NHL Player News

Sillinger (upper body) will be back in the lineup versus Vegas on Thursday, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Sillinger links back up with the Blue Jackets for the first time since Jan. 20 versus the Islanders, a stretch of three games on the shelf due to his upper-body issue. The 21-year-old center has managed just one goal over his last 14 games despite generating 30 shots over that stretch. However, since Boone Jenner (shoulder) and Sean Monahan (wrist) are both still unavailable, Sillinger figures to stick in a top-six role for the time being.

Domi logged an assist in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Wild.

Domi has gone 18 games without a goal, but he has seven assists in that span. Playmaking has often come easier for the 29-year-old forward in his career, but his split of three goals and 15 helpers through 43 appearances this season is extreme even by his standards. He's added 62 shots on net, 34 PIM and an even plus-minus rating while seeing steady middle-six minutes.

Shore notched an assist in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Maple Leafs.

The helper ended a 12-game point drought for Shore. The 30-year-old has also been scratched three times in that span, and his grip on an NHL roster spot is tenuous at best. He has played in five contests since clearing waivers Jan. 14, and if he is in action for each of the Wild's last five games prior to the 4 Nations Face-Off, he would require waivers again to be reassigned to AHL Iowa at a later date. The 30-year-old is not a factor in fantasy -- he has two helpers, 20 shots on net, 37 hits and 19 blocked shots over 29 appearances this season.

Lauko notched an assist and two shots on goal in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Maple Leafs.

The helper was Lauko's first point in six appearances since he returned from missing a month due to a lower-body injury. The 24-year-old has resumed a fourth-line role, and given the Wild's reliance on the top six, it's unlikely Lauko makes much of an impact on offense moving forward. He's at five points, 24 shots on net, 25 PIM and 57 hits across 30 appearances this season.

Gaudreau logged an assist in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Maple Leafs.

Gaudreau has two goals and two assists over his last five appearances. The 31-year-old center has had a couple of good stretches this season, so he may be worth considering as a short-term addition to fill out a fantasy roster's depth. He's produced 21 points, 68 shots on net, 31 blocked shots, 28 hits and a minus-1 rating over 51 outings in 2024-25.

Eriksson Ek notched a power-play assist and three shots on goal in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Maple Leafs.

Eriksson Ek has a point in three straight contests (two goals, one assist). The 28-year-old center's increase in productivity has come with a move to the top line. He hasn't been able to replicate his numbers from the last two years, but he has nine goals, 14 helpers, 101 shots on net, 60 hits and a plus-8 rating over 37 appearances. Eriksson Ek should continue to offer supporting offense and a physical edge for fantasy.

Khusnutdinov scored a goal on two shots in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Maple Leafs.

Khusnutdinov ended a 15-game dry spell with the opening tally 7:07 into the first period of Wednesday's contest. The 22-year-old continues to play in a fourth-line role, and while he's stuck in the lineup, the lack of offense has made him a non-factor in fantasy. For the season, Khusnutdinov is at five points -- one more than he had in 16 outings in 2023-24 -- while adding 25 shots on net, 36 hits, 29 blocked shots and a minus-5 rating through 48 appearances.

Mercer scored a goal in Wednesday's 5-0 win over the Flyers.

Mercer has three goals over his last four games, but he's earned a modest five points through 13 outings in January. The 23-year-old is still set for a larger role while Nico Hischier (upper body) is out -- Mercer led all Devils forwards with 19:12 of ice time Wednesday. Availability has often been Mercer's best ability in 2024-25, as he's added 13 goals, 11 assists, 92 shots on net and a plus-9 rating through 53 appearances in a middle-six role.

Bennett scored a goal on eight shots, added six hits and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Kings.

Bennett has three goals over his last five appearances. The 28-year-old Bennett also has 25 shots in that span, a massive uptick compared to his average of just over three shots per game this season. Overall, the center is at 16 tallies, 15 helpers, 157 shots on net, 109 hits, 55 PIM and a minus-12 rating through 50 outings.

Barkov scored a power-play goal on five shots in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Kings.

Barkov ended a nearly month-long goal drought -- he had been limited to seven helpers over his previous 13 games. The 29-year-old's tally gave the Panthers a 2-0 lead early in the third period. Barkov is still at a point-per-game pace for the season with 12 goals, 30 helpers, 95 shots on net, 50 hits, 40 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating over 42 appearances in his usual top-line role.