NHL Hockey Player News

Middleton left Tuesday's game with an upper-body injury and did not return after being hit from behind by Givani Smith. Marc-Edouard Vlasic will replace him in Buffalo.

Karlsson suffered an upper-body injury in the third period of Tuesday's loss in Detroit. Ryan Merkley will draw into the lineup to replace Karlsson but Brent Burns will take over on PP1.

Moore will replace Charlie McAvoy in the Bruins lineup vs. the Wild. It will be Moore's first game since December 14th and just his fifth of the season.

McAvoy's injury is expected to be short-term but it's serious enough to keep him out of the lineup on Thursday. John Moore will replace him on the Bruins' blueline.

Johnsson will be replaced by Nico Hischier, who is coming back from a lower-body injury. Johnsson is expected to miss two or three games while in COVID-19 protocol.

Sillinger is dealing with a minor lower-body injury that he is expected to play through on Thursday, but has officially been listed as a game-time decision. Monitor his status as the Blue Jackets hit the ice for warmups.

Christiansen was an undrafted free agent out of the WHL, who signed with the Blue Jackets in 2020. The 22-year-old defenseman has tallied five goals with 13 assists (18 points) in 21 AHL games this season.

Bean was a late scratch from the lineup on Tuesday due to a non-COVID illness but will draw back into the lineup on Thursday. Bean will likely be leaned on heavily with Zack Werenski still out.

MacInnis was originally a second-round pick of the Coyotes in 2014, was traded to the Blue Jackets in 2018 and signed with the Sabres this offseason. He has scored six goals with 10 assists (16 points) in 26 AHL games this season.

Stamkos missed Wednesday's practice and Thursday's morning skate for "body maintenance" according to the Lightning. Still, head coach Jon Cooper called Stamkos a game-time decision for Thursday's game vs. Calgary.

Kucherov has been out since October 16th but is expected to play Thursday vs. the Flames. Kucherov had a strong start to the season, scoring one goal with three assists in his first three games. He'll be back on the top line with Brayden Point and top power-play unit.

Hischier missed Tuesday's game in Boston but will play tonight vs. the Blue Jackets. Hischier has been hot as of late, scoring three goals with three assists during a five-game point streak.

Zamula has picked up three goals and 11 assists (14 points) in 25 AHL games this season and is expected to make his season debut on Thursday. Zamula will replace Travis Sanheim, who was placed on the COVID-19 protocol list.

Travis Konecny was moved to the COVID-19 protocol list on Wednesday and it looks like Bunnaman will take his spot in the lineup on Thursday. Bunnaman, who has six points (4G / 2A) in 24 AHL games this season, will likely be promoted to the active roster later today.