NHL Player News

Kylington (upper body) isn't available for Saturday's game against Edmonton, per Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.

Kylington also missed Friday's 5-3 loss to Dallas. He doesn't always draw into the lineup, but he probably would have played Saturday if available because Josh Manson (upper body) is also on the shelf. John Ludvig is set to draw into the lineup for the first time since Nov. 9 because of the Avalanche's injuries on the blue line.

Whitecloud (upper body) will miss Saturday's tilt against Utah, according to Jesse Granger of The Athletic.

Whitecloud will miss his fourth straight game. He has a goal and one assist through 21 outings in 2024-25. His next chance to play will come Tuesday versus Edmonton.

Manson (upper body) will miss Saturday's game against Edmonton, per Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.

Manson has a goal, six points, 51 hits and 34 blocks in 24 outings with the Avalanche in 2024-25. John Ludvig will draw into the lineup due to Manson's injury.

McCabe won't return to Saturday's tilt against Tampa Bay after sustaining an upper-body injury.

Toronto got Matthew Knies (upper body) and Auston Matthews (upper body) back Saturday. However, Bobby McMann suffered a lower-body injury Wednesday, and now McCabe is hurt, so Toronto's health problems aren't easing up. Going into Saturday's game, McCabe had five assists, 21 PIM, 19 shots, 50 hits and 46 blocks in 22 outings while averaging 21:47 of ice time. If McCabe isn't available for Monday's matchup against Chicago, Jani Hakanpaa could be in the lineup.

Ekblad scored a goal Saturday in a 6-0 win over Carolina.

It was Ekblad's first regular-season goal since scoring against the Ottawa Senators on Feb. 20, 2024. He is currently on a three-game, four-point scoring streak (nine shots), and he has 13 points in 25 games this season. Ekblad may never replicate his 57 points in 61 games in 2021-22, but he's a solid fantasy play as a possible 40-plus point defender with a strong plus-minus, some production on the power play and the willingness to wire the puck from the point.

Pickering (illness) will play Saturday versus the Flames.

Pickering missed two games but will make his return on the third pairing. Jack St. Ivany will cycle out of the lineup as a healthy scratch.

Matheson scored a goal on four shots, blocked three attempts and had two PIM in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Rangers.

Matheson put the Canadiens on the board in the first period with a shot from the high slot that eluded a screened Jonathan Quick. It was the second goal of the season for Matheson, who returned to the lineup Saturday after missing two games due to a lower-body injury.

Columbus obtained Hunt, a top-five protected 2025 first-round pick, a 2026 third-round selection, a 2026 fourth-round choice and a second rounder in 2027 from Minnesota on Saturday in exchange for David Jiricek and a 2025 fifth-round pick.

Hunt has four assists in nine AHL outings this season. He also has one helper in 13 career NHL appearances. The 22-year-old defender will provide some defensive depth and could see game action with the Blue Jackets in 2024-25, but he will report to AHL Cleveland following the trade.

Jiricek and a 2025 fifth-round draft pick were acquired by Minnesota from Columbus on Saturday in exchange for Daemon Hunt, a top-five protected 2025 first-round pick, a 2026 third-round selection, a 2026 fourth-round choice and a 2027 second rounder.

Jiricek has had trouble staying in the Columbus lineup after being selected with the No. 6 pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He has one goal, 11 points, 56 blocked shots and 38 hits through 53 NHL appearances. Jiricek has two goals and three points in four AHL outings this season. A fresh start with Minnesota could be beneficial, but the 21-year-old defender will report to AHL Iowa following the trade.

Pickering (illness) will be a game-time decision versus Calgary on Saturday, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.

Pickering has sat out the last two games. He has one assist, two shots on goal, two blocked shots and one hit in four appearances this season. If Pickering returns to the lineup against the Flames, Ryan Shea or Jack St. Ivany could be a healthy scratch.