NHL Player News
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Zach Werenski D | CLB
Blue Jackets' Zach Werenski: Three helpers in win
Werenski had two even-strength assists and one helper on the power play in Monday's 5-4 win over Montreal. He also led the team with seven shots on net and three blocked shots.
Werenski was dealing with a leg injury heading into the contest but shouldered a big load at 28:44 of ice time, over two minutes more than his season average. The three assists upped his season total to 24 (10 on the power play), and the blueliner is second on the team with 35 points through 35 outings.
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Denton Mateychuk D | CLB
Blue Jackets' Denton Mateychuk: Returns to minors after NHL debut
Mateychuk was loaned to AHL Cleveland on Monday.
Mateychuk made his NHL debut in Monday's 5-4 win over Montreal, logging one hit in 18:36 of ice time. The left-shot blueliner will link back up with the Monsters -- he's generated nine goals and 25 points through 27 AHL contests in 2024-25.
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Niko Mikkola D | FLA
Panthers' Niko Mikkola: Injured Monday
Mikkola suffered an upper-body injury in Monday's 4-0 loss to Tampa Bay and is considered day-to-day, according to Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Mikkola went to the locker room late in the second period and ultimately did not return. Head coach Paul Maurice said that Mikkola attempted to return but was not able to. An update on Mikkola's status should surface before Saturday's home game against Montreal.
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Quinn Hughes D | MIN
Canucks' Quinn Hughes: Good to go Monday
Hughes (undisclosed) will be in the lineup Monday versus San Jose, Jeff Paterson of CanucksArmy.com reports.
Hughes' status was in question heading into Monday's contest, but he'll avoid missing his first game of the campaign. The 2018 first-round selection will fill his usual role on the top pair and No. 1 power-play unit. The all-world blueliner ranks second among defensemen in the NHL in scoring with eight goals and 40 points through 33 games.
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Quinn Hughes D | MIN
Canucks' Quinn Hughes: Status in question Monday
Hughes (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for Monday's divisional matchup against San Jose, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
It's unclear what Hughes is dealing with, but he was one of the last Vancouver players on the ice at Monday morning's skate, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News relays. That's a likely indication that Hughes won't be sidelined long term if he's unable to suit up Monday. Erik Brannstrom, who has been a healthy scratch in back-to-back games, would return to the lineup if Hughes is out.
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Dante Fabbro D | CLB
Blue Jackets' Dante Fabbro: Moves past injury
Fabbro (lower body) will play in Monday's game against Montreal, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.
Fabbro will return to the lineup after missing two games due to the injury. The right-shot blueliner will serve on the No. 1 defensive pairing beside Zach Werenski against the Canadiens.
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Zach Werenski D | CLB
Blue Jackets' Zach Werenski: In lineup against Montreal
Werenski (leg) will be available for Monday's home matchup with the Canadiens, per Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site.
Werenski is managing an injury to his left leg, but he'll give it a go in the last game before the league's Christmas break. The star defenseman will skate in his usual spot on the top defensive pairing alongside Dante Fabbro.
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Simon Edvinsson D | DET
Red Wings' Simon Edvinsson: Moves to IR
Edvinsson (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Monday.
The move is retroactive to Dec. 18, meaning Edvinsson could still return to the lineup against Toronto on Friday. Detroit recalled William Wallinder from AHL Grand Rapids in a corresponding move to serve as an extra defender in Monday's matchup versus the Blues.
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William Wallinder D | DET
Red Wings' William Wallinder: Recalled by Detroit
Wallinder was recalled from AHL Grand Rapids on Monday.
Wallinder was drafted by the Red Wings with the 32nd overall pick in 2020, but he hasn't yet made his NHL debut. However, he'll join the Red Wings after Simon Edvinsson (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Monday. Wallinder will presumably serve as an extra defenseman and seems unlikely to have much of a role if he sees any game action.
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Haydn Fleury D | WPG
Jets' Haydn Fleury: Suffers injury Monday
Fleury (lower body) left Monday's game against Toronto and didn't return.
Fleury was hurt late in the second stanza and didn't play in the third period. Head coach Scott Arniel said after the game that Fleury is considered day-to-day, per Ken Wiebe of The Winnipeg Free Press. Fleury went into Monday's matchup with six assists, 25 shots on goal, 41 blocked shots and 31 hits across 24 outings. If Fleury and Logan Stanley (lower body) remain unavailable to play against Ottawa on Saturday, Winnipeg will likely bring up reinforcements from the minors. Simon Lundmark joined the Jets as a spare defender in Monday's game but could be sent back to AHL Manitoba during the holiday break.