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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
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.
The Philadelphia Flyers have signed forward Christian Dvorak, 29, to a five-year, $25.75 million contract extension that will run through the 2030-31 campaign. Dvorak had initially signed a one-year deal in July but quickly proved his value, gelling well with Trevor Zegras and Travis Konecny on the top line. Through 39 appearances in the 2025-26 season, the 2014 second-round pick has recorded nine goals, 16 assists, 75 shots, and a plus-8 rating.
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin, 30, exited Monday's game against the Utah Mammoth midway through the first period with a lower-body injury and will not return. The 2022 Vezina Trophy winner was injured after a collision with JJ Peterka and was unable to put weight on his left leg, requiring assistance to the locker room. Jonathan Quick is expected to take over if Shesterkin misses further time, with the Rangers' next game Thursday against the Sabres. This comes after Shesterkin was confirmed as the starter for the game, following a 36-save performance in the Winter Classic.
Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Sam O'Reilly scored two goals for Canada in their 6-3 victory over Finland on Monday. The win secured the bronze medal for Canada in the world junior hockey championship's third-place game. O'Reilly's performance contributed to a strong offensive outing that also saw teammates Gavin McKenna and Michael Hage each record four points.
Leevi Merilainen is slated to patrol the home crease for the Ottawa Senators on Monday against the Red Wings. The 23-year-old netminder has recently secured back-to-back victories against the Capitals and Jets, bouncing back from a two-game skid. For the 2025-26 season, Merilainen holds a 6-7-0 record, a 3.34 GAA, and an .875 save percentage across 13 outings. He will aim to continue his winning form against a Red Wings squad that has netted 11 goals in their last five contests.
Aliaksei Protas (lower body) is not in the lineup for Monday's home game against Anaheim, marking his second consecutive missed contest. The Washington Capitals forward was initially a game-time decision but will remain sidelined. His absence, along with Tom Wilson's, forces the Capitals to dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen. Protas' next opportunity to return to action will be Wednesday at home versus Dallas.
Mikko Rantanen, now firmly established as a key offensive player for the Dallas Stars, is slated to face the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday. This will be his first encounter with the Hurricanes since they traded him to Dallas last year. The move concluded a tumultuous 13-day period during which Rantanen was involved in two separate trades before landing with the Stars.
The Vancouver Canucks have hired 19-year NHL veteran Jack Johnson as a pro-scout. Johnson, who recorded 77 goals and 265 assists in 1228 NHL games and won a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche, concluded his playing career in 2024-25. He has a notable connection to Canucks POHO Jim Rutherford, who drafted him in 2005, traded him in 2006, and signed him again in 2018 with the Penguins.
Nashville Predators goaltender Justus Annunen has signed a two-year, $2.5 million contract extension, beginning in the 2026-27 season. Annunen, acquired in a 2024 trade, is currently in the final year of his previous deal. This season, he holds a 3-5-1 record with a 3.19 GAA and .878 SV%, though his numbers have steadily improved, including a recent 29-save win. The extension cements his role as Juuse Saros' backup.
Stars captain Jamie Benn is expected to miss at least two games, not traveling for the East Coast road trip, after sustaining an upper-body injury and receiving stitches in his nose from hitting the ice in Sunday's game. Coach Gulutzan hopes he can rejoin the team for the West Coast leg starting Jan. 13 in San Jose. Benn, 36, has 7 goals and 7 assists in 23 games this season, having previously missed 19 games with a punctured lung. He is one of four NHL veterans who do not wear visors.
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby earned NHL's Second Star of the Week honors after recording 4 goals and 8 points in 4 games, including an overtime game-winner that extended Pittsburgh's win streak to five. He is currently on a 7-game point streak (5 goals, 12 points) and is on pace for an impressive 48 goals and 94 points in his 21st NHL season, leading the Penguins to the first wild card spot.
Buffalo Sabres forward Jason Zucker (lower body) is expected to return to the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Canucks. He has missed the last 11 games due to a lower-body injury but skated on the second line and first power-play unit in Monday's practice, signaling his readiness. In 33 appearances this season, Zucker has recorded 21 goals, nine assists, 22 hits, 10 PIM, and four blocked shots, averaging 15:36 of ice time.
Flyers rookie Denver Barkey scored his first NHL goal against the Oilers on Jan. 3, marking a steady transition to the league. Coach Rick Tocchet praises his hockey IQ, 200-foot game, and courage, noting he's not afraid to engage in corners despite his size. Barkey has played 7 NHL games, and while he's earned trust, the team is evaluating his long-term sustainability and optimal development path, considering the mental and physical toll of the NHL schedule.
Filip Gustavsson is slated to start Monday's road game against Los Angeles, continuing his alternating starts with Jesper Wallstedt. The Wild netminder is currently on a successful run, posting a 7-0-1 record with a 1.75 GAA and a .930 save percentage over his last eight starts.
Darcy Kuemper was the first goalie to leave the ice Monday, signaling he will start at home against the Wild. This marks his third straight start since returning from an upper-body injury. Despite giving up four goals in each of his last two outings, posting a 1-1-0 record and .843 save percentage, Kuemper is expected to have enough leash to play his way into better form.
Sharks defenseman John Klingberg has been placed on injured reserve due to a lower-body injury sustained on New Year's Eve. He is expected to miss at least four contests and is eligible to return this Saturday against the Dallas Stars. The 33-year-old blueliner has recorded 9 goals and 7 assists for 16 points, with a +1 rating, in 31 appearances this season, averaging 21:37 of ice time. Patrick Giles was recalled in a corresponding move.
Flyers' Matvei Michkov is being evaluated for a foot injury after taking a shot to the foot during Saturday's game against the Oilers. Head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed the evaluation, noting Michkov was absent from Monday's practice. His availability for Tuesday's matchup against Anaheim is uncertain. If Michkov is sidelined, Nicolas Deslauriers and Nikita Grebenkin are potential candidates to enter the lineup.
Connor Hellebuyck is featured in Monday's essential fantasy hockey pickups guide. The analysis assesses whether he is a safe starting option for fantasy managers in the week ahead. The guide offers recommendations for players to add and strategies for setting fantasy lineups, indicating Hellebuyck is a key player under consideration for those looking to optimize their fantasy hockey teams.
Valeri Nichushkin is highlighted in Monday's essential fantasy hockey pickups guide. The guide provides analysis on whether he is a safe player to add to fantasy rosters and start for the upcoming week. It offers recommendations for who to pick up and strategies to prepare fantasy lineups, positioning Nichushkin as a player under consideration for fantasy managers looking to optimize their teams.
Panthers defenseman Seth Jones is deemed week-to-week with an upper-body injury sustained from a deflected shot to the shoulder/collarbone area in Friday's Winter Classic loss. Coach Maurice expects him to be out "a couple weeks" but hopes for his return before the NHL's Olympic break next month. Jones has 6 goals and 24 points in 40 appearances this season. Tobias Bjornfot was called up, and Donovan Sebrango is now in the lineup to cover his absence.
