January 20, 2026
Montreal Canadiens center Kirby Dach (foot) was activated from long-term Injured Reserve and will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. Dach has missed over two months due to a broken foot. He was initially expected to miss 4-6 weeks. This season, Dach has been limited to 15 games, producing five goals and two assists. He will be in a great spot to make an immediate impact on Tuesday night, joining forces with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on the first line. Dach is also expected to be part of the second power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 19, 2026
New Jersey Devils left wing Ondrej Palat (illness) will be back in action on Monday against the Calgary Flames, returning from a one-game absence. The Czech veteran was a no-go on Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes after feeling under the weather. Palat is projected to skate with Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer on the second line. It has been a tough year for Palat, who has contributed only four goals and six assists in 47 appearances. He has landed on the score sheet just twice in his last 15 outings.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 19, 2026
Anaheim Ducks left wing Chris Kreider (illness) will rejoin the lineup on Monday night against the New York Rangers. He's set to face his former team after sitting out two games due to illness. Kreider is expected to replace Jansen Harkins in the lineup and will skate on the first line. The veteran forward will also link up with the second power-play unit. Across 42 appearances this season, Kreider has managed 15 goals and 25 points. Kreider went without a point on Dec. 15 against the Rangers, which was his first time facing his former team since his offseason trade.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 19, 2026
Los Angeles Kings right wing Corey Perry (personal) practiced with the team on Monday, Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports. The veteran appears poised to return to the lineup on Tuesday against the New York Rangers. Perry has missed three games for personal reasons. After skating with Adrian Kempe and Alex Laferriere and working on the top power-play unit at Monday's practice, Perry may offer additional fantasy value on Tuesday night. The 2011 MVP has produced 10 goals and 13 assists in 37 contests this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: Zach Dooley
January 19, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers right wing Bobby Brink (upper body) was activated from Injured Reserve and is expected to rejoin the lineup on Monday night against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 24-year-old has been unavailable for six games due to an upper-body injury. Brink is projected to skate with Matvei Michkov and Noah Cates and should also see power-play time on the second unit. In 2025-26, Brink is attempting to post his second consecutive 40-point campaign. He has notched 11 goals and 20 points through 41 appearances. Philadelphia's forwards have an appealing fantasy matchup on Monday, facing a team with the third-lowest save percentage in the league.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 19, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (groin) will be sidelined for a second consecutive game on Monday versus the Minnesota Wild. According to Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube, there isn't a timeline for Nylander's return. Toronto may also be without Matthew Knies (undisclosed) on Monday after he missed the morning skate. Knies has been Nylander's replacement on the second line. With Knies also unavailable, Scott Laughton skated in the spot on Monday morning. Laughton's fantasy value would increase significantly if he sticks on the line as John Tavares' and Matias Maccelli's partner for Monday's game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 19, 2026
Winger Kiefer Sherwood (undisclosed) was dealt from the Vancouver Canucks to the San Jose Sharks on Monday. Vancouver made a deal for a couple of second-round draft picks and minor league defenseman Cole Clayton. Sherwood is in the second season of a two-year, $3 million contract and has had a decent campaign. The 30-year-old has scored 17 goals and 23 points in 44 outings. Sherwood will also add a lot of muscle to the Sharks' lineup, as he ranks second in the NHL with 210 hits. Currently, Sherwood is nursing an undisclosed injury, and it's unclear whether he will play before the Olympic break. Still, Sherwood looks like a good pickup by the Sharks, who hope to end a six-game postseason drought in 2026.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
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
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