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NHL News

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

Monday, January 26

Penguins' Bryan Rust Faces Player Safety Hearing for Illegal Hit to Head

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Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust is scheduled for an NHL Player Safety hearing on Tuesday for an illegal check to the head of Canucks forward Brock Boeser during Sunday's game. Rust's elbow made clear contact with Boeser's head in the final seconds, leaving Boeser slow to get up. A suspension is widely expected, which would likely sideline Rust for at least one game, potentially impacting the Penguins' forward lines for Thursday's game.

McTavish Sidelined for Fourth Straight Game with Upper Body Injury

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Anaheim Ducks forward Mason McTavish (upper body) will remain sidelined for Monday's divisional matchup against the Edmonton Oilers, marking his fourth consecutive missed game. Initially a game-time decision, the 2021 No. 3 overall pick was ruled out after being deemed questionable earlier Monday. McTavish's next chance to return to the lineup will be Thursday when the Ducks continue their road trip in Vancouver.

Husso Starts Against Oilers Amidst Ducks' Back-to-Back

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Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ville Husso will start Monday's road game against the Edmonton Oilers. Husso has seen limited action during the Ducks' active seven-game winning streak, with his only appearance being a 17-save performance in a 2-1 win on Jan. 17. The 30-year-old faces a challenging matchup as Anaheim plays on the second half of a back-to-back against a high-scoring Oilers team, tied for fourth in the NHL with 3.38 goals per game.

Elias Pettersson Focused on Consistency Amidst Canucks' Roster Changes

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Vancouver Canucks defenseman Elias Pettersson, in his second season, is focused on improving his consistency after a "weird" season marked by injuries and trades, including stints in the AHL. Pettersson, who feels he's "getting more and more into my game," is learning from veterans and aiming to maintain a steady pace of play as the Olympic break approaches and the Canucks navigate roster adjustments.

Karel Vejmelka to Start Against Lightning Amidst Eight-Game Win Streak

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Karel Vejmelka (UTA) is set to start in goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday. The 29-year-old netminder is in peak form, having won eight consecutive games with a 1.99 GAA and a .924 save percentage during that span. This will be a challenging matchup, as Vejmelka previously lost to the Lightning 4-2 on Nov. 2, allowing three goals on 25 shots. Tampa Bay ranks second in the league with 3.48 goals per game.

Blackhawks Reassign Top Prospect Nick Lardis to AHL Rockford

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The Chicago Blackhawks have assigned forward Nick Lardis, a top prospect, to the AHL's Rockford IceHogs. The 20-year-old, who recorded 5 goals and 2 assists in 21 NHL games after his December 13 debut, returns to the minors for more minutes in a larger role as the Blackhawks' lineup gets healthier. Lardis, an AHL All-Star, will represent the IceHogs at the event hosted in Rockford during the upcoming NHL Olympic break.

Blues Set High Bar for Robert Thomas Trade, Seeking 'Blown Away' Offer

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The St. Louis Blues are reportedly setting a steep asking price for center Robert Thomas, indicating they would need to be "blown away" by an offer or receive a younger top-six forward in return. As the Blues prepare to be sellers at the trade deadline, Thomas, who has proven himself as a No.1 center on a playoff team, is generating trade discussions.

Blues Set Steep Asking Price for Veteran Defenseman Justin Faulk

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The St. Louis Blues are reportedly seeking a "Rasmus Andersson-type return" for veteran defenseman Justin Faulk, indicating a high asking price as they prepare to be sellers at the trade deadline. Faulk, a two-way defenseman capable of penalty killing and quarterbacking a power play, has generated trade discussions, with the Blues looking for a significant package including prospects and draft picks.

Kings Reward Taylor Ward with Two-Year Extension After Impressive Call-Up

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The Los Angeles Kings have signed forward Taylor Ward to a two-year, $875,000 AAV contract extension through 2027-28, rewarding his strong play after an injury call-up. Ward, who scored two goals in his first two NHL games and has 4 points in 9 games this season, proved to be a reliable two-way force, earning the coaching staff's trust and demonstrating he belongs at the NHL level.

Daniil Tarasov Ignites Panthers' Surge with Four-Game Winning Streak

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Florida Panthers goaltender Daniil Tarasov has found his stride in 2026, posting a 4-0-0 record with a .944 SV% and 1.22 GAA, including wins in Winnipeg and Chicago where the team had struggled. After a tough start to the season, Tarasov feels more confident with improved defensive play in front of him. His strong performance comes as the Panthers get healthier and push for a playoff spot.

Senators Rookie Stephen Halliday 'Feels Okay' After Head Hit, Praised by Tkachuk

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Ottawa Senators rookie Stephen Halliday "feels good, feels okay" after taking a hard hit to the head in Sunday's game, according to captain Brady Tkachuk. Halliday, who had three goals and four points in his last three games after being recalled from the AHL, was helped off the ice but is hopefully not severely injured. Tkachuk lauded the late-blooming forward's continuous improvement and confidence.

Brady Tkachuk Gives Positive Update on Injured Rookie Stephen Halliday

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Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk provided an encouraging update on rookie Stephen Halliday, who sustained a hard hit to the head in Sunday's game. Tkachuk stated Halliday "feels good, feels okay," expressing hope the injury isn't severe. Tkachuk, who also contributed three assists against Vegas, praised Halliday's continuous improvement and confidence, calling him a key player for the future.

Canucks Recall Defenseman Victor Mancini from AHL

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The Vancouver Canucks have recalled defenseman Victor Mancini from the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL). Mancini's recall comes as the team placed forward Brock Boeser and defenseman Zeev Buium on injured reserve, providing additional depth for Vancouver's blue line.

Canucks Recall Jonathan Lekkerimäki from AHL to Top-Six Role

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The Vancouver Canucks have recalled forward Jonathan Lekkerimäki from the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) to fill a roster spot after Brock Boeser and Zeev Buium were placed on injured reserve. Lekkerimäki, who has been averaging a point per game in 16 AHL contests, is expected to produce in Vancouver's top-six forward lines.

Anthony Cirelli Featured as a Key Weekly Fantasy Pickup

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Tampa Bay Lightning forward Anthony Cirelli is featured in the essential Monday guide for fantasy hockey pickups. He is recommended as a player to add to fantasy lineups for the upcoming week, offering managers a chance to bolster their teams. The guide provides crucial advice on setting up rosters and making strategic additions for the week ahead, positioning Cirelli as a valuable asset.

Cam York a Recommended Fantasy Hockey Pickup for the Week

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Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Cam York is highlighted as an essential fantasy hockey pickup in the latest Monday guide. He is recommended as an add to lineups for the upcoming week, providing an opportunity for fantasy managers to strengthen their rosters. The guide provides insights on how to prepare for the week ahead by acquiring key players like York, emphasizing strategic roster management for optimal performance.

Blues Assign Top Prospect Otto Stenberg to AHL for Olympic Break Play

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St. Louis Blues top prospect Otto Stenberg, a 2023 first-round pick, has been assigned to the AHL's Springfield Thunderbirds. This move allows him to continue playing during the NHL's three-week Winter Olympic break, as playing any of the remaining five NHL games would have made him ineligible. Stenberg had a strong start to his NHL career with 1 goal and 7 assists in 18 games, and the Blues are "very happy" with his high-end game management.

Alexander Romanov Remains Sidelined for Months After Shoulder Surgery

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New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov is expected to remain sidelined for five to six months after undergoing right shoulder surgery in November. His recovery timeline suggests a potential return after the playoffs begin in mid-April. The Islanders recently acquired Carson Soucy to bolster their left-shooting defensive depth in Romanov's absence.

Lukas Dostal Named NHL Third Star of Week, Fuels Ducks' Seven-Game Streak

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Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal was named the NHL's Third Star of the Week after a 4-0-0 performance, boasting a .925 SV% and saving 3.33 goals above expected. Dostal stopped 111 of 120 shots, fueling the Ducks' current seven-game winning streak. The 25-year-old, who signed a five-year extension, will represent Czechia as their starting goaltender at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Jakub Dobes to Start Tuesday for Canadiens Against Vegas Knights

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Montreal Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes will start Tuesday's home game against Vegas. The 24-year-old is undefeated in regulation over his last six appearances, posting a 5-0-1 record. Despite playing in only six of the Habs' last 21 contests, Dobes is expected to see an increased workload behind Sam Montembeault, especially after Jacob Fowler was sent back to AHL Laval.