NHL Player News

Holloway signed a five-year, $38.75 million contract extension with the Blues on Friday, per Chris Johnston of The Athletic.

Holloway was eligible to become a restricted free agent this summer. He recorded 22 goals and 51 points in 59 regular-season outings in 2025-26. The 24-year-old also had 26 goals and 63 points in 77 outings during the 2024-25 regular season, so he's firmly established himself as a great top-six option, and he should continue to serve in that capacity for the entirety of his new contract.

McBain (lower body) is expected to be a game-time decision for Game 6 against Vegas on Friday, per Cole Bagley of KSL Sports.

McBain had been dealing with a lower-body injury before playing in Game 1 against the Golden Knights on April 19. However, his return to the lineup was short-lived, and he's missed Utah's past four matches. He had nine goals, 25 points, 84 PIM, 106 shots and 271 hits in 75 regular-season appearances with Utah in 2025-26. If McBain is an option for Friday's matchup, then he might occupy a bottom-six role.

Hayton (upper body) was classified as a game-time decision ahead of Game 6 versus Vegas on Friday, Cole Bagley of KSL Sports reports.

Hayton has been managing pain from his upper-body injury. Utah hasn't been forthcoming with injury news, and the 25-year-old could be a game-time call until the team's playoff run is over. During his first postseason appearance in Game 5 on Wednesday, the Ontario native registered two shots, one block and a minus-1 rating in 12:49 of ice time.

Vejmelka was the first goalie to leave the ice ahead of Friday's Game 6 clash with Vegas, indicating he'll patrol the home crease, Cole Bagley of KSL Sports reports.

Vejmelka is coming off back-to-back losses in which he gave up a combined 10 goals on 72 shots (.861 save percentage). If the Mammoth are going to force a Game 7 on Sunday, the 29-year-old backstop will need to return to the form he displayed in the first three games of the series when he recorded a 2.36 GAA.

Bunting had an assist and two hits in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Wild in Game 6.

Bunting missed time with a lower-body injury late in the regular season, and the Stars opted not to use him until injuries piled up late in the first round. He's now contributed six points across 14 playoff contests over three runs in his career. The winger had 33 points, 126 shots on net, 45 hits and a minus-24 rating over 74 regular-season outings. Bunting is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Bourque scored a goal on five shots and added five hits in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Wild in Game 6.

Bourque's second-period tally gave the Stars a brief bit of hope before Vladimir Tarasenko responded 54 seconds later. The goal was Bourque's first career playoff point in 10 appearances, six of which came this year. He's now established as a full-time option in the Stars' lineup. The 24-year-old put up 20 goals, 41 points, 147 shots on net, 78 hits and a plus-6 rating over 82 regular-season contests and could take another step or two on offense in the coming years as he enters his prime.

Johnston scored a power-play goal on three shots in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Wild in Game 6.

Johnston had four goals and two assists over six games in the Stars' first-round exit. He earned five of those points with the man advantage, but the Stars weren't able to add enough even-strength offense to get past the Wild. While this early exit is disappointing, Johnston has emerged as one of the good young players in the league, though he's just a notch or two below superstar status. He had 45 goals and 86 points over 82 regular-season outings, though his 21.8 shooting percentage could be a slight red flag.

Oettinger stopped 16 of 19 shots in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Wild in Game 6. The last two goals were empty-netters.

The Stars weren't able to generate much on their chances outside a pair of second-period tallies. Oettinger went 2-4 with a 2.83 GAA and an .893 save percentage over all six games in the first round. The 27-year-old will have a longer offseason than he's accustomed to, but he is under contract long term after signing an eight-year extension in October of 2024. He'll be among the top tier of goalies available in fantasy drafts in the fall.

Tarasenko scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Stars in Game 6.

Tarasenko's first goal of these playoffs came at a critical time. The Stars had just taken a 2-1 lead, but Tarasenko answered just 54 seconds later to even the score late in the second period. He's added one assist, 10 shots on net, seven hits and a plus-1 rating over six playoff contests, filling a middle-six role for the most part, though his ice time has decreased since the Wild got Mats Zuccarello and Yakov Trenin back from injuries. Tarasenko had extensive playoff experience prior to this year, earning 49 goals and 24 assists over 121 contests across 11 postseason runs.

Boldy scored two empty-net goals, added five shots on net, blocked two shots and went plus-2 in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Stars in Game 6.

Boldy ended the first round with six goals, three assists, 33 shots on net, nine hits, five blocked shots and a plus-8 rating over six appearances. The 25-year-old winger had an impressive regular season (42 goals, 85 points in 76 outings), and he has carried over that success into the playoffs. Boldy will remain a key figure in the top six and on the power play heading into the second round against the Avalanche.