NHL Hockey Player News

Nugent-Hopkins has been sidelined since November 8th due to an undisclosed injury, but he could return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars. Despite a subpar start to the season for the Oilers, Nugent-Hopkins provided ample production before his injury, scoring 16 points (5G / 11A) in 16 games. The 32-year-old forward is pacing for only the second point-per-game season of his career.

The Sabres signed Georgiev in the offseason, but he was quickly placed on waivers and assigned to the Rochester Americans (AHL). He has since had his contract terminated and will likely sign with a KHL team. The 29-year-old goalie had an awful 2024-25 season, the worst of his career, posting an ugly 3.71 GAA and .874 SV% in 47 games (15-26-4) split between the Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks.

Samuel Helenius will draw back into the Kings' lineup on Monday against the Ottawa Senators, resulting in Turcotte being a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Turcotte is averaging 9:02 time-on-ice and has three assists in 22 games this season.

Alex Turcotte will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the Ottawa Senators, allowing Helenius to re-enter the lineup. The 22-year-old Helenius has only played two games this season.

Smith has been playing with the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL this season and adds some depth to the Blue Jackets' blueline after signing a two-way contract. The 36-year-old defenseman spent the 2024-25 season as the seventh defenseman for the Dallas Stars, scoring six points (1G / 5A) in 32 games.

The Kings have struggled offensively lately, scoring only six goals in their last four games (1-1-2), and will need Kuemper at his best on Monday against the Ottawa Senators. The 35-year-old Kuemper played well in his most recent game, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins. Kuemper has a 2.38 GAA and .906 SV% in 15 games this season (7-4-4). The Kings enter the action on Monday as -148 home favorites against a Senators team they defeated 1-0 earlier this month.

Matinpalo did not play in Ottawa's most recent game, but will draw back in on Monday, as Thomas Chabot exits due to an undisclosed injury. The 27-year-old Matinpalo is averaging 14:46 time-on-ice and has two assists in 12 games this season.

Tolopilo made his NHL debut last season, playing two games (1-1-0) with the Canucks and posting a 2.15 GAA and .885 SV%. He has a 3.35 GAA and .901 SV% in five games (1-3-1) with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL). He will likely serve almost exclusively as the backup to Kevin Lankinen in Vancouver. Jiri Patera was loaned to Abbotsford in a corresponding move.

Patera has been with Vancouver since Thatcher Demko (lower body) was sidelined, but he did not see much time between the pipes, and will return to the AHL for some increased action. He has a 3.10 GAA and .894 SV% in five games (1-2-1) with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) this season. Vancouver has recalled Nikita Tolopilo from Abbotsford in a corresponding move.

The Senators have won two straight and will turn to Merilainen between the pipes on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 23-year-old Merilainen allowed three goals on 18 shots (.857 SV%) in his most recent game, but still recorded a 5-3 victory over the Boston Bruins. He has a 3.53 GAA and .868 SV% in four games this season (3-1-0). The Senators enter the action on Monday as +133 road underdogs against a Kings team that has scored only six goals in its last four games (1-1-2).

Kettle was drafted in the second-round, 39th overall, by the Penguins in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old defenseman scored 14 points (5G / 9A) in 53 games with the Swift Current Broncos (WHL) last season.

Tarasov was solid in relief of Sergei Bobrovsky, saving all 12 shots he faced, but the deficit was too difficult to overcome in an eventual 6-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The 26-year-old Tarasov will return to the crease on Monday against the Nashville Predators, looking to build on a solid 2.34 GAA and .910 SV% in six appearances (1-3-1). Tarasov saved 37 of 40 shots (.925 SV%) in his most recent start, a 6-3 win over the Washington Capitals for his first victory of the season. The Panthers enter Monday's contest as -141 road favourites against a Predators team that has scored two or fewer goals in six of their last seven games (1-5-1).

Chabot returned from an 11-day absence due to an upper-body injury on Saturday but will be out of the lineup on Monday due to an undisclosed injury. The 28-year-old Chabot played 21:45 time-on-ice in his return. He has 10 points (2G / 8A) in 18 games this season.

Utah snapped a four-game losing skid in its most recent game (0-1-3) and will likely turn to Vejmelka to tend the twine on Monday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 29-year-old Vejmelka has had an up-and-down 2025-26 season, posting a 2.87 GAA and .882 SV% in 16 games (9-5-2). The Mammoth enter the action on Monday as +102 home underdogs against a Golden Knights team that has points in six straight games (3-0-3).

Roy was recalled last week after Kirby Dach (lower body) was injured, and drew into the lineup for two games, but will return to the Laval Rocket (AHL). The 22-year-old Roy spent most of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, scoring 35 points (20G / 15A) in 47 games with Laval.

Ekblad did not play in Florida's most recent game, but he should return to the lineup on Monday against the Nashville Predators. The 29-year-old Ekblad has struggled offensively this season, with five points (1G / 4A) in 20 games (0.25 PTS/G), and only three points (0G / 3A) in his last 17. He entered this season with 380 points (118G / 262A) in 732 career games (0.52 PTS/G).

The Flyers have won two straight and will turn to Ersson to tend the twine on Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 26-year-old Ersson had a forgetful outing in his last contest but salvaged a 6-5 shootout win despite allowing five goals on 17 shots (.706 SV%). Ersson has a 3.30 GAA and .844 SV% in six games this season (3-1-2). The Flyers enter the action on Monday as +156 road underdogs against a Lightning team that will be without Brayden Point (undisclosed).

McCabe exited Toronto's most recent game in the second period due to an upper-body injury, but he is expected to be ready to suit up on Wednesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 32-year-old McCabe is averaging 21:16 time-on-ice, recording 53 blocks, 30 hits, and 10 points (3G / 7A) in 22 games this season.

Iorio was recently sent to the AHL for a conditioning loan, where has has seven points (0G / 7A) in six games with the San Jose Barracuda. The 23-year-old defenseman was drafted 55th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and is still working on becoming a full-time NHLer with the Sharks.