NHL Player News

Jost (undisclosed) has returned to Carolina to undergo further evaluation, Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal reports Thursday.

The news rules Jost out against the Panthers on Thursday, though fantasy managers will have to wait for a more concrete timeline. In Jost's stead, Juha Jaaska was recalled from the minors and will make his NHL debut versus Florida. For his part, the 26-year-old Jost has been limited to just 16 appearances for the Hurricanes this year, notching two goals, 16 shots and 20 hits while averaging a career-low 10:28 of ice time.

Back signed a two-year, $1.65 million contract extension with Dallas on Thursday.

Back has a goal and nine assists across 31 games this season, his first in the NHL. The 24-year-old is seeing fourth-line duty this season, averaging 11:17 of ice time per game.

Danault logged an assist, two shots on goal and two PIM in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Devils.

Danault earned a helper in his fifth straight game. The 31-year-old center set up Quinton Byfield for a tally just after the Kings killed a penalty midway through the third period. Danault's recent run of playmaking is a return to his familiar supporting level on offense. He's produced three goals, 17 helpers, 56 shots on net, 34 hits, 33 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating through 36 outings this season in a middle-six role.

Byfield scored a goal on two shots, went plus-2 and added two PIM in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Devils.

Byfield continued his improved stretch of play by doubling the Kings' lead to 2-0 in the third period. He has six goals and three assists over his last eight outings. For the season, the 22-year-old center is at nine goals, 20 points, 69 shots on net, 32 hits, 18 PIM and a plus-7 rating through 37 appearances. After a slow start, Byfield is turning things around, so he should be rostered in most fantasy formats.

Gaunce was called up from AHL Iowa on Wednesday.

The Wild needed an extra forward for their two-game road trip after Kirill Kaprizov (lower body) landed on injured reserve. Gaunce has appeared in four NHL games this season, recording three shots on net, four PIM, five hits and a minus-3 rating. He's not guaranteed to be in the lineup against the Capitals on Thursday.

Necas notched a power-play assist and four shots on goal in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Blue Jackets.

Necas' meteoric pace from early in the season dried up in December -- he closed out the calendar year with just two assists over his last nine games. He's 11 games removed from his last goal despite taking 26 shots in that span, which has seen his shooting percentage plummet from 22.2 to 15.7. Necas is at 14 goals, 31 helpers, 20 power-play points, 89 shots on net, 27 hits and a plus-1 rating over 37 appearances. He's talented enough to work out of the slump, but the window to sell high on the 25-year-old appears to be closed.

Kotkaniemi scored a goal and added two hits in Tuesday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Blue Jackets.

Kotkaniemi put the Hurricanes ahead 3-2 in the second period, but their lone lead of the game didn't last. The 24-year-old was limited to three goals and an assist over 13 outings in December, bouncing between the second and fourth lines. He's mainly played on the second line since Jack Drury (hand) exited the lineup following an injury Dec. 10. Kotkaniemi offers limited upside -- he has 17 points, 57 shots on net, 34 hits, 28 PIM and a plus-4 rating over 37 appearances, putting him at risk of missing the 40-point mark for the second year in a row and the third time in four seasons with Carolina.

Roslovic scored a goal on two shots in Tuesday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Blue Jackets.

Roslovic has four goals and three assists during his five-game point streak. The winger has bounced around the lineup at times, but he's done well when he gets to play alongside Sebastian Aho on the top line. Roslovic is on his way to a career year -- he already has 17 goals to go with eight assists, 75 shots on net and an even plus-minus rating through 37 contests. Just two of his points have come on the power play, so a little more production in that area could help him find another level as well.

Glass produced an assist and two PIM in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Red Wings.

Glass briefly left the game in the second period but was back for the start of the third. The 25-year-old forward earned an assist for the second straight game when he set up the first of Drew O'Connor's two goals in the contest. Glass is likely to remain in the bottom six, so he doesn't carry a ton of fantasy value, but he can be streamed when his offense is clicking. He's at nine points, 37 shots on net, 16 hits, 14 blocked shots and a minus-9 rating over 26 appearances.

Larkin scored an empty-net goal on three shots and added two PIM in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Penguins.

Larkin is on a three-game point streak with a goal and two assists in that span. He had gone 15 contests without a goal prior to Tuesday, but he earned 10 assists while firing 41 shots over that stretch. The 28-year-old center has had a down year, but he's still among the Red Wings' top forwards with 13 goals, 16 assists, 98 shots on net and a minus-8 rating through 37 appearances.