NHL Player News

Hamilton notched an assist, six shots, a hit and a blocked shot in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Ducks.

Hamilton might play as a blueliner, but there's no question he's one of the Devils' most productive offensive weapons. Even though he hasn't scored a goal since his two-point effort in a 5-1 win over the Rangers on Dec. 2, Hamilton's contributions on offense have been noticeable of late. He's recorded four assists over his last five games, giving him 20 across 40 games on the season.

Zamula recorded a goal and an assist in Tuesday's 4-0 win over the Sharks. He also notched two shots, two hits and posted a plus-2 rating.

Zamula stuffed the stat sheet Tuesday and recorded his second multi-point game of the season -- and first since notching a one-goal, one-assist performance in a 5-2 win over the Sabres on Nov. 16. Zamula posted just three points (two goals, one assist) in 11 outings in December, however, so the lack of consistency on a game-to-game basis conspires against his upside.

Ekman-Larsson (illness) took part in Wednesday's practice, per David Alter of The Hockey News, which indicates that he should be available for Thursday's tilt against the Islanders.

Ekman-Larsson missed Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Islanders due to the illness. He has a goal, 13 points, 52 hits and 34 blocks in 37 outings in 2024-25. Ekman-Larsson is projected to serve on the third pairing alongside Simon Benoit based on Wednesday's morning skate. Conor Timmins, who logged 16:47 of ice time Tuesday, is projected to draw out of the lineup.

Brannstrom logged a power-play assist, four blocked shots and five PIM in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Flames.

Injuries to Quinn Hughes (undisclosed) and Filip Hronek (lower body) have left the Canucks scrambling for a power-play quarterback. That job belongs to Brannstrom for now, and those injuries have also bought him a bit more job security after he was scratched five times over eight contests between Dec. 10-23. His helper Tuesday was his first power-play point since 2022-23. The 25-year-old has eight points, 33 shots on net, 39 blocked shots, 17 PIM and a minus-4 rating through 28 outings this season. He's worth a speculative add in fantasy as long as he's playing on the first power-play unit.

Emberson logged an assist in Tuesday's 4-1 win over Utah.

Emberson has a helper in two of the last three games, but he picked up just three assists over 13 outings in December. The 24-year-old defenseman is up to five assists, 31 shots on net, 53 hits, 48 blocked shots and a minus-4 rating through 35 contests this season. The Oilers don't have an extra healthy defenseman on the roster, so Emberson's bottom-four spot in the lineup is likely safe for the foreseeable future.

Bouchard posted an assist, three shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Tuesday's 4-1 win over Utah.

Bouchard closed out December with three points over his last two games, getting on the scoresheet in consecutive contests for the first time in the month. He totaled 10 points over 13 outings in December. The defenseman is up to seven goals, 21 helpers (seven on the power play), 94 shots on net, 60 blocked shots and a plus-9 rating over 37 appearances this season.

Stecher scored a goal on two shots and added two PIM in Tuesday's 4-1 win over Utah.

Stecher hadn't gotten on the scoresheet in the last seven games. The defenseman had a somewhat surprising three goals over 13 outings in December, which accounts for all of his goal-scoring so far in 2024-25. He's added three assists, 32 shots on net, 35 blocked shots 17 hits, 23 PIM and a minus-1 rating through 33 contests overall in a bottom-four role.

Skjei picked up two assists in a 5-3 loss to Minnesota on Tuesday.

Skjei has four points, including three assists, in his last 15 games. He also has 14 blocks and 29 shots in that span. Skjei delivered a career-high 47 points with the Hurricanes last season, but that now looks like a product of their system. No need to roster him at this time.

Ekholm scored a goal on two shots, dished an assist, blocked three shots and went plus-3 in Tuesday's 4-1 win over Utah.

Ekholm ended a three-game dry spell with this performance. He opened the scoring 4:26 into the game and then helped out on Leon Draisaitl's empty-netter in the third period. Ekholm is up to six goals -- four of which he scored over 13 contests in December. He's generated 17 points, 90 shots on net, 53 blocked shots, 24 hits and a plus-15 rating over 37 appearances this season in a top-pairing role.

Chisholm scored a power-play goal Tuesday in a 5-3 win over the Predators.

The 24-year-old defender has quietly put up a point (one goal, two assists) in each of his last three games. Chisholm may be in line for a bit more playing time because Jared Spurgeon was forced from Tuesday's game due to a lower-body injury that put the older defender in a leg brace and on crutches after the game. Chisholm has strong offensive instincts, and he can move the puck well.