NHL Player News

Rutta (lower body) is healing slower than anticipated and is not expected back soon, Max Miller of NHL.com reports.

Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News adds that Rutta has not started skating following the resumption of practice Tuesday. It's possible Rutta will miss all of the Sharks' upcoming seven-game road trip, which runs through Mar. 6 at Colorado. The 34-year-old blueliner already missed six games prior to the 4 Nations Face-Off and is likely to be out a while longer, though his depth role on the Sharks' blue line means his absence doesn't make much of an impact in fantasy.

Durzi (shoulder) will be activated from injured reserve prior to Saturday's game versus the Kings, Brogan Houston of Deseret News reports.

Durzi hasn't played since Oct. 14 against the Devils, which was Utah's fourth game of the season. Durzi could be a candidate for power-play time, but it's likely his minutes will be limited at first after a lengthy recovery due to surgery. The 26-year-old blueliner could eventually handle top-four minutes.

Crevier (concussion) could be an option against Columbus on Saturday, Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Crevier hasn't played since Feb. 1 versus the Panthers, a stretch of three games on the shelf due to his concussion. If the 23-year-old blueliner is given the all-clear, he'll need to first be activated off injured reserve. The Hawks could place Jason Dickinson (ankle) on IR in a corresponding move.

Samuelsson (foot) practiced Tuesday and feels ready to return to the lineup, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

Samuelsson has missed the last two games after breaking a small bone in his foot. He has accounted for three goals, six assists, 39 shots on net, 55 blocked shots and 57 hits across 35 appearances this season. Jacob Bryson could be a healthy scratch for Saturday's game versus the Rangers if Buffalo removes Samuelsson from injured reserve.

Siegenthaler underwent a lower-body procedure during the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off and will be re-evaluated in 2-3 weeks, the Devils announced Tuesday.

Siegenthaler has missed the last two games and moved to injured reserve Tuesday. The Devils recalled blueliners Simon Nemec and Seamus Casey in corresponding moves. The 27-year-old Siegenthaler has two goals, nine points, 52 shots on net, 92 blocked shots, 75 hits and 44 PIM through 55 appearances this season.

Mayfield (lower body) told reporters he is hoping to be available for Sunday's matchup with Dallas, per Andrew Gross of Newsday.

Mayfield appears to have taken advantage of the time off during the 4 Nations Face-Off to get back to 100 percent when the Isles return to action Sunday. In order to suit up versus the Stars, the veteran blueliner will need to be activated off injured reserve and could step into the lineup for Dennis Cholowski or Adam Boqvist.

Lauzon (lower body) will be shelved for 4-6 weeks, the Predators announced Tuesday.

Given his recovery timeline, Lauzon will be out of action for the rest of the 2024-25 campaign due to his lower-body injury. The blueliner has been sidelined since Dec. 31 versus the Wild. Injuries have limited Lauzon to just 28 games this year in which he registered one assist, 25 assists and 37 PIM while dishing out 127 hits.

Contrary to a previous report, Chabot's hand was not cut at Tuesday's practice. The blueliner had to leave the ice after bumping his nose, per TSN 1200 Ottawa.

Chabot suffered a broken nose before the 4 Nations Face-Off break, so that's presumably why the bump warranted him exiting practice early. Although he did miss Jan. 16's clash against Washington after being struck in the face by the puck, Chabot featured in the Senators' final 12 games before the break, so unless there's a setback, he should be fine Saturday versus Montreal.

Chabot left Tuesday's practice session after his hand was cut, per TSN 1200 Ottawa.

The Senators resume play Saturday versus Montreal, so Chabot will have a few days to recover before the club makes a determination on his status. The left-shot blueliner has contribued four goals and 27 points over 55 games this season. If he's forced to miss any time, Tyler Kleven will see an increased role.

Thompson was summoned from AHL San Jose on Tuesday.

Thompson has registered two goals, three assists, 22 shots on net, 25 blocked shots and nine hits through 18 NHL appearances this season. He played in three straight games with the Sharks before the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off and will probably be in the lineup for Sunday's clash against Calgary.