December 29, 2025
Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (lower body) will sit out a sixth straight game on Monday against the Minnesota Wild. Two weeks ago, the American scoring machine was sidelined due to illness, and he is currently nursing a lower-body injury. It's unclear when Eichel will rejoin the lineup, but Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy has not ruled him out for Wednesday's clash against the Nashville Predators on New Year's Eve. With Eichel out of the lineup, the fantasy value of the team's other centers has increased. Thomas Hertl is taking a five-game point streak into Monday's matchup, while Brett Howden has scored in back-to-back contests.
--Taavi PailkSource: Reuters
December 29, 2025
New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (upper body) is considered day-to-day, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports. This is a positive development, as the star blue-liner has been out of the lineup for 13 games due to an upper-body injury. On Sunday, Fox was a full participant at practice, indicating that he is nearing his return to action. The Rangers begin a three-game week on Monday against the Carolina Hurricanes and wrap it up with the 2026 Winter Classic versus the Florida Panthers on Friday night. Fox, who has notched 26 points (three goals, 23 assists) in 27 games this season, will undoubtedly be desperate to play in the special Winter Classic matchup.
--Taavi PailkSource: Peter Baugh
December 29, 2025
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (undisclosed) didn't practice on Sunday and is considered day-to-day. He was hurt late in Saturday's matchup against the Minnesota Wild on a hit from Wild forward Joel Eriksson Ek. If Morrissey can't shake off the injury prior to Monday's meeting with the Edmonton Oilers, he would miss his first game of the season. Despite the team's struggles, it has been a good year for Morrissey, who has amassed 30 points (six goals, 24 assists), 67 shots, and 68 blocks in 36 games, while logging a plus-nine rating. He averages a team-high 24:20 of ice time, so Morrissey's exit from the lineup would leave a big gap in Winnipeg's defense.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 28, 2025
Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk (groin) practiced with the team for the first time this season on Sunday. The star forward skated in a non-contact jersey. This is a significant step in his recovery from offseason surgery to repair a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia. While Tkachuk appears to be nearing his season debut, it's unclear if he will be available for next week's Winter Classic against the New York Rangers on Friday. "There's a whole bunch of things he's got to get through. The question is, is there enough time," Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. "As much as we like the spectacle of it and we'd love for him to be a part of it -- it would be great for the game to see him out there -- the Florida Panthers need him healthy for the rest of the year." A healthy Tkachuk will be a great asset for the Panthers and fantasy managers alike.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark has taken a leave of absence for personal reasons, general manager Steve Staios announced Sunday. Ottawa will return to action on Monday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and it's unclear how long Ullmark will be away from his team. The former Vezina Trophy winner has posted a 14-8-5 record this season, allowing 2.95 goals with a .881 save percentage and one shutout. Ottawa's backup Leevi Merilainen, who is 4-6-0 for the campaign, may see an increased workload in the coming games.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim (head) practiced fully on Saturday and will play on Sunday night against the Seattle Kraken. He missed the end of Tuesday's win over the Chicago Blackhawks after being removed from the contest by a concussion spotter. Sanheim has many responsibilities on the Flyers' defense, leading the team in ice time at 24:53 per game. He has registered 16 points (three goals, 13 assists), 47 shots, 65 blocks, and 23 hits in 36 games. Forward Denver Barkey (undisclosed) is also expected to play despite his early exit from Tuesday's game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 28, 2025
Chicago Blackhawks forward Nick Foligno (hand) was activated from Injured Reserve and is expected to return from a 19-game absence on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. To make room for him on the roster, the Blackhawks moved Frank Nazar (upper body) to Injured Reserve. Nazar will sit out a third consecutive contest on Sunday night. Foilgno adds leadership and physicality to the Blackhawks' lineup. He has averaged just under three hits per game this season, chipping in with six assists over 15 appearances offensively.
--Taavi PailkSource: Charlie Roumeliotis
December 28, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (lower body) won't play on Sunday against the Detroit Red Wings, David Alter of The Hockey News reports. The Swedish superstar was injured during Saturday's win over the Ottawa Senators and will be replaced in the lineup by Easton Cowan. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube noted Nylander is considered day-to-day. Cowan has been inconsistent during his rookie campaign and sat out a third consecutive game on Saturday night as a healthy scratch. With just four goals and 11 points in 26 games, his production isn't good enough to warrant a spot on fantasy rosters.
--Taavi PailkSource: David Alter
December 28, 2025
Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann (lower body) was activated from Injured Reserve and is poised to rejoin the lineup on Sunday against the Philadelphia Flyers. On Sunday morning, Kraken head coach Lane Lambert stated that McCann is "very likely" to play, along with defenseman Vince Dunn (upper-body). McCann has battled health issues all season, most recently missing seven games with a lower-body injury. He has been limited to 11 appearances, posting five goals and three assists with 27 shots on goal. On Sunday, McCann is projected to join Berkly Catton and Shane Wright on the third line, while he should also log time on the first power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 28, 2025
Seattle Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn (upper body) appears ready to return to the lineup on Sunday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Kraken head coach Lane Lambert said after the morning skate that both Dunn and forward Jared McCann (lower body) are "very likely" to return to action. Dunn has missed one game due to an upper-body injury. Due to his absence, Ryker Evans ate up additional ice time in Tuesday's win over the Los Angeles Kings. He will return to his normal role against Philadelphia. Dunn leads Seattle's blue line with 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) in 34 games and has logged 38 blocks.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 28, 2025
Pittsburgh Penguins center Blake Lizotte (upper body) was activated from Injured Reserve and could end a nine-game absence on Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 28-year-old practiced on Saturday and is considered a game-time decision. In 27 outings this season, Lizotte has posted five points (three goals, two assists) with 25 hits. On Sunday, he is expected to skate with Connor Dewar and Noel Acciari on the fourth line. Although Lizotte lacks fantasy appeal, the Penguins will be happy to have another body back in the lineup. Evgeni Malkin's (upper body) return may soon follow. The veteran star skated on his own Saturday and remains week-to-week.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 28, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes winger Andrei Svechnikov produced a goal and two assists in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings. The Russian forward collected all his points in the third period. After a sluggish start to the season, Svechnikov found his stride in late December, collecting a third of his total points over a five-game point streak. During the impressive run, he has bagged three goals and six assists, finding the back of the net in each of the last three outings. Overall, Svechnikov has 10 goals and 17 assists in 37 games this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews ended a four-game point drought on Saturday with a big performance in a 7-5 victory over the Ottawa Senators. He scored Toronto's fourth goal and set up two others. The Maple Leafs captain became the second U.S.-born player in NHL history to score 40-plus goals in a calendar year at least seven times. It will be something to build on for Matthews, who has had a torrid time in 2025-26. In 32 outings, he has settled for 15 goals and 26 points. Next up, Matthews faces the Detroit Red Wings, who limited him to one assist in two games early in the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Los Angeles Kings right wing Alex Laferriere scored half of his team's goals in Saturday's 6-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks, recording his first career hat trick. The 24-year-old notched his first goal in the middle of the first period and wrapped up his hat trick in the third. Laferriere had previously needed 18 outings to amass three goals. While he has been inconsistent all season, Laferriere remains on track for his second 40-point campaign. He has totaled 10 goals and eight assists in 37 appearances, adding a team-high 101 hits.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (lower body) scored in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Ottawa Senators but had to leave the contest midway through the second period. Nylander's early exit on Saturday casts doubt on his availability for Sunday's game against the Detroit Red Wings, though he is not expected to be sidelined for long. "He's coming on the trip, so that's a good sign," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said after Saturday's win. "We'll see how he is tomorrow." Nylander is Toronto's top scorer, posting 41 points (14 goals, 27 assists) in 33 outings. Easton Cowan, who has been a healthy scratch for three games, will likely play against Detroit if Nylander isn't available.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
RADIO
