NHL Player News

Kylington, Calum Ritchie, a conditional first-round pick and a conditional 2028 third-round selection were acquired by the Islanders from Colorado on Thursday in exchange for William Dufour and Brock Nelson.

Kylington has a goal and four points over 13 appearances with the Avalanche in 2024-25. The defenseman has been a frequent healthy scratch in Colorado, and he might continue to struggle to draw into the lineup with the Islanders.

Stastney notched an assist in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Kraken.

Stastney had failed to earn a point over his previous nine NHL outings this season. The 25-year-old blueliner ended that slump with a helper on Luke Evangelista's empty-netter in the third period. Over the previous two campaigns, Stastney had six points in 28 appearances, so his offensive upside is limited. He's added nine shots on net, 10 blocked shots, two hits and a minus-4 rating in 2024-25 while seeing bottom-four minutes.

Del Gaizo logged an assist, two hits and two blocked shots in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Kraken.

Del Gaizo has three points over four outings in March. The 25-year-old is seeing steady playing time in the absence of Roman Josi (upper body), though Del Gaizo is not a factor on the power play. The blueliner has contributed six points, 42 shots on net, 42 hits, 34 blocked shots, 17 PIM and a plus-2 rating over 26 NHL appearances this season, mainly in a bottom-four role.

Barron logged an assist, two shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Kraken.

Barron helped out on Michael McCarron's tally late in the second period, which was the game-winner. The 23-year-old Barron was scratched Tuesday versus the Bruins, but with Luke Schenn getting dealt to the Penguins on Wednesday, an opening on defense reemerged. Barron's place in the lineup isn't safe though -- the Predators claimed Jordan Oesterle off waivers from the Bruins on Thursday. Barron is at nine points, 43 shots on net, 53 blocked shots, 49 hits and a minus-12 rating through 42 appearances between Nashville and Montreal this season.

Skjei scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Kraken.

Skjei scored the go-ahead goal at 3:33 of the second period, snapping his seven-game point drought in the process. While he's been fine defensively this season, Skjei's offense has come in fits and starts. He's at eight goals, 22 points, 119 shots on net, 66 blocked shots, 45 hits and a minus-10 rating over 62 appearances. The 30-year-old is likely to continue operating as the Predators' top overall blueliner as long as Roman Josi (upper body) remains on the shelf.

Hedman suffered an undisclosed injury in Thursday's game versus the Sabres, and head coach Jon Cooper was uncertain about the defenseman's availability Saturday against the Bruins, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports.

Losing Hedman would be a massive blow to the Lightning's defense. He plays significant minutes in all situations and has earned 50 points over 60 contests this season. A status update may not be available until warmups Saturday, as the Lightning's game that day is a home matinee.

Walman is being held out of the lineup versus the Avalanche on Thursday for trade-related reasons, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

Walman is expected to be dealt to the Oilers, but both the Sharks and Oilers are playing Thursday. Additionally, Edmonton's having an injury crisis on defense, so the deal is not expected to be completed immediately -- though it could happen after the games Thursday or at some point Friday. Walman has a career-high 32 points over 50 appearances this season, but his role is likely to shrink dramatically with the Oilers.

Stillman (face) won't return to Thursday's game versus the Bruins, Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal reports.

Stillman took a skate to the face on his first shift, Lavalette adds. Stillman's exit is reportedly for precautionary reasons -- he was a fill-in for Dmitry Orlov (undisclosed) in this contest, who was a late scratch just before puck drop, so it's possible the Hurricanes are just being careful with their defense in a precarious position.

Stillman remains on the Hurricanes' roster for Thursday's game versus the Bruins, per the NHL media site.

Stillman was waived Thursday, but he can continue to play while on waivers. The move was likely made to give the Hurricanes more roster flexibility. Stillman will be in the lineup Thursday because Dmitry Orlov (undisclosed) is dealing with a minor injury that will keep him out of action for at least one game.

Orlov (undisclosed) won't play Thursday versus the Bruins due to a minor injury.

Orlov will miss a game, but it doesn't sound like the team is overly worried about his status. Riley Stillman will fill in as a third-pairing defenseman after being waived earlier in the day. The Hurricanes' next game is Sunday versus the Jets.