NHL Player News

Hanifin scored a goal on two shots, added a power-play assist, blocked two shots and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Maple Leafs.

Hanifin set up a Jack Eichel goal in the first period before the two reversed roles on the Golden Knights' tally just 17 seconds into the second period. This was a third straight multi-point effort for Hanifin, who has two goals and seven assists over his last seven contests. The defenseman is up to eight goals, 30 points, 117 shots on net, 85 blocked shots and a plus-1 rating over 61 appearances. Streaky offense throughout the season may have led fantasy managers to drop Hanifin -- check to see if he's available now while he's seeing premium minutes on the first power-play unit.

Cole signed a one-year contract extension with Utah on Wednesday.

Cole will stop his journeyman ways for a year, sticking with Utah for a second season. Per Chris Johnston of The Athletic, Cole will make $3 million for the 2025-26 campaign. He's been a key part of Utah's defensive structure, which has been riddled by injuries for much of the campaign. Cole has 13 points, 73 hits, 160 blocked shots, 53 PIM and a minus-8 rating over 61 appearances in his first year with the club. He's not a strong fantasy player, but Cole can have some value in banger leagues.

Chabot (illness) won't return to Wednesday's game versus the Blackhawks.

Chabot's absence probably won't be a long-term one. If he is unable to play Saturday versus the Rangers, Jacob Bernard-Docker could check back into the lineup.

Schenn and Thomas Novak were traded to the Penguins from the Predators on Wednesday in exchange for Michael Bunting and a 2026 fourth-round pick, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports.

Schenn will take the roster spot of Vincent Desharnais, who was dealt to the Sharks on Wednesday. The 35-year-old Schenn is a veteran blueliner who will add shutdown skills and significant physicality in a bottom-four role for the Penguins. He has just five points with 228 hits, 76 blocked shots and 41 PIM over 61 appearances this season. Most fantasy managers won't be impacted by this move, as Schenn's primary contributions are not dependent on the quality of the team he plays for at any given time.

Desharnais was traded to the Sharks from the Penguins on Wednesday in exchange for a 2028 fifth-round pick.

Desharnais failed to record a point over 10 contests with the Penguins, adding seven shots on goal, 19 hits, 20 blocked shots and a minus-4 rating. He was included in the Marcus Pettersson trade between Vancouver and Pittsburgh at the end of January, but he was unable to make a positive impression with the Penguins. He'll have an easier path to playing time with the Sharks, but he remains a poor option for fantasy managers since he doesn't score much.

Dineen was called up from AHL Bakersfield under emergency conditions Wednesday.

Dineen has been shuffled around a bit lately, and he's back with the big club due to concerns about Mattias Ekholm's (undisclosed) availability for Thursday's game versus the Canadiens. The 26-year-old Dineen has not played in the NHL since the 2021-22 campaign.

Tanev (upper body) won't play Wednesday versus Vegas, but he might be an option Saturday against Colorado, per Luke Fox of Sportsnet.

Tanev has missed Toronto's past three games due to the injury. He has two goals, 17 points and 151 blocks in 57 appearances in 2024-25. When Tanev is ready to return, Conor Timmins might spend more time as a healthy scratch.

Ekholm is dealing with an undisclosed injury and is questionable to face Montreal on Thursday, Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 Edmonton reports.

Despite putting up 11 shots in his last five games, Ekholm has been unable to find the back of the net. The blueliner has chipped in two assists over that stretch and continues to see plenty of minutes with the second power-play unit. If Ekholm is unable to play Thursday, Troy Stecher figures to jump back into the lineup.

Hughes (undisclosed) will not be in the lineup against the Ducks on Wednesday, Jeff Paterson of CanucksArmy.com reports.

Hughes missed six games in February due to an injury and now finds himself back on the shelf. In his three appearances since returning from that issue, the 25-year-old blueliner managed just one point to go with seven shots, two blocks and one hit. Without Hughes in action, Tyler Myers figures to move up to the No. 1 power-play unit.

Oesterle was put on waivers by Boston on Wednesday, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Oesterle has a goal and six points over 22 appearances with Boston this season. He also has three goals and eight points across nine appearances with AHL Providence. Oesterle will presumably report to the minors if he goes unclaimed.