NHL Player News
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Jonathan Lekkerimaki RW | VAN
Canucks' Jonathan Lekkerimaki: Undergoing season-ending surgery
Lekkerimaki will undergo shoulder surgery and will miss the remainder of the season, Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK reports Saturday.
Lekkerimaki was selected 15th overall in 2022 and played 13 games at the NHL level this season, tallying a pair of goals and one assist. He managed 13 goals and seven assists in 21 AHL games before his injury. It's unclear if he will be ready for training camp in September, but he will compete for an NHL roster spot if he's healthy.
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Daniil Tarasov G | FLA
Panthers' Daniil Tarasov: Cleared to play for Thursday
Tarasov (lower body) will be available for Thursday's home tilt versus Toronto, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Tarasov allowed five goals on 25 shots in a 6-1 loss to Tampa Bay on Feb. 5 before leaving the game due to an injury. He will probably serve as Sergei Bobrovsky's backup versus Toronto. Tarasov is 8-8-2 with a 2.83 GAA and an .899 save percentage across 19 appearances in 2025-26.
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Aaron Ekblad D | FLA
Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Set to return Thursday
Ekblad (undisclosed) is expected to play against Toronto on Thursday, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports Saturday.
Ekblad sat out a 6-1 loss to Tampa Bay on Feb. 5 before the Olympic break, but he has been a regular at practices ahead of the NHL's return. He has accounted for three goals, 21 points, 74 shots on net, 88 blocked shots and 67 hits through 55 appearances this season.
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Jonathan Quick G | NYR
Rangers' Jonathan Quick: Leaves practice early
Quick (lower body) left Saturday's practice early as a precaution, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.
Quick started 10 of the last 14 games due to the absence of Igor Shesterkin (lower body). There is still no timeline for Shesterkin's return. If he's healthy, Quick could start Thursday's home matchup against Philadelphia. He has a 4-14-2 record with a 3.10 GAA and an .890 save percentage in 20 appearances this season.
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Scott Perunovich D | UTA
Mammoth's Scott Perunovich: Joins NHL club
Perunovich was summoned from AHL Tucson on Saturday.
Perunovich had two goals, seven assists, 18 shots on net, 15 hits and 37 blocked shots between the Blues and Islanders across 35 regular-season appearances in 2024-25, but he has yet to see NHL action this season. He has registered three goals and 30 points in 43 AHL appearances this campaign.
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Kevin Connauton D | UTA
Mammoth's Kevin Connauton: Recalled from AHL
Connauton was called up from AHL Tucson on Saturday.
Connauton has spent the entire season in the AHL, registering a pair of assists in 25 games. He last played in the NHL for the Flyers during the 2021-22 campaign, tallying one goal and two assists in 26 contests.
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Joseph Woll G | TOR
Maple Leafs' Joseph Woll: Returns to practice
Woll (illness) participated in Saturday's practice, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.
Woll returned to the ice after sitting out Thursday's practice session due to the flu. He has posted a 13-7-4 record this season with two shutouts, a 2.92 GAA and a .908 save percentage across 25 appearances this season. Woll and Anthony Stolarz will probably compete for starts once Toronto's schedule resumes against Tampa Bay on Wednesday.
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David Spacek D | MIN
Wild's David Spacek: Brought up from AHL
Spacek was recalled from AHL Iowa on Saturday.
Spacek hasn't earned a point in two NHL outings this season while posting one hit and two blocked shots. He has four goals and 16 assists in 37 AHL appearances during the 2025-26 campaign.
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Garnet Hathaway RW | PHI
Flyers' Garnet Hathaway: Back at practice Saturday
Hathaway (illness) returned to practice Saturday, Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
Hathaway missed Thursday's practice due to an illness. The 34-year-old has one goal, one assist, 183 hits and 35 blocked shots across 47 appearances this season.