NHL Player News
-
Gustav Olofsson D | SEA
Kraken's Gustav Olofsson: Gathers trio of helpers
Olofsson notched three assists in AHL Coachella Valley's 6-4 win over San Diego on Saturday.
Olofsson has 32 points over 48 appearances this season, his best year in the AHL to date. That helped him earn an NHL deal in March, though he didn't get a call-up to Seattle after signing. He'll likely be in the market for another two-way contract at best this offseason.
-
Owen Pickering D | PIT
Penguins' Owen Pickering: Contributes three points
Pickering scored a goal and added two assists in AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's 8-0 win over Rochester on Saturday.
Pickering has earned five points over his last four outings, following a seven-game point drought. The defenseman is at seven goals, 28 points and a plus-16 rating over 68 appearances this season. Pickering has done his part to grow his offense in his second full professional campaign.
-
Artem Zub D | OTT
Senators' Artem Zub: Suffers undisclosed injury
Zub sustained an undisclosed injury during Game 1 against Carolina on Saturday, but head coach Travis Green didn't have an update on his status after the game, per Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal.
Zub had three hits in 7:44 of ice time before exiting Saturday's 2-0 loss to the Hurricanes. The 30-year-old had five goals, 30 points, 57 PIM, 66 hits and 120 blocks in 81 regular-season outings while averaging 20:48 of ice time. If Zub can't play in Game 2 on Monday, then Lassi Thomson might draw into the lineup.
-
Quinn Hughes D | MIN
Wild's Quinn Hughes: Cleared for return in Game 1
Hughes (illness) will play in Game 1 against the Stars, per Mark Lazerus of The Athletic.
Hughes is set to return to Minnesota's lineup after missing each of the team's final two regular-season games with an illness. The 26-year-old blueliner posted another elite season with 69 assists, 76 points, 187 shots on net and 87 blocked shots across 74 regular-season games between Vancouver and Minnesota this year. He'll likely jump back into the Wild's top defensive pairing alongside Brock Faber for the opening clash of the team's series against Dallas.
-
Miro Heiskanen D | DAL
Stars' Miro Heiskanen: Good to go Saturday
Heiskanen (lower body) will play in Game 1 against Minnesota on Saturday, according to Sam Nestler of DLLS Sports.
Following a three-game absence, Heiskanen will return to the top pairing and first power-play unit in Saturday's playoff opener. He wrapped up the 2025-26 regular season with nine goals, 63 points, 148 shots on net and 132 blocked shots across 77 appearances.
-
Victor Hedman D | TB
Lightning's Victor Hedman: Remains unavailable
Hedman (personal) has resumed skating and is back with his teammates, but it's unclear when he will be ready to return to the lineup, according to Pierre LeBrun of TSN on Saturday.
Hedman hasn't played since March 19 against Vancouver due to an illness and a personal matter. Despite being back with the team, it's unclear when he will resume practicing, and he remains unavailable for now. Hedman, who is still on long-term injured reserve, had one goal, 16 assists, 50 shots on net, 44 blocked shots and 19 hits in 33 appearances during the 2025-26 regular season.
-
Tyler Kleven D | OTT
Senators' Tyler Kleven: Unavailable Saturday
Kleven (upper body) won't play in Game 1 against Carolina on Saturday, Ryan Henkel of The Hockey News reports.
Kleven sat out the final seven games of the regular season and won't be available for the beginning of the playoffs. However, the Senators hope to have the 24-year-old blueliner back in the lineup at some point during the team's first-round series against the Hurricanes.
-
Mattias Samuelsson D | BUF
Sabres' Mattias Samuelsson: Ready to rock
Samuelsson (rest) participated in Saturday's practice ahead of Buffalo's playoff opener against Boston on Sunday, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.
Samuelsson returned to the top pairing after skipping Wednesday's matchup against Dallas to get some additional rest. He had a career year offensively during the 2025-26 regular season, collecting 13 goals and 41 points in 78 appearances. He also added 109 shots on net, 154 blocked shots and 132 hits.
-
Rasmus Dahlin D | BUF
Sabres' Rasmus Dahlin: Set for Game 1
Dahlin (rest) participated in Saturday's practice ahead of his playoff debut against Boston on Sunday in Game 1, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.
Dahlin concluded the 2025-26 regular season with 19 goals, 74 points, 194 shots on net, 79 blocked shots and 67 hits across 77 games. He will likely log heavy minutes during the playoffs and possesses the scoring talent to be a difference-maker on the scoresheet.
-
Zach Bogosian D | MIN
Wild's Zach Bogosian: Slated to play in Game 1
Bogosian (lower body) is expected to return to the lineup against Dallas on Saturday in Game 1, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
Bogosian sat out the final six games of the regular season due to an injury. However, he should return to the lineup in Minnesota's playoff opener. During the 2025-26 regular season, he provided two goals, six points, 30 shots on net, 37 blocked shots and 47 hits in 41 appearances.