NHL Player News

Laba (lower body) is week-to-week, according to Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic on Saturday.

Laba missed Thursday's 6-3 loss to Columbus after sustaining the injury in Wednesday's 6-3 defeat against New Jersey. He has collected nine goals, 21 points, 61 shots on net, 42 blocked shots and 98 hits in 65 games this season. It's unclear when he will be available to return to the lineup.

Appleton (undisclosed) is expected to be in the lineup against Boston on Saturday, according to Ansar Khan of MLive.com.

Appleton left Thursday's 3-1 win over Montreal, but he participated in Saturday's morning skate and appears to be available to play against the Bruins. He has contributed five goals, 13 points, 57 shots on net and 76 hits across 59 appearances this season.

Vaakanainen (upper body) is week-to-week, according to Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic on Saturday.

Vaakanainen sat out Thursday's game versus Columbus after being injured against the Devils on Wednesday. The defenseman has six assists in 33 games with the Rangers this season. There isn't much time left in the regular season, and Vaakanainen may spend the remainder of it on the shelf.

Graves (undisclosed) was removed from injured reserve Saturday, per the NHL media site.

Graves hasn't been in Pittsburgh's lineup since Jan. 21 against Calgary. He played in two games for AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton during a recent conditioning stint. Graves has one goal, 19 shots on net, 35 blocked shots and 15 hits in 19 NHL appearances this season.

Brandsegg-Nygard (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision Saturday versus Boston, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.

Brandsegg-Nygard has missed the last three games with the injury. The 20-year-old rookie has one assist in 12 games this season. Should he miss Saturday's tilt, look for Dominik Shine to remain in the lineup.

Per Claire Hanna of TSN, Sanderson (upper body) has returned to the ice and could be back in action in 7-10 days, according to head coach Travis Green.

Sanderson remains week-to-week, but he has been skating for a few days. He will miss his seventh straight game against Toronto on Saturday, and an exact return date remains unclear. Sanderson has 11 goals and 37 assists, including 19 points on the power play, over 62 contests this season.

Pionk (undisclosed) was activated from injured reserve Saturday, per the NHL media site.

Following a 23-game absence, Pionk appears ready to return to the lineup against Pittsburgh on Saturday. He has registered two goals, eight points, 76 shots on net, 64 blocked shots and 84 hits across 40 appearances this season.

Silvos will patrol the home crease versus Winnipeg on Saturday, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.

Silovs is 5-2-0 in his last seven starts. Overall, the 24-year-old netminder is 15-9-8 with a pair of shutouts, a 2.90 GAA and an .894 save percentage over 32 appearances in 2025-26. The Jets are averaging 2.81 goals per game, 24th in the league this season.

Ullmark is expected to patrol the home crease against Toronto on Saturday, TSN 1200 Ottawa reports.

Ullmark occupied the starter's crease during the morning skate before being the first goalie off the ice. He has gone 2-2-0 in his last four outings while allowing only nine goals on 93 shots. He has a 21-10-7 record this campaign with two shutouts, a 2.79 GAA and an .886 save percentage through 39 appearances. Toronto ranks 16th in the league with 3.11 goals per game this season.

Thompson made 30 saves in Friday's 2-1 win over the Devils.

The 29-year-old netminder nearly came away with his third shutout of the season, but Jesper Bratt finally got a puck past him inside the final minute of the third period with New Jersey's net empty. Thompson has just one regulation loss in his last five starts, going 3-1-1 with a dazzling 1.98 GAA and .932 save percentage as the Capitals try to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.