NHL Player News

Stecher picked up an assist Saturday in a 4-1 loss to the Islanders. He also had two blocks.

He set up Colton Sissons for the Leafs only goal. It was Stecher's first point of the season (nine games). He has 11 blocks, seven assists and six shots so far. The blocks put Stecher on pace his first triple-digit total in that category if he stays healthy.

Girard (undisclosed) won't return to Saturday's game versus the Golden Knights.

Girard was uncomfortable after an incident in the second period, and he won't be able to continue in the contest. He's day-to-day pending a further update from the Penguins, but his status for Monday's game in Utah is in doubt. If Girard is out, Ryan Johnson may make his Penguins debut.

Larsson logged an assist and two PIM in Saturday's 8-3 loss to the Panthers.

Larsson has contributed a pair of assists over nine contests to start the season. The 33-year-old defenseman continues to play in his usual top-pairing role while handling heavy defensive minutes. He has added 10 shots on net, 17 hits, 23 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating. Larsson has some appeal in banger leagues but isn't likely to produce much more than 25 points.

Evans scored a goal in Saturday's 8-3 loss to the Panthers.

Evans is a minute-munching defender -- he led his team with 23:16 of ice time Saturday. And his offense arrives passively, simply because he's out there so much. Evans has one goal, three assists and eight shots in nine contests this season. He also has 16 hits and 10 blocks, which put him on track for a 150-hit, 95-block season. With secondary scoring, Evans is the kind of anti-pylon you can safely slot into your last roster spot in bruise leagues because he could get 30 points, too.

Mikkola had a goal and an assist Saturday in a 8-3 win over the Kraken.

He finished plus-3 and had three shots, one block and one hit. The points were Mikkola's first of the season. He's much better known for his hitting and blocks than offense. Mikkola's best offensive season came in 2024-25 when he scored six goals and added 16 assists on 116 shots. But he has delivered as many as 198 hits and 124 blocks in a single season, and that may help you in pylon formats. Mikkola has nine each this year.

Chabot won't return to Saturday's game versus the Flyers, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports. Per Jackson Starr of the Senators' official site, Chabot's injury is an upper-body concern.

Chabot was missing from the bench during the second period, but he was able to return once. He then didn't play in the third before being officially ruled out. The Senators should have an update on his status prior to a home back-to-back against the Panthers on Wednesday and the Sharks on Thursday.

Heinola was reassigned to AHL Henderson on Saturday.

Heinola continues to bounce between leagues as the Golden Knights deal with the absence of Parker Wotherspoon (upper body). Heinola's demotion indicates there are no concerns for Vegas on the blue line ahead of Saturday's game versus the Penguins.

Nurse (upper body) is slated to play against Detroit on Saturday, per Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now.

Nurse has a goal, nine PIM, eight hits and 12 blocks in six appearances with the Sharks this season. He's returning to the lineup after missing Thursday's game against Nashville due to the injury. Luca Cagnoni is projected to be a healthy scratch due to Nurse's return.

Desharnais notched two assists in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Devils.

The journeyman blueliner recorded his first multi-point performance since March 30, 2024, when he was a member of the Oilers. Both of Desharnais' helpers came in the second period as the Capitals pulled away, as he had a hand in tallies by Ilya Protas and Boone Jenner. Desharnais has never produced more than 11 points in a season, but he's got three assists in his first eight games for Washington while adding 20 hits, 14 blocked shots, seven PIM and an impressive plus-10 rating.

Montour (lower body) won't play Saturday versus Florida and is considered day-to-day.

Montour didn't finish Thursday's tilt against Tampa Bay due to the injury. He has five assists, 27 PIM, seven hits and 13 blocks in eight appearances in 2026-27. Cale Fleury might draw into the lineup as a result of Montour's absence.