NHL Player News

Lafferty (lower body) is expected back in the lineup against the Maple Leafs on Friday, Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald reports.

Lafferty previously told reporters he would be ready to go if needed, something that did come to fruition after Jordan Greenway (undisclosed) was ruled out long-term. For his part, the 29-year-old Laffeerty has struggled this season with just one point in 22 games while chipping in only 27 hits, 13 shots and 14 PIM. If he doesn't start producing now, Lafferty could be in danger of losing minutes to Ryan McLeod (undisclosed) once McLeod is cleared to play.

Monahan scored two goals, one the game-winner, and added a power-play assist in Thursday's 4-2 victory over the Devils.

The veteran produced his first multi-point performance since Dec. 1, snapping a nine-game skid in which he'd managed only one goal and three points. Monahan is thriving as Columbus' top-line center, and through 33 contests he's collected 11 goals and 28 points, putting him on pace for his best campaign since 2018-19 (34 goals and 82 points in 78 games for the Flames).

Bennett (illness) is considered a game-time decision for Friday's game against the Blues, Colby Guy of The Palm Beach Post reports.

Bennett missed Wednesday's game against the Wild due to an illness, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to suit up Friday. If he's unavailable, Adam Boqvist will likely move up from the blue line since Jesper Boqvist (upper body) will be sidelined.

Hryckowian was recalled from AHL Texas on Friday.

Hryckowian also had a brief stint with Dallas at the beginning of December, but he didn't make his NHL debut while spending approximately 24 hours with the club. It's unlikely whether he'll enter the lineup at some point after being recalled Friday, but even if he does, he'll likely be limited to a bottom-six role.

Boyd was called up from AHL Iowa on Friday, according to Michael Russo of The Athletic.

Boyd has logged three goals and 18 points over 17 AHL games this year. The center got hot after he was sent down Dec. 8, with a goal and six assists across four games with Iowa. Boyd has not had any success offensively at the NHL level in two games this season. He could join the Minnesota lineup on the fourth line after Yakov Trenin was placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury Thursday.

Shore was recalled from AHL Iowa on Friday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

Shore was waived Wednesday, sent to the minors Thursday, and he'll now rejoin the NHL club ahead of Friday's game against Utah. Shore has yet to pick up a point across 13 NHL appearances this season. He will likely replace Yakov Trenin, who was placed on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury Thursday.

Beecher logged an assist, two shots on goal and one block in 11:23 of ice time in Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss to Edmonton.

Beecher recorded the primary assist on Mark Kastelic's fourth goal of the season in the opening stanza. The helper snapped a seven-game point drought for Beecher, but he hasn't found the back of the net since Oct. 16. The 23-year-old has chipped in two goals, six helpers and a plus-3 rating through 33 contests this season. Beecher won't offer much fantasy value outside of deeper leagues that offer non-scoring production.

Kastelic found the back of the net on four shots and added two hits and a minus-1 rating in 8:48 of ice time in Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Oilers.

Kastelic cut to the middle of the ice and lifted one past Stuart Skinner on the backhand to give the Bruins a 2-0 lead in the opening frame, but that was the last of Boston's offense in the contest. Kastelic had been mired in a 23-game goal drought -- his last marker before Thursday came in a 4-3 win over Toronto on Oct. 26. The Arizona native is known for his physical play, but he's offered solid depth production in 2024-25 with four goals and 11 points through 33 games. The 25-year-old is one point shy of setting a new career high.

Lindholm scored a goal on three shots and added three hits and one takeaway in 18:32 of ice time Thursday in a 3-2 overtime loss to Edmonton.

Lindholm opened the scoring just over a minute into the game, as he whistled one past Stuart Skinner from a bad angle. Lindholm has scored in back-to-back games, the first time he's done so since early October. The right-shot center also has points in three consecutive games, a feat he's accomplished only twice this season. The 30-year-old is occupying a top-line role and a spot on the No. 1 power-play unit, and he's third on the Bruins in scoring with 17 points (five goals, 12 helpers) through 34 outings.

Hyman generated a goal and an assist in Thursday's 3-2 overtime win over the Bruins.

Hyman jumpstarted the comeback for Edmonton by scoring his 11th goal of the season at 11:17 of the second period, and he set up Connor McDavid's game-tying goal in the final frame. Hyman added two shots, three hits, one takeaway and a plus-2 rating to round out an impactful fantasy performance. The right-shot winger seems to have found his game lately -- he's scored in four straight contests and produced eight goals and an assist through seven outings in December. Hyman had just three goals through the first two months of 2024-25, so his early-season struggles appear to be in the rearview. The 32-year-old has accounted for 11 goals (three game-winners), 17 points and a plus-7 rating through 27 appearances.