Cicek was acquired along with a 2024 sixth-round draft pick in exchange for forward Jack Studnicka. The 23-year-old defenseman is yet to appear in the NHL this season after playing 16 games with the Sharks a season ago. He has one goal and two assists in 18 games with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) this season.
Studnicka was acquried in exchange for defenseman Nick Cicek and a 2024 sixth-round draft pick. Studnicka played five games with the Canucks this season, registering one goal and zero assists. He's spent most of his time in Abbotsford (AHL) this year, scoring one goal and adding six assists in nine games.
Tarasenko was a late scratch on Friday with the Senators announcing his absence shortly after 6:00 pm ET. The 32-year-old winger has six goals and 13 assists in his first 24 games as a Senator. Rourke Chartier will take Tarasenko's spot in the lineup on Friday.
Raanta will get his first start in three contests after Pyotr Kochetkov showed some impressive play over the Hurricanes' previous two victories (1.00 GAA). The 34-year-old veteran netminder has looked horrendous filling in for the Injured Frederik Andersen (blood clot) with his 6-5-0 record, 3.40 GAA and .860 SV%. He'll host the Nashville Predators Friday, who are winners of two-straight but are 17th in the NHL in goals per game (3.07).
Balinskis had a goal, two points, 18 SOG, and six PIMs in 18 games played with the Panthers but has been reassigned to Charlotte (AHL) on Friday. The 27-year-old Latvian first-year player has appeared in only one game for Charlotte in his career and scored one goal but will make a welcome sign to the team with his physical presence.
Schwartz was placed on the Injured Reserve at the end of November with a lower-body injury and has now been moved to the Long-Term Injured Reserve for roster transactions. Before his injury, Schwartz was in the midst of a cold streak, scoring only one point (0G / 1A) and registering a -5 plus/minus in his last eight games.
Durzi played on Saturday after sitting out the Coyotes' previous contest due to a lower-body injury but was unable to play on Monday and Tuesday and will likely be unavailable for a third straight game on Tuesday as he continues to recover from a lingering lower-body injury. After a strong start to the season, scoring 12 points (5G / 7A) in 16 games, Durzi has only scored one point (0G / 1A) in his last nine.
Schmaltz played 21:23 in the Coyotes' last game on Tuesday but suffered an undisclosed injury that originally had him as a game-time decision on Friday but will be in the lineup without a worry. Schmaltz has been held without a point in four straight games, his worst skid this season.
Kartye's demotion seems to be nothing more than for cap related purposes and is expected to be figured out by early this weekend. The 22-year-old has played well in his first NHL season, with six goals, 11 points, 59 SOG, 25 PIMs and a -2 plus/minus in 30 games played.
Wright has earned his second call up of the season after a produtive first third of the season with Coachella (AHL) which saw him collect nine goals, seven assist, and six PIMs in 18 games played. The 2022 fourth overall pick has appeared in three games with the Kraken this season, picking up one SOG with limited TOI.
Pheonix Copley went down in practice with an undisclosed injury earlier Friday so David Rittich has been recalled from Ontario (AHL) on an emergency basis. The 31-year-old veteran netminder is In his 9th NHL season and has a 79-51-21 career record with a .904 SV% and a 2.87 GAA. He will likely backup Cam Talbot for the foreseeable future until Copley can return.
Gavrikov left the Kings' game last Sunday after just 6:36 TOI due to a lower-body injury and missed Wednesday vs. Winnipeg and is now considered out week-to-week after being placed on the Injured Reserve. 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.
Quick will draw his second start in three games Friday as he looks to keep his impeccable 8-0-1 record in check vs. Anaheim. The 37-year-old has turned back the clock in his first year in New York, with his best SV% (.922) since 2011-12 and best GAA (2.20) since 2013-14. He takes on the plummeting Anaheim Ducks, who have lost four straight games and are struggling offensively being 29th in the NHL in goals per game (2.61).
Edstrom had seven goals, two assists, 14 PIMs and a +5 plus/minus in 21 games with Hartford (AHL) and has earned his first NHL call up Friday. The 23-year-old Swedish forward was the Rangers 2019 sixth-round pick (161st overall) and came over after four seasons with Rogle BK of the SHL in 2022-23.
If Copley has to miss any time this season, the Kings will likely recall David Rittich, who has spent the entire season with the Ontario Reign (AHL), posting a 2.63 GAA and .901 SV% in 16 games (7-6-3). In any event, Cam Talbot should continue to see the lion's share of action between the pipes as he continues to have an exceptional season.
Murray was a healthy scratch for the Sabres' previous game but will draw back into the lineup Friday in Vegas as he takes the spot of the injured Jeff Skinner (upper body). The 25-year-old left-winger has only appeared in one game this for the Sabres after making his way back to the NHL for the first time since 2021-22.
Ryan Johnson will re-enter the Sabres' lineup on Friday as Erik Johnson will be a healthy scratch. Ryan Johnson last played on December 11th and has one point (0G / 1A) and 11 blocks while averaging 14:22 time-on-ice through 15 games.
Erik Johnson is averaging a career-low 14:19 time-on-ice in his first season with the Sabres and will be a healthy scratch on Friday as Ryan Johnson will enter the lineup. Erik Johnson has two points (2G / 0A), 33 hits, and 42 blocks in 29 games this season.
With both JT Compher (undisclosed) and Klim Kostin (undisclosed) expected to return from the IR Saturday, Jonatan Bergegren was the odd man out of the Red Wings' Roster as he was reassigned to Grand Rapids (AHL) Friday. The 23-year-old had played well in his seven games with Detroit, with two goals, four points, eight SOG and a +4 plus/minus.
