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NHL News

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

Friday, March 6

Filip Gustavsson to Protect the Net Against Golden Knights

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Filip Gustavsson will start in goal for the Minnesota Wild against the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday. Gustavsson has been in excellent form, securing five wins in his last six appearances with a .927 save percentage. The Wild are increasingly leaning on him as their primary starter, placing him ahead of Jesper Wallstedt on the depth chart. Despite a challenging matchup, his recent performance suggests he remains a reliable option for Minnesota.

Jordan Binnington Gets Road Start Against Sharks Friday

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Jordan Binnington will draw the start for the St. Louis Blues against the San Jose Sharks on Friday. The Blues face a difficult situation with only five defensemen dressed for the contest following the trade of Justin Faulk and Colton Parayko's back injury. Binnington enters the game looking to snap an eight-game losing streak, during which he has recorded an .844 save percentage. He will need a strong performance to keep the shorthanded Blues competitive.

Penguins Recall AHL Player of the Month Ville Koivunen

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The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled forward prospect Ville Koivunen from the AHL on an emergency basis to address scoring depth issues following Evgeni Malkin's suspension and Sidney Crosby's ongoing injury recovery. Koivunen, 22, was recently named AHL Player of the Month for February after recording 16 points in 11 games. He has two goals and seven points in 27 NHL games this season and is expected to slot into the lineup for the upcoming weekend series.

Sidney Crosby Continues Rehab; Returns to Practice Friday

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Sidney Crosby returned to practice on Friday as he continues to rehab a lower-body injury suffered at the Olympics two weeks ago. While the team is optimistic about his progress, he remains sidelined for the immediate future and will not play in this weekend's back-to-back games against Philadelphia and Boston. His absence, combined with Evgeni Malkin's five-game suspension, has forced the Penguins to recall forward prospect Ville Koivunen to bolster their scoring depth.

Radek Faksa Out Until Playoffs Following Olympic Injury Setback

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Radek Faksa is expected to remain out of the lineup until the start of the playoffs due to a lower-body injury. Faksa initially suffered an upper-body injury at the Olympics, but a subsequent lower-body injury during his rehabilitation process has significantly extended his recovery timeline. General manager Jim Nill noted that the loss of Faksa, alongside Mikko Rantanen's injury, forced the Stars to alter their strategy and make roster moves leading up to the trade deadline.

Mikko Rantanen Sidelined 7-10 Days; Recovery Monitored Closely

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Mikko Rantanen remains sidelined with a lower-body injury sustained during the Olympics and will not resume skating for at least 7-10 days. The 29-year-old has already missed four games, and the Stars are monitoring his recovery with a potential return expected in late March. His absence, alongside Radek Faksa's injury, significantly influenced Dallas's approach to the trade deadline as they navigate a competitive stretch in the Central Division.

William Karlsson Out Until Potential Playoff Run

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William Karlsson (lower body) will not be ready to return for the remainder of the regular season, according to reports on Friday. The Golden Knights will not place him on season-ending long-term injured reserve, as there is a chance he returns if the team makes a deep run in the playoffs. It is considered unlikely he will be available for the first round. Once healthy, he may be limited to a bottom-six role due to the lengthy layoff and high intensity of the postseason.

Evander Kane Returns to Lineup Against Blackhawks

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Evander Kane (illness) will play in Friday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks. Although he was initially not expected to suit up, the 34-year-old is now confirmed to be back in action. Kane is slated for third-line duties and is expected to factor into the team's power-play rotation.

Senators Acquire Winger Graeme Clarke from Washington Capitals

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The Ottawa Senators acquired 24-year-old winger Graeme Clarke from the Washington Capitals in a post-deadline minor-league deal. In exchange, the Senators sent forward Wyatt Bongiovanni to Washington. Clarke, a former Ottawa 67's standout, has appeared in three NHL games with the New Jersey Devils and has extensive AHL experience. He is expected to make his debut with the Belleville Senators on Saturday night.

Spencer Knight Ruled Out for Friday's Game Due to Illness

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Spencer Knight (illness) will not be available for Friday's game against the Vancouver Canucks. Arvid Soderblom is set to start in his place, with Caydon Edwards serving as the emergency backup goalie. Knight's status for Sunday's game in Dallas remains unclear, and the Blackhawks may look to their AHL depth in Rockford if he remains sidelined over the weekend.

Frederik Andersen to Start in Goal Against Oilers

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Frederik Andersen will protect the net for the Carolina Hurricanes in Friday's road game against the Edmonton Oilers. This marks Andersen's third start in four games; he has allowed four goals on 44 shots over his last two outings. He is handling the first half of a back-to-back set, with Brandon Bussi expected to start Saturday against the Flames.

Cole Clayton Re-assigned to AHL Following Trade Deadline

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The Vancouver Canucks have re-assigned defenseman Cole Clayton back to the AHL. Clayton had been recalled to the NHL roster just one day prior, following the trade of Tyler Myers to the Dallas Stars. The move is part of a series of logistical roster adjustments made by the Canucks following the conclusion of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline.

Nikita Tolopilo to Start Against Blackhawks Following Roster Moves

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Vancouver Canucks goaltender Nikita Tolopilo will start in Friday's road game against the Chicago Blackhawks. Tolopilo enters the contest with a 3-5-2 record, a 3.27 GAA, and a .901 save percentage across 12 appearances. Following the trade deadline, the Canucks conducted a paper transaction to assign Tolopilo to the AHL and recall him on an emergency basis to ensure roster flexibility for the remainder of the season.

Marcus Foligno Nearing Return; Set to Reunite with Brother

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Marcus Foligno is currently on injured reserve with a lower-body injury but is expected to return before the end of the season. The 34-year-old alternate captain, in his 15th NHL season, is set to reunite with his brother, Nick Foligno, who was recently acquired by the Wild. The team hopes the brothers can anchor a physical fourth line for the upcoming playoffs, alongside recently acquired center Michael McCarron.

Blackhawks Trade Captain Nick Foligno to Wild for Reunion

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Chicago Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno has been traded to the Minnesota Wild for future considerations. The 38-year-old veteran, who recorded 11 points in 37 games this season, joins his brother Marcus Foligno for the first time in his career. The move is viewed as a chance for the veteran to chase the Stanley Cup. Nick Foligno will join his sixth NHL team, providing leadership and defensive reliability to the Wild's bottom-six forward group as they prepare for the playoffs.

Red Wings Reacquire Veteran Forward David Perron

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The Detroit Red Wings have reacquired veteran forward David Perron from the Ottawa Senators for a conditional 2026 fourth-round pick. Perron, currently recovering from January sports hernia surgery, is expected to return to action in approximately two weeks. Before his injury, he recorded 25 points in 49 games for Ottawa. GM Steve Yzerman expressed confidence in Perron's rehab timeline and his ability to provide veteran leadership for Detroit's playoff push.

Bobby McMann Traded to Kraken, Awaits Visa Approval

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The Toronto Maple Leafs traded forward Bobby McMann to the Seattle Kraken for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick. McMann, 29, has recorded 32 points in 60 games this season. He is not expected to play in Saturday's game against the Senators as he awaits finalization of his immigration paperwork. He is expected to fill a middle-to-bottom-six role for Seattle upon arrival.

John Carlson Traded to Ducks, Ruled Out for Friday

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The Washington Capitals traded veteran defenseman John Carlson to the Anaheim Ducks for draft picks. Carlson, currently dealing with a lower-body injury, has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Canadiens. The 36-year-old, who led the Capitals with 36 assists, is expected to join his new team Saturday and claim a top-four role and power-play time. His departure marks the end of a 17-season tenure in Washington.

Ovechkin Calls Carlson Trade Toughest Day of Career

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Following the Washington Capitals' trade of longtime teammate John Carlson to the Anaheim Ducks, captain Alex Ovechkin expressed deep personal sadness, labeling it the toughest day of his career. The two played together for 17 seasons. Regarding his own future as a pending free agent, Ovechkin remained non-committal, stating he is focused on the present while acknowledging the team's shift in priorities toward rebuilding for the future.

Flyers Trade Bobby Brink to Wild for David Jiricek

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The Philadelphia Flyers traded 24-year-old winger Bobby Brink to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for defenseman David Jiricek. Brink, a pending restricted free agent, has recorded 13 goals and 13 assists in 55 games this season. The move helps Philadelphia manage a surplus of wingers while bolstering Minnesota's right-side depth for their playoff run. Brink is a Minnetonka native returning to his home state.