NHL Player News

Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period reports that Doughty (ankle) is aiming to return to action in early January as long as there are no setbacks in his recovery.

Doughty was seen leaving the arena without a walking boot after the Kings' 5-2 home win over the Senators on Saturday. It was the first time the right-shot blueliner has been seen without a walking boot since being around the team, Bernstein relays. When healthy, Doughty should retain his spot on the top pair and No. 1 power-play unit. Brandt Clarke hasn't looked out of place filling in for Doughty on the man advantage, though, which could allow the Kings to ease the latter back into his usual workload.

Evans wasn't a full participant in Monday's practice session due to an apparent hand injury, 99.3 KJR reports.

Evans appeared to sustain a right hand injury on a blocked shot during Saturday's loss to San Jose, and even though he played through the issue down the stretch, he's dealing with lingering effects Monday. Head coach Dan Bylsma said Monday that he's concerned about Evans' injury, so the defenseman's status for Tuesday's game in Carolina appears to be up in the air.

Moverare was assigned to AHL Ontario on Monday.

Moverare has spent the last few weeks in the NHL, and he's logged 11 blocked shots and 10 hits while averaging 12:26 of ice time over seven appearances with the Kings. He was also sent down in mid-November in a paper transaction, but it's unclear whether he'll rejoin the NHL club in the coming days.

Petrovic was assigned to AHL Texas on Monday.

Petrovic appeared in the last two games for Dallas, logging four hits and three blocked shots while averaging 10:34 of ice time. However, he'll head back to the minors after Justin Hryckowian was recalled Monday.

Petry (lower body) didn't practice Monday and is questionable for Tuesday's matchup versus Boston, according to Daniella Bruce of the Red Wings' official site.

Petry played through the issue in Sunday's 5-4 overtime loss to Vancouver. He has chipped in three assists, 13 shots on goal, 36 blocked shots and 27 hits across 20 appearances this campaign. If Petry sits out Tuesday's game, Albert Johansson will probably return to the lineup.

Gustafsson notched an assist and two PIM in Sunday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Canucks.

Gustafsson had been scratched for the previous three games, but he took Albert Johansson's spot in the lineup Sunday. Those two blueliners, along with Justin Holl, have regularly rotated in and out of the lineup. Gustafsson is at four assists, 23 shots on net, 13 blocked shots and a minus-5 rating over 17 appearances this season. His helper Sunday was his first even-strength point of the campaign.

Juulsen had five hits and five blocked shots in Sunday's 5-4 overtime win over the Red Wings.

Juulsen still doesn't have a point over 12 outings this season, but he's played a heavy game. The defenseman has 32 hits and 16 blocks to go with 11 shots on net and a minus-7 rating. Juulsen and Vincent Desharnais had been competing for one spot in the lineup, but the week-to-week absence of Filip Hronek (upper body) temporarily creates room for both of them.

Desharnais was in the lineup for the second game in a row in Sunday's 5-4 overtime win over the Red Wings.

Desharnais was out of the lineup for the six prior games. He's got a path to playing time again since Filip Hronek (upper body) is out on a week-to-week basis. Desharnais has produced one assist, nine shots on net, 18 hits, 14 blocked shots, 11 PIM and a minus-4 rating over 13 appearances this season, mainly in a third-pairing role.

Head coach Jared Bednar said Monday that Kylington (upper body) is considered week-to-week, Bailey Curtis of The Hockey News reports.

Bednar said after Saturday's game against Edmonton that Kylington was considered day-to-day, but the defenseman now appears to be in line to miss more time. The Avalanche are on the brink of beginning a week-long road trip that starts Tuesday in Buffalo, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Kylington sidelined for all five of those road matchups.

Grans was loaned to AHL Lehigh Valley on Monday.

Grans has contributed one assist, five shots on goal, five blocked shots and four hits in six NHL outings this season. He was a healthy scratch in Saturday's 3-2 overtime win over the Blues. Grans' return to the minors opens a roster spot for the Flyers to potentially activate Samuel Ersson (lower body) from injured reserve ahead of Thursday's home game against Florida.