NHL Player News

Kotkaniemi registered an assist and seven PIM in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Islanders.

Kotkaniemi has four goals and an assist during a four-game point streak. The Hurricanes' trade for Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall on Friday will lead to some tinkering of the forward lines until head coach Rod Brind'Amour finds combinations he likes, so it's possible Kotkaniemi could move around the lineup a bit. He's still centering the second line for now, and he won't have to worry about Jack Drury pushing him for that spot -- he was dealt to Colorado as part of the price paid for Rantanen. Kotkaniemi is at 24 points, 79 shots on net, 47 hits, 37 PIM and a plus-9 rating over 50 contests in 2024-25.

Roslovic scored a goal on three shots in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Islanders.

Roslovic ended December on a five-game point streak, but this tally was his first point over 13 outings in January. That slump has cost Roslovic a top-six spot for now, and it'll be tougher for him to see top-line minutes after the Hurricanes traded for Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall on Friday. Roslovic has had some flashes of quality with 18 goals, eight assists, 96 shots on net and a minus-5 rating over 50 appearances this season, but he was last in ice time (8:12) among Carolina skaters in Saturday's game.

Cizikas notched an assist and seven hits in Saturday's 3-2 overtime win over the Hurricanes.

Cizikas ended his six-game point drought, and this was his first helper since Oct. 26. The 33-year-old continues to play in a bottom-six role, but he's often been on the wing lately rather than at center, though he still takes his fair share of faceoffs. He adds a physical element to the lineup -- Cizikas has just six points this season while adding 120 hits, 46 shots on net, 35 blocked shots and a minus-13 rating over 48 contests.

Palmieri notched an assist in Saturday's 3-2 overtime win over the Hurricanes.

Palmieri is up to six helpers over his last eight contests. He set up Brock Nelson on the game-winning goal in overtime. The 33-year-old Palmieri continues to play on the second line, and while he's not known to be a pure playmaker, that's what he's been doing for much of January. Overall, the winger is at 12 goals, 20 assists, 86 shots on net, 33 hits, 22 blocked shots and a minus-8 rating over 48 outings.

Horvat recorded an assist, two shots on goal and two hits in Saturday's 3-2 overtime win over the Hurricanes.

Horvat also won 19 of 26 faceoffs, the sixth time in 10 games in January he's won over 70 percent of his draws. The center is on a five-game point streak (four goals, three assists) after setting up an Anders Lee tally. Horvat has 17 goals, 20 helpers, 140 shots on net, 62 hits and a plus-13 rating over 47 appearances this season as a fixture in the Islanders' top six.

Nelson scored a goal on two shots in Saturday's 3-2 overtime win over the Hurricanes.

Nelson finished the Islanders' comeback with his goal 2:03 into the extra session. The 33-year-old has been stellar lately with five goals and five assists over his last eight contests, and his play hasn't dropped even with a return to the second line after a stint on the top line. The center is up to 15 goals (four game-winners), 31 points, 122 shots on net and a plus-1 rating over 48 appearances.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe said Hischier is day-to-day following the center's early exit from Saturday's game versus the Canadiens.

Hischier was hurt in the third period. The 26-year-old scored a goal prior to his exit, and he's up to 24 tallies and 43 points through 51 appearances this season. He's an irreplaceable part of the Devils' lineup as the team's strongest two-way center, so a potential absence looms large. If Hischier can't play Monday in Philadelphia, Dawson Mercer could move to center while Kurtis MacDermid would likely enter the lineup in a bottom-six role.

McMann scored a goal in a 2-1 loss to Ottawa on Saturday.

He scored with a wrist shot from the high slot after Mitch Marner found him from below the goal line. McMann slotted into Matthew Knies' (upper body) spot, and he fit right in with Marner and Auston Matthews. He had seven shots on the night, including six in the first two frames. That gives him 105 in 42 games this season, and he also has 69 hits in that span. McMann was already performing well when he got the promotion, and he now has five points (two goals, three assists) in his last five games. He's a solid daily play right now.

Cousins (lower body) will be out a while after sustaining an injury Saturday versus the Maple Leafs, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports.

Cousins' absence may force the Senators to make a roster move, as they don't have any healthy extra skaters in the NHL currently. An exact timeline for Cousins' return hasn't been established.

Rakell registered an assist and took two shots on goal in Saturday's 4-1 loss to Seattle.

Rakell's helper came in the second period on linemate Sidney Crosby's lone goal of the contest for the Penguins. Saturday's effort raised Rakell's season totals to 19 helpers, 42 points and 125 shots on goal across 50 appearances. His 23 goals lead Pittsburgh's offense and ranks just outside the league's top-10 skaters. The 31-year-old forward is riding a four-game point streak and remains on the Penguins' top line. With Bryan Rust and Evgeni Malkin dealing with lower-body injuries, Rakell is a must-start in fantasy for the time being and will continue to be called upon as a primary option for offensive production.