NHL Player News

Joshua (upper body) won't be in the lineup Thursday versus the Islanders, Terry Koshan of The Toronto Sun reports.

Joshua sustained the injury Wednesday against the Capitals, and it will keep him out of the lineup. The Maple Leafs will make a couple of changes at forward, as Luke Haymes and Michael Pezzetta will draw into the lineup for Joshua and Benoit-Olivier Groulx. It's unclear if Joshua will be able to play Saturday versus the Panthers -- at this stage of the campaign, he may simply be shut down if the injury is bad enough.

Groulx will be reassigned to AHL Toronto ahead of Thursday's game versus the Islanders, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.

Groulx's reassignment comes for waivers-related purposes, as he had been called up under emergency conditions. The Maple Leafs will give Luke Haymes his NHL debut in Thursday's contest. Considering Toronto seems concerned with losing Groulx on waivers, it's unlikely he'll get another call-up in 2025-26.

Haymes will be recalled from AHL Toronto ahead of Thursday's game versus the Islanders, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.

Haymes will draw into the lineup and make his NHL debut Thursday. Benoit-Olivier Groulx will be sent down to avoid a waivers issue. Haymes could stick with the big club if Dakota Joshua (upper body) misses time after getting hurt Wednesday.

Joshua (upper body) won't return to Wednesday's game versus the Capitals.

Joshua was hurt in a collision along the boards with Rasmus Sandin in the second period. The 29-year-old Joshua can be considered day-to-day for now. If he can't play Thursday versus the Islanders, Michael Pezzetta is likely to draw into the lineup in a bottom-six role.

Ostlund (upper body) won't play Wednesday versus the Rangers, Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News reports.

Ostlund will miss his seventh straight game Wednesday. The 22-year-old's status for Thursday versus the Blue Jackets has yet to be determined. Given the Sabres have already secured a playoff spot, they likely won't be interested in rushing Ostlund back into the lineup. He was a regular in the lineup prior to his injury, but he may not get steady playing time once healthy.

Brind'Amour was called up from AHL Chicago on Wednesday.

Brind'Amour has 16 goals, 34 points and 34 PIM in 66 outings with AHL Chicago in 2025-26. Although the 26-year-old hasn't appeared in an NHL game yet this campaign, he did score a goal in two regular-season appearances with Carolina in 2024-25.

Hagens signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Boston on Wednesday.

Hagens is expected to report to Boston, per Conor Ryan of The Boston Globe, and 2025-26 will count as the start of the contract. The 19-year-old Hagens had 23 goals and 47 points in 34 outings with Boston College as a sophomore this campaign. He then joined AHL Providence on an amateur tryout contract, collecting a goal and four points in six appearances. Hagens was selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Necas scored a goal on four shots in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Blues.

Necas' tally at 19:32 of the first period stood as the game-winner. He hasn't gotten on the scoresheet in consecutive contests over his last six games, but he has three goals and three helpers in that span. The 27-year-old has offered elite offense with 37 goals, 95 points, 192 shots on net, 82 hits and a plus-44 rating over 74 appearances this season.

Sharangovich scored a goal in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Stars.

Sharangovich had gone 11 games without a goal, earning four assists and 19 shots on net in that span. The 27-year-old is at 15 goals, 29 points, 135 shots on net, 29 blocked shots, 20 hits and a minus-19 rating over 73 appearances this season. He has five games left to get back to the 30-point mark, a level he's reached in each of his first five NHL campaigns.

Hryckowian scored a goal in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Flames.

Hryckowian opened the scoring at 4:30 of the second period. The 25-year-old forward has three goals and an assist over his last nine games, providing some depth scoring from a third-line role. He's at 13 goals, 27 points, 78 shots on net, 114 hits, 43 PIM and 41 blocked shots over 77 appearances in his rookie year.