NHL Player News

Bear scored a goal and added two assists in AHL Bridgeport's 6-3 win over Hershey on Sunday.

Bear hadn't scored a goal since Jan. 31. The defenseman had seven assists over 19 outings in that span. For the season, he's put together a middling campaign with 19 points across 29 appearances with Bridgeport after losing the first half of the season to an undisclosed injury.

Hedman (illness) isn't available for Sunday's road contest versus the Flames, according to the NHL media site.

Hedman will miss his second straight game after being unable to finish Thursday's matchup in Vancouver. Emil Lilleberg will remain in the lineup due to Hedman's absence. The Lightning's next game is at home against the Wild on Tuesday, but it's currently unclear if the 35-year-old Hedman will be an option for that cross-conference meeting.

Grzelcyk (upper body) will not be available for the Blackhawks' upcoming four-game road trip, and his status beyond that has yet to be determined, according to Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times on Sunday.

Grzelcyk sustained his upper-body injury during the first period of Sunday's 3-2 overtime loss to Nashville. The 32-year-old blueliner has played in all but one of the Blackhawks' games this season, but he'll now miss at least the next four, with the potential for a longer absence. Ethan Del Mastro will most likely get back into the lineup Tuesday against the Islanders.

Pulock (lower body) won't play Sunday against the Blue Jackets, the Islanders announced.

Pulock's absence Sunday will be just his fourth of the season. The 31-year-old has had another solid campaign, notching 25 points (three goals, 22 assists) and a plus-14 rating in 67 games. It remains to be seen how long he'll be out for. Adam Boqvist is expected to draw into the lineup in Pulock's place, at least for Sunday.

Gilbert (upper body) left Saturday's game against Toronto and didn't return, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports.

Gilbert had two blocked shots, two PIM and a plus-1 rating across 11:17 of ice time in Saturday's contest. He has appeared in six NHL outings this season while earning one assist. Gilbert is poised to be out for a while, according to Garrioch, so Lassi Thomson will probably play against the Rangers on Monday.

Grzelcyk (upper body) left Sunday's game against the Predators in the first period and won't return, the team announced.

Grzelcyk got caught up high in a scrum after the whistle in the opening period and has been ruled out for the rest of the game. The 32-year-old has no goals and 12 assists in 68 games in his first season in a Blackhawks sweater. It remains to be seen if he will be forced to miss any more time. Chicago is next in action Tuesday on the road against the Islanders.

Gostisbehere (lower body) will not play Sunday against the Penguins, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

Gostisbehere has already missed the last seven games with injury and that number will grow by at least one more before he makes his return. The 32-year-old has had a magnificent season so far, registering 43 points (11 goals, 32 assists) in 45 games played. His next chance to return will be Tuesday against the Canadiens.

Wilsby (lower body) will make his return to the lineup Sunday against the Blackhawks, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.

Wilsby was skating on the third pair with Ryan Ufko in warmups, putting the former in position to suit up for the first time since Feb 28. The 25-year-old Wilsby has missed Nashville's last 10 games. He has 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) in 45 games on the year.

Crevier (undisclosed) will return to the lineup against Nashville on Sunday, according to Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.

After sitting out Friday's 4-1 loss to Colorado, Crevier is available to return to action. He has registered five goals, 17 points, 96 shots on net, 73 blocked shots and 107 hits across 65 appearances this season.

Spurgeon logged an assist, two shots on goal and three hits in Saturday's 2-1 overtime win over the Stars.

Spurgeon hasn't scored since the Olympic break, earning two assists, 14 shots on net, 18 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating over his last 13 appearances. The 36-year-old defenseman has been able to focus a bit more on the defensive side of play since the Wild have Quinn Hughes and Brock Faber powering the offense from the blue line. Spurgeon is at 19 points, 83 shots on net, 126 blocked shots, 79 hits and a plus-2 rating over 71 appearances this season.