NHL Player News

Sergachev (upper body) will not be an option against the Wild on Thursday, Jessi Pierce of NHL.com reports.

Sergachev will be on the shelf for his third straight game due to his upper-body issue. Considering the team is heading into a back-to-back, the 26-year-old defenseman probably shouldn't be expected to suit up versus the Jets on Friday either. Once Sergachev does return to action, he figures to jump back into his role running the No. 1 power-play unit for Utah.

Broberg (undisclosed) will be in the lineup against the Golden Knights on Thursday, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reports.

Broberg suffered an injury at Wednesday's practice session but appears to be no worse for the wear. With the blueliner suiting up versus Vegas, he will look to end an 11-game goal drought during which he recorded just two helpers to go with 18 shots, 10 blocks and five hits.

Bichsel was recalled from AHL Texas on Thursday,

Bichsel was returned to the AHL on Dec. 30 and had no points in seven games, giving him three goals and nine points in 28 AHL games this season. The 20-year-old has two goals and 26 hits across eight NHL games this season. Bichsel is likely to be a healthy scratch when the Stars face Vegas on Friday, barring any injuries to their top-six defensemen.

Dobson's lower-body injury will not require surgery, but he is still considered week-to-week, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports Thursday.

At this point, fantasy managers should probably be expecting Dobson to land on injured reserve in the coming days in order to free up a roster spot for a call-up from the minors -- especially considering Dobson's absence leaves the club without an extra healthy blueliner. Isaiah George could see a significant uptick in ice time as a result.

Crozier was brought up from the minors Thursday.

Crozier has appeared in three NHL games this season and has registered zero points, three shots and seven hits while averaging 17:06 of ice time. The decision to elevate Crozier from the AHL likely means Erik Cernak (undisclosed) won't be ready to face the Blackhawks on Friday -- though Crozier could be an emergency depth option.

Stillman was elevated from AHL Chicago on Wednesday.

Stillman could be pressed into service against the Blue Jackets on Thursday if Shayne Gostisbehere, who wasn't at Thursday's game-day skate, is unavailable. Otherwise, Stillman figures to spend his stint in the NHL as an emergency depth option for the Canes.

Hamilton scored a power-play goal and added a power-play assist in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Bruins.

Hamilton has found the twine in two of the Devils' last three games, and the veteran blueliner remains one of the most productive defensemen in the league. He's recorded points in five of the Devils' last eight contests, tallying two goals and four assists over that span, and he's up to 31 points (seven goals, 24 helpers) over 50 games this season.

Spurgeon (lower body) will return to the lineup for Thursday's clash with Utah, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

Spurgeon missed the Wild's last nine games due to his lower-body issue but looks good to go again. In order to activate Spurgeon and Kirill Kaprizov (lower body) off injured reserve, the team needed to send David Jiricek back to the minors. Additionally, Spurgeon's return figures to see Travis Dermott relegated to a spot in the press box as a healthy scratch.

Spence logged an assist, two shots on goal and two blocked shots in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Panthers.

Spence has a goal and two assists over his last three games. The 23-year-old defenseman is in a top-four role currently, and it's a good time for him to assert himself ahead of Brandt Clarke and Jacob Moverare -- Drew Doughty (ankle) is nearing his season debut after practicing in a regular jersey Wednesday. On the season, Spence has 16 points, 48 shots on net, 51 blocked shots, 43 hits and a plus-11 rating through 44 outings. Clarke has added a bit more offense from the back end, but Spence has arguably played better overall.

Clarke posted an assist in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Panthers.

Clarke played on the third pairing in this contest. The 21-year-old helped out on Adrian Kempe's go-ahead goal in the third period. Drew Doughty (ankle) is nearing his season debut, so it's not an encouraging sign that Clarke has slipped down the lineup while Jordan Spence occupies a top-four role -- one of those two players or Jacob Moverare would be at risk to slip out of the lineup if the Kings stay with six defensemen once Doughty is ready to play. Clarke has three helpers over nine outings in January and a total of 24 points (seven on the power play), 85 shots on net, 79 blocked shots, 32 PIM and a plus-10 rating across 45 appearances this season.