NHL Player News

Huang logged four assists in QMJHL Chicoutimi's 9-1 win over Rimouski on Wednesday.

Huang has been doing plenty of playmaking from the blue line this year. His performance Wednesday gave him 30 assists on the year, just two shy of matching his total from the 2024-25 regular season. He's at 32 points this season, with 12 of his helpers coming in his last seven outings.

Pesce (upper body) has been activated from long-term injured reserve ahead of Wednesday's clash with Vegas, per the NHL media site.

As expected, Pesce's activation will clear the way for him to play against the Golden Knights. The veteran blueliner is poised to link up with Luke Hughes on the Devils' second pairing, while Dennis Cholowski will head to the press box as a healthy scratch. Pesce has contributed three assists, eight shots on goal, 24 blocked shots and four hits in nine appearances this season.

Montour (undisclosed) is not expected to be available versus the Flames on Thursday, per Emerald City Hockey.

Montour has struggled to put pucks on net of late, generating just three shots in his last three outings. Despite the recent slump, the 31-year-old Ontario native continues to see minutes with the man advantage, averaging 2:02 of power-play ice time in 27 games this year. He has six goals, 16 points, 68 shots on net, 35 blocked shots and 34 hits through 27 appearances this campaign.

Lauzon (undisclosed) will be available for Wednesday's game against the Devils.

Lauzon spent the past month on injured reserve due to an unspecified injury, but he will return from a 14-game absence against New Jersey. In 17 appearances this season, he has recorded four assists, 57 hits, 28 PIM and 26 blocked shots while averaging 15:54 of ice time. His clearance to play is timely, as Shea Theodore (upper body) won't be in the lineup for Wednesday's matchup.

Theodore (upper body) is expected to miss Wednesday's game against New Jersey, per Jesse Granger of The Athletic.

Theodore is considered day-to-day, so he still might be an option for Saturday's tilt in Calgary. He has four goals and 20 points through 31 appearances in 2025-26. Jeremy Lauzon (undisclosed) will replace Theodore in Wednesday's lineup.

Bouchard scored a goal and added an assist, both on the power play, in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Penguins.

Bouchard has two goals and eight assists over eight games in December, with five of those 10 points coming on the power play. The 26-year-old's point production has been solid since late October after an ice-cold start to the campaign. He's now at six goals, 32 points (11 on the power play), 86 shots on net, 44 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating through 34 appearances. With the Oilers making their annual December turnaround, Bouchard should be a top-tier defenseman for the remainder of the fantasy campaign.

Zadorov posted an assist, four hits, five blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Mammoth.

Zadorov has been chipping in regularly in December, earning four assists over his first seven games of the month. He's added 10 hits, 19 blocks, 18 PIM and a plus-10 rating in that span. The Bruins are missing four blueliners to injuries, but most of them would fill depth roles rather than challenging Zadorov for a top-four spot. On the year, Zadorov has 12 points, 40 shots on net, 95 hits, 55 blocked shots, 66 PIM and a plus-12 rating, putting him on a career-best scoring pace with ample contributions everywhere except the power play.

Kesselring (lower body) is expected to be activated off injured reserve and play Thursday versus Philadelphia, per Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550.

Kesselring hasn't been in the lineup since Nov. 15 due to the injury. He has no points, two PIM, seven hits and nine blocks in nine appearances this season. Kesselring is projected to serve on the third pairing in his return. Jacob Bryson might be a healthy scratch as a result.

Karlsson recorded a power-play goal and an even-strength assist in Tuesday's 6-4 loss to the Oilers.

Karlsson not only posted his first multi-point performance since Dec. 9, but he also extended his prolific point streak to five contests. The 35-year-old defenseman has 25 points in 32 games this season, tallying three goals and 22 assists. He ranks among the top 10 in points among blueliners this campaign.

Chabot (upper body) remains on injured reserve and won't play in Thursday's game against Pittsburgh, per Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia.

Chabot hasn't played since Nov. 22, but he has resumed skating and could be nearing a return. However, it's unclear if he will be an option Saturday versus Chicago or Sunday in Boston. Nikolas Matinpalo might lose his spot in the lineup once Chabot is ready.