December 9, 2025
Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri finished Monday's 7-4 victory over the Buffalo Sabres with a goal and two assists. Yegor Sharangovich also had three points (two goals, one assist) as the NHL's worst offense suddenly came alive. Kadri factored in Calgary's first four goals. While his team has struggled to generate goals all season, Kadri is having a fine campaign. Across 31 appearances, he has notched six goals and 26 points. Five of Kadri's last 10 outings have ended with multiple points. He will look to continue that momentum in the next matchup against a Detroit Red Wings team that has one of the worst save percentages in the league at .882.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 9, 2025
Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek recorded a season-high three points in Monday's 4-1 road victory over the Seattle Kraken, ending a five-game scoreless spell. The Swedish forward opened the scoring early in the second period and bagged a pair of assists in the third. With his second assist, Erikson Ek broke a tie with Mikael Granlund for the 10th-most points in Wild history. Recently, Eriksson Ek has struggled to make an impact offensively, but his season hasn't gone too badly. After 30 appearances, Erikson Ek sits on 19 points (five goals, 14 assists). He is third on the Wild squad with 52 hits.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 9, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Dennis Hildeby stopped all 29 shots against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday to record his first career shutout in a 2-0 victory. With Joseph Woll (lower body) and Anthony Stolarz (upper body) sidelined, Hildeby made his fifth start of the campaign and improved to 2-2-2. The 24-year-old Swedish native boasts a 2.16 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage. He currently looks like a great option between the sticks for fantasy managers. Next up, Hildeby will face the San Jose Sharks on Thursday if neither Woll nor Stolarz returns.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 9, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dakota Mermis (lower body) will be evaluated on Tuesday after he was injured in Monday's win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mermis was forced to exit the game early in the third period due to a knee-on-knee hit from Lightning forward Gage Goncalves, who received a major penalty and a game misconduct. The 31-year-old was reinserted into the lineup on Monday after he served as a healthy scratch for three games. Now, he might have to miss time due to injury. Mermis has recorded one goal, five shots, nine blocks, and eight hits in 11 outings with the Maple Leafs this season. Philippe Myers, who made way for Mermis in the lineup on Monday, is likely to replace him if he misses time.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 9, 2025
Minnesota Wild defenseman Jacob Middleton (undisclosed) was injured in Monday's victory over the Seattle Kraken. He left the contest in the third period due to an undisclosed injury. Before his exit, Middleton recorded an assist on Minnesota's first goal. This gives Middleton six assists for the season. He has yet to score a goal with 21 attempts on the net. Last season, Middleton produced a career-high eight goals. In 2025-26, the veteran rearguard has also recorded 46 blocks and 45 hits in 27 appearances. Minnesota played with seven defensemen on Monday night, so a forward might come into the lineup as Middleton's replacement if he can't play in Thursday's contest against the Dallas Stars.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 9, 2025
Minnesota Wild right wing Mats Zuccarello (undisclosed) exited Monday's 4-1 win over the Seattle Kraken after logging only 5:32 of ice time. He was knocked out of the lineup by a big hit from Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn. The Norwegian veteran was making his 15th appearance of the season after he missed the start of the campaign with a lower-body injury. Zuccarello has been sharp on the first line, contributing two goals and 12 assists. Vladimir Tarasenko, who has notched 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 23 outings, may join the top six if Zuccarello has to spend some time on the sidelines.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 8, 2025
Edmonton Oilers forward Jack Roslovic (undisclosed) is expected to remain out for a couple of more weeks. Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters on Monday that Roslovic is anticipated to return around Christmas. Roslovic has enjoyed his time with the Oilers this season, scoring 10 goals and 18 points in 23 games. He ranks fifth in scoring on the team, and only superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have netted more goals for Edmonton in 2025-26. Winger Kasperi Kapanen (lower body) is also expected to remain out until around Christmas. Matt Savoie has seen regular top-six action due to Edmonton's injury situation, scoring three goals over the past two games.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 8, 2025
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jake Walman (undisclosed) is set to miss at least two more weeks of action. Per Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch, Walman will remain out this week and is unlikely to return next week. Initially, Walman was on track to return to the lineup last week, but his injury is worse than expected. He has already missed six games. During Walman's absence, Ty Emberson has secured a regular role in the Oilers defense, posting three assists over the last six games. He will continue to carry additional fantasy value until Walman can make it back.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 8, 2025
Seattle Kraken forward Berkly Catton (upper body) won't play in Monday's contest against the Minnesota Wild and is out week-to-week. The 19-year-old rookie was hurt in Saturday's loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Catton has yet to score with 17 shots on goal, but he has registered five assists during his maiden campaign. Jani Nyman will replace Catton on the third line. The Finnish forward has four goals in 14 games with 20 shots but no assists. Minnesota has recorded a league-high six shutouts this season, allowing 2.72 goals per game, making this a tough matchup for Seattle's frontline.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 8, 2025
Vancouver Canucks left wing Nils Hoglander (lower body) will make his season debut on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. He started the campaign on long-term Injured Reserve due to a lower-body injury. A season ago, Hoglander contributed eight goals and 17 assists in 72 appearances, averaging around one hit per game. Vancouver will ease Hoglander back into action as a fourth-liner. He is also expected to see time on the second power play unit. With Elias Pettersson (upper body), Filip Chytil (concussion protocol), and Teddy Blueger (lower body) sidelined, Hoglander could quickly move up in the lineup if he plays well.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 8, 2025
Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson (upper body) will remain on the shelf for a second straight game on Monday night against the Detroit Red Wings. He was a late scratch on Saturday against the Minnesota Wild and is being evaluated for an upper-body injury. Pettersson is Vancouver's highest-scoring forward, boasting 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) through 28 outings. David Kampf has joined the top six as Pettersson's replacement. A move to a scoring line boosts Kampf's fantasy value, but he has finished scoreless in nine appearances this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 8, 2025
Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley (lower body) has been ruled out indefinitely. He will miss a second straight game on Monday night against the Los Angeles Kings. Cooley leads Utah with 14 goals and has amassed 23 points in 29 games. Barrett Hayton will have a chance to secure a regular top-six role until Cooley returns. So far this season, Hayton has struggled to perform, even spending some time as a healthy scratch recently. He has registered three goals and two assists in 25 appearances. Monday's game presents a challenging matchup for Utah's offense, as the Kings are allowing the third-fewest goals in the league this season (2.50).
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 8, 2025
Tampa Bay Lightning forwards Nikita Kucherov (undisclosed) and Brayden Point (undisclosed) will rejoin the lineup on Monday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kucherov is available after a one-game absence, while Point has sat out seven games. Both players will slot back into the top six and the first power play unit. Nicholas Paul, who has been filling in for Point as the second-line center, will also remain part of the top-six group. Meanwhile, Tampa's frontline will be without the services of Dominic James (undisclosed) and Curtis Douglas (undisclosed). Kucherov has been red-hot in recent weeks, recording six multi-point games in seven appearances. In contrast, Point has struggled this season, managing only three goals and eight assists in 21 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 8, 2025
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone enjoyed a visit to Madison Square Garden on Sunday, finishing a 3-2 overtime win against the New York Rangers with two assists. Less than one minute into the game, Stone helped Brett Howden light the lamp, and he also played a part in Tomas Hertl's game-tying goal inside the final minute of regulation. Stone has yet to go pointless in his 12 appearances this season, notching four goals and 16 assists. Only five active players have started a season with points in more consecutive games. The New York Islanders will be the next team trying to contain Stone, as the Golden Knights visit UBS Arena on Tuesday.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 8, 2025
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart made it two wins in two games as the team beat the New York Rangers 3-2 in overtime on Sunday. Hart allowed a pair of second-period goals but had a solid performance, finishing with 21 saves. Through his first two outings with Vegas, Hart has registered a 2.32 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage. Considering he had been out of the league since 2024, it has been an impressive return from Hart, who has begun to rob starts from Akira Schmid. However, Schmid still has a role to play on the team, especially after his shutout against the New Jersey Devils on Friday.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
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