NHL Player News

Pionk (lower body) is projected to be in the lineup Thursday versus the Stars, Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press reports.

Pionk was deemed close to playing as of Monday, so it tracks that he's ready to end a 12-game absence. He'll slot back in on the second pairing and should also be part of the second power-play unit.

Miller (illness) is slated to play Thursday versus the Rangers, per Vince Z. Mercogliano of USA Today.

Miller has missed two games due to the illness. He has seven goals, 23 points, 103 hits and 101 blocks in 70 outings in 2024-25. Miller is projected to skate alongside Will Borgen, while Zac Jones will probably be a healthy scratch.

Gostisbehere (upper body) won't play Thursday versus the Capitals.

The Hurricanes are locked into a first-round matchup versus the Devils, so there's no need for them to push Gostisbehere while he's battling an injury. Scott Morrow is set to play Thursday. Gostisbehere is considered day-to-day ahead of Saturday's game versus the Rangers, which is the first half of a back-to-back set.

Chychrun (illness) won't play Thursday versus the Hurricanes.

Chychrun will miss a game, as the Capitals have no need for him to push through when less than 100 percent. Alexander Alexeyev or Dylan McIlrath will enter the lineup. Chychrun's next chance to play is Saturday in Columbus.

Martinez (hip) will not play Thursday versus the Bruins, Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio reports.

Martinez's absence will reach nine games. The 37-year-old has been practicing, but it's unclear if he'll be able to return before the end of the season. The Blackhawks' next game is Saturday versus the Jets.

Zadorov (personal) is set to play Thursday versus Chicago, per Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald.

Zadorov was questionable due to a family matter, but it looks like he won't end up missing any playing time. The 29-year-old blueliner has four goals, 19 points, 139 PIM, 210 hits and 104 blocks in 78 outings with the Bruins in 2024-25.

Dineen was called up on an emergency basis from AHL Bakersfield on Thursday.

Dineen has nine goals and 43 points in 59 outings with Bakersfield in 2024-25. He might draw into the Oilers' lineup Friday versus San Jose if Mattias Ekholm (undisclosed) and Jake Walman (undisclosed) are not ready to return. If Dineen does play, it will probably be as a member of the third pairing.

Hague (illness) is expected to draw back into the lineup Thursday versus Seattle.

Hague missed Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to Colorado because of the illness. He has five goals, 11 points, 40 PIM, 77 hits and 73 blocks in 66 appearances in 2024-25. Hague is projected to play alongside Kaedan Korczak against the Kraken, while Ben Hutton is likely to be a healthy scratch.

Head coach Ryan Warsofsky said Thursday that he hopes Rutta (lower body) will be able to return to game action Friday against Edmonton, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

Rutta is with the Sharks on their current road trip, and it appears likely that he'll be able to return to the ice over the final week of the regular season. The 34-year-old has made 51 appearances for the Sharks this year, racking up two goals, six assists, 76 blocked shots and 37 hits while averaging 16:57 of ice time.

Desharnais (upper body) will not be in action against Edmonton on Friday, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

Desharnais is running out of time to return to the lineup before the end of the 2024-25 campaign, with just three games remaining after Friday's clash. Considering the 28-year-old blueliner hasn't registered a point in 29 consecutive contests, fantasy managers probably aren't too concerned about getting him back into the lineup.