NHL Player News

Lauko was placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury Wednesday.

Lauko's shift to injured reserve allowed the Wild to claim Vinnie Hinostroza off waivers. Given his IR placement, the 24-year-old Lauko will miss at least the next two games and be sidelined through the 4 Nations Face-Off. It will be the third extended injury stint for Lauko this season, which has undoubtedly played a factor in his 24-game goal drought dating back to Oct. 29 versus the Penguins.

Kyrou scored a power-play goal on his lone shot attempt in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss against Edmonton.

Kyrou generated his tally off a rebound after the puck took a deflection at the net. The 26-year-old right winger is up to 23 goals, 44 points and 153 shots on target in 54 games this season. Despite being bumped down to the second line, Kyrou has goals in back-to-back games for the first time since early January. He is playing just shy of his pace from last season where he registered 67 points in 82 games. If he can streak together more points, he will likely finish in the 60-75 point range for the fourth season in a row.

Hinostroza was claimed off waivers by Minnesota from Nashville on Wednesday, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Hinostroza has two assists in 13 appearances with Nashville in 2024-25. Minnesota is missing Ryan Hartman (suspension) and Kirill Kaprizov (lower body), so adding Hinostroza provides the Wild with some forward depth.

Couturier notched an assist, two blocked shots and two PIM in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to Utah.

Couturier made his way back to the top line after often toiling in a lower spot in the lineup over the last month. However, it was with second-line wingers when Couturier got on the scoresheet Tuesday, as he set up a Tyson Foerster goal in the second period. The Flyers' forward combinations are almost always in flux, but there's no denying Couturier's ice time has been down. He averaged just 13:07 in January, well under his 16:43 per game for the season. The center is at 25 points, 91 shots on net, 35 hits, 34 blocked shots, 27 PIM and a minus-3 rating over 52 appearances this season. He can still be useful in some fantasy formats, but Couturier is not a must-have player by any means.

Gustafsson notched an assist in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Hurricanes.

Gustafsson has found some success lately with a goal and four assists over his last seven outings. That's all of his offense through 23 appearances this season, and he's added 21 shots on net, 16 hits, 14 blocked shots and a plus-7 rating. Gustafsson fills a fourth-line role and is unlikely to produce enough in any one area to help most fantasy managers.

Appleton notched an assist, three shots on goal and two hits in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Hurricanes.

Appleton set up a Rasmus Kupari tally in the third period. This was Appleton's first assist and second point over seven games since he returned from a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old has resumed his usual third-line role, and he's up to 17 points, 70 shots on net, 43 hits and a plus-9 rating over 44 appearances. He's unlikely to match last year's career-high 36-point output, and his per-game pace is a little behind as well, but the Jets have been good and won't need to mess with his role as long as injuries stay few.

Rakell scored a goal on four shots, blocked three shots and added two hits in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Devils.

Rakell continues to play well on offense -- he has just two goals over his last eight outings, but he's added six assists and 24 shots on net in that span. The 31-year-old got the Penguins on the board in the second period of Tuesday's game. Rakell is up to 24 goals, 22 assists, 141 shots on net, 91 hits, 63 blocked shots and a minus-14 rating over 54 appearances. He last reached the 30-goal mark in 2017-18 with the Ducks, but it's very much within reach this season if he stays healthy.

Brown scored the game-winning goal in the extra period of Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Blues.

Brown notched the game-winner on a one-timer following the feed from Connor McDavid. The 31-year-old winger is up to seven goals, 21 assists and 77 shots on net across 53 games this season. Following a 10-game drought without a point, Brown has tallied two points in his last four contests. He is well clear of his 14-point debut season with Edmonton a year ago but has work to do if he wants to get back to 30-40 point form.

Frederic scored a goal on two shots and added three hits in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Wild.

Frederic ended a six-game point drought -- his previous contribution on the scoresheet was a goal Jan. 14 versus the Lightning. The 26-year-old has remained in a bottom-six role since returning from missing two contests due to an illness in mid-January. Frederic is at eight goals, 15 points, 73 shots on net, 145 hits, 42 PIM and a minus-11 rating through 53 appearances. It's been a large step back on offense for the forward, though his physicality remains strong.

Geekie scored an empty-net goal on two shots, went plus-2 and added two PIM in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Wild.

Geekie has a goal and a helper over the first two games of February. The 26-year-old forward remains in a top-six role as he continues to offer steady offense and a bit of a physical edge. For the season, Geekie has 16 goals -- one shy of his career high -- and 28 points, as well as 97 shots on net, 80 hits and a plus-1 rating over 50 appearances.