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.

Thursday, November 13, 2025

Darcy Kuemper to Start for LA Kings Against Toronto Maple Leafs

AutoDraft Pro AI

Darcy Kuemper is set to defend the net for the LA Kings against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday, being the first goaltender off the ice after morning skate. Kuemper was acquired by the Kings in an offseason trade with the Capitals, where he struggled with a 3.03 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage over two seasons. This follows a successful 2021-22 campaign with the Colorado Avalanche, where he posted a 2.54 GAA and .921 save percentage en route to a Stanley Cup victory. The Kings' defensive structure is expected to help Kuemper regain his form, offering him an opportunity to resurrect his career and potentially earn another NHL contract. He is considered a solid second goaltending option for fantasy leagues. Previously, Kuemper's tenure with Washington was marked by a 2.87 GAA and .908 save percentage in 57 games, with his struggles potentially linked to team injuries and a departure from Colorado's defensive system. He has a history of injury, including a derailment in 2020-21 due to a lower-body injury. His time with Colorado, though brief, was successful, culminating in a Stanley Cup win. Kuemper has also played for the Arizona Coyotes, where he had a strong performance in the 2018-19 season, and the Minnesota Wild, where he served as a backup. His career has seen him transition between teams, with varying degrees of success and fantasy relevance.

Taylor Makar Recalled by Avalanche, Set for Another NHL Game Alongside Brother Cale

AutoDraft Pro AI

Forward Taylor Makar has been recalled by the Colorado Avalanche from their AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, ahead of Thursday night’s game against the Buffalo Sabres. The 24-year-old's call-up comes as Valeri Nichushkin is sidelined with a lower-body injury. Makar previously made his NHL debut on November 1, averaging 6:07 of ice time in an overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks, marking the first time he and his older brother, Cale Makar, played together for the Avalanche. This season with the Eagles, Makar has recorded one goal and three assists in 13 games. A 2021 seventh-round pick, he signed a one-year, entry-level contract through 2025-26 and previously played collegiate hockey at UMass Amherst and the University of Maine.

Valeri Nichushkin Sidelined with Lower-Body Injury, No Timetable for Avalanche Return

AutoDraft Pro AI

Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin is set to miss time after sustaining a lower-body injury during Tuesday's game against the Anaheim Ducks. The injury occurred in the third period when Nichushkin blocked a shot. Coach Bednar confirmed on Wednesday morning that the 6-foot-3, 209-pound right winger would be out indefinitely, with no timetable currently established for his return. His absence prompted the recall of Taylor Makar from the AHL's Colorado Eagles, as the Avalanche prepare for their matchup against the Buffalo Sabres.

Logan Thompson to Start in Goal Against Florida Panthers

AutoDraft Pro AI

Logan Thompson will start in goal for the Washington Capitals against the Florida Panthers on Thursday. The 28-year-old goalie has been outstanding this season, holding a 7-4-0 record with a 1.56 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage. Thompson recently allowed more than two goals for the first time when the Lightning scored three in a 3-2 victory. He signed a six-year, $35.1 million contract with the Capitals in January 2025. The Panthers, his opponents, have struggled this season after winning back-to-back Stanley Cups, ranking 28th in the NHL with 42 goals in 16 games.

Casey DeSmith Set to Guard Net Thursday, Reflecting Varied Career Path

AutoDraft Pro AI

Casey DeSmith is slated to start in goal on Thursday against Montreal. DeSmith, a 31-year-old netminder, has had a career marked by fluctuating performance and multiple team changes. After struggling in the 2022-23 season with a 3.17 GAA and .905 save percentage, he showed slight improvement post-All-Star break. He was traded from Pittsburgh to Montreal, then to Vancouver in September, and is competing for a backup role behind Thatcher Demko. Previously, with Pittsburgh, he managed an 11-7-0 record with a 2.54 GAA and .912 save percentage in 26 games during the 2022-23 season, even stepping in due to Tristan Jarry's injury. His NHL career includes a 2.81 GAA and .909 save percentage over 165 games. He signed a new two-year contract with Pittsburgh, locking him in as Jarry's backup through 2023-24, though his fantasy value is considered limited. Earlier in his career, he secured the backup job in Pittsburgh for the 2018-19 season, posting a 15-11-5 record with a 2.75 GAA and three shutouts in 36 games, and was expected to be the No. 2 option behind Matt Murray in 2019-20 before Jarry emerged. He also played 20 starts in the 2022-23 season, earning 11 wins with a 2.79 GAA and .914 save percentage.

Joonas Korpisalo to Start Thursday, Seeking Resurgence with Boston Bruins

AutoDraft Pro AI

Joonas Korpisalo is expected to start in goal on Thursday against Ottawa. Korpisalo's 2023-24 season was challenging, marked by a 21-26-4 record, a .890 save percentage, and a -13.6 GSAx, leading to him being considered perhaps the NHL's worst starting goalie. He has been traded to the Boston Bruins to back up Jeremy Swayman, with hopes that the team's development staff can help revive his game. Korpisalo's performance has historically been tied to his team's defense; he excelled after being acquired by the Kings from Columbus in March 2023, posting an 11-11-3 record with a 3.17 GAA and .911 save percentage for Columbus, then a 7-3-1 record with a 2.13 GAA and .921 save percentage for Los Angeles, whose defense ranked third in expected goals against compared to Columbus' 31st. He signed a five-year, $20 million contract with Ottawa, where he was projected to earn 20-25 wins with a 2.60-2.90 GAA and .910-.915 save percentage over 45-50 starts. His 2022-23 campaign was marred by a 7-11-0 record, a 4.15 GAA, and an .877 save percentage, ending with hip surgery. He previously served as backup to Elvis Merzlikins in Columbus, where his GAA rose from 2.60 to 3.30 and save percentage dropped from .911 to .894 in the 2020-21 season. Korpisalo also had a strong playoff performance in 2020, with a .941 save percentage, but faced competition from Merzlikins. He spent his early career as backup to Sergei Bobrovsky, showing flashes of No. 1 upside but struggling with inconsistency.

Mackenzie Blackwood to Start Thursday Against Buffalo, Facing Rebuild with Sharks

AutoDraft Pro AI

Mackenzie Blackwood is scheduled to start in goal Thursday against Buffalo. Blackwood's 2023-24 season saw him post a 10-25-4 record with a 3.45 GAA and .899 save percentage behind a struggling Sharks team, marking his third consecutive season with a sub-.900 save percentage. Despite the statistics, he delivered league-average production relative to the team's performance. Blackwood is in the final year of his contract and aims to prove he can be a foundational player for the Sharks. He was traded to San Jose from the Devils and signed a two-year deal, moving from a rising team to a rebuilding one. In 2022-23 with New Jersey, he went 10-6-2 with a 3.20 GAA and .893 save percentage, competing for starts with Kaapo Kahkonen. Blackwood was hampered by injuries in the 2021-22 season, playing only 25 games with a 9-10-4 record, 3.39 GAA, and .892 save percentage. The Devils acquired Vitek Vanecek, making him the presumed starter for 2022-23. Blackwood's 2020-21 season reflected the Devils' rebuild, with a 3.04 GAA and .902 save percentage in 35 starts. He showed promise as a rookie, finishing with 10 wins, a 2.61 GAA, and .918 save percentage in 23 appearances, and was expected to compete for the starter role in 2020-21 before the addition of Corey Crawford. He was the presumptive No. 1 netminder for the Devils prior to free agency in 2020, with a 22-14-8 record, 2.77 GAA, and three shutouts in 47 outings.

Anthony Stolarz: Day-to-Day Status Amidst Career Review and Team Transitions

AutoDraft Pro AI

Anthony Stolarz is currently considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury, ruling him out for Thursday's game against Los Angeles. This update comes as Stolarz's career trajectory is reviewed, highlighting his past performance as one of the NHL's best backup goalies, including a Stanley Cup win and impressive statistics like a 2.03 GAA and .925 save percentage in 27 games. He has transitioned to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he is expected to share the crease with Joseph Woll. Previously, Stolarz played for the Anaheim Ducks, where he posted a 2.67 GAA and .917 save percentage in 28 games due to starter John Gibson's injuries, and also represented Team USA at the IIHF World Championship. His time in Anaheim also saw him in a tandem role with Ryan Miller, with a 2.66 GAA and .922 save percentage in 39 AHL games. Stolarz has also played for the Philadelphia Flyers and Edmonton Oilers, with a 2.07 GAA and .928 save percentage in seven games for the Flyers before a torn MCL required surgery. His past also includes a suspension for stick swinging and playing at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Stolarz is a pending unrestricted free agent next summer, offering potential stash value for fantasy leagues.

Leevi Merilainen Set to Start Against High-Scoring Bruins

AutoDraft Pro AI

Leevi Merilainen will be in net for the Ottawa Senators' home game against the Boston Bruins on Thursday. Merilainen, 23, has a 2-1-0 record this season, with a 3.71 GAA and .871 save percentage. After a rough start in his first game, allowing seven goals on 26 shots, he has improved significantly in his last two starts, winning both and stopping 59 of 85 shots. The Bruins present a significant challenge, as they are on a seven-game winning streak and rank sixth in NHL scoring with an average of 3.39 goals per game. Merilainen signed a one-year contract worth $1.05 million with the Senators in June 2025.

Tyler Bertuzzi Subject of Boarding Fine Against Brenden Dillon

AutoDraft Pro AI

Chicago Blackhawks forward Tyler Bertuzzi was the recipient of a boarding penalty assessed to New Jersey Devils defenseman Brenden Dillon. The infraction occurred during the first period of Wednesday night's game in Chicago. Dillon was subsequently fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, with the funds going to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Brenden Dillon Fined $5,000 for Boarding Tyler Bertuzzi

AutoDraft Pro AI

New Jersey Devils defenseman Brenden Dillon has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for a boarding infraction against Chicago Blackhawks forward Tyler Bertuzzi. The incident occurred during the first period of Wednesday night's game in Chicago. Dillon, 35, was assessed a minor penalty for the hit, which occurred while the Blackhawks were on the power play. The fine money will be contributed to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Daniil Tarasov to start Thursday for Florida Panthers, seeking first win

AutoDraft Pro AI

Daniil Tarasov is set to defend the home crease for the Florida Panthers on Thursday against Washington. This marks Tarasov's second start in three games, with the team giving Sergei Bobrovsky extra time off. The 26-year-old goalie currently holds a 0-3-1 record with a 2.50 goals-against average and an .891 save percentage through four starts. The Panthers signed Tarasov to a one-year, $1.05 million contract in July 2025. Washington ranks 21st in NHL scoring this season, averaging 2.88 goals per game.

Dennis Hildeby gets home start for Toronto Maple Leafs amidst goalie rotation flux

AutoDraft Pro AI

Dennis Hildeby will be in goal for the Toronto Maple Leafs at home against the Kings on Thursday. This will be Hildeby's fourth consecutive appearance, having started one game and come off the bench in two others. His workload may depend on the return of Joseph Woll (personal) and Anthony Stolarz (upper body). Hildeby, 24, signed a three-year, $2.525 million contract in September 2025. His current 2025 stats show a 0-2 record with a 3.75 GAA and a .909 save percentage.

Boone Jenner faces extended absence for Blue Jackets with upper-body injury

AutoDraft Pro AI

Boone Jenner of the Columbus Blue Jackets is facing an extended absence due to an upper-body injury, as confirmed by head coach Dean Evason. The injury is not considered short-term. Jenner, 31, played in 58 games last season despite previous injury and personal matters, recording 22 goals (second on the team) and 35 points (fourth). He also contributed eight power-play points and 119 hits. Despite a history of injuries, including a season-ending back issue last year, Jenner has shown a 50-point upside and was signed to a four-year, $15 million contract extension in late July. He has consistently provided secondary stats, averaging over 100 hits in recent seasons, and has a career faceoff win rate of 54.7%. His previous seasons saw production of 26 goals and 45 points in 68 games, and 23 goals and 44 points in 59 games. Jenner's peak performance was a 30-goal, 49-point season in 2015-16. He has been a key player for the Blue Jackets, known for his gritty, two-way game and leadership, fitting well into the team's identity.

Jet Greaves starts for Blue Jackets, vying for No. 1 goaltender role

AutoDraft Pro AI

Jet Greaves is slated to defend the home crease for the Columbus Blue Jackets against Edmonton on Thursday, marking his third consecutive start. Greaves, who signed a two-year, $1.625 million contract in July 2024, is looking to supplant Elvis Merzlikins as the team's No. 1 goaltender. He currently holds a 4-4-1 record with a 2.89 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage. In his most recent outing on November 11, 2025, he stopped 22 of 23 shots in a 2-1 shootout win over Seattle. Prior to that, he made 19 saves in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Oilers on November 10, and allowed four goals on 25 shots in a 5-1 loss to the Flames on November 5.

Tage Thompson Not Available for Trade, Buffalo Sabres GM Confirms

AutoDraft Pro AI

Despite teams inquiring about his availability, Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson is not on the trade market. General Manager Kevyn Adams has informed interested clubs, including the Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens, that Thompson is not available. This comes as the Sabres are dealing with injuries. Other trade speculation involves St. Louis Blues players Brayden Schenn and Jordan Kyrou.

Jordan Kyrou Subject of Trade Speculation Amidst Blues' Struggles

AutoDraft Pro AI

Jordan Kyrou, 27, is reportedly a trade candidate for the St. Louis Blues. A league source indicated that a team contacted the Blues about Kyrou after he was scratched from their lineup for a game against the Buffalo Sabres. Kyrou's no-trade clause kicked in on July 1. While the Blues are on a three-game point streak, general manager Doug Armstrong has confirmed he is 'open for business,' though this may be a motivational tactic. Brayden Schenn is also mentioned as a trade possibility.

Brayden Schenn, Jordan Kyrou and Tage Thompson Involved in Trade Speculation

AutoDraft Pro AI

Trade rumors are circulating around several NHL players. St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn, 34, is reportedly on the trade market, with GM Doug Armstrong confirming openness to business, though it may be a motivational tactic. Schenn's no-trade clause reverted to a 15-team list on July 1. Teammate Jordan Kyrou, 27, is also a trade candidate, with a team reportedly inquiring after he was scratched from a recent game. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres are fielding calls about Tage Thompson, but GM Kevyn Adams has informed interested clubs, including the Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens, that the forward is not available. Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports disputes the Canadiens' involvement in talks for Thompson.

Louis Crevier Identified as Potential Defensive Target for New York Islanders

AutoDraft Pro AI

The New York Islanders are reportedly scouting the Chicago Blackhawks, with a particular interest in bolstering their defense. One potential target identified is Louis Crevier, a 24-year-old 7th-round pick standing at 6'8", who has played 72 games and recorded two goals and eight points in 16 games this season. Crevier is reportedly available due to Chicago's defensive depth. The Blackhawks are looking to add an NHL forward and are open to trading defensemen if they receive the right package. Crevier's size and potential make him an intriguing option for the Islanders' blue line, potentially pairing with Alexander Romanov or Adam Pelech.

Connor Murphy and Louis Crevier Targeted by Islanders for Defensive Reinforcements

AutoDraft Pro AI

The New York Islanders are reportedly scouting the Chicago Blackhawks, with a particular interest in bolstering their defense. Two potential targets identified are veteran defenseman Connor Murphy and the physically imposing Louis Crevier. Murphy, a 32-year-old right-shot defenseman with 762 career games and a leadership presence since 2020-21, is seen as a steady presence. Crevier, a 24-year-old 7th-round pick standing at 6'8", has played 72 games and recorded two goals and eight points in 16 games this season. Both players are reportedly available due to Chicago's defensive depth. The Blackhawks are looking to add an NHL forward and are open to trading defensemen if they receive the right package. Murphy, a pending UFA, is expected to be dealt before the trade deadline, while Crevier's size and potential make him an intriguing option for the Islanders' blue line.