Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Andrei Vasilevskiy was the first goalie off the ice at morning skate, indicating he will guard the road goal for the Tampa Bay Lightning against Florida on Saturday. He has won his last two outings, stopping 41 of 46 shots. This campaign, Vasilevskiy boasts a 13-7-2 record with one shutout, a 2.32 GAA, and a .913 save percentage through 22 appearances. Florida is tied for ninth in the league with 3.19 goals per game.
Igor Shesterkin will defend the road net for the New York Rangers against the Islanders on Saturday. He has won his past three outings, allowing only eight goals on 91 shots. Shesterkin holds a 16-11-3 record this season with one shutout, a 2.55 GAA, and a .908 save percentage across 30 appearances. He previously allowed four goals on 25 shots in a 5-0 loss to the Islanders on November 8.
Sergei Bobrovsky will patrol the home crease for the Florida Panthers against Tampa Bay on Saturday. He has won his last six outings, stopping 136 of the 152 shots he has faced. This season, Bobrovsky has a 16-8-1 record with three shutouts, a 2.78 GAA, and an .889 save percentage through 25 appearances. Tampa Bay is tied for sixth in the league with 3.25 goals per game this campaign.
New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, retroactive to December 20. Despite the IR designation, Sorokin was on the ice with his goaltender coach and is eligible to return as early as Sunday against the Blue Jackets. The NHL's seven-day IR requirement suggests this could be precautionary, though his injury status remains unclear. Sorokin last played Dec. 19, allowing three goals. He holds a 12-10-2 record with three shutouts, a 2.55 GAA, and a .910 save percentage across 24 appearances this season. Marcus Hogberg was called up as backup.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is slated to start Saturday's home game against Minnesota. He has struggled in his last four outings, posting an 0-2-2 record while allowing 11 goals on 105 shots. This season, Hellebuyck holds a 9-8-2 record with a 2.48 GAA and a .912 save percentage through 19 appearances. Minnesota ranks 17th in the league, averaging 3.00 goals per game, presenting a challenge for Hellebuyck to rebound.
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Brandon Carlo is back on the ice, skating Saturday morning after being sidelined since November 13. Carlo underwent foot surgery on December 3, with an initial recovery timeline of approximately one month, suggesting a potential return next week. His comeback will bolster the Leafs' defensive depth. Before his injury, the 29-year-old recorded two assists in 18 games, averaging 20:03 of ice time. The Maple Leafs currently hold a 16-15-5 record.
Bo Horvat (lower body) is set to return to the New York Islanders' lineup Saturday against the Rangers, ending a five-game absence. The center has recorded 19 goals and 31 points in 32 games this season. Horvat will center Jonathan Drouin and Emil Heineman in his return, with Anthony Duclair becoming a healthy scratch. His return is a significant boost for the Islanders' offense.
Zeev Buium is set to make his home debut for the Vancouver Canucks tonight against the San Jose Sharks, marking his first appearance in front of the Vancouver crowd alongside Marco Rossi and Liam Öhgren. Acquired recently, the defenseman has already recorded a goal and two assists in five games since his Canucks debut, playing on a pairing with Tyler Myers. Buium is touted as a dynamic offensive-defenceman, offering a glimpse into the future of Vancouver's blueline.
Marco Rossi is slated to make his highly anticipated home debut for the Vancouver Canucks tonight against the San Jose Sharks. This game marks the first time Rossi, along with Zeev Buium and Liam Öhgren, will play in front of the Vancouver home crowd as new members of the team. Fans will get their first in-person look at the new-look Canucks lineup.
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin scored his 11th career overtime goal on Tuesday, an overtime game-winner against the Dallas Stars, which was also his 20th tally of the season. He also netted the game-tying goal in the third period. This milestone places Larkin just one overtime goal shy of matching Sergei Fedorov's franchise record of 12. Larkin's strong play is a key factor in the Red Wings' current standing, leading the Atlantic Division and tied for first in the Eastern Conference, positioning them as a strong playoff contender.
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy is emerging as a prime trade candidate due to the team's struggles and his pending unrestricted free agent status. The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun linked Murphy to the Florida Panthers, citing their need for blueline depth. Chris Johnston suggested the Vegas Golden Knights, who also seek to upgrade their right-side defense. Murphy could provide veteran experience and depth for either contender, potentially fitting into a second or bottom pairing.
Montreal Canadiens Russian rookie Ivan Demidov joined teammate Lane Hutson on Christmas Day to surprise fans by playing shinny hockey at a local outdoor rink. The duo played with fans, creating a magical experience for the kids and attendees. Demidov and Hutson also took pictures, donating their time to make Christmas even better. This priceless interaction allowed fans to skate alongside their idols, demonstrating the players' connection to the city and its supporters during the holiday break.
Montreal Canadiens star Lane Hutson surprised fans by playing shinny hockey at local outdoor rinks over the Christmas break. On Christmas Eve, he delighted fans in Notre-Dame-De-Grace, showcasing his dedication to the game, having signed an 8-year contract through 2033-34. On Christmas Day, Hutson returned, bringing teammate Ivan Demidov. They played with fans and took pictures, creating a priceless experience for those who skated alongside their idol, making their holiday memorable.
With Shea Theodore sidelined for at least another month, Noah Hanifin has stepped into the role of Vegas's lead offensive defenseman on the top power-play unit. He has capitalized on this opportunity, producing five assists, four of which came on the man-advantage, in his last four games. Hanifin's recent performance also includes 13 shots, four hits, and six blocks, while averaging 24:39 of ice time, making him a prime fantasy addition due to his elevated role and strong output.
Kraken forward Eeli Tolvanen has significantly boosted his production, recording 11 points, including four on the power play, over the last 11 games. During this stretch, he also contributed 20 shots, 29 hits, and 12 blocks, averaging 18:04 of ice time. Despite questions regarding the sustainability of this output, his steady offensive role and a 9.3 shooting percentage, which is below his career average, suggest potential for continued fantasy relevance and offensive contributions for Seattle.
Adrian Kempe, 29, committed to the Kings with an 8-year, $85 million extension ($10.625M AAV), prioritizing happiness and team loyalty over a potentially larger free-agency offer. He leads the offensively challenged Kings with 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists), scoring 7 goals since signing the deal. Averaging a career-high 19:18 ice time, Kempe is on pace for 30 goals and 68 points, solidifying his role as a future leader for the franchise, which he believes has a strong core and good young players.
John Gibson is red hot, achieving a perfect December with eight straight wins, setting a new career high for consecutive victories. During this dominant stretch, he's posted a .927 save percentage and a 2.12 goals-against average, significantly boosting the Detroit Red Wings. For the season, Gibson holds a 12-7-1 record with a 3.01 GAA and .891 SV%. Acquired from the Ducks in the summer for Petr Mrazek and two draft picks, his elite play is pivotal as Detroit eyes its first playoff berth in nearly a decade, having won nine of its last 12 games.
Phillip Danault, recently traded back to the Montreal Canadiens from the Kings for a 2026 second-round pick, expressed feeling 'no purpose' and 'helpless' in Los Angeles, also stating displeasure with his handling. Reports indicate the Kings rejected a Carolina Hurricanes offer for Danault, which included Jesperi Kotkaniemi, due to his contract. Danault made his Montreal debut in a 6-2 win over the Bruins, centering the third line for 15:29. He recorded no points, remains goalless, and has five assists in 31 appearances this season. He carries a $5.5M cap hit with one year left.
Flyers' 29-year-old center Rodrigo Abols is celebrating his first Christmas as a full-time NHL player with his wife Paula and 4-year-old son Aleksi. His family's sacrifices and support have been crucial to his journey from Latvia, especially after an impressive training camp secured his roster spot. Abols has played in 31 of 36 games for the Flyers, recording 2 goals and 3 assists as the fourth-line center. He also posted a goal, two assists, and a plus-3 rating in the three games leading up to the holiday break. Abols is set to represent Team Latvia at the Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Scott Morrow's season with the Rangers has been a development rollercoaster. After failing to make the initial roster, he earned call-ups and a prominent role due to Adam Fox's injury. Initially struggling with assertiveness and making costly turnovers, including one leading to a shorthanded goal against the Flyers, Morrow has shown resilience. Coach Sullivan praised his character for playing through mistakes. Morrow recently played his best game, leading Rangers defensemen with a 2.50 Game Score in a 7-3 win over the Capitals, demonstrating his potential as an impactful NHL defenseman.
