NHL Player News

Graves (concussion) wasn't medically cleared before the end of the 2023-24 season.

Graves spent the last 10 games of the year on injured reserve as a result of his concussion. In part due to his limited appearances, the 28-year-old defender failed to reach the 20-point threshold for just the second time in his five-year NHL career. It was a tough season for Graves, who has yet to live up to the six-year, $27 million deal he signed with the Pens in July of 2023.

Ludvig spent the final nine games of the season as a healthy scratch.

Ludvig was limited to a mere 33 games this year, notching three goals on 24 shots, two assists and 72 hits. Despite struggling to get into the lineup at the end of the campaign, Ludvig will likely be included on Pittsburgh's Opening Night roster in 2024-25.

Joseph registered eight points in the Penguins' last 18 games of the season.

Joseph managed just three points through his first 34 appearances this year, which included several stints in the press box as a healthy scratch before finding his game in mid-March while Ryan Graves (concussion) was sidelined. The 24-year-old Joseph's inconsistency could create problems when he and the Pens presumably try to finalize a new contract this offseason.

Zaitsev is questionable for Thursday's tilt against the Kings because of an illness, Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Zaitsev has two goals, seven points, 69 hits and 70 blocks in 38 outings this season. Connor Murphy (undisclosed) has already been ruled out for the contest, so if Zaitsev doesn't play either, then Chicago might dress just five defensemen versus LA.

Murphy (undisclosed) will miss the season finale against LA on Thursday because he tweaked something during Tuesday's 3-1 loss to Vegas, per Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.

It's unclear if Murphy's current issue is related to the groin injury that kept him out of the lineup from Jan. 16-April 10. Either way, he will conclude the campaign with two goals, eight points, 40 PIM, 116 hits and 113 blocks in 46 appearances. Murphy is inked to a four-year, $17.6 million contract through 2025-26, so he should feature on the Blackhawks' blue line again next season, likely in a bottom-four role.

St. Ivany played in 14 games for the Penguins this season, picking up 30 hits, 14 blocks and one assist.

St. Ivany shouldn't be expected to offer much in the way of offensive output -- he managed just 15 points in 53 minor-league contests this year -- but he is certainly capable of delivering hits. It seems the 24-year-old blueliner has earned the trust of the Penguins' coaching staff, as he played regularly in the final two months of the season while the Pens were trying to secure a playoff spot. St. Ivany will be a restricted free agent in the offseason.

Shea was put on waivers Thursday, per CapFriendly.

Shea had a goal, 24 hits and 24 blocks in 31 contests with Pittsburgh in 2023-24. Assuming he clears waivers, Shea can be sent to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the squad's playoff run. The 27-year-old has provided two goals and six points in 22 outings with the minor-league club this campaign. The blueliner can become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Samuelsson (shoulder) has been cleared to resume skating, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports Thursday.

Samuelsson had a goal, seven points, 26 PIM, 106 hits and 86 blocks in 41 outings in 2023-24. He underwent shoulder surgery and consequently didn't play past Jan. 23. The 24-year-old hopes to adjust his offseason training to minimize the chances of future injuries. Provided he's healthy for next season, Samuelsson will be a candidate to serve in a top-four capacity, although the acquisition of Bowen Byram from Colorado in March might push Samuelsson down to the third pairing.

Morrissey will sit out the season finale versus Vancouver on Thursday, Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press reports.

Morrissey joins a number of Jets players that will skip the season finale in order to rest up for the postseason. The blueliner has been red hot of late with two goals and nine helpers in his last eight contests, including five points with the man advantage. Without Morrissey in the lineup against the Canucks, Neal Pionk figures to see an uptick in power-play ice time.

Cole (rest) will not play Thursday in Winnipeg, according to John Lu of TSN.

The 35-year-old defenseman will get the final night of the season off to rest for the postseason, which begins this weekend. He had two goals and nine assists with 166 blocked shots in 78 appearances this season. Mark Friedman will likely take Cole's place in the lineup Thursday.