NHL Player News

Mateychuk is slated to miss Thursday's game versus the Canucks, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Mateychuk's second evaluation results haven't been revealed, but it looks like he'll need to miss a second contest. The Blue Jackets will get a boost on defense with the return of Erik Gudbranson (hip) and Damon Severson (illness). Once cleared to play, Mateychuk will have a little more competition for top-four minutes.

Lankinen is slated to start Thursday's road game against Columbus, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.

Lankinen has yet to enter the win column over four appearances since the start of the calendar year, going 0-2-1 with a 2.98 GAA and .894 save percentage during that time. He made a home start against the Blue Jackets on Nov. 8 and turned aside 29 of 32 shots in a 4-3 victory.

Ersson will start Thursday's road game against Pittsburgh.

Ersson has taken losses in each of his last three outings, but he'll draw the start Thursday after Dan Vladar (undisclosed) exited Wednesday's game against the Sabres. It's not yet clear when Vladar will return to action, but Ersson will likely serve as the Flyers' No. 1 netminder if Vladar misses time, while Aleksei Kolosov was also called up Thursday.

Norris (ribs) will miss Thursday's game against Montreal, per Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550.

Norris has six goals and 17 points in 19 outings in 2025-26. He sustained the injury during Wednesday's 5-2 win over Philadelphia. Konsta Helenius was summoned from the minors Thursday and is likely to draw into the lineup due to Norris' absence.

Laczynski was summoned from AHL Henderson on Thursday.

Laczynski has 13 goals and 35 points in 32 outings with Henderson in 2025-26. He hasn't played for Vegas yet this season, but he did record a goal in eight regular-season appearances with the Golden Knights in 2024-25.

Montour (hand) was taken off injured reserve, per Sound of Hockey, which indicates that he'll play Thursday in Boston.

Montour hasn't been in the lineup since Dec. 16 due to the injury. He has six goals, 16 points, 21 PIM, 34 hits and 35 blocks in 27 appearances in 2025-26. Now that Montour is healthy, he'll probably serve in a top-four capacity, while Cale Fleury might be a healthy scratch against the Bruins.

Melanson was reassigned to AHL Coachella Valley on Thursday, Sound of Hockey reports.

Melanson had been with the Kraken since mid-December, and he recorded a goal, three assists, 66 hits and six blocked shots while averaging 9:25 of ice time over 15 appearances with Seattle. However, he'll head back to the minors since Brandon Montour (hand) was activated from injured reserve ahead of Thursday's game in Boston.

Helenius was recalled from AHL Rochester on Thursday, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

Helenius has been lighting it up in the minors, racking up nine goals and 21 helpers in 34 appearances for the Americans. The 19-year-old center will likely serve as an emergency depth option versus Montreal on Thursday, though he would be making his NHL debut if he got into the lineup ahead of Tyson Kozak.

Dunne (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve Thursday, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

The Sabres announced Wednesday that Dunne is expected to miss 4-6 weeks, so it isn't surprising to see him officially placed on injured reserve. The 27-year-old will presumably be sidelined until after the Olympic break, which concludes in late February.

Hart (lower body) was put on injured reserve Thursday, per SinBin.vegas.

Hart has a 5-3-3 record, 3.28 GAA and .871 save percentage in 12 outings in 2025-26. He hasn't played since Jan. 8 due to the injury. Adin Hill (lower body) has been taken off injured reserve in a corresponding move and will probably serve as the No. 1 netminder, while Akira Schmid will serve as the No. 2. Goaltender Carl Lindbom is also on the active roster, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him sent to the minors in the near future now that Hill is healthy. Once Hart is ready to return, he might supplement Schmid as the No. 2 netminder, though Schmid, Hill and Hart might find themselves all getting starts on a semi-regular basis.