Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Karel Vejmelka is confirmed to start in goal for the UTA Mammoth against the Flyers on Wednesday. The 29-year-old netminder has been in stellar form, winning his last six outings while allowing just 10 goals on 153 shots during that impressive streak. He will face a struggling Flyers team that has managed only 13 goals over their last six games, securing just one victory in that span.
Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson exited Wednesday's game against the Red Wings due to a lower-body injury and did not return after being hurt midway through the first period. The 34-year-old is currently considered day-to-day. If he is forced to miss additional time, Philippe Myers or Matt Benning are potential candidates to fill his spot in the lineup.
Devils defenseman Luke Hughes has been placed on long-term injured reserve, retroactive to January 19, due to a shoulder injury. Sources confirm he will avoid surgery, opting instead for rehabilitation. Hughes exited Monday's game with the issue and is expected to be unavailable through the Olympic break, with no clear timetable for his return. Prior to the injury, Hughes played in all 49 games, recording 5 goals, 21 assists, 39 blocked shots, 24 PIM, and 13 hits, averaging 23:04 of ice time.
Winnipeg Jets veteran defenseman Luke Schenn is reportedly drawing significant trade interest from contenders like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers, with a deal potentially happening soon. The 36-year-old, playing on an expiring contract, is being dangled by the Jets as they look to add future value. TSN's Chris Johnston confirmed the interest, noting Schenn's experience and physical style are appealing for playoff runs. He averages 13:54 of ice time this season.
Tom Wilson (lower body) has been activated off injured reserve and is available for Wednesday's game against Vancouver, confirming he received medical clearance after initially being a game-time decision. Prior to his injury, the gritty winger recorded five goals and three assists, including one power-play point, in his last four outings. For the 2025-26 season, Wilson has amassed 22 goals, 42 points, 59 PIM, and 110 hits in 41 games. His return could lead to Ivan Miroshnichenko being a healthy scratch and Ethen Frank moving off the top line.
Ilya Sorokin is expected to start in net for the Islanders on Wednesday against Seattle, having been the first goalie to leave the ice. The 30-year-old netminder has appeared in five of the Isles' last seven contests, going 4-1-0 with a 2.22 GAA and one shutout. With 16 wins in his 29 outings this year, Sorokin is on track to reach the 20-win mark and could push for 30 for the third time in the last four years.
Logan Thompson is slated to start Wednesday's road game against Vancouver for the Washington Capitals, having been the first goalie off the ice during morning skate. Thompson has struggled to enter the win column since the start of the calendar year, going 2-4-1 with a 2.56 GAA and .912 save percentage. He'll have a favorable matchup against the Canucks, who are scoring 2.55 goals per game this season, tied for the second-worst mark in the league.
Kevin Lankinen is slated to start Wednesday's home game against Washington. He's currently 0-4-1 with a 3.38 GAA and .890 SV% in his last six starts, dropping his season record to 6-14-4 with a 3.40 GAA and .886 SV% in 25 appearances. He'll face a Capitals team that has lost its last three games, being outscored 13-6, offering Lankinen a chance to improve his recent performance.
Lukas Dostal is expected to start on the road against Colorado on Wednesday. He enters the game on a three-game winning streak, having stopped 69 of 75 shots for a .920 save percentage during that stretch. For the season, Dostal holds a 16-12-2 record with a 3.11 GAA and an .890 save percentage in 32 outings. He faces a significant challenge against the Avalanche, who lead the league with 4.02 goals per game.
Miro Heiskanen notched three assists, including one on the power play, in Tuesday's 6-2 victory over the Bruins. This marked his first multi-point performance since December 19th and his first points since January 4th, following a brief absence for a personal matter. Despite the recent lull, the blueliner now has seven goals and 39 points in 48 contests this season, putting him on pace to surpass his career-high 73 points from the 2022-23 campaign.
Jason Robertson scored two goals in Tuesday's dominant 6-2 victory over the Bruins. Both of his tallies came in the third period, contributing to Jeremy Swayman being pulled from the game with the Stars holding a 6-0 lead. Since mid-November, Robertson has maintained consistent scoring, never going more than three consecutive games without finding the back of the net. He now boasts 29 goals and 58 points in 50 contests this season, putting him on track for his third career 40-goal campaign.
Rookie Justin Hryckowian delivered a career-best performance, scoring a goal and adding two assists, including one on the power play, in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Bruins. The undrafted college player out of Northeastern helped set up goals in the first and second periods, including Esa Lindell's game-winner, and was credited with Dallas' fourth goal after the puck deflected off his skate. This marked his first multi-point game, bringing his season totals to eight goals and 17 points through 49 contests.
Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson is slated to start on the road against Utah on Wednesday. He aims to build on his recent 2-1 victory over Vegas on Monday, where he stopped 24 of 25 shots. This season, Ersson holds a 7-8-4 record with a 3.30 GAA and .860 save percentage across 20 appearances. He faces a challenging opponent in Utah, who boast a 7-1-1 record in their last nine games, averaging 3.78 goals per contest during that span.
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, a 2026 Olympic snub, recorded the primary assist on Cole Caufield's game-winning goal with 15 seconds left, helping secure a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild. The 21-year-old leads all NHL defensemen in points with 55 (9 goals, 43 assists) in 50 games this season. He also ranks sixth overall in the NHL for assists and won the Calder Trophy last year.
Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield, a 2026 Olympic snub, scored the game-winning goal with just 15 seconds left against the Minnesota Wild, securing a 4-3 victory. The 25-year-old is having a stellar season, ranking tenth in the NHL with 25 goals and accumulating 49 points in 50 games. He leads the league with seven game-winning goals, marking his 21st such tally in the third period or overtime since 2020-21.
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood is expected to start Wednesday's home game against the Anaheim Ducks. He aims to extend his win streak to three games, having posted a 2.00 GAA and .927 save percentage in his last two outings. The 33-year-old netminder has a strong 20-3-4 record this season with a 2.19 GAA and .917 save percentage, facing a red-hot Ducks team that averages 3.22 goals per game.
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe has been officially named to the 2026 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team. He will replace Florida Panthers blueliner Seth Jones, who is sidelined due to an upper-body injury sustained during the NHL Winter Classic. LaCombe's inclusion comes as Jones is unable to participate, despite initial hopes for his return before the Olympic break.
Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones will miss the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics due to an upper-body injury, sustained during the NHL Winter Classic on January 2nd. The injury has kept him out of the Panthers lineup since, and Team USA confirmed his inability to participate. Jackson LaCombe of the Anaheim Ducks has been named as his replacement. The 31-year-old Jones has recorded 2 goals and 24 points in 40 games this season for the Panthers.
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere is expected to resume skating soon, according to head coach Rod Brind'Amour. Gostisbehere has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury and is likely to sit out Thursday's game against Chicago. This season, he has recorded six goals and 26 assists in 35 appearances.
The Montreal Canadiens are reportedly among several teams, including Toronto, Colorado, LA, and Dallas, showing developing interest in Calgary Flames forward Nazem Kadri. TSN's Darren Dreger indicated the Canadiens could use a proven top-six center for the playoffs. Kadri, 35, could provide offensive skill and Stanley Cup playoff experience (44 points in 52 career post-season games). He is signed through 2028-29 with a $7 million cap hit, having posted 9 goals, 25 assists, and 34 points in 45 games this season.
