Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury, according to head coach Spencer Carbery. Thompson was hit in the mask by a shot during Tuesday's game and will miss at least one matchup. Charlie Lindgren is likely to start Thursday's road game against Detroit, with Clay Stevenson recalled for depth.
Karel Vejmelka will start in goal for the Utah Mammoth on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Vejmelka leads the NHL with 25 wins and has a 2.56 GAA and .901 save percentage in 40 appearances this season. Carolina is tied for fourth in scoring, averaging 3.38 goals per game.
Devin Cooley is expected to start in goal for the Calgary Flames on the road against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday. Cooley has alternated starts with Dustin Wolf and has been strong recently, posting a 2-1-1 record with a 1.50 GAA and .950 save percentage in his last four games.
San Jose Sharks' star rookie Macklin Celebrini is being highlighted as a significant challenge for the Edmonton Oilers. Oilers' coach Kris Knoblauch and players like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Connor McDavid lauded Celebrini's talent, with Nugent-Hopkins noting his compete, thinking, and skating, while McDavid described him as "driven" and playing a "hard game." Celebrini is also slated to be a teammate of McDavid on Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and some speculate he could challenge for the Hart Trophy this season.
Joel Hofer will start in goal for the St. Louis Blues at home against the Florida Panthers on Thursday. Hofer and Jordan Binnington have been alternating starts, and Hofer has performed well recently, going 2-1-1 with a 1.94 GAA and .929 save percentage in his last four outings. He previously made 27 saves on 29 shots in a win against Florida on Dec. 20.
Connor Hellebuyck is confirmed to start in goal for the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He recently snapped a four-game winless streak with a 4-3 victory over New Jersey on Jan. 27. This season, Hellebuyck holds a 13-14-6 record with a 2.70 GAA and a .902 save percentage through 33 starts. He has yet to record a shutout this season, unlike his eight in 2024-25. The Lightning are a formidable opponent, ranking second in NHL scoring.
Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm (upper body) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Flyers. He suffered the upper-body injury during Tuesday's game versus the Predators, with head coach Marco Sturm confirming his day-to-day status. Lindholm is scheduled to visit doctors on Thursday, which is expected to provide more clarity on his condition, especially with the Olympic break approaching in less than a week.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower body) is expected to miss approximately one week, according to head coach Lindy Ruff. The Buffalo Sabres goaltender's injury could potentially impact his availability for the Olympics with Finland. He may remain out until the final game before the break, a Feb. 5 home matchup against the Penguins. In his absence, Alex Lyon is anticipated to handle the majority of the workload, with Colten Ellis available as backup.
Jonathan Quick will start in goal for the New York Rangers on Thursday's home game against the Islanders. This comes after he snapped a 12-game losing streak with a 4-3 win over the Bruins on Monday. Quick has been sharing the crease with Spencer Martin due to Igor Shesterkin's lower-body injury. The veteran netminder has only reached 20 wins once in the last eight seasons and is unlikely to hit that mark in 2025-26.
Simon Holmstrom delivered a stellar performance, scoring a goal on two shots and adding two power-play assists in Wednesday's 5-2 victory over the Rangers. The New York Islanders forward had a big game after missing Monday's contest due to an illness. This three-point effort significantly boosted his season totals to 13 goals, 14 helpers, three power-play points, 58 shots on net, 34 blocked shots, and a plus-6 rating over 51 appearances, following a recent stretch of only one helper in six games.
Travis Konecny (foot) is questionable to play Thursday against the Bruins, Jackie Spiegel reports. He blocked a shot off his foot during Wednesday's game versus the Blue Jackets but was able to finish the contest, scoring three goals and logging 21:30 of ice time. While the concern level isn't high, the injury could worsen overnight. Fantasy managers should check Konecny's status ahead of Thursday, as he may be a game-time decision for the second half of a back-to-back.
Artemi Panarin will not play Wednesday against the Islanders due to roster-management reasons and is not expected to play before the Olympic break. Sources indicate this signals the likely end of his time with the New York Rangers, who are committed to not retaining him past this season and are actively working to facilitate a trade. His trade destination remains unknown. Panarin has recorded 19 goals and 57 points in 52 appearances this season, with New York expected to seek a significant return for the veteran winger.
Troy Terry (upper body) has joined the Anaheim Ducks in Vancouver and is set to practice Wednesday afternoon. The winger has been on injured reserve since mid-January but is now considered day-to-day. Head coach Joel Quenneville had previously hinted at Terry's return during the current road trip, with Thursday's game against the Canucks being the final stop. The Ducks' medical staff will assess his condition before determining his availability for Thursday's puck drop, but he appears to be nearing a return to action.
Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (lower body) has been activated off injured reserve and is set to start Wednesday's road game against the Blue Jackets. This marks his return after a six-game absence, with head coach Rick Tocchet confirming he is 'good to go.' Additionally, Vladar has been chosen to play for the Czech Republic in the Olympics. The 28-year-old netminder holds a 16-7-4 record, a 2.46 GAA, and a .905 save percentage across 28 appearances this season, bolstering the Flyers' defense.
Seattle Kraken player Jacob Melanson was involved in an incident during Tuesday night's game where he was poked by Washington Capitals forward Brandon Duhaime from the bench. This unsportsmanlike conduct resulted in Duhaime being fined $2,500 by the league. Melanson was the recipient of the action that prompted the disciplinary measure.
Washington Capitals forward Brandon Duhaime has been fined $2,500 by the league for unsportsmanlike conduct. The incident occurred during Tuesday night's game against the Seattle Kraken, where Duhaime was observed poking Seattle's Jacob Melanson from the bench. The fine reflects the league's stance on maintaining decorum and fair play during games, even from players not actively on the ice.
St. Louis Blues winger Jordan Kyrou (upper body) is listed as day-to-day ahead of Thursday's game against Florida. The 27-year-old sustained the injury during Tuesday's 4-3 loss to Dallas but may have avoided a significant issue. His availability for the Panthers game remains uncertain, with an update expected after Thursday's morning skate. Prior to the injury, Kyrou had been productive, recording three goals, four assists, and 21 shots on net over his last eight games.
Detroit Red Wings goaltender John Gibson is confirmed to defend the home crease against the Capitals on Thursday. This will mark his third consecutive start, despite snapping an impressive eight-game winning streak in a recent 3-1 loss to the Kings on Tuesday. Gibson previously faced Washington on Dec. 20, securing a 5-2 road victory by turning aside 24 of 26 shots, posting a .923 save percentage.
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes is slated to start Thursday's home game against the Avalanche, marking his first consecutive start since early December. This follows a stellar 32-save performance (.941 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime win against the Vegas Golden Knights, where he showcased excellent control and was crucial on the penalty kill. Dobes is 6-0-1 in his last seven outings, and his strong play has coach Martin St-Louis considering him for the No. 1 option, potentially unseating Sam Montembeault. His consistent performance warrants continued starts.
Mackenzie Blackwood will be in net for the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday's road game against Ottawa. This marks his third consecutive start despite mixed results in recent outings, where he's posted a 1-2-0 record with a 4.06 GAA and .850 save percentage across his last three starts. He will face a Senators offense tied for ninth in the league, scoring 3.29 goals per game this season.
