NHL Player News

Bourque logged two assists and two PIM in Friday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Avalanche.

He started the game on the third line, but the injury to Roope Hintz (lower body) opened the door for Bourque to move back up to the top line. The 24-year-old Bourque has nine points over his last nine games, so he's certainly earned his extra ice time. He's at 12 goals, 15 helpers, 111 shots on net, 48 hits and an even plus-minus rating through 62 appearances. Given his place in a strong lineup, Bourque is worth a look in most fantasy formats.

Hryckowian scored a goal on two shots, dished an assist, added two PIM and doled out three hits in Friday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Avalanche.

Hryckowian had been limited to two assists over his previous 11 games. The 25-year-old was pressed into a larger role Friday due to the early exit of Roope Hintz (lower body), who is out indefinitely. Hryckowian is still likely to be a third-line option moving forward, so he'll need to provide steadier offense to be a fantasy option. The center has nine goals, 12 helpers, 57 shots on net, 93 hits and 37 PIM through 61 appearances this season.

Johnston scored a goal and added a power-play assist in Friday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Avalanche.

Johnston picked up his fourth multi-point effort in his last five games. The 22-year-old has earned a power-play point in four of those games as well. Johnston is up to a career-high 34 goals with 33 assists, 163 shots on net and a minus-2 rating through 62 appearances this season. He should get a continued look on the top line since Roope Hintz (lower body) is out indefinitely after getting hurt Friday.

Gaudreau will be a game-time decision for Saturday's match against Ottawa due to an illness, per Alison Lukan of the Kraken Hockey Network.

Gaudreau has four goals and 18 points in 48 outings in 2025-26. If he ends up being unavailable Saturday, then Ryan Winterton is likely to dress as a member of the fourth line.

Connors was reassigned to AHL Ontario on Friday.

Connors has nine goals and 29 points in 49 appearances with Ontario in 2025-26. He also has no points, five shots, three hits and one block across two outings with Los Angeles this season.

Donato scored a goal, added two PIM and logged two hits in Friday's 6-3 loss to the Canucks.

Donato scored 1:08 into the game, but the Canucks had the next three tallies. This ended a five-game point drought for the 29-year-old forward. After the Blackhawks' sell-off at the trade deadline, Donato is one of the team's elder forwards, but he'll likely be limited to bottom-six minutes as the team sees what some prospects can do. He has 14 goals, 26 points, 90 shots on net, 68 hits and 36 PIM over 62 appearances this season, a far cry from his 31-goal, 62-point campaign last year.

Larkin (leg) will not play in Sunday's road clash against New Jersey.

Head coach Todd McLellan ruled Larkin out for Sunday's contest, but he added that the center will be considered day-to-day ahead of each game of Detroit's four-game road trip until his return. Larkin picked up the injury in Friday's contest against Florida and will miss his first game of the season. Overall, the 29-year-old star has 28 goals, 27 assists, 190 shots on net, 34 hits and 31 blocked shots across 63 games this season. His next chance to return to action is Tuesday against the Panthers.

Blueger scored a goal on two shots in Friday's 6-3 win over the Blackhawks.

Blueger snapped a four-game point drought with the tally. The 31-year-old center was subject to trade rumors prior to Friday's deadline, but he'll stick with the Canucks to close out this season before testing free agency in the summer. The defensive center has earned six goals, three assists, 26 shots on net, 34 hits and a minus-1 rating over 15 appearances in an injury-riddled campaign.

Rasmussen's point drought reached 19 games in Friday's 3-1 loss to the Panthers.

Rasmussen skated a season-low 7:43 in Friday's loss. The 26-year-old is on the fourth line and plays a decent physical game, but he won't be a factor in fantasy without a little offense. He has just 14 points with 61 shots on net, 59 hits, 52 blocked shots and a minus-8 rating through 58 appearances.

Trocheck (roster management) will return to the lineup in New Jersey on Saturday, per Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic.

Trocheck sat out Thursday's game against the Maple Leafs because the Rangers were looking to deal him at the trade deadline and did not want to risk an injury. The trade talks were unfruitful, and Trocheck remains on the roster. He is expected to center Will Cuylle and Taylor Raddysh on the second line, as well as seeing first power-play time. Trocheck has 12 goals, 27 assists and 139 hits over 46 contests this season.