NHL Player News

Desharnais was traded to the Penguins from the Canucks on Friday, along with Danton Heinen, Melvin Fernstrom and a conditional first-round pick, in exchange for Marcus Pettersson and Drew O'Connor.

Desharnais signed with the Canucks as a free agent ahead of 2024-25, but he was ultimately limited to three assists, 54 hits, 48 blocked shots, 34 PIM and a minus-5 rating over 34 appearances. He was unable to carve out a steady third-pairing role after seeing similar usage with the Oilers in 2024-25. Desharnais addresses a minor need for the Penguins as a right-handed blueliner, and he'll bring significant physical force to the third pairing. This will also put Ryan Shea and Pierre-Olivier Joseph on notice for playing time even with another defenseman in Pettersson heading to Vancouver in this deal.

Pettersson and Drew O'Connor were traded to the Canucks from the Penguins on Friday in exchange for Danton Heinen, Vincent Desharnais, Melvin Fernstrom and a conditional first-round pick.

There are no elite players in this deal, but Pettersson is a quality defensive defenseman who will bolster a weak spot for the Canucks. The 28-year-old should take on a second-pairing role if he stays on his natural side and will have the opportunity to join a playoff race after the Penguins started to lag behind in the Eastern Conference. He'll be a strong source of blocked shots, having racked up 83 blocks along with 18 points and 57 hits over 47 appearances.

Parayko (illness) did not take the ice for warmups and won't play Friday versus the Avalanche, Matthew DeFranks of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Parayko has been massive for the Blues this season with 11 goals and 28 points over 51 appearances. This will be his first absence of the campaign. Matt Kessel is expected to enter the lineup, while Ryan Suter figures to take on a larger role on the blue line. Parayko's next chance to play is Sunday in Utah.

Hakanpaa (knee) has no timeline to return, Mark Masters of TSN reports Friday.

It's quickly becoming a lost season for Hakanpaa, who is not on the Maple Leafs' four-game road trip prior to the 4 Nations Face-Off break. The 32-year-old defenseman has played in just two contests this season and is currently on long-term injured reserve. He underwent a minor procedure in early December and has been skating regularly. Hakanpaa remains on Finland's roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off, but it remains unclear if he will be available for the tournament.

Brannstrom was traded to the Rangers from the Canucks on Friday, along with J.T. Miller and Jackson Dorrington, in exchange for Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini and a protected first-round draft pick, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Considering Brannstrom couldn't stick on the Canucks hodgepodge blue line, it doesn't look good for him getting much playing time with his new NHL club. Expect Brannstrom to report to AHL Hartford following the trade. The 25-year-old has eight points over 28 appearances this season and has played in the NHL in parts of the last seven campaigns, so he represents a veteran option should the Rangers suffer injuries on defense.

Mancini was traded to the Canucks from the Rangers on Friday, along with Filip Chytil and a protected first-round draft pick, in exchange for J.T. Miller, Erik Brannstrom and Jackson Dorrington, Larry Brooks of the New York Post and Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet report.

Mancini is a 22-year-old blueliner who likely has a bright future ahead of him in a shutdown role. He had five points in 15 appearances with the Rangers this season but had been with AHL Hartford since Dec. 18. Mancini added 10 points over 23 outings with the Wolf Pack. He could get a look with the Canucks at some point, as Vincent Desharnais has underwhelmed, but it's unclear exactly where Mancini slots into Vancouver's organizational depth on defense at this time.

Gravel was reassigned to AHL Milwaukee on Friday.

Gravel was called up Tuesday but didn't make an appearance during his stint in the NHL. He was sent down to clear a roster spot for Luke Evangelista (lower body) to return Friday versus the Sabres.

Ginning was sent to AHL Lehigh Valley on Friday.

Ginning made his Flyers season debut Thursday, recording no points, one hit and one block in 12:48 of ice time. He has a goal, five points and 37 PIM over 42 outings with Lehigh Valley in 2024-25.

Klingberg didn't participate in Friday's practice session due to an illness, Tony Brar of Oilers TV reports.

Klingberg made his Oilers debut in Thursday's loss to the Red Wings, recording a shot on goal and a minus-1 rating in 16:39 of ice time. However, he's dealing with an illness a day later, and it's unclear whether the ailment will impact his availability for Saturday's home game against the Maple Leafs.

Ekholm was not on the ice for Friday's practice due to illness, Tony Brar of Oilers TV reports.

Ekholm was questionable to face the Red Wings on Thursday due to his illness but managed to suit up in that contest, so fantasy players can probably expect the blueliner to be in action against the Leafs on Saturday as well. Still, if Ekholm does miss any time, Troy Stecher figures to jump back into the lineup.