NHL Player News

Bortuzzo (lower body) will not return to Tuesday's game versus the Wild.

Utah can ill afford another injury on the blue line. Bortuzzo has played steadily this season due to a number of other injuries, and if he misses additional time, Vladislav Kolyachonok would likely be called on to fill in. Utah's next game is in Colorado on Thursday.

Middleton was reassigned to AHL Colorado on Tuesday.

Middleton played for the third game in a row over John Ludvig in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Penguins. It's unclear if Middleton's demotion indicates a pending return for Oliver Kylington (upper body) or Josh Manson (upper body). The Avalanche's next game is Thursday at home versus Utah.

Josi (lower body) won't return to Tuesday's game versus the Flames.

Josi didn't play in the second period and was ruled out during the second intermission. Injuries are starting to pile up for the Predators' defense, and a potential absence for Josi would be catastrophic for the team's structure. The Predators' next game is Thursday in Dallas.

Cernak is out of the lineup Tuesday versus the Oilers due to a lower-body injury, Gabby Shirley of FanDuel Sports Network Florida & Sun reports.

Cernak's injury was previously undisclosed. He is considered day-to-day at this time. His absence will result in the Lightning dressing 12 forwards and six defensemen, as opposed to a combination of 11 forwards and seven blueliners, with Darren Raddysh taking on a top-four role in Cernak's stead.

Mukhamadullin was recalled from AHL San Jose on Tuesday, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Jack Thompson moved to the minors in a corresponding move. The defense swap was a late surprise on the roster report before Tuesday's game versus Carolina. Mukhamadullin will be a healthy scratch in the contest. He has six assists in 14 AHL appearances this season.

Thompson is no longer listed on the Sharks' NHL roster, indicating he has been reassigned to AHL San Jose, per the NHL media site.

Thompson has played just once in the last seven games, so it's possible the organization wants him to get some playing time. Shakir Mukhamadullin was recalled in a corresponding move.

Mayfield (illness) won't play Tuesday versus the Kings, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.

Mayfield was considered a game-time decision but did not take the ice for warmups. Grant Hutton and Dennis Cholowski will be on the third pairing Tuesday. Mayfield's next chance to play is Thursday at home versus the Blackhawks.

Smith was reassigned to AHL Chicago on Tuesday, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

Smith's demotion is a little curious, as it will leave the Canes without an emergency depth option on the blue line ahead of Tuesday's matchup with San Jose. The 24-year-old defenseman has yet to make an appearance for Carolina, with his last NHL game coming back in 2022-23 when he was with Pittsburgh. This likely won't be the last time Smith is moved between the NHL and AHL this year.

Regula (knee) was activated from the injured non-roster list Tuesday and subsequently placed on waivers, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Regula has not suited up for an NHL game since the 2022-23 season with the Blackhawks. The right-shot blueliner will report to AHL Providence if he passes through waivers.

Cernak (undisclosed) won't play Tuesday against Edmonton, per Gabby Shirley of FanDuel Sports Network Florida & Sun.

Cernak will miss at least one game after being injured in Sunday's 4-2 win over Vancouver. The Lightning brought up Steve Santini from AHL Syracuse on Tuesday for additional defense depth. Cernak has compiled seven assists, 17 shots on goal, 33 blocked shots and 48 hits across 25 appearances this season.