NHL Player News

Kupari (concussion) is slated to miss out versus the Ducks on Wednesday, Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press reports.

Kupari has played in just one of the Jets' last 19 games due to his lingering concussion symptoms. Given his extended absence, the Finnish winger is far from a lock for the lineup even once cleared to play and could find himself serving as a healthy scratch in favor of Morgan Barron or David Gustafsson.

Vilardi (upper body) isn't expected to play Wednesday versus Anaheim, per Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press.

Vilardi didn't join the Jets for their practice, though he did skate on his own Wednesday. He'll finish the regular season with 27 goals and 61 points in 71 appearances. Vilardi hasn't been in the lineup since March 23, but he might still be an option for Game 1 of the first round.

Seguin (hip) will be a game-time call for Wednesday's matchup with Nashville, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.

In order to suit up Wednesday, Seguin will need to be activated off long-term injured reserve, so that figures to be the final determination on whether he suits up versus the Predators. The 33-year-old forward has been out of action since Dec. 1 against the Jets due to his hip problem, a stretch of 58 games on the shelf. Once given the all-clear, Seguin figures to fill a middle-six role that will likely see Oskar Back dropped from the lineup.

Dowd signed a two-year, $6 million contract extension with Washington on Wednesday.

Dowd has been nothing if not consistent for the Caps, reaching the 20-point threshold in each of the previous four seasons. In fact, it was a career year for the 34-year-old center, as he set new personal bests with 14 goals and 27 points. While Dowd won't be a top-end offensive contributor, he offers decent depth scoring for Washington and could be a mid-range fantasy option in deeper formats.

Lowry (rest) is expected back in the lineup for Wednesday's season finale versus Anaheim.

Lowry will be back in action after getting the night off against Edmonton on Sunday. In his last nine games, the 32-year-old St. Louis native has generated two goals and three helpers to go with 15 shots, 20 hits and seven blocks. Lowry figures to slide back into his usual third-line center role but shouldn't be expected to see time with the man advantage.

Nazar scored the game-winning goal in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime win over Ottawa.

Nazar found the back of the net for the game-winning goal just 48 seconds into the extra period. Nazar used the feed from Connor Bedard to score his second game-winning goal of the season. Overall, the 21-year-old Nazar is up to 12 goals, 26 points and 91 shots on net in 53 games this season. Nazar took a large step forward offensively down the stretch with 10 points over his last 11 games. His recent stretch of play makes him a strong option to open the season as Chicago's full-time center on the second line. Look for him to be a breakout candidate during the 2025-26 season.

Veleno scored a goal and put two shots on net in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Senators.

Veleno lit the lamp for Chicago's second goal of the contest just over six minutes into the first period. Overall, the 25-year-old center posted eight goals, 17 points, 139 hits and 75 shots on net in 74 games this season. Veleno's first 18 games with the Blackhawks saw him raise his play offensively with three goals and seven points in that span. He wrapped up the season with back-to-back games with a point and was a bright spot down the stretch on the Blackhawks' fourth line. He is signed through next season and should challenge for a middle-six role to begin the 2025-26 campaign.

Bedard scored two goals, including one on a power-play, and tallied the game-winning assist in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Senators.

Bedard was the hero in Chicago's season finale with a three-point night. He tallied the first goal of the game just 88 seconds into the first period before he later tallied a power-play goal in the second period. He capped off Tuesday's performance with the game-winning assist on Frank Nazar's winning goal just 48 seconds into overtime. The 19-year-old Bedard finishes the regular season with 23 goals, 44 assists and 195 shots on net in 82 games this season. The rising star saw a slight reduction in points per game and shots on goal this season. However, his durability in his sophomore season helped him reach a new career high of 67 points, with 15 of those points coming in his last 15 games. With the addition of Spencer Knight and the emergence of linemate Ryan Donato, Bedard is already in an improved situation for the start of the 2025-26 season.

Asplund was returned to AHL Charlotte on Wednesday, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports.

Asplund spent the past week and a half with the Panthers and recorded no points, two hits, two blocked shots and two PIM over four appearances during his late-season stint in the NHL. However, he'll head back to the minors now that Florida's regular season has ended.

Schenn scored an even-strength goal and added a power-play assist in Tuesday's 6-1 win over Utah.

Schenn broke the deadlock for the Blues at the 8:08 mark of the first period with a snap shot assisted by Pavel Buchnevich and Jimmy Snuggerud. That goal was Schenn's 18th of the season, and he also added an assist when Jordan Kyrou made it 5-1 in the third frame. This two-goal performance came at a perfect time for Schenn, as the 33-year-old snapped a seven-game point drought with the playoffs right around the corner. Schenn ends the regular season with 50 points (18 goals, 32 helpers) in 82 appearances, and it was the fourth time he achieved that tally over his last six seasons.