NHL Player News

Harley notched a power-play assist and two shots on goal in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Maple Leafs.

Harley had been held off the scoresheet over the previous three games. The defenseman is up to 22 points (three on the power play), 94 shots on net, 53 blocked shots and a plus-22 rating across 41 appearances. There's some fluidity to the Stars' defense pairings, but Harley has been one of the team's top blueliners this season regardless of who he's paired with.

Zadorov logged an assist, four hits, three blocked shots, seven PIM and a plus-2 rating in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Lightning.

Zadorov has two helpers, 21 hits, 13 blocked shots and 13 PIM over his last five contests. The 29-year-old defenseman is poised to take on a larger role while Charlie McAvoy (undisclosed) is on injured reserve, though Zadorov's physicality and subsequent penalties for roughing and fighting cost him some time in this contest. He has 11 points, 56 shots on net, 57 blocked shots, 89 PIM and 128 hits through 46 appearances this season, so he'll need to supplement his non-scoring numbers with a little more offense to have widespread fantasy appeal.

Wotherspoon scored a goal on three shots and added two PIM in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Lightning.

The first-period tally was Wotherspoon's first NHL goal, coming in his 76th appearance over three seasons. The 27-year-old blueliner has just two points, 18 shots on net, 30 hits, 27 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating through 23 outings in 2024-25. He's been a part-time player for much of this campaign, but he could get steadier playing time until one of Charlie McAvoy (undisclosed) or Hampus Lindholm (lower body) can return to bolster Boston's blue line.

Peeke scored a shorthanded empty-net goal on four shots, added an assist, went plus-4 and blocked two shots in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Lightning.

The goal was Peeke's first of the season and the first shortie of his career. The 26-year-old defenseman is up to 10 points through 40 contests, matching his output from 38 appearances in 2023-24. Peeke has added 40 shots on net, 40 hits, 65 blocked shots and a minus-1 rating this season. He may be called on for more ice time in the absence of Charlie McAvoy (undisclosed), though Peeke is likely to remain a bottom-four blueliner.

Kesselring logged an assist, two blocked shots and 10 PIM in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Canadiens.

Kesselring has a helper in consecutive games after going 12 contests without a point. The defenseman also got involved in a dust-up with Arber Xhekaj in this game. Kesselring brings a bit of talent on offense with a hard-nosed edge to his play. He has 17 points, 77 shots on net, 54 hits, 42 PIM, 35 blocked shots and a plus-10 rating through 43 appearances this season.

Carrier logged two assists and two blocked shots in Tuesday's 5-3 win over Utah.

Carrier has picked up seven helpers over 12 contests with the Canadiens, who are 9-2-1 since his arrival. The 28-year-old made a positive impact Tuesday, helping out on goals by Patrik Laine and Kirby Dach for his second multi-point effort in a Montreal sweater. Carrier is up to 14 points, 40 shots on net, 68 blocked shots, 44 hits and a minus-13 rating over 40 appearances this season when accounting for his time with Nashville. While his ice time is largely unchanged with Montreal, his productivity is up to a level that allows him to be a depth option in fantasy.

Vlasic picked up an assist Tuesday in a 6-3 win over the Red Wings.

It was his 1,299th NHL game. Pickles will become just the 21st defenseman in league history to play 1,300 games. He has 83 goals and 295 assists for 378 career points. Kudos.

Hutson notched three assists, two blocked shots and a plus-3 rating in Tuesday's 5-3 win over Utah.

Hutson has a goal and eight assists during his five-game point streak, which includes a pair of three-point efforts. The 20-year-old picked up a helper in each period Tuesday, assisting on goals by Mike Matheson, Kirby Dach and Cole Caufield. For the season, Hutson is up to 35 points (14 on the power play), 49 shots on net, 56 blocked shots, 21 hits, 22 PIM and a minus-4 rating over 43 appearances. He looks like the real deal while occupying spots on the top pairing and first power-play unit, so fantasy managers shouldn't hesitate to roster him or have him in their active lineup.

Matheson scored a goal on three shots, dished an assist, added two PIM, logged two hits and blocked two shots in Tuesday's 5-3 win over Utah.

The goal was a dazzler for any player, let alone a defenseman. Matheson was able to convert on an end-to-end rush by himself to tie the game at 1-1 in the first period. The blueliner also helped out on Cole Caufield's third-period tally, which was the game-winner. The arrival of Lane Hutson has stolen some of Matheson's thunder, but he's still a capable all-around defenseman in his own right. For the season, the 30-year-old has three goals, 22 points, 82 shots on net, 85 blocked shots, 35 PIM and a minus-2 rating over 41 appearances. His tally Tuesday was his first since Nov. 30.

Makar registered an assist and two shots on goal in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Rangers.

Makar helped out on Parker Kelly's opening goal in the first period. This game wasn't all good for Makar -- he mishandled a pass that led to Sam Carrick tying the game on a shorthanded breakaway later in the opening frame. Makar has four points over seven outings in January, but his helper Tuesday snapped a season-worst four-game slump. He has a total of 50 points, which ranks him tied for first with the Blue Jackets' Zach Werenski. Makar has 20 power-play points, 134 shots on net, 71 blocked shots, 37 hits and a plus-13 rating over 45 appearances.