NHL Player News

Middleton was reassigned to AHL Colorado following Tuesday's game versus the Blue Jackets.

Middleton was up with the big club for a pair of road game, but he didn't get into the lineup. The 28-year-old defenseman could get called up again next week when the Avalanche head back out on the road.

Heiskanen (upper body) won't return to Tuesday's game versus the Capitals.

Heiskanen was injured early in the second period on a hit from Justin Sourdif. The 27-year-old Heiskanen will miss the rest of Tuesday's game, but his status beyond that hasn't been revealed. The Stars' road trip ends in Columbus on Thursday.

Willander (lower body) tweaked something in Tuesday's morning skate and won't play versus the Ducks, Canucks play-by-play announcer Brendan Batchelor reports.

Guillaume Brisebois will enter the lineup for Willander. The 21-year-old Willander is day-to-day for now, and he hasn't been ruled out for Thursday's game in Winnipeg. He's earned three assists over 16 appearances this season.

Dickinson scored a goal on two shots and blocked two shots in Monday's 2-1 loss to the Flames.

Dickinson tallied exactly one year to the day after his previous NHL goal. The defenseman hasn't gotten much going despite a top-four role to begin 2026-27. He's at three points, 12 shots on net, 19 hits, 17 blocked shots, eight PIM and a minus-3 rating over 14 appearances. Dickinson isn't currently involved on the power play, so his usefulness in fantasy is heavily limited.

Kaiser scored a goal and added two hits in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Avalanche.

Kaiser has two goals and an assist over his last four contests. The 24-year-old has held steady in a top-four role this season, though his usage is primarily defensive. He has produced two goals, four assists, 12 shots on net, 15 hits, 18 blocked shots, eight PIM and a minus-8 rating over 15 games. Kaiser is on track to surpass his 17-point output from last year, but he doesn't stand out in any one area enough to be a reliable fantasy option.

Toews scored a goal on two shots and added an assist in Monday's 5-2 win over the Blackhawks.

Toews has three goals and five assists during his five-game point streak. The 32-year-old defenseman has rebounded well for 2026-27 as he continues to thrive on the Avalanche's top pairing. With five multi-point efforts over 15 games, Toews has amassed five goals, 10 helpers, 24 shots on net, 12 blocked shots and a plus-15 rating on the year.

Parayko (upper body) won't play against the Rangers on Tuesday, per Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic.

Parayko remains day-to-day and will miss his second straight game with an upper-body injury. He has collected four assists, 19 shots on net, 26 blocked shots and nine hits in 13 outings this season.

Durzi (undisclosed) will not play in Tuesday's home clash against the Blues, per Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic.

Durzi is slated to miss his second consecutive contest with an undisclosed injury. Prior to going down, the 28-year-old defenseman posted two goals, five points, 12 shots on net, nine hits and 21 blocked shots across 14 outings this season. While he remains sidelined, Scott Morrow should continue to see an elevated role. Durzi's next chance to return is Thursday's clash against the Flyers.

Byram (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.

In a corresponding move, Chicago recalled forward Dillon Boucher from AHL Rockford. Byram hasn't played since Oct. 13, and it remains unclear when he will be available to return. He has one assist, five shots on net, nine blocked shots and two hits in six appearances this season.

Cernak (undisclosed) will return to the lineup against Detroit on Tuesday, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports.

Cernak sat out Saturday's 5-4 shootout loss to Nashville with an undisclosed injury. With the 29-year-old blueliner back in the fold, the Lightning will dress seven defensemen and 11 forwards against the Red Wings on Tuesday, with Scott Sabourin serving as a healthy scratch. Cernak has two assists, 15 shots on goal, 17 blocked shots and 25 hits in 12 outings this season.