NHL Player News

Rutta was held off the scoresheet for the 18th game in a row in Saturday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Penguins.

Rutta had a helper in the season opener and hasn't picked up a point since. He's added 17 shots on net, 16 PIM, 21 hits, 34 blocked shots and a minus-5 rating through 19 appearances this season. As a veteran on a fairly young blue line, Rutta's playing time appears to be secure, but he's seeing bottom-four minutes with no power-play time. That kind of role on a bottom-dwelling team like the Sharks makes the 34-year-old a no-go for the vast majority of fantasy formats.

Walman posted an assist, two shots on goal and two blocked shots in Saturday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Penguins.

While he was listed on the third pairing, Walman saw a team-high 24:55 of ice time in his return from a five-game absence due to an upper-body injury. The defenseman has been one of the bright spots for the Sharks this season, though that light may be dimmed if he remains on the second power-play unit. He has 10 points, 37 shots on net, 24 blocked shots, 16 hits, 12 PIM and a plus-3 rating through 14 appearances.

Pickering logged an assist in Saturday's 4-3 shootout win over the Sharks.

While it was a fairly tame first assignment, Pickering was able to handle third-pairing duties in the absence of Kris Letang (illness). It didn't take long for Pickering to earn his first point, as he helped out on a Jesse Puljujarvi tally in the first period. Pickering won't solve all of the Penguins' defensive problems, but he has a chance to make a push to stick around after failing to make the team out of camp. The 20-year-old blueliner is unlikely to be a future fantasy stud, but he's a heady player who should be a benefit in his own zone now and in future seasons for Pittsburgh.

Ekblad recorded an assist, three shots on goal, two hits, seven PIM and a plus-2 rating in Saturday's 5-0 win over the Jets.

Ekblad had endured a five-game drought after his three-assist game versus the Stars on Nov. 1. The 28-year-old defenseman has had limited offense so far with seven assists over 18 contests, and he's gotten on the scoresheet in just four games. He's added 24 shots on net, 21 PIM, 23 blocked shots, 30 hits and a plus-6 rating. Ekblad continues to fill a top-four role for the Panthers, so his offense should get more consistent over time.

Forsling logged two assists, three shots on goal, two hits and a plus-4 rating in Saturday's 5-0 win over the Jets.

Forsling set up Mackie Samoskevich on the opening goal and also had a shorthanded helper on Aleksander Barkov's goal in the second period. This was Forsling's first multi-point effort of the season, and it snapped his five-game skid. The defenseman has three goals, seven helpers, 34 shots on net, 14 hits, 14 blocked shots and a plus-14 rating over 18 outings this season. Forsling is a huge part of the Panthers' success, but the one knock on him for fantasy is a lack of power-play time.

Raddysh scored a goal on two shots and went plus-2 in Saturday's 4-0 win over the Devils.

The Lightning have opted to dress seven defensemen over the last two games, which has helped Raddysh get in the lineup after being scratched for seven of the previous nine contests. He has a point in each of his last two outings, including a third-period goal Saturday. Raddysh is at three points, nine shots on net, six blocked shots and an even plus-minus rating over nine appearances. He often plays on the second power-play unit when in the lineup, but Raddysh may lose his spot once Brayden Point (lower body) returns.

Xhekaj recorded an assist, two blocked shots, five PIM and a plus-2 rating in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Blue Jackets.

Xhekaj was busy in the second period, fighting Mathieu Olivier before helping out on Nick Suzuki's tally shortly after Xhekaj's major penalty expired. The helper was Xhekaj's first point of the campaign. He's added 30 hits, 19 PIM, 12 blocked shots, 13 shots on goal and a minus-3 rating over 15 appearances. The 23-year-old defenseman could have some stability in the lineup if David Savard (upper body) is out beyond missing Saturday's contest.

Oleksiak scored a goal on two shots in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Islanders.

Oleksiak snapped a seven-game skid at a great time, tallying at 16:47 of the third period to complete the Kraken's comeback. The 31-year-old defenseman doesn't add a lot on offense -- he's gotten on the scoresheet in just three of 18 games so far, though two of those instances were multi-point efforts. Oleksiak has two goals, three assists, 24 shots on net, 18 hits, 37 blocked shots and a plus-1 rating while filling a top-four role.

Peeke (upper body) is doubtful for Monday's game against Columbus, per Andrew Fantucchio of Boston Hockey Now.

Peeke participated in Sunday's practice and appears to be nearing a return to action following a five-game absence. He has accounted for two assists, seven shots on net, 21 blocked shots and 18 hits across 13 appearances this season. Once he is healthy, Peeke could replace Parker Wotherspoon in the lineup.

Sanheim recorded a goal, an assist, four blocked shots and a plus-3 rating in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Sabres.

Sanheim found the back of the net for the fifth time this season with a snap shot late in the first period, and he later set up one of Travis Konecny's goals in the second frame. The blueliner has posted back-to-back multi-point efforts, as he chipped in one goal and two helpers in the 5-4 win at Ottawa on Thursday. Sanheim's six points (two goals, four assists) in seven November appearances have him up to 11 points on the season.