NHL Player News

Gudas didn't practice Thursday due to an illness, Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports.

Gudas will have some extra time to get back to 100 percent before the Ducks' next game against the Kings on Saturday. Considering the blueliner has just one point over his last 12 outings, his offensive upside isn't exactly going to blow away fantasy managers -- though he did chip in 45 hits and 31 blocks over that stretch.

Ristolainen (upper body) will be a game-time decision for Thursday's game against the Capitals, Adam Kimelman of NHL.com reports.

Ristolainen didn't participate in Thursday's morning skate, but head coach John Tortorella said that it's possible the 30-year-old plays against the Capitals on Thursday or Saturday against the Penguins. Over 16 appearances since the start of the calendar year, Ristolainen has recorded a goal, five assists, 28 blocked shots, 23 hits, eight PIM and a plus-4 rating while averaging 20:51 of ice time.

Per Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site, Siegenthaler (undisclosed) will see a specialist to determine the length of time he will be out of the lineup, head coach Sheldon Keefe said Thursday.

Siegenthaler will miss at least the next two games and with the NHL breaking for the 4 Nations Face-Off from Feb.10-21. As such, the Devils have plenty of time to decide upon his timeline for a return. Siegenthaler has two goals, seven assists, 75 hits and 92 blocked shots over 55 appearances this season. The Devils recalled Simon Nemec from AHL to replace Siegenthaler in the lineup.

Mayfield (lower body) will not travel with the Islanders on their upcoming two-game road trip to Winnipeg and Minnesota, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports Thursday.

Mayfield has already missed the last two games. He will sit out Friday and Saturday and is expected to return to action when the Islanders face Dallas on Feb. 23 after the 4 Nations Face-Off break. Mayfield has two goals, five assists, 71 hits and 87 blocked shots over 50 NHL games this season.

Werenski (undisclosed) could return to the lineup versus Utah on Thursday, according to Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site.

Werenski was a full participant at Thursday's morning skate, putting him in line to return after a one-game absence, barring any setbacks. The 27-year-old defenseman has already tied his career high in points with 57, set last season. Werenski has 17 goals, 40 assists, 19 power-play points, 200 shots and 92 blocked shots over 53 games this season.

Nemec was promoted from AHL Utica on Thursday.

While Nemec's call-up came after Nico Hischier (upper body) was placed on IR, Nemec will be providing emergency blue-line depth after Jonas Siegenthaler (undisclosed) was injured in Tuesday's matchup with Pittsburgh. For his part, Nemec has been generating plenty of offense in the minors, recording 22 points over 32 games for the Comets. If Nemec does play Thursday, it would likely come at the expense of Kurtis MacDermid.

Hutson notched an assist, two hits and three blocked shots in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Kings.

Hutson has a helper in each of the last two games after going five contests without a point. The 20-year-old blueliner also earned multiple hits and blocked shots in a game for the first time since Jan. 25. The defenseman is up to 41 points, 62 shots on net, 77 blocked shots, 31 hits, 32 PIM and a minus-16 rating through 54 appearances.

Mailloux scored a goal and added three hits in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Kings.

Mailloux has racked up two goals and two assists over six outings at the NHL level this season. This was his first appearance with the big club since Oct. 29. Mailloux will compete for playing time with Jayden Struble while Kaiden Guhle (quadriceps) is on the mend. Mailloux has added nine hits, seven blocked shots and a minus-3 rating. He's in a third-pairing role, but if he keeps putting up points, he may be worth considering in DFS or as a streaming option in season-long formats.

Carrier scored a goal on two shots, added two PIM, blocked two shots and went minus-2 in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Kings.

Carrier buried a long-range shot off a turnover in the third period. The defenseman continues to play steady in a top-four role, and he earned a point in consecutive games for the first time since Dec. 21-23. The 28-year-old blueliner is up to three goals, 19 points, 54 shots on net, 51 hits, 94 blocked shots and a minus-10 rating over 51 appearances. Carrier's offense isn't elite, but he can do enough to help fantasy managers with all-around production.

Matheson scored a goal on three shots in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Kings.

Matheson's shot deflected high in the air and bounced into the net. That's one way to end a 10-game goal drought, which is what Matheson did. He had just one assist in that stretch, but he's maintained a top-four role because of his defensive duties. The blueliner is at four goals, 20 assists, 97 shots on net, 102 blocked shots, 39 PIM and a minus-8 rating through 52 appearances this season.