NHL Player News

Binnington is set to start against Team USA in Thursday's 4 Nations Face-Off Final, according to Ethan Sears of the New York Post.

Binnington is getting a second chance at besting America after stopping 20 of 22 shots en route to a 3-1 loss Saturday. He has a 2.60 GAA and an .892 save percentage in three starts during the tournament. The 31-year-old netminder has also posted a 15-19-4 record, 2.89 GAA and .897 save percentage in 39 appearances with St. Louis this season.

Hellebuyck will be between the pipes versus Canada in the Final of the 4 Nations Face-Off on Thursday, Ethan Sears of the New York Post reports.

Hellebuyck won both of his previous starts in the tournament, including a 25-save performance Saturday against Canada. The 31-year-old netminder was rested for the last round-robin game while Jake Oettinger took the loss versus Sweden. Hellebuyck has allowed two goals on 47 shots in the tournament, and a similar performance would likely be enough for Team USA to come away with the win.

Garand was sent to AHL Hartford on Thursday.

Garand was summoned Tuesday to practice with the Rangers due to Igor Shesterkin's upper-body injury. This move might indicate that Shesterkin will be ready for the Rangers' back-to-back set against Buffalo and Pittsburgh on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, but that hasn't been confirmed. Garand has a 2.73 GAA and a .914 save percentage in 25 outings with Hartford this season.

Shesterkin (upper body) practiced for a second consecutive day Thursday, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.

Shesterkin was injured Feb. 7 against the Penguins and was expected to be out of action for 1-2 weeks. He appears to be in line to start Saturday against the Sabres, though the Rangers could keep him out another game and play him Sunday in Pittsburgh. Shesterkin is 18-19-2 with a 2.87 GAA and a .906 save percentage across 39 appearances in 2024-25. Shesterkin said after practice that he expects to be ready to play Saturday in Buffalo.

The Devils recalled Daws from AHL Utica on Thursday.

Daws was sent down at the break to get in some playing time and went 1-1-0. allowing six goals on 63 shots. Daws is 1-0-0 at the NHL level this season, giving up only two goals on 34 shots. He will continue to back up Jake Allen while Jacob Markstrom continues to recover from a sprained MCL.

Askarov (lower body) was hurt in Wednesday's game between AHL San Jose and Ontario, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

Peng adds that Askarov was favoring his left leg, though an official update on the prospect goaltender was unavailable. In any case, it's unlikely that Askarov will be available in the short term if the Sharks need to call up a goalie.

Vejmelka is questionable for Saturday's clash against the Kings due to an illness, according to Cole Bagley of KSL Sports on Wednesday.

There's still plenty of time for Vejmelka to recover, so it wouldn't be surprising if the 28-year-old netminder is ultimately an option versus Los Angeles. However, Connor Ingram (upper body) is also day-to-day, so Utah's goaltending situation remains in flux. Jaxson Stauber was recalled from AHL Tucson on Tuesday, so Utah already has another option on the roster if needed.

Ferguson was reassigned to AHL Iowa on Wednesday.

Ferguson was called up Tuesday to serve as a practice player wince Filip Gustavsson was away with Team Sweden. The Swedish club played its final game of the 4 Nations Face-Off on Monday, so Gustavsson has presumably rejoined the Wild after a short breather, which would explain why Ferguson is back in the minors.

Stezka was recalled from AHL Coachella Valley on Wednesday.

Stezka was sent to Coachella Valley on Sunday while the Kraken were off for the 4 Nations Face-Off. Victor Ostman was returned to ECHL Kansas City in a corresponding move. Stezka is set to resume his duties as Joey Daccord's understudy when the Kraken's schedule resumes Saturday in Florida.

Ingram (upper body) is day-to-day ahead of Saturday's road game versus the Kings, Brogan Houston of Deseret News Sports on Tuesday.

Utah recalled Jaxson Stauber from AHL Tucson on Tuesday as a potential injury replacement for Ingram. However, head coach Andre Tourigny doesn't expect Stauber to see playing time during the team's upcoming stretch of games. If Ingram is unavailable, Karel Vejmelka will presumably get most of the starts.