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NHL News

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

Friday, January 9

Aliaksei Protas Activated from IR, Returns to Capitals Lineup

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Washington Capitals forward Aliaksei Protas (lower body) has been activated from injured reserve and is set to return to action Friday in Chicago after missing three games. Prior to his injury, Protas was on a hot streak, tallying four goals and five assists during a five-game scoring streak. This season, he has recorded 16 goals and 15 assists in 41 appearances, with a plus-21 rating, averaging 39 seconds of power-play time. His activation frees up a roster spot for Tom Wilson's IR move.

Anze Kopitar Out for Friday's Game, Day-to-Day with Lower-Body Injury

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Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar (lower body) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Jets, marking his second consecutive absence. He is currently considered day-to-day, but his availability for the second half of the back-to-back set Saturday against Edmonton remains uncertain. The veteran center is dealing with a lower-body injury.

Eric Comrie to Start in Goal for Jets Against Kings on Friday

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Winnipeg Jets goaltender Eric Comrie will patrol the home crease Friday against the Los Angeles Kings. This marks Comrie's second start in 12 games, following Connor Hellebuyck's appearance Thursday. Comrie holds a 6-9-1 record with a 3.49 GAA and an .880 save percentage this season. He faces a Kings team that ranks 28th in NHL scoring, averaging 2.67 goals per game, as the Jets aim to snap an 11-game losing streak.

Penguins Defenseman Caleb Jones Nearing Return from Injury

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Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones (lower-body injury) skated with the team for the first time on Friday, wearing a no-contact jersey, after being on injured reserve since Oct. 25. Jones, 28, sustained the injury from a hit by Brad Marchand. He has one assist in seven games this season and hopes to return as soon as possible, potentially targeting next weekend against Columbus. The team has an open roster spot for his activation.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi Linked to Winnipeg Jets in Trade Talks

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Carolina Hurricanes forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi is increasingly mentioned in trade talks with the Winnipeg Jets, who are seeking a center. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman confirmed Carolina is open to a deal for the 25-year-old, who has struggled for a consistent role. Kotkaniemi, with a $4.82 million cap hit for four more seasons, has extensive experience at center and could potentially slot into Winnipeg's second line or play with top stars, offering 50+ point potential.

Joel Hofer to Start for Blues Against Utah After Binnington's Struggles

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St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer will start Friday's road game against Utah, as reported by Chris Pinkert. Hofer draws the start after sitting for three of the Blues' last four games and following Jordan Binnington's struggles in Wednesday's loss. Over his last five starts, Hofer boasts a 4-1-0 record with a 2.00 GAA and a .930 save percentage. He has faced Utah twice this season, recording a 1-0-0 record with a 2.65 GAA and an .875 save percentage.

Logan Thompson to Start Friday for Capitals Amidst Recent Cold Spell

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Logan Thompson will start Friday's road game against Chicago for the Washington Capitals. Thompson enters the matchup amidst a cold spell, having gone 0-3-1 with a 3.26 GAA and .898 save percentage over his last four starts. This stretch includes an overtime loss to the Blackhawks on Jan. 3, where he was relatively effective, stopping 31 of 33 shots (.939 save percentage).

John Gibson Confirmed to Start Saturday for Red Wings in Montreal

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John Gibson will defend the visiting cage for the Detroit Red Wings in Montreal on Saturday. Gibson has been productive since early December, posting an 11-2-0 record with a 2.17 GAA and a .927 save percentage, solidifying his role as the team's No. 1 goaltender. Overall, he holds a 15-9-1 record with two shutouts, a 2.86 GAA, and an .898 save percentage across 26 appearances. The Canadiens average 3.39 goals per game.

Karel Vejmelka Confirmed to Start Friday for Utah Mammoth Against Blues

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Karel Vejmelka was the first goalie off during Friday's morning skate, indicating he'll draw the home start for the Utah Mammoth against the Blues. Vejmelka has been productive over the past month, posting a 7-2-0 record with a 2.45 GAA and .908 save percentage. He has made two road starts against the Blues this season, going 1-1-0 with a 2.53 GAA and .872 save percentage across those outings.

Alexandre Texier Nets First Career Hat Trick for Canadiens

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Montreal Canadiens forward Alexandre Texier recorded his first career hat trick in his 262nd NHL game during a 6-2 win over the Florida Panthers, scoring his third goal with 50 seconds left. This was his second three-point game in as many nights. Texier, 23, was traded from Columbus to St. Louis in 2024, then signed with Montreal in November 2025. Through 22 games this season, he has 7 goals and 14 points, on pace to surpass his career high of 30 points.

Panthers' Anton Lundell Fined $5,000 for High-Stick Infraction

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Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell was fined $5,000 by NHL Player Safety for high-sticking Alexandre Texier during a 6-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, his second fine this season. Lundell received a four-minute double minor but the Canadiens did not score. He finished the game with no points, a minus-1, and five shots. Lundell has gone cold, failing to score or record a point in his last four games, during which the Panthers have won only once.

Joel Nystrom Reassigned to AHL as Slavin's Return Nears

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Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Joel Nystrom, 23, has been reassigned to the AHL's Chicago Wolves, clearing a roster spot for Jaccob Slavin's imminent return. A 2021 seventh-round pick, Nystrom impressed this season due to injuries, playing 33 games with eight points and proving his NHL potential. He signed a four-year extension earlier this year. The reassignment will provide him regular playing time in the AHL rather than sitting as a seventh defenseman.

Jaccob Slavin's Return to Hurricanes Lineup Imminent

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Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin, 31, is expected to return to the lineup very soon following Joel Nystrom's AHL reassignment. Slavin has been recovering from an upper-body injury suffered Dec. 19, which occurred just three games into his return from a 28-game lower-body injury absence. He has practiced with the team for over a week, shed his non-contact jersey, and is expected to be activated off IR to play Saturday night against Seattle.

Maple Leafs Reconnected to Luke Schenn Amidst Jets Trade Rumors

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Veteran defenseman Luke Schenn is reportedly available as the Winnipeg Jets are expected to be sellers, with the Toronto Maple Leafs showing interest for defensive depth. Schenn, 36, a former fifth overall pick by Toronto, is in the final year of his contract. He reportedly prefers a more consistent role than his current depth position in Winnipeg, possibly due to a strained relationship with the Jets after being a healthy scratch before his 1,100th career game.

Jayden Struble's Roster Spot in Jeopardy with Guhle's Return

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With Kaiden Guhle nearing a return to the Montreal Canadiens lineup, Jayden Struble will be competing with Arber Xhekaj for a spot on the bottom defensive pairing. Struble has played most of the team's games since Guhle's injury, but his roster spot is now in jeopardy as the team looks to solidify its defensive corps.

Arber Xhekaj Making Strong Impact as Guhle Nears Return

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Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj is making a strong case to remain in the lineup as Kaiden Guhle nears his return. Xhekaj has been playing with renewed confidence, landing six hits in each of the last two games and avoiding bad penalties. He also performed well in recent fights. His physical presence and dissuasive element are crucial for the Canadiens, and he has "earned the right" to maintain his spot in the lineup.

Kaiden Guhle Nearing Return to Canadiens Lineup

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Montreal Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle is nearing a return to the lineup, which will impact the team's defensive pairings, likely leading to either Arber Xhekaj or Jayden Struble becoming a healthy scratch. Guhle has played only 55 games in his first season and five this season since signing a six-year deal in July 2024, raising concerns about his availability. He was on the ice for 20 minutes on Thursday morning with other injured players.

Sergei Bobrovsky Concedes Hat Trick in Panthers Loss

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Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky faced former Blue Jacket Alex Texier, who scored his first career hat trick against him in a 6-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. This defeat moved the Canadiens into first place in the Atlantic Division.

Kirby Dach's Return Delayed, Future with Canadiens Uncertain

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Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach (fractured foot) is still injured, with no set return date, extending beyond the initial 4-6 week timeline. He was recently seen in a walking boot but also skated for 20 minutes. The team is cautious due to a past knee injury on the same leg. Dach, 25, has played only 46% of possible games since 2022 and has a 39.8% career faceoff win rate. His future as an RFA this summer is uncertain.

Scott Laughton's Shorthanded Goal Fuels Maple Leafs Comeback

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Toronto Maple Leafs forward Scott Laughton scored a shorthanded equalizer in the third period against his former team, the Philadelphia Flyers, sparking a 2-1 overtime comeback win. In his first game back in Philadelphia, Laughton received an emotional tribute from fans. He won 19 of 20 faceoffs and has been a crucial locker room presence, contributing to the Maple Leafs' eight-game point streak (6-0-2) even without William Nylander.