NHL Player News

Miller (upper body) was activated from injured reserve Thursday, per the NHL media site.

Miller missed seven games with the injury. The 32-year-old center has not had a good offensive season, tallying 10 goals and 22 points in 35 games, his worst season since 2015-16 when he managed 22 goals and 21 assists in 82 games as a 22-year-old with the Rangers. He should play alongside Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere on Thursday when the Rangers host Buffalo.

Pitlick was placed on waivers by the Wild on Thursday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Pitlick managed only one goal in 23 games and was a healthy scratch in each of the Wild's last nine games. Should he pass through waivers, look for Pitlick to be sent to AHL Iowa.

Guttman was recalled from AHL Ontario on Thursday.

Guttman hasn't played in an NHL game since the 2023-24 campaign, when he saw action in 27 outings with the Blackhawks. In those appearances, the California native notched four goals and four assists, including three power-play points. With his promotion to the NHL roster, Guttman could be in the lineup versus Winnipeg on Friday, as he gives the team a full complement of 12 healthy forwards.

Fisker Molgaard was summoned from AHL Coachella Valley on Thursday.

Fisker Molgaard played two games earlier in the season with the Kraken, garnering one assist. He had six goals and 12 assists in 30 AHL games before being recalled. The Kraken are down to 12 healthy forwards, as Eeli Tolvanen missed Tuesday's game versus Boston with an illness.

Kapanen scored a goal on three shots in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Flames.

Kapanen has opened January with three goals in four games. The 22-year-old rookie is up to 14 tallies, nine assists, 77 shots on net, 41 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating over 43 appearances. He's been able to hold onto a second-line role for most of the campaign, emerging as an all-situations center with fantasy upside due to his youth.

Faksa scored a shorthanded goal on three shots in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Capitals.

Faksa cashed in a shorthanded tally at 3:06 of the first period to open the scoring. It ended 39-game goal drought for the veteran forward, who still managed a decent 14 assists in that span. He's at 16 points (three shorthanded), 27 shots on net, 55 hits, 33 blocked shots and a plus-8 rating through 43 outings as a defensive stalwart in the Stars' bottom six. He's also already surpassed the 15-point output he put forth in 70 regular-season contests with the Blues last year.

Johnston scored a goal on five shots in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Capitals.

Johnston stretched the Stars' lead to 3-0 in the third period. Over his last 11 games, the 22-year-old has racked up eight goals, five assists, 25 shots on net and a plus-4 rating. Johnston is up to 50 points (24 goals, 26 assists) with 111 shots on net and a minus-2 rating over 44 appearances this season. That's a career-best pace, and it puts him ninth in the league in points through Wednesday's action, though he's also behind Dallas teammates Mikko Rantanen (59) and Jason Robertson (52).

Horvat (lower body) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against Nashville since he isn't with the Islanders for the start of their seven-game road trip, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.

Horvat was initially expected to travel with the Islanders for their road trip, but general manager Mathieu Darche said Thursday that the team changed its mind and will give the 30-year-old some more time to rest. However, Darche said that he hopes that Horvat will be back in action before the Olympic break, and he could join the team later in the road trip.

ivan was recalled from AHL Colorado on Thursday.

Ivan was with the Avalanche for a three game stint in late November, picking up one assist. The 23-year-old has spent most of the season in the AHL, scoring twice and adding six assists in 28 games. The Avalanche are down to 11 healthy forwards, and Ivan could enter the lineup on the fourth line with Parker Kelly and Zakhar Bardakov, if Joel Kiviranta (lower body) is not ready to play.

Protas (lower body) practiced in a regular jersey Thursday and could return to the lineup as early as Friday in Chicago, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports.

Protas has missed the last three games after getting hurt Jan. 1 versus Ottawa. Protas was hot prior to his injury, tallying four goals and adding five assists in a five-game scoring streak. Overall, the 25-year-old has 16 goals and 31 points over 41 appearances this season.