NHL Player News

Danault (illness) won't play Thursday versus the Lightning, Jared Shafran of LAKingsInsider.com reports.

Danault will miss his fourth straight game while dealing with the flu. The Kings next play Monday at home versus the Blue Jackets, which may give him enough time to recover and get back in the lineup. Alex Turcotte remains on the third line and Samuel Helenius stays in the lineup with Danault out Thursday.

Rooney was assigned to AHL Tucson on Thursday.

Rooney spent the past week with the Mammoth, but he didn't appear in any games during his time in the NHL. Over 11 appearances with Tucson this year, he's recorded six goals, an assist, four PIM and a plus-2 rating.

Jones was put on waivers by Minnesota on Thursday, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Jones has no points, 15 shots and 47 hits in 19 appearances with the Wild this season. Normally, players put on waivers are reassigned to the minors if they go unclaimed, but that won't immediately happen in this case. Jones is still expected to remain with the team and play Thursday in Columbus, per Michael Russo of The Athletic. However, Jones clearing waivers gives the Wild the flexibility to send him to the minors later should they need to free a roster spot. Minnesota currently has Jonas Brodin (lower body), Vinnie Hinostroza (lower body), Daemon Hunt (undisclosed), Jake Middleton (upper body) and Mats Zuccarello (upper body) all on injured reserve.

Finnie scored a power-play goal on three shots and went minus-2 in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Mammoth.

Finnie has two goals on six shots over his last three games. He's been seeing time on the top line at even strength and on the second power-play unit, which has been a decent source of offense for him lately. Five of his last eight points have come with the man advantage. Finnie is up to eight goals, 16 points (six on the power play), 64 shots on net, 60 hits, 23 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating over 35 appearances.

McBain scored a goal on two shots and added four hits in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Red Wings.

McBain's tally at 14:17 of the second period stood as the game-winner. The center has scored twice in his last five contests, doubling his goal total for the year to four in 36 outings. He's added six helpers, 46 shots on net, 32 PIM, 29 blocked shots and 115 hits. McBain will likely continue to see third-line minutes.

Stenlund scored a goal in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Red Wings.

Stenlund provided the Mammoth's last goal while getting a late-game shift with Clayton Keller, who set him up. That's been a wrinkle in Utah's plan lately -- Stenlund remains listed on the fourth line, but he's seen at least 15 minutes of ice time in five of his last 11 games, most often in close games or when the Mammoth are leading. The veteran defensive center has three goals, 10 points, 35 shots on net, 25 blocked shots, 22 hits, 16 PIM and a minus-4 rating over 36 appearances. He's well behind the pace that saw him earn 14 goals and 28 points in all 82 contests last year, but he still plays an important on-ice role.

Bennett scored a goal on three shots, added two hits, blocked two shots and logged four PIM in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Kings.

Bennett, like many Panthers forwards, has enjoyed a productive December so far with five goals and five assists over nine outings. The 29-year-old center is up to 11 goals, 22 points, 75 shots, 67 hits, 28 PIM and a plus-3 rating through 33 appearances this year. He should continue to fill a second-line role and play on the first power-play unit.

Verhaeghe scored a goal on four shots and added two hits in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Kings.

Verhaeghe has seven goals and four assists over eight outings this month. The 30-year-old forward is up to 11 goals, 27 points, 82 shots on net, 33 hits and a plus-3 rating over 32 appearances this season. Verhaeghe's surge has allowed him to remain in a stable top-six role with a spot on the first power-play unit.

Lundell scored a power-play goal on three shots and added two PIM in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Kings.

Lundell has scored in three straight games and has five goals and two helpers over his last seven outings. The center's tally Wednesday was his first power-play point since Nov. 22 versus the Oilers. He's up to 11 goals, 27 points, 74 shots on net, 38 hits and 26 blocked shots over 33 appearances, primarily in a top-line role.

Dellandrea (upper body) will be in the lineup Thursday versus Dallas, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Dellandrea was considered questionable after blocking a shot Tuesday against the Flames, but he will remain in the lineup. Dellandrea only has two assists in his last 13 games, giving him two goals, eight helpers and 97 hits across 34 appearances this season.