NHL Player News

Pionk registered two assists, two blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Wild.

Pionk has earned three helpers this season, all coming in the last three games. The 31-year-old defenseman also has nine shots on net, 10 hits, 11 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating over six appearances. Pionk was limited to a career-worst 12 points in 51 outings on a bad Jets team last year, but he battled injuries. With Winnipeg looking stronger to start 2026-27, Pionk is poised for a bounce-back campaign, which should put him on the radar as a well-rounded depth defenseman in fantasy.

Kessel notched an assist in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Canucks.

This was Kessel's team debut, and he was able to set up Kyle Palmieri's goal in the first period. The 26-year-old Kessel could see a larger role than initially expected after Alexander Romanov (knee) was given a timeline of 6-8 months to return from ACL surgery. Kessel is largely untested -- he's never played more than 39 NHL games in a season, and he's never picked up more than seven points, but he can handle a third-pairing assignment.

Mateychuk scored a goal on three shots in Tuesday's 7-3 loss to the Panthers.

Mateychuk has a goal, an assist, 11 shots on net and eight blocked shots over five outings this season. The 22-year-old has maintained a top-four role so far, though the return of Damon Severson from shoulder surgery has bumped Mateychuk to the second pairing and out of the power-play mix for now. Mateychuk has enough upside to be considered in deeper fantasy formats as a depth blueliner.

Heinola was assigned to AHL Henderson on Wednesday.

Heinola was called up by the Golden Knights over the weekend, but he didn't appear in any games during his time with the NHL club. Across three regular-season appearances in the AHL this year, he's recorded a goal and four PIM, and he should have more consistent opportunities for playing time in the minors.

Johansson posted an assist and two blocked shots in Tuesday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Devils.

Johansson's helper on an Emmitt Finnie goal was the former's first career NHL point. Over six outings this season, Johansson has four shots on net, six hits and eight blocked shots. The 22-year-old defenseman is seeing time in a bottom-four role and will likely continue to log sheltered minutes, especially when the Red Wings dress seven blueliners.

Chiarot notched an assist, two hits and four blocked shots in Tuesday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Devils.

This was the first point of the season for Chiarot. The 35-year-old is filling a top-four role as a shutdown defenseman this year. That's likely more ice time than he was expected to get, but Simon Edvinsson (contract dispute) being out of the picture has opened up more minutes. Chiarot has added six shots on net, nine hits, 10 blocked shots and six PIM over six outings this season.

York (upper body) will not join the Flyers on the road against Detroit on Thursday, Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

York will miss his fourth straight game Thursday, though the club hasn't offered any specific details or timeline regarding his upper-body problem. In five games prior to getting hurt, the Anaheim native was unable to get on the scoresheet while generating six shots, 10 blocks and five hits.

Ristolainen (upper body) won't travel with the Flyers ahead of Thursday's game against the Red Wings but is closing in on a return, Charlie O'Connor of PHLY Sports reports.

Ristolainen has been sidelined since early October due to his upper-body injury. He'll be sidelined for a sixth consecutive game Thursday but seems to be closer to day-to-day at this point despite remaining on injured reserve. The Flyers will return home for Saturday's game against the Senators, but it's not yet clear whether Ristolainen will get the green light to suit up in that matchup.

Matheson (lower body) is expected to miss Wednesday's game in Washington, per Marco D'Amico of BPM Sports.

Matheson also missed Tuesday's 4-3 shootout win over Buffalo due to the injury. He has an assist, six PIM, two hits and 10 blocks in five appearances with the Canadiens this season. Matheson is considered day-to-day, so he still might return to the lineup Saturday versus the Sabres. The 32-year-old should regain his top-four spot once he's healthy.

Nikishin (contract dispute) is on the Hurricanes' injured, non-roster list, per the NHL media site Wednesday.

Nikishin hasn't signed a new contract as a restricted free agent and has officially requested a trade, though nothing has materialized as of yet. Even if the young defenseman were on the roster, he may not be playing on a nightly basis, with Mike Reilly potentially ahead of him on the depth chart.