NHL Player News

Willander notched an assist in Monday's 5-4 overtime win over the Predators.

The helper was Willander's first point in four career NHL games. The 20-year-old defenseman was expected to spend most of 2025-26 in the AHL, but the Canucks have sustained a number of injuries on the blue line, pressing him into service at the NHL level sooner than expected. He's added four shots on net, two blocked shots, one hit and a plus-1 rating so far. Willander will probably head back to AHL Abbotsford once Victor Mancini (upper body) and/or Derek Forbort (undisclosed) get cleared to return from injured reserve.

Karlsson scored a goal on three shots in Monday's 4-3 loss to the Maple Leafs.

The goal at 13:08 of the first period was Karlsson's first of the season. The 35-year-old defenseman is up to 11 points, 26 shots on net, 15 blocked shots and a plus-7 rating through 14 appearances. He's benefited from the Penguins' strong start to the season, and he should provide steady offense while occupying a top-four role and a spot on the first power-play unit.

Regula (undisclosed) was activated from injured reserve Tuesday.

Following a 12-game absence, Regula will be available for Tuesday's matchup against Dallas. However, it's unclear if he will return to the lineup. He hasn't earned a point in two appearances this season while posting three shots on goal and two blocked shots.

Kuznetsov was recalled from AHL Calgary on Tuesday.

Kuznetsov has two goals in 10 minor-league appearances this season. He will be an option for Wednesday's game against Columbus, but it's unclear if he will be in the lineup.

Gudbranson (hip) will not be in the lineup to face the Flames on Wednesday, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Gudbranson is with the team for its four-game road trip, which is certainly a step in the right direction for the defenseman. The Jackets are also at risk of missing Denton Mateychuk (undisclosed) against Calgary, which means Dysin Mayo could be in line to make his season debut. Once given the all-clear, the veteran Gudbranson should slot into the third pairing, where he'll feature as more of a shutdown defender than an offensive dynamo.

Mateychuk (undisclosed) didn't practice Tuesday and is questionable to face the Flames on Wednesday, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Mateychuk scored in Sunday's clash with the Islanders but logged a mere 13:01 of ice time due to his undisclosed injury. With Erik Gudbranson (hip) still on the shelf, the Jackets will have to give Dysin Mayo his season debut if Mateychuk is unable to play.

Vaakanainen (lower body) will not be in the lineup versus the Hurricanes on Tuesday, Colin Stephenson of Newsday reports.

Vaakanainen is still looking for his first goal of the season, managing just one helper in 10 outings. Considering the blueliner has just three tallies in his 197 career regular-season tilts, fantasy managers should probably expect his first goal of the year won't come any time soon. For now, Vaakanainen remains day-to-day and could still be an option versus the Wings on Friday.

Rielly picked up two assists in Monday's 4-3 win over the Penguins.

Both helpers came in the third period as the Leafs rallied from a 3-0 deficit, with Rielly having a hand in the first of two tallies by William Nylander as well as Bobby McMann's game-winner. It was Rielly's first multi-point performance since Oct. 11, but the veteran blueliner has been reliably productive to begin the season, collecting two goals and nine points in 12 games.

Wilsby (lower body) won't suit up for Monday's home game versus the Canucks, according to Alex Daugherty of The Tennessean.

Wilsby will miss his third straight game Monday. The left-shot defenseman was injured against Tampa Bay on Oct. 28, and it's unclear when he'll return to the lineup. Wilsby's next chance to play will come Tuesday in Minnesota.

Ahcan was recalled from AHL Colorado on Monday.

The Avalanche had only six healthy blueliners before promoting Ahcan, so the 28-year-old will likely serve as the teams's seventh defenseman until Samuel Girard (upper body) is back in the lineup. Ahcan has played well with the Eagles so far this season, producing one goal, eight points and a plus-6 rating across seven appearances.