NHL Player News
-
Ryan Strome C | CGY
Ducks' Ryan Strome: Won't play Sunday
Strome (illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Flames, Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune reports.
Strome didn't practice Saturday due to his illness, and he'll be forced to miss Sunday's matchup. His next opportunity to return will be Tuesday against Colorado, but he isn't guaranteed a spot in the lineup when healthy since he's been scratched on several occasions recently.
-
Mikael Granlund C | ANA
Ducks' Mikael Granlund: Unavailable Sunday
Granlund (upper body) won't be an option for Sunday's home matchup against the Flames, per Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune.
Granlund has yet to play in a game following the Olympic break, as this will be his third consecutive absence. The left-shot forward's next opportunity to suit up will be in the first of a back-to-back set at home against Colorado on Tuesday. Granlund has registered 12 goals, 27 points, 78 shots and a minus-10 rating over 38 appearances this season.
-
Rickard Rakell C | PIT
Penguins' Rickard Rakell: Finds twine on power play
Rakell scored a power-play goal, put two shots on net and blocked two shots in Sunday's 5-0 win over Vegas.
Rakell lit the lamp on a power play late in the second period to put the Penguins up by four goals. He has 11 goals, 25 points, 108 shots on net, 53 hits and 33 blocked shots across 38 games this season. The veteran forward has been effective in a top-six role when healthy this season and is set to see a bump in playing time with Sidney Crosby (lower body) sidelined. Rakell holds solid fantasy value moving forward while the Penguins vie for a playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division.
-
Benjamin Kindel C | PIT
Penguins' Ben Kindel: Grabs pair of points Sunday
Kindel scored a goal, distributed an assist, placed three shots on net and recorded two blocked shots in Sunday's 5-0 win over Vegas.
Kindel placed the game's opening tally on the scoreboard with just over five minutes remaining in the first period before later sliding the primary assist on Justin Brazeau's goal late in the third. Overall, Kindel now has 15 goals, 14 assists, 120 shots on net and 47 blocked shots across 56 games this season. The 18-year-old rising star has provided consistent offense with nine points in his last nine games, and he has also thrived defensively, ranking 22nd among NHL forwards in blocked shots this season. Kindel is a must-roster player in all dynasty formats and can also make an impact in various standard leagues while his current stretch of play lasts.
-
Anthony Richard C | PHI
Flyers' Anthony Richard: Buries two goals Sunday
Richard scored twice in AHL Lehigh Valley's 6-3 win over Hartford on Sunday.
Richard went eight games without a goal, though he had six assists in that span. This was his first multi-point effort since Nov. 29. The veteran forward is up to 33 points in 46 outings this season. If the Flyers make moves before the trade deadline, Richard could be a candidate for a call-up to fill a bottom-six role.
-
Ivan Ryabkin C | CAR
Hurricanes' Ivan Ryabkin: Two of each in Charlottetown win
Ryabkin scored two goals and added two assists in QMJHL Charlottetown's 7-4 win over Blainville-Boisbriand on Sunday.
Ryabkin has averaged two points per game since joining Charlottetown. This was his fifth effort of at least three points with the club. Overall, he has eight goals, 18 assists, 45 shots on net and a plus-2 rating over 13 appearances.
-
Luke Kunin C | FLA
Panthers' Luke Kunin: Pushed to waivers
Kunin has been placed on waivers by the Panthers, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports Sunday.
Kunin signed with the Panthers in free agency this past offseason, but it hasn't worked out too well. The 28-year-old has just four points (two goals, two assists) in 44 games on the season. If he clears waivers, he could be assigned to AHL Charlotte, but Kunin hasn't played a minor-league game since the 2018-19 season.
-
Jake Evans C | MON
Canadiens' Jake Evans: Tacks on empty-netter
Evans scored a shorthanded empty-net goal on two shots and blocked two shots in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Capitals.
Evans ended a four-game skid with the late tally. The 29-year-old defensive forward continues to do his job effectively in a third-line role. Evans is now at eight goals, 14 points, 50 shots on net, 49 hits, 35 blocked shots and a minus-10 rating over 45 appearances. Between injuries and regression, Evans won't come anywhere near his 36-point effort from 82 regular-season games a year ago, but scoring is almost always secondary for him.
-
Kenny Connors C | LA
Kings' Kenny Connors: Gets another callup
Connors has been recalled from AHL Ontario by the Kings, the team announced Sunday.
Connors has yet to make his NHL debut, serving as depth in a call-up earlier this season right before the Olympic break. The 22-year-old has 29 points (nine goals, 20 assists) in 49 games played with AHL Ontario. Barring another injury, he will likely just serve as insurance once again while the Kings attempt to get a bit healthier.
-
Nico Hischier C | NJ
Devils' Nico Hischier: Hits 20-goal mark on empty-netter
Hischier scored an empty-net goal on two shots in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Blues.
Hischier has scored five times and added an assist over his last 10 NHL outings. The 27-year-old center is up to 20 goals, 43 points, 159 shots on net, 44 hits, 49 blocked shots and a minus-8 rating over 60 appearances. That puts him at risk of missing the 60-point mark for the first time in five years, though Hischier has the talent to finish strong this season.