NHL Hockey Player News

Doughty underwent ankle surgery after being injured in the preseason and has yet to play this season but appears to be nearing a return. He has been a staple on the Kings' blueline for over a decade. His impact has been missed despite the Kings allowing only 110 goals this season, the fewest in the NHL thus far. Over the last two seasons, Doughty averaged nearly 26:00 TOI/GP. In 82 games in 2023-24, he had 15 goals, 50 points, 44 PIMs, and a +15 plus/minus.

Norris exited Tuesday's 5-0 loss to the New York Rangers for precautionary reasons in the first period after only 3:47 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. It's unclear if this injury is related to the shoulder injury that kept him out of the lineup for most of the previous two seasons. The 25-year-old Norris is averaging 18:28 time-on-ice and has 27 points (17G / 10A) in 47 games this season.

Dickinson is battling an illness but has two days to recover before the Blackhawks return to action on Friday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 29-year-old Dickinson is averaging 16:10 time-on-ice and has 14 points (7G / 7A) in 47 games this season.

Broberg suffer a lower-body injury at practice on Wednesday. An update on his status should be provided before the Blues return to action on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 23-year-old defenseman is averaging 20:22 time-on-ice and has 15 points (3G / 12A) in 35 games this season.

Spurgeon has missed nine straight with a lower-body injury but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the Utah Hockey Club. Before his injury, Spurgeon had four goals, 13 points and 59 SOG while averaging 20:43 TOI in 32 games played this season.

Updates surrounding Kaprizov's lower-body injury have been few and far between, but after missing 12 straight games, he could return to the lineup on Thursday against the Utah Hockey Club. Before his injury, the 27-year-old Kaprizov was amid an excellent campaign among the league leaders, scoring 50 points (23G / 27A) in 34 games.

Merzlikins left the Blue Jackets' morning skate on Wednesday early due to an undisclosed ailment. It's unclear if this will affect his availability for Wednesday's tilt against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Mateychuk did not play the previous game for the Blue Jackets and will remain out of the lineup due to an illness on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 20-year-old defenseman is averaging 18:10 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in 12 games this season.

Palat is battling an illness and will not play on Wednesday against the Boston Bruins. The 33-year-old Czech forward has 19 points (10G / 9A) in 48 games this season but only has three points (2G / 1A) in his last 10.

Nichushkin was listed as day-to-day after suffering his injury on January 1st but suffered a setback earlier this week, downgrading his status to week-to-week. The 29-year-old winger has 11 goals and six assists in 21 games this season.

Pacioretty has missed some time this season due to various injuries and has missed the previous two games due to an upper-body injury. The 36-year-old Pacioretty has 12 points (5G / 7A) and 89 hits in 32 games this season.

Smith has been sidelined since December 21st with a lower-body injury he suffered while blocking a shot. He'll replace Mark Jankowski, who is out week-to-week, on the Nashville fourth line.

Thrun is battling an undisclosed ailment and his status for Tuesday's game against the Nashville Predators is up in the air. The 23-year-old defenseman has been a regular on San Jose's blue line this season, tallying eight points (0G / 8A) in 40 games this season.

Kovalenko has not played since suffering an upper-body injury on January 7th, missing five straight, but will re-enter the lineup on Tuesday against the Nashville Predators. The 25-year-old Kovalenko has 14 points (5G / 9A) in 40 games this season. Carl Grundstrom will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Kovalenko's return.

Howden had an impressive outing in Monday's 5-4 shootout loss to the St. Louis Blues, recording one goal, five shots, and one hit in 13:29 time-on-ice, but is battling an illness, making his status uncertain for Thursday's rematch. The 26-year-old Howden is averaging 15:10 time-on-ice and has 22 points (16G / 6A) in 47 games.