NHL Player News

McBain scored a goal on three shots and added three hits in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Panthers.

McBain had gone six games without a goal, picking up three assists in that span. The 25-year-old forward is now at three goals, nine points, 41 shots on net, 103 hits, 26 blocked shots, 32 PIM and a plus-1 rating over 32 appearances. His scoring pace is below where he's been the last three years, and he is unlikely to improve it much while he's stuck on the third line.

Lundell scored a goal on three shots and blocked three shots in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Mammoth.

Lundell's game-winning tally came with 52 seconds left in the third period. He's earned a point in five of his last six games, picking up two goals and three helpers in that span. For the season, the 24-year-old continues to provide steady all-around play in a top-line role with eight goals, 23 points, 65 shots on net, 33 hits, 24 blocked shots, 14 PIM and a minus-4 rating over 29 appearances.

Verhaeghe scored a goal on four shots, added an assist and logged two hits in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Mammoth.

Since missing a 4-1 loss to the Maple Leafs on Dec. 2 to welcome his child into the world, Verhaeghe has scored in four straight games while potting five goals and adding two assists. The 30-year-old has gotten onto the scoresheet in his last seven contests, collecting 13 points in that span. Overall, he's up to nine goals, 14 helpers, 72 shots on net, 26 hits and a minus-1 rating across 28 appearances in a top-six role this season.

Bennett scored twice on four shots, dished an assist and added three hits in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Mammoth.

Bennett has had a couple of massive games recently, earning seven points over his last three outings. He's really turned things around since mid-November, racking up six goals and nine helpers over his last 11 contests. For the season, the 29-year-old is at nine goals, 11 assists, 68 shots on net, 58 hits, 24 PIM and a minus-1 rating through 29 appearances.

Klippenstein scored two goals and added an assist in WHL Brandon's 7-3 win over Lethbridge on Wednesday.

Prior to Wednesday, Klippenstein had put up just one assist over his last six outings. The Wild prospect's slumps have been noticeable this season, but he's still tracking toward shattering his point total (28) from the 2024-25 regular season. He's at six goals, 14 helpers, 54 PIM, 56 shots on net and a plus-9 rating through 25 appearances in his third full year with the Wheat Kings.

Helenius scored a goal and added two assists in AHL Rochester's 6-1 win over Belleville on Wednesday.

Helenius has a point in 10 of Rochester's last 11 games, earning five goals and eight assists in that stretch. The 19-year-old has acclimated well to North America over the last two seasons. He had 35 points in 65 regular-season outings as a rookie last year, and he's up to nine goals, 23 points and 73 shots on net through 25 appearances this season. The Sabres will still want to let him dominate the AHL for a while before giving him a shot at an NHL job.

Ostlund scored a goal and added two assists in AHL Rochester's 6-1 win over Belleville on Wednesday.

Ostlund appeared in his first AHL game since Nov. 1 after a lengthy stint with the Sabres. He has six points in 20 games with Buffalo this year, and he's added 10 points and 31 shots over seven outings for Rochester. Any time spent in the AHL now is merely to keep his confidence up until a prominent role in the Sabres' lineup becomes available.

Kuntar agreed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Sabres on Wednesday.

Kuntar has nine goals, 13 points and 43 PIM in 24 outings with AHL Rochester in 2025-26. The 24-year-old had been playing with Rochester on a one-year AHL contract, and he's now eligible to be summoned to Buffalo. Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News reports Kuntar will join the Sabres ahead of their game in Vancouver on Thursday.

Pettersson (upper body) is doubtful for Thursday's game against Buffalo, per Ben Kuzma of Postmedia.

Pettersson has missed Vancouver's past two games due to the injury. He's still expected to join the Canucks on their five-game road trip, which will begin Sunday in New Jersey, even if he misses Thursday's match. Pettersson has eight goals and 22 points in 28 outings with Vancouver in 2025-26.

Frederic exited Wednesday's practice after suffering an undisclosed injury, Tony Brar of Oilers TV.

Brar believes Frederic was struck in the face with the puck. The 27-year-old Frederic has two goals, three points, 25 PIM and 71 hits in 30 appearances this season. If he can't play Thursday versus Detroit, then Edmonton might need to call a forward up from the minors.