NHL Player News

Makar missed practice Friday with an illness, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports.

Makar's illness gives Team Canada only five healthy defensemen ahead of Saturday's tilt with the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Canada is already down a defenseman with Shea Theodore out for the remainder of the tournament with an upper-body injury. Should Makar not be available Saturday, look for Thomas Harley to enter the lineup.

Jokiharju scored Finland's only goal in a 6-1 loss Thursday to Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal.

Jokiharju scored the game's first goal on Finland's second shot. It was an odd fluttering shot that seemed to confuse USA starter Connor Hellebuyck. He's not at the tourney to score -- he has just four points, including a goal, in 39 games this season. The Finns need a lot more than the offensive services of a defensive defender.

Werenski delivered three assists Thursday in Team USA's 6-1 win over Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montral.

Werenski's ascension into superstardom continues. Yes, he's carrying a lot of responsibility with Quinn Hughes (oblique) unable to join Team USA. But Werenski was smooth as butter in his own zone, the opposition's and in transition. And two of the helpers were primary assists on power-play snipes. Werenski's talent is undeniable.

Jiricek has nine points over 18 games with OHL Brantford this season.

Per Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic, Jiricek missed time after being assigned to Brantford due to an undisclosed injury. He then left the club to play for Czechia at the World Junior Championship, where he had five assists over seven contests. It's important to remember that Jiricek is unlikely to become a significant scoring force once he reaches the NHL, so his fantasy value will be limited to formats that reward non-scoring production. While he is a first-round pick (16th overall in 2024), his playing style makes him a questionable option in dynasty, where higher-scoring prospects should be targeted first.

Theodore (arm) is week-to-week after he was injured early in the second period versus Sweden on Wednesday, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Theodore took a big hit into the boards, courtesy of Adrian Kempe, and did not return. It is a huge blow for Team Canada as well as the Golden Knights, who will be without their star defenseman when the season starts up again Feb. 22. Theodore has seven goals and 41 assists across 55 appearances this season. Travis Sanheim will enter Team Canada's lineup replacing Theodore on Saturday versus the United States.

Bonk has eight goals and 29 points in 36 OHL games this season.

Bonk was selected 22nd overall in the 2023 Draft. The London blueliner had 24 goals and 67 points in 60 OHL regular-season games in 2023-24, and followed up with seven goals and 16 points in 18 playoff games. Bonk has played the last two seasons with Canada at the World U20 Championships, picking up a goal and an assist in five games at the 2025 tourney.

Brodin scored a goal in a 4-3 overtime loss to Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off on Wednesday.

He wired a high shot from the right circle that went in short side over Jordan Binnington's left shoulder. Binner would like that goal back, but it was still a sweet snipe for Brodin, who had played just three NHL games after a month's absence due to injury before the tourney opened up. Brodin isn't an offensive stud, but he instead provides excellent two-way, shutdown defending for both the Wild and the Tre Kroner.

Theodore (arm) is out the rest of the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, reports Willie Ramirez of the Hockey News.

Canada's coach Jon Cooper revealed the loss at the postgame presser. This is devastating news for Canada, but worse for the Golden Knights. Theodore has 48 points (seven goals, 41 assists) in 55 NHL games this season, and he sits fourth in NHL scoring from the blue line. We don't know how much time he'll miss, but it is likely measured in weeks.

Theodore suffered an apparent arm or wrist injury and won't return to Wednesday's game versus Team Sweden, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports.

Theodore was injured on a hit from Adrian Kempe in the second period. The 29-year-old Theodore is day-to-day leading into Team Canada's second game versus Team USA on Saturday. If he can't play, Travis Sanheim will enter the lineup after serving as a scratch Wednesday. The teams are not allowed to substitute in new players that were not named to the roster now that the tournament has started, unless the team has fewer than 18 healthy skaters.

Luneau has earned 26 points over 31 appearances with AHL San Diego this season.

Luneau has seen a total of 13 NHL games over the last two seasons, earning three points. He lost most of 2023-24 due to an infection in his knee, but he's come back strong in 2024-25. He also has a minus-9 rating, but that is due to the Gulls being one of the worst teams in the AHL. Despite their struggles overall, Luneau has adjusted to the professional ranks pretty well. The one concern is that he's been jumped in the developmental pipeline by players like Drew Helleson and Olen Zellweger, which could make cracking the Ducks' NHL roster difficult in the near future. Still, Luneau is just 21 years old and has time to round out his all-around game.