NHL Player News

Eller (lower body) won't finish Thursday's game versus the Blue Jackets.

This was Eller's second game back after missing two due to an undisclosed injury. The 36-year-old's status should be updated prior to Saturday's matinee game versus the Wild. If Eller can't play, Stephen Halliday will draw back into the lineup.

Kotkaniemi has recovered from his lower-body injury, but he isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against Washington, per Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site.

Kotkaniemi missed 10 of Carolina's previous 12 games due to injury, and he's now missing additional time at head coach Rod Brind'Amour's discretion. Kotkaniemi has two goals and five points in 17 outings this year. The 25-year-old forward will likely serve in a bottom-six capacity once Brind'Amour decides to reinsert him into the lineup.

James (undisclosed) will miss Thursday's game versus the Devils, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

James is out of the lineup for a third straight game. The Lightning have not provided an update on his status, but they haven't made a roster move regarding James either, which suggests he's still considered day-to-day. His next chance to play is Saturday versus the Islanders.

The Mammoth announced Thursday that Cooley (lower body) will be out for a minimum of eight weeks.

Cooley was previously labeled out indefinitely, and he now has a timetable. The 21-year-old has a small chance to return before the Olympic break, but more than likely, he won't be in action again prior to late February.

Clattenburg (eye) was placed on injured reserve Thursday.

Clattenburg sustained an eye injury last week that was expected to sideline him for multiple games, so his placement on injured reserve isn't particularly surprising. Over five appearances this year, he's recorded a goal, 17 hits, three blocked shots and 13 PIM while averaging 7:12 of ice time.

Roslovic (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve Thursday.

Roslovic is expected to be out until closer to the Christmas break, so his designation for injured reserve shouldn't come as a surprise. Prior to his five-game stint on the shelf, the 28-year-old winger was rolling offensively with nine goals and five assists, including four power-play points, in his last 13 outings. With Roslovic on the shelf, Matt Savoie has moved into a top-six role for the Oilers and may have to stay there long term.

Norris (illness) will miss Thursday's game against Vancouver, per Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News.

Norris was also absent for Buffalo's 4-3 overtime victory over Edmonton. He has two goals and seven points in five appearances this season. The hope is that Norris will be able to return Sunday in Seattle.

Copp logged two assists, two PIM and a plus-3 rating in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Flames.

Copp has some growing chemistry with Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane as his wingers -- the trio factored on three of the Red Wings' four goals. Over the last four games, Copp has racked up two goals and four assists. He's up to three goals, 15 points, 39 shots on net, 23 blocked shots, 17 hits, 14 PIM and a minus-6 rating through 31 outings overall, but he's trending in the right direction.

Frederic will be in the lineup Thursday after he was struck in the face by the puck at practice Wednesday, Mark Spector of Sportsnet reports.

Frederic had 14 stitches after Wednesday's incident. The 27-year-old will suit up on the fourth line against the Red Wings, alongside Curtis Lazar and David Tomasek. Frederic has been a dud offensively with two goals and an assist in 30 appearances, though he does have 71 hits this season.

Del Bel Belluz was assigned to AHL Cleveland on Thursday, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Del Bel Belluz spent just over a week with the NHL club, but he'll head back to the minors after Boone Jenner was activated off injured reserve Thursday. Del Bel Belluz has made 11 appearances for the Blue Jackets to begin the year, logging an assist, 10 blocked shots, two hits and four PIM while averaging 9:04 of ice time. He'll likely be a candidate to be called back up if the Blue Jackets need additional depth at some point.