NHL Player News

Hughes found the back of the net on his only shot and added a helper and a plus-2 rating in 18:58 of ice time Friday in a 4-2 win over Carolina.

Hughes registered a secondary helper in the first period before scoring the game-winning goal at 4:15 of the middle frame. The left-shot blueliner has collected two points in back-to-back games and three of his past four. It's been a fruitful month for Hughes -- he's contributed three goals and 11 points in as many games in December after notching just six helpers through his first 18 appearances of the campaign. Hughes seems to have found his form after missing the first nine games of the season with a shoulder injury. The 21-year-old has accounted for three goals, 17 points, six PIM, 47 shots and a plus-3 rating over 29 contests.

Lyubushkin recorded an assist, six hits and two blocked shots in Friday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Wild.

The helper was Lyubushkin's second over 12 contests in December. The 30-year-old defenseman has occasionally had to play a larger role due to absences this month, but with the Stars' blue line near full strength, he's in a third-pairing spot. The Russian blueliner has eight helpers, 21 shots on net, 44 hits, 56 blocked shots and a plus-7 rating through 34 appearances. Outside of the deepest banger leagues, Lyubushkin doesn't make for a strong fantasy option.

Chisholm logged an assist and two shots on goal in Friday's 3-2 overtime win over the Stars.

Chisholm picked up his second assist over 12 contests in December. The 24-year-old helped out on Marcus Foligno's game-tying goal at 11:33 of the third period. Chisholm has done fine in a bottom-four role this season, collecting eight points, 35 shots on net, 28 blocked shots and an even plus-minus rating over 30 appearances. That's roughly in line with the nine points in 31 contests he had between Winnipeg and Minnesota in 2023-24.

Spurgeon recorded an assist, two shots on goal, two hits and three blocked shots in Friday's 3-2 overtime win over the Stars.

Spurgeon has a goal and an assist over his last two games after going eight contests without a point. The 35-year-old defenseman had a shot attempted redirected in by Marcus Foligno in the third period. Spurgeon remains more of a defensive pillar, but he's held his own on offense with 13 points, 58 shots on net, 50 blocked shots, 25 hits and a plus-4 rating through 30 appearances this season.

Brodin scored a goal on two shots, added two hits and blocked three shots in Friday's 3-2 overtime win over the Stars.

Brodin has three points over seven contests since he returned from an upper-body injury. This goal was his first since Nov. 19. The 31-year-old defenseman is up to three goals, 11 points, 46 shots on net, 56 blocked shots and a plus-7 rating through 26 outings this season. He continues to operate in a top-four role, though his scoring output leaves him on the fringe of being useful in most fantasy formats.

Faber scored the game-winning goal and added two PIM in Friday's 3-2 overtime win over the Stars.

Faber has scored in back-to-back contests, with his latest being a slick finish 35 seconds into overtime to complete the Wild's comeback. The 22-year-old defenseman has taken a step up with seven points over 12 outings in December. For the season, he's at five goals, 19 points, 45 shots on net, 47 blocked shots, 11 PIM and a plus-13 rating through 36 appearances in a top-pairing role.

Hughes (undisclosed) is considered doubtful to play Saturday versus the Kraken, Jeff Paterson of CanucksArmy.com reports.

Hughes was bothered by an undisclosed issue prior to the holiday break but was ultimately able to play Monday against the Sharks. He had two assists in that contest, but it appears the injury has not healed as expected over the break. If Hughes misses time, Guillaume Brisebois or Erik Brannstrom will draw into the lineup.

Tanev (lower body) is projected to play versus the Red Wings on Friday, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.

Tanev took like rushes on the second pairing, while Conor Timmins was not involved during that portion of warmups. It looks like Tanev's absence will be limited to just one game. The 35-year-old defensive specialist has 10 points and 99 blocked shots over 34 appearances this season.

Head coach Rick Tocchet said Friday that Hronek (lower body) has resumed skating, per CanucksArmy.com.

Hronek underwent surgery Dec. 3 and is currently on long-term injured reserve. At the time of the operation, he was expected to miss about eight weeks -- he's nearly halfway through that timeline, and it's too soon to say he's ahead of schedule. Tyler Myers looks set to continue on the top pairing while Hronek finishes his recovery.

Hutton (upper body) was taken off long-term injured reserve Friday, per PuckPedia.

Hutton hasn't played since Nov. 17 due to the injury. He has no points, three hits and five blocks in five appearances with the Golden Knights in 2024-25. Hutton is a depth defenseman who isn't expected to be in the lineup regularly.