NHL Player News
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Rasmus Dahlin D | BUF
Sabres' Rasmus Dahlin: Supplies two points in win
Dahlin scored a goal on three shots, added an assist, blocked three shots and went plus-2 in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Canucks.
Dahlin opened the scoring at 7:36 of the first period and helped out on Tage Thompson's game-tying goal in the second. With two goals and six helpers during his four-game point streak, Dahlin is starting to find a rhythm again after a quiet end to November. The defenseman is up to three goals, 25 points, 75 shots on net, 34 blocked shots, 24 hits, 33 PIM and a minus-10 rating over 28 appearances. He can contribute across the board from a top-pairing role, so Dahlin should continue to see ample ice time.
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Samuel Girard D | COL
Avalanche's Samuel Girard: Pockets assist Thursday
Girard logged an assist and three blocked shots in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Panthers.
Girard ended a 10-game point drought in a game that saw 13 of the Avalanche's skaters get on the scoresheet. He set up Nathan MacKinnon's tally in the second period. Girard's lack of offense and the overall health of the blue line has led to the 27-year-old slipping into a third-pairing role with minimal power-play time. He's produced three helpers, 11 shots on net, 19 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating over 16 appearances this season.
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Josh Manson D | COL
Avalanche's Josh Manson: Adds pair of helpers
Manson logged two assists, three hits and two PIM in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Panthers.
Manson has been steady in December with five helpers over six games. The 34-year-old blueliner continues to handle a bottom-four role, providing a bit of grit to complement his teammates' skills. Manson is up to nine points, 42 shots on net, 81 hits, 43 blocked shots, 32 PIM and a plus-19 rating over 31 appearances. His offense alone isn't fantasy-worthy, but his physical play could get him onto some rosters in formats that reward the rough stuff.
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Sam Malinski D | COL
Avalanche's Sam Malinski: Goal, assist in win
Malinski scored a goal on three shots, dished an assist, went plus-2 and blocked two shots in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Panthers.
Malinski earned his first multi-point effort of the season. He has two goals and four assists over his last nine outings as continues to provide quality play from the third pairing. Malinski is up to three goals, a career-high 17 points, 32 blocked shots, 55 shots on net and a plus-16 rating over 31 appearances. He's doing enough to be worth consideration in deeper fantasy formats, though his place in the lineup invites some risk for consistency.
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Lane Hutson D | MON
Canadiens' Lane Hutson: Three points in last three games
Hutson put up two assists Thursday in a 4-2 win over the Penguins.
Hutson has three points (one goal, two assists) in his last three games and 24 points, including 19 helpers, in 30 appearances this season. He's putting up points at about the same pace as he did in 2024-25 (66 points in 82 games), but this season, he's already scored five goals (30 games). Hutson had just six goals last season.
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Simon Edvinsson D | DET
Red Wings' Simon Edvinsson: Pots lone goal in loss
Edvinsson scored a goal in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Oilers.
Edvinsson dealt with a lower-body injury that took him out of Wednesday's game versus the Flames, but he was able to avoid missing a full contest. The 22-year-old had the Red Wings' lone goal Thursday, and it was his first tally since Oct. 25 versus the Blues. For the season, the defenseman is up to four goals, 10 points, 34 shots on net, 37 hits, 58 blocked shots, 44 PIM and a plus-5 rating over 29 appearances. Edvinsson saw 21:38 of ice time Thursday, so it doesn't look like fantasy managers should be concerned about his health for now.
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Mattias Ekholm D | EDM
Oilers' Mattias Ekholm: Deposits goal in win
Ekholm scored a goal on two shots, added two PIM and blocked two shots in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Red Wings.
While Zach Hyman had a hat trick for the Oilers, Ekholm's goal was their game-winner. The defenseman has two goals and seven assists over his last eight contests, as he's greatly benefited from the team's improved offense. He's up to three goals, 16 points, 63 shots on net, 25 hits, 53 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating through 31 outings overall. Ekholm is a mainstay in Edmonton's top four and offers all-around production in fantasy.
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Dmitry Orlov D | SJ
Sharks' Dmitry Orlov: First goal of season
Orlov scored a goal Thursday in a 3-2 overtime win over the Maple Leafs.
It was his first goal of the season. Orlov has 17 points, including 16 helpers, in 32 games so far. He's on pace for his first 40-plus point season. Orlov clearly likes the sand between his toes on off days -- San Jose is a fit for the small defender.
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Charlie McAvoy D | BOS
Bruins' Charlie McAvoy: Picks up helper in return
McAvoy (face) logged a power-play assist, four shots on goal, two PIM and a plus-4 rating in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Jets.
McAvoy missed 11 games due to his injury sustained Nov. 15 in Montreal. He returned to his usual top-pairing role, and there was no easing in after Jonathan Aspirot (upper body) left the contest after one period. McAvoy is up to 15 helpers, including six on the power play, while adding 29 shots on net, 27 hits, 28 PIM, 33 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating over 20 appearances this season.
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Luke Hughes D | NJ
Devils' Luke Hughes: Three points in last three games
Hughes had a goal and an assist in an 8-4 loss to Tampa Bay on Thursday.
Hughes took a pass, spun away from a Tampa Bay defender and fired a quick snap shot past Jonas Johansson. He has three points (one goal, two assists) in his last three games after going five games without a point. The goal was Hughes' first in 13 games. He has 17 points (two goals, 15 assists) in 31 games this season. His 2.9 shooting percentage is plenty unlucky -- his career average is 5.8. So, watch for a few more goals off Hughes' stick.