NHL Hockey Player News

Nystrom was not expected to be a full-time presence on the Hurricanes' blueline this season, but injuries thrust him into a regular role that he has thrived in. The 23-year-old, a seventh-round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, is in his first NHL season and has four assists while averaging 16:02 time-on-ice through 23 games.

Kiviranta exited Thursday's 6-2 win over the Florida Panthers after only 3:58 time-on-ice due to a concern with his eye, but he may be able to suit up on Saturday against the Nashville Predators. The 29-year-old Kiviranta missed over a month earlier this season because of a lower-body injury. He has two points (1G / 1A) through 14 games in a fourth-line role this season.

Tampa Bay has gone 2-3-0 in five games without Vasilevskiy and will be eager for the All Star netminder to return to the crease. Before his injury, the 31-year-old Vasilevskiy was putting together a season worth of Vezina Trophy consideration, posting a 2.31 GAA and .916 SV% in 19 games (11-6-2).

Horvat suffered a scary lower-body injury in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks, struggled to leave the ice, but has seemingly avoided the worst and will be reevaluated on a week-to-week basis. The 30-year-old Horvat was pacing for a career-best season with 31 points (19G / 12A) through 32 games before his injury.

Finley did not play in Tampa Bay's most recent game and has been assigned to the Syracuse Crunch (AHL). The 23-year-old Finley has two points (1G / 1A) in 11 games this season.

Hellebuyck has not played since November 15th and was given a 4-6 week recovery timeline after undergoing a minor Arthroscopic knee procedure. That said, he returned to practice this week and appears to be targeting the early end of his timelines and could return to the crease as soon as Saturday against the Washington Capitals. The Jets have gone 3-8-1 in 12 games without Hellebuyck and will be eager to regain the services of their three-time Vezina-winning goalie. The 32-year-old Hellebuyck was showcasing a 2.51 GAA and .913 SV% in 14 games (8-6-0) before his injury.

Hedman has already missed 13 games due to injuries this season, and will be sidelined for the next several weeks. He recently returned from a one month absence and played three games before resurfacing on Injured Reserve. The 34-year-old Norris Trophy winner has clearly not been at his best this season, as evidenced by his low shot totals: averaging only 1.4 shots per game, a full shot less than the 2.4 he averaged over the previous decade. He has 12 points (0G / 12A) in 18 games this season.

Kaskimaki was a third-round pick, 73rd overall, of the Blues in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old Finnish forward has seven points (4G / 3A) in 16 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL) this season. He made his NHL debut earlier this month, scoring zero points and recording a -6 plus/minus in five games.

Eller just returned from a one-week absence to play two games, but returns to the sidelines, out for the foreseeable future due to a lower-body injury. The veteran 36-year-old forward has six points (2G / 4A) in 28 games this season, but has been held off the scoresheet in 16 straight.

Rakell has not played since October 25th, missing 20 straight games due to a wrist injury, but returned to practice earlier this week and could draw into the lineup as soon as this weekend. The 32-year-old forward was playing on the top line alongside Sidney Crosby and on the top powerplay unit, streaking for eight points (3G / 5A) in seven games leading up to his injury.

Dellandrea only played 12:50 time-on-ice in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs and is questionable for Saturday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins due to a lower-body injury. The 25-year-old forward has nine points (2G / 7A) in 32 games this season.

Reaves is battling an upper-body injury and his status for Saturday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins is uncertain. The 38-year-old agitator has two goals and zero assists in 26 games this season.

Mukhamadullin is battling an upper-body injury and is questionable for Saturday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 23-year-old defenseman is averaging 16:33 time-on-ice and has five points (1G / 4A) in 15 games this season.

Parekh started the season with the Flames but saw very limited exposure, recording one assist while averaging 14:46 time on ice over 11 games. The talented 19-year-old defenseman has not played since November 7th, due to an undisclosed injury, but will join the Canadian team at the IIHF World Junior Championship, hopefully providing a boost to their chances as well as to his confidence.

Hagel scored two points (1G / 1A) in Thursday's 8-4 win over the New Jersey Devils, but exited the game in the third period due to an undisclosed injury. Tampa Bay has faced a variety of injuries this season and hopes that Hagel's ailment is not a prolonged one. The 27-year-old Hagel is pacing for another point-per-game season, with 31 points (18G / 13A) through 30 games.

Utah has lost seven of its last 10 (3-7-0) and will hope Vejmelka can elevate his game on Friday, tending the twine against the Seattle Kraken. The 29-year-old Czech goalie has a 2.72 GAA and .893 SV% in 24 games this season (12-9-2). He has lost two of his last four, but has played well in those games, posting a 2.00 GAA and .934 SV%. The Mammoth enter Friday's contest as -176 home favorites against a Kraken team coming off a 3-2 overtime win over the Los Angeles Kings, snapping a four-game losing skid.

Horvat suffered a scary lower-body injury in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks, struggled to leave the ice, but has seemingly avoided the worst and is only out day to day. The 30-year-old Horvat is pacing for a career-best season with 31 points (19G / 12A) through 32 games.

Maatta has not played since November 18th due to an upper-body injury, but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Seattle Kraken. The 31-year-old Maatta was playing sheltered minutes before his injury, clocking in a career-low 11:48 time-on-ice and scoring one assist in 16 games.