NHL Hockey Player News

Graves has not played since mid January, but is nearing a return, starting with a conditioning stint with Wiles-Barre/Scranton (AHL). The 30-year-old defenseman is averaging 15:29 time-on-ice an has one goal in 19 games this season. Pittsburgh has recalled Alexander Alexeyev in a corresponding move.

Alexeyev has eight points (1G / 7A) in 80 career NHL games, but has spent the entire 2025-26 season in the AHL. The 26-year-old defenseman has seven points (3G / 4A) in 29 games this season with Wilkes-Barre Scranton (AHL).

Oettinger has been largely inconsistent this season, but is coming off a tremendous effort in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, saving 26 of 27 shots (.963 SV%). Despite his less-than-stellar statistics, the 27-year-old Oettinger hasn't been a detriment to the Stars' winning ways, winning nine of his last 10 outings (9-0-1) while posting a 2.55 GAA and .886 SV%. The Stars enter Thursday's contest as -125 home favourites against an Edmonton Oilers team coming off an impressive 4-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche.

Eklund was absence from practice on Wednesday and his status for Thursday's game against the Boston Bruins is up in the air. The 23-year-old Swedish forward has 38 points (11G / 27A) in 58 games this season, but has been held off the scoresheet in three straight.

With Alex Nedeljkovic already confirmed as the Sharks' starting goalie for Thursday's game against the Boston Bruins, it is unclear if Askarov will be able to serve as his backup. It does not seem as though Askarov's injury is a long-term concern, given that he has not been completely ruled out of the game.

Sorokin has been one of the NHL's best goalies this season, but has battled some adversity lately. Since returning from the Olympic break, the 30-year-old Sorokin has allowed three or more goals in four of five games, but has salvaged a 4-1-0 record despite a less-than-stellar 3.00 GAA and .896 SV%.

Gudbranson exited Monday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings after only 5:02 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury and will remain sidelined on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 34-yer-old defenseman is averaging 17:51 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in 21 games this season.

With the Red Wings' top two centers, Dylan Larkin (lower body) and Andrew Copp (lower body), expected to miss the next two weeks, the team will need Gibson to be at his best as they battle for a playoff spot. The 32-year-old Gibson has arguably been Detroit's most valuable player this season, but he struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 28 shots (.857 SV%) in a 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers. He has a 2.23 GAA and .917 SV% in his last six appearances (2-3-0). The Red Wings enter Thursday's contest as +187 road underdogs against a reeling Tampa Bay Lightning team that is 1-6-0 in its last seven games.

Wolf has allowed four goals in each of his past three outings (0-3-0) and will look to redeem himself on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 24-year-old Wolf has a 3.15 GAA and .898 SV% in six games since the beginning of February (.898 SV%). The Flames enter the action Thursday as +167 road underdogs against a Devils team that has been trending upward recently, going 4-1-0 in their last five games.

Already without Dylan Larkin (lower body), the Red Wings' depth at center took another hit on Tuesday, with Copp exiting Detroit's 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers after just 10:01 time-on-ice. The two Red Wings forwards are both expected to miss the next two weeks. The 31-year-old Copp recorded an assist before leaving the game, giving him four points (0G / 4A) in his last five outings.

Initially hopeful to be an option on Detroit's four-game road trip, Larkin's return has been delayed for approximately two more weeks. With Andrew Copp (lower body) also out for the same timeframe, the Red Wings' depth at center ice will be put to the test while they battle for a playoff spot.

Nedeljkovic was lightly tested in his previous game, but allowed three goals on 14 shots (.786 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues. The 30-year-old goalie has been the more consistent Sharks' goalie in recent weeks, posting a 2.23 GAA and .919 SV% in his last nine appearances (6-1-1). The Sharks enter Thursday's contest as +139 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins team that is 13-0-0 on home ice since late December.

Voronkov has been sidelined for the last week, but will re-enter the lineup on Thursday against the Florida Panthers. The 25-year-old forward has 32 points (17G / 15A) in 61 games this season, but has zero points in his last seven games.

After a brief stint of excellent play following Rick Bowness taking over as the Head Coach of the Blue Jackets, Merzlikins has returned to his now-predictable, less-than-stellar play. That said, the 31-year-old Latvian goalie has been on the right side of some unspectacular performances, winning five of his last seven starts (5-1-1) while posting a 2.66 GAA and .891 SV%. The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as -112 road favourites against the Florida Panthers, whom they defeated 4-2 one week ago.

Gross is an undrafted forward that has been awarded with a professional contract after an impressive few seasons playing collegiate hockey. The 23-year-old scored 41 points (18G / 23A) in 36 games with St. Cloud State (NCHC) this season.