NHL Hockey Player News

Lauzon has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury in Game Six of Vegas' first-round series against the Utah Mammoth. He has been sidelined for over a month, but will return in Game One of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 29-year-old defenseman was averaging 16:33 time-on-ice and recorded eight blocks and 14 hits in six games before his injury. Kaedan Korczak will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Lauzon's return.

When John Tortorella took over head coaching duties of the Vegas Golden Knights in the final weeks of the regular season, he made it clear that Carter Hart, his former goalie from their days with the Philadelphia Flyers, would be their undisputed starting netminder. The 27-year-old Hart has repaid that trust with an exceptional postseason run, guiding his team to the Stanley Cup Finals. Hart has a 2.22 GAA and .922 SV% in 16 games this postseason (12-4), and he has seemingly gotten better, posting a tremendous 1.65 GAA and .948 SV% in his last six outings (6-0). The Golden Knights enter Game One against the Carolina Hurricanes as +137 road underdogs.

Jeremy Lauzon (undisclosed) will return from a month-long absence on Tuesday for Game One against the Carolina Hurricanes, resulting in Korczak being a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Korczak is averaging 11:55 time-on-ice, recording nine blocks, 23 hits, and three assists in 12 games this postseason.

At age 36, Frederik Andersen enters the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in his career and will look to build on what has been an extraordinary postseason run thus far. The Danish goalie has been used sparingly in recent seasons, typically splitting time with his counterpart, but he has played every game this postseason, posting a tremendous 1.41 GAA, .931 SV%, and three shutouts in 13 games (12-1). The Hurricanes enter Game One on Tuesday as -151 home favourites against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Novosyolov is an undrafted goalie that has yet to play professional hockey in North America. The 21-year-old spent most of the 2025-26 season in the Supreme Hockey League (VHL), where he posted a 2.10 GAA and .932 SV% in 40 games (22-10-8) with Verkhnyaya Psyhma Gornyak.

Pautov was a sixth-round pick, 173rd overall, by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old Russian forward has spent the past several seasons playing in Russia in the Supreme Hockey League (VHL). He had five points (1G / 4A) in 25 games with Moscow Zvedza (VHL) in 2025-26.

Fresh off of a Memorial Cup victory with the Kitchener Rangers (OHL), Pridham's rights have been acquired by the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 20-year-old forward was a third-round pick, 92nd overall, of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. He scored 90 points (46G / 44A) this season in 65 games with Kitchener.

Silayev was drafted 10th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old Russian defenseman has yet to play professionally in North America. He spent the 2025-26 season in the KHL, where he tallied three points (1G / 2A) in 61 games with the Nyzhny Novgorod Torpedo.

The Canadiens will turn to Dobes between the pipes with their season on the line in Carolina on Friday. The 24-year-old netminder was once again outstanding in a losing effort in Game 4, turning away 40 of the 43 shots he faced in the 4-0 loss. Just as they've been all series, the Habs are sizable underdogs in a must-win Game 5, entering action at +200 on the money line.

Andersen saved all 18 shots he faced in Tuesday's 4-0 Game Four win over the Montreal Canadiens, setting a franchise record for three shutouts in a single postseason, and more importantly, helping his team take a commanding 3-1 series lead. The 36-year-old goalie has battled occasional inconsistencies in previous playoff runs, but has been terrific this year, posting a stellar 1.44 GAA and .928 SV% in 12 games (11-1). The Hurricanes hope to advance to the Stanley Cup finals with a victory, entering Game Five as sizeable -239 home favourites.

Tampa Bay announced Friday that they have signed their 2025 4th round pick (108th overall) to a three-year, entry-level contract on Friday. The 20-year-old Finnish forward enjoyed an impressive third season with Tappara of Liiga in 2025-26, picking up 25 goals, 77 points and a +24 plus/minus in 59 games played.

Nilsson was Nashville's 2023 2nd round pick (43rd overall) and has earned himself a three-year, entry-level contract on Friday. The 20-year-old Swedish forward spent 2025-26 with Rogle BK (SHL) and had 14 goals, 40 points and a +18 plus/minus in 52 games played.

Richard was a sixth-round pick, 170th overall, of the Buffalo Sabres in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old American forward recently finished his third season with the University of Connecticut, scoring 27 points (10G / 17A) in 38 games.

Andersen saved all 18 shots he faced in Tuesday's 4-0 Game Four win over the Montreal Canadiens, setting a franchise record for three shutouts in a single postseason, and more importantly, helping his team take a commanding 3-1 series lead. The 36-year-old goalie has battled occasional inconsistencies in previous playoff runs, but has been terrific this year, posting a stellar 1.44 GAA and .928 SV% in 12 games (11-1). The Hurricanes hope to advance to the Stanley Cup finals with a victory, entering Game Five as sizeable -239 home favourites.

Biber was Utah's 2024 4th round pick (98th overall) and has earned himself a three-year entry-level contract on Thursday. The 19-year-old Austrian defensemen spent 2025-26 with Rogle BK (SHL), and had a goal, two points and 12 PIMs in 38 games played in Sweden's top league.

After a successful first season in Germany's top leageu with EHC Munchen, Phillip Sinn has earned himself a two-year, entry-level contract with San Jose on Thursday. The 22-year-old undrafted defensemen turned heads after representing Germany at both the Olympics and World Championships. He had a goal and three points in 35 games with EHC Munchen (DEL) in 2025-26.

Andersen has not had the same dominance he had through the first two rounds of the playoffs, posting a 1.12 GAA and .950 SV% in eight games (8-0), but has remained a steady option between the pipes for the Hurricanes. The 36-year-old Andersen has faced only 46 shots through three games against the Montreal Canadiens, allowing nine goals (.804 SV%), but has made some timely saves to help ensure a 2-1 series lead. The Hurricanes enter a pivotal Game Four as -147 road favourites.

For the first time this postseason, Dobes has lost two straight, but will look to rebound on Wednesday in Game Four. Despite being in a 2-1 series deficit, Dobes has remained reliable between the pipes, posting a 2.43 GAA and .914 SV%. The 25-year-old Czech goalie has a 2.50 GAA and .911 SV% through 17 outings this postseason (9-8). The Canadiens hope to even the series against the Carolina Hurricanes at 2-2, entering Game Four as +132 home underdogs.