NHL Player News

Harkins scored a goal while recording two shots, three hits and two blocked shots in Sunday's 3-2 overtime win over the Hurricanes.

Harkins found the twine for the first time in the 2024-25 campaign. It was also the first time he cracked the scoresheet since Dec. 22, when he delivered an assist in a 5-4 shootout win over Utah. He has four points in 30 games, though, so he's not much of a fantasy asset in most formats outside of leagues that reward physicality (77 hits, 22 blocked shots).

Smith (back) is not expected to be available against the Flames on Monday, Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio reports.

Smith will be shelved for his third consecutive contest due to his recurring back problem. Even when healthy, the veteran winger has managed just 11 points in 30 appearances and may fail to get over the 30-point threshold for the third straight year.

Aston-Reese (upper body) agreed to terms on a one-year, $775,000 contract extension with Columbus on Monday.

Aston-Reese was forced to leave Saturday's matchup with the Blues early due to an upper-body injury but seems to be trending in the right direction. On the year, the 30-year-old center has managed four goals, seven helpers and 56 shots while averaging 13:09 of ice time over 42 appearances. With a new deal in hand, Aston-Reese won't have to worry about free agency this offseason.

Roy notched an assist in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Wild.

Roy returned Sunday after missing 11 games due to an upper-body injury. The 27-year-old took a spot on the third line and played 17:03 in Sunday's win, which could mean reduced roles for players like Tomas Hertl, Brett Howden and Tanner Pearson once Jack Eichel (illness) gets back in the lineup. Roy is up to 14 points, 52 shots on net, 26 hits, 31 PIM and a minus-6 rating through 32 appearances. He's a versatile player who features in all situations, so Roy will often see more ice time than his place in the lineup would suggest.

Hertl scored a goal on five shots and added a power-play assist in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Wild.

Hertl earned his first multi-point effort since Dec. 23. He scored Vegas' third goal before helping out on a Pavel Dorofeyev tally a couple of minutes later, allowing the Golden Knights to comfortably pull ahead late in the contest. Hertl has four points over his last four outings and a total of 12 goals, 17 helpers, 101 shots on net, 57 hits and a minus-10 rating through 43 appearances this season.

Dorofeyev scored two power-play goals on five shots and added an assist in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Wild.

Dorofeyev had his best game in months, carrying the Golden Knights' offense while Jack Eichel (illness) sat out Sunday's contest. Prior to this game, Dorofeyev had been in a four-game slump. The winger is up to 16 tallies, eight assists, 126 shots on net and a minus-5 rating through 43 appearances. He's played mainly on the second line recently, though he also has a spot on the second power-play unit. Dorofeyev will set a new career high when he earns his next point.

Beniers scored his eighth goal of the season on his only shot and went plus-1 in Sunday's 6-2 loss to the Red Wings.

Beniers netted an even-strength goal at 6:54 of the third period to make the final score look slightly less lopsided. Considering the 22-year-old is centering the top line in addition to skating on the No. 1 power-play unit, his offensive output in 2024-25 has been lacking. It's been a struggle for the Massachusetts native to produce consistently since he put up 57 points in 80 regular-season games in his first full NHL campaign in 2022-23. Beniers has been joined on the top line by Kaapo Kakko, who was recently acquired in a trade from the Rangers, so it may take some time for Seattle's newly formed top line to gel. Beniers is at eight goals, 23 points and a plus-6 rating through 44 appearances.

Crosby registered a power-play assist, six shots on goal, two blocked shots and a minus-2 rating in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Lightning.

Crosby helped out on a Kevin Hayes goal in the third period. With two goals and five assists over six outings in January, Crosby continues to make an impact on offense even with the Penguins' depth mostly faltering this month. He's now at 12 goals, 36 helpers, 17 power-play points, 134 shots, 41 hits, 22 blocked shots and a minus-14 rating through 45 appearances this season. Crosby has a reasonable chance to reach the 90-point mark for the third consecutive campaign, all at age 35 or older.

Rakell scored a goal on six shots, added a power-play assist and went minus-3 in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Lightning.

While the Penguins are starting to skid again, Rakell has stayed hot in January, earning five goals and two assists over his last six contests. The 31-year-old forward has added 20 shots on net in that span, though he also has a minus-8 rating. Rakell's up to 22 goals, 38 points (10 on the power play), 111 shots on net, 73 hits, 49 blocked shots and a minus-10 rating through 45 appearances this season.

Guentzel notched two assists, four shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Penguins.

This was Guentzel's third game back in Pittsburgh since the Penguins traded him away last season. It was also the first time he got on the scoresheet against his former team. The winger has five points over seven outings in January, putting him at 21 goals, 21 assists, 105 shots on net, 32 blocked shots and a plus-10 rating over 40 contests this season.