February 21, 2026
Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (undisclosed) is expected to play Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, David Dwork of The Hockey News reports. An undisclosed health issue kept Ekblad out of Florida's last game before the Olympic break. Having Ekblad back is a big boost for the Panthers, who remain without Seth Jones (upper body) and Dmitry Kulikov (upper body) on defense. Tobias Bjornfot (undisclosed) is also expected to be an option on the back end next week. On Thursday, Ekblad will aim to end a six-game scoring drought. He has notched 21 points (three goals, 18 assists) in 55 games this season, adding 88 blocks and 67 hits to his tally.
--Taavi PailkSource: David Dwork
February 21, 2026
Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha (concussion) will be available for action next week. He practiced in a regular jersey on Saturday and is poised to rejoin the lineup on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Zacha suffered a concussion in late January and wasn't able to join Team Czechia for the Olympics. With 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists) in 54 games, Zacha is Boston's fourth-highest scoring forward. 15 of his points have come on the power play. Given Columbus' poor 77.4 percent penalty-killing efficiency, Zacha could have a significant impact in his return on Thursday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 21, 2026
Vancouver Canucks right wing Jonathan Lekkerimaki (shoulder) needs season-ending shoulder surgery, Ben Kuzma of The Province reports. The 2022 first-round pick appeared in five consecutive games for the Canucks before the Olympic break. Sadly, he won't see any more action in 2025-26, finishing the campaign with three points (two goals, one assist) in 13 outings. Lekkerimaki had 13 goals and 20 points in 21 AHL games. Having proven himself in the minors, the Finnish youngster will look to battle for a regular spot on the Canucks roster next season.
--Taavi PailkSource: Ben Kuzma
February 21, 2026
Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen sat out Finland's 6-1 win over Slovakia on Saturday due to a lower-body injury. Eeli Tolvanen filled in for Rantanen as the Finns secured bronze at the Olympics. It's unclear whether the injury will affect Rantanen's availability next week when the NHL season resumes. Rantanen is the NHL's eighth-highest scorer, with 69 points (20 goals, 49 assists) in 54 games. He was also in fine form throughout the Olympics, finishing with two goals and six points in five outings. Dallas will be back in action on Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 21, 2026
Calgary Flames forward Blake Coleman (upper body) was activated from Injured Reserve, Ryan Pike of Flames Nation reports. This indicates Coleman will be ready to return to action when Calgary continues its season on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. Coleman hasn't played since suffering an upper-body injury on Jan. 8. The 34-year-old has totaled 21 points (13 goals, eight assists) in 44 appearances and boasts 110 hits for the campaign. John Beecher (upper body) was also activated from Injured Reserve on Friday, giving the Flames two additional options up front.
--Taavi PailkSource: Ryan Pike
February 21, 2026
New York Rangers right wing Matt Rempe (thumb) will be placed on Injured Reserve. Rempe injured his left thumb in October during a fight with San Jose Sharks forward Ryan Reaves and will now undergo a second procedure to get it fixed. It's unclear when Rempe will be ready to return to action, but the team hasn't ruled him out for the season. The 23-year-old enforcer has managed one goal in 26 outings this season, with 11 penalty minutes and 86 hits.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
February 21, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (lower body) is a game-time call for Sunday's Olympic final, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports. After missing Friday's semifinal win over Finland, Crosby skated on Saturday. However, Team Canada head coach Jon Cooper didn't confirm whether Crosby would be good to go for Sunday's mouth-watering matchup against Team USA. Getting Crosby back for the gold-medal game would be a big boost for Canada. The team has a 24-2 record at best-on-best tournaments with Crosby in the lineup. Crosby, who is chasing his third Olympic gold, has contributed two goals and four assists in four appearances in Milan.
--Taavi PailkSource: Elliotte Friedman
February 21, 2026
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (upper body) won't be available for Sunday's Olympic final against Team USA. The Canadian blue-liner suffered an upper-body injury in the tournament opener. Since he won't be available for Sunday's game, Morrissey may also miss some action for the Jets. Winnipeg will resume play on Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks. Despite his team's tough campaign, Morrissey has enjoyed a solid season, recording 42 points (10 goals, 32 assists) in 56 games. The Jets' defense has already been without Neal Pionk (lower body), Colin Miller (knee), and Haydn Fleury (upper body).
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
February 21, 2026
Vancouver Canucks center Filip Chytil will be out indefinitely after sustaining a facial fracture in practice this week. During Wednesday's practice session, Chytil was hit in the cheek by a puck. Chytil missed Vancouver's last game before the Olympic break due to migraines and was out for three months earlier this season with a concussion. He has been limited to 12 appearances in 2025-26, scoring three goals. With Chytil out, Aatu Raty is set to get regular playing time with the Canucks. The Finnish forward does not hold any fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
February 21, 2026
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid had two assists in Friday's 3-2 Olympic semifinal victory over Finland, posting a new scoring record for a single Olympic tournament featuring NHL players. He has totaled 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in Milan. On Friday, McDavid also established a new record for the longest multi-point streak in an Olympic tournament with NHL players, having finished all five of his outings with multiple points. The Oilers captain has been in sensational form and will be expected to carry Team Canada to gold on Sunday, especially if Sidney Crosby (lower body) can't make it back into the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 21, 2026
Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson (undisclosed) is expected to play in Sunday's Olympic final against Team Canada. The American forward missed the third period of Friday's semifinal win over Slovakia. Fortunately, it was only for precautionary reasons. Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan told reporters postgame that he anticipates Thompson being available for Sunday's gold-medal game. Thompson is having a big year with the Sabres this season and has also played well in the Olympics, posting three goals and four points in five games.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
February 20, 2026
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower body) was back at practice on Thursday, Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News reports. The Finnish netminder has been out since Jan. 27 due to a lower-body injury. It looks like Luukkonen could be ready to return when Buffalo continues its season on Feb. 25 against the New Jersey Devils. Luukkonen has done solid work for the team this season, posting an 11-7-2 record across 20 starts. He holds a 2.73 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage. With Alex Lyon also in top form, the Sabres look poised to make a strong playoff push.
--Taavi PailkSource: Rachel Lenzi
February 20, 2026
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (undisclosed) will miss Canada's semifinal matchup against Finland on Friday. Morrissey was injured during the tournament opener in Milan, and it's unclear whether he will be available for selection over the weekend, when Team Canada plays either the Olympic final or the bronze-medal game. The Jets will also be sweating over Morrissey's status, as he's a key player for them. Winnipeg will restart the action after the Olympic break on Feb. 25 against the Vancouver Canucks.
--Taavi PailkSource: Hockey Canada
February 20, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (lower body) won't be in action for Team Canada against Finland on Friday. He will miss at least one game due to a lower-body injury sustained during Wednesday's Olympic quarterfinal tilt against Czechia. Sam Bennett will take Crosby's spot in the lineup, while Connor McDavid will serve as Team Canada's captain. After Friday's semifinal, Canada will have one more contest in Milan this weekend, either the final or the bronze-medal game. Whether Crosby will be cleared to play is uncertain.
--Taavi PailkSource: Hockey Canada
February 19, 2026
Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley (lower body) is practicing in a regular jersey, Cole Bagley of KSL Sports reports. With the Olympic tournament nearing its conclusion, NHL teams have started practicing again, and Cooley has been a full participant in the Mammoth's sessions. This bodes well for his availability once the season resumes next week. Utah will restart the action on Feb. 25 against the Colorado Avalanche. Cooley has been out since early December with a lower-body injury. Before he was hurt, the 21-year-old enjoyed a great start to the campaign, posting 14 goals and 23 points in 29 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: Cole Bagley
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