NHL Player News

Dickinson logged an assist, two shots on goal and four hits in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Flames.

Dickinson missed the previous six games due to an undisclosed injury. He's already battled a couple of issues early in the campaign, which isn't a positive sign given his physically demanding playing style. He has two helpers, seven hits, three blocked shots, four shots on net and a plus-1 rating over four contests.

Larkin (not injury related) will not play until he is traded away from the Red Wings, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

After 818 regular-season outings across 12 seasons with the Red Wings, it appears that Larkin has suited up for Detroit for the last time. The 30-year-old center is expected to be traded in the near future after he recently made his 12-team trade list public. He initially put in a trade request in June, but ultimately remained with the Red Wings to start the new season, where he's compiled two goals, six points and 32 shots on net across 10 appearances. It remains to be seen which of the 12 teams on his trade list are pursuing the veteran center, but he can provide high-level two-way play up the center of the ice for the team that ultimately lands him. He's a strong player to stash in fantasy until his inevitable trade away from Motor City occurs.

Gaucher was loaned to AHL Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Gaucher appeared in Wednesday's clash in the nation's capital, where he posted four PIM and one hit over 8:55 of ice time. He's totaled four appearances at the NHL level this season due to the injuries of Owen Tippett (upper body) and Travis Konecny (lower body). If one of the team's two veterans are ready to return, then Gaucher will likely spend his time in the AHL for the near future, but he remains the organization's go-to injury call up if the team needs a 13th forward.

Steel (undisclosed) will return to action for Thursday's game against the Canadiens, Stars TV host Brien Rea reports.

Steel had missed the last two games due to his undisclosed injury, but he skated on the second line during Thursday's morning skate and has officially been cleared to return to game action. Across his 10 appearances to begin the regular season, he's recorded a goal, two assists, eight hits, four PIM and three blocked shots while averaging 15:55 of ice time.

Barkov (lower body) resumed skating Wednesday, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports.

While head coach Paul Maurice said Thursday that Barkov is still believed to be approximately four weeks away from returning, the 31-year-old appears to be making encouraging progress in his recovery. Barkov initially received a return timetable of 6-8 weeks after sustaining a lower-body injury in early October, and Thursday's update puts him on track to return around the later end of that estimate.

Malkin (illness) is expected to play in Thursday's home clash against the Mammoth, per Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site.

Head coach Dan Muse stated that the line of Malkin, Egor Chinakhov and Ben Kindel are all expected to make their respective returns to the lineup in Thursday's contest. The 40-year-old Malkin missed just one contest due to an illness, but he's set to pick up where he left off. Across 11 appearances this season, the 21-year NHL veteran has six goals, nine points, a plus-1 rating and 22 shots on net. Malkin can be placed back into fantasy lineups given his extensive resume of success in the NHL.

Kindel is expected to play in Thursday's home clash against the Mammoth following his vasovagal episode on Oct. 20, per Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site.

Following his loss of consciousness on the team's flight on Oct. 20, Kindel is feeling like himself and is trending towards making his return in Thursday's clash. The 19-year-old center will provide a boost for the Penguins' center depth upon his return Thursday, as he's posted two goals, four points and 23 shots on net across nine appearances this season. He's expected to center a line with two other players making their return to the lineup, Egor Chinakhov and Evgeni Malkin, which puts Kindel at the heart of a strong trio, raising his fantasy stock moving forward. In order to play Thursday, however, Kindel will have to be activated from injured reserve prior to the contest.

Larkin (undisclosed) will not play in Thursday's home clash against the Blackhawks, per Max Bultman of The Athletic.

Head coach Todd McLellan stated that interim general manager Shawn Horcroff will address the reason regarding Larkin's absence. It appears that more news is to come regarding the 30-year-old center, as he's been vocal about wanting to be traded. Larkin recently expanded his 10-team trade list to 12, and with many contenders on that list wanting to lock down their center depth ahead of making a postseason run, the 12-year NHL veteran is a clear fit at the position. However, his absence isn't confirmed to be related to a potential trade, so expectations should be tempered for the time being. For now, he will miss Thursday's game against Chicago, and if he's still with the Red Wings on Saturday, he'll have a chance to play against the Blues.

Dubois picked up two assists in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Flyers.

The 28-year-old center collected his first points since coming off IR on Saturday, helping to set up Aliaksei Protas' game-winner in the second period and an Alex Tuch empty-netter in the third. Dubois has been feast or famine when he's been on the ice this season, recording three two-point performances in six games but getting held off the scoresheet completely in the other three. All told, he's delivered one goal, five assists, nine shots on net, eight PIM, seven hits, four blocked shots and a plus-6 rating.

Strome pocketed three assists, one on the power play, in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Flyers.

The veteran center picked up a helper in each period as he produced his second straight three-point performance. Strome is quickly putting a disappointing 2025-26 campaign behind him, and through 11 games in the current campaign he's piled up three goals and 12 points, and he hasn't gotten going on the power play yet -- after recording more than 20 PP points in each of the prior four seasons, Strome has just two assists so far with the man advantage.