NHL Hockey Player News

Skinner allowed two goals on 17 shots against (.882 SVA%) in the Oilers' Game 1 loss to Florida but is expected to take the crease again on Monday as Edmonton looks to even up the Stanley Cup Finals. The 25-year-old Edmonton native has endured an up-and-down playoff run, with his 11-6-0 record, .897 SV% and 2.47 GAA. He will look to even up the series in a tough battle on Monday in Florida, who is looking to extend their current four-game win streak.

Kane did not participate in the Oilers' morning skate on Monday ahead of Game 2 which led to some speculation that he may not dress but he has come out himself and stated "I will play". The 32-year-old bruising winger has been battling an undisclosed injury as of late which has led to him only producing one point in his previous eight playoff appearances.

After being exposed on both Panther goals in Game 1, Cody Ceci will head to the press box as a healthy scratch as Vincent Desharnais returns to the OIlers' lineup. The 30-year-old Ceci had been producing offensively in the playoffs with his two goals and four points in 17 games but has struggled mightily defensively as shown by his -7 plus/minus.

Desharnais has been a healthy scratch for the Oilers' previous four games but will draw back into the lineup for Game 2 on Monday as he replaces Cody Ceci. The 28-year-old shutdown defender has struggled all playoffs up to this point, with one assist, 12 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus in 15 games played.

Bobrovsky was sensational and unbeatable in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals as he stopped all 32 shots he faced for his second shutout of this year's playoffs and a commanding 1-0 lead on the series. He will start Game 2 as expected on Monday and will look to build off his already impressive postseason numbers with his 13-5-0 record, 2.08 GAA and .915 SV%. He is sure to be busy on Monday as he looks to shut down the Edmonton Oilers again on home ice, who led the NHL in shots on goal per game (33.8) during the regular season.

Laferriere spent the 2023-24 season with the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL) and has signed a one-year, two-way contract extension to remain with the Blues next season. The 23-year-old was St.Louis' 2018 sixth-round pick (169th overall) and had seven goals and 25 points in 68 games in his third AHL season with Springfield last year.

Stancl is St.Louis' 2023 fourth-round pick (106th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blues on Thursday. The 19-year-old left-winger appeared in seven games for Vaxjo Lakers HC (SHL) and had a goal and zero assists at Sweden's top level.

Thomas made his NHL debut in 2023-24 and has signed a two-year, $1.55 million contract extension ($775,000 AAV) to stay with the Los Angeles Kings. The 24-year-old centre spent the last four seasons with Ontario (AHL) before finally cracking the Kings' lineup and appeared in seven games, amassing three goals, four points, nine SOG and two PIMs for the Kings once he did.

Carlile followed up his 2023-24 NHL debut (1 game) by signing a two-year, two-way contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. The 24-year-old defenseman spent the majority of his 2023-24 with Syracuse (AHL) and had seven goals and 27 points in 61 games played. He made his NHL debut and only appearance on January 4th, 2024 against Minnesota.

Lee spent the last three seasons with Ontario (AHL) after graduating from UMass-Lowell (NCAA) in 2022-22 and signed his first NHL contract Wednesday as Los Angeles signed him to a one-year, two-way contract. The 23-year-old left-winger was Los Angeles' 2019 seventh-round pick (188th overall) and had eight goals and 13 points in 36 games with Ontario in 2023-24.

Montreal made their first off-season signing on Tuesday as they brought in Connor Hughes from Switzerland for a one-year, two-way contract which starts in the 2024-25 season. The 27-year-old travelling netminder had never played higher than the GOJHL in North America and has played in either the NL or SL league in Switzerland since 2017-18. In 2023-24 he appeared in 19 games for Lausanne HC (NL) and had an impressive 1.73 GAA and .940 SV%.