NHL Player News

Merzlikins is set to start at home against San Jose on Saturday, per Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site.

Merzlikins stopped 15 of 17 shots in a 5-2 win over Seattle in his most recent start last Saturday. He has a 14-9-3 record, 3.35 GAA and .885 save percentage in 28 outings in 2025-26. San Jose has lost its past six games (0-5-1) to drop to 32-31-7 on the season. The Sharks have also managed just five goals over their past four games.

Klingberg (upper body) is expected to remain out of the lineup Saturday in Columbus, per Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now.

Klingberg also missed Thursday's game against St. Louis because of the injury. He has 10 goals and 24 points through 54 outings in 2025-26. Nick Leddy will stay in the lineup Saturday due to Klingberg's continued absence.

Nedeljkovic will guard the road goal against Columbus on Saturday, according to Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now.

Nedeljkovic has gone 0-4-1 in his last five appearances while surrendering 20 goals on 110 shots. He has a 13-13-4 record with a 3.00 GAA and an .893 save percentage through 34 games this season. Columbus is tied for 13th in the 2025-26 campaign with 3.14 goals per game.

Tolopilo is expected to start on the road against Calgary on Saturday, per Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan.

Tolopilo has a 5-6-2 record, 3.34 GAA and .892 save percentage in 15 outings in 2025-26. His last start came March 14 when he stopped 28 of 33 shots en route to a 5-2 loss to Seattle. Calgary has a subpar 30-34-8 record, but it has secured at least one point in five straight games (4-0-1).

Koppanen was reassigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday.

Avery Hayes was also sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and Rutger McGroarty was called up by Pittsburgh in corresponding moves. Koppanen has an assist in 10 outings with Pittsburgh this season. He also has seven goals and 19 points in 37 outings with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2025-26.

Hayes was loaned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday.

Pittsburgh also sent down Joona Koppanen and recalled Rutger McGroarty in corresponding moves. Hayes has two goals, 19 shots on net, seven blocked shots and 13 hits in 11 NHL appearances this season. He has amassed 20 goals and 32 points in 38 AHL outings during the 2025-26 campaign.

McGroarty was called up from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday.

Avery Hayes and Joona Koppanen returned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in corresponding moves. McGroarty has seven goals and 26 points in 25 minor-league outings in 2025-26. He also has two goals and five points in 20 appearances with Pittsburgh this season.

Per Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan on Saturday, Hanley (upper body) will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 regular season.

Hanley sustained the injury in Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss to Anaheim. The defenseman will conclude the campaign with seven assists, 90 blocked shots and 42 hits over 68 games. He should be ready for the start of training camp in September.

Quick (upper body) has been ruled out of Sunday's tilt versus Florida, per Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic.

Quick was injured at practice March 21, and he has yet to return to action. He has struggled this season, posting a 5-16-2 mark with a pair of shutouts, a 3.18 GAA and an .889 save percentage over 23 contests. Dylan Garand has played well in Quick's absence, and that could make Quick redundant next season, as he will be a UFA at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

Shesterkin will patrol the home crease against Florida on Sunday, Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic reports.

Shesterkin has surrendered 14 goals on 112 shots during his four-game losing skid. He has a 22-16-6 record this campaign with one shutout, a 2.59 GAA and a .910 save percentage across 45 appearances. Florida sits 20th in the league with 2.93 goals per game this season.