NHL Player News

Heiskanen recorded a shorthanded goal and a power-play assist in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Wild.

Heiskanen has found the back of the net in four of his last five outings, and he's on a five-game point streak with four goals and three assists over that span. The star blueliner remains one of the most productive defensemen in the NHL, and he plays a key role in Dallas' scheme both in even-strength and power-play situations.

Mayfield logged an assist, two shots on goal and three blocked shots in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Ducks.

Mayfield had gone 22 games without a point, and he also was away from the team for two contests to attend to a personal matter. The 33-year-old defenseman has been a fixture on the third pairing this season, but the Islanders' reliance on their top four has led to little production for him. Mayfield is at four assists, 31 shots on net, 22 hits, 43 blocked shots, 51 PIM and a plus-1 rating over 30 appearances.

Werenski logged two assists, two shots on goal, two blocked shots and a minus-2 rating in Thursday's 6-3 loss to the Senators.

Werenski had gone two games without a point prior to Thursday, which is a rarity for the star defenseman. He's posted eight helpers over six outings in December. Overall, he has 32 points, 114 shots on net, 46 blocked shots and a plus-5 rating over 31 appearances and is a virtual lock to be in fantasy lineups.

Fabbro scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 6-3 loss to the Senators.

Fabbro ended a 15-game point drought with the tally. He's had a hard time carving out offense from a third-pairing role this season. Fabbro is at five points, 32 shots on net, 59 blocked shots, 20 hits and a minus-9 rating through 31 appearances. Unless he gets back into the top four, he probably won't do enough to help in fantasy.

Zub posted an assist, two shots on goal and a plus-3 rating in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Blue Jackets.

This was Zub's first point in three games since he missed a contest due to a lower-body injury. The defenseman has reclaimed his top-four role and should continue to function as a shutdown blueliner. He has 12 points, 33 shots, 35 hits, 45 blocks, 16 PIM and a plus-7 rating through 29 appearances this season, putting him one point shy of matching his output from 2024-25.

Parekh (upper body) was activated from injured reserve Friday and loaned to Team Canada for the 2026 World Junior Championship.

Parekh could return to the Flames after the tournament, or Calgary could decide to return him to OHL Saginaw. Parekh had one assist in 11 games before he was hurt.

Mukhamadullin is considered a game-time decision for Saturday's matchup against Pittsburgh due to an upper-body injury, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

Mukhamadullin returned from a four-game absence Thursday against Toronto and was on the ice for Friday's practice session, but it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to suit up a day later. If the 23-year-old is sidelined, Nick Leddy and Vincent Iorio are candidates to enter the lineup.

Maatta (upper body) will return to action versus Seattle on Friday, Cole Bagley of KSL Sports reports.

Maatta has played in just one of the Mammoth's last 17 contests, registering a mere 12:06 of ice time in that clash with the Sharks. Overall, the veteran blueliner has generated a lone point in his 16 outings this year, so his return to the lineup is unlikely to impact the majority of fantasy managers.

Per Dylan Loucks of The Hockey News, Brodin (undisclosed) could miss games against Ottawa and Boston this weekend, according to head coach John Hynes on Friday.

The Wild recalled David Jiricek from AHL Iowa in anticipation that Brodin may not be available this weekend. Brodin has three goals, six assists and 66 blocked shots across 30 contests in 2025-26.

Rifai (wrist) could make his season debut Saturday against the Oilers, Lance Hornby of The Toronto Sun reports Friday.

Rifai is currently on long-term injured reserve, as he underwent wrist surgery during training camp. The 27-year-old blueliner played a pair of games with the Maple Leafs during the 2023-24 campaign, but he has otherwise been a career minor leaguer. The Maple Leafs are really hurting on the blue line, and they may be forced to use Rifai if Oliver Ekman-Larsson (lower body) is unable to play Saturday.