NHL Player News

Jones was assigned to AHL Hartford on a conditioning loan Thursday.

Jones got into a few games in February prior to the 4 Nations Face-Off break, but he spent 18 contests out of the lineup before that. This move will allow him an opportunity to maintain his game readiness. Jones was replaced on the NHL roster by Matthew Robertson, who will likely return to Hartford when Jones' loan is over.

Robertson was recalled from AHL Hartford on Thursday.

Robertson is up with the Rangers to serve as a depth defenseman, as Zac Jones was assigned to Hartford on a conditioning loan in a corresponding move. Robertson has yet to make his NHL debut, but the 23-year-old blueliner has been steady in the AHL with 18 points over 47 appearances.

Barrie was placed on waivers by the Flames on Thursday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Barrie signed a one-year deal with the Flames in the offseason, but he's spent the majority of the season as a healthy scratch, recording just one goal and two assists across 13 games. He will be assigned to the AHL if he clears waivers. With the 33-year-old's departure comes a potential opportunity for young defensemen Ilya Solovyov and Yan Kuznetsov, who were called up Wednesday.

Cholowski was put on waivers by the Islanders on Thursday, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

The Islanders have four defensemen on injured reserve, including Scott Mayfield (lower body), Ryan Pulock (upper body), Noah Dobson (lower body) and Mike Reilly (chest). Pulock and Mayfield are due back this weekend, giving the Islanders eight healthy defensemen. The Islanders need to send someone to the minors, and Cholowski will need to pass through waivers for that to occur. Cholowski has three goals, seven assists and 30 blocked shots over 33 appearances this season.

Pulock (upper body) practiced in a regular jersey Thursday, according to Denis Gorman of Newsday.

Pulock was injured Jan. 25 against the Hurricanes and has missed the last seven games. It seems likely that he'll be activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's home tilt versus Dallas. Pulock has generated three goals, 16 points, 105 blocked shots and 58 hits over 48 contests this season.

Montour (upper body) is with the Kraken for the start of their three-game road trip, Kate Shefte of The Seattle Times reports.

Montour was hurt in the Kraken's last game before the 4 Nations Face-Off, but it looks like the break came at a good time for him and the team. The 30-year-old's status has yet to be officially updated, but his presence on the road trip bodes well for his availability Saturday against his former team, the Panthers.

Hughes (oblique) hasn't been medically cleared to play and consequently won't join Team USA for Thursday's 4 Nations Face-Off Final against Canada, Pierre LeBrun of TSN.

Hughes was previously expected to be an option for the United States, but it seems he's not as far along in his recovery as believed. This news also puts into question his availability for Vancouver's clash against Vegas on Saturday. The United States is missing defenseman Charlie McAvoy (shoulder) and has players dealing with illnesses, so another blueliner might called upon to join the roster as an emergency replacement.

Interim head coach Anders Sorensen expects Crevier (concussion) to be activated off injured reserve and play Saturday versus Columbus, CHGO Blackhawks reports Wednesday.

Crevier hasn't been in the lineup since Feb. 1. He has three goals, four points, 47 hits and 34 blocks across 23 appearances in 2024-25. Crevier's return might result in Ethan Del Mastro being a healthy scratch.

Spurgeon (illness) missed Wednesday's practice, per Joe Smith of The Athletic.

The Wild aren't set to return from the 4 Nations Face-Off break until Saturday versus Detroit, so it wouldn't be surprising if Spurgeon is fine by then. He has six goals and 20 points over 41 appearances this season. If Spurgeon isn't able to play against the Red Wings, Travis Dermott is a candidate to draw into the lineup.

Solovyov was called up from AHL Calgary on Wednesday, according to Aaron Vickers of NHL.com.

Solovyov was sent to the minors while the Flames were on break for the 4 Nations Face-Off, but now that practices have resumed, he's back with the team. The 24-year-old made his NHL season debut Feb. 8 against Seattle, recording two shots, one hit and one block in 19:24 of ice time. He might play again Sunday versus San Jose, especially if Kevin Bahl (upper body) and Joel Hanley (personal) are sidelined.