Stephens had three goals, nine assists, eight PIMs and a +7 plus/minus in 16 games to start the season in Laval (AHL) and has been recalled to Montreal for the first time since being acquired ahead of the 2022-23 season. The 26-year-old forward returns to the NHL for the first time since 2021-22 with Detroit and will look to build off his three goals and 13 career points he has in 72 NHL games played.
Bjornfot did not see any action in his most recent call up to Los Angeles having only appeared for the team on October 11th and has been reassigned to Ontario (AHL) Friday. The 22-year-old defensemen heads back to the minors, where he has yet to pick up a point in three games during his previous AHL stint this season.
Nosek has been out since November 18th and will not return to the Devils' lineup for an indefinete amount of time after he re-aggravated his right foot injury and had to get surgery. The 31-year-old did not pick up a point in any of his six games prior to his injury and will hope to return sooner rather than later after this latest set back.
Balinskis had a goal, an assist, 16 SOG, six PIMs and a +1 plus/minus in 15 games played so far in 2023-24 but has been loaned back to Charlotte (AHL) on Friday. The 27-year-old defensemen will head to the Checkers for the first time in his career after making his NHL and North American debut this season.
Larkin missed the Red Wings' previous two games but is expected to draw back into the lineup Saturday as they head to Montreal. The 27-year-old Detroit captain has been sensational this season, on pace for career highs in goals and points due to his eight goals, 13 assists, 69 SOG, 29 PIMs and +3 plus/minus in 20 games played so far this season.
Nemec was the 2nd overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft and will make his NHL debut Friday vs. San Jose after Dougie Hamilton (pectoral strain) was placed on the Injured Reserve Friday. The 19-year-old defensemen had been thriving in his first season with Utica (AHL) prior to his call up, with two goals, six assists, six PIMs and a +1 plus/minus through 13 games played.
Hamilton left Tuesday's game with an upper-body injury and did not return and has been placed on the injured reserve Thursday with a torn left pectoral muscle and is out indefinetly. Brendan Smith will replace Hamilton on the Devils' back end after his two game suspension is over. It is a tough loss for New Jersey who will now be without their top defensemen for a while who had five goals, 11 assists, 61 SOG, 20 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus through 20 games this season.
Johnson has failed to pick up a point in four straight games and will head to the press box Saturday vs. Winnipeg as Anthony Beauvillier makes his Chicago debut. The 25-year-old undrafted forward has two goals, no assists, 17 SOG, four PIMs and a -4 plus/minus in 14 games played in 2023-24.
Soderblom will start for the first time in three games Saturday as he takes on Winnipeg on the road. The 24-year-old has only beaten the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2023-24 and holds a non-inspiring 2-7-0 record, 3.78 GAA and .882 SV% in 10 games played. He takes on the Winnipeg Jets on the road, who is looking to snap a three-game losing streak and are 14th in the NHL in goals per game (3.27).
Konecny was fined $5,000 for a cross check which resulted in Brendan Smith's retaliatory slash which has led to the Devils' defensemen being suspended for two-games. Smith will miss the Devils' game Friday vs. San Jose and Tuesday against Vancouver. The 34-year-old veteran has no goals, two assists, 21 SOG, 32 PIMs and a -2 plus/minus in 21 games played prior to his suspension.
With Vladislav Namestnikov day-to-day with a lower-body injury, Gustafsson will draw back into the lineup for his 18th game. Gustafsson has two points (2G / 0A) while averaging 8:35 time-on-ice this season, playing predominantly with Rasmus Kupari and Morgan Barron.
Schmidt will be a healthy scratch on Saturday, allowing Declan Chisholm to make his season debut. The 32-year-old Schmidt is averaging only 16:51 time-on-ice through 20 games this season, significantly less than the 19:16 he has averaged over his career. He has one point (0G / 1A), a -4 plus/minus, 23 blocks, and nine hits.
Nate Schmidt will be a healthy scratch on Saturday, allowing Chisholm to draw back in the lineup for his season debut with the Jets, marking his first NHL action since the 2021-22 season. Chisholm has five points (0G / 5A) and six penalty minutes in six games with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL.
Hellebuyck allowed a weak goal from Darnell Nurse late in the third period, ending his shutout bid in an eventual 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. Despite losing two consecutive starts, Hellebuyck has been tremendous lately, allowing only 11 total goals in his last six games (4-2-0), posting a stellar .941 SV%. Hellebuyck will look to improve on those totals in a favourable matchup Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks, who have lost seven of their last nine (2-7-0) and rank third-worst in the league offensively (2.57 GF / GP).
Poturalski will return to the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the AHL where he has seven points (2G / 5A) in 11 games this season. Poturalski played two games with the Kraken and was held without the point, averaging 6:53 time-on-ice. The Kraken recalled Max McCormick in a corresponding move.
McCormick has been recalled from Coachella Valley Firebirds of the AHL, with Andrew Poturalski being sent down in a corresponding move. The 31-year-old McCormick has 17 points (8G / 9A) in 16 games with the Firebirds this season.
Newhook left the Canadiens' game Thursday vs. Florida in the third period after 15:14 TOI due to an undisclosed injury and was absent from practice Friday. The 22-year-old is expected to be evaluated after practice Friday and should have more updates. His first season in Montreal has gone well after an offseason deal from Colorado, with seven goals, six assists, 31 SOG, eight PIMs and a -5 plus/minus in 23 games prior to the injury.
Namestnikov exited Thursday's game against the Edmonton Oilers, playing only 11:53, after an awkward collision with Darnell Nurse and will miss Saturday's game vs. Chicago as he is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Namestnikov had been playing with Alex Iafallo and Cole Perfetti on the Jets' second line, but his status is out Saturday and doubtful Monday. He has 11 points (2G / 9A) in 22 games this season.
