AutoDraft Pro
Get the app

Player news from trusted outlets

NHL News

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

Friday, December 5, 2025

Gibson Guards Goal Saturday vs. Kraken After Rough Stretch

AutoDraft Pro AI

John Gibson is confirmed to start in goal for the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday against the Kraken, as reported by Helene St. James. This will be the 32-year-old's third start in five games. Gibson has recently struggled, allowing 19 goals over his last four outings, resulting in a 1-2-1 record during that span. He faces a Kraken team that has been a low-scoring foe, managing only 12 goals in their last six games, potentially offering an opportunity for Gibson to improve his performance.

Brandon Hagel's Hand Pass Leads to Disallowed Goal, Rule Scrutiny

AutoDraft Pro AI

Brandon Hagel was involved in a controversial play where his apparent hand pass led to Nikita Kucherov's game-tying goal being disallowed for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Hagel appeared to be protecting his face with his glove, not deliberately directing the puck. The incident has sparked criticism from coach Jon Cooper and is expected to prompt discussion among NHL GMs to potentially tweak the hand-pass rule (Rule 79).

Ducks' Petr Mrazek Hits IR with Lower-Body Injury, Out 2-3 Weeks

AutoDraft Pro AI

Anaheim Ducks goaltender Petr Mrazek (lower body) has been placed on injured reserve as of Friday, December 5, 2025. He is expected to miss 2-3 weeks due to the injury. This move does not alter his previously established timetable for return. Mrazek has appeared in seven outings this season, posting a 3-3-0 record with a 3.69 goals-against average and an .876 save percentage.

Teravainen Questionable for Saturday After Losing Teeth to Slap Shot

AutoDraft Pro AI

Teuvo Teravainen is questionable for Saturday's game against Los Angeles after losing several teeth when struck by a slap shot during Thursday's 2-1 win over the Kings. The Chicago Blackhawks forward, who has tallied six goals and 17 points in 27 appearances this season (2025-26), was reported injured by Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times on Friday. Should Teravainen be unable to play, Landon Slaggert is expected to draw into the lineup.

Panthers Waive Anton Lundmark for Contract Termination After AHL Stint

AutoDraft Pro AI

The Florida Panthers have placed Anton Lundmark on unconditional waivers for contract termination. The 24-year-old winger, who signed a one-year, $975,000 entry-level deal in the off-season, failed to record a point in nine AHL games with the Charlotte Checkers. Lundmark, who previously scored 5 goals and 9 points in 49 SHL games last season, will return to Timra IK in Sweden after his brief tenure with the Panthers ended as a 'failed experiment'.

Logan Thompson to Start vs. Anaheim, Riding Four-Game Win Streak

AutoDraft Pro AI

Logan Thompson is expected to start on the road against Anaheim on Friday. He has won his past four starts, allowing only five goals on 101 shots (.950 save percentage). This season, Thompson holds a 12-6-1 record with a 2.02 GAA and a .919 save percentage through 19 outings. The Ducks, despite a 16-10-1 record, are 5-7-0 in their last 12 games and recently suffered a 7-0 loss to Utah.

John Carlson Sidelined with Upper Body Injury, Misses Friday Game

AutoDraft Pro AI

John Carlson (upper body) will miss Friday's game against Anaheim, marking his second consecutive absence after also sitting out Wednesday's 7-1 win over San Jose. The defenseman has recorded six goals and 23 points in 26 outings during the 2025-26 season. Declan Chisholm is projected to step in and play his second straight game on the blue line due to Carlson's ongoing injury.

Penguins Place Joona Koppanen on Waivers; AHL Assignment Possible

AutoDraft Pro AI

The Pittsburgh Penguins have placed forward Joona Koppanen on NHL waivers. This season, he has recorded one assist, two penalty minutes, four blocks, nine hits, and a minus-1 rating in 10 games with Pittsburgh. Last season, he had one goal and 40 hits in 11 NHL games. If Koppanen clears waivers, he will be assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he has one goal and one assist in six AHL games this season.

Devils Recall Center Angus Crookshank from Utica Comets

AutoDraft Pro AI

The New Jersey Devils have recalled 26-year-old center Angus Crookshank from their AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets. This season, Crookshank recorded five goals and two assists for seven points in 17 games with the Comets. A 2018 fifth-round pick, he previously played 21 NHL games with the Ottawa Senators, tallying two goals and four assists. He joined the Devils for their morning skate ahead of their game against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Ville Husso Starts vs. Caps, Set for Heavy Workload with Teammates Injured

AutoDraft Pro AI

Ville Husso will patrol the blue paint at home against Washington on Friday, marking his fifth straight appearance. He has gone 2-2-0 with a 3.46 in his prior four outings. With teammates Lukas Dostal (upper body) and Petr Mrazek (lower body) both on the shelf, Husso figures to get a heavy workload moving forward for the Anaheim Ducks.

Nate Danielson Emerges as Key Piece in Potential Quinn Hughes Trade Talks

AutoDraft Pro AI

Rookie Nate Danielson is reportedly a likely candidate in a potential trade package from the Detroit Red Wings for Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes. The former top-ten draft pick recently scored his first NHL goal and recorded the game-winning assist against the Seattle Kraken, showcasing his potential. Danielson is seen as a cornerstone piece for Vancouver if they were to retool, with the Canucks reportedly seeking a #2 center in any deal for Hughes.

Quinn Hughes Trade Rumors Intensify; Red Wings, Devils Among Suitors

AutoDraft Pro AI

Trade speculation around Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, 26, is heating up, with the Detroit Red Wings showing strong interest. Hughes, the 2023-24 Norris Trophy winner and Canucks' all-time leading defenseman in points (431) and assists (370), is a potential target for teams like the Red Wings, who may offer Nate Danielson. Uncertainty over his contract extension and potential interest from the Devils to play with his brothers fuels the rumors, with a high asking price expected for the superstar.

Zach Werenski Logs Three Assists, Continues Multi-Point Streak for Blue Jackets

AutoDraft Pro AI

Zach Werenski logged three assists, including two on the power play, and added two shots on net with a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 6-5 shootout win over the Red Wings. He has logged multiple points in three straight games and six of his last nine outings. Werenski is now up to 29 points (eight on the power play), 100 shots on net, 39 blocked shots, and a plus-11 rating through 27 appearances for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Senators' Top Scorer Shane Pinto Sustains Lower-Body Injury

AutoDraft Pro AI

Ottawa Senators' top goal scorer, Shane Pinto (12 goals), suffered a lower-body injury in the first period of Thursday's 4-2 loss to the New York Rangers. The injury occurred during a body check from Mika Zibanejad, with Pinto's skate appearing to jam into the boards. Head coach Travis Green confirmed Pinto will miss Saturday's game against the St. Louis Blues, adding him to the Senators' growing injury list.

Lankinen to Start Friday vs. Mammoth Amidst Four-Game Losing Streak

AutoDraft Pro AI

Kevin Lankinen is slated to start in goal for the Vancouver Canucks against the Mammoth at home Friday, as he was the first goalie off the ice. Lankinen is currently in a four-game losing streak, with only one victory in his last eight outings, posting a 1-4-3 record and a 3.42 GAA. With Thatcher Demko (lower body) still on injured reserve, Lankinen is expected to continue handling the majority of the workload until Demko's return.

Point Questionable for Saturday's Game vs. Islanders Due to Undisclosed Injury

AutoDraft Pro AI

Brayden Point (undisclosed) is questionable for the Tampa Bay Lightning's game against the Islanders on Saturday, per Eduardo A. Encina. Point has already missed six consecutive games. He has struggled this season, recording only three goals and eight assists in 21 contests, a significant drop from his previous three seasons where he amassed 262 points in 240 regular-season games.

Askarov Starts Friday in Dallas After Recent Struggles, Strong November Performance

AutoDraft Pro AI

Yaroslav Askarov will start in goal for the San Jose Sharks in Dallas on Friday. While he was sensational in November, posting an 8-2-0 record with a 1.88 GAA and a .944 save percentage, he struggled Wednesday, allowing four goals on 12 shots before being replaced. This season, Askarov holds a 10-7-1 record with a 3.15 GAA and a .903 save percentage through 18 appearances against the NHL's fifth-highest scoring team.

Hedman Probable to Return Saturday vs. Islanders After Leading Practice Stretch

AutoDraft Pro AI

Victor Hedman (undisclosed) is probable to play for the Tampa Bay Lightning against the Islanders on Saturday, per Eduardo A. Encina. He led the post-practice stretch Friday, signaling his imminent return. The 34-year-old blueliner must be activated off long-term injured reserve, with roster space already cleared by sending Declan Carlile to AHL Syracuse. Before his injury, Hedman recorded 12 assists in 15 games this season, though he has yet to score a goal.

Harley (Lower Body) Out Friday, Possible Return Next Week

AutoDraft Pro AI

Thomas Harley (lower body) has been officially ruled out of Friday's game against San Jose, as reported by Stars radio analyst Bruce LeVine. This marks his 11th consecutive missed game. Head coach Glen Gulutzan expressed optimism Friday, hoping Harley can return to the lineup next week, with Tuesday's game in Winnipeg being a potential target. The defenseman has accumulated one goal and nine assists in 18 games this season and remains listed as day-to-day.

Oettinger Starts Friday vs. Sharks, Riding Four-Game Win Streak

AutoDraft Pro AI

Jake Oettinger will start in goal for the Dallas Stars at home against the San Jose Sharks on Friday, as reported by Lia Assimakopoulos. Oettinger is currently on an impressive four-game winning streak, during which he has posted a 2.00 GAA, a .934 save percentage, and one shutout. With no immediate back-to-back games, Oettinger is expected to handle a heavy workload leading into the Christmas break, though Casey DeSmith's strong play could earn him additional starts.