NHL Hockey Player News

Chicago announced Tuesday afternoon that they have agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract extension worth $775,000 with forward Zach Sanford. The 29-year-old appeared in 29 games in 2023-24 with both Chicago and Arizona and had no goals, six assists, 24 SOG and six PIMs in his seventh NHL season.

Skinner allowed four goals on 21 shots in a second-straight loss in Game 3 but has the coaches' confidence heading into Game 4 on Wednesday as Kris Knoblauch announced he would be starting Edmonton's crucial Game 4. The 25-year-old Edmonton native has struggled to put together consistent strong performances in the playoffs this year, resulting in his 8-5-0 record, 2.76 GAA and .885 SV%. He will host the Dallas Stars on Wednesday for Game 4, who have been on a role lately having won six of their last nine playoff games.

Misiak was Chicago's 2023 second-round pick (55th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with an AAV of $878,333. The 19-year-old winger just finished his first OHL season with the Erie Otters and had 23 goals and 47 points in 60 games in his second season of North American hockey.

Smith was San Jose's top prospect and 2023 first-round pick (4th overall) and signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Tuesday worth $4.15 million ($950,000 AAV). The 19-year-old just finished up his Freshman season with Boston College (NCAA) and had 25 goals and 71 points in 41 games played.

Kaskimaki was St. Louis' 2022 third-round pick (73rd overall) and signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Tuesday with the Blues. The 20-year-old centre spent 2023-24 with HIFK of Liiga in Finland and had 10 goals, and 17 points in 48 games played.

Bobrovsky was shelled in Game 3 for a second-straight loss after allowing five goals on 23 shots (.783 SV%) and will look to bounce back as he takes the crease for Game 4 on Tuesday vs. New York. The 35-year-old had been excellent in the playoffs before this Eastern Conference final and holds a decent 9-5-0 record, 2.31 GAA and .903 SV% in 14 games played. He will host the New York Rangers on Tuesday, who are currently 10-3 in the playoffs and have scored seven goals in the first three games of the series.

Cousins has struggled in this year's playoffs with only an assist in 11 games played and will head to the press box as a healthy scratch for Game 4 as he is replaced by veteran Kyle Okposo. The 30-year-old grinding fourth-liner had seven points in 21 playoff games in 2022-23, but has failed to duplicate his success while on Florida's fourth line this year.

Okposo has been a healthy scratch for Florida's previous four playoff games but will jump back into the lineup on the fourth line for Nick Cousins on Tuesday. The 36-year-old veteran winger was acquired from Buffalo at the trade deadline and has appeared in eight post season games so far, with two assists, six SOG, and two PIMs while averaging just 8:54 TOI/GP.

Lorentz has not played since Game 5 of Florida's second-round series vs. Boston but looks to draw back into the lineup for Ryan Lomberg on Tuesday for Game 4 of the ECF. The 28-year-old has matched his regular season point production in just nine playoff games with two goals and three points while averaging just 7:23 TOI/GP.

Lomberg has appeared in five playoff games so far but is without a point and will be replaced by Steven Lorentz on Florida's fourth line for Game 4 on Tuesday. The 29-year-old had seven points in 75 regular season games but has failed to produce in the playoffs while averaging only 7:41 TOI/GP.

McLeod has yet to pick up a point in his first 14 games of the playoffs. He will be replaced by Adam Henrique, who will be suiting up for the first time since Game 2 vs. the Canucks.

Henrique has been out since Game 2 vs. the Canucks but will replace Ryan McLeod in Game 3 vs. the Stars. Henrique has picked up one goal and one assist in six games during the Oilers' postseason run.