NHL Player News

Hughes (oblique) is joining Team USA ahead of the team's 4 Nations Face-Off championship game against Canada on Thursday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports Tuesday.

With the news of Charlie McAvoy being ruled out for Thursday's game due to an upper-body injury, the Americans were allowed to add Hughes to their roster. While his presence should be a boost for his teammates, Hughes will not be eligible to play unless the team endures another injury, according to Friedman. Hughes' addition to the roster could indicate he'll be ready to go for the Canucks' road matchup against the Golden Knights on Saturday.

Pettersson was promoted from AHL Abbotsford on Tuesday, per Jeff Paterson of CanucksArmy.com.

Pettersson will be hard-pressed to get into the lineup against Vegas on Saturday, especially if Quinn Hughes (oblique) is cleared to play. As such, fantasy players are unlikely to be impacted by Pettersson's promotion. When he has gotten into action, the 21-year-old Swede has recorded one assist, six shots and 12 hits while averaging 12:50 of ice time.

Bichsel was recalled from AHL Texas on Tuesday.

Bichsel rejoins the Stars after being sent down before the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. The left-shot blueliner should be able to carve out a consistent role due to long-term injuries to Miro Heiskanen (knee) and Nils Lundkvist (shoulder). Bichsel has registered two goals, three assists and a plus-6 rating across 16 games this season.

McAvoy (upper body) will not be in the lineup for Team USA's clash with Canada on Thursday.

McAvoy is continuing to be evaluated by both Team USA and the Bruins, leaving his availability against the Ducks on Saturday in doubt. The 27-year-old blueliner was sidelined for seven games in mid-January and now faces the potential of being back on the shelf after just five games back in the Bruins' lineup. For the Americans, Jake Sanderson figures to remain in the lineup with McAvoy on the shelf.

Stillman was promoted from AHL Chicago on Tuesday, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

Stillman has played in just one game for the Hurricanes this season in which he logged a meager 7:40 of ice time. Even with his elevation to the NHL roster, Stillman figures to continue serving as a depth option for Carolina and will likely keep warming a spot in the press box.

McAvoy (upper body) is still undergoing additional tests, raising doubts regarding his availability against Canada on Thursday, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports.

McAvoy was held out of Monday's clash with Sweden, with Jake Sanderson stepping into the lineup in his stead. If McAvoy can't go against the Canadians on Thursday, the focus will turn to the Bruins, who will be hoping McAvoy's upper-body issue isn't a long-term problem, and that he'll be available when they face Anaheim on Saturday.

McAvoy was admitted to Massachussetts General Hospital due to an upper-body injury, according to Jim McBride of The Boston Globe on Monday.

McAvoy's availability for the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game Thursday against Team Canada is seemingly now in question. The Americans are dealing with a few injuries, and when asked about the statuses of the sidelined players, head coach Mike Sullivan said "We'll probably have more information tomorrow." McAvoy should be considered day-to-day at this time.

Werenski picked up an assist in the United States' 2-1 loss to Sweden at the 4 Nations Face-Off on Monday.

Werenski carried the puck through the neutral zone and into the offensive zone before firing a shot on Samuel Ersson from the right face-off circle. The Swedish netminder made the save and directed the rebound toward the left circle and right onto the tape of Chris Kreider, who buried it into an open net. Werenski played a game-high 24:08, and he had six shots. He earned the game's third star for the effort. His assist was his fifth of the tournament, which tied him with Sidney Crosby of Canada for the overall scoring lead.

Makar (illness) logged a team-high 23:57 in Canada's 5-3 win over Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off on Monday.

He had four shots and four blocked shots. Makar is the motor that runs the Canadian blue line in all three zones. His return is critical to Canada's chances on Thursday against the U.S. in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship.

Lindell scored a goal in Finland's 5-3 loss to Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off on Monday.

He scored with a shot from the far side of the right circle at 13:19 of the third period to get Finland on the board. Lindell isn't known for his offense, even if he had five points (one goal, four assists) in seven games heading into the tournament. Overall, he has four goals and 15 assists in 55 NHL games this season.