NHL Player News

Schwindt (arm) will return to action for Friday's game against the Hurricanes, Panthers TV Rinkside Reporter Katie Engleson reports.

Schwindt has been back at practice for just over two weeks, and he's officially been cleared to return to game action for the first time since mid-November. Over 10 appearances prior to his absence, he recorded two goals, nine hits and six blocked shots while averaging 8:38 of ice time.

Vilardi picked up a goal and an assist, both on the power play, in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Wild.

After having a hand in a Jonathan Toews tally late in the first period, Vilardi lit the lamp himself midway through the second. Vilardi has gotten onto the scoresheet in four straight games, and in 11 contests since Christmas the 26-year-old winger has delivered three goals and 12 points as he marches towards a career-best campaign.

Toews scored a power-play goal and added an even-strength assist in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Wild.

The veteran center opened the scoring late in the first period, banging home the rebound on a Mark Scheifele shot. Toews has found a groove since Christmas, finding the back of the net in four straight games and collecting four goals and nine points in the last 11 contests, impressive numbers considering he had just three goals and nine points through his first 35 games with Winnipeg.

Scheifele scored an even-strength goal and added three assists, two on the power play, in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Wild.

Two of the helpers came in the first period, sparking the Jets to a 3-0 lead through the first 20 minutes. Scheifele has delivered four multi-point performance in the last five games, and over the last 12 contests he's racked up six goals and 17 points -- a surge that has put the 32-year-old center on track for his first career 100-point campaign.

Ivan was recalled from AHL Colorado on Friday.

The Avalanche are hurting up front as Ross Colton missed practice Thursday with an upper-body injury, leaving the team with 10 healthy forwards, necessitating the recall of Ivan. The 23-year-old Ivan has one assist in five NHL games this season and will likely see fourth-line minutes Friday versus Nashville.

Johnson scored an even-strength goal and added a power-play assist in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Canucks.

The 23-year-old winger had managed just one point, a goal, over the prior 11 games, but Johnson made an impact Thursday by feeding Zach Werenski in the second period for Columbus' third goal before wrapping up the scoring himself midway through the third. Johnson's power-play point was his first of the season, and after a rough beginning to the campaign under former coach Dean Evason, the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft seems to be getting more opportunities under Rick Bowness, skating on the top PP unit in each of the last two games.

Beck was reassigned to AHL Laval on Friday.

Beck has one goal and 24 hits in 15 games with the Canadiens this season. The center was a healthy scratch the last two games, and at the tender age of 21, Beck needs the playing time he will get at the AHL level.

Barkey notched two assists, three shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 6-3 loss to the Penguins.

Barkey was scratched in Buffalo on Wednesday, and he responded well when he checked back into the lineup. His line with Sean Couturier and Matvei Michkov was arguably the Flyers' best unit in a game where no one looked all that good. Barkey has a goal, four assists, 14 shots on net, 10 hits and a minus-1 rating over 12 appearances. He'll need to continue to prove himself to avoid a demotion to AHL Lehigh Valley, but Barkey's competitive, two-way game bodes well for his long-term future in the NHL.

Malkin notched two assists, including one on the power play, in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Flyers.

Malkin is rolling again with two goals and three helpers over five games since he returned from an upper-body injury. The 39-year-old set up goals by Yegor Chinakhov and Sidney Crosby in this contest. Malkin is at 34 points (15 on the power play), 74 shots on net, 26 PIM and a plus-8 rating through 31 appearances as a steady part of the Penguins' second line. While he's historically been a center throughout his career, he's working on the wing currently, which gives him versatility in some fantasy formats.

Dewar scored a goal on two shots and went plus-2 in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Flyers.

Every Penguin forward got on the board, including Dewar with a third-period insurance tally. The 26-year-old forward has been pretty good in a fourth-line role this season, earning five points over eight games in January. He's up to a total of nine goals, 17 points, 70 shots on net, 80 hits, 22 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating over 46 appearances. He's two points shy of matching his career high from 2023-24, split between Toronto and Minnesota.