NHL Player News

Mermis was recalled from AHL Toronto on Monday.

The Maple Leafs returned Fraser Minten to the minors in a corresponding move. Mermis will provide the big club with an extra defender after Oliver Ekman-Larsson (lower body) suffered an injury in Saturday's 4-3 win over Edmonton. If Ekman-Larsson can't play Tuesday versus Calgary, Philippe Myers will probably draw back into the lineup after being a healthy scratch in Saturday's victory.

Fox registered an assist in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Golden Knights.

Prior to Sunday, Fox had been held off the scoresheet in three consecutive games for the first time since mid-December. The 26-year-old set up an Alexis Lafreniere tally early in the second period. Fox is now at three goals, 38 assists, 88 shots on net, 72 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating through 52 appearances in a top-pairing role.

Mayfield (lower body) is day-to-day ahead of Tuesday's game against Vegas.

Mayfield sat out Sunday's 6-3 loss to Florida after being injured in Saturday's 3-2 overtime win over Tampa Bay. It's unclear if he will play versus the Golden Knights, but the Islanders will probably update his status after Tuesday's morning skate. Mayfield has compiled two goals, seven points, 40 shots on net, 87 blocked shots and 71 hits through 50 appearances this season. Dennis Cholowski will presumably play against Vegas if Mayfield remains unavailable.

Pettersson was sent down to AHL Abbotsford on Monday.

Pettersson will be hard-pressed to make another NHL appearance this season after the team acquired Marcus Pettersson and Victor Mancini from the Penguins and Rangers, respectively. In addition to Pettersson, the Canucks also shipped Mancini to the minors, moves that likely signal Quinn Hughes (undisclosed) will be ready to suit up against the Avalanche on Tuesday.

Mancini was demoted to AHL Abbotsford on Monday.

Mancini hasn't gotten into an NHL game since Dec. 14 versus the Kings and appears set to begin his career with Vancouver in the minors. In his 15 outings for the Rangers this year, the 22-year-old defenseman generated one goal, four assists and 14 hits while averaging 15:05 of ice time.

Makar produced a power-play assist in a team-high 26:51 of ice time in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Flyers.

Makar earned the primary helper on Nathan MacKinnon's 20th goal of the season late in the middle frame. Makar has had the goal-scoring touch of late, but he has only four helpers over his last 16 outings. That trend is unlikely to continue, considering Makar is one of the best playmakers in the world. The star defenseman is at 19 goals, 58 points and a plus-15 rating through 54 appearances this campaign. Makar and the Avalanche will kick off a three-game road trip in Vancouver on Tuesday.

Brodin (lower body) will "most likely" be in action versus the Bruins on Tuesday according to head coach John Hynes, Sarah McLellan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Brodin has been out of action for the Wild's last 12 contests, so he is eligible to be activated off long-term injured reserve once given the all-clear. Prior to getting hurt, the 31-year-old Swede was rolling offensively with seven points in his last seven outings. Look for Brodin to link up with the No. 2 power-play unit once taken off LTIR.

Girard scored an even-strength goal on three shots and went plus-1 Sunday in a 2-0 win over Philadelphia.

Girard joined the rush and converted on a feed from Casey Mittelstadt to open the scoring at 8:33 of the second period. The goal was Girard's first since Nov. 23, a span of 29 games between tallies. The left-shot blueliner has provided three goals, 20 points, 10 PIM, 69 shots on goal, 77 blocked shots, 43 hits and 16 takeaways through 51 appearances this season. While Girard won't fill the scoresheet often, he's capable of chipping in from time to time.

Ekholm (illness) participated in Monday's practice, per Tony Brar of Oilers TV.

After missing Saturday's 4-3 loss to Toronto, Ekholm was back on the top pairing during Monday's session. He should return to the lineup versus St. Louis on Tuesday. Ekholm has accounted for seven goals, 22 points, 117 shots on net, 72 blocked shots and 34 hits in 51 appearances this season. Based on Monday's combinations, John Klingberg could be a healthy scratch to make room for Ekholm's return.

Jensen (lower body) won't play against Nashville on Monday.

Jensen accompanied the Senators on the team's four-game trip but will miss his fifth straight outing. He has three goals, 18 points, 57 shots on net, 58 blocked shots and 42 hits through 48 appearances this season. Once healthy, Jensen could replace Travis Hamonic, Tyler Kleven or Nikolas Matinpalo in the lineup.