February 25, 2026
Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (illness) has been ruled out for Wednesday's matchup with the Seattle Kraken. He's been battling an illness after the Olympics and won't be available for at least one game. Dallas will also restart the action without Radek Faksa (upper body) and Mikko Rantanen (lower body), putting the spotlight on players like Mavrik Bourque and Sam Steel. The two will be part of the top six on Wednesday night and will skate on the second power-play unit. Meanwhile, injuries in the attacking department have opened the door for Arttu Hyry to make his NHL debut.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 25, 2026
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore won't play against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night. Vegas had several representatives in Sunday's Olympic final, including Theodore, and the team has decided to give them a bit of extra rest after the tournament. According to Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy, all players are likely to return to the lineup for Friday's tilt against the Washington Capitals. With Theodore and Noah Hanifin missing from the defense, Dylan Coghlan and Brayden McNabb (upper body) will be inserted into the lineup. McNabb will return to action after missing 19 games with an upper-body injury.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 25, 2026
Vegas Golden Knights forwards Mark Stone and Mitch Marner won't be in the lineup on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings. On Tuesday, it was revealed that Jack Eichel wouldn't participate in the contest, and now it's clear that Vegas' frontline will be without a couple more Olympic finalists. As such, Tomas Hertl is set to serve as the top-line center on Wednesday, while the likes of Tanner Laczynski and Keegan Kolesar will also be part of the top-six group. The Golden Knights should be back to full strength on Friday against the Washington Capitals.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 25, 2026
Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley (lower body) could return to the lineup on Wednesday versus the Colorado Avalanche, Brogan Houston of the Deseret News reports. Cooley was on the second line during the morning skate and has been activated from Injured Reserve. The talented centerman has been on the shelf since Dec. 5 with a lower-body injury. Cooley performed well before his injury, recording 14 goals and 23 points in 29 games. After missing 28 games, Cooley may need some time to regain his rhythm, but he is expected to play a key role in Utah's playoff push.
--Taavi PailkSource: Brogan Houston
February 25, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (lower body) is expected to be out for at least four weeks. The Penguins captain suffered a lower-body injury while playing for Team Canada at the Olympics and was placed on Injured Reserve. Losing Crosby is a tough blow for the Penguins, as the veteran star has scored by far the most points on the team this season. In 56 outings, Crosby has managed 27 goals and 32 assists. With Crosby out, Rickard Rakell is expected to move from the wing to center on the first line. Rakell and Bryan Rust will be joined on the line by Avery Hayes on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
February 24, 2026
Winnipeg Jets winger Nino Niederreiter (undisclosed) is considered week-to-week. According to Jets head coach Scott Arniel, Niederreiter was already dealing with an injury before joining Team Switzerland for the 2026 Olympics. He had a tough time in Milan, going minus-three over five games and finishing with one goal. The 33-year-old has contributed eight goals and 11 assists in 55 NHL outings this season. Tanner Pearson is set to fill the void in the lineup, but he shouldn't generate any fantasy interest as a bottom-six skater.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 24, 2026
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk (undisclosed) was labeled week-to-week by head coach Scott Arniel on Tuesday. The 30-year-old was on track to return to the lineup after missing 11 games with a lower-body injury, but a new health issue will keep him sidelined longer. Pionk has had a difficult 2025-26 campaign, posting only eight points (two goals, six assists) in 40 outings. He has also logged 76 shots, 64 blocks, and 84 hits. With Josh Morrissey (upper body) sidelined as well, the rest of Winnipeg's defense faces increased pressure to step up their play.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 24, 2026
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin will miss Wednesday's matchup with the Los Angeles Kings. Only a couple of days ago, Hanifin was part of Team USA's Olympic triumph in Milan and will get some time off before returning to NHL action. Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters on Tuesday that he anticipates Hanifin and Jack Eichel will return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals. Hanifin has totaled 20 points (two goals, 18 assists), 96 shots, and 77 blocks in 47 outings in 2025-26. Vegas has recalled Dylan Coghlan from the minors to fill in for Hanifin on Wednesday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 24, 2026
Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel won't be in the lineup on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings. Eichel just won gold with Team USA at the Olympics, and the Golden Knights will give him some time off after the successful tournament. The star forward is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday versus the Washington Capitals. Eichel is having a big year in Vegas, ranking ninth in the NHL with 69 points (21 goals, 47 assists) in 50 games. Tomas Hertl and Mitch Marner could have larger roles on Wednesday, though the latter is questionable to play after also featuring in Sunday's Olympic final.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 24, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (illness) didn't practice on Tuesday but is set to play in Wednesday's contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Although Tavares is battling the flu, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube expects him to be available on Wednesday night. Tavares has tallied 20 goals and 47 points in 57 outings this season. He is poised to center the second line against Tampa Bay, with newly crowned Olympic champion Auston Matthews also available for the Maple Leafs. According to Berube, Matthews will play despite missing Tuesday's practice.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
February 24, 2026
The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired defenseman Samuel Girard from the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday. The team also picked up a second-round draft pick in exchange for defenseman Brett Kulak, who was traded for the second time this season. Kulak began the campaign with the Edmonton Oilers before he landed in Pittsburgh as part of the deal that saw the Oilers acquire goaltender Tristan Jarry. Girard has slightly more fantasy upside as a former 30-point scorer. Kulak has never posted more than 25 points in a single campaign. Both blue-liners have managed nine points in 2025-26. Girard could become more productive on offense in Pittsburgh if he claims a spot on the second power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 24, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (lower body) is set to play on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports. Last week, Hedman sustained a lower-body injury at the Olympics, missing Sweden's quarterfinal loss to Team USA. Tampa Bay will be delighted that Hedman won't have to sit out any more action. The team has already been without Hedman for much of the season after he underwent elbow surgery. In 21 appearances, Hedman has recorded 13 assists, 33 shots, and 30 blocks with a plus-two rating. The Lightning defense will also have Emil Lilleberg (undisclosed) and Charle-Edouard D'Astous (lower body) available Wednesday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: Benjamin Pierce
February 24, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (lower body) will return to action on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports. Point sustained a lower-body injury on Jan. 12, which forced him to miss the Olympics. Fortunately for the Lightning, the four-time 40-goal scorer will be available when the NHL season resumes. After a tricky start to the campaign, Point showed off red-hot form prior to his injury. He has totaled 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists) across his last 15 appearances. Overall, he is sitting on 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) with 37 games played.
--Taavi PailkSource: Benjamin Pierce
February 24, 2026
Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen (lower body) will be unavailable for at least two weeks. The star forward sustained a lower-body injury while playing for Finland at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. After meeting with team doctors on Monday, Rantanen was placed on Injured Reserve. Rantanen ranks eighth in scoring in the NHL, recording 69 points (20 goals, 49 assists) in 54 outings. Players like Mavrik Bourque and Justin Hryckowian could see more top-six usage during Rantanen's absence.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
February 23, 2026
Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark (illness) should be available as the NHL season continues this week, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen reports. The Swedish netminder dealt with flu-like symptoms before the Olympic break and was unavailable for one game. Additionally, Ullmark has missed time this season due to personal reasons. He has posted a 16-8-5 record in 30 starts, allowing 2.86 goals with a .884 save percentage. Ottawa needs Ullmark to be at the top of his game to make the playoffs. The team resumes play on Thursday against Detroit, currently six points behind the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot.
--Taavi PailkSource: Bruce Garrioch
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