January 19, 2026
Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk (groin) will make his season debut on Monday night against the San Jose Sharks. The star forward has been cleared to play after recovering from offseason surgery. Florida will ease Tkachuk back into action on the third line. He will skate with Mackie Samoskevich and Evan Rodrigues. Tkachuk will also join the top power-play unit. While Tkachuk could be rusty in his first few games back, he has enough talent to make an immediate impact. On Monday night, Tkachuk and the Panthers go up against the NHL's third-weakest defense.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 19, 2026
Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (lower body) might be ready to end a seven-game absence on Monday against the Colorado Avalanche. After returning to practice last week, Wilson participated in the morning skate ahead of Saturday's contest against the Florida Panthers. He was labeled a game-time decision for the matchup, but the team ultimately didn't activate him from Injured Reserve. Wilson's return would be a welcome boost for a Capitals team that has won only three games in 2026. The power forward has been a point-per-game player this season, leading Washington with 22 goals and 42 points.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 19, 2026
Boston Bruins defenseman Henri Jokiharju (personal) was designated as a non-roster player on Sunday. He's dealing with a family matter and could miss some action this week. In a corresponding move, the Bruins recalled Billy Sweezey from the minors. The team will get back to work on Tuesday night against the Dallas Stars. In addition to Sweezy, Vladislav Kolyachonok is also an option to fill in for Jokiharju, who has skated on the second defensive pairing. Jokiharju has yet to score despite 30 shots on goal, but he has nine assists in 32 outings this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 19, 2026
Chicago Blackhawks center Frank Nazar (face) rejoined practice on Sunday. He has been sidelined since Dec. 20 after taking a puck to the face in a matchup against the Calgary Flames. While Nazar is expected to miss his 14th consecutive game on Monday against the Winnipeg Jets, he could be an option to return to the lineup on Thursday versus the Carolina Hurricanes. Nazar has notched 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) in 33 outings this campaign. With Teuvo Teravainen (upper body) also out, Jason Dickinson and Ilya Mikheyev are currently part of the top-six group in Chicago, giving them additional fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 19, 2026
St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist (lower body) was involved in a scary incident during Sunday's 5-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, suffering a skate cut. He needed assistance to leave the ice in the third period after being cut by a skate on his lower body. "Luckily, it did not touch his Achilles," Blues head coach Jim Montgomery said after the game. "So it's just going to be now, how long he's out, it's day-to-day... We know the cut was deep, I don't know how long that takes until he's back and has the flexibility in his ankle without hurting the cut." Sundqvist operates in a bottom-six role, recording 10 points (three goals, 10 assists) and 47 hits in 39 appearances this season. The team will turn to Robby Fabbri or Jonatan Berggren to fill Sundqvist's spot in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 19, 2026
Edmonton Oilers right wing Kasperi Kapanen (undisclosed) was labeled day-to-day after his early exit from Sunday's win against the St. Louis Blues. Kapanen only recently returned from a knee injury, and unfortunately, he will have to miss time again. However, it's good news that he isn't expected to be out long-term. The Finnish forward has played well in recent weeks, producing three goals and four assists in eight games since his return to the lineup. The Oilers' offense is also without Leon Draisaitl (personal) and Adam Henrique (undisclosed), resulting in Trent Frederic moving into the top six. Kapanen's departure from the lineup will open up another spot on the second line.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 19, 2026
Defenseman Zach Whitecloud was acquired by the Calgary Flames from the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday, with defenseman Rasmus Andersson heading in the opposite direction. Calgary also acquired defensive prospect Abram Wiebe, a 2027 first-round pick, and a conditional 2028 second-round pick. Whitecloud was an undrafted free-agent signing by the Golden Knights in 2018 and has carved out a solid NHL career. The 29-year-old has made 368 career appearances, winning the Stanley Cup with the Golden Knights in 2023. This season, Whitecloud contributed seven points (two goals, five assists), 63 blocks, and 73 hits in 47 outings, averaging 18:46 of ice time. Whitecloud could see increased usage in Calgary, though his fantasy stock will remain low due to his limited offensive skills.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 19, 2026
The Vegas Golden Knights acquired defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames on Sunday night. In the deal, Vegas departed with defenseman Zach Whitecloud, prospect defenseman Abram Wiebe, a 2027 first-round pick, and a conditional 2028 second-round pick. The 2028 pick becomes a first-rounder if Vegas wins the Stanley Cup in 2026. Andersson is on an expiring contract with a $4.55 million cap hit. Calgary will retain 50 percent of Andersson's salary. The Swedish blue-liner is expected to sign an extension with the Golden Knights. Andersson has spent his entire 10-year NHL career in Calgary and has had one of his best campaigns in 2025-26. In 48 games, Andersson has recorded 30 points (10 goals, 20 assists), 112 shots, and 90 blocks, while averaging 24:14 of ice time.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 18, 2026
New York Rangers defenseman Carson Soucy (personal) is expected to rejoin the team for Monday's tilt against the Anaheim Ducks. The 31-year-old didn't travel with the Rangers for the first game of a four-game road trip on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers, missing the action for personal reasons. It was Soucy's fifth absence of the season. He is ranked third on the Rangers squad with 63 blocks and eighth with 68 hits. On the offensive end, Soucy has produced three goals and five assists in 44 outings. Before exiting the lineup, Soucy had assists in back-to-back games. If Soucy picks up a point in his next game, it will mark only the second time in his NHL career that he's made it onto the score sheet in three consecutive appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 18, 2026
Chicago Blackhawks winger Teuvo Teravainen (upper body) will miss a third consecutive game on Monday against the Winnipeg Jets. The Finnish forward suffered an upper-body injury earlier this week. Although there's no set timetable for Teravainen's return, his next chance to make a comeback will be on Thursday night against the Carolina Hurricanes. Teravainen has tallied nine goals and 21 points in 45 outings this season, averaging 18:10 of ice time. Only Connor Bedard and Tyler Bertuzzi have recorded more power-play points among Blackhawks skaters than Teravainen, who has notched four goals and seven assists with the man advantage.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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
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