NHL Player News

Cooley is a late scratch for Saturday's clash in Calgary because of a lower-body injury.

Cooley will undergo further evaluation when the team returns to Utah after Saturday's action. The Mammoth host the Kings on Monday, and an update on the 21-year-old center should arrive before that contest. He has 14 goals and 23 points in 29 outings in 2025-26. Barrett Hayton will draw back in against the Flames on Saturday after being a healthy scratch for the last two games due to Cooley's absence.

Brindley (lower body) was moved to injured reserve Saturday, per the NHL media site.

Brindley has missed the last eight games, including Saturday's 3-2 overtime win over the Rangers. He is with the Avalanche for the team's road trip, which has two contests remaining, but it's unclear when he will be ready to return to the lineup. Brindley has provided four goals, seven points, 22 shots on net and 19 hits in 18 outings this season.

Nielsen was loaned to AHL Colorado on Saturday.

Nielsen was a healthy scratch in two straight games at the NHL level, including Saturday's 3-2 overtime win over the Rangers. He has 10 goals and 15 points in 18 minor-league appearances this season.

Kotkaniemi (ankle) was activated from injured reserve Saturday, per the NHL media site.

After missing the last nine games, Kotkaniemi should be available to return to action against Nashville on Saturday. He has registered two goals, five points, 17 shots on net, 11 blocked shots and 26 hits across 15 appearances this season.

Luostarinen (lower body) will return to the lineup versus Columbus on Saturday, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports.

Luostarinen missed eight games after a freak BBQ accident last month. Luostarinen had three goals and 10 points in 18 games before his injury. Luostarinen is slated to play alongside Anton Lundell and Sam Reinhart on the top line Saturday.

Barron notched an assist, two shots on goal, three hits, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in Friday's 4-1 win over the Sabres.

Barron set up Cole Koepke's tally late in the second period. Barron has returned to being a fourth-line regular since returning from an undisclosed injury in mid-November, but this was his first point in nine games since he came off injured reserve. The 27-year-old is at seven points, 27 shots on net, 41 hits, 11 blocked shots and 10 PIM through 21 appearances this season.

Seguin (knee) was placed on long-term injured reserve Saturday, retroactive to Dec. 2.

Seguin suffered an ACL injury that could keep him out of action for 6-9 months if he sustained a tear. However, an exact timeline for his return remains unclear. Seguin could land on season-ending long-term injured if he won't be back for the playoffs, but that hasn't happened yet. He has seven goals and 17 points in 27 outings this season.

Eichel logged two assists, including one on the power play, and added three shots on goal in Friday's 3-0 win over the Devils.

Eichel has three helpers over his last four games, two of which have come on the power play. The 29-year-old center is up to 34 points (14 on the power play) through 27 outings this season. He's added 108 shots on net, 19 blocked shots, 13 hits and a plus-5 rating. Eichel can probably score at a higher rate -- his 10.2 shooting percentage is his lowest in any year as a Golden Knight, and he's on pace for a career-high total in shots.

Pageau (back) could return to the lineup Sunday in Florida, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.

Pageau has missed the last six games and will sit out Saturday in Tampa Bay. The 33-year-old had six goals and 12 points, including a pair of shorthanded goals, across 22 appearances before his injury.

Thomas (undisclosed) will be in the lineup in Ottawa on Saturday. per Matthew DeFranks of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Thomas played limited minutes Thursday in a 5-2 loss in Boston. Thomas was averaging 18:55 of ice time heading into Thursday's tilt, but he managed to play only 14:28. He will play between Jake Neighbours and Pavel Buchnevich on the top line as well as see first-line power-play time. Thomas has four goals and 13 assists in 24 games this season.