NHL Player News

Karlsson (lower body) isn't expected to participate in the 2026 postseason unless Vegas manages a long playoff run, general manager Kelly McCrimmon said Friday, per Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Karlsson hasn't been explicitly ruled out for the first round, but based on that outlook, it sounds like he shouldn't be expected to play in the opening series. Vegas is set to begin its playoff run against Utah with Game 1 scheduled for Sunday. Karlsson had four goals and seven points in 14 regular-season outings in 2025-26.

McCann underwent a procedure Thursday for his lower-body injury, per Mike Benton of the Kraken Audio Network.

McCann missed the final three games of the regular season due to the injury, and he completed 2025-26 with 20 goals and 40 points in 52 outings. The 29-year-old expects to be available for the start of the 2026-27 campaign.

Hyman logged an assist and three hits in Thursday's 6-1 win over the Canucks.

Hyman missed the previous five games, but he was able to return from an undisclosed injury prior to the playoffs. The winger saw 18:11 of ice time, so he looks good to go in his usual top-six role. He was productive in limited time this regular season with 31 goals, 52 points, 159 shots on net and 56 hits over 58 outings.

Samanski scored a goal on one shot, blocked two shots and went plus-2 in Thursday's 6-1 win over the Canucks.

Samanski took a shot that pinballed in off a Canucks defenseman for the opening goal just 1:58 into the game. The 24-year-old forward has gotten lucky bounces for both of his NHL goals so far. He added two assists, nine shots on net, 27 hits, 14 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating over 24 appearances in the regular season. If Leon Draisaitl (lower body) or Jason Dickinson (leg) remain out for the start of the playoffs, Samanski should keep his place in the lineup.

Pospisil will join Slovakia for the 2026 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports Friday.

Pospisil had one goal and two assists over 22 appearances with the Flames in 2025-26 after playing 81 games in 2024-25. He missed the first 49 games of the season with an undisclosed injury and never got untracked all year. Pospisil will look to fill out a bottom-six role next season, as he still has two years remaining on the three-year deal he signed in July of 2025.

Mueller scored a goal and blocked two shots in Thursday's 6-1 loss to the Oilers.

Mueller's goal was his first point in six games since his April 1 call-up. The 23-year-old added two shots on net, five hits, four blocked shots and two PIM while seeing bottom-six minutes. It was a decent audition for Mueller, who also produced 35 points in 59 AHL outings prior to his call-up. He could compete for a bottom-six job in training camp in the fall.

Finley had just two assists over 22 games to close out the 2025-26 regular season.

Finley was claimed off waivers by the Blues after posting three points in 22 contests for the Lightning. The 23-year-old saw bottom-six minutes for both teams, so he didn't exactly get a chance to showcase a wider range of skills. He produced 26 shots on net, 75 hits and 38 PIM on the year. Finley still has two years on his contract, so he'll be in competition for a depth role with the Blues to begin 2026-27.

Dvorak (undisclosed) returned to practice Friday, Jackie Spiegel of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Dvorak sat out the final game of the regular season Tuesday. The 30-year-old had his best season in his 10-year NHL career, picking up 51 points in 80 contests in 2025-26. He is slated to center the second line between Travis Konecny and Porter Martone when the Flyers take on the Penguins in Game 1 on Saturday.

Guentzel (rest) was at practice Friday and will be in the lineup for Game 1 versus Montreal on Sunday, per Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com.

Guentzel had a terrific 2025-26 regular season, potting 38 goals and adding 50 assists, including 30 points with the man advantage, across 81 games. He is expected to play alongside Brandon Hagel and Anthony Cirelli on the Lightning's second line, as well as seeing power-play time on the No. 1 unit.

Cirelli (rest) returned to practice Friday, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.

Cirelli sat out Wednesday's regular-season finale against the Rangers for rest purposes, but his return to practice a few days later signals that he should be ready for Game 1 against Montreal on Sunday. Cirelli made 71 regular-season appearances and recorded 23 goals, 29 assists, 50 hits, 48 PIM and 47 blocked shots while averaging 17:19 of ice time.