed 11 games due to a facial injury. He needed surgery after being struck in the face by a puck. The star defenseman hasn't scored in 19 appearances this season, but McAvoy does have 14 assists on his account. He has also recorded 32 blocks and 26 hits while averaging 23:46 of ice time. On Thursday, McAvoy will join his regular partner, Hampus Lindholm, on the first defensive pairing and will strengthen Boston's first power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NESN
December 11, 2025
Detroit Red Wings winger Alex DeBrincat continued his prolific start to December with a three-point performance in Wednesday's 4-3 victory over the Calgary Flames. He notched two goals and one assist, recording his third three-point outing of the season. DeBrincat has landed on the score sheet in each of his five outings this month, totaling four goals and eight points. The veteran winger is having a spectacular year and could average more than a point per game in a campaign for only the second time during his nine-year NHL career. After 31 outings, DeBrincat boasts a team-high 34 points (16 goals, 18 assists). He is tied for fourth in the league with seven power-play goals.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
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