NHL Player News

Ekman-Larsson (illness) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Islanders.

Ekman-Larsson missed Monday's practice session due to his illness, and he'll be absent for at least one game. Philippe Myers is a candidate to return to the lineup Tuesday, while Marshall Rifai was called up to provide additional depth. Ekman-Larsson should tentatively be considered day-to-day ahead of Thursday's rematch against the Islanders.

Rifai was recalled by the Maple Leafs on Tuesday.

Rifai spent the past few weeks with AHL Toronto, but he'll rejoin the NHL club ahead of Tuesday's game against the Islanders since Oliver Ekman-Larsson (illness) and Pontus Holmberg (illness) have been ruled out. Rifai made just two appearances for the Maple Leafs last year and hasn't yet appeared in the NHL this season, so he'll likely serve as an additional depth option while the club is shorthanded.

Balinskis picked up two assists in Monday's 5-3 win over the Rangers.

The 28-year-old blueliner helped set up tallies by Mackie Samoskevich in the first period and Jesper Boqvist in the second. It was Balinskis' first multi-point effort since Nov. 7, snapping a slump that had seen him record just one point (a goal) in his prior 10 appearances. On the season, he's produced a goal and 10 points in 35 contests with 48 shots on net, 27 hits, 22 blocked shots, 17 PIM and a minus-6 rating.

Martinez (neck) remains on injured reserve but is listed as day-to-day ahead of Tuesday's Winter Classic matchup versus the Blues, per Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio.

Martinez has missed 10 straight games since being placed on injured reserve Dec. 13, retroactive to Dec. 7. The three-time Stanley Cup champion would need to be officially activated off IR before being able to return to game action. Louis Crevier or Nolan Allan could be candidates to come out of the lineup when Martinez is ready to return. The 37-year-old Martinez has accounted for one goal, three helpers and a minus-7 rating through 15 appearances in 2024-25.

Bichsel was assigned to AHL Texas on Monday, per Owen Newkirk of DLLS Sports.

Bichsel has two goals, four shots on net, two blocked shots and 26 hits in eight NHL appearances this season. If Bichsel isn't back with Dallas before Tuesday's game and Matt Dumba (upper body) remains on injured reserve, Brendan Smith could play against Buffalo.

Fleury (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Monday, per the NHL media site.

Fleury is week-to-week after being injured in a 5-2 win over Toronto on Dec. 23. He has produced six assists, 27 shots on goal, 44 blocked shots and 31 hits through 25 appearances this season. Logan Stanley replaced Fleury in the lineup in Saturday's 4-2 victory against Ottawa.

Walman (lower body) won't be an option for Tuesday's matchup versus the Flyers, according to Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now.

Walman has resumed skating but will miss his fourth straight game. He has compiled five goals, 25 points, 80 shots on net, 47 blocked shots and 30 hits in 31 appearances this season. Due to Walman's absence, Henry Thrun will remain on the top pairing, while Shakir Mukhamadullin will stay in the lineup for a fourth consecutive contest.

Hamonic logged an assist, three shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Wild.

Hamonic has two helpers over his last five contests. The 34-year-old defenseman is rarely a source of consistent offense -- his defensive play is what keeps him in the lineup in a top-four role. For the season, he's at three assists, 45 shots on net, 57 blocked shots, 35 hits and a minus-8 rating over 35 appearances.

Sanderson logged a power-play assist, three shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Wild.

Sanderson has a goal and six helpers over his last nine outings, a span in which he's also gone plus-2. The 22-year-old defenseman struggled in his own zone and at even strength earlier in the year, but his play has come around over time. For the season, he has 21 points (13 on the power play), 76 shots on net, 71 blocked shots and a minus-12 rating through 36 appearances, but he's trending in the right direction.

Pulock provided an assist and blocked four shots in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Penguins.

Pulock ended a four-game slump when he assisted on a Bo Horvat tally in the third period. With four points, 15 shots on net and 26 blocked shots through 12 outings in December, Pulock has been a bit quiet in terms of production. The veteran defenseman has 12 points, 53 shots, 80 blocks, 51 hits and a plus-1 rating across 37 contests this season, putting him on pace to miss the 30-point mark for the fifth straight year.