NHL Hockey Player News

Josi has been sidelined since October 23rd, but made a major step towards drawing back into the lineup by returning to practice this week. The 35-year-old defenseman had five points (1G / 4A) in eight games this season before his injury. He missed 29 games last season, largely due to postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, a condition characterized by an abnormally large increase in heart rate upon sitting up or standing.

Utah hopes to return to the win column after losing three straight (0-0-3), turning to Vejmelka to tend the twine on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 29-year-old Vejmelka has allowed three or more goals in three of his last four games (1-1-2). He has a 2.85 GAA and .880 SV% in 14 games this season (8-4-2). The Mammoth enter Thursday's contest as slight -104 home underdogs against a Vegas team with points in four straight games (2-0-2).

Wedgewood continues to impress this season, earning regular starts despite the return of Mackenzie Blackwood, and will return to the crease on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The 33-year-old Wedgewood has a solid 2.17 GAA and .917 SV% in 15 appearances this season (11-1-2). He has allowed two or fewer goals in five straight games (5-0-0), posting a dazzling 1.40 GAA and .949 SV%. Colorado enters Thursday's contest as sizable -209 home favorites against a Rangers team that has scored two or fewer goals in three straight (1-2-0).

Darcy Kuemper is not travelling with the Kings' for their Thursday night game in San Jose to receive some extra rest. The Kings have recalled Copley to serve as the backup to Anton Forsberg. The 33-year-old Copley spent the majority of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, tallying a 2.49 GAA and .904 SV% in 42 games with the Ontario Reign (24-17-1).

Tarasenko has missed three straight games due to a lower-body injury, and has been placed on Injured Reserve retroactive to November 11th. The 33-year-old Tarasenko, in his first season with Minnesota, has 10 points (2G / 8A) in 18 games.

Holmstrom had a breakout 2024-25 season, scoring 45 points (20G / 25A) in 75 games, and is producing at a similar, albeit slightly lower rate, in 2025-26, with nine points (4G / 5A) through 19 games. Maxim Tsyplakov will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Holmstom's return.

Simon Holmstrom (illness) will return to the Islanders' lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings, sending Tsyplakov back to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 27-year-old Tsyplakov had a decent rookie season in 2024-25, scoring 35 points (10G / 25A) in 77 games, but has struggled to produce offense in 2025-26, with only one point (1G / 0A) through 13 games.

Dmitri Simashev will draw back into Utah's lineup on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights, resulting in Maatta being a healthy scratch. The 31-year-old Maatta is averaging a career-low 11:48 time-on-ice and has one assist in 16 games this season. Before this season, Maatta's career-average ice time was 18:27.

Olli Maatta will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights, allowing Simashev to return after a one-game absence. The 20-year-old Simashev is averaging 15:41 time-on-ice and has one assist through 19 games in his rookie season.

Wedgewood continues to impress this season, earning regular starts despite the return of Mackenzie Blackwood, and will likely return to the crease on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The 33-year-old Wedgewood has a solid 2.17 GAA and .917 SV% in 15 appearances this season (11-1-2). He has allowed two or fewer goals in five straight games (5-0-0), posting a dazzling 1.40 GAA and .949 SV%. Colorado enters Thursday's contest as sizable -209 home favorites against a Rangers team that has scored two or fewer goals in three straight (1-2-0).

Durzi has not played since the second game of the season, recovering from an upper-body injury, but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup after practicing on Thursday. The 27-year-old Durzi was solid in limited action with Utah last season, scoring 11 points (4G / 7A) in 30 games.

Bertuzzi has not played since November 12th, and was previously a game-time decision for several games, but will draw back into the lineup on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. The 30-year-old Bertuzzi is off to an excellent start to the 2025-26 season, recording 15 points (9G / 6A), 36 shots, and 17 hits in 16 games.