Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Nathan MacKinnon has been honored with a midseason NHL award, indicating the Colorado Avalanche are poised for a successful showing at the NHL Awards. The report suggests the team is performing exceptionally well, with MacKinnon among the key players earning recognition for their outstanding contributions during the first half of the season.
Cale Makar has been recognized with a midseason NHL award, as the Colorado Avalanche are trending towards a significant night at the NHL Awards. The article highlights the team's strong performance, suggesting multiple players, including Makar, are receiving accolades for their contributions through the first half of the season.
Dan Vladar will start in goal at home against the Ducks on Tuesday. Vladar has been performing well recently, with a 4-1-0 record, 2.01 GAA, and .919 save percentage in his last five games. At 28 years old, his 15 wins this season already mark a new career high, and he is on pace to challenge for 30 victories.
Martin Necas, center for the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche, has been named to the Czech Republic's Olympic hockey team. The roster, announced Tuesday, also includes three NHL goalies.
The Detroit Red Wings have reassigned 21-year-old Nate Danielson, the ninth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, to the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins. After recording four points (1G, 3A) in his first nine NHL games, Danielson's production slowed, managing just three points over his final 19 games and riding an 11-game point drought at the time of his demotion. He returns to a Griffins team with a 28-1-1-1 record, where he previously thrived with 39 points in 71 games last season and five points in four games earlier this season.
Phillip Danault, reacquired by the Montreal Canadiens from the Los Angeles Kings for a second-round pick, has proven very useful in his first six games, especially following Jake Evans' injury. The 32-year-old center, now primarily in a defensive role, has excelled at the faceoff dot, winning 72% against Tampa Bay and 67% against Dallas, including the overtime draw that led to Lane Hutson's game-winning goal. He also recorded his 400th career point (an assist on Brendan Gallagher's goal) and is being deployed by Martin St-Louis to secure puck possession at the start of overtime periods.
Philadelphia Flyers forward Rodrigo Abols has been confirmed for Team Latvia's roster for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy, with the team's roster officially announced on Tuesday. The Olympics, set for February 6-24, will involve NHL participation, causing a 19-day break in the Flyers' schedule. Abols' selection provides him with an opportunity to represent Latvia on the global stage.
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim has been selected to represent Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy. The NHL's participation in the Olympics, scheduled from February 6-24, will lead to a 19-day hiatus for the Flyers. Sanheim's inclusion on the Canadian roster marks a significant achievement, as he prepares to compete for his country on the international stage.
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has been named to Team Finland's roster for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy. The tournament, running from February 6-24, will see the NHL participate, resulting in a 19-day break from games for the Flyers. Ristolainen's selection highlights his international recognition as he prepares to represent his home country on the Olympic stage.
Philadelphia Flyers' goalie Dan Vladar, an offseason signing, has been named to Team Czechia for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy, scheduled for February 6-24. Vladar has emerged as the Flyers' No. 1 netminder, boasting a career-high 15 wins this season with a 15-6-3 record, a 2.39 GAA, and a .910 save percentage. His Olympic participation will contribute to the Flyers' 19-day break from games during the NHL's Olympic hiatus.
Justin Sourdif, 23, delivered a standout performance, posting five points and recording a hat trick for the Washington Capitals. This achievement marks him as the first Capitals rookie since Alex Ovechkin in 2006 to score a hat trick. Sourdif's dominant night helped the short-handed Capitals secure a 7-4 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Monday, successfully ending their two-game losing streak. His five-point outing was crucial for the team's turnaround.
Alex Ovechkin's 2006 rookie hat trick record was matched by Justin Sourdif, who became the first Capitals rookie since Ovechkin to achieve the feat. Sourdif posted five points as the Washington Capitals defeated the Anaheim Ducks 7-4, ending a two-game losing streak. Ovechkin's historical performance in 2006 set a benchmark for Capitals rookies, a standard Sourdif has now met with his recent five-point outing, highlighting a significant moment for the franchise.
Kings right winger Joel Armia exited Monday's game against the Minnesota Wild early due to an upper-body injury after logging 9:14 of ice time. The injury could jeopardize his participation in the Olympics, for which Finland announced its roster on Jan. 2 (tournament begins Feb. 11). The 32-year-old, in his first season with the Kings, has registered 9 goals and 16 points in 41 games.
Kings captain Anze Kopitar was ruled out of Monday's game against the Wild with a lower-body injury after just 4:54 of ice time. This is his second lower-body injury this season. He is now considered day-to-day, with his status uncertain for Wednesday's game against the Sharks. Kopitar, who leads the Kings with a +12 rating, is one point shy of 1,300 career points and nine games from 1,500 NHL appearances.
Erik Karlsson delivered his best performance of the season, making a crucial play before Rakell's tying goal and assisting Crosby's game-winner, extending the Penguins' win streak to five. He has 5 points in 5 games since Christmas, running the NHL's second-ranked power play (12 of 31 points on PP) and contributing significantly to the penalty kill with 92:40 logged. His play is a key factor in Pittsburgh holding a playoff spot.
The Carolina Hurricanes acquired defenseman Juuso Valimaki from the Utah Mammoth for future considerations. The 27-year-old former first-round pick, who has 72 points in 271 NHL games, is currently in the AHL with Chicago Wolves, working back from ACL surgery. He had a productive 2022-23 season with Arizona (34 points in 78 games). Valimaki is in the final year of a $4M deal, carrying a $1.15M cap hit for Carolina.
Petr Mrazek started in goal for the Anaheim Ducks against the Capitals on Monday, his third appearance in 17 games. He sustained an undisclosed injury during the 7-4 loss and was replaced by Lukas Dostal in the third period. Head coach Joel Quenneville confirmed the injury. Mrazek previously missed weeks in December with a lower-body problem, but it's unclear if this is related. With a 0-1-0 record and 4.31 GAA, his fantasy value was already limited. If sidelined, Ville Husso could be elevated from the minors as the Ducks continue their road trip Tuesday in Philadelphia.
Sean Durzi scored 1:06 into overtime, securing a 3-2 victory for the Utah Mammoth over the New York Rangers on Monday night. His goal came off a pinpoint pass from Nick Schmaltz through traffic from the right doorstep, marking the Mammoth's second win in three games.
Philipp Grubauer is confirmed to start in goal for the Seattle Kraken against the Calgary Flames on Monday. He enters the divisional matchup on a three-game winning streak, boasting a phenomenal .970 save percentage and a 1.00 GAA during that span. The Flames rank 27th in the league with 2.66 goals per game this season. Grubauer holds a career record of 3-5-1 with a 2.82 GAA and a .917 save percentage in 10 regular-season appearances against Calgary.
The Pittsburgh Penguins placed defenseman Egor Zamula on waivers for contract termination, just six days after acquiring him from the Flyers. Zamula was suspended for failing to report to their AHL affiliate, reportedly having no interest in playing at that level. Once he clears, the Penguins will save $1.7 million and gain $3.45 million in cap space. The 6-foot-3 blueliner has 8 goals and 41 points in 168 career NHL games.
