NHL Player News

Xhekaj's point drought reached 16 games in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Red Wings.

Xhekaj has 29 PM and 34 hits during his 16-game point drought, so he's still supplying plenty of the rough stuff. The 23-year-old defenseman has a bit of short-term security in the lineup after Jayden Struble was sent to AHL Laval on a conditioning loan Friday. Xhekaj has just five points to go with 110 hits, 72 PIM, 47 shots on net, 44 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating over 45 appearances this season.

Samuelsson posted a goal and an assist in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Flames.

Samuelsson was on a slump to open the new calendar year but has managed to turn things around of late with three points over his last three appearances. The 24-year-old blueliner has a good shot at establishing new career-high marks in several categories. He's only accounted for eight points throughout 31 games this season, but his previous season-best output is 10, established in both 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Borgen notched an assist and had two shots on goal in Thursday's 6-1 win over the Flyers.

Borgen's helper was in the second period where he set up linemate K'Andre Miller's third goal of the season. The 28-year-old blueliner is up to five points on the season with three points since the Rangers acquired him via trade Dec. 18. Since the move, Borgen has been averaging a TOI of 18:35, which is three and a half minutes more than his ice time earlier this season with Seattle. With the Rangers winners of 10 consecutive games, the defenseman should continue to see consistent minutes, but that won't translate to more offensive production unless his role changes.

Faulk registered an even-strength assist, two shots on goal and three hits in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Golden Knights.

Faulk logged the secondary helper on Robert Thomas' 12th goal of the campaign in the third period. The 32-year-old Faulk has chipped in five assists through eight games in January, but he's been held without a marker since Dec. 31. It'll be worth monitoring how head coach Jim Montgomery deploys his power-play units going forward -- Faulk and Cam Fowler are both capable of quarterbacking the top group, but NHL clubs typically don't utilize two blueliners with the man advantage. For the season, Faulk is up to two goals, 18 points, 16 PIM, 74 shots on net and a minus-11 rating while averaging 22:49 of ice time through 45 appearances.

Pietrangelo logged an even-strength assist, four blocked shots, one hit and a plus-1 rating in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Blues.

After starting the new year with just one point over seven appearances, Pietrangelo has recorded an assist in four straight games. The right-shot blueliner produced the secondary assist on Victor Olofsson's 11th goal of the campaign at 8:54 of the first period. While Pietrangelo's contributions in the assist department of late have been useful, he hasn't found the back of the net since Dec. 19. Through 45 appearances this season, the 35-year-old has accounted for three goals, 25 points and a plus-12 rating while playing in all situations.

Barrie was reassigned to AHL Calgary on a conditioning assignment Friday.

Barrie hasn't seen any game action since Nov. 12 versus the Cancuks, so he almost certainly would need to shake off some rust before suiting up in an NHL contest. In his limited appearances this year, the 33-year-old blueliner has logged one goal, one assist and 12 shots in nine outings. Perhaps after some AHL action, Barrie will be ready to play for the Flames again.

Struble was assigned to AHL Laval on a conditioning assignment Friday.

Struble hasn't appeared in a game for the Canadiens since a win over the Capitals on Jan. 10, but he should have a chance to see some ice time while he's with the AHL club. The 23-year-old will likely rejoin Montreal following a brief stint in the minors.

Edvinsson picked up a shorthanded assist in Thursday's 4-2 win over Montreal. He added one shot on net, two blocks, one hit and two PIM to his line.

Edvinsson was credited with an assist without the puck ever touching his stick. Lane Hutson's shot attempt caromed off the blueliner into the neutral zone, where Andrew Copp scooped it and beat Sam Montembeault on a breakaway. It was the fifth point (all assists) in the last nine games for Edvinsson, who has shown more offensive acumen in 2024-25 than in his two previous stints in the NHL. The Swedish defenseman has 19 points over 44 outings while averaging 20:40 of ice time as part of the second pairing.

Liljegren notched an assist, two shots on goal, two blocked shots, two PIM and a plus-3 rating in Thursday's 6-5 loss to the Predators.

Liljegren ended his six-game point drought with the helper. He also missed one contest due to an illness in that span. The 25-year-old defenseman is up to nine points, 55 shots on net, 43 hits, 55 blocked shots, 24 PIM and a minus-10 rating over 38 appearances between the Sharks and the Maple Leafs this season. He has limited upside given his lack of offense, though he continues to see time on the Sharks' second pairing and second power-play unit.

Thrun scored a goal and added two PIM in Thursday's 6-5 loss to the Predators.

Thrun ended an 18-game point drought dating back to Nov. 30 with his second-period tally. The 23-year-old has not held a full-time role on the Sharks' blue line this season, but he's been in the lineup a majority of the time. He has one goal, nine points, 38 shots on net, 34 hits, 46 blocked shots and a minus-11 rating through 42 appearances in a bottom-four role.