NHL Player News

Head coach Lindy Ruff said after Thursday's 4-2 win over Montreal that Bryson (upper body) is going to miss some time, Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald reports.

Bryson suffered his upper-body injury during the second period of Thursday's game and was ruled out prior to the start of the third. Zach Metsa will likely play regularly for the duration of Bryson's absence, though the Sabres will probably elevate a defenseman from AHL Rochester in the near future now that they have only six healthy blueliners.

Edvinsson is a late scratch Thursday versus Minnesota because of a lower-body injury.

Edvinsson has six goals, 17 points, 54 PIM, 63 hits and 104 blocks in 48 outings in 2025-26. Travis Hamonic will play Thursday as a result of Edvinsson's absence.

Johansson (lower body) is playing in Thursday's home matchup against the Red Wings, according to Michael Russo of The Athletic.

Johansson was sidelined for Minnesota's last three matchups but is ready to go after being labeled a game-time decision earlier Thursday. The veteran winger will skate on the second line alongside Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) and Vladimir Tarasenko on Thursday. Ben Jones and Hunter Haight are healthy scratches against Detroit as a result of Johansson and Eriksson Ek being back in the lineup.

Bryson has been ruled out for the remainder of Thursday's game in Montreal due to an upper-body injury, per Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald.

Bryson logged two blocked shots and a plus-1 rating in 6:17 of ice time prior to exiting. If the 28-year-old defenseman is unable to suit up Saturday on Long Island, Zach Metsa will likely draw back into the lineup.

Talbot is expected to start on the road against Minnesota on Thursday, per Dylan Loucks of The Hockey News.

Talbot last started Jan. 13 when he stopped 38 of 40 shots en route to a 3-0 loss to Boston. He has an 11-7-3 record, 2.95 GAA and .892 save percentage in 22 outings in 2025-26. The Wild have been strong this season with a 28-14-9 record, but they've been a mixed bag recently, going 3-4-1 across their past eight games. Minnesota is tied for 15th in goals per game with 3.16 in 2025-26.

Draisaitl (personal) will be back in the lineup for Thursday's home matchup versus the Penguins, Tony Brar of Oilers TV reports.

Following a three-game absence, Draisaitl will be back in action and center the second line between Vasily Podkolzin and Jack Roslovic on Thursday. Due to Draisaitl's return, Alec Regula will come out of the lineup, giving the Oilers a normal configuration of 12 forwards and six defensemen. Draisaitl will also reclaim his usual role on the No. 1 power-play unit.

Melanson was summoned from AHL Coachella Valley on Thursday.

Ben Meyers (lower body) was put on injured reserve in a corresponding move. Melanson has a goal and four points in 15 appearances with Seattle in 2025-26. He might draw into the lineup Friday versus Anaheim because Meyers is unavailable.

Meyers was placed on injured reserve Thursday and is out week-to-week due to a lower-body injury.

Jacob Melanson was recalled from AHL Coachella Valley as a result of Meyers landing on injured reserve. The 27-year-old Meyers will now be forced to miss at least the next three games. The Minnesota native's first opportunity to get back into the lineup will be Jan. 29 against Toronto.

Wilsby (lower body) won't play Thursday against Ottawa, per Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site.

Wilsby also missed Nashville's past three games. He has a goal and seven points in 36 outings in 2025-26. His next chance to return is Saturday against Utah.

Reimer will tend the twine Thursday in Nashville, according to Julian McKenzie of The Athletic.

Reimer picked up his first win of the season Tuesday in Columbus, turning aside 21 of 22 shots in a 4-1 victory. Nashville has generated 2.82 goals per game in 2025-26, which ranks 24th in the NHL. The Predators have lost back-to-back matchups against the Golden Knights and Sabres following a three-game winning streak.