NHL Player News
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Vladislav Namestnikov C | WPG
Jets' Vladislav Namestnikov: Is week-to-week
Namestnikov (lower body) is considered week-to-week, Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site reports Saturday.
Namestnikov has seven goals, 13 points, 28 PIM and 71 hits in 57 appearances in 2025-26. He sustained the injury during Friday's game against Anaheim. Walker Duehr is likely to draw into the lineup Sunday versus San Jose due to Namestnikov's absence.
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Ryan Strome C | CGY
Ducks' Ryan Strome: Dealing with illness
Strome (illness) didn't participate in Saturday's practice, Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune reports.
Strome also sat out Friday's 5-4 overtime win over Winnipeg because he was under the weather. He has produced three goals, eight points, 35 shots on net and 16 hits across 32 appearances this season. Once he has recovered from his illness, Strome could still be a candidate to be a healthy scratch.
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Tomas Hertl C | LV
Golden Knights' Tomas Hertl: Nets power-play goal
Hertl scored a power-play goal on three shots and added three hits in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Capitals.
Hertl earned his 600th career point in his 850th regular-season contest. The center has two goals and five assists over his last nine outings, continuing to be an effective scoring option in a middle-six role. Overall, he has 23 goals, 51 points (22 on the power play), 151 shots on net, 81 hits, 31 blocked shots, 35 PIM and a minus-5 rating through 59 appearances this campaign.
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Josh Norris C | BUF
Sabres' Josh Norris: Gathers assist Friday
Norris logged an assist and three shots on goal in Friday's 3-2 win over the Panthers.
This was Norris' second game back from an injury to his ribs. The 26-year-old has operated in a middle-six role since his return, as well as seeing power-play time. He has potential to put up strong offense for the Sabres, but he'll need to stay healthy to do so. He's earned 18 points, 31 shots on net and an even plus-minus rating over 21 appearances.
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Peyton Krebs C | BUF
Sabres' Peyton Krebs: Deposits empty-netter
Krebs scored an empty-net goal on two shots in Friday's 3-2 win over the Panthers.
Krebs' goal ended up being the game-winner after the Panthers got one back late. He's posted the game-winning tally in consecutive contests and has three points in that span. For the season, the 25-year-old is at nine goals, 28 points, 65 shots on net, 134 hits and 67 PIM through 59 outings. He'll set a career high with his next point.
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Alexei Protas C | WAS
Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Two helpers Friday
Protas notched two assists in Friday's 3-2 win over the Golden Knights.
Both helpers came in the second period on tallies by Pierre-Luc Dubois, as the Capitals' second line broke open a scoreless tie. Protas has found his groove over the last month, and in the last six games dating back to Jan. 31, he's erupted for two goals and eight points.
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Anthony Cirelli C | TB
Lightning's Anthony Cirelli: Game-time call
Cirelli (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision versus Buffalo on Saturday, per Lightning reporter Gabby Shirley.
Cirelli has been out of action since Feb. 1 and was forced to miss the Olympic Games due to his injury. He has 15 goals and 35 points over 49 games this season. If he is able to go, look for Scott Sabourin to possibly be the odd-man out.
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Joel Eriksson Ek C | MIN
Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Unlikely to play Sunday
Eriksson Ek (face) probably won't play against St. Louis on Sunday, according to Michael Russo of The Athletic.
Eriksson Ek left Friday's 5-2 loss to Utah after receiving a high stick around his eye. The Wild should get a clearer picture of his timeline for a return following Saturday's visit with a doctor. Minnesota recalled Tyler Pitlick from AHL Iowa on Saturday to be an option for Sunday's contest. Eriksson Ek has 17 goals, 42 points, 150 shots on net and 78 hits across 54 appearances this season.
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Tyler Pitlick C | MIN
Wild's Tyler Pitlick: Recalled from AHL
Pitlick was summoned from AHL Iowa on Saturday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
Pitlick had eight goals and three assists in 12 AHL games before his recall. The 34-year-old center has a pair of goals in 31 NHL games with Minnesota this season. Joel Eriksson Ek (face) isn't expected to play against the Blues on Sunday after receiving a high stick near his eye in Friday's 5-2 loss to Utah.
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Sam Bennett C | FLA
Panthers' Sam Bennett: Two points in Friday's loss
Bennett was credited with an even-strength goal and added a power-play assist in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Sabres.
After helping to set up Matthew Tkachuk for Florida's first goal midway through the second period, Bennett fired a shot at Alex Lyon inside the final minute of the third with the Panthers' net empty. Lyon made the initial save, but the puck trickled through him into the crease, and Rasmus Dahlin's clearing attempt instead bounced off the goalie and into the net. It goes down as Bennett's 20th goal of the season, a mark he has reached in three straight campaigns and four of the last five. Over the last 15 games, he's delivered a tidy four goals and 12 points.