Saarela had seven goals, 11 assists, 10 PIMs and a -1 plus/minus through 41 games with Lukko (Liiga) and has signed a two-year, entry-level contract that starts in 2023-24 with the Chicago Blackhawks. The 21-year-old was the Blackhawks' 2019 fourth-round pick (123 overall).
Kurashev left the Blackhawks' previous game vs. Washington after just 1:04 TOI and will miss the rest of the 2023 season with a shoulder injury. The 23-year-old puts a cap on the 2022-23 season with a total of nine goals, 16 assists, 116 SOG, 14 PIMs and a -32 plus/minus through 70 games prior to his injury.
Vlasic had two goals, 15 assists, 25 PIMs and a +11 plus/minus through 52 games played with the Rockford IceHogs (AHL) and has been recalled to Chicago for the first time this season. The 21-year-old had a 15-game showing with the Blackhawks last season, picking up a goal and an assist with two PIMS and a -2 plus/minus.
Martinez missed Saturday's game in Edmonton due to personal reasons but will play Tuesday vs. the Oilers. Martinez has just 13 points (2G / 11A) in 68 games this season but leads the NHL with 221 blocked shots.
Martinez missed the Golden Knights' previous game due to personal reasons but will draw back into the lineup Tuesday vs. Edmonton. The 35-year-old has two goals, 11 assists, 64 SOG, 27 PIMs and a +22 plus/minus through 68 games played this season.
Smith has six goals, six assists, 76 SOG, 18 PIMs and a +5 plus/minus through 56 games with both Washington and Boston this season but is now considered day-to-day as he deals with a lower-body injury. The 33-year-old left the Capitals' previous game vs. Pittsburgh after just 4:54 TOI.
Ludwinski was a second-round pick (No.39 overall) in 2022 and has picked up 34 points (9G / 25A) in 47 games with the Kingston Frontenacs this season.
Kurashev left the Blackhawks' previous game vs. Washington after 1:04 TOI due to an undisclosed injury and will miss the team's game Saturday. The hope is that the 23-year-old does not have a concussion as he does have nine goals, 16 assists, 116 SOG and a -32 plus/minus through 70 games this season.
Martinez has two goals, 11 assists, 64 SOG, 22 PIMS and a +27 plus/minus through 68 games this season but will not be available Saturday vs. Edmonton as he has returned to Vegas due to personal reasons. The 35-year-old should be back in the Vegas lineup sooner rather than later when more updates appear on Martinez's status.
Brodie missed the Maple Leafs' previous game Tuesday due to an undisclosed injury but is expected to return to Toronto's lineup Thursday vs. Florida. The 32-year-old has two goals, nine assists, 49 SOG, 12 PIMs and a +8 plus/minus through 47 games played prior to his injury.
Kaiser was a healthy scratch for the Blackhawks' previous game but will draw back into the lineup Thursday vs. Washington. He will replace Ian Mitchell in Chicago's lineup and will hope to pick up his first career point in only his second career game.
Khudobin was traded to the Blackhawks at the Trade Deadline and will make his Chicago debut Thursday vs. Washington. The 36-year-old veteran had a 13-4-4 record, .899 SV% and 2.89 GAA through 24 games with the Texas Stars (AHL) prior to his call-up to Chicago. He will face the Washington Capitals, who are looking to snap a three-game losing streak and are 18th in the NHL in goals per game (3.13).
Brodie missed the Maple Leafs' previous game Tuesday due to an undisclosed injury but is expected to return to Toronto's lineup Thursday vs. Florida. The 32-year-old has two goals, nine assists, 49 SOG, 12 PIMs and a +8 plus/minus through 47 games played prior to his injury.
