NHL Player News

Luostarinen (undisclosed) won't return to Wednesday's Game 5 versus the Hurricanes.

Luostarinen was hurt in the first period after an awkward crash into the boards following a missed hit. He was ruled out for the rest of the game during the second period. If Luostarinen misses additional time, Jesper Boqvist or Nico Sturm appear to be the most likely players to take his spot in the lineup.

Hayden inked a two-year, $1.55 million contract with the Kraken on Wednesday, per Curtis Crabtree of Fox 13 Seattle.

Hayden had the opportunity to test the UFA market after completing his one-year, $775,000 deal, but he's opted to stay with Seattle. The 30-year-old had a goal, two points, 31 PIM and 44 hits across 20 outings with the Kraken in 2024-25. His new contract is a one-way agreement, so it wouldn't be surprising if Hayden starts 2025-26 with the NHL squad, though his spot isn't guaranteed, and he would probably spend a fair amount of time as a healthy scratch with the Kraken.

Lowry underwent hip surgery Tuesday and will be out 5-6 months.

Based on his timeline, Lowry is likely to miss at least the first month of the 2025-26 campaign, though it could certainly be longer. The 32-year-old center has reached the 30-point threshold in each of the last three seasons but could be in danger of missing that mark given his time out of the lineup. With Lowry potentially on the shelf for 1-2 months next year, youngsters like Brayden Yager or Brad Lambert could make the Opening Night roster in October.

Brown (undisclosed) will be sidelined for Game 5 against Dallas on Thursday, Joshua Clipperton of The Canadian Press reports.

It will be Brown's second straight game on the shelf due to his undisclosed injury. With Zach Hyman (upper body) ruled out as well, the Oilers will have to decide whether to deploy Jeff Skinner as the 12th forward or utilize seven defensemen now that Mattias Ekholm is available.

Reinhart (lower body) is expected to play in Game 5 versus Carolina on Wednesday, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.

Reinhart missed two games because of the injury. He has four goals and 11 points across 14 playoff outings in 2024-25. Jesper Boqvist will probably shift off the top line due to the return of Reinhart.

Hyman (upper body) will undergo surgery Wednesday and will miss the remainder of the postseason, Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 Edmonton reports.

Hyman's postseason will end with the 32-year-old winger having generated five goals and six helpers in 15 outings. For now, there has been no indication whether this will impact the Toronto native's availability for the start of the 2025-26 campaign. Without Hyman in the lineup, Viktor Arvidsson could be pressed into a top-six role after having been a healthy scratch for five games.

Hyman (upper body) will not be in action versus the Stars in Game 5 on Thursday, Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 Edmonton reports.

Hyman's availability for the rest of the Western Conference Finals is certainly in doubt after he suffered an upper-body injury in Game 4 on Tuesday. Without Hyman in the lineup, the Oilers may have to turn to Jeff Skinner for the first time since the opening game of the playoffs -- especially if Connor Brown (undisclosed) remains sidelined as well.

Granlund recorded a power-play assist, two hits and two PIM in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Oilers in Game 4.

Granlund has earned three points over four games in this series, with all of his production coming on the power play. The 33-year-old is at 10 points, 29 shots on net, 37 hits, 16 blocked shots and an even plus-minus rating over 17 playoff outings. He was shuffled into a middle-six role Tuesday, but Granlund still plays an important two-way game as one of the Stars' most versatile forwards.

Nugent-Hopkins registered two power-play assists and four shots on goal in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Stars in Game 4.

Nugent-Hopkins has rattled off four straight multi-point efforts in the Western Conference Finals. His output in that stretch (nine points) matches his combined total from 11 contests over the first two rounds. Nugent-Hopkins also has a plus-9 rating, 35 shots on net, 17 hits and 12 blocked shots this postseason. As long as he stays on the first line, he's in a good position to rack up offense.

McDavid recorded two assists, including one on the power play, as well as three shots on net and two hits in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Stars in Game 4.

McDavid continues to dominate in the Western Conference Finals, having earned seven points over the last four games. He's up to 24 points (three on the power play), 56 shots on net, 18 hits and a plus-11 rating across 15 playoff outings. McDavid leads the playoffs in points, and doing so without making all that much of an impact with the man advantage is all the more impressive.