NHL Player News
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Nikita Zadorov D | BOS
Bruins' Nikita Zadorov: Status in question for Monday
Zadorov sustained an ankle injury during Saturday's 4-3 win over the Canadiens, and his status for Monday's road game against the Rangers has yet to be determined, Kevin Paul Dupont of The Boston Globe reports.
Zadorov was unable to practice Sunday due to his ankle injury. The left-shot blueliner can be considered questionable for Monday's matchup in Manhattan. If Zadorov is unable to suit up against the Rangers, Henri Jokiharju will draw back into the lineup.
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Tom Willander D | VAN
Canucks' Tom Willander: Won't play Sunday
Willander won't play in Sunday's game against the Penguins due to an illness, Adam Kierszenblat of The Hockey News reports.
Willander missed Saturday's practice session due to his illness, and he'll be a late scratch a day later. Pierre-Olivier Joseph will draw in for the Canucks against Pittsburgh, while Willander's next chance to suit up will be Tuesday against the Sharks.
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Adam Jiricek D | STL
Blues' Adam Jiricek: Trio of assists in Bulldogs' win
Jiricek logged three assists in OHL Brantford's 7-1 win over Barrie on Sunday.
Jiricek has earned six helpers over his last six games. Overall, he's produced 13 goals and 39 points in 34 appearances for the Bulldogs. Jiricek's offense has taken a massive step forward, which is great news for the Blues, who may have a better prospect on their hands than initially expected when they selected him 16th overall in 2024.
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Jack Ahcan D | COL
Avalanche's Jack Ahcan: Sent back to AHL
Ahcan has been reassigned to AHL Colorado by the Avalanche, the team announced Sunday.
Ahcan has been sent back down to the AHL in the immediate aftermath of him playing 10:46 in Colorado's 4-1 win over Toronto on Sunday afternoon. The 28-year-old will head back down to the AHL with two assists in his nine NHL appearances so far this year.
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Charle-Edward D'Astous D | TB
Lightning's Charle-Edouard D'Astous: Hits injured reserve
D'Astous (lower body) was placed on injured reserve by the Lightning on Sunday, Lightning beat writer Diandra Loux reports.
D'Astous left Saturday's loss to the Blue Jackets in the third period and didn't return. He was one of three Lightning players that didn't finish the game. The 27-year-old will head to injured reserve, meaning he'll have to miss at least the next four games. He has 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) in 43 games on the season. Maxim Groshev has been recalled from the AHL and will likely draw into the lineup as a result.
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Maxim Groshev D | TB
Lightning's Maxim Groshev: Summoned from minors
Groshev has been recalled by the Lightning from AHL Syracuse, the team announced Sunday.
Groshev has come up due to Lightning defensemen Charle-Edouard D'Astous (undisclosed) and Erik Cernak (upper boddy) being day-to-day. The 24-year-old Groshev has one goal and 12 assists in 35 games with AHL Syracuse. If he were to suit up in an NHL game, it would be his second of the season and his career.
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Kris Letang D | PIT
Penguins' Kris Letang: Ready to return
Letang (upper body) is expected to return to the lineup against Vancouver on Sunday, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.
Following a two-game absence, Letang will probably return to the second pairing and second power-play unit against the Canucks on Sunday. He has produced three goals, 25 points, 77 shots on net, 60 blocked shots and 65 hits across 48 appearances this season.
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Ilya Lyubushkin D | DAL
Stars' Ilya Lyubushkin: Doubtful for Tuesday
Lyubushkin (lower body) is doubtful to play against St. Louis on Tuesday, according to Robert Tiffin of D Magazine.
Lyubushkin didn't participate in Sunday's practice and will likely miss at least one game. He is poised to accompany the Stars on the team's three-game road trip, but it's unclear if he'll return to the lineup before the trip ends against Utah on Saturday. Lyubushkin has one goal, six assists, 24 shots on net, 67 blocked shots and 54 hits in 39 appearances this season.
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Declan Carlile D | TB
Lightning's Declan Carlile: Could see role increase
Carlile's point drought extended to 13 games in Saturday's 8-5 loss to the Blue Jackets.
Carlile has just two helpers over 20 appearances during his current stint in the NHL. Despite the lack of offense, he may be pressed into a larger role as the Lightning deal with a potential availability crisis on the blue line. Max Crozier (illness) was out Saturday, while Charle-Edouard D'Astous (undisclosed) and Erik Cernak (upper body) left the contest with injuries. The Lightning are also missing Victor Hedman (elbow), Emil Lilleberg (undisclosed) and Ryan McDonagh (lower body) at this time, and it's unclear who will fill out the blue line for Monday's game versus the Mammoth. Carlile has three points over 29 outings but may end up getting top-four minutes if none of the injured defensemen are available.
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Zach Werenski D | CLB
Blue Jackets' Zach Werenski: Earns share of blue-line point lead
Werenski notched two assists and three shots on goal in Saturday's 8-5 win over the Lightning.
Werenski is now tied with Cale Makar and Evan Bouchard atop the points list for defensemen -- all have 55, though Werenski has done it in fewer games than the other two. This was his fourth multi-point effort in January. For the season, the 28-year-old is at 19 goals, 36 helpers, 170 shots on net, 61 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating. Injuries are the only thing that have slowed down Werenski over recent years, and he's managed to limit his absences to four games in 2025-26, setting him up to match his 82-point effort from last season.