NHL Player News

Carlsson (lower body) will not be an option against Los Angeles on Friday, Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune reports.

The Ducks haven't offered much in the way of an update for Carlsson, with head coach Joel Quenneville telling reporters they will "know more sooner than later." In the meantime, Mason McTavish and Mikael Granlund will continue to fill the top-six center roles. With the team headed into a back-to-back, Carlsson should probably be considered a heavy doubt to face the Kings on Saturday.

Kreider is set to be a game-time decision Friday versus Los Angeles because of an illness, per Patrick Present of The Hockey News.

Kreider has 15 goals and 25 points in 42 appearances in 2025-26. If Kreider can't play Friday, then Jeffrey Viel might make his Ducks debut. Viel was acquired from Boston on Friday in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick. Anaheim might also dress seven defensemen and 11 forwards if Viel isn't able to play so soon after being traded. If the Ducks go with seven blueliners, then Ian Moore, who is otherwise projected to be a healthy scratch, will remain in the lineup.

Smith (upper body) will return to the lineup in Detroit on Friday, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

Smith missed 13 games with the injury. The fourth pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Smith has 12 goals and 17 assists in 33 games, establishing himself as a future star with the Sharks. He should line up on one of the top-two lines Friday and could return to his spot alongside Macklin Celebrini, giving Smith plenty of fantasy value.

Terry (upper body) is available for Friday's game against the Kings, Patrick Present of The Hockey News reports.

Terry has missed the last three games due to an upper-body injury, but he'll be back in action against Los Angeles. He had recorded points in four of his five appearances before his absence, racking up three goals, four assists, two blocked shots and four PIM while averaging 17:11 of ice time across that span.

Gauthier (illness) will be in action versus Los Angeles on Friday, Patrick Present of The Hockey News reports.

Gauthier will return after a one-game absence due to his illness and figures to slot into a third-line role for the Ducks. While the 21-year-old winger has generated 36 shots over his last nine outings, he has found the back of the net only twice. With Chris Kreider (illness) in doubt Friday, Gauthier could slide into the open spot on the top power play.

Armia (upper body) is expected to play Friday versus Anaheim, per Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site.

Armia hasn't been in the lineup since Jan. 5 because of the injury. He has nine goals and 16 points in 41 outings in 2025-26. Armia is likely to play on the second line alongside Warren Foegele and Quinton Byfield in his return.

Kuemper will be between the home pipes versus Anaheim on Friday, John Hoven of SiriusXM NHL Network Radio reports.

Kuemper has lost four straight games, going 0-2-2 while allowing 14 goals on 88 shots (.841 save percentage). Overall, the 35-year-old is 12-9-8 with a 2.50 GAA and a .904 save percentage. The Ducks are 11th in NHL scoring, generating 3.24 goals per game this season.

White was put on waivers by New Jersey on Friday.

White has been a healthy scratch for New Jersey's past four games. He has four assists, two PIM, 23 hits and 16 blocks in 23 outings with the Devils in 2025-26. White will presumably report to AHL Utica if he goes unclaimed.

Lammikko was designated for waivers by the Devils on Friday.

Lammikko's placement on waivers comes as the 29-year-old winger has been a healthy scratch for the last four contests. Even when he has played, Lammikko has struggled to produce with just two points in 22 outings. Assuming he clears, the Finn will be reassigned to AHL Utica, where he can get significantly more playing time.

Yurov scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 6-2 loss to the Jets.

Yurov snapped a four-game slump with the second-period tally. The 22-year-old is getting a chance at a larger role in the top six while Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) is out. Yurov has moved around the lineup frequently this season, earning 17 points, 49 shots on net, 25 hits, 27 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating over 41 appearances in his rookie campaign.