NHL Player News

Wright (upper body) won't be in the lineup versus the Oilers on Tuesday.

Wright will miss at least one game after getting hurt Saturday versus the Sabres. The 22-year-old's absence will lead to Jaden Schwartz (face) drawing into the lineup Tuesday. Wright's next chance to play is Thursday versus the Mammoth.

Harkins had hand surgery Monday and is expected to miss about four weeks, the team announced Tuesday.

Harkins has already missed the last three games and won't be an option for the remainder of the regular season. Assuming the Ducks secure a playoff berth, it's unclear when he will be ready to return to the lineup. He will conclude the 2025-26 regular season with three goals, eight points, 37 shots on net, 24 blocked shots and 113 hits in 44 appearances.

Malkin (upper body) is expected to return to the lineup against Detroit on Tuesday, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.

Following a four-game absence, Malkin should occupy a top-six role and see time on the power play against the Red Wings on Tuesday. He has registered 15 goals, 52 points and 129 shots on net across 50 appearances this season.

Cerrato will link up with AHL Chicago on a professional tryout agreement, the team announced Tuesday.

By agreeing to a PTO, Cerrato will be eligible to play in the Calder Cup Playoffs, something that wouldn't have been allowed under the CBA if he had signed his entry-level deal. In 23 games for Penn St. this year, the 21-year-old center notched seven goals and 20 helpers. He figures to spend some time developing in the minors before getting a real shot at an NHL roster spot.

Ostlund (upper body) is not expected be available for Tuesday's home matchup versus the Islanders, according to Justin Alpert of the Sabres' official site.

Ostlund is poised to miss his third consecutive game Tuesday. His next chance to suit up will be in Ottawa on Thursday, but he could be a healthy scratch once he moves past his upper-body injury.

Smith recorded two assists and three shots on goal in Monday's 5-4 win over the Blues.

One of Smith's helpers came on the power play. The 21-year-old has three multi-point efforts over his last four contests, earning two goals and two assists in that span. He temporarily lost the trust of head coach Ryan Warsofsky in the middle of March, but Smith is back on the top line and has returned to productivity. He's earned 21 goals, 30 helpers, 146 shots on net and a minus-2 rating over 59 outings this season, surpassing his 45-point effort from 74 games as a rookie last year.

Strome scored a goal on two shots and blocked two shots in Monday's 9-2 loss to the Avalanche.

Strome's third-period tally came far too late to flip the game -- it only cut the deficit to 8-2 at the time. Still, he's benefited from steady top-six minutes with the Flames, earning three goals and three assists over his last seven contests. Strome is up to 19 points over 46 appearances between the Flames and the Ducks this season, including 10 points in 13 outings with Calgary. He's added 53 shots on net, 19 hits, 27 PIM and a minus-8 rating.

Nelson logged two assists in Monday's 9-2 win over the Flames.

Nelson earned his first multi-point effort since March 3 in Anaheim. The 34-year-old center still put together a decent month, earning three goals, eight assists and 38 shots on net over 15 contests. For the season, he's at 33 goals, 61 points, 173 shots on net, 52 blocked shots and a plus-11 rating over 73 appearances. This is the third time he's crossed the 60-point mark in a campaign, all of which have come in the last four years.

Schenn scored a goal, added three hits and went minus-2 in Monday's 8-3 loss to the Penguins.

Schenn has four points over his last two outings to bounce back from a four-game slide. The 34-year-old center is up to 36 points over 73 contests this season, including eight points in 12 games since he was traded to the Islanders from the Blues. He's added 110 shots on net, 160 hits, 40 blocked shots, 66 PIM and a minus-26 rating.

Steel's (hip) timeline for a return to the lineup has yet to be determined, but he is not expected to suit up in the short term, Owen Newkirk of DLLS Sports reports Tuesday.

Steel missed games in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia after getting hurt on Long Island on Thursday. At this point, the Stars may focus on making sure Steel is ready to go for the postseason, as head coach Glen Gulutzan conveyed Tuesday that an optimistic outlook for Steel's timeline for a return to the lineup would be within the next 10 days.