NHL Player News

Chabot (undisclosed) won't return to Saturday's game against New Jersey for precautionary reasons.

Chabot had one shot, one block and two hits in 15:59 of ice time before leaving the game. The Senators specifying that Chabot's exit was precautionary does make it seem more likely that he'll still play Monday in Pittsburgh. However, if Chabot does end up missing that game, then Nikolas Matinpalo will probably draw into the lineup.

Chychrun scored a goal, supplied an assist, fired six shots on net and served two PIM in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over Carolina.

Chychrun chipped in a secondary helper on Dylan Strome's goal in the second period before later finding twine himself for the game-tying goal late in the third period. Following Saturday's pair of points, Chychrun is up to 19 goals, 24 assists, 173 shots on net, 45 hits and 74 blocked shots across 54 games this season. With 43 points, he is tied for eighth in the NHL among defensemen. The 27-year-old blueliner is not only firing the puck at an elite rate for a defenseman, but he also ranks 13th among all NHL skaters in shots on net. Chychrun is entering elite territory for defensemen in fantasy and is well on the way to posting his first campaign with 50-plus points across his 10-year career.

Burns scored the game-winning goal Saturday in a 5-0 win over the Red Wings.

He now has 26 points, including nine goals, and 114 shots in 53 games this season. Burns' goal was the 270th of his NHL career, which ties him with Bobby Orr for seventh all-time among defensemen. The next records in his sights? Among defensemen, Burns is 11th all-time in points, just 12 behind Chris Chelios (948), and seventh all-time in games played (1,550), just 14 behind Nicklas Lidstrom (1,564). Burns is also the closest to Phil Kessel's ironman streak. The 40-year-old blueliner is at 978 consecutive games, and he will need to play deep into next season to get to Phil the Thrill's 1,064.

Rielly won't return to Saturday's game against Vancouver because of an upper-body injury.

Rielly had a minus-2 rating and a block in 12:34 of ice time before exiting the match. He has seven goals, 31 points and 74 blocks in 54 appearances in 2025-26, including Saturday's action. If Rielly can't play Monday in Calgary, then Simon Benoit might draw back into the lineup.

Blankenburg (illness) won't play Saturday versus the Islanders.

Andreas Englund will enter the lineup for Blankenburg, who will miss at least one game while under the weather. Blankenburg's next chance to play is Monday versus the Blues. He has earned three points over his last eight contests.

Hronek (illness) is expected to play against Toronto on Saturday, according to Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650.

Hronek won't miss any playing time after sitting out Friday's practice. He has collected five goals, 32 points, 76 shots on net, 74 blocked shots and 82 hits across 54 appearances this season.

Fehervary (personal) won't play against Carolina on Saturday.

Fehervary will miss at least one game for personal reasons. He has earned three goals, 16 assists, 58 shots on net, 115 blocked shots and 63 hits across 55 appearances this season. Dylan McIlrath will replace Fehervary in Saturday's lineup.

Middleton was reassigned to AHL Colorado on Saturday.

Middleton recorded two hits in 8:55 of ice time in Colorado's 5-0 win over Detroit on Saturday, and his reassignment comes after the conclusion of that game. That brings the Avalanche down to five healthy defensemen on the active roster, so unlessDevon Toews (upper body) is ready to return for Monday's rematch against the Red Wings, the Avalanche will probably need to recall a blueliner before that game.

Parekh (upper body) was recalled from his conditioning loan from AHL Calgary on Saturday.

Parekh had two goals and five points in four AHL outings during his conditioning stint. He has one assist, 11 shots on goal, five blocked shots and five hits in 11 NHL appearances this season. Assuming his upper-body injury isn't an issue anymore, he should be in the mix to play for the Flames before the Olympic break.

Hedman (elbow) is likely to make his return Sunday versus Boston, per Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site.

Hedman hasn't been in the lineup since Dec. 9, but head coach Jon Cooper told reporters Saturday, "Barring him coming in and saying no, which I think is extremely doubtful, he'll most likely be in tomorrow." Hedman does still need to be activated off injured reserve before he can return to the lineup. Should he play Sunday, it will likely be as a member of the top four and first power-play unit. That might result in Darren Raddysh shifting from the top power-play unit to the second grouping, but the 29-year-old has been productive in his current role, providing eight goals and 17 points with the man advantage in 46 outings this season.