NHL Player News

Alscher recorded two assists, two shots on goal and three blocked shots in Wednesday's 8-1 win over the Red Wings.

Alscher played the last four games of the regular season, earning three assists, six shots on net, four hits, six blocked shots and a plus-4 rating. While injuries opened the door for this audition, the 22-year-old defenseman looks to have some potential to challenge for an NHL job in a year or two. For now, he's likely to head back to AHL Charlotte for the minor-league team's playoff run.

Salomonsson remains in concussion protocol and will not play in Thursday's season finale against San Jose, Ken Wiebe of The Winnipeg Free Press reports.

Salomonsson will miss his seventh straight game after he was injured in Dallas on April 2. Salomonsson had one goal and four assists with 50 hits in 32 regular-season games this season.

Faulk scored a goal on two shots in Wednesday's 8-1 loss to the Panthers.

Faulk had four goals and an assist over the last five games of the regular season. The defenseman reached the 40-point mark this year, the first time in three seasons he's achieved that level of offense. He concludes 2025-26 with 16 goals, 24 assists, 148 shots on net, 130 blocked shots, 70 hits and a minus-8 rating over 78 appearances between the Red Wings and the Blues.

Manson (upper body) will miss Thursday's tilt versus Seattle, Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now reports.

Manson will miss his third straight game Thursday. He ends the regular season with five goals, 26 assists, 91 PIM, 99 blocked shots and 174 hits across 79 appearances. Consider him day-to-day at this time.

Lyubushkin notched an assist, two blocked shots and two PIM in Wednesday's 4-3 shootout win over the Sabres.

Lyubushkin has gotten steady playing time down the stretch in the absence of other defensemen. The blueliner ended his 10-game point drought with a helper on a Mavrik Bourque tally in the first period. Lyubushkin was scratched 11 times during the slump, which suggests he'll be a part-time player at best once Miro Heiskanen (lower body) returns. Lyubushkin ends the regular season with nine points, 33 shots on net, 40 PIM, 68 hits and 90 blocked shots over 53 appearances.

Hughes (illness) will fly with the team for Game 1 in Dallas, according to Michael Russo of The Athletic.

Hughes missed Tuesday's game versus Anaheim, as the Wild chose to rest their outstanding defenseman ahead of the postseason. While Hughes flew with the team, his status for Game 1 is up in the air. The defenseman finished the 2025-26 regular season with seven goals and 69 assists in 74 games split between Vancouver and Minnesota. He quarterbacks the first power play and has two goals and 34 points with the man advantage this season. Consider him day-to-day at this time.

Spurgeon (rest) was part of the second defensive pairing during Thursday's practice session, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports, indicating that he'll be back in action for the start of the playoffs.

After resting in two of the final three games of the regular season, Spurgeon's participation in Thursday's practice signals that he should officially be back in action for the playoffs. Spurgeon logged six goals, 16 assists, 137 blocked shots and 82 hits while averaging 19:36 of ice time across 79 regular-season appearances this year.

Faber (rest) was part of the top defensive pairing during Thursday's practice session, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports, indicating that he'll be available for the start of the playoffs.

Faber sat out Minnesota's final two regular-season games for rest purposes, but he was fully expected to be back in action for the start of postseason play. Faber appeared in 80 regular-season games this year, racking up 15 goals, 36 assists, 148 blocked shots, 39 PIM and 33 hits while averaging 24:41 of ice time.

York (rest) practiced with the team ahead of Saturday's Game 1 clash with the Penguins, Charlie O'Connor of PHLY Sports reports.

York was given the night off versus the Canadiens on Tuesday in order to rest up for the playoffs. Considering the defenseman is stuck in a 32-game goal drought, during which he produced six helpers, his return to the lineup is unlikely to significantly impact postseason fantasy pools. Still, York gives the Flyers another shutdown option on the blue line.

Sanheim (rest) will return to the lineup in Game 1 of the playoffs this weekend, Charlie O'Connor of PHLY Sports reports.

Sanheim was given the night off Tuesday when the Flyers faced Montreal in the final game of the regular season. Sanheim had 11 goals, 26 assists and 152 blocked shots over 81 regular-season games in 2025-26.