Player news from trusted outlets

NHL News

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

Saturday, December 20, 2025

Senators' Chabot Returns from Upper-Body Injury, Will Play Saturday

AutoDraft Pro AI

Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot (upper body) has been activated from injured reserve and is set to return to the lineup Saturday against Chicago. Chabot missed 12 games due to the injury. In 18 appearances this season, the 28-year-old has recorded two goals, eight assists, 36 blocked shots, and 13 hits. He is expected to reclaim his role on the first power-play unit alongside Jake Sanderson, potentially making Nikolas Matinpalo the odd-man out on the blue line.

Friday, December 19, 2025

Jason Robertson Dominates with Two Goals, Assist in Stars' 8-3 Victory

AutoDraft Pro AI

Jason Robertson delivered a stellar performance in Friday's 8-3 win over the Ducks, scoring twice on four shots, dishing an assist, adding six PIM, and going plus-2. He netted both goals in the second period, including a power-play tally, after setting up Roope Hintz in the first. This outing snapped his longest point slump of the season, a three-game drought. The winger now boasts 22 goals, 43 points (19 on the power play), 139 shots, 24 hits, and a plus-16 rating through 36 appearances in a top-six role.

Mason Marchment Traded to Blue Jackets; Kraken Receive Two Second-Round Picks

AutoDraft Pro AI

Winger Mason Marchment has been traded by the Seattle Kraken to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for two second-round picks. Marchment recorded 13 points in 29 appearances during his brief stint with the Kraken, who had acquired him from the Stars in June. In Columbus, he is expected to take on a middle-six role and power-play time, though he is projected to be a streaky scorer. It remains unclear if he will be in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Ducks.

Canadiens Reacquire Phillip Danault from Kings for 2026 Draft Pick

AutoDraft Pro AI

Center Phillip Danault, 32, has been traded from the Los Angeles Kings back to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick (Columbus Blue Jackets' pick). The trade occurred just before the NHL's Christmas roster freeze. Danault returns to Montreal, where he previously played six seasons, recording 194 points in 360 games and reaching the 2020-21 Stanley Cup Final. This season with the Kings, he had 0 goals and 5 assists in 30 games, missing the last four due to illness. The move frees up $5.5M in cap space for the Kings.

Seth Jarvis Suffers 'Not Good' Upper-Body Injury, Expected to Miss Time

AutoDraft Pro AI

Seth Jarvis sustained an apparent upper-body injury in Friday's game versus the Panthers, crashing into the post during overtime and favoring his arm. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour deemed the injury 'not good,' and Jarvis is expected to miss time. He had two assists in the contest, bringing him to 29 points through 34 appearances. This is a significant loss for the Hurricanes, who lack an extra forward on the roster, impacting fantasy managers.

Bo Horvat Out for Sabres Game, Misses Fourth Straight Due to Lower Body Injury

AutoDraft Pro AI

Bo Horvat (lower body) will miss Saturday's game against the Sabres, marking his fourth consecutive absence. The 30-year-old center did not travel with the team for the brief road trip. While his status for Tuesday's game versus the Devils is not yet ruled out, the Islanders may opt to rest him through the upcoming holiday break to prevent a premature return. This continued absence impacts the Islanders' lineup.

Sabres' Timmins Suffers Broken Leg, Expected to Miss 6-8 Weeks

AutoDraft Pro AI

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Conor Timmins is expected to miss 6-8 weeks after breaking his left leg in the third period of Thursday's 5-3 win against the Philadelphia Flyers. The non-contact injury occurred with 5:20 left in regulation, with a replay suggesting his left skate caught a rut. The 27-year-old, in his first year with the Sabres, has recorded six assists in 32 games this season. The injury is projected to sideline him through the NHL's Olympic break in February.

Berggren Scores in Blues Debut After Red Wings Waiver Claim

AutoDraft Pro AI

Jonatan Berggren, waived by the Red Wings, was claimed by the St. Louis Blues and scored in his second game with the team against the New York Rangers. The Blues ultimately lost 2-1 in overtime, but Berggren expressed comfort in his new surroundings, stating it's "fun to be out there." He started alongside Pius Suter before being elevated to the top line with Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich. Berggren previously scored 15 goals in 67 rookie games for Detroit and 12 goals, 12 assists in 75 games last season before signing a $1.825 million contract.

Ryan O'Hara Provides Live Updates for Jets vs. Avalanche Game

AutoDraft Pro AI

Ryan O'Hara is providing live updates for The Hockey News from Ball Arena, covering the Jets vs. Avalanche game. Key events reported include Brent Burns' opening goal for Colorado, followed by a Martin Necas 2-on-1 goal. The game also featured a fight between Josh Manson and Tanner Pearson, and Martin Necas later left the game after taking a hit along the boards.

Markstrom Tending Goal Friday vs. Mammoth, Hopes to Rebound from 1-4-0 Skid

AutoDraft Pro AI

Jacob Markstrom is slated to guard the road goal for the Devils against the Mammoth on Friday, as reported by Amanda Stein. Markstrom has recently entered a timeshare with Jake Allen and has struggled significantly, posting a 1-4-0 record with 18 goals allowed over his last six outings. This performance aligns with his overall poor season. The Mammoth, their upcoming opponent, have been in good form, winning three of their last four games and scoring 15 goals during that period.

Jets' Hellebuyck Confirmed to Start vs. Avalanche Post-Knee Surgery

AutoDraft Pro AI

Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets) is confirmed to start in goal Friday against the Colorado Avalanche, after being the first goalie off the ice during morning skate. The reigning MVP is working his way back from knee surgery nearly a month ago, having allowed just five goals on 82 shots since his return. Despite a 1-1-1 record in that span due to the Jets' poor offense, he maintains a 9–7 record, 2.36 GAA, and .918 SV% overall. This challenging matchup against the NHL's top offense will be a significant test for Hellebuyck.

Islanders' Barzal Cleared to Play vs. Canucks Despite Maintenance Concerns

AutoDraft Pro AI

Mathew Barzal (New York Islanders) is expected to play Friday against the Canucks, despite being a game-time decision due to maintenance. The 28-year-old center missed Friday's morning skate but was slated to participate in warmups. This marks the second consecutive game he was a game-time decision before being cleared. Barzal is clearly managing an undisclosed issue, but it has not been severe enough to sideline him from games yet, allowing him to remain in the lineup.

Hurricanes' Bussi Starts Friday vs. Panthers, Riding Nine-Game Win Streak

AutoDraft Pro AI

Brandon Bussi (Carolina Hurricanes) will guard the road goal versus the Florida Panthers on Friday. Bussi is on an impressive run, having won nine straight outings and 11 of his 12 appearances this season. He has been consistently strong, allowing no more than three goals in any of his last seven outings. He faces a Panthers team that has found its groove recently, scoring 22 goals over their last six games while going 5-1-0 in that span, presenting a tough challenge.

Golden Knights' Eichel (Lower Body) Day-to-Day, Misses Road Trip

AutoDraft Pro AI

Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights) is now considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury and will not accompany the team on their two-game road trip. He might be held out through the Christmas break, with his status for Tuesday's game vs. Sharks pending. Eichel has been productive recently, recording one goal and eight assists, including three power-play helpers, in his last five games. Tomas Hertl is expected to fill the first-line center role during his absence, as Eichel's injury is a significant blow to the team's offense.

Golden Knights' Theodore (Upper Body) Out Week-to-Week, Misses Road Trip

AutoDraft Pro AI

Shea Theodore (Vegas Golden Knights) is out week-to-week with an upper-body injury, forcing him to miss the upcoming two-game road trip and sidelining him until the New Year. He missed Wednesday's game. Theodore had recently improved his offensive production, tallying 4 goals and 11 assists in his last 17 games after a slow start. Jeremy Lauzon has taken his place in the lineup, as Theodore's absence is a significant loss for the team's defense.

NHL Rumors: Four Teams Eye Sabres' Alex Tuch as Potential Trade Target

AutoDraft Pro AI

Alex Tuch (Buffalo Sabres), a star forward and pending unrestricted free agent, is drawing significant trade interest. While the Sabres hope to sign him to a contract extension, if they are out of a playoff spot by the deadline and he remains unsigned, they may be forced to shop him. The Fourth Period reports the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes, and Los Angeles Kings are four teams expected to express interest. Tuch, a top-six power forward and major scoring threat, has recorded 11 goals, 18 assists, and 29 points in 32 games this season.

Flyers Defender Egor Zamula Clears Waivers, Remains with Organization

AutoDraft Pro AI

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Egor Zamula (25, 6-foot-3) has officially cleared waivers after being placed on Dec. 18, ensuring he remains with the organization. The Flyers now have the option to assign him to their AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, though no announcement has been made. This season, Zamula has recorded one assist, 15 blocks, and a plus-4 rating in 13 games. He previously had 15 points in 63 games during the 2024-25 season.

Oilers' Jarry Placed on IR with Lower-Body Injury; Out for 3+ Games

AutoDraft Pro AI

Edmonton Oilers goalie Tristan Jarry has been placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury sustained during Thursday's game. He is out for at least the next three games and is traveling back to Edmonton for further evaluation. Jarry, who joined the Oilers via a Dec. 12 trade from Pittsburgh and made three starts, had a 7-1-1 record in his last 10 outings. Calvin Pickard is expected to handle the workload, with Connor Ingram likely recalled as backup.

Buium Shines in Canucks Debut, Quarterbacks Top Power Play

AutoDraft Pro AI

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Zeev Buium made an immediate impact, operating as the team's top power-play quarterback and recording two power-play points in his Sunday debut. While not contributing extensively in other areas, Buium offers significant offensive upside, particularly on the man-advantage. He is seen as a future centerpiece for the rebuilding Canucks and is expected to log decent ice time, making him a top fantasy waiver wire pickup.

O'Reilly Heating Up for Predators, Rejoining Top Power Play

AutoDraft Pro AI

Nashville Predators forward Ryan O'Reilly is a top fantasy waiver wire candidate, demonstrating consistent scoring with 27 points this season, including 14 in his last 11 games. He centers the top line in all attacking situations and has recently rejoined the lead power play, reuniting with Filip Forsberg. O'Reilly also excels on faceoffs, averaging nearly 10 wins with a 57.7% success rate, enhancing his fantasy appeal.