NHL Player News

Makar (undisclosed) is day-to-day and won't play in Game 1 against Vegas on Wednesday, per Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.

Makar's absence is a shocking development and one that's terrible for the Avalanche. Although it's been suspected that the defenseman hasn't been fully healthy, especially given his lack of practice time during the playoffs, Makar still appeared in Colorado's first nine postseason outings this year while averaging 24:59 of ice time, including 25:50 in Colorado's 4-3 series-clinching overtime victory over Minnesota in Game 5 on May 13. Makar's exit from the lineup coincides with Sam Malinski's projected return after missing two games due to an upper-body injury. Jack Ahcan might have been a healthy scratch if Makar was available, but it now looks like Ahcan will remain in the lineup.

Malinksi (upper body) is expected back in the lineup for Game 1 against Vegas on Wednesday, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.

Malinski sat out the final two contests of Colorado's second-round series against the Wild. In seven appearances this postseason, the 27-year-old has one goal, two assists, 14 shots, 14 blocks and seven hits. With Malinski back in the lineup and Cale Makar (undisclosed) unavailable, Jack Ahcan will remain in the lineup.

General manager Kelly McCrimmon had no update on Lauzon's (upper body) status ahead of Wednesday's Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals versus the Avalanche, Hannah Kirkell of The Hockey News reports.

Lauzon missed the entire second round, and he can continue to be considered out indefinitely for now. Vegas has turned to Ben Hutton and Dylan Coghlan to fill out the third pairing in Lauzon's absence.

Makar (undisclosed) is slated to play against Vegas on Wednesday in Game 1, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.

Makar hasn't practiced much during the playoffs and likely isn't fully healthy, but he should be available for the start of the Western Conference Finals. He hasn't missed a game yet this postseason, compiling four goals, one assist, 22 shots on net and 18 blocked shots across nine appearances.

Burns (undisclosed) was a full participant in Tuesday's practice, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.

Burns sat out some on-ice sessions after Colorado's series-clinching 4-3 overtime win over Minnesota last Wednesday. However, he should be ready for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against Vegas this Wednesday. Burns has contributed three assists, 14 shots on goal, six blocked shots and 13 hits in nine appearances this postseason.

Dahlin scored a goal on five shots and blocked two shots in Monday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Canadiens in Game 7.

Dahlin's third-period tally forced overtime, but he didn't have one more heroic moment in him. The defenseman ended the postseason on a five-game point streak, in which he earned three goals and seven assists. Overall, he produced four goals, 10 helpers, 46 shots on net, 15 hits, 15 blocked shots, 20 PIM and a plus-4 rating over 13 appearances in his first taste of postseason action. Dahlin is poised to be a pillar of the Sabres' defense for years to come and makes for a good pick to lead a fantasy blue line in drafts this fall.

Groshev agreed to terms on a two-year, two-way contract with Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

Groshev made his NHL debut last season, logging two regular-season games for the Bolts in which he produced one assist, one shot and one block while averaging 11:30 of ice time. The 24-year-old was selected in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft as a winger before making the switch to defense. While he figures to start the 2026-27 campaign in the minors, Groshev could get a look during the season, given his flexibility and offensive potential.

Malinski (upper body) participated fully in Sunday's practice and is trending toward being ready for Game 1 against Vegas on Wednesday, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.

Following a two-game absence, Malinski could be ready for the beginning of the Western Conference Finals. He has registered one goal, two assists, 14 shots on net, 14 blocked shots and seven hits in seven appearances this postseason.

Manson (undisclosed) was a full participant in Sunday's practice, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.

After sitting out Saturday's on-ice session and being listed as day-to-day, Manson should be available for Game 1 against Vegas on Wednesday. Through the first two rounds of the 2026 playoffs, he has contributed two assists, eight shots on net and 13 hits in five appearances.

Xhekaj scored a goal, added 12 PIM and doled out three hits in Saturday's 8-3 loss to the Sabres in Game 6.

Xhekaj tied the game at 1-1 with his first career playoff goal. He's up to two points, eight shots on net, 44 hits, six blocked shots, 28 PIM and a plus-4 rating over 12 playoff contests this year. Xhekaj's not a firm lock for the lineup, but he's been active for all but one game this postseason despite a fairly limited role on the third pairing.