NHL News

Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane (abdomen, knee) will be out for the remainder of the regular season, the team announced Friday. The power forward has yet to play in 2024-25 after undergoing several surgical procedures following the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals. Most recently, he had knee surgery on Jan. 9. He also had successful abdominal surgery last September. Following his knee surgery, Kane said he hoped to play before the start of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Kane began practicing with the team following the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off. The 33-year-old would be a valuable addition to Edmonton's postseason campaign, but it remains uncertain whether Kane will be ready to play when the action starts.

Veteran winger Brandon Tanev will finish the season with the Winnipeg Jets after being acquired from the Seattle Kraken for a second-round draft pick. It's a special move for Tanev, who started his NHL career with the Jets in 2016. The gritty forward initially left Winnipeg in 2019 to join the Pittsburgh Penguins, and he landed in Seattle as a 2021 NHL Expansion Draft selection. This season with the Kraken, Tanev recorded 17 points (nine goals, eight assists), 85 shots, 91 blocks, and 122 hits in 60 games. Fantasy managers can expect to see similar production from him in Winnipeg as he is poised to remain a bottom-six player.

Veteran forward Scott Laughton was traded by the Philadelphia Flyers to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday. The Maple Leafs gave up forward Nikita Grebenkin and a first-round draft pick for Laughton, a four-round pick, and a sixth-round pick. Laughton, a native of Oakville, Ontario, has so far played exclusively with the Flyers in the NHL, recording 106 goals and 265 points over 661 games. His haul this season includes 11 goals and 16 assists in 60 games. Laughton will likely slot into the third line on his new team and is not expected to make a big impact offensively.

The Columbus Blue Jackets traded for forward Luke Kunin on Friday in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick. Kunin will move on from the Sharks after spending three seasons in San Jose. The 27-year-old was San Jose's leader in hits this season with 163 and has notched 18 points (11 goals, seven assists) in 63 games. He looks set to remain a middle-six piece for the playoff-chasing Blue Jackets, who value Kunin's versatility. "Luke is a versatile forward who can play down the middle or on the wing, kills penalties and has tremendous character and work ethic," Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said. "He has been a very consistent player throughout his career, and we think he'll be a good addition to our club." Kunin is a pending unrestricted free agent, having signed a one-year, $2.75 million deal last summer.

The Boston Bruins acquired center Casey Mittelstadt from the Colorado Avalanche at Friday's trade deadline. The team also obtained forward prospect Will Zellers and a second-round draft pick in the deal, trading away forward Charlie Coyle and a fifth-round selection. Mittelstadt spent just 12 months with the Avalanche, having joined in March 2024 as a trade acquisition from the Buffalo Sabres. Colorado signed him to a three-year, $17.25 million contract extension last summer, but he struggled to be effective for the team in 2024-25. The 26-year-old posted 34 points (11 goals, 23 assists) in 63 games. With increased ice time, Mittelstadt's productivity could improve in Beantown.

The Colorado Avalanche picked up forward Charlie Coyle in a trade with the Boston Bruins on Friday. The Bruins traded Coyle along with a 2026 fifth-round pick for forward Casey Mittelstadt, forward prospect Will Zellers, and a conditional 2025 second-round selection. Coyle, who had a career year in Boston last season with 60 points, has totaled 15 goals and 22 points in 64 games during the current campaign. He has been part of the top-six group with the Bruins but will likely have to settle for a third-line role in Denver, which will have a negative impact on Coyle's fantasy value.

The Florida Panthers have acquired veteran winger Brad Marchand (upper body) in a trade with the Boston Bruins, who received a 2027 second-round pick that will turn into a 2028 first-round pick if certain conditions are met. Marchand, who turns 37 in May, moves on as a pending unrestricted free agent. He has so far spent his entire career in Boston, becoming the Bruins' captain in 2023. This season, Marchand has recorded 21 goals and 47 points in 61 games. He is currently nursing an upper-body injury, so it will take some time before we see him in a Panthers uniform. Marchand will remain a top-six piece in Florida, effectively replacing Matthew Tkachuk (groin), who has been ruled out for the rest of the regular season.

The Carolina Hurricanes are acquiring forward Logan Stankoven, two first-round picks, and two third-round picks from the Dallas Stars in exchange for superstar forward Mikko Rantanen. Stankoven made his NHL debut during the 2023 season and tallied 14 points across 24 contests. This season, the former 47th overall pick appeared in 59 contests and found the back of the net nine times and added 20 helpers. He has logged 148 shots on goal (2.5 per game) with 42 hits and 24 blocked shots. Stankoven has tallied six of his points on the power-play and held a +2 rating. The 22-year-old has recently seen his ice time decrease in Dallas but should be expected to find a role in the Carolina top-six. With Rantanen now in Dallas, Stankoven should have a good opportunity to find a spot on their second offensive line and play alongside Jordan Staal and Jordan Martinook.

The Dallas Stars have acquired right wing Mikko Rantanen in exchange for forward Logan Stankoven and two first-round picks, and two third-round picks. Rantanen was traded to the Hurricanes earlier this season and will now play for his third club. The Stars also have an eight-year extension in place with Rantanen, as he was a pending unrestricted free agent. Through 62 contests this season split between Colorado and Carolina, Rantanen has found the back of the net 27 times with 43 helpers. He has tallied 21 of his points on the power play and tallied 175 shots on goal (2.8 per game). Before this season, Rantanen scored at least 30 goals in each of his previous four seasons with a career-high of 55 during the 2022 season. In 2022, he also tallied a career-best 105 points. Fantasy managers should expect Rantanen to play on the first line alongside Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson.

The Winnipeg Jets have acquired defenseman Luke Schenn from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a second- and a fourth-round selection. Schenn was traded to Pittsburgh earlier this week in a package that sent forward Michael Bunting to Nashville. Schenn will now move to the top team in the Central Division. Through 61 games in Nashville this season, Schenn has tallied just five points (four helpers) but holds value in formats that reward hits and blocked shots. The 35-year-old has logged an impressive 228 hits (3.7 hits) with 76 blocked shots. Schenn has added 41 penalty minutes with a -9 rating. Schenn has tallied career-high 22 points during three seasons of his 17-season NHL career. Fantasy managers should not expect Schenn to carry much offensive upside in Winnipeg but he should continue to produce a high amount of hits and blocked shots.

The Washington Capitals have acquired left wing Anthony Beauvillier from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a 2025 second-round selection. Beauvillier inked a one-year $1.25 million contract with the Penguins in the offseason and will now join one of the top contenders before the playoff push. During his time in the Steel City, Beauvillier found the back of the net 13 times and added seven helpers. He tallied one of his points on the power-play and added an impressive 108 hits (1.7 per game). Beauvillier logged 120 shots on goal (1.9 per game) with 26 blocked shots. Beauvillier saw time in several situations on the Pittsburgh lineup throughout the campaign. He opened the season in the top-six but was eventually moved to the third line. In Washington, fantasy managers should expect Beauvillier to find a role in the middle-six and carry decent value in deeper formats playing on a Stanley Cup contender.

The Buffalo Sabres have acquired center Josh Norris and defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for forward Dylan Cozens, defenseman Dennis Gilbert, and a 2026 second-round selection. Josh Norris was initially drafted by the San Jose Sharks with the 19th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft and was then shipped to Ottawa in a package that sent Erik Karlsson to San Jose in 2018. Norris has flashed elite upside at times but has struggled to stay on the ice. Norris tallied a career-best 35 goals with 20 helpers during the 2021 season in just 66 contests. However, since that season, Norris went on to play just eight games in 2022 and 50 in 2023. This season, Norris has already missed time with an upper body injury. Through 53 contests, Norris has scored 20 goals and added 13 helpers. Fantasy managers should expect Norris to likely play on Buffalo's top line alongside Tage Thompson and JJ Peterka.

The Ottawa Senators have acquired center Dylan Cozens, defenseman Dennis Gilbert and a 2026 second-round selection from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for forward Josh Norris and defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker. Cozens was selected with the seventh-overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. Enjoyed a breakout season in 2022 when he tallied a career-high 68 points. He found the back of the net 31 times and added 37 helpers. However, this season, Cozens has seen his production decline, scoring just 11 goals and adding 20 helpers through 61 contests. He has tallied four of his points on the power-play. He logged 148 hits (2.4 per game) with 137 shots on goal (2.2 per game) and 37 blocked shots. He typically saw time on Buffalo's second line. In Ottawa fantasy managers should expect the 24-year-old to likely see a similar role on their second line, playing alongside David Perron and David Batherson.

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Jake Guentzel scored a hat trick during their victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday evening. Guentzel would do all of his damage in the second period. His first two goals were scored during 5-on-5 play while his final was scored on the power-play. This performance extended his scoring streak to two games as he found the back of the net twice in their previous contest. Over his past eight games, Guentzel has found the back of the net five times and added six helpers, with three of his points coming on the power-play. The 30-year-old remains a must-start option in all formats as he is on pace to set a career-high in goals surpassing his 2021 total of 40.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar tallied an impressive six points during their 7-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Thursday evening. Makar began the evening by tallying two points in the opening frame. He first tallied the primary helper on Joel Kirviranta's shorthanded goal and then would add a power-play goal. In the second, he would add two more primary assists, with one of them coming on the power-play. In the third period, Makar would find the back of the net for a second time and add an additional secondary assist during 5-on-5 play. This outing extended his point streak to five games. Over his last eight contests, Makar has scored five goals and added an impressive 11 helpers. He remains a must-start defenseman in all formats and top play in DFS.

Buffalo Sabres left wing Jordan Greenway (illness) exited Thursday's contest with an illness. Greenway was able to log just over 12 minutes of ice time before being sidelined. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to their next contest on Saturday evening against the Florida Panthers. Since returning from his undisclosed injury, Greenway has tallied one assist with a +1 rating, six penalty minutes, 27 hits, and five blocked shots. Through 27 total contests, Greenway has scored three goals and added five helpers. He has logged 81 hits with 24 blocked shots. If Greenway were to miss time, Zach Benson could move up to the second offensive line.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (undisclosed) exited Thursday's contest against the Buffalo Sabres. Hedman exited the game in the opening frame and did not return. After the contest, head coach Jon Cooper said "We'll see tomorrow. It's tough to lose him anytime. hopefully, we'll see about Saturday." Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to their next contest on Saturday afternoon against the Boston Bruins. Before leaving the game, Hedman logged just under three minutes of ice time and did not get on the scoresheet. Over his previous five games, Hedman has tallied six points (three goals) with three of the points coming on the power-play. If Hedman were to miss time, Darren Raddysh will likely have an increased role on the power-play and Nick Perbix would draw into the starting lineup.

The Edmonton Oilers have acquired defenseman Jake Walman from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for forward Carl Berglund and a 2026 first round selection. The first round pick is top 12 protected. In addition, if the Oilers were to trade their 2027 first round, the Sharks would then receive the 2026 pick. The 29-year-old has enjoyed a career season in San Jose. Through 50 games, the former third round selection has found the back of the net six times and added 26 helpers. He has tallied seven of his helpers on the power-play. Walman has also logged 48 hits with an impressive 111 blocked shots and 125 shots on goal. Over his past four contests, Walman has blocked 19 shots and added two helpers. Fantasy managers should expect Walman to have a role on the left side of the Edmonton defense. He could also find time on the second power-play unit, given his experience on the power-play in San Jose. Timothy Liljegren will likely replace Walman on the top unit of the San Jose power-play.

The New York Islanders have traded center Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Calum Ritchie, Oliver Kylington, a conditional 2028 third round pick, and a conditional first round selection. The Islanders also received 23-year-old William Dufour. Nelson has spent his entire NHL career playing with the New York Islanders. He was drafted by them with the 30th pick in the 2010 NHL Draft. Over the past three seasons, Nelson has found the back of the net at least 34 times and tallied at least 59 points. This season, through 61 games, Nelson has found the back of the net just 20 times and added 23 helpers. He has logged 162 shots on goal with 26 hits and 36 blocked shots. Fantasy managers should expect Nelson to have a role on Colorado's second offensive line alongside Jonathan Drouin and Valeri Nichushkin. In New York, Bo Horvat will operate as the top center while Jean-Gabriel Pageau will move to the second line.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton (lower body) is still under evaluation and won't play on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. Hamilton suffered a lower-body injury in Tuesday's loss to the Dallas Stars. Friday will mark Hamilton's first absence of the season. He has tallied 40 points (nine goals, 31 assists) across 63 games. Seamus Casey is set to rejoin the action on Friday, while Luke Hughes will take over Hamilton's duties on the first power-play unit. The 21-year-old can be highly effective with the man advantage. Through 54 appearances, Hughes has earned 28 points (five goals, 23 assists), with eight assists coming on the power play.