Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Dan Vladar will be in net for the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday as they face the Vancouver Canucks on the road. Vladar previously made 23 saves in a 5-2 victory over the Canucks on December 22. This season, he holds a 13-6-3 record with a 2.37 GAA and a .909 save percentage through 22 appearances. The Canucks are currently tied for 25th in the league, averaging 2.76 goals per game.
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon sustained a lower-body injury during Monday's 4-2 victory against St. Louis, as reported by Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News. Lyon did not participate in Tuesday's practice, casting doubt on his availability for Wednesday's road game versus Dallas. He has been on a hot streak, winning his last seven starts and allowing only 15 goals on 185 shots. Should Lyon miss time, Colten Ellis (concussion) might return from injured reserve to compete for playing time with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
Jacob Melanson remains on the Seattle Kraken's NHL roster after Jani Nyman's assignment to the AHL. Since his call-up, Melanson has skated in eight games and recently recorded his first career NHL point, assisting on Ryan Winterton's goal. The 22-year-old, standing six-foot, 207 pounds, brings speed and physicality to the fourth line. With Jaden Schwartz sidelined, Melanson and Ben Meyers have secured their spots, forming a solid fourth line with Tye Kartye or Ryan Winterton.
The Seattle Kraken have assigned winger Jani Nyman to the AHL's Coachella Valley Firebirds. The 21-year-old has played 24 games this season, recording four goals and six points, but has struggled with inconsistent ice time, averaging 10:42 and being a healthy scratch 13 times. This move aims to provide Nyman with consistent minutes in the AHL, where he previously scored 28 goals and 44 points in 58 games last season. He is expected to play in the top six and on the power play for the Firebirds.
Ben Meyers will remain on the Seattle Kraken's NHL roster following the assignment of Jani Nyman to the AHL. With Jaden Schwartz out, Meyers and Jacob Melanson have earned the opportunity to stay with the NHL club. They have formed a solid fourth line, often playing alongside Tye Kartye or Ryan Winterton. This decision highlights the team's confidence in Meyers' contribution to the lineup.
New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (upper body) is expected to be a game-time decision for Wednesday's road divisional matchup against the Capitals. Fox, who has been on long-term injured reserve and hasn't played since Nov. 29, skated on the No. 1 pairing and quarterbacked the top power-play unit during Tuesday's practice. This positive development bodes well for his availability, with Scott Morrow anticipated to be a healthy scratch upon Fox's return. (Source: Mollie Walker, NY Post)
Devin Cooley has signed a two-year, $2.7 million contract extension with the Calgary Flames on Tuesday, as reported by Chris Johnston of The Athletic. Cooley, a goaltender, has posted a 4-4-2 record with a 2.40 GAA and a .914 save percentage across 13 appearances this season. He has served as a solid backup behind Dustin Wolf and is expected to continue in that role for the duration of his new contract.
Thatcher Demko is slated to start in goal for the Vancouver Canucks at home against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday, according to Jeff Paterson of CanucksArmy.com. Demko enters the game looking to rebound after two consecutive losses, where he allowed nine goals on 74 shots. This season, he holds an 8-7-0 record with one shutout, a 2.63 GAA, and a .907 save percentage through 16 appearances.
Spencer Knight will be in the home crease for the Chicago Blackhawks against the Islanders on Tuesday, as reported by Tracey Myers of NHL.com. Knight has struggled recently, losing his last five starts and conceding 15 goals on 121 shots. For the season, he holds a 10-11-5 record with two shutouts, a 2.65 GAA, and a .910 save percentage across 26 appearances. The Islanders rank 24th in the league with 2.77 goals per game.
William Nylander (lower body) will miss Tuesday's game against the Devils, marking his second consecutive absence and sixth of the season, according to Lance Hornby of The Toronto Sun. The Toronto Maple Leafs winger is considered day-to-day. The 29-year-old has recorded 14 goals and 41 points in 33 games this season. His next opportunity to return to the lineup will be Thursday against the Jets.
Erik Karlsson (illness) is available for Tuesday's home game against the Hurricanes, as reported by Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff. Karlsson missed Monday's practice due to the illness but will avoid missing his first game of the season. The blueliner is expected to resume his usual duties on the No. 1 pairing and see time on the man advantage against Carolina.
Sam Reinhart delivered a stellar performance for the Florida Panthers in Monday's 5-3 victory over Washington, tallying two goals, including an empty-netter, and an even-strength assist. He set up Aaron Ekblad's game-winner in the third period. These goals marked his 20th and 21st of the season, extending his streak of 20-goal campaigns to nine straight. Reinhart has been red hot, accumulating 7 goals and 17 points in his last 11 games, with six multi-point efforts.
Tom Wilson had a strong offensive outing for the Washington Capitals in Monday's 5-3 loss to the Panthers, scoring two goals, including one on the power play, and adding an even-strength assist. Both goals came in the first period, snapping an eight-game goal drought. He also contributed six shots, two hits, and a plus-1 rating. On the season, Wilson now has 19 goals and 37 points in 38 contests, along with 101 hits, 90 shots, and a plus-16 rating, putting him on pace for a career-best campaign.
Dylan Strome contributed significantly for the Washington Capitals in Monday's 5-3 loss to the Panthers, recording a goal and two assists, one on the power play. He helped set up two Tom Wilson goals in the first period and gave Washington a 3-2 lead early in the third. This performance extends his point streak to five games, during which he has accumulated two goals and eight points. The 28-year-old center now has 8 goals and 31 points in 37 contests this season.
Samuel Montembeault is set to make his NHL return for the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night against the Florida Panthers, marking his first start since December 2 and first NHL appearance since December 9. After a conditioning stint with the Laval Rocket, his performance tonight is crucial and will likely dictate the Canadiens' goaltending strategy for the season. Montembeault, drafted by the Panthers in 2015, holds a 4-4-1 record against his former team with a 3.75 GAA and .892 SV. This game is vital for both teams in the playoff race.
Washington Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun, 27, is emerging as the team's MVP in the 2025-26 season. His breakout performance is attributed to significant goal-scoring, a unique diet, and the pressures of Olympic aspirations. Chychrun has notably elevated his game, showcasing a new level of play that has been crucial for the Capitals' success this season.
Anaheim Ducks winger Troy Terry broke out of a recent slump, scoring two goals on three shots and adding an assist, along with two PIM and a plus-2 rating, in Monday's 5-4 loss to the Sharks. This marked his first multi-point effort since December 11, having been limited to just one assist in his previous six games. Terry now has 12 goals and 38 points, 96 shots on net, and a plus-10 rating through 39 appearances, putting him on pace for a career-high in points, though he lags behind his 2021-22 goal total.
San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini recorded a goal and two assists in Monday's 5-4 win over the Ducks, extending his impressive point streak to eight games (six goals, 11 helpers). This performance pushed him to 60 points (21 goals, 39 assists) in 39 appearances, making him the third player this season to reach that milestone, trailing only McDavid and MacKinnon. Celebrini, who briefly left the game after taking a puck to the face but returned, previously netted his 20th goal and an assist against the Canucks, accumulating 14 points over his prior seven-game streak. A 100-point season is now becoming an expectation.
Marcus Johansson erupted for a goal and three assists, going plus-4 in Monday's 5-2 victory over the Golden Knights. He opened scoring 26 seconds into the game and matched his career high for points in a single contest. Johansson has been hot, tallying four goals and eight assists over his last nine outings. The Minnesota Wild forward now boasts 12 goals, 20 helpers, 58 shots, and a plus-21 rating through 38 appearances this season, continuing a remarkable age-35 campaign.
Calvin Pickard delivered a stellar performance, stopping 41 of 42 shots to secure a 4-1 victory for the Edmonton Oilers against the Winnipeg Jets in his hometown. Coach Kris Knoblauch praised Pickard as their best player, noting the team's improved defense in front of him. This season-high save count significantly complicates the Oilers' goaltending situation, with Pickard, Tristan Jarry, and Tristan Ingram all performing well. Pickard, who feels confident and understands his backup role, made crucial saves, including 15 in the third period. The Oilers now face a decision on his next start, given Jarry's injury and Ingram's recall status.
