NHL Hockey Player News

Motte had been practicing with the team over the last couple of days but will miss his seventh straight game on Sunday. Head coach Derek Lalonde said that Motte "will need some more time." Jonatan Berggren, who was trending toward being a healthy scratch, will remain in the lineup vs. the Sabres.

Chychrun was hurt Tuesday vs. the Rangers, and moving him to IR means that he'll miss at least two more games. The Capitals used the roster spot to call up Vincent Iorio from Hershey (AHL) to have an extra defenseman for their Saturday/Sunday back-to-back.

Reilly avoided being stretchered off, but had to he helped off the ice after being hit by Jordan Greenway. The Islanders did not have a post-game update on his status but the defenseman will travel to New York with the team and be re-evaluated. Expect Dennis Cholowski to replace him in the lineup on Sunday.

In mid-September, the Canucks announced that 28-year-old Dakota Joshua had been diagnosed with testicular cancer and successfully had a tumor removed but would not be ready for the start of training camp. The fifth-year winger is coming off his best season in 2023-24, with 18 goals, 32 points, 60 PIMs, 84 SOG, and a +19 plus/minus through 63 games played.

Tarasenko was battling the flu and did not play on Wednesday, but will return to the lineup of Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 32-year-old Tarasenko is off to a slow start in his inaugural season with the Red Wings, scoring only three points (2G / 1A) in his first nine games.

Romanov has missed three straight games due to an upper-body injury but is likely to make his return on Friday, replacing Dennis Cholowski. The 24-year-old Romanov has two points (0G / 2A), 19 blocks, and 14 hits in eight games this season.

Hartman has missed the last five games due to an upper-body injury but will make his return to the lineup on Friday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, replacing Frederick Gaudreau. The 30-year-old Hartman was off to a strong start to the season before his injury, with two goals in his first four games.

Barzal played 22:46 time-on-ice in Wednesday's 2-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, showing no signs of impairment, but is away from the team as he gets evaluated for an upper-body injury back in New York. After a stellar 2023-24 season, scoring 80 points (23G / 57A) in 80 games, Barzal has started the 2024-25 campaign slowly, with only five points (2G / 3A) in 10 games. At the Islanders' morning skate on Friday, Jean-Gabriel Pageau was in Barzal's usual spot, flanking Bo Horvat.

Benson has not played the last three games due to a lower-body injury but is nearing a return after returning to practice on Friday. Benson has played six of seven games to start the season for the Sabres before his injury, scoring zero points and recording a -4 plus/minus.

Voronkov suffered an upper-body injury in the Blue Jackets' preseason finale and has missed the first nine games of the season. The 24-year-old had a productive first NHL season, scoring 18 goals, 34 points and 52 PIMs as a rookie in 75 games played in 2023-24.

Dewar is eligible to play with the Marlies for six days and three games as he works his way back from offseason shoulder surgery. Upon returning from the Marlies, Dewar will be in the mix to play on the Maple Leafs' fourth line moving forward. Dewar had five points (1G / 4A) in 17 games after being traded to Toronto last season.

Nosek missed the first 11 games of the season but will make his season debut Friday in Finland. Nosek, who had six points (2G / 4A) in 36 games last season, will centre the Panthers' fourth line with A.J. Greer and Mackie Samoskevich on his wings.

Jankowski was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. Jankowski has no goals and one assist in nine games this season.

Lizotte suffered a concussion during training camping and has missed the first 11 games of the season, but is finally ready to make his debut on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 28-year-old signed a two-year, $3.7 million contract in the offseason with Pittsburgh after five solid seasons in Los Angeles. In 62 games in 2023-24, Lizotte had seven goals, 15 points, 76 SOG and 20 PIMs while averaging just 11:49 TOI/GP.

Lazar underwent knee surgery to address an injury suffered on October 27th. The 29-year-old Lazar, in his second season with the Devils, was a lineup regular before the injury, registering two points (1G / 1A) and a monstrous 36 hits in 12 games. Justin Dowling drew into the Devils' lineup in their previous game to fill in for Lazar.

Celebrini, who had one goal, one assist and two SOG in his NHL debut has not played since then, missing 10 straight games. There is no direct target date for his return to gameplay but his return to practice on Thursday is a promising sign that he will return the lineup sooner than later.

Motte has missed the last six games due to an upper-body injury but could be an option to return to the lineup on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. Through four games this season, Motte has zero points, eight shots, and six hits.

Hartman has missed the last five games due to an upper-body injury but was back at practice on Thursday and could be an option to return to the lineup on Friday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 30-year-old Hartman was off to a strong start to the season before his injury, with two goals in his first four games.