NHL Player News
-
Mikael Granlund C | ANA
Ducks' Mikael Granlund: Pots goal in blowout loss
Granlund scored a goal on three shots and added two PIM in Friday's 8-3 loss to the Stars.
Granlund has two goals and a helper over his last two outings following a six-game slump after he returned from a lower-body injury. The 33-year-old has mainly played in a third-line role this season, though he's getting power-play time as well. Granlund is at five goals, 12 points, 35 shots on net and an even plus-minus rating over 17 appearances.
-
Radek Faksa C | DAL
Stars' Radek Faksa: Adds two assists
Faksa notched two assists, three blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Friday's 8-3 win over the Ducks.
Faksa has four helpers over his last five games. The 31-year-old helped out on goals by linemates Oskar Back (shorthanded) and Adam Erne. Faksa remains a quality defensive center, but any bursts of offense are likely to remain fairly short and sporadic. He's at 14 points (one goal, 13 assists) with 18 shots on net, 43 hits, 26 blocked shots, 12 PIM and a plus-7 rating over 35 outings this season.
-
Oskar Back C | DAL
Stars' Oskar Back: Opens scoring shorthanded
Back scored a shorthanded goal on two shots and went plus-2 in Friday's 8-3 win over the Ducks.
Back scored for the second time in three games when he opened the scoring with a shortie 2:37 into the first period. This was his first career shorthanded goal. The 25-year-old forward is up to three goals, six points, 17 shots on net, 14 blocked shots, 11 hits and a plus-6 rating over 26 appearances this season. Back is likely to remain a key part of the Stars' bottom six as a defensive forward, but he has minimal fantasy appeal due to a lack of offense.
-
Sam Steel C | DAL
Stars' Sam Steel: Lights lamp in win
Steel scored a goal in Friday's 8-3 win over the Ducks.
Steel ended a six-game point drought with the tally. The 27-year-old's offense has declined lately -- he has just four points over his last 21 appearances. He's at five goals, 11 points, 39 shots, 35 hits, 18 PIM, 16 blocked shots and a minus-8 rating through 36 outings overall. Steel saw some top-six minutes earlier in the year, but he's currently centering the third line, which will likely keep his offense limited.
-
Nico Hischier C | NJ
Devils' Nico Hischier: Dishes pair of helpers
Hischier logged two assists, including one on the power play, and five shots on goal in Friday's 2-1 win over the Mammoth.
Hischier entered this contest on a five-game point drought before setting up tallies by Stefan Noesen and Connor Brown. The 26-year-old Hischier won't lose ice time even when his offense is cold, as his defensive play is too valuable to the Devils. The center is up to 28 points, 86 shots on net, 34 blocked shots, 27 hits, 14 PIM and a minus-1 rating over 35 contests.
-
Morgan Barron C | WPG
Jets' Morgan Barron: Nets shortie in loss
Barron scored a shorthanded goal on two shots in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Avalanche.
Barron has three goals and an assist over his last five games. The Jets have given him a middle-six role lately since he's one of the few forwards on the roster making a positive impact. His fantasy usefulness remains limited since he doesn't have a power-play job. Barron is up to six goals (two shorthanded), 11 points, 43 shots on net, 60 hits, 18 blocked shots, 18 PIM and a plus-6 rating over 28 appearances this season.
-
Mark Scheifele C | WPG
Jets' Mark Scheifele: Pots power-play tally
Scheifele scored a power-play goal on two shots and added two PIM in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Avalanche.
Scheifele ended a four-game goal drought with his third-period tally. It was his first power-play contribution since Nov. 13 versus the Kraken. The center has remained fairly steady on offense, but he's one of the few Jets who that applies to recently. Scheifele is up to 17 goals, 41 points (seven on the power play), 71 shots on net, 22 PIM and a plus-9 rating across 34 appearances.
-
Brendan Gaunce C | CLB
Blue Jackets' Brendan Gaunce: Lands on non-roster list
Gaunce (personal) was placed on the non-roster list Friday, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.
Gaunce and his wife are expecting a baby, and the Blue Jackets made this move to create a roster spot after acquiring Mason Marchment from the Kraken. It's unclear if Gaunce will have a chance to play regularly once he returns from his personal leave -- he may ultimately end up on waivers since he's played 12 games during his current stint with the big club, though he wouldn't be eligible for that to happen until after the NHL's holiday roster freeze expires Dec. 28.
-
Martin Necas C | COL
Avalanche's Martin Necas: Finds twine Friday
Necas scored a goal on four shots in Friday's 3-2 win over the Jets.
Necas had gone six games without a goal before tallying in the first period. He was limited to 16:57 of ice time after leaving the game briefly in the second period before returning for the third. The winger has just two goals over his last 15 outings, but he's been an elite playmaker with 19 helpers in that span. For the season, the 26-year-old has 15 goals, 46 points, 74 shots on net, 32 hits, 22 PIM and a plus-33 rating over 34 appearances.
-
Brandon Gorzynski C | DAL
Stars' Brandon Gorzynski: Earns five points with new team
Gorzynski scored three goals and added two assists in WHL Prince Albert's 8-3 win over Kelowna on Friday.
Gorzynski was traded from WHL Calgary to Prince Albert on Monday, and he's already made a huge impact with six points over two games with his new team. The Raiders are competing for the top of the WHL's Eastern Conference, and adding Gorzynski, who has 35 points in 29 games, should be a big deal to help them keep pace. The Stars prospect should benefit greatly from being involved in a competitive playoff race, which will test his all-around skills.