NHL Player News

Vrana scored an unassisted goal on two shots in Thursday's 6-3 win over Montreal.

If they were giving out assists to opponents, Montreal's Christian Dvorak would get one. He slid a backhanded pass from behind his own net right to Vrana, who beat Cayden Primeau on low shot to his far side. It was Vrana's second goal of the season and first in six appearances.

Tavares picked up two assists Thursday in a 4-1 victory over the Kraken.

Both assists came on William Nylander goals. Tavares has gotten hot fast after coach Craig Berube reunited him with Nylander on the second line. He has five points (three goals, two assists) in his last two games while skating with Nylander, and the assists stretched his point streak to six games (three goals, six assists). Tavares' deployment on line two makes him a strong fantasy option, as long as the Leafs don't trade for a second-line center.

Brisson was reassigned to AHL Henderson on Thursday.

Brisson has no points, seven shots and seven hits across seven appearances with Vegas in 2024-25. Although he's heading to the minors for now, it wouldn't be surprising to see him back with the Golden Knights later in the campaign.

Stienburg (suspension) was reassigned to AHL Colorado on Thursday.

Stienburg's suspension will only count when he's on the NHL roster, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the Avalanche call him up before Saturday's game versus the Predators. Stienburg is eligible to play in the AHL should he remain at that level. In any case, he won't play an NHL game prior to Nov. 7.

Jankowski is a late scratch from Thursday's game against Edmonton due to an upper-body injury. The Predators consider him day-to-day.

Jankowski has an assist, 10 shots, four hits and two blocks in nine outings this season. His absence might result in Juuso Parssinen dressing Thursday for the first time since Oct. 15.

Stienburg has received a two-game suspension for charging Tampa Bay's Erik Cernak during Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Lightning.

Stienburg will be eligible to return for Thursday's tilt against Winnipeg. The 24-year-old has no points, 22 PIM and 16 shots in eight outings in 2024-25. To say the Avalanche have more than a normal amount of unavailable forwards would be a huge understatement. The Avalanche currently have nine available forwards on their active roster, not including Oliver Kylington, who is a defenseman but served as a forward Wednesday. Colorado will likely recall T.J. Tynan before Saturday's match versus Nashville, but the Avalanche might need to promote more than just him unless Jonathan Drouin (upper body), who is day-to-day, is ready to return.

Lizotte (concussion) was removed from injured reserve Thursday, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.

Lizotte was considered a game-time decision for Thursday's game against Anaheim, but this seems to suggest that he's ready to play. The 26-year-old is projected to serve on the third line alongside Kevin Hayes and Anthony Beauvillier. He hasn't played yet in 2024-25, but Lizotte recorded seven goals and 15 points across 62 regular-season outings with the Kings in 2023-24.

Girgensons has no points through his first 10 appearances this season.

Girgensons has played in all of the Lightning's games, but he has little to show for it. He's picked up 12 shots on net, 11 hits, two blocked shots and five PIM. The 30-year-old forward hasn't even reached the 20-point mark since his 30-point 2014-15 campaign, so even with a steady spot in the lineup, he's not an option for most fantasy managers. He had a career-low 14 points in just 63 outings in 2023-24.

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

Just two games after his first NHL goal, Geekie deposited the first game-winner of his career. The 20-year-old has gotten off to a modest start with three points, 10 shots on net, 11 hits, six blocked shouts, four PIM and a plus-1 rating over his first 10 NHL contests. The Lightning's forward depth has been lackluster, so Geekie should continue to feature in a middle-six role at even strength while also being a factor on the second power-play unit, though he could grow into a larger role as the season progresses.

Larkin scored a power-play goal on two shots, added two PIM and went minus-3 in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Jets.

Larkin has three goals over his last six games, all of which have come on the power play. The 28-year-old center has had a sluggish start to the campaign with five tallies, one assist, 26 shots on net, six hits, 10 PIM and a minus-2 rating over 10 appearances. He's shooting 19.2 percent, but Larkin can provide just about as well as he finishes, so look for him to make gains in assists as the season progresses.