NHL Player News

Husso will protect the home goal versus the Islanders on Wednesday, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.

Husso will play for the first time since Jan. 26. The 31-year-old netminder is the Ducks' No. 2 now after Petr Mrazek (hip) underwent season-ending surgery during the Olympic break. Husso is 6-5-1 with a 3.26 GAA and an .882 save percentage in 12 NHL games this season, so he'll be an option in fantasy only when he draws a good matchup.

Schaefer is expected to be recalled from AHL Milwaukee prior to Thursday's game versus the Bruins, Nick Kieser of Lower Broad Hockey reports.

Schaefer is part of a wave of call-ups to replace the three players the Predators dealt away Tuesday and Wednesday. Schaefer will likely contend for bottom-six minutes. He has six points in 27 NHL outings this season and 28 points in 31 contests in the AHL

Ufko is expected to be called up from AHL Milwaukee prior to Thursday's game versus the Bruins, Nick Kieser of Lower Broad Hockey reports.

The Predators traded Nick Blankenburg to the Avalanche on Wednesday, freeing up a long-term spot on the blue line for Ufko. In 50 AHL games this season, Ufko has stood out with 11 goals and 44 points. The 2021 fourth-round pick has developed well and will likely get a look in a bottom-four role initially, with the potential to take on more minutes if he adjusts quickly.

Mangiapane and a 2027 first-round pick were traded to the Blackhawks from the Oilers in exchange for Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach on Wednesday, freelance insider Frank Seravalli reports.

Mangiapane was waived Sunday and was sent down to AHL Bakersfield a day later. It's not yet clear if he will report to the Blackhawks or AHL Rockford, but it seems likely he'll be with the NHL team. Mangiapane is in the first season of a two-year, $7.2 million contract, so it's possible the Blackhawks will try to rebuild his value a bit before attempting to flip him at a later date. At best, Mangiapane is a middle-six option, though he was limited to 14 points in 52 outings with the Oilers.

Dach and Jason Dickinson were dealt to the Oilers from the Blackhawks on Wednesday in exchange for Andrew Mangiapane and a 2027 first-round pick, freelance insider Frank Seravalli reports.

Dach's inclusion in the deal is a little curious, but it'll give the Alberta native a fresh start in his home province. The 23-year-old forward figures to be no more than a fourth-line option at best for the Oilers this season, and it wouldn't be a shock to see him get scratched or demoted to AHL Bakersfield, as he is still waivers-exempt.

Dickinson and Colton Dach were traded Wednesday to the Oilers from the Blackhawks in exchange for Andrew Mangiapane and a 2027 first-round pick, freelance insider Frank Seravalli reports.

Dickinson is the Oilers' latest option to fill a true third-line role, which means Ryan Nugent-Hopkins should be a full-time winger moving forward. Dickinson has just 13 points in 47 outings this season, but he's added 51 hits and 36 blocked shots. Look for Dickinson to also receive ample time on the penalty kill with the Oilers.

Blankenburg was traded to the Avalanche from the Predators on Wednesday in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick.

Blankenburg had a career-high 21 points in just 49 outings for the Predators this season. Considering he's just 27 years old, it's a little surprising Nashville wanted to part ways with him for such a low return. Blankenburg may not play regularly with the Avalanche due to the team's depth on the blue line. Ryan Ufko or Jordan Oesterle could get looks with the Predators with Blankenburg out of the way.

Svechkov was called up from AHL Milwaukee on Wednesday, Nick Kieser of Lower Broad Hockey reports.

Svechkov is set to rejoin the Predators after the team dealt away Michael McCarron and Cole Smith. Svechkov could challenge for third-line minutes. The 22-year-old was limited to nine points with a minus-8 rating over 49 appearances this season before getting sent down to Milwaukee in late January.

Maatta, Jonathan Castagna and three 2026 second-round picks were traded to the Flames from the Mammoth on Wednesday in exchange for MacKenzie Weegar, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Maatta has mostly been a healthy scratch for the Mammoth this season, logging just one assist in 22 games. He has two more years on his contract at a $3.5 million cap hit, so he'll likely be part of the Flames' blue line as a depth option unless they opt to flip him. Maatta's fantasy value may take a slight hit, given the low-scoring nature of his new team, and the fact that he's still not guaranteed to play regularly.

Weegar was traded to the Mammoth from the Flames on Wednesday in exchange for Olli Maatta, Jonathan Castagna and three 2026 second-round picks, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Weegar is an acquisition that suggests the Mammoth think they can make a run. He'll bolster their defense with strong all-around play, and his fantasy outlook should get a boost from playing in a better offense. Weegar is best for hits and blocked shots, but it's unclear if he'll maintain a power-play role with the Mammoth, as Mikhail Sergachev has been on the first unit and Sean Durzi typically plays on the second. Expect Weegar to see top-four minutes at even strength, though he won't be able to join the team immediately, instead missing 4-10 days while waiting for his visa paperwork to be approved, per Cole Bagley of KSL Sports. That means he's likely to miss the Mammoth's next two games at a minimum.