NHL Player News

Bjugstad scored a goal Thursday in a 3-0 win over Buffalo.

Bjugstad took a pass from Justin Faulk in the neutral zone, lumbered to the top of the left circle and beat Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen far side. It pushed the score to 2-0 early in the second period. Bjugstad has four goals, one assist and 26 shots in 15 games this season.

Benak scored a goal on six shots and added two assists in OHL Brantford's 4-3 overtime loss to Peterborough on Thursday.

Benak is generating two points per game after his fourth multi-point effort in his last five contests. The Wild prospect has nine goals and 21 helpers over 15 appearances in total. Through Thursday's action, Benak trails only his Bulldogs teammate and Kraken prospect Jake O'Brien (33) in points in the OHL.

Chovan scored a goal and added an assist in OHL Sudbury's 6-2 loss to Barrie on Thursday.

Chovan is up to eight points in 15 games, earning all of those points within his last nine outings. A sixth-round pick of the Kings in 2025, the Slovak forward could have a long path to the NHL, if he gets there at all. His slow start in the OHL is not an encouraging first step for him in North American hockey.

Beecher (upper body) won't return to Thursday's game versus the Senators.

Beecher left the bench in the first period and was ruled out for the game early in the second. The 24-year-old can be considered day-to-day for now. Should he miss time, Jeffrey Viel could enter the lineup or the Bruins could dip into their depth at AHL Providence with a call-up.

Faksa (undisclosed) is good to play Thursday versus Anaheim, per Sam Nestler of DLLS Stars.

Faksa didn't play in Tuesday's 4-3 shootout victory over Edmonton because of his injury. He's set to play on the fourth line alongside Adam Erne and Colin Blackwell in his return. Capobianco, who was in the lineup Tuesday as the team's seventh defenseman, is set to be a healthy scratch against the Ducks, as Dallas shifts back to a more traditional split of 12 forwards and six blueliners.

Gaucher was reassigned to AHL Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Gaucher has no points, three shots, two hits and one block in three appearances with Philadelphia in 2025-26. He was returned to the minors to make room for Samuel Ersson (lower body), who was activated off injured reserve.

Kyrou (coach's decision) will be a healthy scratch Thursday versus the Sabres, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

Head coach Jim Montgomery is sending a message to both Kyrou and the Blues as a whole after Wednesday's 6-1 loss to the Capitals. This is probably just going to be a one-game thing for Kyrou, but it should put every player in the lineup on alert to get their game on track to avoid sitting one out themselves. Kyrou has been limited to eight points in 14 games this season, though he has been held scoreless in four straight outings.

Kulich (ear) was placed on injured reserve Thursday, according to Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News.

Kulich's issue is related to fluid in his ears, the Sabres announced Wednesday. His placement on IR is presumably retroactive to Saturday, which is when Kulich was last in the lineup. He'll miss his second straight game when the Sabres face St. Louis on Thursday. When the 21-year-old is ready to return, he'll likely serve in a middle-six capacity.

Misa (lower body) was placed on injured reserve by the Sharks on Thursday, per the NHL media site.

Misa suffered a lower-body injury during practice this week that forced him to miss Wednesday's matchup against Seattle, and he'll be unavailable for multiple games after landing on injured reserve. It's not yet clear when Misa will be able to return, but Zack Ostapchuk will likely have a chance to see some playing time for the Sharks after he was called up Thursday.

Faksa (undisclosed) is a game-time decision against Anaheim on Thursday.

Faksa missed Tuesday's 4-3 shootout win over Edmonton. He has a goal and four points in 12 appearances this season. Roope Hintz (undisclosed) is also regarded as a game-time call Thursday, so Dallas has multiple question marks. If Faksa and Hintz can't play, then the Stars are expected to dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen, which would result in Kyle Capobianco remaining in the lineup for a second straight game.