NHL Player News

Aspirot was scratched for the sixth time in eight games in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Penguins.

Aspirot played in the first three games of the season, but he's played in just three of the next 14. Frederic Brunet has largely occupied the third-pairing spot on the left side of the Bruins' defense, leaving Aspirot in a depth role. With Boston carrying eight blueliners, it's a crowded competition that also includes Connor Clifton, and to a lesser extent, Mason Lohrei. Aspirot has earned eight shots on net, 12 hits and 11 blocked shots over his six games.

DeMelo picked up two assists Thursday in a 6-2 win over Vancouver.

He also had two shots and two blocked shots. DeMelo has five assists in his last four games (five shots, six hits and five blocks) after putting up just one goal and two assists in his previous 13. De Melo's best offensive season came in 2023-24 in Winnipeg when he managed three goals, 28 assists and 93 shots in 82 games. He has 25 hits and 18 blocks in 17 games, and he's rung up five consecutive triple-digit seasons prior to thus year. That's where DeMelo may have value, not his offense.

Fleury (hand) didn't finish Thursday's game versus the Canucks, Ken Wiebe of The Winnipeg Free Press reports.

Head coach Scott Arniel said the team would wait and see how Fleury's injury responds to some time off. The Jets won't practice Friday, and their next game is Sunday versus the Lightning. Prior to his exit, Fleury logged a power-play assist for his second point in 12 outings this season.

Schmidt (upper body) won't return to Thursday's game versus the Canadiens.

Schmidt was injured in the first period and will not be able to continue. He can be considered day-to-day ahead of Saturday's contest in Ottawa. If Schmidt can't suit up for that game, Artyom Duda will likely get into the lineup in his place.

Willander (lower body) is expected to miss Thursday's game against Winnipeg, per Canucks play-by-play announcer Brendan Batchelor.

Willander has three assists, four PIM, 10 hits and 17 blocks in 16 appearances with Vancouver in 2026-27. He also missed Tuesday's clash against Anaheim due to the injury. His next opportunity to play will come Saturday in Edmonton.

Durzi (undisclosed) was put on injured reserve Thursday, per Mollie Walker of the New York Post.

Durzi's move to IR is retroactive to Oct. 26, when he last played for the Rangers. He has two goals and five points in 14 outings in 2026-27. Scott Morrow has played in the Rangers' past two games because of Durzi's absence.

Jones scored a goal on four shots in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Blackhawks.

Jones has been strong on offense lately with two goals and six assists over his last five games. The 32-year-old defenseman is seeing time on the top power-play unit for Florida, which is where he's earned 11 of his 19 points so far. He's added 41 shots on net, 16 hits, 17 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating over 16 appearances. Jones remains a strong source of all-around production in fantasy, though he doesn't tend to take many penalties.

Spurgeon (lower body) is expected to travel with the team for its upcoming three-game road trip starting Tuesday against Montreal, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

Spurgeon has missed seven of the Wild's last 11 games due to injury, and he'll likely be out of action for at least two more matchups due to his lower-body injury. During his four appearances in late October, the veteran blueliner failed to register a point while producing six shots, five blocks and three hits.

Faber (skull) skated with his teammates for the first time Thursday, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

Faber's return to practice, after having been limited to solo skates previously, doesn't guarantee he will be in the lineup to face San Jose on Friday, but it's certainly a step in the right direction for the blueliner. Whenever the 24-year-old Minnesota native is given the all-clear, he should be back on the Wild's top pairing in addition to linking up with the No. 1 power-play unit.

Heiskanen (upper body) will not play in Thursday's road clash against the Blue Jackets, per Mike Heika of the Stars' official site.

Heiskanen is slated to miss his first game of the 2026-27 campaign after suffering an upper-body injury in the second period of Tuesday's matchup against the Capitals. While the Stars will be without their top blueliner Thursday, it's an encouraging sign that the 27-year-old defenseman was originally listed as day-to-day. Heiskanen will likely have a chance to play when the Stars return home to face the Sharks on Saturday. Trey Taylor will likely see an elevated role Thursday in Heiskanen's absence.