NHL Player News

Smith (upper body) is expected to be activated off injured reserve and play Saturday versus Utah, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Smith has five goals and 11 points in 24 outings in 2024-25. He missed three straight games due to the injury. Smith will likely serve in a middle-six capacity in his return.

Trenin will miss Saturday's tilt against Philadelphia because of an upper-body injury.

Trenin has two goals, three points, 14 PIM and 82 hits in 29 appearances in 2024-25. Reese Johnson is drawing into the lineup due to Trenin's injury.

Sasson was recalled from AHL Abbotsford on Saturday.

Sasson had a pair of assists and logged a career-high 13:00 of ice time Thursday. He has four assists in nine NHL games this season. The 24-year-old is likely going to center the fourth line versus Boston on Saturday.

Raty was recalled from AHL Abbotsford on Saturday.

Raty will rejoin Vancouver from the AHL a day after he was sent down. The 22-year-old forward has two goals and four points in 20 NHL games this year.

Smith (back) won't play Saturday against New Jersey, according to Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Smith also missed Monday's 2-1 win over the Rangers and left Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Islanders early due to the issue. He has produced six goals, four assists and 52 shots on net across 26 appearances this season. Frank Nazar will replace Smith in Saturday's lineup.

Horvat (lower body) is day-to-day and could play Sunday versus Chicago, per Stefen Rosner of NHL.com.

Horvat will accompany the Islanders on the team's three-game road trip, which begins Sunday against the Blackhawks. He has generated eight goals, 22 points and 86 shots on net across 31 appearances this campaign.

Barzal (upper body) will be a game-time decision for Sunday's game against Chicago, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.

Barzal will likely return from a 21-game absence against the Blackhawks on Sunday. He has registered two goals, three assists and 23 shots on net through 10 appearances this season.

McMann (lower body) will be activated from injured reserve ahead of his return to the lineup against Detroit on Saturday, per David Alter of The Hockey News.

Following a seven-game absence, McMann will skate on Toronto's third line versus the Red Wings. He has produced six goals, one assist, 52 shots on net and 34 hits through 21 outings this season. McMann will replace Ryan Reaves in Saturday's lineup.

Mercer (face) will play Saturday against Chicago, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.

Mercer needed stitches after taking a puck to the face in Thursday's game against Los Angeles, but the 23-year-old forward will be back in action Saturday. Mercer has six goals and 14 points through 32 games this season.

Cousins logged two assists, two PIM and a plus-3 rating in Friday's 3-0 win over the Hurricanes.

Cousins helped out on third-period tallies by Nick Jensen and Shane Pinto. The 31-year-old Cousins earned his second multi-point effort of the season, and he has four points over six games in December for his most productive month of the campaign. Overall, the veteran forward has eight points, 42 shots on net, 46 hits, 18 PIM and a plus-1 rating through 27 outings, primarily in a bottom-six role.