NHL Player News

Sheary (lower body) is available for Thursday's game against the Flyers, Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic reports.

Sheary was placed on long-term injured reserve at the start of January, but he's been cleared to return to action in the Rangers' first game following the Olympic break. Across 37 appearances this year, he's recorded a goal, eight assists, 25 blocked shots and 17 hits while averaging 14:35 of ice time.

Guenther scored two goals, including one on the power play, in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Avalanche.

Guenther scored a goal in the Mammoth's last game before the break, and he continues to consistently deliver for Utah. The 22-year-old forward is on pace to eclipse his career-best mark of 60 points, established in 2024-25, if he stays healthy. He's up to 49 points (27 goals, 22 assists) in 56 games in 2025-26.

Kelly recorded a goal and an assist in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Mammoth.

Kelly was one of two Colorado players who delivered a multi-point performance in this win, with Martin Necas being the other, and the 26-year-old Kelly continues to thrive in what has been the best season of his NHL career. Kelly, who has five goals and seven points over his last 10 appearances despite holding a bottom-six role, has eclipsed the 20-point threshold for the first time in his career. He's up to 23 points (13 goals, 10 assists) this season, and he's one helper away from matching his career-best output in assists.

Necas registered a power-play goal and an even-strength assist in Wednesday's 4-2 win over Utah.

Necas missed the Avs' last three games before the break, but since he suited up for Czechia in the 2026 Winter Olympics, he seemed likely to return to the lineup against Utah. Necas also managed to snap a six-game stretch without a goal, as the last time he had scored came in a 7-3 loss to Nashville on Jan. 16. Necas should remain productive now that he's healthy and ready to resume his first-line duties alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog.

Duchene recorded an even-strength goal and a power-play assist in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Kraken.

Duchene picked things up right where he left them before the break and posted another multi-point effort, his third consecutive outing with two points. He's riding an impressive seven-game point streak, a stretch in which he's racked up 11 points (seven goals, four assists) and 14 shots on goal.

Johnston scored two goals, including one on the power play, in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Kraken.

Johnston broke the deadlock for the Stars in the latter stages of the first period with a tip-in, and he made it a 4-0 game with a power-play tally at the 6:14 mark of the second frame. Johnston is up to 31 goals on the season, and he's scored 19 of those with the man advantage. The star winger leads the NHL in power-play goals and is tied for eighth in goals overall.

Saros will be a game-time call ahead of Thursday's home clash with Chicago, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.

Saros is currently second in the NHL in starts with 44, behind Utah's Karel Vejmelka (45). In his last five outings, the 30-year-old netminder is 1-1-2 with a 4.75 GAA. If Saros doesn't get the start Thursday, Justus Annunen figures to be pressed into service for the Preds.

Haula (not injury related) is considered a game-time decision for Thursday's matchup against Chicago, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.

Haula is dealing with travel issues after playing for Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to join the Predators in time for Thursday's matchup. Even if he's unavailable against the Blackhawks, it wouldn't be surprising to see him suit up in Dallas on Saturday.

Vejmelka stopped 21 of 25 shots in Wednesday's loss to the Avalanche.

Vejmelka didn't play in the Olympics for Czechia, so he didn't have problems making a start in the return of the NHL season, but his performance wasn't the best. However, he was facing an Avalanche offense that leads the NHL in scoring with 3.84 goals per game. He'll aim to bounce back Friday against the Wild, who will be playing in the second leg of a back-to-back set.

Stutzle is considered a game-time decision for Thursday's matchup against the Red Wings due to the flu, Graeme Nichols of The Hockey News reports.

Stutzle played for Germany at the 2026 Winter Olympics, but his status is in question for the Senators' first game back in action. He had scored goals in nine of 12 appearances prior to the layoff, logging nine goals, six assists, 12 hits and eight blocked shots while averaging 19:36 of ice time across that span.