NHL Player News

Letang scored the game-winning goal in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over the Red Wings.

Letang found the back of the net when the Penguins needed him the most, as his slap shot at the 58-second mark of overtime gave the Penguins the win. The veteran defender remains a productive player and is up to 20 points (three goals, 17 helpers) while adding 48 hits and 48 blocked shots, as well as a plus-1 rating, in 39 games this season.

Hutson scored an empty-net goal on two shots, dished an assist, added two PIM and went plus-3 in Thursday's 7-5 win over the Hurricanes.

Hutson has multiple points in four of his last seven games, earning a total of one goal and 11 assists in that span. The goal was his first since Dec. 7 versus the Blues. Hutson is up to 40 points in as many contests this season (six goals, 34 helpers), and he's added 68 shots on net, 60 blocked shots and a plus-12 rating over 40 appearances. His power-play production has been a little down, but he's avoided the sophomore slump by elevating his even-strength performance.

Nikishin scored a goal and added an assist, both on the power play, in Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Canadiens.

Nikishin's performance Thursday was his first multi-point effort at the NHL level. The 24-year-old blueliner has been a little streaky in his rookie year, but he has three points over his last three contests and could be warming up again. Nikishin is at five goals, 16 points, 64 shots on net, 77 hits, 50 blocked shots and a plus-11 rating across 39 appearances. He's not quite a fantasy star yet, but he has the all-around skill set that should help him get there within a couple of years.

Gudas (illness) will be back in the lineup Friday versus Minnesota, Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports.

Gudas missed a pair of games with the illness. He has one goal, seven assists, 94 hits and 49 blocked shots across 27 outings this season. Drew Helleson is slated to be the odd-man out of the lineup with the return of Gudas.

Kesselring (lower body) is questionable for Saturday's clash in Columbus, according to Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News.

Kesselring was not at practice Friday. Head coach Lindy Ruff said after practice that Kesselring will be re-evaluated Saturday after seeing how he is feeling. Kesselring has 22 blocked shots, 14 hits and nary a point in 16 appearances with the Sabres this season. Jacob Bryson could enter the lineup if Kesselring is unable to play.

D'Astous agreed to terms on a one-year, $875,000 contract extension with Tampa Bay on Friday.

D'Astous has gone 10 games without finding the back of the net, registering four assists, 12 shots and 13 hits along the way. Still, it's been a strong rookie campaign for the 27-year-old blueliner, generating three goals and 10 helpers, including two with the man advantage, in his 33 contests this year.

Smith (lower leg) was placed on injured reserve Friday, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Smith was injured Monday in Ottawa. The defenseman has two assists in 15 games this season. Zach Werenski (lower body) is slated to be taken off injured reserve ahead of Saturday's game against Buffalo and will re-enter the lineup.

Werenski (lower body) is expecting to play against the Sabres on Saturday, barring any setbacks, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Werenski has been on the shelf for the Jackets' last four games due to his lower-body injury. Prior to his absence, the 28-year-old blueliner was riding a five-game point streak during which he had four multi-point performances. In order to suit up in Saturday's matchup, Werenski will need to first be activated off injured reserve.

Warren was reassigned to AHL Bridgeport on Friday.

Warren has made eight appearances for the Islanders this year, registering three assists, seven shots and seven hits while logging 11:29 of ice time per game. The team may bring the blueliner back up before Saturday's clash with the Maple Leafs, but his demotion likely means that Adam Boqvist will return to the lineup for the first time since Dec. 19 versus the Canucks.

Raddysh notched two assists, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Kings.

Raddysh earned his third multi-point effort in the last five games. He had a hand in Brayden Point's second-period tally as well as Nikita Kucherov's empty-netter in the third. Raddysh is now at 31 points, 78 shots on net, 32 hits, 31 blocked shots, 19 PIM and a plus-10 rating over 34 appearances this season. The defenseman is six points back of matching his career-best total from 73 regular-season contests in 2024-25.