NHL Player News
-
Brayden Point C | TB
Lightning's Brayden Point: Seven points in last five games
Point scored a power-play goal Thursday in a 4-1 loss to the Jets.
Point buried the rebound after Darren Raddysh hammered a point shot off the end boards and back into the slot. It was his 15th snipe of the season. Point has points in four of the five games since the break and seven points, including four goals, and 10 shots in that span.
-
Sam Carrick C | BUF
Sabres' Sam Carrick: Joining Buffalo in trade
Carrick was traded to the Sabres from the Rangers in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick Thursday, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.
The Sabres continue to stock up at the deadline and will boost their bottom six with a defensive center who can win faceoffs at a high rate. Carrick has struggled with the Rangers, posting just 10 points in 60 contests. He's added 86 hits, 53 PIM and 56 shots on net. Carrick won't move the needle in fantasy, but he can certainly help Buffalo's on-ice situation with his skill set.
-
Nick Schmaltz C | UTA
Mammoth's Nick Schmaltz: Scores, assists in win
Schmaltz scored a power-play goal in Thursday's 3-0 win over the Flyers.
Schmaltz opened the scoring for Utah after notching a power-play tally at the 1:38 mark of the second frame. The star winger wasn't done, however, and he set up Clayton Keller's goal at the 8:03 mark of the second frame. Schmaltz is up to 58 points (24 goals, 34 assists) across 62 regular-season appearances. He's very close to reaching the 60-point mark for a third straight year, and it wouldn't be shocking if he sets a new career-high mark in points if he remains as productive as he's been lately.
-
Mika Zibanejad C | NYR
Rangers' Mika Zibanejad: Four points in last three games
Zibanejad had a goal and two assists in a 6-2 win over Toronto on Thursday.
Zibanejad has four points (two goals, two assists) in his last three games (12 shots). But more importantly, he helped secure the Rangers' first regulation win at home since a 3-2 win against the Blues on Nov. 24 (19 games). Zibanejad has 25 goals, 31 assists and 166 shots in 60 games.
-
Adam Benak C | MIN
Wild's Adam Benak: Contributes three points Thursday
Benak scored a goal and added two assists in OHL Brantford's 5-3 win over Barrie on Thursday.
Benak has seven points over his last three games. He had a quiet stretch in February, but he looks to have his scoring touch back. For the season, the Czech forward is at 24 goals and 42 assists through 40 appearances.
-
Ryan Poehling C | ANA
Ducks' Ryan Poehling: Staying in Anaheim
Poehling signed a four-year contract extension with the Ducks on Thursday. Per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, Poehling's deal is at a $3.75 million AAV.
Poehling was a pending unrestricted free agent this summer, but he decided to stick with a team on the rise. The 27-year-old has 24 points in 54 appearances with the Ducks, and he should be a reliable bottom-six center throughout the term of this new deal, which begins in 2026-27.
-
Blake Lizotte C | PIT
Penguins' Blake Lizotte: Good to play
Lizotte (lower body) is available for Thursday's game against Buffalo.
Lizotte has seven goals, 19 points, 25 PIM, 43 hits and 28 blocks in 49 appearances in 2025-26. He missed Tuesday's game against Boston because of the injury. Kevin Hayes is set to be a healthy scratch versus the Sabres due to Lizotte's return.
-
Sam Carrick C | BUF
Rangers' Sam Carrick: Out for trade-related reasons
Carrick will miss Thursday's game against Toronto for roster-management reasons, per Mollie Walker of the New York Post.
Carrick has four goals, 10 points, 53 PIM and 86 hits in 60 outings in 2025-26. If he isn't traded before Friday's deadline, then Carrick will probably draw back into the lineup Saturday versus New Jersey.
-
Vincent Trocheck C | NYR
Rangers' Vincent Trocheck: Being sat out Thursday
Trocheck will not play for roster-management reasons Thursday versus the Maple Leafs, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports.
Trocheck is very much on the trade block, but the Rangers understandably have a high ask for a top-six center with three years left on his contract. The 32-year-old will miss one game, but if a deal doesn't get made, he should be ready to roll for Saturday's game versus the Devils. If he is moved, it's not clear when he'd debut for a new team.
-
Curtis Douglas C | VAN
Lightning's Curtis Douglas: Waived by team
Douglas was designated for waivers Thursday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.
Douglas, assuming he clears, figures to head down to AHL Syracuse, where he spent six games while on a conditioning assignment. In 29 NHL games this year, the 25-year-old center has managed just two assists, 17 shots and 32 hits. The extra roster spot could help facilitate a deadline move for Tampa Bay.