The Canucks drafted Lekkerimaki 15th overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, and his 2025-26 season will be cut short due to a shoulder injury. The 21-year-old Swedish forward has three points (2G / 1A) in 13 games this season.
Rantanen did not play in Finland's Bronze Medal victory over Slovakia at the Olympics on Saturday due to a lower-body injury and will be out of the lineup indefinitely. It's unclear how serious Rantanen's ailment is, but Head Coach Glen Gulutzan said Rantanen will be back before the end of the season. The 29-year-old is having an outstanding first full season with the Stars, scoring 69 points (20G / 49A) in 54 games. Expect Matt Duchene to see increased deployment while Rantanen is sidelined.
Seguin has not played since suffering a torn ACL at the beginning of December, and the Stars are reportedly going through the process of ruling him out for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs to receive maximum cap relief before the trade deadline. The 33-year-old Seguin was off to a decent start to the 2025-26 season, scoring 17 points (7G / 10A) in 27 games, but, unfortunately, he has become familiar with seasons being cut short by injuries. Seguin missed 62 games due to injury in 2024-25.
Trade speculation has surrounded Myers, leading to him being held out of the lineup on Wednesday, but he will continue to travel with the team on their upcoming trip. The Canucks have three games before the trade deadline, and it is unclear whether he will be available for those games or still a member of the Canucks for all of them. Myers is currently in year two of a three-year contract that includes a full no-movement clause and carries an AAV of $3 million. It's worth noting that the no-movement clause transitions to a 12-team no-trade list on July 1st, 2026.
Tarasov allowed five goals in consecutive games heading into the Olympic break and will hope to rebound when he returns to the crease on Friday against the Buffalo Sabres. The two-game blip for the 26-year-old Tarasov put a halt to his best stretch of the season, when he had a 2.54 GAA and .913 SV% over 13 games (8-4-1). The Panthers enter Friday's contest as slight -110 home favourites against a Sabres team that defeated them 5-3 earlier this month.
Othmann has split time between the NHL and AHL this season and will return to Hartford (AHL). The 23-year-old Othmann is averaging 9:53 time-on-ice and has one goal in 17 games.
Hellebuyck was tremendous for Team USA at the Olympics, helping them secure the Gold Medal, and was given an extra night off when Winnipeg returned to action on Wednesday. That said, Hellebuyck will likely return to the Jets' crease on Friday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 32-year-old Hellebuyck hopes his recent international success will translate to the NHL level, where he has battled some adversity this season. The three-time Vezina-winning goalie entered the Olympic break allowing three or more goals in five straight games (1-3-1), posting a subpar 3.69 GAA and .879 SV%. The Jets enter Friday's contest as +115 road underdogs against a Ducks team coming off a rollercoaster 6-5 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.
Joseph was unable to secure a regular role with the Blues this season and will ultimately be assigned to Springfield (AHL) after clearing waivers on Friday. The 29-year-old Joseph averaged 12:41 time-on-ice and had 11 points (2G / 9A) in 39 games with the Blues this season.
Seattle placed Kartye on waivers on Thursday, and he was claimed by the New York Rangers on Friday. The 24-year-old Kartye averaged 10:42 time-on-ice and had eight points (3G / 5A) in 40 games with Seattle this season.
Vatrano has not played since the end of December, but could return to the lineup on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 31-year-old Vatrano has scored over 20 goals in each of his past three seasons, but has struggled to produce in 2025-26, with only six points (3G / 3A) through 38 games.
Terry recorded an assist in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Edmonton Oilers, but was limited to only 13:52 time-on-ice, due to an upper-body injury and is uncertain for Friday's game against the Winnipeg Jets. The 28-year-old Terry has battled a string of injuries this season, but has been extremely productive when healthy, scoring 45 points (13G / 32A) in 46 games.
Thomas did not play on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken due to a personal matter, but could suit up on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils. The 26-year-old Thomas has been a point-per-game player over the past four seasons, but has not been able to maintain that pace in 2025-26, with only 33 points (11G / 22A) through 42 games for a struggling Blues team. That said, he had nine points (4G / 5A) in 10 games leading into the Olympic break.
Vejmelka struggled in his return from the Olympic break on Wednesday, allowing four goals on 26 shots (.846 SV%) in a 4-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, and hopes to rebound on Friday against the Minnesota Wild. The 29-year-old Vejmelka was on an outstanding run heading into the Olympic break, winning 10 of 13 shots (10-3-0) while posting a solid 2.20 GAA and .919 SV%. The Mammoth enter Friday's contest as -131 home favourites against a Wild team coming off an impressive 5-2 win over the Avalanche last night.
Girarg was acquired in a trade from the Colorado Avalanche earlier this week and made his Penguins debut on Thursday, recording one shot on goal in 17:53 time-on-ice in a 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils. That said, he was absent from practice on Friday due to a lower-body injury, and it is unclear what his status will be for Saturday afternoon's game against the New York Rangers.
Theodore scored two points (1G/1A) in six games during Team Canada's Silver Medal performance at the Olympics and will return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals after having the night off in their previous game. Despite Vegas running a five-forward powerplay unit for most of the season, Theodore has remained productive, with 27 points (7G / 20A) through 46 games.
Hanifin scored three points (1G / 2A) in six games while representing Team USA at the Olympics and will return to Vegas' lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals after having the night off in their previous game. The 29-year-old Hanifin's offensive production has been negatively affected by Vegas's deep blue line this season and has been limited to only 20 points (2G / 18A) through 47 games.
Marner had five points (1G / 4A) for Team Canada in six games during their Silver Medal performance and will return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals after having the night off in Vegas' previous game. The 28-year-old Marner is having an effective first season in Vegas, with 58 points (16G / 42A) through 57 games. He had six points (2G / 4A) during a five-game point streak heading into the Olympic break.
Marner had five points (1G / 4A) for Team Canada in six games during their Silver Medal performance and will return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals after having the night off in Vegas' previous game. The 28-year-old Marner is having an effective first season in Vegas, with 58 points (16G / 42A) through 57 games. He had six points (2G / 4A) during a five-game point streak heading into the Olympic break.
Eichel scored six points (2G / 4A) in six games while representing Team USA during their Gold Medal performance at the Olympics and will return to Vegas' lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals after having the night off in their previous game. The 29-year-old Eichel is producing at a career-best rate this season, with 68 points (21G / 47A) through 50 games.
Schmid has been the most consistent netminder for the Golden Knights this season, and he will return to the crease on Friday against the Washington Capitals. Heading into the Olympic break, the 25-year-old Schmid had wins in five of his last eight games (5-2-1), posting a 2.55 GAA and .898 SV%. The Golden Knights enter Friday's contest as slight +104 road underdogs against a Capitals team coming off a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
