NHL Player News

Hallander (blood clot in leg) has been sent to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for a conditioning stint, Dave Molinari of Pittsburgh Hockey Now reports Wednesday.

Pittsburgh won't resume its NHL schedule until Feb. 26, so this is an ideal time for Hallander to get back up to speed in the minors. The 25-year-old hasn't played since Nov. 3 because of the blood clot. Once Hallander completes his AHL conditioning stint, he'll probably serve in a bottom-six capacity for Pittsburgh.

DiPietro was recalled from AHL Providence on an emergency basis Wednesday.

The Bruins have resumed practicing with just over a week remaining before the NHL season resumes, and DiPietro will fill in for the team while Jeremy Swayman and Joonas Korpisalo are competing at the Olympics. It seems likely that DiPietro will return to the AHL once Swayman and Korpisalo rejoin the team.

Milano (personal) has rejoined the Capitals, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports Wednesday.

Milano didn't play in Washington's 4-2 win over Nashville on Feb. 5 for personal reasons. He has four goals and eight points in 31 outings in 2025-26. Although Milano is an option to play when Washington's schedule resumes next Wednesday against Philadelphia, he might end up being a healthy scratch.

Malek was recalled from AHL Utica as a practice goaltender Wednesday.

Malek hasn't yet made his NHL debut, but he'll join the Devils for their week of practice before the team resumes play. It seems unlikely that Malek will remain on the roster once the NHL season resumes, as Jacob Markstrom will rejoin the team after competing for Sweden at the Olympics.

Hellebuyck will play between the pipes for Team USA against Sweden for Wednesday's quarterfinals game at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports.

Hellebuyck has turned aside 40 of 42 shots across games against Germany and Latvia in this tournament. Still, Sweden will be his biggest test yet. The Swedish team is loaded with NHL talent. They're headlined by the red-hot Lucas Raymond, who has a goal and eight points in four outings in this tournament, while Mika Zibanejad, Rasmus Dahlin, Adrian Kempe, William Nylander and Erik Karlsson are also averaging at least a point per game. Team USA is rested after going 3-0-0-0 in round-robin play, while Sweden had to earn a 5-1 victory over Latvia on Tuesday in the qualification round to advance to this match.

Morrissey (undisclosed) isn't available for Wednesday's quarterfinals game against Czechia.

Morrissey hasn't been in the lineup since exiting Thursday's 5-0 victory over Czechia during Canada's opening game of the round robin. The 30-year-old defenseman has 10 goals and 42 points in 56 outings with Winnipeg in 2025-26. If Canada beats Czechia on Wednesday, then Morrissey might be able to return Friday for the semifinals.

Binnington is expected to start for Team Canada against Czechia in Wednesday's quarterfinals matchup, per Sportsnet.

Although Binnington has struggled with St. Louis this campaign, posting an 8-17-6 record, 3.65 GAA and .864 save percentage in 32 outings, he's turned aside 38 of 40 shots across two appearances for Canada in this Olympic tournament. He'll also be facing the same team he earned a 5-0 victory against during round-robin play Thursday. Czechia does have some top offensive talent, including Tomas Hertl, Martin Necas and David Pastrnak. However, Czechia might be held back somewhat by fatigue after earning a 3-2 victory over Denmark on Tuesday in a qualification game.

Dostal will tend the twine for Czechia during Wednesday's quarterfinal matchup against Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Dostal made a start against Canada in Czechia's tournament opener last Thursday, and he turned aside 31 of 36 shots in a 5-0 loss. However, he made 22 saves on 24 shots during Czechia's 3-2 win over Denmark in the qualification round Tuesday and will draw another start a day later.

Grubauer will protect the German cage versus Slovakia on Wednesday in quarterfinal action at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The Kraken netminder has been terrific at the Winter Games, posting a 2-1 record, while allowing six goals on 91 shots (.934 save percentage). Grubauer is going back-to-back after making 30 saves Tuesday in a 5-1 win over France in qualification round action. He will need to be at his best, as Slovakia won Group B in the preliminary round, ahead of hockey powerhouses Finland and Sweden.

Hlavaj is expected to defend the crease for Slovakia in Wednesday's quarterfinal matchup versus Germany at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Hlavaj is 1-1 at the Olympics. The 24-year-old was spectacular versus Finland on Feb. 11, stopping 39 shots in a 4-1 victory, and he turned aside 46 shots in a 5-3 loss to Sweden on Saturday. Germany defeated France 5-1 on Tuesday to advance to the quarterfinals.