NHL Hockey Player News

Barrie has missed the last four games but is expected to play Tuesday in Pittsburgh. If Barrie plays, expect Mark Alt to sit. Barrie has 20 points (3G / 17A) and a plus-13 rating in 23 games this season.

Stastny was back on the ice on Monday but head coach Gerard Gallant said he’s still a few weeks away. Stastny is 6.5 weeks removed from suffering a lower-body injury that was originally expected to cost him at least two months.

Raanta has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury but could be back between the pipes on Tuesday. With Adin Hill performing extremely well in Raanta’s absence, the Coyotes will likely elect to stick with the hot hand and give Raanta an extra couple of days.

Schwartz has been out since November 16th and remains day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Schwartz was recently joined by Alex Steen and Robby Fabbri as injured Blues forwards, so Jordan Nolan and Jordan Kyrou were called up from San Antonio (AHL).

Steen is dealing with a concussion after leaving last Friday’s game in Colorado. Steen is officially considered day-to-day but it is difficult to put a timetable on a return from a concussion.

Nolan, who has a career-high of just 10 points, has picked up 15 points (7G / 8A) in 24 games with San Antonio this season. Nolan has been called up because the Blues are currently without Alexander Steen, Robby Fabbri and Jaden Schwartz up front.

Gunnarsson has been sidelined since November 16th and was finally placed on IR to open up a roster spot. Jordan Nolan was recalled to fill that spot and likely a fourth-line role.

Kyrou registered one assist in nine games with the Blues earlier this season before being sent to San Antonio. In 14 AHL games, the 20-year-old had 10 points (5G / 5A). He has been recalled because Robby Fabbri was placed on IR with an upper-body injury.

Fabbri was hurt early in the Blues game in Arizona on Saturday, leaving the game after playing just 2:55 TOI. Fabbri is expected to be sidelined until at least Christmas, when he will be re-evaluated. With Fabbri out, Jordan Kyrou has been recalled from San Antonio (AHL).

Butler has always put up solid numbers at the AHL level, but has just 85 points (14G / 71A) in 396 career NHL games with the Sabres, Flames and Blues. In 23 games with San Antonio, Butler has registered two goals and eight assists (10 points). He has been recalled because Alex Pietrangelo (upper-body was moved to IR.

Pietrangelo miss Saturday’s game in Arizona after suffering a hand injury in Colorado on Friday. It sounds like Pietrangelo will need surgery, so he could be sidelined long-term. The Blues plan to re-evaluate him around Christmas. With Pietrangelo on IR, Colton Parayko will likely take on an expanded role and Chris Butler was recalled from San Antonio (AHL).

Pettersson was a second round pick (No.38 overall) in 2014. The 6-foot-3, 177 lbs. defenseman has a projectable frame and a great first past but has struggled at times this season. Pettersson was able to carry a +1.9 CF% rel this season and should get a chance for regular playing time in Pittsburgh. Pettersson has 10 points (1G / 9A) in 49 career NHL games.

Sprong, 21, was a second-round pick (No.46 overall) in 2015 but has had a difficult time getting his legs under him in Pittsburgh. After torching the AHL for 32 goals and 33 assists (65 points) in 65 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL), Sprong picked up just four assists in 16 games with the Penguins this year. He had a hard time breaking into the Penguins top-6 and wasn’t as effective in the bottom-6. Sprong has a chance to play top-6 minutes in Anaheim, making him worthy of a speculative waiver add.

Spooner missed the Oilers morning skate and is officially listed as a game-time decision in Dallas. If Spooner can’t play, look for Patrick Russell to draw into the lineup. Spooner has just one goal on 10 shots and a minus-5 rating in eight games since being acquired by the Oilers.

McDavid skipped the Oilers morning skate but is fully expected to play in Dallas. This is obviously great news for the Oilers. McDavid has 14 goals and 21 assists (35 points) in 26 games this season. Expect him to centre the top line with Leon Draisaitl and Alex Chiasson.

Sheary has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury but could be back on Monday. Sheary took part in the Sabres morning skate but stayed on late with the extras, which suggests he’ll miss a fourth consecutive game.

Kinkaid allowed four goals on 38 shots in the Devils loss to the Jets on Saturday. Despite losing four in a row and allowing four goals in every game, Kinkaid will start for the fourth consecutive game. The Devils are on a five-game slide and were just pounded by the Lightning in Tampa Bay last Sunday.

Koskinen made 31 saves on 32 shots in the Oilers win over the Golden Knights on Saturday. Koskinen has won three in a row while posting a 0.99 GAA, .967 SV% and one shutout. Koskinen has been great this season, outplaying Cam Talbot and thriving under Ken Hitchcock. The 30-year-old is 3-2-1 with a 3.18 GAA and .891 SV% on the road.