NHL Player News

Smith scored a goal on two shots in Saturday's 6-5 shootout loss to the Blues.

The goal was Smith's first point in three games since he returned from a back injury. The 35-year-old winger has resumed playing on the Blackhawks' fourth line, so it's unlikely he'll find consistent offense moving forward. He has seven goals, five assists, 65 shots on net, 24 PIM and a minus-7 rating through 33 appearances this season.

Donato scored a goal on six shots and added two PIM in Saturday's 6-5 shootout loss to the Blues.

Donato enters the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off with six goals and seven assists over his last 10 contests, including four of each during his four-game point streak. The 28-year-old is up to 19 goals, 37 points, 124 shots on net, 89 hits and a minus-3 rating through 53 appearances. He's emerged as one of the Blackhawks' top forwards, and also a big trade chip -- he's in the second season of a two-year deal with a $1 million cap hit, which will make him easy to move. However, his performance and chemistry with Connor Bedard may encourage the team to pursue an extension rather than a trade.

Konecny tallied a goal, added an assist and took three shots on net in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Penguins.

Konecny's goal arrived early in the third period to give the Flyers a 3-1 lead. He also tallied the primary helper on Scott Laughton's opening goal. The 27-year-old winger is up to 22 goals, 39 assists and 128 shots on net in 57 games this season. Konency has been a steady source of offense all season and currently ranks 16th in points with 61. He is just seven points shy of matching last season's career high and is on pace to break the 70-point mark for the first time. Konecny is set to compete with Team Canada during the 4 Nations Face-Off and will look to add to his two-game point streak upon returning to the Flyers.

Aston-Reese notched an assist and six hits in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Rangers.

The helper was Aston-Reese's first point since Dec. 19 versus the Devils. In that time, he signed a one-year contract extension to stay with the Blue Jackets for 2025-26. The 30-year-old has had effective moments in a depth role, but a 22-game point drought is enough to keep him off the fantasy radar. He's managed 12 points, 70 shots on net, 127 hits, 40 blocked shots and a minus-10 rating through 55 appearances, mainly serving in a bottom-six role this season.

Howden notched an assist and five shots on goal in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Bruins.

Howden snapped a seven-game point drought when he helped out on a Zach Whitecloud tally in the second period. The 26-year-old forward has yet to capitalize on an improved third-line situation, as the Golden Knights have had him centering Brandon Saad and Mark Stone at even strength. Howden has matched his career high at 23 points (16 goals, seven assists), and he's added 93 shots on net, 96 hits, 42 blocked shots, 24 PIM and a plus-6 rating over 55 appearances.

Nelson produced a goal on a team-high eight shots, an assist, one hit, one blocked shot and a minus-1 rating in Saturday's 6-3 loss to Minnesota.

Nelson logged the primary assist on Kyle Palmieri's 16th goal of 2024-25 before he gave New York a 2-1 lead in the opening 28 seconds of the middle frame. Nelson has been subject to trade speculation due to his pending unrestricted free agent status, but New York has crept into the playoff race recently, so General Manager Lou Lamoriello may have to be blown away with an offer in order to concede a top-six center. Nelson is at 17 goals and 35 points through 55 appearances this season. The 33-year-old won't have any time off during the break -- he'll don the Team USA sweater at the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

Palmieri scored a goal on three shots and added an assist in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Wild.

Palmieri has goals in back-to-back games and four of his last six. It's been a productive stretch for the right-shot winger, who has found the scoresheet in eight of his last 12 games. Given that he'll be an unrestricted free agent after this season, Palmieri could be a trade candidate for a contender looking to add some scoring, but New York's play out of the break and before the trade deadline will likely dictate how the club navigates its future. The 34-year-old has provided 16 goals and 37 points through 55 appearances in 2024-25.

Geekie scored a goal and took three shots on net in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Golden Knights.

Geekie found the back of the net in the second period to give the Bruins a 3-1 lead. The 26-year-old forward raised his season totals to 17 goals, 29 points and 103 shots on net in 52 outings this season. With his 17th tally of the year, Geekie tied his career best in goals that he set last season. He has developed great chemistry with David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha on Boston's top line and is likely to remain in that role for the rest of the season. Geekie should contend for the 40-point mark for the first time in his career. He is a strong waiver wire add in deep leagues and has some value in standard formats.

Eichel had two assists and took five shots on net in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Bruins.

Both of Eichel's helpers came in the third period, with the latter of the two being the primary pass on Tomas Hertl's game-winning tally on the power play. The 28-year-old center is up to 50 assists, 69 points and 174 shots on net across 55 games this season. Eichel has surpassed his point total from each of the past two seasons and is slated to set multiple career highs. He is just four assists, 13 points, and four power-play points away from matching his best marks in each respective category. Eichel is tied for sixth in the league in points and is on pace to reach the century mark this season.

Trenin generated an even-strength goal on a team-high eight shots Saturday in a 6-3 win over the Islanders.

Trenin gave the Wild a 4-3 lead late in the middle frame when he redirected a Jake Middleton shot past Ilya Sorokin. Trenin's eight shots on goal were by far his most in a game this season -- he had registered more than three on just one occasion over 49 appearances prior to Saturday. The 28-year-old is up to six goals, 12 points and a plus-5 rating heading into the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.