NHL Hockey Player News

The Sabres have favored rookie Colten Ellis in recent games, but they will turn to Luukkonen on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Luukkonen was injured for the first four weeks of the season and has been inconsistent in limited use since. The 26-year-old Finnish netminder has a 3.02 GAA and .883 SV% in four games this season (1-2-1). The Sabres enter Friday's contest as -180 home favorites against a Blackhawks team that played last night and allowed three unanswered goals in a 3-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken.

Roy played three games for the Canadiens this season, but will return to the Laval Rocket (AHL), where has spent most of the season, scoring seven points (4G / 3A) in 10 games. The Canadiens recalled Florian Xhekaj from Laval in a corresponding move.

Florian Xhekaj was drafted in the fourth-round, 101st overall, by the Canadiens in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old forward has yet to play an NHL game. He had 35 points (24G / 11A0 in 69 games with the Laval Rocket (AHL) last season.

The Bruins are 7-3-0 in their last 10, but have lost two straight and hope to return to the win column with Swayman tending the twine on Friday against the Los Angeles Kings. Swayman was solid in his most recent outing, saving 29 of 32 shots (.906 SV%), but lost 3-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes. After a shaky start to the season, the 26-year-old Swayman has a 2.50 GAA and .920 SV% in his last six games (5-1-0). The Bruins enter Friday's contest as +172 road underdogs against a Kings team that played last night and lost 4-3 to the San Jose Sharks in a shootout.

With Connor Hellebuyck sidelined for several weeks after undergoing a minor Arthroscopic knee procedure, Comrie will likely see a heavy workload for the Jets, starting with Friday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Comrie started a career-high 20 games last season, a total he will surely surpass with Hellebuyck out of the lineup. The 30-year-old Comrie has been solid in limited action this season, posting a 2.60 GAA and .908 SV% in five games (4-1-0). The Jets enter Friday's contest as +138 road underdogs against a Hurricanes team that has points in eight of its last 10 games (6-2-2).

Jeffrey Viel (undisclosed) will not play on Friday, allowing Tufte to re-enter the lineup. Tufte made his season debut for Boston earlier this week and scored a goal. The 27-year-old Tufte has 16 points (8G / 8A) in 13 games with the Providence Bruins (AHL) this season.

Viel is averaging 10:00 time-on-ice and has yet to score a point in eight games this season. He heads the sidelined due to an undisclosed injury. Riley Tufte will draw into the lineup as Viel's replacement.

Geertsen went without a point in five games with the Sabres this season, zero points in 30 career games, and will report to the Rochester Americans (AHL) after clearing waivers. The 30-year-old forward was a fourth-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Texier has not played since November 6th, was placed on the designated non-roster list, and ultimately placed on waivers on Thursday. The 26-year-old Texier has one assist while averaging 10:15 time-on-ice through eight games this season. He will report to the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL).

Honzek made his NHL debut last season, going without a point in five games, but was starting to show promise as an NHL regular this season. The 21-year-old forward scored four points (2G / 2A) in 18 games this season. He was a shoe-in to play for Slovakia at the upcoming Winter Olympics in February, but will likely still be sidelined by then.

Chatfield last played on November 6th due to a concussion, but has rejoined Carolina at practice earlier this week and could return to the lineup on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 29-year-old stay-at-home defensemen is in his sixth season in Carolina and has three assists, eight PIMs and 20 SOG in 13 GP this season.

The Hurricanes remain committed to their three-goalie rotation, and will turn to Bussi on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. Bussi struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 20 shots (.800 SV%), but salvaged a 5-4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 27-year-old first-year NHLer has a 2.60 GAA and .898 SV% in five games (4-1-0). The Hurricanes enter Friday's contest as -143 road favorites against a Jets team on a two-game winning streak.

Evans was on the receiving end of a high hit from Washington's Tom Wilson in Thursday's 8-4 loss. Evans did not return to the game, exiting in the second period, but seems to have avoided a serious injury, as he could be an option to play on Saturday. The 29-year-old Evans has six points (3G / 3A) in 20 games this season.

Cole Koepke will draw back into the Jets' lineup on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes, resulting in Pearson being a healthy scratch. The 33-year-old Pearson is averaging 11:03 time-on-ice and has four points (1G / 3A) in 19 games this season.

Tanner Pearson will be a healthy scratch on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes, allowing Koepke to re-enter the lineup for the first time since November 7th. The 27-year-old Koepke is averaging 10:16 time-on-ice and has two assists in 14 games this season.

The start to Sturm's tenure in Minnesota was delayed due to an injury that needed surgery before the start of the season, but he should make his Minnesota debut shortly, now that he has been activated from Injured Reserve. After winning a cup with Florida in 2024-25, Sturm signed a two-year, $4 million contract with Minnesota in the offseason. He is coming off a seven-goal, 14-point campaign across 62 games with both San Jose and Florida in 2024-25.

With Zach Bogosian activated from Injured Reserve, Minnesota has reassigned Jiricek to the Iowa Wild (AHL). The 21-year-old Jiricek scored zero points and recorded a -3 plus/minus in 12 games with Minnesota.

The Hurricanes remain committed to their three-goalie rotation, and will turn to Bussi on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. Bussi struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 20 shots (.800 SV%), but salvaged a 5-4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 27-year-old first-year NHLer has a 2.60 GAA and .898 SV% in five games (4-1-0). The Hurricanes enter Friday's contest as -143 road favorites against a Jets team on a two-game winning streak.

Edwards was drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Entry by the Devils and went on to play collegiate hockey for four years with the University of Michigan. The 23-year-old made his professional debut last season with the Utica Comets (AHL) and is awaiting his NHL debut. He has five points (1G / 4A) in 13 games with Utica this season.