NHL Player News

Xhekaj's point drought reached 15 games in Friday's 4-1 loss to the Hurricanes.

Kaiden Guhle (quadriceps) returned to action Friday, but Xhekaj stayed in the lineup as a seventh defenseman. Xhekaj saw just 3:52 of ice time, so it's very clear he's at risk of heading to the press box if the Canadiens use a six-defensemen lineup. The 24-year-old brings an element of physicality to the lineup, but Jayden Struble and David Savard can also throw the body around, and Guhle's no slouch in that department either. Xhekaj has a career-low six points with 69 shots on net, 176 hits, 62 blocked shots, 118 PIM and a minus-13 rating despite playing in a career-high 69 games in his third NHL campaign.

Dahlin (illness) won't play against Philadelphia on Saturday.

Dahlin has amassed 13 goals, 57 points, 172 shots on net, 91 blocked shots and 86 hits through 63 appearances this season. His next chance to play in his 500th regular-season game will be versus Washington on Sunday. Jacob Bryson will replace Dahlin in Saturday's lineup.

Schuldt was recalled from AHL San Jose on Saturday.

Schuldt's recall may not bode well for banged-up blueliners Vincent Desharnais (upper body) and Marc-Edouard Vlasic (upper body) ahead of Saturday's game against the Rangers. The 29-year-old Schuldt hasn't earned a point in six NHL appearances this season while posting four shots on net, three blocked shots and nine hits.

Rinzel signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blackhawks on Saturday, per PuckPedia.

The Blackhawks selected Rinzel 25th overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old defenseman had 10 goals and 22 assists across 40 games with the University of Minnesota during his 2024-25 sophomore season. He could make his NHL debut against Utah on Sunday.

Miller notched an assist, four shots on goal and a minus-2 rating in Friday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Ducks.

Miller has two goals and four assists over 14 outings in March. He helped out on Adam Fox's opening goal in this contest. Miller continues to play in a top-four role, but his offense hasn't been all that steady in 2024-25. He's now at 20 points, 102 shots on net, 97 hits, 94 blocked shots and a minus-9 rating over 67 appearances. His physical play has led to decent non-scoring numbers, but his numbers are down nearly across the board compared to the previous two seasons.

Fox scored a goal on three shots, added a power-play assist and blocked two shots in Friday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Ducks.

Fox opened the scoring just 3:20 into the game and helped out on a Mika Zibanejad tally in the third period. This was Fox's second multi-point effort in the last three games, and he has two goals and four assists over seven contests since returning from an upper-body injury. The defenseman has a total of seven goals, 54 points, 109 shots on net, 95 blocked shots and a plus-8 rating through 65 outings this season.

Mintyukov logged an assist in Friday's 5-4 overtime win over the Rangers.

Mintyukov has chipped in with three helpers over his last five contests, and he's gone plus-4 in that span. The 21-year-old defenseman is still seeing some of the lowest ice-time totals on the Ducks' blue line, but he's been able to stay in the lineup regularly since late February. He's at 18 points, 66 shots on net, 81 blocked shots, 74 hits and an even plus-minus rating over 60 outings this season.

LaCombe logged two assists and three blocked shots in Friday's 5-4 overtime win over the Rangers.

LaCombe has two goals and four assists during his four-game point streak. The defenseman helped out on Cutter Gauthier's third-period tally as well as Mason McTavish's game-winner in overtime. LaCombe shouldn't be flying under the radar in any fantasy format, but he's officially announced his arrival after crossing the 40-point mark in his second full season. He's at 13 goals, 28 helpers, 120 shots on net, 111 blocked shots, 59 hits and a plus-4 rating over 65 appearances.

Zellweger scored a goal on five shots, dished an assist and added two PIM in Friday's 5-4 overtime win over the Rangers.

This was Zellweger's first multi-point effort since Dec. 22. The defenseman has been in the lineup for 11 straight contests since the trade deadline, but he's just starting to get his offense on track with three points over his last three games. For the season, the 21-year-old has 17 points, 112 shots on net, 63 blocked shots, 33 hits and a plus-1 rating over 54 appearances.

Del Mastro logged an assist in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Golden Knights.

Del Mastro has played in all but one game in March, but he's been limited to three points over 13 appearances. The 22-year-old defenseman has mostly served in a bottom-four role. There will be some growing pains on a young blue line -- only one defenseman the Blackhawks dressed Friday was over the age of 24. For the season, Del Mastro is at five points, 18 shots on net, 35 hits, 18 blocked shots and a minus-5 rating through 22 appearances at the NHL level.