NHL Hockey Player News

Not to take away from a tremendous rookie season for the 27-year-old Bussi, but he has fallen off from a tremendous start to his NHL career. After posting a 2.16 GAA and .906 SV% in 27 games before the Olympic break (23-3-1), Bussi has returned with an ugly 3.81 GA and .835 SV% in four games since (2-2-0) and is riding a two-game losing streak for the first time in his young career. Still, the Hurricanes enter Tuesday's contest as -131 road favourites against a Columbus Blue Jackets team with points in nine straight games (5-0-4).

Svechnikov was absent from practice on Monday, but will be ready for Tuesday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 25-year-old Svechnikov has seven points (3G / 4A) in his last six games, giving him 58 points (24G / 34A) through 66 games this season.

Knuble was a fourth-round pick of the Flyers in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and has been rewarded with a two-year, entry-level contract after completing a third season of collegiate hockey. The 21-year-old forward scored 31 points (9G / 22A) in 36 games with Notre Dame (Big-10).

Aitcheson was drafted 17th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and is awaiting his professional debut. The 19-year-old defenseman is having a tremendous fourth season in the OHL, scoring 70 points (28G / 42A) in 54 games with the Barrie Colts.

With Seth Jones (upper body) returning from a prolonged absence, Mikkola will exit the lineup as a healthy scratch. The 29-year-old Mikkola has played every game for Florida this season, averaging 20:22 time-on-ice and scoring 11 points (3G / 8A) in 66 games.

The Panthers have been dealing with a myriad of injuries, regularly rotating players in and out of the lineup for maintenance purposes. Luostarinen will exit the lineup on Tuesday, with Nolan Foote making his team debut as his replacement. The 27-year-old Luostarinen has 25 points (8G / 17A) in 25 games this season.

The Panthers have been dealing with a myriad of injuries, regularly rotating players in and out of the lineup for maintenance purposes. Rodrigues will exit the lineup on Tuesday, with Sam Bennett drawing back in as his replacement. The 32-year-old Rodrigues has 28 points (11G / 17A) in 65 games this season.

The Panthers have been more liberal with their goalie usage since returning from the Olympic break, which appears to be paying early dividends for Bobrovsky, who has struggled for most of the 2025-26 season. The 37-year-old veteran goalie saved 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 2-1 overtime win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has a solid 2.21 GAA and .925 SV% in his last five games (3-2-0). The Panthers enter Tuesday's contest as -150 road favourites against a Vancouver Canucks team that has scored only seven goals in its last four games (1-2-1).

The Panthers have been dealing with a myriad of injuries to key offensive contributors lately, but they will welcome Bennett back into the lineup on Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 29-year-old Bennett had a career-high 51 points (25G / 26A) in 76 games last season and should shatter those totals in 2025-26, already with 50 points (24G / 26A) through 65 games.

Foote was a first-round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, but he has spent most of is career in the AHL so far. The 25-year-old forward has 32 points (14G / 18A) in 54 games this season with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL).

Jones has been sidelined for over two months, last playing on January 2nd, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 31-year-old Jones was having a solid season before his injury, averaging 23:29 time-on-ice and scoring 24 points (6G / 18A) in 40 games. He is expected to immediately return to his familiar role on the team's top powerplay unit.

The Panthers have been more liberal with their goalie usage since returning from the Olympic break, which appears to be paying early dividends for Bobrovsky, who has struggled for most of the 2025-26 season. The 37-year-old veteran goalie saved 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 2-1 overtime win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has a solid 2.21 GAA and .925 SV% in his last five games (3-2-0). The Panthers enter Tuesday's contest as -150 road favourites against a Vancouver Canucks team that has scored only seven goals in its last four games (1-2-1).

O'Connor underwent hip surgery last June and has yet to play this season. He started practicing last week and could be targeting a return during Colorado's upcoming four-game road trip. The 29-year-old O'Connor has been a reliable bottom-six forward for several seasons with Colorado. He has 21 points (10G / 11A) in 80 games last season.

Tuch is dealing with an illness and his status for Tuesday's game against the Vegas Golden Knights is up in the air. The 29-year-old Tuch is having an excellent season with Buffalo, scoring 57 points (28G / 29A) through 65 games despite seeing very little deployment on the team's top powerplay unit. He has nine points (6G / 3A) in his last eight games.

Draisaitl lasted only six shifts in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Nashville Predators, exiting the game after only 3:12 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. Despite exiting the game early, Draisaitl managed to score a goal, giving him an absurd 11 points (2G / 9A) in his last four games. Unfortunately for the Oilers, that will likely mark the final time Draisaitl plays this season, ending the 2025-26 campaign with 97 points (35G / 62A) in 65 outings. Expect to see an increase in opportunistic deployment for Matt Savoie and Vasily Podkolzin with Draisaitl unavailable.

Hill has had a poor 2025-26 season, but seems to be turning a corner after stringing together several promising starts. Despite an unspectacular 3-2-0 record, Hill has allowed three or fewer goals in five straight games, posting a solid 2.00 GAA and .907 SV%. The Golden Knights enter Tuesday's contest as -132 home favourites against a rolling Buffalo Sabres team that has just one loss in their last 10 games (9-1-0).