NHL Player News

Nobert scored twice and added an assist in QMJHL Blainville-Boisbriand's 5-1 win over Rouyn-Noranda on Thursday.

Nobert had been limited to three points over five games since his five-point burst Nov. 29. The Golden Knights prospect is up to 15 goals and 39 points over 29 appearances this season. Nobert ranks tied for 10th in the QMJHL in points and should continue to pile up points as he looks to surpass his total of 67 from 57 regular-season contests last year.

Cirelli (undisclosed) was hurt in the third period of Thursday's game versus the Kings, and head coach Jon Cooper didn't have an update on the center's status after the contest, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports.

Cirelli was hurt on a hit by Kevin Fiala. The Lightning were already playing one short since Nikita Kucherov (illness) couldn't suit up, making the team eligible to dip into emergency recalls prior to Friday's roster freeze for the holiday break. Cirelli's status should be updated prior to Saturday's game versus the Hurricanes. He had an assist Thursday and is up to 19 points in 30 appearances.

Kozak sustained an upper-body injury and won't return to Thursday's game against Philadelphia.

Kozak logged just 4:46 of ice time before exiting the game. Josh Dunne will likely draw into the lineup Saturday versus the Islanders if Kozak isn't available.

Lapierre is a late scratch Thursday versus Toronto due to an illness, according to Sammi Silber of The Hockey News.

Lapierre has five assists, eight PIM, 24 shots and 22 hits in 32 appearances in 2025-26. Bogdan Trineyev is set to draw into the lineup as a member of the fourth line because of Lapierre's absence.

Danault (illness) won't play Thursday versus the Lightning, Jared Shafran of LAKingsInsider.com reports.

Danault will miss his fourth straight game while dealing with the flu. The Kings next play Monday at home versus the Blue Jackets, which may give him enough time to recover and get back in the lineup. Alex Turcotte remains on the third line and Samuel Helenius stays in the lineup with Danault out Thursday.

Rooney was assigned to AHL Tucson on Thursday.

Rooney spent the past week with the Mammoth, but he didn't appear in any games during his time in the NHL. Over 11 appearances with Tucson this year, he's recorded six goals, an assist, four PIM and a plus-2 rating.

Jones was put on waivers by Minnesota on Thursday, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Jones has no points, 15 shots and 47 hits in 19 appearances with the Wild this season. Normally, players put on waivers are reassigned to the minors if they go unclaimed, but that won't immediately happen in this case. Jones is still expected to remain with the team and play Thursday in Columbus, per Michael Russo of The Athletic. However, Jones clearing waivers gives the Wild the flexibility to send him to the minors later should they need to free a roster spot. Minnesota currently has Jonas Brodin (lower body), Vinnie Hinostroza (lower body), Daemon Hunt (undisclosed), Jake Middleton (upper body) and Mats Zuccarello (upper body) all on injured reserve.

Finnie scored a power-play goal on three shots and went minus-2 in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Mammoth.

Finnie has two goals on six shots over his last three games. He's been seeing time on the top line at even strength and on the second power-play unit, which has been a decent source of offense for him lately. Five of his last eight points have come with the man advantage. Finnie is up to eight goals, 16 points (six on the power play), 64 shots on net, 60 hits, 23 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating over 35 appearances.

McBain scored a goal on two shots and added four hits in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Red Wings.

McBain's tally at 14:17 of the second period stood as the game-winner. The center has scored twice in his last five contests, doubling his goal total for the year to four in 36 outings. He's added six helpers, 46 shots on net, 32 PIM, 29 blocked shots and 115 hits. McBain will likely continue to see third-line minutes.

Stenlund scored a goal in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Red Wings.

Stenlund provided the Mammoth's last goal while getting a late-game shift with Clayton Keller, who set him up. That's been a wrinkle in Utah's plan lately -- Stenlund remains listed on the fourth line, but he's seen at least 15 minutes of ice time in five of his last 11 games, most often in close games or when the Mammoth are leading. The veteran defensive center has three goals, 10 points, 35 shots on net, 25 blocked shots, 22 hits, 16 PIM and a minus-4 rating over 36 appearances. He's well behind the pace that saw him earn 14 goals and 28 points in all 82 contests last year, but he still plays an important on-ice role.