NHL Player News
-
Yaroslav Askarov G | SJ
Sharks' Yaroslav Askarov: Remains unavailable
Askarov (lower body) won't be an option to play in Saturday's road game against Montreal and Sunday's road matchup against Ottawa, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.
Askarov remains day-to-day and still with the team on the road, but it's unclear when he will be available to return to the lineup. He has posted a 19-17-3 record this season with a 3.56 GAA and an .886 save percentage through 40 appearances. Alex Nedeljkovic and Laurent Brossoit will handle the goaltending duties until Askarov is ready to play again.
-
Anton Lundell C | FLA
Panthers' Anton Lundell: Back in action for Sunday
Lundell (undisclosed) will be in the lineup Sunday against Seattle, according to Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Lundell missed Thursday's 2-1 overtime win over Columbus due to an injury. The talented center has seen a big increase in his time on ice, going from averaging 16:43 in the 2024-25 regular season to 19:10 this campaign. Most of that has to do with the season-ending injury Aleksander Barkov (knee) suffered in training camp, but it also helps that at the age of 24, Lundell is maturing with an increased role. He has 17 goals and 43 points in 2025-26 and is just two points away from tying his career high in points.
-
Carter Verhaeghe C | FLA
Panthers' Carter Verhaeghe: Returning for Sunday
Verhaeghe (undisclosed) will be back in the lineup Sunday in Seattle, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Verhaeghe sat out Thursday's game versus Columbus. Verhaeghe has 19 goals, 27 assists, 150 shots on net and 56 hits in 63 outings this season. He is expected to play alongside Evan Rodrigues and Mackie Samoskevich on the second line as well as seeing first power-play time in Seattle.
-
Jet Greaves G | CLB
Blue Jackets' Jet Greaves: Facing Flyers
Greaves will guard the visiting cage in Philadelphia on Saturday, according to Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site.
Greaves has played only once in the last four games, giving up five goals on 31 shots in a 5-4 overtime loss to Los Angeles on Mar. 9. He is 20-12-8 with a pair of shutouts, a 2.69 GAA and a .907 save percentage over 41 appearances this season. The Flyers are tied for 24th in NHL scoring, averaging 2.80 goals per game.
-
Sam Bennett C | FLA
Panthers' Sam Bennett: Considered day-to-day
Bennett (undisclosed) is day-to-day after sitting out Saturday's practice, Panthers play-by-play announcer Steve Goldstein reports.
Bennett's availability for Sunday's matchup against Seattle is unclear, but Anton Lundell (undisclosed) will be available to return to the lineup. The 29-year-old Bennett has collected 24 goals, 50 points, 170 shots on net and 109 hits across 65 appearances this season.
-
Erik Gudbranson D | CLB
Blue Jackets' Erik Gudbranson: Game-time decision Saturday
Gudbranson (upper body) will be a game-time decision Saturday in Philadelphia, per Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site.
Gudbranson, who participated in Saturday's morning skate, has missed the last two games. He is without a point in his last 11 games and has one goal and two assists in 21 games this season. If he is unable to play, look for Jake Christiansen to remain in the lineup.
-
Sam Reinhart C | FLA
Panthers' Sam Reinhart: Missing four-game road trip
Reinhart (undisclosed) will not travel with the team for its upcoming four-game road trip, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports.
Reinhart missed his first game of the season in Tuesday's 4-3 win over Detroit, but he returned to action against Columbus on Thursday and scored the game-winner in overtime. The Panthers open a four-game road trip in Seattle on Sunday before playing three games in Western Canada. Reinhart has 29 goals and 32 assists across 64 games this season. It's unclear if he will be ready to return to the lineup when the Panthers host the Kraken on March 24.
-
Alex Nedeljkovic G | SJ
Sharks' Alex Nedeljkovic: Facing Canadiens
Nedeljkovic will guard the road goal against Montreal on Saturday, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.
Nedeljkovic is coming off a 39-save performance in Thursday's 4-2 win over Boston. He has a 12-9-3 record this campaign with a 2.80 GAA and a .902 save percentage through 28 appearances. Montreal ranks second in the league with 3.53 goals per game this season.
-
Steven Santini D | TB
Lightning's Steve Santini: Recalled from AHL
Santini was called up from AHL Syracuse on Saturday.
Santini was a healthy scratch Thursday and sent down Friday, likely for salary cap management. Santini has one assist in 10 NHL games this season. the 31-year-old veteran has spent most of the season in the AHL, producing six assists in 32 games. The Lightning placed Declan Carlile (undisclosed) on injured reserve in a corresponding move.
-
Jake Oettinger G | DAL
Stars' Jake Oettinger: Slated to start Saturday
Oettinger was the first goaltender off the ice at morning skate, Sam Nestler of DLLS Sports reports, and is expected to defend the home crease versus Detroit on Saturday.
Oettinger has not lost in regulation time in his last 11 games, going 10-0-1. Overall, he is 27-10-5 with a 2.64 GAA and a .900 save percentage over 42 starts this season. The Red Wings are generating 2.89 goals per game, 21st in the NHL.