NHL Hockey Player News

Martin will make his Hurricanes debut on Wednesday after being claimed off waivers from the Blue Jackets last week. Given Antti Raanta's struggles this season, Martin could make a case for some extra work in the absence of Pyotr Kochetkov (concussion), though he didn't look particularly strong during his time in Columbus this season. The 28-year-old netminder posted a 3-8-1 record along with an .887 SV% and a 3.65 GAA in 13 appearances with the Blue Jackets. He draws a brutal assignment in his first start as a Hurricane as he travels to Boston to take on the Bruins.

Schmaltz last played on January 16th, exiting the game with an upper-body injury after playing only 11:11 time-on-ice, and he has missed three games since. The talented playmaker has five points (3G / 2A) in his last six games and will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers.

Barkov has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury and was on a tear before he left the lineup, scoring seven points (0G / 7A) in his last five games. He'll reclaim his usual spot centering the Panthers' first line.

Chaffee went pointless in his only game with the Lightning this season, though he remains productive for Syracuse (AHL). He has 11 goals and 14 assists in 33 AHL games this season.

Leschyshyn had four goals, three assists, and 10 PIMs in 16 games with Hartford (AHL) this season and has earned his second call up of the year to the Rangers on Wednesday. Leschyshyn appeared in one game previously this season for the Rangers on the 11th of January and was a -1 plus/minus across 10 shifts and only 6:28 TOI. He's played 77 career NHL games in four seasons.

Erne cleared waivers Tuesday in a move that made to help make room for the addition of Corey Perry on the Oilers. Erne has struggled to establish himself in the Oilers roster this season, being limited to only two points (1G / 1A) in 23 games.

Roy missed the Kings' previous game due to personal reasons but will draw back into their lineup Wednesday vs. Buffalo in replacement of Jordan Spence. The 28-year-old has enjoyed yet another strong defensive season in 2023-24, with two goals, 11 assists, 85 SOG, 16 PIMs and a +7 plus/minus through 43 games played.

With the return of Matt Roy (personal), Jordan Spence was the odd man out of the Kings' lineup Wednesday vs. Buffalo. The 22-year-old has yet to find the back of the net in 2023-24 but has a career high 14 assists, 49 SOG, four PIMs and a +7 plus/minus across 40 games played.

Talbot will take the crease for the first time in four games after yielding it to David Rittich for the last week but is expected to start Wednesday vs. Buffalo. The 36-year-old finds himself in the midst of an eight-game losing streak but still holds a respectable 14-11-5 record, 2.43 GAA and .915 SV%. He'll take on the Buffalo Sabres, who are on the back end of a back-to-back and have lost their last two contests.

With the Blackhawks on the back end of their road back-to-back games, Petr Mrazek will take the net Thursday in Edmonton. The 31-year-old is fresh off of signing a two-year, $8.5 million contract on Wednesday and has a 12-17-1 record, 3.01 GAA and .907 SV%. He takes on the red-hot Edmonton Oilers, who are on a historic 14 game winning streak and rank fourth in the NHL in goals per game (3.51).

Myers has appeared in one game for the Lightning since January 6th and has been reassigned to Syracuse (AHL) Wednesday. The 26-year-old towering defencemen has yet to pick up a point this season through five games, and has six SOG, two PIMs and a -2 plus/minus.

Tinordi has been in and out of the lineup the last two weeks but will jump back in on Wednesday in favour of Isaak Phillips, who will be a healthy scratch. Tinordi last played on January 19th, recording three shots on goal and a -1 plus/minus rating in 17:37 time-on-ice.

Jarred Tinordi will draw into the Blackhawks' lineup on Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken in favour of Phillips. Phillips played the last three games for the Blackhawks, registering five hits, and a -4 plus/minus.

After a come-from-behind 4-3 victory against the Calgary Flames last night, the Blues will switch to Hofer between the pipes on the back end of a back-to-back. Hofer has started about one of every three games for the Blues lately but has not been able to consistently lead them to victory. The 23-year-old Hofer is 0-3-0 in his last three starts, allowing three or more goals in each, posting a pedestrian .900 SV%. The Blues are sizeable +211 road underdogs against a red-hot Vancouver Canucks team that has won eight of their last nine contests (8-1-0).

Petr Mrazek was rewarded with a two-year contract extension on Wednesday, but the Blackhawks will turn to Soderblom between the pipes for only his second start in the last two weeks. Despite his lack of play, Soderblom has been serviceable lately, allowing three or fewer goals in his last three starts (0-3-0) and posting a solid .918 SV%. That said, the Blackhawks are +262 road underdogs against a Seattle Kraken team outscored 15-5 in their last four games (0-4-0).

Werenski has been out of the lineup since December 27th, missing 10 straight games, but is expected to return to the lineup on Thursday against the Calgary Flames. He has been a solid contributor for the Blue Jackets on the blueline this season, scoring 19 points, all assists, in his last 23 games before his injury. Expect Werenski to regain his position as the quarterback on the Blue Jackets' top powerplay unit.

DeSimone has been a healthy scratch the last two games and was placed on waivers by the Flames on Wednesday. The 29-year-old defenseman has five points (1G / 4A), 19 shots, 12 hits, and 21 blocks in 23 games this season.

Ruzicka has been held without a point in 10 straight games and was a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues. The 24-year-old Slovak was the fourth-round pick of the Flames in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He has 40 points (14G / 26A) in 114 career games with the Flames.

Roy made his NHL debut earlier this month and played six straight games, recording two points (1G / 1A). The 20-year-old was selected in the fifth round of the 2021 NHL draft and has excelled in his first year as a pro, picking up 30 points (12G / 18A) in his first 34 AHL games, good for second on the team.

DeSmith is responsible for the Canucks' only loss in their last nine games, but played very well in that performance, saving 40 of 43 shots (.930 SV%) in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on January 15th. DeSmith has been serviceable when called upon this season, posting a reliable 2.55 GAA and .915 SV% in 14 games (7-3-3). The Canucks, riding a three-game winning streak, are -241 home favourites against a St. Louis Blues club that has outscored their opposition 7-3 in their last two games (2-0-0).