Player news from trusted outlets

NHL News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Monday, April 13

Drake Batherson Sets Career Highs in Historic Eight-Year Ascent

AutoDraft Pro AI

Drake Batherson has reached significant personal milestones this season, cracking the 30-goal and 70-point plateaus for the first time in his career. His performance marks a unique historical climb, as Batherson has successfully improved his point total in every single season of his eight-year NHL career. This consistent year-over-year growth highlights Batherson's development into a premier offensive threat for the Ottawa Senators and places him in rare company in the NHL record books.

Tyson Foerster Nets Shootout Winner to Send Flyers to Postseason

AutoDraft Pro AI

Tyson Foerster scored the lone goal in the shootout on Monday night to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. The win was monumental for the franchise, as it secured their first playoff berth since 2020. Foerster’s clutch performance against the top-seeded Hurricanes capped off a hard-fought game and sent the rowdy Philadelphia crowd into a frenzy. The Flyers now look forward to their first home playoff action in several years thanks to Foerster's heroics.

Cole Reinhardt Nets Two Goals to Lead Panthers Past Rangers 3-2

AutoDraft Pro AI

Cole Reinhardt was the standout performer for the Florida Panthers on Monday night, scoring two goals to lead his team to a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers. Reinhardt’s second goal of the game came with just 1:50 remaining in the third period, breaking a 2-2 tie and spoiling the retirement game of Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick. Reinhardt beat Quick on the glove side for the winner, capping off a multi-goal performance that handed the Rangers their third consecutive loss.

Artturi Lehkonen Sidelined with Undisclosed Injury Against Oilers

AutoDraft Pro AI

Artturi Lehkonen will not be in the lineup for Monday's road matchup against the Edmonton Oilers due to an undisclosed injury. The Colorado Avalanche forward's absence leaves a significant gap in the top-six rotation as the team faces a tough divisional opponent in Alberta. No specific timeline for his return has been provided yet, and further updates regarding the nature or severity of the injury are expected following the game or during the team's next scheduled practice session.

Philipp Grubauer Sidelined Monday With Lower-Body Injury

AutoDraft Pro AI

Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer was unavailable for Monday's home game against the Los Angeles Kings due to a lower-body injury. The team confirmed his absence prior to the contest, leaving the Kraken to look elsewhere for goaltending depth against their divisional rivals. No specific timeline has been provided for Grubauer's return, and his status for upcoming games remains uncertain as the team monitors his recovery. This update follows reports from Sound of Hockey regarding his injury status.

Joey Daccord Ruled Out Monday with Lower-Body Injury

AutoDraft Pro AI

Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord is unavailable for Monday's home contest against the Los Angeles Kings due to a lower-body injury, according to Sound of Hockey. Daccord's absence forced the Kraken to adjust their goaltending rotation for this crucial matchup. The team has not yet disclosed the specific severity of the injury or how long the goaltender might be sidelined, leaving his status for upcoming games uncertain as the Kraken medical staff continues to evaluate him.

Scott Wedgewood Named Starting Goaltender for Clash in Edmonton

AutoDraft Pro AI

Scott Wedgewood is set to defend the crease as the starting goaltender for Monday's road game against the Edmonton Oilers. Wedgewood gets the nod for the Colorado Avalanche in this high-stakes matchup, looking to provide a steady presence in net while the team deals with various lineup absences. The veteran netminder will face a potent Oilers offense led by their elite scoring stars, making his performance critical for Colorado's chances of securing two points on the road.

Niklas Kokko to Make Home Start Against Los Angeles Kings

AutoDraft Pro AI

Niklas Kokko was the first goaltender off the ice Monday and is slated to defend the home crease in the evening's clash against the Los Angeles Kings, according to Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site. With Joey Daccord sidelined by a lower-body injury, Kokko steps into the starting role for the Seattle Kraken. This appearance provides the young netminder with a significant opportunity to showcase his skills at the NHL level against a tough divisional rival in Seattle.

Miro Heiskanen Questionable for Game 1 with Lower-Body Injury

AutoDraft Pro AI

Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen is officially listed as questionable for Game 1 of the first round of the 2026 postseason against the Minnesota Wild. The status stems from a lower-body injury, as reported by Robert Tiffin of D Magazine on Monday. His availability remains a key storyline to monitor as the Stars prepare for their opening series matchup.

Cam Talbot Confirmed as Starter for Monday's Clash with Lightning

AutoDraft Pro AI

Detroit Red Wings goaltender Cam Talbot is confirmed to start Monday's road clash against the Tampa Bay Lightning, per the NHL Media Site. Talbot will handle the goaltending duties as the Red Wings look to secure a victory on the road. This starting assignment marks another key appearance for the veteran netminder as Detroit manages its rotation during the final stretch of the season. Fans and fantasy managers should note his confirmed status for tonight's matchup in Tampa Bay as he looks to anchor the defense.

Frank Nazar to Return with Protective Cage After Losing Two Teeth

AutoDraft Pro AI

Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar is set to return to the lineup for Monday's game against the Buffalo Sabres after losing two of his top front teeth. The injury occurred during Saturday’s 5-3 loss to St. Louis when Nazar was struck by a puck in the second period. Despite the dental damage, Nazar confirmed his intent to play while wearing a protective cage, noting, “Got it pretty good, but could be a lot worse.” His quick return provides a much-needed boost to the Blackhawks' forward depth for the contest.

Sidney Crosby’s Historic Playoff Rivalry Highlighted Amid Format Debate

AutoDraft Pro AI

As the NHL continues to debate its division-focused playoff format, Sidney Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins remain a central figure in the discussion. Between 2016 and 2018, Crosby’s Penguins faced Alex Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals in the second round for three consecutive seasons, with the winner of that high-stakes series going on to hoist the Stanley Cup every single time. This historical context is being used to evaluate whether the current playoff structure effectively determines the league's best team or forces elite matchups too early.

Alex Ovechkin Noncommittal on Retirement Following Emotional Home Finale

AutoDraft Pro AI

Following what may have been his final home game for the Washington Capitals, Alex Ovechkin addressed retirement speculation with a noncommittal "I’ll think about it" when asked about returning for another season. The superstar reflected on his storied career and the many memories collected in Washington should this mark the end of his tenure. Ovechkin's legacy is further highlighted by his historic playoff rivalry with Sidney Crosby, where their teams met in three straight second rounds from 2016-18, with the winner hoisting the Stanley Cup each time.

Pyotr Kochetkov Recalled by Hurricanes from AHL Chicago

AutoDraft Pro AI

Pyotr Kochetkov has been recalled by the Carolina Hurricanes from their AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, as of Monday. The move brings the goaltender back to the NHL roster to provide additional depth for the Hurricanes.

Nazem Kadri Ruled Out for Tuesday's Game Against Calgary

AutoDraft Pro AI

Nazem Kadri will not play in Tuesday's game against the Calgary Flames due to a finger injury, according to Eric Francis of Sportsnet. The Avalanche center remains sidelined as the team navigates a challenging schedule. Further analysis and updates regarding his recovery timeline can be found on RotoWire.com.

Dylan Garand Faces Impact Following Jonathan Quick's Retirement

AutoDraft Pro AI

The retirement announcement of veteran goaltender Jonathan Quick is set to have a profound impact on Dylan Garand. As the organization prepares for the departure of the winningest American-born goaltender in NHL history, the spotlight shifts toward the future of the Rangers' crease and how Garand's role within the team's depth chart may evolve following Quick's final appearance against the Florida Panthers.

Connor McDavid Dominates Hart Trophy Race and Betting Markets

AutoDraft Pro AI

Connor McDavid remains a primary offensive threat as the Oilers prepare for today's action, with analysts highlighting him as a top player prop target. On track to win the Art Ross Trophy, McDavid is a leading contender for the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP. As the Oilers prepare for a crucial matchup against the Colorado Avalanche, McDavid's consistent production continues to make him a focal point for both bettors and award voters as the league enters the postseason.

Carter Verhaeghe Ruled Out for Monday's Matchup Against Rangers

AutoDraft Pro AI

Florida Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe will not play in Monday's game against the New York Rangers due to a lower-body injury. His absence is a significant development for the Panthers' lineup as they face the Rangers.

Sam Bennett Unavailable for Monday's Contest Against New York

AutoDraft Pro AI

Sam Bennett has been ruled out for Monday's game against the New York Rangers. The forward is dealing with a lower-body injury that will keep him sidelined for the matchup.

Artur Akhtyamov Expected to Start in Net Against Dallas on Monday

AutoDraft Pro AI

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Artur Akhtyamov is slated to start in goal for Monday's home game against the Dallas Stars. The young netminder will look to anchor the defense in this upcoming contest.