NHL Hockey Player News

Johnson left Columbus' previous game vs. Buffalo after just 6:26 TOI due to an upper-body injury and is now expected to miss some time after head coach Dean Evason stated "it's not short-term" in regards to his return. It is unfortunate news for the 22-year-old, who was showing signs of a true breakout campaign with two goals, five points and eight SOG in his first four games played.

Dunn was limited to only 13:10 time-on-ice before exiting Thursday's 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Flyers with an undisclosed injury. Dunn has three points (1G / 2A) in four games while occupying a spot on the top powerplay unit this season. If he is unable to return to the lineup on Saturday against the Calgary Flames, Brandon Montour will likely join the top powerplay unit in the interim.

Smith temporarily exited Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals when he awkwardly collided into the boards after being cross-checked by Andrew Mangiapane but returned to the ice shortly after. The 35-year-old Smith has played three straight games for the Stars since Matt Dumba went down with a lower-body injury.

Steel played 13:36 time-on-ice in Dallas' first loss of the season on Thursday against the Washington Capitals, but suffered an undisclosed injury in the waning minutes of the third period. Through five games this season, Steel has two points (1G / 1A0 while playing predominantly on the fourth line.

Maroon, in his his first season with the Blackhawks, the eighth stop of his 14-year career, is averaging 11:59 time-on-ice and has one point (0G / 1A) and 14 penalty minutes through 15 games. The 36-year-old's status for Saturday's game against the Buffalo Sabres is up in the air.

After playing 55 games with the Blackhawks last season, scoring 17 points (5G / 12A), the 26-year-old Anderson seems to have found a home in the NHL after being a journeyman for the first seven years of his career. He has one point (0G / 1A) in five games with the Blackhawks this season and his status for Saturday's game against the Buffalo Sabres is uncertain.

Motte suffered an upper-body injury after playing 9:33 time-on-ice in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers. Through four games this season, Motte has zero points, eight shots, and six hits. His status for Saturday's afternoon tilt against the Nashville Predators is up in the air.

Lundestrom played only 11:18 time-on-ice in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Utah Hockey Club before exiting the game with an upper-body injury. The 24-year-old Lundestrom has one point (1G / 0A) in three games this season.

Wood left Wednesday’s loss vs. Boston with an undisclosed injury after just 12:46 TOI but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Anaheim Ducks. A myriad of injuries for the Avalanche thrust Wood onto their top line alongside Logan O'Connor and Nathan MacKinnon, where he should return on Friday night.

Eklund played 21:45 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars but was unavailable for practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to an upper-body injury. The talented 22-year-old has one point (0G / 1A) in three games and is averaging a massive 22:27 time-on-ice.

Slafkovsky suffered a shoulder injury at practice on Friday but will still travel with the team to New York for the Saturday matchup against the Islanders. The 20-year-old Slovak is off to a strong start to the 2024-25 campaign, with four points (1G / 3A) in five contests.

Ullmark did not dress for the last two Senators games (1-1-0), but could return to action as soon Saturday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 31-year-old net-minder just signed a four-year, $33 million contract extension with Ottawa days before the start of the season. He has a 2.58 GAA and .914 SV% through two games with the team so far (1-1-0).

Hartman showed no signs of an ailment in his last contest when he scored a goal in a 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Monday. He has two points (2G / 0A) in four games this season and will be a game-time decision on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Chinakhov is battling an undisclosed ailment but isn't expected to miss anytime, continuing his torrid start to the 2024-25 season. The 23-year-old Chinakhov is averaging 18:44 time-on-ice through four games this season, nearly four minutes more than last season, and has tallied six points (2G / 4A).

Woll was projected to be the opening night starter for the Maple Leafs but suffered a last-minute lower-body ailment that resulted in Anthony Stolarz taking over the crease. That said, Stolarz has been terrific this season filling in, posting a 1.70 GAA and .940 SV% in three games (2-1-0), which could pose an obstacle for Woll's playing time when he returns to the lineup. In 25 games played in 2023-24, Woll had a 12-11-1 record with a 2.94 GAA and .907 SV%.