NHL Player News

Kulak notched an assist in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Flames.

Kulak had gone 18 games without a point entering Tuesday. He's filled in for a few blueliners recently, most notably Cale Makar, who returned from an upper-body injury Tuesday. Devon Toews (undisclosed) was out, allowing Kulak to stay in a top-four role, but if the Avalanche are healthy in the postseason, Kulak could be a bottom-four option. Between Colorado, Pittsburgh and Edmonton this year, he has one goal, 12 points, 93 shots on net, 106 blocked shots, 38 PIM and a minus-4 rating over 82 appearances.

Makar recorded three assists in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Flames.

Makar returned to the lineup after a seven-game absence due to an upper-body injury, and he did it in style by contributing directly to each of the team's goals. Makar has been an elite fantasy contributor among defensemen, and this three-assist performance elevated his helpers total to 58 on the season, the fifth-best mark among blueliners. The only defensemen who have recorded more assists than Makar are Evan Bouchard (71), Quinn Hughes (69), Lane Hutson (66) and Zach Werenski (59).

Chychrun scored a power-play goal in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Blue Jackets.

Chychrun snapped a four-game point drought with the tally. The 28-year-old defenseman will end his career-best campaign with 26 goals, 60 points (18 on the power play), 221 shots on net, 114 blocked shots, 62 PIM, 58 hits and a plus-20 rating over 80 appearances. Chychrun will enter 2026-27 as the Capitals' top defenseman and should be a popular pick in fantasy drafts, though his goal scoring may regress slightly after he shot a career-high 11.8 percent this year.

McDonald was loaned to AHL Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.

McDonald made his NHL debut during Philadelphia's regular-season finale against the Canadiens on Tuesday, recording an assist, five hits, four PIM and a blocked shot in 15:11 of ice time. He'll head back to the minors to see playing time for Lehigh Valley before a potential call-up back to the NHL to serve as a member of the Black Aces.

Jiricek was sent to AHL Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.

Jiricek completed the NHL regular season with no points, 16 PIM, eight hits and 19 blocks in 26 outings between Minnesota and Philadelphia. He also has four goals, 23 points and 25 PIM in 36 AHL appearances between Lehigh Valley and Iowa this campaign. The Phantoms will not make the playoffs, which could lead to him rejoining the Flyers soon to be a member of the Black Aces.

Bonk was reassigned to AHL Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.

Bonk made his NHL debut Tuesday, providing a goal and an assist to lead the Flyers to a 4-2 victory over Montreal. That fantastic performance will help make his case when he's competing for an NHL roster spot during training camp, but for now, he'll focus on closing out the campaign for Lehigh Valley, which will not make the Calder Cup Playoffs. The 21-year-old defenseman has six goals, 19 points and 22 PIM in 44 outings with the AHL squad in 2025-26. Bonk is unlikely to play for Philadelphia during its playoff run, but he might eventually join the club as a Black Ace to get a taste of the postseason atmosphere.

Ahcan was reassigned to AHL Colorado on Wednesday.

Ahcan has two assists in 11 outings with the Avalanche in 2025-26. He also has 11 goals, 50 points and 46 PIM across 60 appearances with AHL Colorado this season.

Chabot (rest) will not participate in Ottawa's regular-season finale against Toronto, per Luke Fox of Sportsnet.

Chabot also skipped Sunday's game against New Jersey for the purposes of resting ahead of the playoffs. He'll conclude the regular season with seven goals, 31 points, 22 PIM, 36 hits and 111 blocks in 57 outings. Chabot is expected to be back in a top-four role for Game 1 of the Senators' first-round series against Carolina.

Sanderson (rest) will remain out Wednesday versus Toronto, per Luke Fox of Sportsnet.

Sanderson is getting his second straight game off ahead of the playoffs. He will finish the 2025-26 regular season with 14 goals and 54 points in 67 appearances. Sanderson will resume his role as a key defender during Ottawa's first-round playoff series against Carolina.

Forsling (undisclosed) will miss Florida's season finale against Detroit on Wednesday, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

Forsling had been playing through the injury, and head coach Paul Maurice felt "he's given enough," so the 29-year-old will get the game off. Mikulas Hovorka will draw into the lineup as a result. Forsling will finish 2025-26 with two goals, 28 points, 51 PIM, 52 hits and 98 blocks in 80 outings.