January 9, 2026
New York Rangers center Noah Laba (upper body) will be a game-time decision on Saturday against the Boston Bruins, Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic reports. Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan called Noah Laba "a possibility" for the game. The 22-year-old practiced fully on Friday after missing three games due to an upper-body injury. Laba's first year in the NHL has gone fairly well. He has contributed five goals and seven assists in 42 outings, averaging 13:13 of ice time. If he's ready to return against Boston, Laba is expected to fill third-line duties.
--Taavi PailkSource: Vince Z. Mercogliano
January 9, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers winger Travis Konecny (upper body) will be a game-time call on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reports. Philadelphia has taken several injury hits this week. But while Bobby Brink (upper body) and Jamie Drysdale (undisclosed) are expected to miss a few games, Konecny may avoid his first absence of the season on Saturday. The 28-year-old sustained an upper-body injury during Thursday's loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Konency is on pace for his second consecutive 70-point campaign. He has scored 38 points (14 goals, 24 assists) across 42 games. If Konecny isn't available on Saturday night, we may see Matvei Michkov in a larger role.
--Taavi PailkSource: Kevin Kurz
January 9, 2026
Utah Mammoth center Kevin Stenlund (illness) will hop back into the lineup for Friday's tilt against the St. Louis Blues. Due to illness, the veteran forward was absent from Wednesday's win over the Ottawa Senators, missing his first game of the season. As a fourth-line center, Stenlund doesn't have any fantasy value. However, he has done solid work in the role for the Mammoth, recording 10 points (three goals, seven assists), 38 shots, 31 blocks, and 25 hits across 43 appearances, while winning 52.9 percent of his faceoffs. Stenlund's return will push Kailer Yamamoto out of the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 9, 2026
Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (lower body) will sit out a second consecutive game on Friday night against the Winnipeg Jets. The Kings captain sustained a lower-body injury in Monday's win over the Minnesota Wild and remains day-to-day. Joel Armia (lower body), Trevor Moore (upper body), and Corey Perry (personal) are also still out, leaving L.A. with a depleted frontline for another contest. With key forwards out, Taylor Ward and Jeff Malott are expected to continue in top-six roles, and the team will also dress an extra defenseman for the game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 9, 2026
Washington Capitals winger Aliaksei Protas (lower body) was activated from Injured Reserve and is ready to rejoin the lineup on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Belarusian forward has been out for three games due to a lower-body injury. Before he was knocked out of the lineup, Protas was in sensational form, totaling six goals and five assists in eight games. He has managed 31 points (16 goals, 15 assists) in 41 games across the season. Protas will likely rejoin the top-six group on Friday and could see increased power-play time, with Tom Wilson (lower body) still out.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 9, 2026
Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard (shoulder) will rejoin the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals. Chicago's ascending star has recovered from a shoulder injury, which kept him sidelined for 12 games. Bedard is having a special campaign, scoring 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists) in 31 games. On Friday, Bedard is expected to skate on the first line alongside Ryan Greene and Andre Burakovsky. Additionally, he will reclaim his spot on the first power-play unit. Washington has struggled defensively in recent games and has a 77.2 percent penalty kill, giving Bedard a chance to make a big impact in his return.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 9, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers winger Travis Konecny (upper body) exited Thursday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs after the second period. The team announced that Konecny had suffered an upper-body injury. Prior to his exit, Konecny scored Philadelphia's only goal of the game. He was on target for the third time in five games. Konency is the Flyers' second-highest scorer, with 38 points (14 goals, 24 assists) in 42 games. The 28-year-old has been part of a very effective line alongside Trevor Zegras and Christian Dvorak, but that combination may now be broken up if Konecny has to miss time. The Flyers will return to action on Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
--Taavi PailkSource: Philadelphia Flyers
January 9, 2026
Calgary Flames forward Blake Coleman (undisclosed) exited Thursday's matchup against the Boston Bruins early for precautionary reasons, head coach Ryan Huska confirmed after the game. Coleman was limited to 9:55 of ice time, finishing scoreless. He has managed 21 points (13 goals, eight assists) in 44 games this season, sitting second on the team with 110 hits. Additionally, Coleman is tied for second on the roster with a plus-10 rating. Huska's words indicate that Coleman isn't dealing with a serious health issue, but it remains to be seen whether he will be available on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 9, 2026
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (lower body) left Thursday's 5-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first period. He appeared to injure his left leg. The Golden Knights plan to fully evaluate him on Friday. On Thursday night, Hart gave up one goal and made no saves before his premature exit. Akira Schmid took over in the net, stopping 21 of 23 pucks. Schmid started the season strongly but has been playing second fiddle to Hart recently. Now, his workload might increase again if Hart misses additional time. Vegas' regular No. 1, Adin Hill (lower body), has been sidelined since October. Hill practiced on Thursday, but it's unclear when he will be able to play.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 9, 2026
Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (undisclosed) was labeled day-to-day after his early exit from Thursday's win over the Seattle Kraken. He left the game in the second period with an undisclosed injury. Fortunately, he avoided a major injury and could be ready to play on Saturday against the New York Islanders. In 45 appearances, Eriksson Ek has posted 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) and 68 hits, ranking among the top three on the team in both categories. If Eriksson Ek can't play this weekend, Ryan Hartman may get a fresh opportunity in the top six.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 9, 2026
Colorado Avalanche left wing Joel Kiviranta (lower body) is considered week-to-week. He missed a fifth consecutive game on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators. The Finnish forward will probably remain out for at least a few more games, but he is expected to recover in time for the Olympics. After posting a career-high 16 goals and 23 points in 79 games last season, Kiviranta has had a limited impact offensively in 2025-26. He has managed only one goal and three assists across 21 outings. Zakhar Bardakov is currently filling Kiviranta's spot on the fourth line, recording assists in back-to-back games.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 9, 2026
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Brendan Smith (knee) underwent surgery and is expected to be out for 3-4 months. He had a procedure to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. Smith suffered the injury on Dec. 29 against the Ottawa Senators. Columbus placed him on Injured Reserve last week. Smith, a 15-year veteran, has made 15 appearances this season for the Blue Jackets, registering two assists, 10 shots, 11 blocks, and 12 hits. Given his recovery timeline, Smith might be done for the rest of the 2025-26 regular season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 9, 2026
The San Jose Sharks have acquired goaltender Laurent Brossoit from the Chicago Blackhawks. In the deal, the Sharks gave up defensemen Ryan Ellis (back) and Jake Furlong, along with a 2028 fourth-round pick, for Brossoit, defenseman Nolan Allan, and a 2028 seventh-round pick. Brossoit didn't make a single appearance for the Blackhawks. After signing a two-year, $6.6 million deal as a free agent with the team in 2024, he missed the 2024-25 campaign due to a knee injury. This season, the 32-year-old has been limited to AHL appearances, posting a 3-3-0 record and even scoring a goal. Given the Sharks' goaltending struggles this year, Brossoit could get a chance to return to NHL action at some point.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 8, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale (undisclosed) will miss his first game of the season on Thursday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 23-year-old won't be in the lineup after sustaining an undisclosed injury in Tuesday's win over the Anaheim Ducks. Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet has not elaborated on how much time Drysdale will miss. With him sidelined, Philadelphia loses quality from both ends of the ice. Drysdale boasts 18 points (three goals, 15 assists) and 41 blocks from 41 games this season. Noah Juulsen will re-enter the lineup on Thursday but is unlikely to make a significant impact.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 8, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers right wing Bobby Brink (upper body) will not be in the lineup on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Brink exited after his first shift on Tuesday night against the Anaheim Ducks, and it's unclear how much time he will miss. This will be Brink's first absence of the season. He has registered 11 goals and 20 points in 41 contests. Matvei Michkov (foot), who missed his first game of the season on Tuesday, will take Brink's spot in the lineup. Michkov has been a fantasy disappointment in 2025-26 and has finished three of his last five appearances pointless.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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