Heineman had a goal, three assists, eight PIMs and a -6 plus/minus in seven games with Laval (AHL) and has earned his first call up to Montreal Wednesday after it was announced that Tanner Pearson (upper body) would be placed on the Injured Reserve. Heineman is 22-year-old and has yet to play an NHL game after making his North American debut with Laval in 2022-23 after four seasons with Leksands IF (SHL) in Sweden.
Pearson left the Canadiens game Saturday vs. Buffalo after just 2:50 TOI due to an upper-body injury and was placed on the Injured Reserve Wednesday with expectations to be out for 4-6 weeks. The 31-year-old left-winger had been attempting to put together his first full season since 2017-18 after just 14 games last year. He had four goals, four assists, 47 SOG, 13 PIMs and a -5 plus/minus in 27 games prior to his injury.
Markstrom has missed the Flames previous five games due to a fluke hand injury which occurred in practice but was showing some positive signs of returning after practicing Wednesday with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL). The 33-year-old veteran netminder is expected to return in a "handful of days" according to Salim Valji. He has struggled so far in 2023-24 prior to his injury, with his 6-8-2 record, 2.94 GAA and .896 SV%.
Gavrikov left the Kings' previous game Sunday after just 6:36 TOI due to a lower-body injury and will miss Wednesday vs. Winnipeg and is now considered out week-to-week. The 28-year-old defensemen was having one of the strongest offensive seasons of his seven year career, with three goals, six assists, 29 SOG, six PIMs and a +8 plus/minus in 25 games prior to his injury.
Tuch has missed the Sabres' last four games due to a lower-body injury but will make a welcome return Wednesday vs. Colorado. The 27-year-old towering winger is off to yet another productive start this season with eight goals, nine assists, 59 SOG, 26 PIMs and a -4 plus/minus through 22 games prior to his injury.
Zboril was Boston's 2015 1st-round pick (13th overall) but had yet to appear for the Bruins in 2023-24 and has been placed on waivers Wednesday. The 26-year-old defender played in four seasons for Boston, with a goal, 15 assists, and 28 PIMs in 76 career games. If he is claimed, he carrier a $1.138 million cap hit in 2023-24.
Vrana has cleared waivers Wednesday after being placed on them Tuesday and will report to Springfield (AHL) as he attempts to still resurrect his career. The 27-year-old left-winger was traded to St. Louis last season and had 12 goals and 20 points in 39 games with the Blues over two seasons but his lack of defensive play has led to him being back in the minors. He carriers a $5,250,000 contract hit this season.
Manson was a game-time decision for Colorado's previous game but still suited up and will be one yet again Wednesday vs. Buffalo due to an undisclosed ailment. The 32-year-old bruising defensemen is off to one of his strongest offsensive seasons to date, with two goals, five assists, 37 SOG, 32 PIMs and a +1 plus/minus in 25 games played. If he is unable to go Wednesday, he will be replaced by Caleb Jones.
Tuch has missed the Sabres' last four games due to a lower-body injury but will make a welcome return Wednesday vs. Colorado. The 27-year-old towering winger is off to yet another productive start this season with eight goals, nine assists, 59 SOG, 26 PIMs and a -4 plus/minus through 22 games prior to his injury.
Prosvestov will make his third-straight appearance Wednesday after he was called upon in relief Monday vs. Calgary and stopped all 11 shots he faced. The 24-year-old goaltender was claimed off waivers from Arizona earlier this season and has rewarded the Avalanche fantastically with his 3-2-1 record, 2.75 GAA and .912 SV%. He takes on the Buffalo Sabres Wednesday at home, who has won two of their last three contests but are ranked 24th in the NHL in goals per game (2.9).
Samuelsso missed the Sabres' previous game due to an undisclosed injury but took full part in morning skate Wednesday and will play in Colorado. The 23-year-old shut down defensemen has done his role well yet again in 2023-24, with a goal, two assists, 25 SOG, 16 PIMs and a -2 plus/minus in 25 games prior to his injury.
Luukkonen has not played since Dec. 3rd due to an illness but was back in the starter's crease Wednesday at Buffalo's morning skate. The 24-year-old has taken over the starting job for the Sabres due to his strong 6-5-1 start to go along with his 2.81 GAA and .907 SV%. He will head to Colorado to take on the Avalanche, who won their last game in a thrilling 6-5 victory and are fourth in the NHL in goals peer game (3.54).
Prosvestov will make his third-straight appearance Wednesday after he was called upon in relief Monday vs. Calgary and stopped all 11 shots he faced. The 24-year-old goaltender was claimed off waivers from Arizona earlier this season and has rewarded the Avalanche fantastically with his 3-2-1 record, 2.75 GAA and .912 SV%. He takes on the Buffalo Sabres Wednesday at home, who has won two of their last three contests but are ranked 24th in the NHL in goals per game (2.9).
Toninanto had two goals, four assists, two PIMs and a -1 plus/minus in nine games with Manitoba (AHL) and has earned his first call up of the season to Winnipeg Wednesday. The 29-year-old is entering his seventh NHL season and is expected to replace Kyle Connor (knee) in the Jets' lineup after he was placed on the Injured Reserve earlier Wednesday.
The Jets received devasting news on Tuesday as their leading goal-scorer will miss six to eight weeks with a knee injury following a collision with Ryan Strome on Sunday and has been officially placed on the Injured Reserve Wednesday. Before his injury, Connor had 28 points (17G / 11A) and 102 shots on goal in 26 games. Nikolaj Ehlers is expected to see an increase in usage during Connor's absence, including exposure to the top powerplay unit.
Montreal's goaltending trio will continue to shuffle as Samuel Montembeault takes the crease for the first time in three games Wednesday. The 27-year-old has been Montreal's best netminder of their three with his 6-4-1 record, .912 SV% and 2.78 GAA. He faces the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are on the second half of a back-to-back after a win over Arizona Tuesday and are ranked 23rd in the NHL in goals per game (2.93).
Pacioretty has yet to appear for the Capitals since signing a one-year, $4 million contract in the offseason but is considered 2-3 weeks away from making his Washington debut after skating in a non-contact jersey for the first time Wednesday. The 35-year-old sniper is entering his 16th NHL season and only appeared in five games for Carolina before missing the season due to an achilles injury.
Haula missed the Devils' previous game due to an upper-body injury but will return Wednesday vs. Boston after only a one-game absence. The 32-year-old left-winger is having one of the most productive offensive seasons of his career with seven goals, 13 points, 20 PIMs and 40 SOG through 21 games prior to the injury.
Varlamov will get his first start in three games but will look to extend a three-game winning streak after beating Columbus in a 32 save win (.914 SV%) in his last start. The 35-year-old veteran backup has been sensational in his 16 NHL seasons, with his 5-3-1 record, 2.55 GAA And .925 SV%. The Islanders will host the Ducks Wednesday, who is looking to snap a three-game losing streak and are 28th in the NHL in goals per game (2.59).
The Devils' goaltending carousel will continue Wednesday as Vitek Vanecek gets his second-start in three games Wednesday vs. Boston. The 27-year-old netminder has struggled mightily this season despite his decent 10-5-0 record, as he has a 3.49 GAA And .879 SV%. He hosts the surging Boston Bruins, who have won four of their last five games and are 11th in the NHL in goals per game.
