NHL Player News

Sanderson (rest) will remain out Wednesday versus Toronto, per Luke Fox of Sportsnet.

Sanderson is getting his second straight game off ahead of the playoffs. He will finish the 2025-26 regular season with 14 goals and 54 points in 67 appearances. Sanderson will resume his role as a key defender during Ottawa's first-round playoff series against Carolina.

Forsling (undisclosed) will miss Florida's season finale against Detroit on Wednesday, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

Forsling had been playing through the injury, and head coach Paul Maurice felt "he's given enough," so the 29-year-old will get the game off. Mikulas Hovorka will draw into the lineup as a result. Forsling will finish 2025-26 with two goals, 28 points, 51 PIM, 52 hits and 98 blocks in 80 outings.

Vilen was assigned to AHL Utica on Wednesday.

Vilen played in the Devils' final two games of the 2025-26 regular season, making his NHL debut against Ottawa on Sunday. He didn't record a point but logged a blocked shot while averaging 15:28 of ice time. He has four goals and 24 points in 59 AHL appearances this campaign.

Crozier (abdomen) will be activated off long-term injured reserve and play Wednesday versus the Rangers, per Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site.

Crozier hasn't been in the lineup since Feb. 1 after having surgery to repair a core muscle injury, so this will allow him to get back up to speed before the playoffs. The 25-year-old defenseman has a goal, 10 points, 40 PIM, 38 hits and 31 blocks in 34 outings in 2025-26. Crozier will likely serve on the Lightning's third pairing.

Nystrom was reassigned to AHL Chicago on Wednesday.

Nystrom suited up in 38 regular-season games for the Hurricanes in 2025-26, recording one goal, nine assists and 10 hits while averaging 15:11 of ice time. With Nystrom heading back to the minors, Carolina should be at full strength heading into Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Legault was assigned to AHL Chicago on Wednesday.

Legault averaged 16:20 of ice time across four appearances with the Hurricanes down the stretch. He didn't post a point while collecting five PIM, four hits and four blocked shots. He'll head back to the minors now that the Hurricanes' regular season has concluded, and he should see some playing time for the Wolves before competing in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Seeley was reassigned to AHL Chicago on Wednesday.

Seeley made his NHL debut Tuesday. He didn't record a point or a shot, but he was credited with two blocks across 15:12 of ice time in a 2-1 win over the Islanders. The 23-year-old defenseman has 10 goals and 22 points in 67 AHL appearances with Chicago this campaign. He'll reunite with the Wolves as they gear up for the Calder Cup Playoffs.

McDonald notched an assist, four PIM, five hits and a plus-3 rating in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Canadiens.

McDonald made his NHL debut Tuesday and looked good, making an impact in multiple areas during his 15:11 of ice time. The 23-year-old defenseman figures to head back to AHL Lehigh Valley as the minor-league team makes a late push for a playoff spot. If that falls short, he'll likely be among the Flyers' Black Aces during their NHL playoff run.

Lohrei notched an assist and went plus-4 in Tuesday's 4-0 win over the Devils.

Lohrei ended a seven-game point drought. He was able to play in the last five contests of the regular season after a four-game absence due to an upper-body injury. Lohrei finished the regular season with 26 points, 72 shots on net, 93 blocked shots, 30 hits, 20 PIM and a plus-17 rating over 73 appearances while mainly playing in a bottom-four role.

Doughty notched an assist, two shots on goal, two hits and two blocked shots in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Canucks.

Doughty ended a six-game point drought with the helper. He's gone 14 contests without a goal, earning five assists, a plus-5 rating, 23 shots, 18 hits and 13 blocked shots in that span. For the season, the veteran defenseman has struggled to the tune of 23 points, 100 shots, 75 blocks, 49 hits, 38 PIM and a plus-4 rating over 71 appearances.