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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Seattle Kraken netminder Philipp Grubauer will start for Germany against Slovakia in the 2026 Winter Olympics Quarter-Finals on Wednesday. Grubauer has been terrific at the Games, posting a 2-1 record with a .934 save percentage, allowing six goals on 91 shots. He made 30 saves in Tuesday's 5-1 win over France. Slovakia, having won Group B, presents a tough challenge, requiring Grubauer to be at his best.
Minnesota Wild prospect Samuel Hlavaj is expected to start in goal for Slovakia in their 2026 Winter Olympics Quarter-Final matchup against Germany on Wednesday. Hlavaj holds a 1-1 record at the Olympics, highlighted by a spectacular 39-save performance in a 4-1 victory over Finland on Feb. 11. He also turned aside 46 shots in a 5-3 loss to Sweden. Germany advanced to the quarter-finals after a 5-1 win over France.
Ducks veteran forward Frank Vatrano is close to returning from a shoulder fracture suffered on December 27th, which sidelined him for approximately six weeks. Despite the Olympic break aiding his rehab, Vatrano is experiencing his worst statistical season, often playing on the fourth line with reduced ice time. Coach Joel Quenneville noted Vatrano's hard work and honest effort, emphasizing his need to regain confidence. The Ducks went 9-8-1 during his 18-game absence.
Veteran forward Jeff Skinner and the San Jose Sharks mutually agreed to terminate his NHL contract on Tuesday, making him an unrestricted free agent. This follows his clearing of unconditional waivers a day prior. Skinner, 33, signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Sharks, tallying six goals and 13 points in 32 games this season with a career-low average ice time. GM Mike Grier thanked Skinner for his contributions. Skinner has scored 30+ goals six times and won the Calder Trophy in 2011.
Edmonton Oilers forward Matt Savoie was loaned to the AHL's Bakersfield Condors during the Olympic break to ensure he stays sharp and gets meaningful game time. This move is not a demotion, as the NHL season is paused until February 25th. The 22-year-old, a 2022 ninth overall pick, has held his own in the NHL this season with nine goals and nine assists in 58 games. He is expected to rejoin the Oilers for their game against Anaheim on February 25th.
Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (foot) returned to practice after a four-game absence due to a fractured foot suffered in late January. He is trending towards rejoining the lineup against New Jersey on February 26th, though he remains on injured reserve. This season, Letang has recorded three goals, 25 points, 81 shots, 64 blocked shots, and 67 hits across 50 appearances. His return to practice is a positive sign for his readiness when NHL games resume.
Martin Necas continued his strong Olympic performance, tallying a goal, an assist, and firing five shots on net in Czechia's 3-2 victory over Denmark on Tuesday. This marked his third multi-point outing of the tournament, highlighted by a power-play goal in the second period. Necas now boasts an impressive stat line of three goals, four assists, seven points, and a plus-one rating across four Olympic appearances. He will be crucial as Czechia prepares to face Canada in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.
New York Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad is currently competing for Team Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. He is one of several Rangers players participating in the international tournament during the NHL's Olympic break.
New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck is representing Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. He is among several Rangers players participating in the international tournament during the NHL's Olympic break.
New York Rangers forward J.T. Miller is currently competing for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. His participation is part of a group of Rangers players representing their respective countries during the NHL's Olympic break.
New York Rangers prospect Brendan Brisson has been called up to practice with the team during the Olympic break, viewing it as an opportunity to showcase his skills for an NHL spot. Since being acquired from the Golden Knights in March 2025, Brisson has played exclusively for the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, recording 13 goals and 10 assists in 46 games this season. The 2020 first-round pick has previous NHL experience with the Golden Knights, tallying eight points in 24 games.
Lukas Dostal, despite earlier Olympic challenges allowing 9 goals on 65 shots in two losses, redeemed himself by stopping 22 of 24 shots in Czechia's 3-2 win over Denmark on Tuesday. This crucial victory propelled Czechia into the Olympic quarter-finals, where they face Canada on Wednesday. The 25-year-old netminder now holds a 1-1-1 record, an .879 save percentage, and a 3.65 GAA across three tournament appearances, and is favored to start the upcoming quarter-final matchup.
Goaltender Aku Koskenvuo has been re-assigned to the NHL and is practicing with the Vancouver Canucks. This move comes as Thatcher Demko is unavailable for the season and Kevin Lankinen is representing Finland at the Olympics. Koskenvuo started the season in Kalamazoo (ECHL) before moving to AHL Abbotsford in November, where he holds a 2-5-0-1 record with a 3.20 GAA and .895 SV% in nine games.
The Vancouver Canucks have re-assigned goaltender Ty Young from the ECHL's Kalamazoo Wings to the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks. Young posted a 7-5-1 record with a 3.26 GAA and .896 SV% in Kalamazoo. His earlier seven-game stint in Abbotsford this season saw him go winless with a 4.75 GAA and .840 SV% while playing behind a depleted lineup.
John Carlson is anticipated to return to the Washington Capitals' lineup following the Olympic break, after suffering a lower-body injury on February 5. The veteran defenseman was seen skating in a regular jersey during Tuesday's morning skate, with coach Spencer Carbury confirming he should be ready. Prior to his injury, the 36-year-old blueliner recorded 10 goals, 46 points, 115 shots on net, and 84 blocked shots across 55 games this season, and is expected to reclaim his role on the top defensive pairing.
Goaltender Charlie Lindgren, recovering from a lower-body injury, was a full participant in Tuesday's practice and expressed readiness to return to the lineup for the Washington Capitals. Lindgren had missed four consecutive games before the Olympic break but is now trending towards being available for Washington's home matchup against Philadelphia on February 25. His return would likely see him activated from injured reserve, with Garin Bjorklund expected to be reassigned to AHL Hershey.
Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl delivered a dominant performance for Germany, scoring a goal and adding two assists in their 5-1 Olympic qualification win over France on Tuesday. Draisaitl opened the scoring with a power-play goal and later assisted on two more goals. He has now accumulated two goals and six points through four games, leading Germany into Wednesday's quarterfinals, where they will face Slovakia in pursuit of an Olympic medal.
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly has been deemed "good to go" by head coach Craig Berube, signaling his readiness to return following the Olympic break. Rielly had been sidelined since January 31 due to an upper-body injury, missing the team's last two games before the break. The 31-year-old blueliner has recorded 24 assists, 31 points, 106 shots on net, and 74 blocked shots across 54 games this season. He is expected to resume his role on the top defensive pairing and first power-play unit.
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Filip Hallander has returned to practice with the team, marking a significant step in his recovery. He suffered a blood clot from a puck strike in his leg in early November and had been unable to participate in team practices for three months due to being on blood thinners. While no official update on his status has been released, his return to the ice is a positive sign.
Chicago Blackhawks goalie prospect Stanislav Berezhnoy has been suspended for 20 games due to violating the AHL/PHPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. GM Kyle Davidson stated that Berezhnoy tested positive for a prohibited substance, believed to be from a supplement, and did not knowingly take it. Berezhnoy has taken full responsibility, and the Blackhawks organization is supporting him through this situation.
