NHL Player News

Kantserov scored a goal on three shots in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Panthers.

Kantserov has four goals and two assists during his six-game point streak. The 22-year-old forward is up to nine points across 16 contests, ranking sixth in points among NHL rookies through Wednesday's action. He's added 27 shots on net, 15 hits and a minus-8 rating while routinely playing in Chicago's top six.

Jones scored a goal on four shots in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Blackhawks.

Jones has been strong on offense lately with two goals and six assists over his last five games. The 32-year-old defenseman is seeing time on the top power-play unit for Florida, which is where he's earned 11 of his 19 points so far. He's added 41 shots on net, 16 hits, 17 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating over 16 appearances. Jones remains a strong source of all-around production in fantasy, though he doesn't tend to take many penalties.

Sergeev was reassigned to AHL Calgary on Thursday.

Sergeev's demotion would seem to indicate that Devin Cooley (lower body) will be healthy enough to serve as the backup against the Ducks on Friday. In his lone NHL appearance this year, the 23-year-old Sergeev gave up five goals on 33 shots (.848 save percentage) in a loss to Colorado.

Pinto scored a goal on three shots in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Sabres.

Pinto's goal midway through the third period tied the game at 1-1. The center has four goals and an assist over his last five outings. He's played in an elevated second-line role recently, while Dylan Cozens has moved around the lineup and ultimately down to Pinto's previous third-line spot. Through 17 appearances, Pinto has six goals, six assists, 33 shots on net, 31 hits and a minus-1 rating while averaging a career-best 19:56 of ice time.

Spurgeon (lower body) is expected to travel with the team for its upcoming three-game road trip starting Tuesday against Montreal, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

Spurgeon has missed seven of the Wild's last 11 games due to injury, and he'll likely be out of action for at least two more matchups due to his lower-body injury. During his four appearances in late October, the veteran blueliner failed to register a point while producing six shots, five blocks and three hits.

Faber (skull) skated with his teammates for the first time Thursday, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

Faber's return to practice, after having been limited to solo skates previously, doesn't guarantee he will be in the lineup to face San Jose on Friday, but it's certainly a step in the right direction for the blueliner. Whenever the 24-year-old Minnesota native is given the all-clear, he should be back on the Wild's top pairing in addition to linking up with the No. 1 power-play unit.

Blackwood will start Thursday's home game against the Predators, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.

Blackwood has seen plenty of playing time recently, and he'll start for the fourth time in the last five games Thursday. The 29-year-old has picked up wins in each of his last four starts, posting a 2.26 GAA and .915 save percentage during that time. Across his 12 appearances to begin the regular season, he's gone 8-3-0 with a 2.80 GAA and .894 save percentage.

Heiskanen (upper body) will not play in Thursday's road clash against the Blue Jackets, per Mike Heika of the Stars' official site.

Heiskanen is slated to miss his first game of the 2026-27 campaign after suffering an upper-body injury in the second period of Tuesday's matchup against the Capitals. While the Stars will be without their top blueliner Thursday, it's an encouraging sign that the 27-year-old defenseman was originally listed as day-to-day. Heiskanen will likely have a chance to play when the Stars return home to face the Sharks on Saturday. Trey Taylor will likely see an elevated role Thursday in Heiskanen's absence.

Steel has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Blue Jackets due to personal reasons, Mike Heika of the Stars' official site reports.

Steel had missed a pair of games in late October for an undisclosed reason, but he was back in action for the Stars' last three matchups. He'll be sidelined on the road against Columbus on Thursday, and it's not yet clear whether he'll return to action when the Stars return home to face the Sharks on Saturday. Colin Blackwell will enter the lineup in Steel's absence.

DeSmith will start Thursday's road game against Columbus, Mike Heika of the Stars' official site reports.

DeSmith has seen sporadic playing time behind Jake Oettinger early in the regular season. However, DeSmith will be between the pipes for the second time in the Stars' last five games Thursday. Across his three appearances this year, DeSmith has gone 1-2-0 with a 2.95 GAA and .888 save percentage.