NHL Hockey Player News

Tavares was absent from practice on Tuesday, and it is unclear if he will be available when the Maple Leafs return to action from the Olympic break on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 35-year-old Tavares is having a productive season in Toronto with 47 points (20G / 27A) in 57 games, but has seen his pace dip in recent weeks, with only seven points (4G / 3A) in his last 13 games.

Lankinen did not see much playing time while representing Finland at the Olympics and should be well rested, but has experienced travel difficulties and is unlikely to suit up when Vancouver returns to action against the Winnipeg Jets. The 30-year-old Lankinen should see a significant workload for the remainder of the season, as Thatcher Demko (hip surgery) will not play again in 2025-26.

Letang was sidelined a week leading up to the Olympic Break due to a lower-body injury, but is expected to play when Pittsburgh returns to action on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 38-year-old Letang is averaging 22:06 time-on-ice, recording 25 points (3G / 22A), 64 blocks, and 67 hits in 50 games this season.

Ullmark did not play in Ottawa's final game before the Olympic Break due to an illness, but will suit up Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Ullmark had only played two games since returning from a five-week personal leave, but played well, winning both games while posting a 1.50 GAA and .930 SV%.

Hintz helped Finland capture a Bronze Medal at the Olympics, but his status will be up in the air when Dallas returns to action on Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken. The 29-year-old Hintz has 44 points (15G / 29A) in 52 games this season and has seen his goal scoring decrease. Hintz has averaged 33 goals per 82 games over the past four seasons, but is pacing for only 24 this season.

Morrissey accompanied Team Canada for the Silver Medal performance at the Olympics, but did not play because of an upper-body injury and will remain sidelined for the Jets on Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 30-year-old Morrissey is averaging 24:37 time-on-ice and has 42 points (10G / 32A) in 56 games this season.

After Connor Hellebuyck's heroic performance to help the USA secure a Gold Medal in a 2-1 overtime win over Canada at the Olympics on Sunday, the Jets will turn to Comrie to tend the twine in their return to action. Comrie did not play much leading up to the Olympic break, but performed well when called upon, winning three straight outings while posting a 1.00 GAA and a .960 SV%.

Oettinger did not see any playing time for the USA at the Olympics but will return home with a Gold Medal after serving as Connor Hellebuyck's backup. The 27-year-old Oettinger should be well rested after the Olympic Break and will be relied upon heavily as the Stars battle for playoff positioning.

Faksa did not play in Czechia's final two games at the Olympics and is unlikely to play with Dallas returns to action on Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken. The 32-year-old Faksa is not expected to be out long-term, but it is unclear when he will be targeting to return to the lineup if he is unable to play on Wednesday. Faksa has 17 points (2G / 15A) through 56 games in a fourth-line role this season and has not surpassed the 20-point plateau since 2018-19.

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 miss at least one game with Dallas. It's unclear how concerning Rantanen's ailment is, but he has been placed on IR on Monday. The 29-year-old is having an outstanding first full season with the Stars, scoring 69 points (20G / 49A) in 54 games.

With Jake Oettinger returning from the Olympics, the Stars will turn to DeSmith in their first game back on Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken. The 34-year-old DeSmith has a solid 2.37 GAA and .911 SV% in 21 games this season (11-4-5), but has been less effective in recent weeks, posting a 2.71 GAA and .893 SV% in his last nine outings (3-4-2).

Reaves did not play the last couple of games for the Sharks before the Olympic Break due to an upper-body injury, but he will be eligible to return to the lineup on Thursday against the Calgary Flames. The 39-year-old Reaves has three goals, 32 penalty minutes, and 142 hits in 46 games this season.

Larkin concluded his participation at the Olympics with a Gold Medal victory for the USA on Sunday and is anticipating playing when the Red Wings return to action on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators. The 29-year-old Larkin was impactful at the Olympics, playing an integral middle-six role and scoring three points (2G/1A) in six games. Larkin has 51 points (26G / 25A) in 58 games this season and will look to continue his near point-per-game pace as the Red Wings continue their battle for playoff positioning.

Sanderson concluded his participation at the Olympics with a Gold Medal victory for the USA on Sunday and is anticipating playing when the Senators return to action on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 23-year-old Sanderson was not relied upon as heavily at the Olympics as he is by the Senators and finished the tournament with two assists in six games. Sanderson had a career-high 57 points (11G / 46A) in 80 games in 2024-25, and is pacing to surpass those totals in 2025-26, with 46 points (11G / 35A) through 57 games.