NHL Hockey Player News

Darcy Kuemper didn't see any playing time while representing Team Canada during their Silver Medal performance at the Olympics, but will still get some extra rest after several busy travel days, allowing Forsberg to tend the twine on Wednesday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 33-year-old Forsberg allowed four goals on 22 shots (.818 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in the Kings' final game before the Olympic break, but had been very impressive in the weeks leading up to that loss, helping his team record a point in five straight (3-0-2) while posting a solid 2.07 GAA and .933 SV%. The Kings enter Wednesday's contest as -141 home favourites.

Hill has battled injuries this season, playing only 12 games and struggling when called upon, but hopes the extra rest during the Olympic break will help him in the final two months of the season. That said, the 29-year-old Hill had his best performance of the season in Vegas' final game leading up to the Olympic Break, saving 32 of 33 shots (.970 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings. The Golden Knights enter Wednesday's rematch as +131 road underdogs against a Kings team that will welcome superstar Artemi Panarin into the lineup for his team debut.

Wedgewood was sidelined for Colorado's final few games heading into the Olympic break and should be well rested when the team returns to action on Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth. The 33-year-old Wedgewood already has a career-high 20 wins this season and will look to continue his hot hand as the Avalanche will be battling to capture the Presidents' Trophy this season. Despite his immense success this season, Wedgewood was battling adversity in his most recent games, losing four of eight (4-3-1) while posting subpar numbers of 3.10 GAA and .878 SV%. Still, Colorado enters Wednesday's contest as -120 road favourites against Utah.

Vejmelka should be well-rested after returning from his stint at the Olympics with Team Czechia, who predominantly relied on Lukas Dostal to tend the twine. The 29-year-old Vejmelka will return to the crease for Utah in their first game back from the Olympic break on Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche. 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 Wednesday's action as +108 home underdogs against the league-leading Colorado Avalanche, who sent eight lineup regulars to the Olympics.

Makar led Team Canada's blueline with six points (2G / 4A) in six games during their Silver Medal Performance at the Olympics, and will be ready to suit up when Colorado returns to action against the Utah Mammoth. Makar is having another great season, ranking fifth amongst all defensemen with 57 points (15G / 42A) through 55 games.

Toews played a prominent role for Team Canada, scoring three points (1G / 2A) in six games, during their Silver Medal performance, and will be ready to suit up for Colorado when they return to action on Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth. Heading into this season, Toews had produced at a 0.65 point-per-game pace, but has seen that dip drastically in 2025-26, with only 13 points (1G / 12A) through 42 games (0.31 P/PG).

MacKinnon had seven points (4G / 3A) in six games for Team Canada during their Silver Medal performance at the Olympics, but will not be ready to suit up when Colorado returns to action on Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth. The 30-year-old MacKinnon is having another tremendous season, among the league leaders with 93 points (40G / 53A) through 55 games. That said, he has only 22 powerplay points, the fewest of any player with at least 69 points this season.

Nelson scored three points (2G / 1A) in six games to help Team USA win a Gold Medal, and will be ready to return to action for Colorado on Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth. The 34-year-old Nelson is having an outstanding first full season in Colorado, scoring 49 points (29G / 20A) in 55 games. He had 15 goals in 18 games leading up to the Olympic break.

The Kraken have been doing a lot of rotating in goal this season, but it will somewhat notably be Daccord between the pipes when they return from the Olympic break in Dallas on Wednesday. To his credit, Daccord really seemed to be finding his game prior to the break, posting a perfect 4-0-0 record and a .931 SV% across his last four starts. He'll have to be at his best again on Wednesday, as the Kraken enter a difficult road matchup at +140 on the money line.

It's unclear why Kakko is unavailable on Wednesday, though it's possible it's simply an extra day's rest after the Olympics, but the Kraken gave no indication he would be absent prior to listing him as a scratch on the official roster report. Kakko has six goals and 15 assists in 40 games this season.

Myers will be held out of the lineup for precautionary reasons as the Canucks look to potentially trade him ahead of next week's deadline. Myers is currently on 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 just a 12-team no-trade-list on July 1st, 2026.

The Lightning will unsurprisingly turn to Vasilevskiy between the pipes when they return from the Olympic break to host the Maple Leafs on Wednesday. Vasilevskiy was on an absolute heater prior to the break, posting a .937 SV% and a perfect 8-0-0 record over his last eight starts. He's a good bet to stay in the win column on Wednesday, as the Lightning enter action as huge favourites at -225 on the money line.

Tom Wilson was an effective contributor for Team Canada during their Silver Medal performance at the Olympics, scoring four points (1G / 3A) in six games, but he has returned home with an illness that will prevent him from playing on Wednesday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 31-year-old Wilson scored a career-high 65 points (33G / 32A) in 2024-25 and is pacing to surpass those totals in 2025-26, with 49 points (23G / 26A) through 50 games.

Luukkonen missed the final two weeks of the season leading up to the Olympic Break due to a lower-body injury, but will return to the crease on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils. The 26-year-old Finnish goalie was on an impressive run before his injury, helping his team collect at least a point in eight of 10 outings while posting a solid 2.42 GAA and .922 SV%. The Sabres enter the action on Wednesday as slight -103 road underdogs against a Devils team that entered the Olympic break on a three-game losing streak (0-3-0).