NHL Player News

Cholowski registered an assist, two blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Kings.

Cholowski made his season debut Saturday, stepping into the lineup for Seamus Casey, who was a healthy scratch. The 27-year-old Cholowski had 10 points over 39 appearances between the Devils and the Islanders in 2024-25, so there's a little scoring potential for him. The veteran blueliner is on a one-way contract in 2025-26 -- there's no benefit for the Devils to stash him at AHL Utica, but he's best positioned to serve as a rotational option on the third pairing rather than being a lineup regular.

Brodin scored a goal, dished an assist, blocked four shots and went plus-2 in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Canucks.

This was Brodin's first multi-point effort of the season, and it snapped a five-game skid. The 32-year-old defenseman sees plenty of ice time, but he's in a shutdown role, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to be a regular contributor on offense. Brodin is at two goals, two assists, eight shots on net, 24 blocks and an even plus-minus rating across 12 appearances while playing in the Wild's top four.

McCabe scored a goal in a 5-2 win over the Flyers on Saturday.

McCabe lofted a shot from the center of the blue line that went in through a screen at 8:14 of the second period. It pushed the score to 2-1 in favor of the Leafs. He has three points (one goal, two assists) in his last four games, but he may be focused on more shutdown situations in the near future after Chris Tanev (upper body) was stretchered off the ice Saturday.

Aitcheson scored two goals on six shots in OHL Barrie's 4-2 win over Erie on Saturday.

Aitcheson has five goals and one assist during a four-game point streak. The 19-year-old defenseman is showing some serious scoring chops with 11 goals and 17 points through 16 appearances this season. He had 26 goals and 59 points over 64 regular-season outings in 2024-25, but he appears to have taken another step, which is exactly what the Islanders want to see out of one of their top prospects.

Tanev (upper body) was taken out of Saturday's game against Philadelphia on a stretcher after Matvei Michkov knocked into him, Luke Fox of Sportsnet reports.

Tanev was playing in his first game since returning from a concussion. Michkov's hit might not have been intentional, but he did receive two minutes for interference. Should Tanev need to miss some time, Philippe Myers is likely to draw back into the lineup.

Blankenburg picked up an assist in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Flames.

It was his first point of the season in his third appearance. After being a healthy scratch in 10 of the first 11 games, Blankenburg has played in two straight outings because of injuries to Roman Josi (upper body) and Adam Wilsby (lower body).

Nikishin scored a goal Saturday in a 2-1 loss to Boston.

He wired a slap shot from the slot late in the third period with the extra skater on the ice for Carolina's lone goal. Nikishin has a goal and an assist in his last two games. He has produced two tallies, six points, 21 shots on net and a plus-10 rating through 11 contests this season. He's already in the hunt for the Calder Trophy as the best rookie. Due to injuries, he is on the top pairing and has been working on the second power-play unit. Nikishin is a star in the making.

Dineen scored a goal and added an assist in AHL Bakersfield's 4-3 overtime loss to Calgary on Saturday.

Dineen has made a positive start to the AHL season with six points over eight games. The 27-year-old has enough experience to get a call-up should the Oilers need emergency depth on the blue line. However, with Edmonton's defense at nearly full health, don't expect Dineen to be recalled any time soon.

Liljegren exited Saturday's clash against Colorado because of an upper-body injury and won't return to the game.

Liljegren had no points in 7:20 of ice time before departing Saturday. That gives him three assists in nine outings this season, including the matchup against the Avalanche. If Liljegren isn't available for Sunday's tilt against Detroit, then Vincent Iorio might draw back into the lineup.

Mermis was reassigned to AHL Toronto on Saturday.

Mermis had no points and one shot while logging 13:12 of ice time in his season debut with the Maple Leafs on Oct. 24. He followed that up by being a healthy scratch in Toronto's past three games. Mermis' demotion corresponds with Chris Tanev (concussion) being activated off injured reserve.