NHL Hockey Player News

Ritchie was one of the few Flames not to test positive for COVID-19 during their massive outbreak but he tested positive now and did not travel to Seattle for Thursday's game.

Both Eriksson Ek and Jared Spurgeon were already ruled out for the Winter Classic and head coach Dean Evason announced Thursday that both are expected to miss multiple weeks. With Eriksson Ek out, Frederick Gaudreau will move up in between Marcus Foligno and Kevin Fiala.

Both Spurgeon and Joel Eriksson Ek were already ruled out for the Winter Classic and head coach Dean Evason announced Thursday that both are expected to miss multiple weeks. With Jonas Brodin also on the COVID-19 protocol list, Calen Addison could get a look in the Winter Classic.

Cal Foote was added to the COVID-19 protocol list this morning, so Raddysh will suit up next to Sean Day. Raddysh had two assists in 13 games with Syracuse (AHL) earlier in the season.

Raddysh will be replaced by Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, who was activated from the protocol list this morning. Ross Colton should move up to replace him on the line with Steven Stamkos.

Foote will come out of the Lightning lineup on Thursday and will be replaced by Darren Raddysh, who will make his NHL debut.

Bellemare will return from the COVID-19 protocol list just in time to replace Taylor Raddysh, who was added this morning. Ross Colton should move into the top-6 to replace Raddysh and Bellemare should slide back in between Pat Maroon and Corey Perry.

Boqvist has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury but is set to play Thursday vs. the Predators. Boqvist has been pretty solid for the Blue Jackets so far, scoring six goals with three assists (nine points) in 18 games.

Bemstrom suffered an injury during the preseason and has been working his way back ever since. He scored one goal in three games during his time with Cleveland (AHL) and is finally set to make his season debut on Thursday. The 22-year-old forward had three goals and two assists (five points) in 20 games with Columbus last year.

Laine has been out since November 3rd with an oblique injury but is set to play Thursday vs. the Predators. After a disappointing 2020-21 season, Laine had a hot start this year, scoring three goals and seven assists (10 points) in his first nine games before getting hurt.

The Blue Jackets gained a forward on Wednesday (Boone Jenner) but lost a defenseman. Luckily, it looks like Adam Boqvist will return to help replace Bayreuther.

Adding Suter, Jamie Benn and Luke Glendening to the COVID-19 reserve list brings the total to 11 Stars currently in protocol. It seems highly unlikely that Sunday's game in Arizona will be played.

Adding Glendening, Jamie Benn and Ryan Suter to the COVID-19 reserve list brings the total to 11 Stars currently in protocol. It seems highly unlikely that Sunday's game in Arizona will be played.

Adding Benn, Luke Glendening and Ryan Suter to the COVID-19 reserve list brings the total to 11 Stars currently in protocol. It seems highly unlikely that Sunday's game in Arizona will be played.

Galchenyuk missed the last two games while in COVID-19 protocol but appears set to re-join the Coyotes and should be in the lineup for Sunday's game vs. the Stars.