NHL Hockey Player News

The Mammoth have lost three straight and hope to return to the win column on Monday, turning to Vejmelka to tend the twine against the San Jose Sharks. The 29-year-old Vejemelka was excellent in his most recent outing, but received no goal support, saving 18 of 19 shots (.947 SV%) in a 1-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues. He has a pedestrian 2.74 GAA and .887 SV% in 19 games this season (10-7-2), but has allowed two or fewer goals in three of his last four games (2-2-0), saving 84 of 92 combined shots (.913 SV%). Utah enters Monday's contest as -152 road favourites against a Sharks team that defeated them 3-2 earlier this month.

After a horrendous start to the 2025-26 season, the Blues are making a push to get back into the race for playoff contention, with a 3-1-3 record in their last seven. Improved play from Binnington has helped with the Blues' recent uptick, posting a 2.80 GAA and .909 SV% in his last six games (3-0-3). The 32-year-old goalie has a 3.11 GAA and .882 SV% in 17 games this season (6-5-5). The Blues enter Monday's contest as -148 home favorites against a Ducks team that will likely be relying on their third-string netminder, Ville Husso, due to injuries.

Cooley exited Saturday's 1-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues after a scary knee-on-knee collision with Alexey Toropchenko. He was in distress and needed to be helped off the ice, but fortunately did not suffer a serious injury and will be a game-time decision to return to the lineup on Monday. The 21-year-old Cooley has been excellent for Utah this season, scoring 23 points (14G / 9A) in 26 games.

The Jets have struggled without Connor Hellebuyck (knee), but finally recorded their first win in five games without him (1-4-0), a 5-2 victory over the Nashville Predators, in which Comrie saved 20 of 22 shots (.909 SV%). The Jets will hope Comrie's first win as their de facto starting netminder will give him momentum to improve on his 2.91 GAA and .898 SV% in nine games (5-4-0) this season. The Jets enter Monday's contest as +101 road underdogs against a Buffalo Sabres team that has scored two or fewer goals in three straight games (1-2-0).

Gaudette has points in two straight (1G / 1A), but could be sidelined on Monday due to an illness. The 29-year-old bottom-six forward has eight points (6G / 2A) in 22 games this season.

Nichushkin has 12 points (5G / 7A) in 17 games this season and was heating up before his injury, with nine points (3G / 6A) in his last 10 games. The 30-year-old forward has been an offensive threat for Colorado, scoring 198 points (96G / 102A) in 229 games since the 2021-22 season, but has unfortunately become just as well known for his injuries as for his scoring prowess. Nichushkin has played fewer than 55 games in each of the previous four seasons and could be headed down that same path in 2025-26.

Walman has missed six games due to injuries this season, but was back at practice on Monday. The 29-year-old defenseman has not played more than 65 games in a season since becoming an NHL regular in 2021-22. Walman has 10 points (3G / 7A) in 17 games this season.

Carlo has not played since November 13th due to a lower-body injury and is seemingly no closer to returning after suffering a setback. The 29-year-old defenseman was averaging 20:04 time-on-ice and scored two assists in 18 games before his injury.

The Sharks coaching staff have regularly taken veteran defenseman out of the lineup as healthy scratches lately, which continues with Leddy heading to the sidelines on Monday. The 34-year-old Leddy has two assists in 10 games this season. Sam Dickinson will draw into the lineup as Leddy's replacement.

Nick Leddy will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the Utah Mammoth, allowing Dickinson to re-enter the lineup. The 19-year-old Dickinson has played 19 games this season, averaging 14:30 time-on-ice and scoring two points (1G / 1A).

After an ugly 6-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, allowing four goals on 19 shots (.789 SV%), Asakrov responded in his most recent outing with a 32-save performance (.941 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks. The 23-year-old rookie netminder capped off an impressive November with a 1.88 GAA and .944 SV% in 10 games (8-2-0). Asakrov returns to the crease on Monday, with the Sharks entering their game against the Utah Mammoth as +144 home underdogs.

Barron has not played since November 16th and remains day-to-day. The 24-year-old defenseman is averaging 15:08 time-on-ice and has four assists in 19 games this season.

With several injuries on Toronto's blueline, Benoit has been thrust into a larger role lately. The 27-year-old defenseman is averaging 18:02 time-on-ice and has two assists in 23 games this season. The Maple Leafs return to action on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers.

Regenda has not played an NHL game since a five-game stint with the Anaheim Ducks in the 2023-24 season. The 25-year-old Slovak forward has seven points (3G / 4A) in 19 games with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) this season.

Desharnais did not play in San Jose's most recent game, and has since been placed on Injured Reserve due to a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old Desharnais has played all but five games for the Sharks this season, scoring two points (0G / 2A) while averaging 16:33 time-on-ice.

Nikita Tolopilo is away from Vancouver to tend to the birth of his child, resulting in Petera being recalled. The 26-year-old Patera has been recalled numerous times this month, but did not impress in his only NHL contest. He has a 2.89 GAA and .899 SV% in six games (2-2-1) with Abbotsford (AHL) this season.

Edstrom has worked his way into a regular role in the Rangers' bottom-six, playing 24 of 27 games, but is being evaluated for a lower-body injury. The 25-year-old 6'7 forward has four points (2G / 2A) and 48 hits this season.

Appleton has played every game for the Red Wings this season, but will be sidelined on Tuesday because of an undisclosed injury. The 30-year-old Appleton is averaging 13:34 time-on-ice and has nine points (3G / 6A) through 26 games in his first season in Detroit.

An illness seems to be circulating through Colorado's dressing room, leaving several players absent from practice on Monday, including Parker Kelly. The 26-year-old Kelly has 11 points (5G / 6A) while predominantly playing on the fourth line. Colorado returns to action on Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks.