NHL Player News

Necas scored a goal on four shots in Friday's 3-2 win over the Jets.

Necas had gone six games without a goal before tallying in the first period. He was limited to 16:57 of ice time after leaving the game briefly in the second period before returning for the third. The winger has just two goals over his last 15 outings, but he's been an elite playmaker with 19 helpers in that span. For the season, the 26-year-old has 15 goals, 46 points, 74 shots on net, 32 hits, 22 PIM and a plus-33 rating over 34 appearances.

Gorzynski scored three goals and added two assists in WHL Prince Albert's 8-3 win over Kelowna on Friday.

Gorzynski was traded from WHL Calgary to Prince Albert on Monday, and he's already made a huge impact with six points over two games with his new team. The Raiders are competing for the top of the WHL's Eastern Conference, and adding Gorzynski, who has 35 points in 29 games, should be a big deal to help them keep pace. The Stars prospect should benefit greatly from being involved in a competitive playoff race, which will test his all-around skills.

Danault (illness) was acquired by the Canadiens from the Kings on Friday in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick (originally belonging to Columbus).

Danault's slow start to the season with the Kings turned him into a trade candidate, and he'll be back with the Canadiens for a second stint. Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports Danault won't be able to suit up Saturday versus the Penguins, but he could be available for Sunday's rematch in Pittsburgh to close the home-and-home set. Through 30 games this season, he's earned just five assists with 42 shots on net and 22 hits. Danault has never been a strong goal-scorer, so fantasy managers should expect him to get just a slight bump in offense, likely in a middle-six role.

Jarvis sustained an apparent upper-body injury in Friday's game versus the Panthers that head coach Rod Brind'Amour deemed "not good," and Jarvis is expected to miss some time, Chip Alexander of The Raleigh News & Observer reports.

Jarvis crashed into the post during overtime and appeared to be favoring his arm as he left the game. He had two assists in the contest and is now at 29 points through 34 appearances. This is a big loss for the Hurricanes, who don't have an extra forward on the roster. Fantasy managers will need to pivot to other options during Jarvis' absence.

Horvat (lower body) won't be in the lineup for Saturday's game versus the Sabres, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.

Horvat will miss his fourth straight game by not going on the brief road trip. The 30-year-old's status hasn't been determined for Tuesday's game versus the Devils, but it wouldn't be surprising if the Islanders let him rest through the holiday break to avoid rushing back.

Kerfoot (abdomen) was activated from injured reserve Friday.

Kerfoot is clear to be in the lineup versus the Devils on Friday. He'll likely take on a bottom-six role moving forward, though he may not be in the lineup every game.

Barzal (undisclosed) is expected to be in the lineup Friday versus the Canucks, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.

Barzal was labeled a game-time decision for the second contest in a row, but it looks like he'll be good to go again. The 28-year-old is clearly managing some sort of issue, but it hasn't been bad enough to keep him out of games yet.

Barkey was recalled from AHL Lehigh Valley on Friday.

Barkey hasn't yet made his NHL debut, but he's recorded seven goals, nine assists, 20 PIM and a minus-2 rating over 26 appearances to begin his first season in the AHL. He'll join the Flyers ahead of the holiday break to provide additional depth after defenseman Egor Zamula was sent down Friday.

Jones was reassigned to AHL Iowa on Friday.

Jones successfully cleared waivers, but unlike others who end up on the wire, it wasn't immediately clear if he'd be demoted after going unclaimed. He did play in Thursday's 5-2 victory over Columbus, recording two shots over 7:02 of ice time. His demotion also brings the Wild down to 11 healthy forwards on their active roster -- 10 if Marcus Johansson (lower body) can't play Saturday versus Edmonton. However, Minnesota has time to promote forwards before its upcoming game against the Oilers.

Eichel (illness) is day-to-day with a lower-body injury and won't join the Knights for their two-game road trip, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports Friday.

At this point, Eichel could just be held out through the Christmas break in order to give him some extra time to get back to 100 percent, though he hasn't been officially ruled out for Tuesday's home clash with the Sharks. While the 29-year-old center has scored just once in his last five games, he has racked up eight helpers over that stretch, including three with the man advantage. Tomas Hertl figures to hold down the first-line center role while Eichel is unavailable.