NHL Player News
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Niklas Kokko G | SEA
Kraken's Niklas Kokko: Returning to minors
Kokko was sent down to AHL Coachella Valley on Friday.
Kokko saw action in three NHL games during his stint with the Kraken, posting a 1-2-0 record and 3.03 GAA. The Finnish netminder put up much better numbers with the Firebirds, going 18-10-2 with a .903 save percentage in 34 minor-league outings. With both Joey Daccord (lower body) and Philipp Grubauer (lower body) under contract next year, Kokko figures to be hard-pressed to see significant opportunities in the NHL.
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Jani Nyman RW | SEA
Kraken's Jani Nyman: Sent down to AHL
Nyman was reassigned to the minors Friday.
Nyman played in 28 games for the Kraken this year, registering four goals, three assists and 23 hits while averaging 10:34 of ice time. If the 21-year-old Finn can put together a strong training camp in the fall, he could be in the mix for a spot on Seattle's Opening Night roster come October.
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Evan Bouchard D | EDM
Oilers' Evan Bouchard: Trio of assists in win
Bouchard notched three assists, two shots on goal and a plus-3 rating in Thursday's 6-1 win over the Canucks.
Bouchard officially won the scoring race among NHL defensemen this season with 95 points (21 goals, 74 assists) in all 82 games. That includes a goal and eight helpers over seven outings in April. Outside of scoring, he added 221 shots on net, 101 blocked shots, 30 PIM and a plus-25 rating. Bouchard will be a strong option for fantasy managers in playoff pools as the Oilers look to get to the Stanley Cup Finals for a third straight year.
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Josh Samanski C | EDM
Oilers' Josh Samanski: Gets goal in win
Samanski scored a goal on one shot, blocked two shots and went plus-2 in Thursday's 6-1 win over the Canucks.
Samanski took a shot that pinballed in off a Canucks defenseman for the opening goal just 1:58 into the game. The 24-year-old forward has gotten lucky bounces for both of his NHL goals so far. He added two assists, nine shots on net, 27 hits, 14 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating over 24 appearances in the regular season. If Leon Draisaitl (lower body) or Jason Dickinson (leg) remain out for the start of the playoffs, Samanski should keep his place in the lineup.
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Martin Pospisil C | CGY
Flames' Martin Pospisil: Playing for Slovakia
Pospisil will join Slovakia for the 2026 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports Friday.
Pospisil had one goal and two assists over 22 appearances with the Flames in 2025-26 after playing 81 games in 2024-25. He missed the first 49 games of the season with an undisclosed injury and never got untracked all year. Pospisil will look to fill out a bottom-six role next season, as he still has two years remaining on the three-year deal he signed in July of 2025.
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Ty Mueller C | VAN
Canucks' Ty Mueller: Nets lone goal in loss
Mueller scored a goal and blocked two shots in Thursday's 6-1 loss to the Oilers.
Mueller's goal was his first point in six games since his April 1 call-up. The 23-year-old added two shots on net, five hits, four blocked shots and two PIM while seeing bottom-six minutes. It was a decent audition for Mueller, who also produced 35 points in 59 AHL outings prior to his call-up. He could compete for a bottom-six job in training camp in the fall.
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John Marino D | UTA
Mammoth's John Marino: Nabs helper Thursday
Marino posted an assist and two shots on goal in Thursday's 5-3 loss to the Blues.
Marino's helper was his first in two games since he returned from an upper-body injury that cost him two contests. The defenseman ended the regular season at a career-high 36 points with 55 shots on net, 68 blocked shots and a plus-42 rating over 80 appearances. Marino will be a key part of the Mammoth's defensive structure heading into the playoffs.
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Michael Pezzetta LW | TOR
Maple Leafs' Michael Pezzetta: Put on waiver wire
Pezzetta was placed on waivers by Toronto on Friday, per PuckPedia.
Pezzetta will be sent to AHL Toronto if he passes through waivers. The 28-year-old spent most of the season with the Marlies, notching four goals, six assists and 52 PIM in 38 regular-season games. He played in nine NHL games as well, picking up 35 PIM with nary a point in a fourth-line role.
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MacKenzie Weegar D | UTA
Mammoth's MacKenzie Weegar: Adds pair of assists
Weegar recorded two assists and two PIM in Thursday's 5-3 loss to the Blues.
Weegar had three helpers over the last three games of the regular season. The 32-year-old defenseman has seen steady top-four minutes since he was traded to the Mammoth from the Flames, but his scoring production has been roughly equal on a per-game basis. He finished the season with four goals, 28 points, 154 shots on net, 167 hits, 175 blocked shots, 88 PIM and a minus-33 rating over 79 appearances. Weegar will look to be a strong shutdown blueliner as he faces former Calgary teammate Rasmus Andersson and the Golden Knights in the first round of the playoffs.