NHL Player News

Appleton (lower body) was designated for injured reserve Thursday.

Appleton has already missed five games due to his lower-body problem, so his move to injured reserve won't impact his recovery timeline. In his 26 outings this year, the Wisconsin native has notched just three goals and six helpers to go with 28 shots. Even once cleared to play, Appleton figures to offer limited offensive upside in a bottom-six role.

Jenner (upper body) will return action Thursday against Ottawa, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Head coach Dean Evason said at the morning scrum that Jenner will be in the lineup after missing 14 games. Jenner will see second-line duty, alongside Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson. Jenner has three goals and 10 points in 16 games this season.

Bedard recorded a goal, an assist and three shots in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Rangers.

Bedard scored the Blackhawks' second goal with a snap shot at the 14:27 mark of the second period, and he also assisted on Tyler Bertuzzi's third-period tally. Bedard is up to 42 points this season, tallying 19 goals and 23 assists. He's also cracked the scoresheet in five of the Blackhawks' last six games.

Jenner (upper body) is practicing on the second line and could return to the lineup versus Ottawa on Thursday, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.

Jenner was injured Nov. 11 in Seattle and has missed the last 14 games. He practiced alongside Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson and will likely see power play time when he returns to the lineup. Jenner is currently on injured reserve and will need to be activated ahead of the contest. Jenner had three goals, seven assists and 30 hits across 16 games before his injury.

Parent was elevated from AHL Utica on Thursday.

Parent has never appeared in an NHL game, and while he's far from a lock to play against the Lightning on Thursday, his 12 points in 20 minor-league games this year could convince the coaching staff to give him a look. If Parent does get into the lineup, it will likely come at the expense of Juho Lammikko, who has served as a healthy scratch for the last three contests.

Beniers scored a power-play goal on five shots in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Kings.

Beniers tallied with 26 seconds left in the second period to force overtime. The center has three points over his last four games, but this was his first power-play point since Nov. 18 versus the Red Wings. He's now at four goals, 17 points, 44 shots on net, 24 blocked shots and a plus-1 rating through 28 outings overall. Beniers is shooting just 9.1 percent this season, the lowest mark of his career, so he should be able to improve over time.

McCann (undisclosed) left Wednesday's game versus the Kings in obvious pain after a collision with goalie Anton Forsberg, Geoff Baker of the Kraken's official site reports.

McCann's injury status wasn't updated after the contest, but given the late timing of the incident, that should be no surprise. The 29-year-old has already dealt with a lower-body injury previously this season, and another issue in a similar area could lead to a significant absence. More information should be available based on whether he travels with the Kraken for Friday's road game versus the Mammoth. He had a power-play goal prior to his exit, giving him eight points through 11 outings this season.

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.