NHL Player News

L'Heureux (upper body) won't play Wednesday versus the Stars, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.

After a late scratch Tuesday, L'Heureux will miss a second straight game. The 23-year-old forward's next chance to play is Friday versus the Penguins. With Nicolas Roy also out Wednesday, the Avalanche will dress seven defensemen to fill out their lineup.

Wedgewood will guard the home goal versus the Stars on Wednesday, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.

Wedgewood will handle the second half of the back-to-back after Mackenzie Blackwood won a 3-2 game versus the Stars on Tuesday. The 34-year-old Wedgewood won his only other appearance this season, stopping 26 of 29 shots versus the Flames last Thursday.

Roy (lower body) won't play Wednesday versus the Stars, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.

Roy was getting help from the trainers during the morning skate before Tuesday's game, and while he played in that one, he appears to need to step out of the lineup. The Avalanche are expected to dress seven defensemen to cover his absence Wednesday. Roy's next chance to play is Friday versus the Penguins.

Xhekaj (undisclosed) won't play Wednesday versus the Capitals, Guillaume Lefrancois of La Presse reports.

Xhekaj is set for a third straight absence due to the injury. The 22-year-old winger's status beyond Wednesday hasn't been determined. The Canadiens' next game is Saturday at home versus the Sabres.

Brindley was promoted from AHL Colorado on Wednesday.

The addition of Brindley to the NHL roster doesn't bode well for Zachary L'Heureux (upper body) playing Wednesday, especially since the Avalanche would also have the option of dressing seven defensemen. The 22-year-old Brindley produced 13 points over 56 regular-season contests with the Avalanche in 2025-26.

Makar (personal) is expected to be in the lineup versus the Stars on Wednesday.

Makar missed Tuesday's game in Dallas while awaiting the birth of his newborn twin sons. The 27-year-old was pictured arriving to Ball Arena by a team photographer Wednesday, which strongly suggests he'll be available and in the lineup for the rematch against the Stars. He should be back in his usual top-pairing role and on the first power-play unit.

Morton scored twice in AHL Calgary's 6-4 win over San Jose on Wednesday.

Morton has logged four games of NHL experience, but the 27-year-old is likely to spend much of 2026-27 in the AHL. He has three goals across the first five games of the season for the Wranglers. Last year, he produced 38 points across 68 regular-season outings.

Dubois (illness) will miss Wednesday's game against Montreal, per Sammi Silber of The Hockey News.

Dubois also missed Washington's past two games. He has a goal and four points in four outings this campaign. Ilya Protas has been serving on the top line while Dubois has been on the shelf.

James was called up from AHL Syracuse on Wednesday.

James has no points and two PIM in two outings with Syracuse in 2026-27. The 24-year-old logged 43 regular-season outings with Tampa Bay in 2025-26, recording seven goals, 15 points, eight PIM and 58 hits. If James draws into the lineup Thursday versus Seattle, then he's most likely to occupy a bottom-six role. However, Tampa Bay has 13 healthy forwards, including James, and the Lightning sometimes dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen, so there's no guarantee that James will be in the lineup.

Edstrom scored a shorthanded goal, added four hits and blocked two shots in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Golden Knights.

Edstrom has three goals over the last three games, accounting for all of his offense this season. It's likely to be a short-term boost in scoring, as he remains firmly in a bottom-six role without a power-play spot. He's added 11 shots on net, 28 hits and seven blocked shots over six appearances this season. At 26 years old, Edstrom could still have a small breakout campaign, but don't expect a ton of fantasy value.