NHL News

Mikko Rantanen • RW • Stars

Mikko Rantanen Out Tuesday

Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen (illness) will miss Tuesday's game against the Boston Bruins. He was a late scratch for the contest due to illness. With Rantanen out, the Stars lose their top scorer. The Finnish star has tallied 63 points (19 goals, 44 assists) in 48 appearances, putting him sixth in the league among all scorers. Sam Steel will take Rantanen's spot on the first line against Boston. Rantanen's first chance to return will be a meeting with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.

12 hours ago

Andrew Peeke • D • Bruins

Andrew Peeke Returns to Action Tuesday

Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Peeke (lower body) will play on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars, Jim McBride of The Boston Globe reports. He was initially considered a game-time decision. Peeke sustained a lower-body injury in a matchup against the Seattle Kraken last week but recovered quickly, missing only one game. Boston will be happy to have Peeke back after losing Henri Jokiharju (personal) for Tuesday's game. However, the 27-year-old offers very little fantasy value. In 48 outings this season, Peeke has registered nine points (four goals, five assists), 54 shots, 92 blocks, and 58 hits.

12 hours ago

Rodrigo Abols • C • Flyers

Rodrigo Abols Expected to Miss Several Months

Philadelphia Flyers center Rodrigo Abols (lower body) will be out for "months," Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reports. Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet refused to rule Abols out for the rest of the season, but it's clear that he faces a long spell on the sidelines. Across 42 outings this season, Abols has logged 10 points (three goals, seven assists), 43 shots, and 49 hits. On Monday, it was announced that Abols will be replaced on Team Latvia for the Olympics by Rihards Bukarts. In Philadelphia, Lane Pederson replaced Abols in the lineup on Monday night against the Vegas Golden Knights.

12 hours ago

Luke Hughes • D • Devils

Luke Hughes Out Tuesday

New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes (undisclosed) won't play on Tuesday night against the Edmonton Oilers. He was injured in Monday's overtime win against the Calgary Flames. Early reports suggest that Hughes will miss some time, although the team doesn't yet know the full extent of his injury. Hughes has been on track for his third consecutive 40-point campaign in 2025-26, recording five goals and 21 assists in 49 contests. Johnathan Kovacevic is expected to replace Hughes in the lineup on Tuesday night. He has a limited offensive arsenal and isn't a viable fantasy option.

12 hours ago

Jonas Brodin • D • Wild

Jonas Brodin Will Miss Olympics

Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (lower body) will not play for Team Sweden at the 2026 Olympics, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports. He will miss a fourth consecutive game on Tuesday night against the Montreal Canadiens and won't rejoin the lineup until after the 2026 Olympic Games. It's a bad blow for the Swedes and the Wild. Brodin has made 42 appearances this season, recording 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) and 91 blocks. The Wild defense is currently also without Zach Bogosian (undisclosed), but he could be an option for the team later this week. In the meantime, David Jiricek will eat up minutes on the third defensive pairing with Daemon Hunt.

12 hours ago

Alexandre Texier • LW • Canadiens

Alexandre Texier Won't Play Tuesday

Montreal Canadiens winger Alexandre Texier (lower body) will miss Tuesday's clash against the Minnesota Wild. The team has ruled him out due to a lower-body injury. Texier is considered day-to-day. The French forward has made a big impact with the Canadiens this season, amassing 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 27 games. While losing Texier is a blow for Montreal, the team will get Kirby Dach (foot) back into the lineup against Minnesota. He will replace Texier on the first line. Texier's first chance to return will be on Thursday night against the Buffalo Sabres.

12 hours ago

Kirby Dach • C • Canadiens

Kirby Dach Rejoins Canadiens Lineup

Montreal Canadiens center Kirby Dach (foot) was activated from long-term Injured Reserve and will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. Dach has missed over two months due to a broken foot. He was initially expected to miss 4-6 weeks. This season, Dach has been limited to 15 games, producing five goals and two assists. He will be in a great spot to make an immediate impact on Tuesday night, joining forces with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on the first line. Dach is also expected to be part of the second power-play unit.

13 hours ago

Ondrej Palat • LW • Devils

Ondrej Palat Ready to Face Flames

New Jersey Devils left wing Ondrej Palat (illness) will be back in action on Monday against the Calgary Flames, returning from a one-game absence. The Czech veteran was a no-go on Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes after feeling under the weather. Palat is projected to skate with Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer on the second line. It has been a tough year for Palat, who has contributed only four goals and six assists in 47 appearances. He has landed on the score sheet just twice in his last 15 outings.

Yesterday

Chris Kreider • LW • Ducks

Chris Kreider Returns From Two-Game Absence Monday

Anaheim Ducks left wing Chris Kreider (illness) will rejoin the lineup on Monday night against the New York Rangers. He's set to face his former team after sitting out two games due to illness. Kreider is expected to replace Jansen Harkins in the lineup and will skate on the first line. The veteran forward will also link up with the second power-play unit. Across 42 appearances this season, Kreider has managed 15 goals and 25 points. Kreider went without a point on Dec. 15 against the Rangers, which was his first time facing his former team since his offseason trade.

Yesterday

Corey Perry • RW • Kings

Corey Perry Back With Kings

Los Angeles Kings right wing Corey Perry (personal) practiced with the team on Monday, Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports. The veteran appears poised to return to the lineup on Tuesday against the New York Rangers. Perry has missed three games for personal reasons. After skating with Adrian Kempe and Alex Laferriere and working on the top power-play unit at Monday's practice, Perry may offer additional fantasy value on Tuesday night. The 2011 MVP has produced 10 goals and 13 assists in 37 contests this season.

Yesterday

Bobby Brink • RW • Flyers

Bobby Brink Available Monday Night

Philadelphia Flyers right wing Bobby Brink (upper body) was activated from Injured Reserve and is expected to rejoin the lineup on Monday night against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 24-year-old has been unavailable for six games due to an upper-body injury. Brink is projected to skate with Matvei Michkov and Noah Cates and should also see power-play time on the second unit. In 2025-26, Brink is attempting to post his second consecutive 40-point campaign. He has notched 11 goals and 20 points through 41 appearances. Philadelphia's forwards have an appealing fantasy matchup on Monday, facing a team with the third-lowest save percentage in the league.

Yesterday

William Nylander • RW • Maple Leafs

William Nylander Misses Second Straight Game Monday

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (groin) will be sidelined for a second consecutive game on Monday versus the Minnesota Wild. According to Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube, there isn't a timeline for Nylander's return. Toronto may also be without Matthew Knies (undisclosed) on Monday after he missed the morning skate. Knies has been Nylander's replacement on the second line. With Knies also unavailable, Scott Laughton skated in the spot on Monday morning. Laughton's fantasy value would increase significantly if he sticks on the line as John Tavares' and Matias Maccelli's partner for Monday's game.

Yesterday

Kiefer Sherwood • LW • Sharks

Sharks Pick Up Kiefer Sherwood From Canucks

Winger Kiefer Sherwood (undisclosed) was dealt from the Vancouver Canucks to the San Jose Sharks on Monday. Vancouver made a deal for a couple of second-round draft picks and minor league defenseman Cole Clayton. Sherwood is in the second season of a two-year, $3 million contract and has had a decent campaign. The 30-year-old has scored 17 goals and 23 points in 44 outings. Sherwood will also add a lot of muscle to the Sharks' lineup, as he ranks second in the NHL with 210 hits. Currently, Sherwood is nursing an undisclosed injury, and it's unclear whether he will play before the Olympic break. Still, Sherwood looks like a good pickup by the Sharks, who hope to end a six-game postseason drought in 2026.

Yesterday

Matthew Tkachuk • LW • Panthers

Matthew Tkachuk Set for Season Debut Monday

Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk (groin) will make his season debut on Monday night against the San Jose Sharks. The star forward has been cleared to play after recovering from offseason surgery. Florida will ease Tkachuk back into action on the third line. He will skate with Mackie Samoskevich and Evan Rodrigues. Tkachuk will also join the top power-play unit. While Tkachuk could be rusty in his first few games back, he has enough talent to make an immediate impact. On Monday night, Tkachuk and the Panthers go up against the NHL's third-weakest defense.

Yesterday

Tom Wilson • RW • Capitals

Tom Wilson May Return Monday

Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (lower body) might be ready to end a seven-game absence on Monday against the Colorado Avalanche. After returning to practice last week, Wilson participated in the morning skate ahead of Saturday's contest against the Florida Panthers. He was labeled a game-time decision for the matchup, but the team ultimately didn't activate him from Injured Reserve. Wilson's return would be a welcome boost for a Capitals team that has won only three games in 2026. The power forward has been a point-per-game player this season, leading Washington with 22 goals and 42 points.

Yesterday

Henri Jokiharju • D • Bruins

Henri Jokiharju Moved to Non-Roster List

Boston Bruins defenseman Henri Jokiharju (personal) was designated as a non-roster player on Sunday. He's dealing with a family matter and could miss some action this week. In a corresponding move, the Bruins recalled Billy Sweezey from the minors. The team will get back to work on Tuesday night against the Dallas Stars. In addition to Sweezy, Vladislav Kolyachonok is also an option to fill in for Jokiharju, who has skated on the second defensive pairing. Jokiharju has yet to score despite 30 shots on goal, but he has nine assists in 32 outings this season.

Yesterday

Frank Nazar • C • Blackhawks

Frank Nazar Returns to Practice

Chicago Blackhawks center Frank Nazar (face) rejoined practice on Sunday. He has been sidelined since Dec. 20 after taking a puck to the face in a matchup against the Calgary Flames. While Nazar is expected to miss his 14th consecutive game on Monday against the Winnipeg Jets, he could be an option to return to the lineup on Thursday versus the Carolina Hurricanes. Nazar has notched 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) in 33 outings this campaign. With Teuvo Teravainen (upper body) also out, Jason Dickinson and Ilya Mikheyev are currently part of the top-six group in Chicago, giving them additional fantasy value.

Yesterday

Oskar Sundqvist • C • Blues

Oskar Sundqvist Suffers Skate Cut Sunday

St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist (lower body) was involved in a scary incident during Sunday's 5-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, suffering a skate cut. He needed assistance to leave the ice in the third period after being cut by a skate on his lower body. "Luckily, it did not touch his Achilles," Blues head coach Jim Montgomery said after the game. "So it's just going to be now, how long he's out, it's day-to-day... We know the cut was deep, I don't know how long that takes until he's back and has the flexibility in his ankle without hurting the cut." Sundqvist operates in a bottom-six role, recording 10 points (three goals, 10 assists) and 47 hits in 39 appearances this season. The team will turn to Robby Fabbri or Jonatan Berggren to fill Sundqvist's spot in the lineup.

Yesterday

Kasperi Kapanen • RW • Oilers

Kasperi Kapanen Considered Day-to-Day

Edmonton Oilers right wing Kasperi Kapanen (undisclosed) was labeled day-to-day after his early exit from Sunday's win against the St. Louis Blues. Kapanen only recently returned from a knee injury, and unfortunately, he will have to miss time again. However, it's good news that he isn't expected to be out long-term. The Finnish forward has played well in recent weeks, producing three goals and four assists in eight games since his return to the lineup. The Oilers' offense is also without Leon Draisaitl (personal) and Adam Henrique (undisclosed), resulting in Trent Frederic moving into the top six. Kapanen's departure from the lineup will open up another spot on the second line.

Yesterday

Zach Whitecloud • D • Flames

Zach Whitecloud Joins Flames

Defenseman Zach Whitecloud was acquired by the Calgary Flames from the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday, with defenseman Rasmus Andersson heading in the opposite direction. Calgary also acquired defensive prospect Abram Wiebe, a 2027 first-round pick, and a conditional 2028 second-round pick. Whitecloud was an undrafted free-agent signing by the Golden Knights in 2018 and has carved out a solid NHL career. The 29-year-old has made 368 career appearances, winning the Stanley Cup with the Golden Knights in 2023. This season, Whitecloud contributed seven points (two goals, five assists), 63 blocks, and 73 hits in 47 outings, averaging 18:46 of ice time. Whitecloud could see increased usage in Calgary, though his fantasy stock will remain low due to his limited offensive skills.

Yesterday

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