NHL Player News

McDonagh put up five blocks in a 3-1 win over the Capitals on Saturday.

McDonagh recently put up five points (one goal, four assists) on a five-game run earlier in February, but that's not the kind of value he brings to fantasy today. He has 115 blocks this season and is on pace for 160. He also leads the league with a plus-35 rating. McDonagh's game has evolved over time, but he continues to bring value to formats that use these secondary categories.

Jones and a 2026 fourth-round pick were traded to the Panthers from the Blackhawks on Saturday in exchange for Spencer Knight and a conditional 2026 first-round pick.

Per PuckPedia, the Blackhawks will use up their last salary retention spot for the season by retaining $2.5 million of Jones' $9.5 million cap hit. He is under contract for five more years after this one, so this is far more than just a rental for the Panthers. The good news is the Panthers will get a minutes-munching blueliner who can quarterback a power play. Jones should also benefit significantly from going to a Stanley Cup contender after playing for one of the worst teams in the league, so consider his fantasy stock on the rise. Jones is likely to be available to play Monday versus the Lightning.

Del Gaizo notched one goal and one assist in Saturday's 7-4 loss to the Islanders.

Del Gaizo netted his first NHL goal at the 4:58 mark of the second period and had the primary helper on the first of two third-period goals scored by Cole Smith. The 25-year-old Del Gaizo made his 23rd appearance of the 2024-25 with the Predators due to the absence of Roman Josi (upper body).

Joseph (upper body) won't return to Saturday's matchup versus Boston.

Joseph replaced Ryan Graves in Saturday's lineup after being a healthy scratch in Thursday's 5-4 overtime win over Philadelphia. The 25-year-old Joseph went into Saturday's action with three assists, 42 shots on goal, 36 blocked shots and 35 hits in 46 appearances between Pittsburgh and St. Louis this season.

Jiricek was called up from AHL Iowa on Saturday.

Minnesota assigned Marat Khusnutdinov and Liam Ohgren to the minors in corresponding moves. The Wild also acquired Gustav Nyquist from Nashville on Saturday. Jiricek has a goal and two points in six appearances with Minnesota. He has six assists in 26 outings with Iowa in 2024-25. He might draw into the lineup Sunday versus Boston, depending on the status of Jonas Brodin (undisclosed) and Zach Bogosian (lower body).

Thrun (upper body) won't play against Ottawa on Saturday, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Thrun is day-to-day and will miss at least one game after being injured in Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss to Montreal. He has registered one goal, nine assists, 44 shots on net, 54 blocked shots and 36 hits in 51 appearances this season. Jack Thompson will replace Thrun in Saturday's lineup, while Timothy Liljegren will move to the top pairing alongside Jake Walman.

Ekman-Larsson (undisclosed) didn't participate in Saturday's practice after missing most of the third period in Friday's 3-2 win over the Rangers, Mark Masters of TSN reports.

Per Masters, Ekman-Larsson's absence from Saturday's session was for maintenance, so the 33-year-old could play in Sunday's matchup versus Pittsburgh. Ekman-Larsson has one goal and two assists in the last two games, giving him four goals and 25 points through 58 appearances this season.

Tanev (upper body) is feeling better, but he's still expected to miss Sunday's clash against Pittsburgh and Monday's game versus San Jose, coach Craig Berube told Mark Masters of TSN on Saturday.

That would make Wednesday's match in Vegas the earliest potential date for Tanev's return. The 35-year-old defenseman has two goals, 17 points and 151 blocks in 57 appearances in 2024-25. Philippe Myers might play regularly, while Tanev is unavailable.

Bichsel (concussion) isn't likely to play Sunday against St. Louis, though he's considered probable for Tuesday's matchup with the Devils, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.

It appears that Bichsel will miss a third straight game since suffering a concussion last week against the Islanders, though the 20-year-old defenseman has been skating in practice and appears poised to return early next week. Bichsel has two goals and five points in 18 games with Dallas this season.

De Haan was traded to the Rangers from Colorado, along with Juuso Parssinen and two draft picks, for Ryan Lindgren, Jimmy Vesey and Hank Kempf on Saturday, according to Pierre LeBrun of TSN.

De Haan has been a solid defenseman on the third unit for the Avalanche, picking up seven assists, 59 hits and 58 blocked shots in 44 games. He will be a bottom-pairing defenseman with the Rangers and could also be a healthy scratch on occasion.