NHL Hockey Player News

Thompson was a third-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft that has yet to play an NHL game. The 24-year-old forward scored 15 points (6G / 9A) in 40 games with the Rockford IceHogs (AHL) this season.

Pouliot, an NHL veteran of 226 games, has almost exclusively played in the AHL over the past three seasons. The 32-year-old forward scored 28 points (2G / 26A) in 52 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) this season.

Joseph was unable to secure a regular role with the St. Louis Blues this season and had his contract terminated earlier this week. He has quickly moved on and signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings. The 29-year-old Joseph averaged 12:41 time-on-ice and had 11 points (2G / 9A) in 39 games with the Blues this season.

Soderblom has had trouble establishing himself with the Detroit Red Wings and hopes a new change of scenery, joining the Pittsburgh Penguins, will help offensively. The towering 6'8 forward scored three points (2G / 1A) in 39 games with the Red Wings this season.

In a meeting between the top two teams in the league standings, Colorado will turn to Blackwood on Friday against the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old Blackwood has a solid 2.03 GAA and .914 SV% in three games since returning from the Olympic break, continuing an outstanding first full season in Colorado. The Avalanche enter Friday's action as -116 road favourites against a Stars team that is riding a franchise-best 10-game winning streak and has outscored their opposition 19-6 in their last four games.

Douglas, in his first NHL season, averaged 5:58 time-on-ice and scored two assists in 29 games with Tampa Bay this season. The towering 6'9 forward will join the Vancouver Canucks after being claimed off of waivers.

Glendening's first season with New Jersey did not go as planned, placed on waivers and ultimately claimed by Philadelphia on Friday. The 36-year-old veteran forward averaging 9:54 time-on-ice and scored four assists in 52 games with New Jersey this season.

The Golden Knights placed Reinhardt on waivers on Thursday and the Florida Panthers claimed him on Friday. The 26-year-old Reinhardt averaged 9:47 time-on-ice and scored seven points (3G / 4A) in 44 games with Vegas this season.

The Hurricanes have added some grit to their bottom-six forward group by acquiring Deslauriers from the Philadelphia Flyers. The 35-year-old Deslauriers averaged 8:05 time-on-ice while recording one assist, 33 penalty minutes, and 86 hits in 24 games this season.

The Avalanche acquired Blankenburg from the Predators on Wednesday in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick. Blankenburg is a somewhat underrated, 27-year-old two-way defenceman who's put up career highs in goals (six) and assists (15) in just 49 games this season. He quarterbacked the Predators second power-play unit at times this season, but it's unclear where exactly he will slot in on the pecking order of an Avalanche blue-line that just recently swapped out Samuel Girard for Brett Kulak.

With Buffalo having an influx of young forwards, Isak Rosen found himself on the outside and has been traded alongside Jacob Bryson, a 2027 2nd Round Pick, and conditional 2026 4th Round Pick to Winnipeg for Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn. Rosen was drafted in the 1st round of the 2021 NHL Draft (14th overall) but has failed to stick at the NHL level through three seasons. In 2025-26 he appeared in 16 games, picking up a career high three goals, seven points and 16 SOG.

After six seasons in Buffalo, Jacob Bryson is now a member of the Winnipeg Jets alongside Isak Rosen a 2027 2nd Round Pick, and conditional 2026 4th Round Pick for Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn. Bryson is 28-year-old and has never surpassed more than 10 points in an NHL season. Through 35 games played in 2025-26, he has two goals, five points and eight PIMs.

Tolopilo had a rough outing in his most recent stat, allowing six goals on 37 shots (.838 SV%) in a 6-1 loss to the Dallas Stars, but was solid in relief of Kevin Lankinen on Wednesday, saving nine of 10 shots (.900 SV%) in an eventual 6-4 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The 25-year-old Tolopilo has a 3.27 GAA and .901 SV% in 12 appearances this season (3-5-2). The Canucks enter Friday's contest as +128 road underdogs against a Chicago Blackhawks team coming off a 3-2 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

Kiviranta has not played since February 26th, but he will re-enter the lineup on Friday in a meeting with his former team, the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old Finnish forward is averaging 9:55 time-on-ice and has seven points (2G / 5A) in 30 games this season.

The Oilers acquired Dach and forward Jason Dickinson in exchange for forward Andrew Mangiapane and a conditional 2027 first-round draft pick earlier this week. A second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Dach made his NHL debut in 2025, registering five goals and 11 assists across 78 games with the Blackhawks. He is expected to make his team debut on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Oilers acquired Dickinson and forward Colton Dach in exchange for forward Andrew Mangiapane and a conditional 2027 first-round draft pick earlier this week. In Dickinson, the Oilers are gaining an excellent two-way forward who should excel in a shutdown role and finally fill Edmonton's third-line-centre void. A former first-round pick way back in 2013, Dickinson has spent the last four seasons with the Blackhawks, developing into one of the league's more underrated defensive forwards. The Georgetown, Ontario native won't need to worry about obtaining a work visa and will make his Oilers debut on Friday when they host the Hurricanes.

Edmonton, one of the NHL's worst defensive teams (3.38 GA/GP), acquired Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday to help them shore up their blueline. In 60 games with Chicago this season, the 32-year-old Murphy averaged 16:34 time-on-ice, recording 13 points (4G / 9A), 62 hits, and 87 blocks. He will make his team debut on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Carrick was one of many Ranger players on the trade block and finds himself in Buffalo after the Sabres traded a 2026 3rd round pick and a 2026 6th round pick (CHI) to the New York Rangers to acquire him. The 34-year-old veteran forward has reached double digit points (10) for just the 4th time in his 11 NHL seasons and should play a complimentary role in Buffalo's bottom-six.

The 34-year-old Kane's name has circulated trade rumours, and with the trade deadline on Friday. He did not play on Wednesday and will not play on Friday as well, assuming he is not traded before then. He has two points (2G / 0A) in his last three games and 27 points (11G / 16A) in 59 outings this season.