January 18, 2026
Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk (groin) could be available for his season debut next week. "He's close," Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said before Saturday's win over the Washington Capitals. "He's getting pushed hard on the ice. He's coming back. The recovery has been good. He hasn't felt at a hundred percent, but the last two days he pushed hard, came back, felt good. So, I don't think he's very far away now." Florida also hopes to see Brad Marchand (undisclosed) return soon. The veteran has been out for five games. "Neither one of those guys should be out very much longer," Maurice added. The Panthers return to action on Monday against the San Jose Sharks.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 18, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers center Rodrigo Abols (lower body) was placed on Injured Reserve on Sunday. In a corresponding move, the team recalled Lane Pederson from the AHL. Abols suffered a lower-body injury during Saturday's 6-3 defeat to the New York Rangers. He is now set to miss at least three games, and Team Latvia will be praying that Abols won't be forced to miss the Olympics due to his injury. Abols averages just over a hit per game and has notched 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 42 appearances this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 18, 2026
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon (lower body) practiced on Sunday and could soon rejoin the action. On Jan. 7, Lyon was ruled out for 7-10 days due to a lower-body injury. He has been dealing with the issue for a bit, last playing on Dec. 29. Lyon has had a good campaign with the Sabres, posting a 10-6-3 record, a 2.82 goals-against average, a .906 save percentage, and one shutout. He had produced a seven-game winning streak before getting hurt. With Lyon sidelined, both Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Colten Ellis have taken turns in goal.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 18, 2026
Buffalo Sabres center Josh Norris (upper body) missed Sunday's practice and is week-to-week. The 26-year-old suffered an upper-body injury on Wednesday night against the Philadelphia Flyers and has missed two games. He was initially considered day-to-day. "He's not really recovering the way we had hoped," Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said on Sunday. With Norris unavailable, Konsta Helenius is poised to make his NHL debut in Monday's contest against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 2024 first-round pick has tallied 30 points (nine goals, 21 assists) in 34 AHL games this campaign.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 18, 2026
St. Louis Blues forward Dylan Holloway (ankle) will rejoin the lineup on Sunday night against the Edmonton Oilers. He has missed 15 games due to an ankle injury. Holloway is likely to fill a top-six role and should also see power-play time. Many Blues players have struggled this season, and Holloway is among them. In 33 games, he has picked up 17 points (eight goals, nine assists). On Sunday night, Holloway will go up against an Oilers team that just recorded its third shutout of the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 17, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes left wing William Carrier (lower body) will remain on the shelf on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils, Mike Morreale of NHL.com reports. The veteran power forward is struggling to shake off a lower-body injury, missing a fourth consecutive game. In 38 appearances this season, Carrier has recorded 10 points (five goals, five assists), 45 shots, and a team-high 91 hits. Jesperi Kotkaniemi has returned to the lineup during Carrier's absence and contributed one assist in Thursday's 9-1 victory over the Florida Panthers. Carrier's next chance to return will be on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres.
--Taavi PailkSource: Mike Morreale
January 17, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (lower body) is expected to remain out of Saturday's game against the New Jersey Devils, Mike Morreale of NHL.com reports. The veteran blue-liner has been dealing with an illness this week and missed Friday's blowout win over the Florida Panthers due to a lower-body injury. Jaccob Slavin rejoined the lineup on Friday, going plus-one in 17:56 of ice time but not registering any other significant stats. At the same time, Alexander Nikishin had a big game as Gostisbehere's replacement on the first power-play unit, finishing with a goal and an assist. On Saturday, Nikishin will be in a prime spot to make a big impact again, as New Jersey holds a 76.7 percent power play.
--Taavi PailkSource: Mike Morreale
January 17, 2026
Montreal Canadiens center Jake Evans (lower body) was activated from Injured Reserve and is poised to re-enter the lineup on Saturday night against the Ottawa Senators. Evans has been out since Dec. 20 due to a lower-body injury. To make room for Evans in the lineup, Montreal is projected to scratch Joe Veleno for Saturday's contest. In 34 outings this season, Evans has notched 10 points (five goals, five assists) while delivering 44 hits. He lacks fantasy appeal as a fourth-line grinder
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 17, 2026
Chicago Blackhawks winger Teuvo Teravainen (upper body) will be sidelined for a second straight game on Saturday against the Boston Bruins. The Finnish veteran is dealing with an upper-body injury and doesn't have a return timeline. Teravainen is tied for fourth on Chicago's scoring charts, notching 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in 45 games. Fortunately for the Blackhawks, Connor Bedard recently returned from a shoulder injury and will spearhead the attack on Saturday night, flanked by Ryan Greene and Andre Burakovsky on the first line.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 17, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (lower body) will be absent from the lineup on Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets. Nylander aggravated a lower-body injury this week and may have to skip multiple games. "Right now, I don't expect him in today for sure, Monday (against the Minnesota Wild) probably not. I don't know how long it's going to be," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said. Matthew Knies is expected to slot into Nylander's spot on the second line against Winnipeg. Knies ended a season-worst four-game point drought with two assists in Thursday's overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 17, 2026
Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (lower body) could return from a six-game absence on Saturday against the Florida Panthers. The power forward rejoined practice earlier this week and participated in an optional morning skate on Saturday. Wilson is having a career year in 2025-26, sitting on a team-high 42 points (22 goals, 20 assists) through 41 appearances. Wilson's return on Saturday would probably bump Ethen Frank from the first line. However, Frank may still see increased usage due to Justin Sourdif's (upper body) continued absence.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 17, 2026
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (thigh) will miss 3-5 weeks after undergoing a procedure on Friday to treat a Morel-Lavallee lesion in his left thigh. Carlsson has missed two games due to the injury. The young Swedish star now faces a race against time to get healthy for the Olympics. Sweden begins its tournament on Feb. 11. Meanwhile, it's clear Carlsson won't play for the Ducks until after the Olympics. Carlsson has had a special campaign in 2025-26, recording a team-high 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in 44 games. In his absence, Mason McTavish has taken on first-line center duties, with Mikael Granlund jumping to the second line.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 17, 2026
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (personal) has taken a leave of absence and won't play on Saturday night against the Vancouver Canucks. The German superstar has returned to his native country due to a family illness. Edmonton expects to have him back next week. Draisaitl is having another phenomenal season, posting 67 points (25 goals, 42 assists) in 48 games. Andrew Mangiapane is expected to re-enter the lineup on Saturday, with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins taking over the second-line center role. Meanwhile, Vasily Podkolzin will replace Nugent-Hopkins on the first line. The Russian forward will have additional fantasy value as Connor McDavid's partner.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 16, 2026
Minnesota Wild winger Matt Boldy (undisclosed) was placed on Injured Reserve on Friday. This was unexpected, given that Boldy logged his usual ice time during Thursday's 6-2 defeat against the Winnipeg Jets. Boldy posted an assist on Thursday, boosting his total for the season to 51 points (27 goals, 24 assists) in 48 games. Sadly, he won't get a chance to add to his tally for a bit. Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body), who has missed three games, was also moved to Injured Reserve on Friday. The team added Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Hunter Haight to the roster from the minors. Boldy's departure from the lineup opens a top-six opportunity for Vladimir Tarasenko.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 16, 2026
Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton (upper body) will suit up on Friday against the Nashville Predators. Initially, he was doubtful for the game after skipping Thursday's practice due to an upper-body injury. Colton has logged 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) across 45 outings in 2025-26. With Gabriel Landeskog (upper body) sidelined, Colton has received an opportunity to feature in the top six. He has responded by recording four assists over the past three games. However, Colton hasn't scored a goal for 22 consecutive appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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