NHL Player News

Luchanko has been moved from OHL Guelph to AHL Lehigh Valley.

Luchanko had 21 goals and 56 points in 46 outings with Guelph this campaign. He also started 2024-25 with Philadelphia, recording two PIM, three shots and six hits across four appearances while averaging 14:03 of ice time. The 18-year-old was taken with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Turcotte (upper body) didn't travel to Colorado, so he won't be an option Thursday versus the Avalanche, per Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site.

Turcotte is set to miss his second straight game. He has eight goals and 23 points in 64 appearances in 2024-25. Turcotte is regarded as day-to-day, so he might still be an option for Saturday's home clash against Toronto.

Stephenson (upper body) practiced in a normal jersey, but he won't make his return Thursday against Edmonton, Kate Shefte of The Seattle Times reports.

Stephenson is probably close now that he's eligible for contact, so perhaps he'll play Saturday versus Dallas. He has 11 goals and 48 points in 69 appearances in 2024-25. When Stephenson is ready to return, Shane Wright might slip out of the top six.

Nazar scored a goal on four shots and blocked two shots in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Devils.

Nazar snapped a five-game point drought with the tally. The 21-year-old saw a season-high 21:10 of ice time while centering the first line in Wednesday's contest. He's up to seven goals, 17 points, 66 shots on net and a minus-12 rating over 43 appearances. Nazar has talent, but even with a big role with the Blackhawks, he is still risky in redraft formats for the rest of the campaign.

Backlund (upper body) will be in the lineup against Dallas on Thursday, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports.

Backlund will return to a middle-six role and could see power-play time after missing the last six games. He has contributed 11 goals, 24 points, 146 shots on net, 39 blocked shots and 34 hits through 64 appearances this season. Backlund's return will probably result in Yegor Sharangovich being a healthy scratch.

Ryan was loaned to AHL Bakersfield on Thursday.

The Oilers recalled goaltender Olivier Rodrigue from the minors on an emergency basis in a corresponding move because of the absence of Stuart Skinner (head). Ryan has one goal, four assists, 18 shots on net, 21 blocked shots and 25 hits in 35 NHL outings this season. His demotion probably means that Edmonton intends to dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen against Seattle on Thursday.

Raty scored a goal on three shots, added two hits and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Islanders.

The one-time Islanders prospect was able to score against the team that drafted him. Raty is filling in as the fourth-line center while both of Elias Pettersson (undisclosed) and Filip Chytil (concussion) are out. Raty is up to three goals, two assists, 18 shots on net, 57 hits and a minus-1 rating over 23 NHL appearances this season, so he's unlikely to make a significant impact for fantasy.

Blueger scored a goal on two shots in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Islanders.

Blueger snapped a nine-game goal drought with his insurance tally in the third period. In that stretch, he had three assists, 11 shots on net and 17 hits. The 30-year-old center is filling in on the second line in the absences of Elias Pettersson (undisclosed) and Filip Chytil (concussion). Blueger has most often been a bottom-six center this year, racking up eight goals, 23 points, 82 shots on net, 97 hits, 41 blocked shots and a minus-7 rating over 72 contests.

Eriksson Ek (lower body) skated before Thursday's game-day practice but remains week-to-week, per Jessi Pierce of NHL.com.

Eriksson Ek's return to the lineup is not imminent, but he will probably accompany the Wild on the team's three-game road trip, which begins Monday versus New Jersey. He will miss his 16th consecutive game against Washington on Thursday. Eriksson Ek has compiled nine goals, 24 points, 123 shots on net, 31 blocked shots and 69 hits in 42 appearances this campaign.

Lafferty (groin) is slated to miss Thursday's clash with Pittsburgh, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

According to head coach Lindy Ruff, Lafferty is nearing his return to action but it's unlikely to be Thursday's tilt against the Pens. In 50 games this year, the 30-year-old winger has notched just five points. Given his offensive limitations, Lafferty's expected absence is unlikely to impact the majority of fantasy players.