NHL Player News
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Emil Martinsen Lilleberg D | TB
Lightning's Emil Lilleberg: Designated for IR
Lilleberg (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve Monday, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Lilleberg will have to miss the Lightning's next three games at least, though it could be longer, considering the team hasn't provided any details regarding the severity or nature of his undisclosed injury. With the 24-year-old blueliner on the shelf, Steve Santini was called up from the minors and should suit up on the third pairing against the Panthers on Monday.
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Ethan del Mastro D | CHI
Blackhawks' Ethan Del Mastro: Promoted from minors
Del Mastro was called up from AHL Rockford on Monday.
Del Mastro has appeared in one NHL game this season in which he logged 17:35 of ice time while recording six hits, two blocked shots and one shot on goal. Even with his promotion from the minors, Del Mastro is far from a lock to suit up versus the Maple Leafs on Tuesday and is more likely to serve as an emergency depth option for the club's three-game road trip.
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Zeev Buium D | VAN
Canucks' Zeev Buium: Two points in team debut
Buium scored a power-play goal, recorded a power-play assist and placed two shots on net in Sunday's 2-1 win over New Jersey.
In the 20-year-old blueliner's debut with the Canucks, he recorded a power-play assist 1:01 into the contest. At 6:48 of the first period, he lit the lamp with a man advantage to double the lead for his new team. Between Minnesota and Vancouver, Buium is up to four goals, 12 assists, 33 shots on goal and 16 blocks through 32 games this season. His rookie campaign has seen its ups and downs, but it's an encouraging sign that his confidence hasn't wavered after being traded for Quinn Hughes on Friday. After Sunday's performance, Buium is likely set to take over Vancouver's quarterback role on the top power-play unit moving forward, giving him a shot to join this season's race for the Calder Trophy.
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Steven Santini D | TB
Lightning's Steve Santini: Summoned from AHL
Santini was recalled from AHL Syracuse on Monday.
Santini has one assist, three shots on goal, five blocked shots and five hits in seven NHL appearances this season. If Emil Lilleberg (undisclosed) can't play against Florida, Santini could enter Monday's lineup.
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Jayden Struble D | MON
Canadiens' Jayden Struble: Snaps slump with helper
Struble logged an assist in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Oilers.
Struble had gone 11 games without a point, and he missed one contest due to an upper-body injury and another as a healthy scratch in that span. The 24-year-old defenseman is firmly in a third-pairing role when he plays, though he looks to have a little more security than either of Arber Xhekaj or Adam Engstrom at this time. Struble is at five helpers, 11 shots on net, 46 hits, 15 blocked shots, 34 PIM and a minus-7 rating through 26 appearances.
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Lane Hutson D | MON
Canadiens' Lane Hutson: Two more assists in Sunday's win
Hutson logged two power-play assists in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Oilers.
Hutson has posted three straight two-assist performances. The 21-year-old defenseman had just four multi-point efforts in his first 29 games of the year, so this is a notable uptick in production. Overall, he's earned 28 points (five goals, 23 assists) with 54 shots on net, 49 blocked shots and a plus-1 rating over 32 appearances. Just nine of his points have come on the power play, so Hutson could still find another level on offense.
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Andrew Peeke D | BOS
Bruins' Andrew Peeke: Scores late in loss
Peeke scored a goal on two shots in Sunday's 6-2 loss to the Wild.
Peeke's goal came in the final second of the contest. He has three points over his last four outings, though the 27-year-old is unlikely to sustain his recent success for the long haul. Overall, the defenseman has two goals, seven points, 39 shots on net, 44 hits, 69 blocked shots and a minus-7 rating through 33 games this season.
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Daemon Hunt D | MIN
Wild's Daemon Hunt: Gathers assist in win
Hunt logged an assist and went plus-2 in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Bruins.
Hunt continues to play in a third-pairing role. He's suited up in four straight games due to the absences of Jake Middleton (upper body) and Jonas Brodin (upper body), and with David Jiricek (lower body) joining the injured ranks Sunday, Hunt may get a longer look in the lineup. Hunt has little fantasy upside, as he has just two assists with 10 hits, 17 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating over 11 appearances this season.
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Brock Faber D | MIN
Wild's Brock Faber: Earns two power-play assists in win
Faber logged two power-play assists, three shots on goal and three blocked shots in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Bruins.
Faber was still able to make an impact with the man advantage despite Quinn Hughes making his Minnesota debut Sunday. The 23-year-old Faber will likely be limited to the second power-play unit moving forward, though he could pair with Hughes at even strength. Sunday's effort ended an eight-game slump for Faber, who has racked up 17 points, 73 shots on net, 69 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating through 33 outings overall.
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Jared Spurgeon D | MIN
Wild's Jared Spurgeon: Tallies on power play
Spurgeon scored a power-play goal in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Bruins.
Spurgeon has a goal and three assists during his four-game point streak. While his tally came with the man advantage Sunday, Spurgeon may struggle to get power-play minutes now that Quinn Hughes is on the team. Spurgeon could continue to work on the second unit, but the Wild may want to save him for more defensive assignments. The 36-year-old blueliner has two goals, eight points, 35 shots on net, 45 hits, 61 blocked shots and a minus-3 rating over 33 appearances this season.