NHL Hockey Player News

For only the second time this season, Soderblom will start consecutive games for the Blackhawks. Despite a less-than-ideal 1-5-1 record through seven games, Soderblom has been solid in a limited role for the Blackhawks this season, posting a solid 2.46 GAA and .919 SV%. The Blackhawks have lost five straight and enter Monday's contest as sizeable +215 road underdogs against a New York Rangers club that has lost seven on their previous nine outings (2-7-0).

Lauko has not played since November 25th, missing seven straight games, but could return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 24-year-old Lauko is averaging 10:16 time-on-ice and has four points (2G / 2A) in 21 games this season.

In his first season with the Avalanche, Kovalenko has shown glimpses of the talent that made him an offensive standout with Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo (KHL), but limited deployment has likely stunted the opportunity for true success. In 28 games, Kovalenko is averaging 12:00 time-on-ice and has eight points (4G / 4A). The 25-year-old Kovalenko will likely get an opportunity for better deployment in his new home with the Sharks.

Colorado's goaltending troubles have been well-documented this season, highlighted by Georgiev's ugly 3.38 GAA and .874 SV% in 18 appearances (8-7-0). As a result, Georgiev has been traded, along with Nikolai Kovalenko, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2025 fifth-round pick, to the San Jose Sharks in return for Mackenzie Blackwood, Givani Smith, and a 2027 fifth-round pick. Georgiev will likely have the opportunity to reestablish himself as a reliable starter in San Jose. That said, given San Jose's sluggish defense, Georgiev will likely fall out of fantasy hockey relevance.

Smith was an additional piece in a trade with Mackenzie Blackwood that sent Alexandar Georgiev and Nikolai Kovalenko to San Jose Sharks. The 26-year-old Smith was limited to only six games with the Sharks this season, averaging 6:17 time-on-ice in a fourth-line role, and will likely serve a similar role in his new home with the Avalanche.

Colorado has addressed their goaltending issues this season by acquiring Mackenzie Blackwood from the San Jose Sharks. The 28-year-old Blackwood has been solid for a defensively troubled Sharks team this season, posting a 3.00 GAA and .909 SV% in 19 games (6-9-3). Blackwood will likely have the opportunity to control Colorado's crease for the remainder of the season, with Scott Wedgewood serving as his backup. Colorado also received Givani Smith and a 2027 fifth-round pick from the Sharks, with Alexandar Georgiev, Nikolai Kovalenko, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2025 fifth-round pick going the other way.

Jones played five games with the Kings this season, scoring zero points and averaging 12:49 time-on-ice. The 27-year-old has primarily been an NHL player, with only 12 contests in the AHL since the 2019-20 season.

Domi has not played since November 16th, missing the last eight games with a lower-body injury, but could return to the lineup on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. The 29-year-old Domi has struggled with the Maple Leaf this season, going without a point in 13 straight games.

Crotty was a third-round pick, 82nd overall, of the Arizona Coyotes in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut last season, playing one game, but has exclusively been an AHL player. He has five points (0G / 5A) in 19 games with the Iowa Wild (AHL). In a corresponding move, Minnesota assigned David Jiricek to the AHL.

Jiricek has not played since being acquired in a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets on November 30th. The 21-year-old Jiricek was the sixth-overall pick of the Blue Jackets in 2022 but had trouble establishing himself with the club at the NHL level, soring 11 points (1G / 10A) in 53 career games.

Trouba was acquired by the Ducks in a trade from the New York Rangers last week in exchange for Urho Vaakanainen and a 2025 fourth-round pick. The 30-year-old Trouba was the captain of the Rangers, averaging 20:00 time-on-ice, and recording six points (0G / 6A), 68 blocks, and 39 hits in 24 games.

Lambert played four games for the Jets but did not hit the scoresheet and will return to the AHL, where he has 11 points (3G / 8A) in 16 games. In a corresponding move, the Jets have recalled Nikita Chibrikov from Manitoba (AHL).

Chibrikov was the 50th overall pick of the Jets in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old winger made his NHL debut last season, scoring one goal in one game, but has almost exclusively been an AHL player. He has 13 points (5G / 8A) in 19 games with the Manitoba Moose (AHL).

Carrier exited Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators due to an upper-body injury in the third period after playing 15:39 time-on-ice. The 28-year-old Carrier is averaging 20:08 time-on-ice through 28 games, recording seven points (1G / 6A), 49 blocks, 31 hits, and a career-worst -14 plus/minus. He will be out of the lineup on a week-to-week basis.

Allen allowed three goals on 22 shots (.864 SV%) in a 4-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday and was absent from practice on Monday. He is being evaluated and might not dress on Tuesday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Markstrom did not play in New Jersey's previous contest, a 4-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, and will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 24-year-old Markstrom has won five of his last six (5-1-0), allowing three or fewer goals five times, posting a .907 SV%. Markstrom and the Devils were defeated 4-2 by the Maple Leafs in their only other meeting this season.

Carrier exited Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators due to an undisclosed injury in the third period after playing 15:39 time-on-ice. The 28-year-old Carrier is averaging 20:08 time-on-ice through 28 games, recording seven points (1G / 6A), 49 blocks, 31 hits, and a career-worst -14 plus/minus. He will be out of the lineup on a week-to-week basis.

Pastrnak was not at practice on Monday and could be at risk of missing his first game of the season when the Bruins visit the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. The 28-year-old Pastrnak has only scored one in his last 11 games but has been productive in the assist department, scoring 10 points (1G / 9A) in his last nine games with firing 33 shots on goal.

With Cam Talbot and Alex Lyon still sidelined with lower-body injuries, the Red Wings will roll with Husso as their starting goalie for the fourth consecutive game. The 29-year-old Husso was demoted to the AHL earlier this season but has played well in this most recent call-up, allowing three or fewer goals in three straight (0-2-1), posting a .924 SV%. The Red Wings enter Monday's contest as +108 road underdogs against a Buffalo Sabres club amid a season-worst six-game losing skid (0-4-2).

Jayden Struble will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the Anaheim Ducks, allowing Barron to re-enter the lineup after a one-game absence. The 23-year-old Barron is averaging 15:29 time-on-ice through 13 games, recording one point (1G / 0A), 15 blocks, and 15 hits.