NHL Player News

Lundell (ribs) has committed to play for Finland at the 2026 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland, according to Chris Johnston of The Athletic on Thursday.

Lundell suffered the rib injury March 19 in Edmonton and missed the final 14 games of the regular season. He had 18 goals and 26 assists in 64 games this season, playing on the top line with the absence of Aleksander Barkov (knee) for the season. He is expected to see a middle-six role next season, and that could affect his point total.

Rust (rest) was working on the first line at Thursday's practice, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports.

Rust just missed out on reaching the 30-goal mark for the second straight year, tallying 29 times in 72 contests. Along with Egor Chinakhov, Rust figures to continue flanking long-time running mate Sidney Crosby while also joining him on the No. 1 power-play unit. As such, Rust figures to have high-end fantasy value in postseason pools.

Tkachuk picked up two assists in Wednesday's 8-1 win over Detroit.

The 28-year-old winger returned from a four-game absence due to the birth of his child and was essentially the only big name left in the Florida lineup for the regular-season finale, and Tkachuk chipped in with helpers on goals by Luke Kunin in the second period and Cole Reinhardt in the third. Tkachuk wraps up an injury-plagued campaign with 13 goals and 34 points in just 31 contests, but if he can stay on the ice in 2026-27 he should be one of the key members of the Panthers' offense.

Reinhardt produced a goal and an assist in Wednesday's 8-1 rout of the Red Wings.

Both points came in the third period as the Panthers coasted to victory. Reinhardt finished the regular season on a four-game goal streak and a five-game point streak, collecting five goals and seven points over that latter stretch as he took advantage of numerous absences from Florida's forward ranks. Still, the 26-year-old winger doesn't figure to be much more than a depth option in 2026-27.

Barkov (knee) will play for Finland at the 2026 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reports Thursday.

Barkov missed the entire regular season after undergoing knee surgery in training camp. He has been skating since January and would have returned to the lineup at some point had Florida made it into the playoffs. He will test out his knee in May for Finland and is expected to be ready to return for the start of training camp in September, barring any setbacks.

Chinakhov (rest) slotted into the Penguins' first line at practice Thursday, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports.

Chinakhov has been a wonder for the Penguins after the team brought him in via trade, racking up 18 goals and 18 assists in 43 appearances. Heading into the playoffs, the 25-year-old winger will suit up on the right side of Sidney Crosby, a plum assignment that figures to see Chinakhov produce at a top level.

Benning scored two goals in Wednesday's 8-1 win over the Red Wings.

The 24-year-rookie scored his first two NHL goals in his 18th game, striking twice in a little over three minutes in the middle of the second period. Benning, a fourth-round pick in the 2020 Draft, has been fairly productive in the AHL since turning pro, scoring eight goals and 31 points in 56 games for Charlotte this season, but with most of the big names on the Florida blue line locked into hefty contracts -- Seth Jones (foot), Aaron Ekblad (finger), Gustav Forsling (undisclosed) and Niko Mikkola (knee) are set to make a combined $23.85 million in 2026-27 -- Benning may have to look elsewhere as a restricted free agent this spring for a chance at a consistent role in the NHL.

Crosby (rest) was in his usual first-line role at Thursday's practice session, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports.

Crosby was rested for two of the Penguins' last three contests, no doubt as part of his recovery from multiple knee injuries this season. Despite missing some time, the veteran center still racked up 74 points in 68 games this season and might have been able to achieve the 90-point mark for the fourth consecutive year were it not for the missed injury time.

Barre-Boulet was recalled from AHL Colorado on Thursday.

The Avalanche play their final game of the regular season Thursday versus Seattle and while it hasn't been decided which regulars will sit this one out before the playoffs, look for Barre-Boulet to play his second NHL game of the campaign. He assisted in his only other game Jan. 19 versus Washington. Barre-Boulet had 26 goals and 70 points in 69 AHL regular-season games this season, leading the Eagles in points.

Kunin scored two goals, one the game-winner, and added an assist in Wednesday's 8-1 rout of the Red Wings.

The 28-year-old center hadn't even produced a multi-point game this season prior to Wednesday, but Kunin took full advantage of the absence of most of Florida's big names in a regular-season finale that had nothing on the line for either team but draft lottery slotting. Kunin managed four goals and 10 points in 62 contests during his first season with the Panthers while adding 123 hits and 47 PIM, and he'll head into free agency this spring looking to land a bottom-six role somewhere.