December 21, 2025
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (lower body) had another outstanding performance in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, but he was also injured in the contest. Werenski exited the action in the third period after blocking a shot with his ankle. The star blue-liner notched a goal and a power-play assist against Anaheim, posting his third consecutive multi-point game. He has had at least one point in each of his last five appearances. The recent scoring surge has helped Werenski catch up to Colorado's Cale Makar on the defenseman scoring list. Both players are now tied atop the list with 40 points, with Werenski amassing 14 goals and 26 assists in 35 outings. Unfortunately, it looks like it may take some time before Werenski can add to his tally.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 21, 2025
Chicago Blackhawks center Frank Nazar (face) is expected to miss approximately four weeks after being hurt during Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators. He took a puck to the face just minutes into the game. Nazar has recently filled top-line center duties due to the absence of Connor Bedard (shoulder). The 21-year-old has managed 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) in 33 games during his sophomore campaign. With Bedard and Nazar both out, Ryan Greene may get back into the top six. He led all Blackhawks forwards in ice time on Saturday and collected two assists.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 20, 2025
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson (upper body) will return from a two-game absence on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He will replace Jayden Struble in the lineup. Noah Dobson's arrival in Montreal has impacted Matheson's role on the blue line, but he remains a crucial piece for the Canadiens. The veteran leads the team in ice time, averaging 24:54 per game. He has logged 16 points (four goals, 12 assists), 39 shots, 69 blocks, and 22 hits in 32 games. In a matchup against his former team, Matheson will hope to avoid a season-worst five-game point drought on Saturday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 20, 2025
San Jose Sharks defenseman Timothy Liljegren (upper body) will miss Saturday's contest against the Seattle Kraken. He will be absent for a second time in four games after sustaining an upper-body injury during the morning skate. Liljegren has had a limited offensive role with the Sharks, recording zero goals and four assists in 28 contests this season. However, his presence will be missed in the defensive zone, as Liljegren sits second on the team with 63 blocks. The Swedish blue-liner will be replaced in the lineup by Vincent Iorio, who will make his 12th appearance of the season. He also hasn't scored a goal this season, logging one assist, 14 blocks, and nine hits.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 20, 2025
Florida Panthers right wing Mackie Samoskevich (lower body) has been ruled out for Saturday's clash against the St. Louis Blues. He is considered day-to-day after sustaining a lower-body injury during Friday's comeback victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. While seeing some time in the top six, Samoskevich has contributed four goals and 13 assists in 34 games. Florida will replace the young forward with Jack Studnicka on Saturday. Studnicka has yet to score points this season, going minus-four across eight outings. Samoskevich will get his first chance to return on Tuesday in a rematch against Carolina.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 20, 2025
Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (undisclosed) will play on Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Cirelli didn't finish Thursday's loss to the Los Angeles Kings due to an undisclosed injury. However, he won't miss additional time and will remain in the lineup against Carolina. Cirelli has contributed nine goals and 10 assists in 30 outings this term. He has been slumping offensively for a while, finishing nine of his last 11 games pointless. The 28-year-old last scored a goal nearly a month ago, lighting the lamp on Nov. 24 in a 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 20, 2025
Tampa Bay Lightning winger Brandon Hagel (upper body) was placed on Injured Reserve on Saturday, Diandra Loux of The Hockey News reports. He will miss his second consecutive game on Saturday night against the Carolina Hurricanes and won't be eligible to be activated until Dec. 27. Tampa Bay also faces the St. Louis Blues on Monday before the Christmas break. Hagel tops the Lightning with 18 goals and has accumulated 31 points over 32 games. In Hagel's absence, Gage Goncalves has landed in a top-six role, but he isn't expected to make a significant impact.
--Taavi PailkSource: Diandra Loux
December 20, 2025
Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (illness) is a game-time decision for Saturday's tilt against the Carolina Hurricanes. On Thursday, Kucherov was a late scratch for a meeting with the Los Angeles Kings. He has been dealing with an illness and didn't skate on Saturday morning. Kucherov has once again been a scoring machine with the Lightning, notching 42 points (13 goals, 29 assists) in 30 outings. Brandon Hagel (upper body) has already been ruled out for Saturday, giving Gage Goncalves a top-six job. However, he has limited fantasy value, producing seven points (two goals, five assists) in 30 appearances this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 20, 2025
New York Rangers forward J.T. Miller (upper body) left Saturday's 5-4 shootout win against the Philadelphia Flyers in the third period. He contributed an assist as the Rangers turned a 4-2 deficit into a win thanks to a third-period comeback. However, Miller appeared to have hurt his arm or shoulder with eight minutes left in regulation. The Rangers captain has had a disappointing campaign, totaling 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists) in 35 contests. A serious injury would be another setback for him. Jonny Brodzinski and Taylor Raddysh are the candidates to enter the lineup if Miller is deemed unhealthy to play on Sunday against the Nashville Predators.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 20, 2025
Minnesota Wild defenseman Zach Bogosian (lower body) will be absent for a third straight contest on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers. The towering blue-liner is nursing a lower-body injury and is considered day-to-day. Bogosian's next chance to return will be on Sunday against the Colorado Avalanche. Matt Kiersted and David Jiricek have seen regular action recently, as several injuries have struck the team's defense. Jonas Brodin (lower body), Jacob Middleton (upper body), and Daemon Hunt (lower body) have all been on the shelf, along with Bogosian. On Friday, Minnesota reassigned Carson Lambos to the minors, suggesting that one of the defensemen could be ready to return from the infirmary.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 20, 2025
Minnesota Wild left wing Marcus Johansson (lower body) is considered questionable for Saturday's matchup against the Edmonton Oilers. The Swedish veteran may miss a third consecutive game due to a lower-body injury. Johansson has had an impressive campaign, scoring 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) and logging a team-best plus-15 rating in 33 appearances. Minnesota's frontline has also been without Mats Zuccarello (upper body) and Vinnie Hinostroza (upper body) recently. As a result of the injuries, Yakov Trenin has joined the top six. Trenin finished Thursday's 5-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets with two assists, but he isn't a consistent contributor on the offensive end.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 20, 2025
New York Islanders center Bo Horvat (lower body) will miss a fourth straight game on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. He isn't traveling with the team after sustaining a lower-body injury earlier this month. Horvat's absence is a huge blow for the Islanders, as he leads the team in goals (19) and points (31). Furthermore, Mathew Barzal (undisclosed) is also dealing with a health issue and has been a game-time decision for a pair of contests this week. The team would be without its top two centers if Barzal had to sit as well. Jean-Gabriel Pageau has moved into the top six in Horvat's absence, although he is mostly known for his defense, and fantasy managers don't have much to gain by picking him up.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 20, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis (upper body) will miss time after crashing into a goalpost 20 seconds into overtime during Friday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers. Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour said Jarvis' injury "is not good. He's going to be out for a while." The 23-year-old finished Friday's contest with a pair of assists and is Carolina's second-highest scorer. In 34 appearances, Jarvis has notched 29 points (19 goals, 10 assists). He leads the team in goals. Carolina will also miss Jarvis' physicality, as he has amassed 43 hits this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 20, 2025
Center Phillip Danault (illness) has returned to the Montreal Canadiens, who reacquired him from the Los Angeles Kings for a 2026 second-round draft pick originally belonging to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Danault moved to L.A. in 2021 as an unrestricted free agent, signing a six-year, $33 million contract. He had a productive four-year stint with the Kings, but the wheels have come off for Danault in 2025-26. The 32-year-old has gone goalless in 30 appearances, dishing out only five assists. Montreal scores significantly more goals than the Kings, so Danault should have much more success offensively in the second half of the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 20, 2025
The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired winger Mason Marchment from the Seattle Kraken, giving up a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick. Marchment is in the final season of a four-year, $18 million contract. The Kraken acquired Marchment this offseason from the Dallas Stars for a third- and fourth-round draft pick. He made 29 appearances for the team, logging 13 points (four goals, nine assists) and 38 hits. Marchment's numbers have dropped significantly compared with his years in Dallas. The 30-year-old will beef up the Blue Jackets' lineup and could be a valuable asset in the postseason.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
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