NHL News

Brayden McNabb • D • Golden Knights

Brayden McNabb Hospitalized After Taking Puck to Face

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb (face) was taken to the hospital after he was hurt early in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals against Carolina on Thursday, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reports. McNabb took an 87 mph slap shot to his face in the first period, exiting the action after logging only seven shifts. Jeremy Lauzon moved up to the first defensive pairing, while the rest of the blue line also saw a heavier workload. McNabb contributed three assists in Game 1 against Carolina and has totaled seven points (one goal, six assists) in 16 games during the playoffs. Kaedan Korczak and Ben Hutton are options to enter the lineup if McNabb can't play in Saturday's Game 3.

4 hours ago

Frederik Andersen • G • Hurricanes

Hurricanes Retain Confidence in Frederik Andersen

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen retains the confidence of head coach Rod Brind'Amour despite a recent tough stretch. In the first two rounds of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Andersen had a .950 save percentage. Over the last six games, it has declined to .867. In Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights, Andersen allowed five goals with a .783 save percentage. "I think a couple of those games, we weren't giving up a lot of shots. So the save percentage count is a tough one for our team," Brind'Amour said ahead of Game 2. "We don't give up a lot. There's still quality chances. There's just not a lot of fluff. So yeah, I'm not concerned about it." Andersen has lost back-to-back starts only twice this calendar year and will look to bounce back on Thursday night against Vegas.

19 hours ago

Vincent Trocheck • C • Rangers

Maple Leafs Interested in Vincent Trocheck

New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck is drawing trade interest, including from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports. Recently, the Maple Leafs ruled out Max Domi indefinitely due to complications from an offseason surgery. As a result, the team is looking to bolster its center depth. Trocheck is an attractive target for teams, as his contract carries a very affordable $5.625 million cap hit. He has three years remaining on the deal. The 32-year-old has finished five consecutive seasons with at least 50 points. In 2025-26, he tallied 16 goals and 37 assists in 67 appearances, averaging nearly three hits per game.

20 hours ago

Dylan Larkin • C • Red Wings

Dylan Larkin Requests Trade From Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin has requested a trade, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports. Larkin looks eager to move on from Motown after the Red Wings missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a tenth consecutive year. So far, Larkin has shown considerable patience while waiting for a competitive team to be built around him. He has been with the Red Wings since entering the NHL in 2015. The team named him captain in January 2021. Detroit locked Larkin into an eight-year, $69.6 million contract in 2023, giving him a full no-trade clause through next season. While the Red Wings have struggled for a decade, Larkin has been strong individually. He scored a career-high 34 goals this season, adding 33 assists in 74 contests.

20 hours ago

Jonathan Toews • C • Jets

Jonathan Toews Expected to Retire

Winnipeg Jets center Jonathan Toews is expected to hang up his skates this offseason, TSN's Darren Dreger reports. After missing two years due to Chronic Immune Response Syndrome and Long COVID, Toews made his NHL comeback in 2025-26. The two-time Stanley Cup champion appeared in all 82 regular-season games, posting 11 goals and 18 assists. He was limited to a third-line role, averaging 14:29 of ice time. Although Toews registered a career-low 29 points, he showed class with a 62.1% face-off win percentage. Toews played on a one-year, $2 million contract this season.

Yesterday

Anders Lee • C • Islanders

Anders Lee Set to Hit Open Market

New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee is heading toward free agency, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports. While the Islanders want to keep their captain, talks over a new contract haven't progressed. Lee, who has spent his entire 14-year NHL career with the Islanders, is coming off a seven-year, $49 million contract. His production has declined with age, but Lee managed a respectable 42 points (19 goals, 23 assists) in 82 games this season. Lee will turn 36 in a month, but he still appears to have some gas left and could attract plenty of interest in the open market.

Yesterday

Jalen Chatfield • D • Hurricanes

Jalen Chatfield Records Two Assists in Tuesday's Loss

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield had two assists in Tuesday's 5-4 Game 1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The 30-year-old showcased his playmaking twice early in the game, helping Nikolaj Ehlers grab a pair of goals within the first 12:08 of action. Previously, only nine rearguards in NHL history had tallied multiple assists in the opening period of a Stanley Cup Finals. While Chatfield has occasionally chipped in offensively, he does most of his work in the defensive zone. With 14 games played in the 2026 postseason, Chatfield has registered seven points (one goal, six assists), 24 SOG, 22 blocks, and 10 hits.

2 days ago

Nikolaj Ehlers • LW • Hurricanes

Nikolaj Ehlers Nets Two Goals in Game 1 Loss to Golden Knights

Carolina Hurricanes winger Nikolaj Ehlers made a terrific start to the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights, scoring two goals in a 5-4 loss on Tuesday night. With just 25 seconds played, Ehlers scored the third-fastest goal to open the Stanley Cup Finals, and he put Carolina two goals up at the 12:08 mark in the first period. Ehlers became the first player in 37 years to score two first-period goals in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. He lit the lamp with both of his attempts on net, giving him three multi-point performances in five games. Sebastian Aho's line remained quiet in Game 1 against Vegas, putting additional responsibility on players like Ehlers. The Danish veteran ranks second on his team with six goals and has amassed 11 points in 13 postseason games.

2 days ago

Shea Theodore • D • Golden Knights

Shea Theodore Notches Three Points in Game 1 Win

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore made a mark in Tuesday's 5-4 Game 1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes with a goal and two assists. Vegas' first defensive pairing of Theodore and Brayden McNabb played a major role in the contest, becoming the first set of defensemen from the same team to each record three points in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Theodore has heated up as the postseason nears its conclusion, putting together a three-game point streak. Throughout the playoffs, he has been a steady offensive contributor, logging five goals and nine assists in 17 games.

2 days ago

Brayden McNabb • D • Golden Knights

Brayden McNabb Sets Up Three Goals in Game 1 Win Over Hurricanes

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb had a special outing in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday, finishing a 5-4 victory with three assists. He became only the seventh defenseman in NHL history to open the Finals with a three-assist effort. McNabb's big performance came out of nowhere, as the 35-year-old isn't known for his offensive ability. In 63 regular-season games, he posted 12 points (five goals, seven assists). McNabb had three points in 14 playoff games before snagging four points across the past two games. Given that McNabb has had a three-game postseason point streak only once in his 14 NHL seasons, fantasy managers shouldn't count on his offensive surge lasting.

2 days ago

Brett Howden • C • Golden Knights

Brett Howden Starts Finals With Multi-Point Effort

Vegas Golden Knights forward Brett Howden recorded a goal and an assist in the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals opener against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday, helping his team to a 5-4 win. The 28-year-old factored in two go-ahead goals, assisting William Karlsson on Vegas' third goal of the night and scoring the team's fourth himself. Remarkably, Howden leads the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs with 11 goals and is now just one tally away from his regular-season mark of 12. Howden, who has 14 points in 17 postseason appearances, needs two more goals to tie Jonathan Marchessault's franchise record for most in a single playoff run.

2 days ago

Tomas Hertl • C • Golden Knights

Tomas Hertl Scores Game-Winner in Finals Opener

Vegas Golden Knights forward Tomas Hertl scored the 5-4 game-winning goal in Game 1 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night. The Golden Knights lost the lead midway through the third period, but Hertl's fourth postseason goal gave the team a valuable road win. On Tuesday night, Hertl reached 10 points for the 2026 postseason. He's recovered from a very slow start, averaging a point per game over his last eight appearances. Having lost the 2016 Finals with San Jose, the Czechia forward will be determined to avoid the same outcome this time.

2 days ago

Brendan Gallagher • RW • Canadiens

Brendan Gallagher to Leave Canadiens This Offseason

Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher has one season remaining on a six-year, $39 million contract, but he doesn't expect to spend it with the team that drafted him in 2010. "It's pretty clear I'll kind of be moving on here," said Gallagher in an emotional exit interview on Monday. Gallagher's contract carries a $6.5 million cap hit, and he hasn't performed up to the required level. This season, the 34-year-old managed just seven goals and 23 points in 77 games. He was a regular healthy scratch in the playoffs, appearing in only three of Montreal's 19 games. Even a change of scenery probably won't help Gallagher reclaim fantasy relevance.

2 days ago

Patrik Laine • RW • Canadiens

Patrik Laine Looking Forward to Free Agency

Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine will not stay with the team for next season. The Finnish forward ended the season on Injured Reserve despite being ready to play soon after New Year's, indicating he clearly isn't part of the plans in Montreal. "I'm excited to see new opportunities and see where it goes," Laine told reporters in his exit interview on Monday. "We'll see where the wind takes me." Laine is set to end his tenure with the Canadiens after posting just 34 points (20 goals, 14 assists) in 57 games over two seasons. He has struggled to stay healthy for several years, which has dropped Laine's fantasy value to an all-time low.

2 days ago

Jeremy Lauzon • D • Golden Knights

Jeremy Lauzon Returns to Action Tuesday

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Jeremy Lauzon (upper body) will be back in action on Tuesday in Game 1 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals, Mike Zeisberger of NHL.com reports. Lauzon hasn't played since being hit by a puck in Game 6 of Vegas' first-round matchup with the Utah Mammoth. He finished the first round scoreless but had eight blocks and 14. Vegas hopes Lauzon's physicality will be an asset in the Finals. "Good solid positional defenseman," Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella said. "Has some bite to him. He was missed." Lauzon is expected to join Dylan Coghlan on the third defensive pairing, with Kaedan Korczak sitting out the action as a healthy scratch.

2 days ago

Zach Werenski • D • Blue Jackets

Zach Werenski Wins 2025-26 Norris Trophy

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski has been announced as the winner of the 2025-26 James Norris Memorial Trophy. The award is presented annually to the NHL's "top defensive player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-around ability in the position." In the voting, Werenski beat Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche) and Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo Sabres). Werenski, who became the seventh Blue Jackets player to capture a major NHL award, finished the regular season as the second-highest-scoring defenseman in the league. He tallied 81 points (22 goals, 59 assists) in 75 games, leading Columbus in assists and points. That's now back-to-back 80-point campaigns for Werenski, who has established himself as one of the top fantasy blue-liners.

2 days ago

Lane Hutson • D • Canadiens

Lane Hutson Posts a Power-Play Assist in Game 5 Loss

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson contributed a power-play assist in Friday's season-ending 6-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. He set up Cole Caufield midway through the third period. Hutson was among Montreal's leading scorers throughout the postseason, but the Hurricanes proved too tough a nut to crack for the team. The 22-year-old finishes the playoffs with 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) in 19 games -- only three blue-liners in franchise history have been more productive in a postseason campaign. Hutson also enjoyed a big regular season, totaling 78 points (12 goals, 66 assists) in 82 outings. He's just two years into his NHL career, and the best is definitely yet to come from Hutson.

6 days ago

Cole Caufield • RW • Canadiens

Cole Caufield Nets a Power-Play Goal in Season-Ending Loss

Montreal Canadiens winger Cole Caufield scored a third-period power-play goal in Friday's 6-1 defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes. It was too little, too late, as the Canadiens were once again overwhelmed and eliminated in five games. Caufield had a disappointing postseason. He managed only 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 19 games and was limited to three even-strength points. During the regular season, Caufield averaged at least a point per game for the first time in his career, with 51 goals and 37 assists in 81 contests. He became the first Canadiens player in 36 years to score at least 50 regular-season goals, setting a high bar for himself in the next campaign.

6 days ago

Seth Jarvis • C • Hurricanes

Seth Jarvis Closes Out East Finals With Multi-Point Game

Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis notched a goal and an assist as the team moved into the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals with a 6-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night. He assisted Shayne Gostisbehere on the power play late in the second period and scored the final goal of the Eastern Conference Finals in an empty-net situation in the third. Jarvis has been quiet in the postseason, but he gained some momentum against Montreal with four points in five games. Overall, the 24-year-old has posted eight points (three goals, five assists) in 13 playoff games.

6 days ago

Logan Stankoven • C • Hurricanes

Logan Stankoven Notches Three Points in Big Game 5 Win

Carolina Hurricanes forward Logan Stankoven finished Friday's 6-1 Game 5 victory over the Montreal Canadiens with one goal and two assists. His ninth goal of the postseason was the series-clinching marker. Stankoven assisted both of his linemates, Taylor Hall and Jackson Blake, in the game. The trio has seen a lot of success in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, combining for 43 points. Stankoven has 12 points (nine goals, three assists) in 13 contests. After kicking off the postseason with a five-game goal streak, the 23-year-old has begun building another ahead of the Finals, lighting the lamp in back-to-back games.

6 days ago

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