NHL Player News

Bennett (personal) won't play against the Islanders on Saturday, according to Rob Darragh of the Panthers' official site.

Bennett will miss at least one game, but it's unclear if he will be ready to play against the Rangers on Sunday. He has produced 25 goals, 54 points, 180 shots on net, 112 hits and 76 PIM across 70 appearances this campaign. After being recalled from AHL Charlotte on Saturday, Jack Studnicka could replace Bennett in the lineup against the Islanders.

Tarasov will guard the visiting cage against the Islanders on Saturday, Doug Plagens of the Panthers Radio Network reports.

Tarasov has lost three straight games, but he was spectacular Thursday, turning aside 47 shots in a 3-2 loss to Minnesota. Tarasov is 9-13-2 with a 3.01 GAA and an .899 save percentage across 25 appearances this season. The Islanders are generating 2.84 goals per game, 23rd in the NHL in 2025-26.

Rantanen (lower body) was activated from injured reserve Saturday, per the NHL media site.

Following a 15-game absence, Rantanen appears ready to return to the lineup against Pittsburgh on Saturday. He has accounted for 20 goals, 69 points, 126 shots on net, 27 blocked shots and 38 hits across 54 appearances this season. Rantanen should occupy a top-six role and see time on the first power-play unit.

Studnicka was recalled from AHL Charlotte on Saturday.

Studnicka hasn't earned a point in 18 NHL outings this season while posting 16 shots on goal, six blocked shots and 19 hits. He has eight goals and 14 assists in 34 AHL appearances during the 2025-26 campaign.

Cihar scored two goals in WHL Kelowna's 3-1 win over Kamloops in Game 1 on Friday.

Cihar was a point-per-game player in the regular season after joining the Rockets. He picked up 12 goals, 19 assists and a plus-18 rating over 31 appearances, and he's off to a strong start in the postseason as well. The Kings prospect should continue to be among Kelowna's top forwards.

Cootes scored twice and added an assist in WHL Prince Albert's 4-1 win over Red Deer in Game 1 on Friday.

Cootes had eight points in six playoff games last year with WHL Seattle. He's earned 63 points over 45 regular-season appearances in the WHL, including 40 points in 28 contests with Prince Albert after a trade from the Thunderbirds. The Raiders are poised to make a deep run, and Cootes will likely be a leader on offense during the postseason.

Merilainen posted a 26-save shutout in AHL Belleville's 5-0 win over Manitoba on Friday.

This was his second shutout of the AHL campaign. Merilainen is up to 8-7-1 with a 2.87 GAA and a .905 save percentage through 18 appearances. He's had a down year compared to 2024-25, which is why he's stayed in the AHL since he was sent down in January.

Kaliyev scored three goals in AHL Belleville's 5-0 win over Manitoba on Friday.

Kaliyev reached the 60-point mark for the season with this performance. He has five goals over his last four games and 36 tallies on the season. Should the Senators need a scoring boost at the NHL level, Kaliyev could earn a call-up given his strong play throughout the AHL campaign.

Martin registered three assists in OHL Sault Ste. Marie's 4-1 win over London in Game 1 on Friday.

Martin posted 24 points over 24 regular-season contests for the Greyhound this year, which was interrupted by a two-month absence. In his junior career, he had six points over 16 playoff outings over the previous two seasons. He's poised to do much better this year, assuming the Greyhounds can make a good run.

Nobert recorded three assists in QMJHL Blainville-Boisbriand's 5-3 win in Game 1 over Victoriaville on Friday.

Nobert put up 30 goals and 48 helpers over 62 regular-season outings, and he's kept up his strong playmaking to begin the playoffs. The Armada will likely make a decent run this spring, so Nobert should have plenty of time to get used to postseason action. He had six points over 11 contests across his first two junior playoff runs.