NHL Hockey Player News

Nylander (undisclosed) missed Friday's practice and is a "possibility" for Game 1.

Nylander was not on the ice for Friday's practice and the Maple Leafs were non-committal about his availability for Game 1. This is likely gamesmanship more than anything, I don't think there's any real concern that Nylander won't be available for Saturday's contest.

William Nylander
Domi (undisclosed) will be back in the Maple Leafs lineup for Game 1 in Boston.

Domi missed the final two games of the regular season but will play in Game 1 vs. the Bruins on Saturday. Domi finished the season strong, scoring two goals with 13 assists (15 points) in his final 17 games of the season. He should continue to skate on the top line with Auston Matthews as well as PP2 in Game 1.

Max Domi
The Oilers have reassigned Philip Broberg to Bakersfield (AHL).

The Oilers rested several of their regulars in their season finale on Thursday, allowing Broberg to draw into the lineup but he has been reassigned to the Bakersfield Condors. The 22-year-old Broberg scored 35 points (5G / 30A) in 48 games with Bakersfield this season.

Philip Broberg
Dobson (upper-body) is expected to play in Game 1 vs. the Hurricanes.

Dobson did not play the last three games of the season for the Islanders but was at practice on Friday, an encouraging sign that he should be ready for game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 24-year-old Dobson had a tremendous season for the Islanders, scoring 70 points (10G / 60A) in 79 games.

Noah Dobson
Ekblad (undisclosed) will play in Game 1 vs. the Lightning.

Ekblad did not play the final six games of the season for the Panthers due to an undisclosed injury but will be ready for game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Ekblad has seen a decrease in offensive productivity the last few years but is still a major part of the Panthers' blue line. He had 18 points (4G / 14A) in 51 games this season.

Aaron Ekblad
Varlamov will start Game 1 vs. the Hurricanes.

Patrick Roy and the Islanders coaching staff heavily favoured Varlamov during their end-of-season push for the playoffs and will turn to him in game one against the Carolina Hurricanes. Varlamov ended the season on a 7-1-0 run, allowing three or fewer goals in each contest and posting a dazzling .935 SV%.

Semyon Varlamov
Francouz announced his retirement from the NHL on Friday.

Francouz did not participate in the 2023-24 season due to a groin injury and has announced his retirement from the NHL. Francouz battled injuries last season as well, recording a 2.61 GAA and .915 SV% while playing in only 16 games (8-7-1). The 33-year-old Francouz ends his career with a 2.49 GAA, .919 SV%, and four shutouts in 73 games (44-21-6).

Pavel Francouz
Varlamov is expected to start Game 1 vs. the Hurricanes.

Patrick Roy and the Islanders coaching staff heavily favoured Varlamov during their end-of-season push for the playoffs and will likely turn to him in game one against the Carolina Hurricanes. Varlamov ended the season on a 7-1-0 run, allowing three or fewer goals in each contest and posting a dazzling .935 SV%.

Semyon Varlamov
Dobson (upper-body) returned to the ice for practice on Friday.

Dobson did not play the last three games of the season for the Islanders but was at practice on Friday, an encouraging sign that he could be ready for game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 24-year-old Dobson had a tremendous season for the Islanders, scoring 70 points (10G / 60A) in 79 games.

Noah Dobson
The Bruins have recalled Mason Lohrei from Providence (AHL).

With the Bruins set to begin their first-round playoff matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, they have recalled Lohrei from Providence. The 23-year-old Lohrei played 41 games for Boston this year, his first NHL season, tallying 13 points (4G / 9A).

Mason Lohrei
The Bruins have recalled John Beecher from Providence (AHL).

With the Bruins set to begin their first-round playoff matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, they have recalled Beecher from Providence (AHL). The 23-year-old Beecher played 52 games with Boston this season, his first NHL campaign, scoring 10 points (7G / 3A).

John Beecher