NHL Player News

McCabe put up three assists Thursday in a 4-3 win over the Rangers. He also registered three hits and two blocks.

This was McCabe's first three-point game in blue and white. He's not known for his offense -- these points were his first in nine games, and he has just 20 points (two goals, 18 assists) in 60 games this season. But McCabe has arguably been the Leafs best defender on the ice, especially in reducing chances and snuffing out the opposition's best players. His fantasy value comes from his hits (109) and blocks (123).

Klingberg (undisclosed) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Jets, Tony Brar of Oilers TV reports.

Klingberg is set to miss his eighth straight game, and there's been no update on how close he is to a return. Brett Kulak and Troy Stecher continue to play regularly in Klingberg's absence.

Boqvist (upper body) won't play Thursday versus the Canadiens, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.

Boqvist was also dealing with an illness Tuesday, though it's unclear if he's recovered from it yet. In any case, he won't be in Thursday's lineup, sitting out for the fourth straight game. The 24-year-old's next chance to play is Saturday versus the Flames.

Girard isn't in the lineup Thursday versus Ottawa because of a lower-body injury, per Brennan Vogt of Mile High Hockey.

Girard is considered day-to-day, so perhaps he'll still be an option Saturday against Montreal. The 26-year-old has three goals, 22 points, 53 hits and 94 blocks in 66 outings in 2024-25. Keaton Middleton is set to face the Senators because of Girard's absence.

Theodore (arm) was placed on long-term injured reserve Thursday, retroactive to the 4 Nations Face-Off break, SinBin.Vegas reports.

Theodore sustained an arm injury with Team Canada during the 4 Nations Face-Off but returned to practice in a non-contact jersey this week. While he appears to be trending in the right direction, he'll still be placed on long-term injured reserve as a procedural move after William Karlsson (lower body) was activated from LTIR.

Head coach John Tortorella said Thursday that he doesn't expect Ristolainen (upper body) to return anytime soon, Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reports.

Ristolainen has missed the last three games due to his upper-body injury and doesn't yet have a timetable to return, but it sounds as though he'll miss several more matchups, including Thursday's game against the Capitals. He's officially labeled as week-to-week by the Flyers. Egor Zamula will likely remain in the lineup while Ristolainen is sidelined.

Hicketts has agreed to a two-year, two-way contract with the Kings on Thursday.

Hicketts has three goals, 27 points and 37 PIM in 52 outings with AHL Ontario in 2024-25. The 28-year-old defenseman has appeared in 22 career NHL regular-season games, but he hasn't been in a lineup at the top level since the 2019-20 campaign.

Bryson signed a one-year, $900,000 contract extension with Buffalo on Thursday.

That means Bryson will earn the same salary in 2025-26 as he has been for this campaign. The 27-year-old was set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer before inking his new deal. Bryson has seven assists, nine hits and 47 blocks in 42 appearances in 2024-25.

Orlov (upper body) will be in the lineup versus San Jose on Thursday, Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal reports.

Orlov will return to action following a five-game stint on the shelf due to his upper-body issue. The veteran blueliner is currently mired in a 10-game pointless streak during which he has registered 20 hits, 13 shots and 11 blocks. Even with the slump, Orlov should be capable of reaching the 25-point threshold for the second straight season.

Vlasic has been ruled out for Thursday's game against Carolina due to an upper-body injury, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

Vlasic had suited up for each of the Sharks' last 10 games, and he was held without a point while recording 20 blocked shots, a hit and a minus-6 rating. Jimmy Schuldt will take his place in the lineup Thursday, while Vlasic's next chance to suit up will be Saturday against the Bruins.