Bankier has 35 goals, 78 points, 16 PIMs and a +33 plus/minus through 51 games with the Kamloops Blazers (WHL) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Minnesota wild that starts in the 2023-24 season. The 20-year-old was the Wild's 2021 third-round pick (86th overall).
Fleury stopped 35 of 37 shots (.946 SV%) for his fifth-straight win as he beat the San Jose Sharks in his previous start. The 38-year-old has improved his season numbers a lot in the last month, leading to his 21-13-3 record, 2.76 GAA and .909 SV%. He will take on the St. Louis Blues, who are coming off a 5-3 loss to Vegas and are 28th in the NHL in shots per game (28.9).
Kaprizov was forced to leave Wednesday's contest vs. Winnipeg after just 14:50 TOI due to a lower-body injury after he got tangled up with Winnipeg defender Logan Stanley. It is a massive loss for the Wild as they lose their leading scorer, who had 39 goals, and 35 assists, alongside 250 SOG, 45 PIMs and a +6 plus/minus through 65 games prior to his injury.
Gustavsson was perfect in his last start, stopping 31 of 31 shots for his second shutout of the season as he beat Calgary in his previous start. The 24-year-old is having a Vezina-worthy first season in Minnesota, with his spectacular 1.99 GAA, .933 SV% and 17-8-3 record.
Priskie has four goals, nine points, 10 PIMs and a -6 plus/minus through 42 games with the Rochester Americans (AHL) and has been traded to Anaheim for Austin Strand. Priskie has previously played in four NHL games, failing to pick up a point.
Aube-Kubel was claimed off waivers earlier in the season by Washington and has now signed a one-year contract extension worth $1.225 million after putting up two goals, six assists, and 51 SOG, 40 PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through 36 games between Toronto and Washington.
Foligno has four goals, 11 assists, 60 SOG, 53 PIMs and a -6 plus/minus through 48 games but will not play Thursday vs. Vancouver as he deals with a lower-body injury. It will be the 14th game this season that Foligno has missed.
Johansson had 13 goals, 15 assists, 95 SOG, eight PIMs and a -3 plus/minus through 60 games with the Washington Capitals and has been dealt to Minnesota for a third-round pick Tuesday.
Gustavsson allowed two goals on 24 shots (.917 SV%) to snap a three-game winning streak with an overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 24-year-old has basically taken over Minnesota's starting job, due to his incredible 15-8-3 record, 2.11 GAA and .928 SV%. He will take on the New York Islanders, who have won three of their last four contest after a 4-0 win over Winnipeg last game.
