NHL Player News
-
Erik Gudbranson D | CLB
Blue Jackets' Erik Gudbranson: Pots first goal of season
Gudbranson scored a goal on two shots and added two PIM in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Flyers.
Gudbranson has three points over six games since he returned from a hip injury. The 34-year-old defenseman has reclaimed a significant shutdown role on the blue line for Columbus, and he should be a regular in the lineup as long as he avoids further injuries. He's produced three points, 11 shots on net, 16 hits, 13 blocked shots, eight PIM and a plus-1 rating over 10 outings this season.
-
Rasmus Ristolainen D | PHI
Flyers' Rasmus Ristolainen: Sustains lower-body injury
Ristolainen (lower body) won't return to Wednesday's game versus the Blue Jackets.
Ristolainen was playing in just his second game following a stint on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury. While this new issue is different, it's possible the 31-year-old will end up missing more time. His status for Thursday's game in Boston is uncertain.
-
Ryan Pulock D | NYI
Islanders' Ryan Pulock: Expected to play Wednesday
Pulock (upper body) is expected to be in the lineup versus the Rangers on Wednesday, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.
Pulock was considered a game-time decision, but he skated alongside Matthew Schaefer during warmups. Pulock should also be expected to play on the penalty kill and could see some power-play time. Adam Boqvist will yield a spot in the lineup to make room for Pulock.
-
Christopher Tanev D | TOR
Maple Leafs' Chris Tanev: Lands on LTIR
Tanev (groin) was placed on long-term injured reserve Wednesday, per PuckPedia.
Tanev remains out indefinitely. He has already missed the requisite time for LTIR, so he can be activated whenever he's ready, but that is not imminent.
-
Henry Thrun D | TOR
Maple Leafs' Henry Thrun: Sent to minors
Thrun was assigned to AHL Toronto on Wednesday.
The Maple Leafs recalled Marshall Rifai from the minors in a corresponding move. Thrun has been a healthy scratch for the last three games. He should see more consistent playing time in the minors, where he has three goals and 14 points in 28 games this season.
-
Marshall Rifai D | TOR
Maple Leafs' Marshall Rifai: Up from minors
Rifai was summoned from AHL Toronto on Wednesday.
The Maple Leafs also sent defensemen Henry Thrun and Dakota Mermis to the minors. Rifai hasn't drawn into an NHL game since the 2023-24 campaign, when he appeared in two regular-season games with the Maple Leafs. The 27-year-old has four assists and 23 PIM across 12 outings with AHL Toronto this season.
-
Mattias Ekholm D | EDM
Oilers' Mattias Ekholm: Deemed day-to-day
Ekholm (undisclosed) is day-to-day ahead of Thursday's home game with the Sharks, Tony Brar of Oilers TV reports.
Ekholm didn't participate in Wednesday's practice and is questionable for Thursday's contest. The news comes just two days after he scored his first career hat trick, which highlights his recent seven-point, five-game run of scoring. Overall, the 35-year-old blueliner has six goals, 26 points, 95 shots on net, 50 hits and 87 blocked shots across 54 games this season. He will likely have to rejoin the mix at Thursday's practice if he wants a chance play against the Sharks.
-
Ben Hutton D | LV
Golden Knights' Ben Hutton: Garners assist in overtime loss
Hutton notched an assist, two shots on goal and two blocked shots in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Canadiens.
Hutton snapped a nine-game slump when he helped out on Pavel Dorofeyev's second goal in this contest. For the season, Hutton has 14 points in 45 appearances, putting him on track for his best performance since his rookie year in 2015-16, when he had 25 points in 75 games. Hutton has added 59 shots on net, 47 blocked shots, 23 hits and 17 PIM for Vegas this season.
-
Adam Wilsby D | NSH
Predators' Adam Wilsby: First point since return
Wilsby logged an assist and two shots on goal in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Bruins.
Wilsby's helper was his first point in two games since he returned from missing four contests due to a lower-body injury. The 25-year-old should be a regular in the Predators' lineup moving forward. He's at eight points, 37 shots on net, 31 blocked shots, 18 PIM and a minus-3 rating over 38 appearances, offering little upside for fantasy managers.
-
Nick Blankenburg D | COL
Predators' Nick Blankenburg: Forces overtime Tuesday
Blankenburg scored a goal in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Bruins.
Blankenburg picked up his fourth point in the last 11 games when he tied the score at 2-2 in the third period. The 27-year-old was limited to 12:41 of ice time since the Predators dressed seven blueliners for this contest. Blankenburg shouldn't have trouble staying in the lineup while Nicolas Hague (lower body) is out on a week-to-week basis. For the season, Blankenburg has six goals and 21 points, both of which are career highs. He's added 52 shots on net, 39 hits, 44 blocked shots and a minus-9 rating over 42 outings.