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NHL News

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

Saturday, February 14

Canadiens Rookie Demidov Returns to Ice for Early Practice

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Montreal Canadiens rookie Ivan Demidov has been back on the ice in Brossard for several days, preparing for the team's official practice. On Friday morning, he was joined by teammates Kirby Dach and Jake Evans at the CN Sports Complex. The three players took shots on guest goalie David Savard, a former blueliner. This early return highlights Demidov's eagerness to get back to work ahead of the Canadiens' official practice on Tuesday afternoon.

Dvorsky's Late Goal Lifts Slovakia's Olympic Quarterfinal Hopes

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Dalibor Dvorsky scored a crucial goal with just 39 seconds remaining in Slovakia's 5-3 loss to Sweden during the men's hockey tournament at the Olympics. Despite the defeat, Dvorsky's late tally could prove pivotal in securing Slovakia a spot in the quarterfinals. The St. Louis Blues prospect's timely contribution provides a significant boost to his national team's advancement chances, offering a glimmer of hope even after a tough game.

Juuse Saros to Start for Finland Against Italy at 2026 Winter Olympics

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Juuse Saros is confirmed to start in goal for Finland against Italy on Saturday at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Nashville Predators netminder is coming off a strong 34-save performance in Friday's 4-1 victory over Sweden. So far in the preliminary round, Saros holds a 1-1-0 record with a 2.02 goals-against average and an impressive .932 save percentage through two outings for Finland. His upcoming start against Italy is a key matchup in the tournament.

Jeremy Swayman to Make Olympic Debut, Starting for USA vs. Denmark

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Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman will make his Olympic debut Saturday, starting for the United States against Denmark at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Swayman watched Connor Hellebuyck in the USA's previous 5-1 win over Latvia. This season, Swayman holds a 22-12-3 record with a 2.92 GAA and a .903 save percentage. Denmark enters the game after a 3-1 loss to Germany in their opening round.

Suzuki Shifts to Center, Praised as 'Swiss Army Knife' in Canada's Win

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Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki started Canada's Olympic game against Switzerland on a line with Nathan MacKinnon and Brandon Hagel but was later moved back to center, playing between Hagel and Tom Wilson. Despite being held off the scoresheet in Canada's 5-1 victory, Suzuki played 13:35 and was utilized on the penalty kill. Coach John Cooper praised Suzuki, calling him a "Swiss Army knife" for his versatility.

Hlavaj to Start for Slovakia Against Sweden in Olympic Matchup

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Samuel Hlavaj will start in goal for Slovakia against Sweden on Saturday at the 2026 Winter Olympics. This follows his outstanding performance Wednesday, where he stopped 39 shots in a 4-1 upset win over Finland. Hlavaj has spent most of the 2025-26 campaign with AHL Iowa, posting a 5-9-4 record, a 3.24 GAA, and an .884 save percentage over 18 starts. Sweden has their backs against the wall Saturday, and will likely need to defeat Slovakia by two goals to guarantee advancement into the quarter-finals.

Grubauer to Start Second Straight Game for Germany Against Latvia

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Philipp Grubauer is slated to defend the German net against Latvia on Saturday at the 2026 Winter Olympics. This will be his second consecutive start for Germany, following a strong performance Thursday where he stopped 37 shots in a 3-1 victory over Denmark. Grubauer holds an 11-6-3 record with a 2.43 GAA and a .916 save percentage across 22 appearances for Seattle this season.

Silovs to Start for Latvia Against Germany in Olympic Matchup

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Arturs Silovs is confirmed to start in net for Team Latvia against Germany on Saturday at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Silovs has had a solid season with the Penguins, recording an 11-7-8 record, a 2.93 GAA, and an .894 save percentage across 26 appearances. He will face a challenging German squad that boasts NHL stars such as Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stutzle, and Moritz Seider, among others.

Markstrom to Make First Olympic Start for Sweden Against Slovakia

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Jacob Markstrom is set to start in goal for Sweden against Slovakia on Saturday at the 2026 Winter Olympics, marking his first appearance in the tournament. Filip Gustavsson, who started the first two games, will be a healthy scratch. Markstrom has a 15-13-1 record with a 3.20 GAA and an .882 save percentage over 30 contests with New Jersey this season. Slovakia enters the game having won its first two round-robin games.

Friday, February 13

Kings' Fiala Suffers Leg Injury, Out of Olympics; NHL Return Unclear

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Kings forward Kevin Fiala sustained a lower leg injury during Switzerland's Olympic game vs. Canada, stretchered off after a collision with Tom Wilson. Medical exams confirmed he's out for the rest of the 2026 Olympic Games. His status for the Kings' NHL season, resuming Feb. 25, is unclear. Fiala had 18 goals, 22 assists (40 points), and 147 shots in 56 games this season, averaging a career-high 19:09 of ice time. He suffered a similar left femur fracture in 2017 with Nashville.

Josh Morrissey to Miss Olympic Group Stage Games with Undisclosed Injury

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Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (undisclosed) will miss Canada's 2026 Winter Olympics game against Switzerland on Friday and their final group-stage game versus France on Sunday. The 30-year-old left Thursday's 5-0 victory over Czechia due to the injury. Canada has secured the top spot in Group A, allowing Morrissey to avoid risking further injury. While not ruled out for the remainder of the Olympics, his availability for the quarterfinals remains uncertain. Shea Theodore is expected to fill his spot.

Canadiens' Texier Excels, Signs Extension & Represents France

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Montreal's Alexandre Texier, the lone NHLer on France's Olympic team, received advice from former Hab Cristobal Huet. Texier has had a strong start in Montreal, tallying 18 points in 38 games and playing on the first line. He earned a two-year, $5M extension after betting on himself with a Blues contract termination. Representing France at the Olympics, he played 23 minutes vs. Switzerland (4-0 L, 3 shots, -1) and 20:45 vs. Czechia (6-3 L, 1 shot, -2).

Akira Schmid to Start for Switzerland vs. Canada at Olympics

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Akira Schmid is slated to make his first start of the 2026 Winter Olympics for Switzerland on Friday against Canada. This assignment is particularly challenging, as he will face a formidable Canadian roster featuring stars like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Sidney Crosby, along with some of his Vegas Golden Knights teammates. The 25-year-old netminder holds a season record of 16-6-6 with a 2.53 GAA and .895 save percentage in 29 games for the Golden Knights.

Capitals' Thompson Starts for Canada, Among Vezina Favorites

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Washington Capitals goalie Logan Thompson will start for Canada against Switzerland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, taking over from Jordan Binnington. This season, Thompson holds a 19-16-4 record with a 2.45 GAA and .912 SV% through 39 starts. He is also listed among the top contenders for the 2026 Vezina Trophy, reflecting his strong performance.

Islanders' Sorokin Leads Vezina Trophy Odds with Dominant Play

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Ilya Sorokin has emerged as the top contender for the 2026 Vezina Trophy, with his odds shifting to -125. The Islanders' netminder leads the league with six shutouts and boasts a dominant 2.44 GAA. Despite his team's defensive zone time, Sorokin leads the NHL with over 24.8 GSAx, effectively stealing games. His .935 SV% in January and .916 SV% overall on high shot volumes solidify his frontrunner status.

Maple Leafs' McMann Predicted as Top Trade Target for Oilers

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Toronto Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann is being predicted as a key trade target for the Edmonton Oilers by Chris Johnston of The Athletic. McMann's affordable cap hit, potentially below league minimum with full retention, makes him attractive for the cap-strapped Oilers. He's having a strong year with 19 goals, 13 assists, 32 points, and 126 hits in 56 games, offering secondary scoring and grit. The Colorado Avalanche are also reportedly interested.

Vladar to Start Olympic Game vs. France for Czechs

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Dan Vladar will start in goal for the Czech Republic against France on Friday at the 2026 Winter Olympics. He backed up Lukas Dostal in Thursday's 5-0 loss to Canada. Vladar is having an outstanding season with the Philadelphia Flyers, boasting a 17-8-6 record, a 2.47 GAA, and a .905 save percentage. Facing France, considered the weakest team in the tournament, presents a favorable matchup for Vladar.

Sharks' Liljegren Emerges as Top Trade Candidate for Multiple Teams

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San Jose Sharks defenseman Timothy Liljegren is a prominent trade candidate to watch after the NHL Olympic roster freeze. Several teams are eyeing the right-shot blueliner, including the Pittsburgh Penguins, who need defensive depth and whose GM Kyle Dubas has a history with Liljegren. The Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres are also potential suitors, both seeking to improve their right-side defensive depth.

Sharks' Macklin Celebrini Scores Opening Olympic Goal, Continues Meteoric Rise

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San Jose Sharks prospect Macklin Celebrini continues his meteoric rise to stardom, recently achieving a significant milestone by scoring the opening Olympic goal for Team Canada. This accomplishment is the latest highlight in the phenom's impressive journey, further cementing his reputation as a top talent. His performance on the international stage underscores his rapid development and impact, positioning him as a key figure for both his country and the Sharks organization.

Gustavsson to Start for Sweden in Olympic Clash vs. Finland

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Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson will make his second consecutive start for Sweden, facing Finland on Friday at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The 27-year-old previously secured a 5-2 victory over Italy, stopping 20 of 22 shots. This season with the Wild, Gustavsson boasts a 20-9-6 record, a 2.64 GAA, and a .906 save percentage across 36 games. Finland enters the matchup after a 4-1 defeat to Slovakia.