NHL Player News

Chychrun scored the game-winning goal, fired five shots on net and blocked two shots in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over the Devils.

Chychrun scored at 4:06 of overtime to take the win in a big Metropolitan Division showdown. The 27-year-old defenseman had gone three games without a point prior to Saturday. He's up to 15 goals, 29 points, 131 shots on net, 46 blocked shots, 35 hits, 33 PIM and a plus-22 rating through 38 appearances. His 11.5 shooting percentage is only marginally higher than his previous career high of 11.2 percent from last year, but a significant increase in shot volume has fueled his remarkable pace in 2025-26.

Vaakanainen was scratched for the 10th time in 13 games in December when he sat out Saturday's 2-0 loss to the Islanders.

Vaakanainen has been unable to claim a larger role in the absence of Adam Fox (upper body). Through 19 outings, Vaakanainen has three helpers, 12 shots on net, 13 blocked shots, six hits, 10 PIM and a minus-1 rating. He may stay on the NHL roster over Scott Morrow once Fox returns, but that's only because Morrow is waivers-exempt. Vaakanainen is likely to remain in a part-time role unless more injuries take a toll on the Rangers' blue line.

Groshev has been recalled from AHL Syracuse by the Lightning, the team announced Sunday.

The Lightning defensemen injury list is extensive: Ryan McDonagh (undisclosed), Victor Hedman (elbow), Emil Lilleberg (undisclosed) and Erik Cernak (hand). That left the roster at just five healthy defensemen, necessitating the call-up of Groshev. Should the 24-year-old, who is leading AHL Syracuse in blue-line scoring with 12 points, play Sunday, it will be his NHL debut.

Dunn (upper body) will probably return to the lineup against Philadelphia on Sunday, but he is trending toward being a game-time decision, Alison Lukan of the Kraken Hockey Network reports.

Dunn sat out Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Kings, but it seems like that will be the extent of his absence after he was a full participant in Saturday's practice. He has accounted for five goals, 19 points, 81 shots on net and 38 blocked shots in 34 appearances this season.

Santini was loaned to AHL Syracuse on Sunday, per the NHL media site.

Santini has one assist, six blocked shots and seven hits in nine NHL appearances this season. He has supplied five helpers in 18 AHL outings during the 2025-26 campaign.

Johnson has been loaned back to AHL Rochester by the Sabres, the team announced Sunday.

Johnson came up just to serve as insurance due to Rasmus Dahlin being out of the lineup. With Dahlin likely back in time for Monday's game in St. Louis, Johnson has been sent back down to AHL Rochester. The 24-year-old has 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 25 games in the AHL.

Jiricek has been reassigned to AHL Iowa by the Wild, the team announced Sunday.

Jiricek has bounced back-and-forth between Iowa and Minnesota all season long, and that will continue with his latest demotion. With the Wild's preferred top six defensemen healthy and Matt Kiersted serving as the seventh defenseman, the Wild likely want to see the 22-year-old Jiricek play rather than be a healthy scratch. Jiricek has no points in 18 games in the NHL this season.

McDonagh (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve Sunday, per the NHL media site.

McDonagh missed Saturday's 4-2 win over Florida and won't play against Montreal on Sunday. It's unclear when he will be ready to return to the lineup. The 36-year-old defenseman has four goals, eight points, 17 shots on net, 29 blocked shots and nine hits through 18 appearances this season.

Sanheim will be available to play against Seattle on Sunday after being pulled from Tuesday's 3-1 win over Chicago by a concussion spotter, Jackie Spiegel of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Sanheim was a full participant in Saturday's practice, and it seems as though he was probably fine after Tuesday's game. In any event, he won't miss additional time due to the issue. Sanheim has generated three goals, 16 points, 47 shots on net, 65 blocked shots and 23 hits across 36 appearances this season.

Hague dished out two assists in Saturday's 3-2 loss to St. Louis.

Hague picked up an assist on each of the Predators' two goals Saturday, including the lone assist on Tyson Jost's tally. With the pair of helpers, Hague is up to eight assists, nine points, 25 hits and 24 blocks through 29 appearances this season. Saturday's outing was his third multi-point game this season, which could ultimately lead to the first 20-point season of his career. However, his lack of shot attempts and consistent offense leaves stronger options likely available on the fantasy waiver wire.