NHL Player News

Pesce (rest) will sit out Tuesday's regular-season finale against Columbus, per Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site.

Pesce has generally skated in the top four this season, recording three goals and 10 assists to go along with 113 blocked shots through 70 games. Pesce will likely line up with Brett Burns on the No. 1 defensive pairing when the playoffs start.

Hakanpaa (lower body) won't be in the lineup Wednesday against St. Louis, according to Stars radio analyst Bruce LeVine.

Hakanpaa will miss his 13th straight contest. He still could be available for the beginning of the playoffs, but the Stars won't rush him back into action. The 32-year-old blueliner will conclude the 2023-24 regular season with two goals, 12 points, 56 shots on net, 123 blocked shots and 196 hits in 64 games.

Slavin (rest) won't be in the lineup for Tuesday's season finale against the Blue Jackets, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

Slavin and seven other key Carolina players will sit out Tuesday in order to get some extra rest ahead of Game 1 of the playoffs. Slavin's picked up 37 points and 120 blocks through 81 appearances while skating in a top-four role this campaign.

Boqvist (upper body) won't play in Tuesday's season finale against the Hurricanes.

Boqvist will miss a 16th straight game to close out the season. He'll finish the year having collected one goal and 10 points through 35 outings in a bottom-four role.

Coghlan was recalled from AHL Springfield on Tuesday, per Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site.

Coghlan hasn't seen any NHL action this season, but he's produced offense at a high rate for a defenseman in the AHL. The 26-year-old has recorded 16 goals and 25 assists in 59 games in the minors. He could see his first NHL action of the season against the Blue Jackets on Tuesday.

Forbort (undisclosed) was sent to AHL Providence on an LTI conditioning loan Tuesday.

Forbort has been sent down to the AHL in hopes of establishing that he's fully healthy and ready to suit up for Boston in the playoffs. The 32-year-old has registered four assists and 22 shots on goal in 35 top-level contests this season. He might end up serving primarily on the third pairing if he is available for the NHL playoffs and could even end up spending some time as a healthy scratch.

Ekblad (undisclosed) won't play in Tuesday's regular-season finale against Toronto, but he'll be ready to rock for Game 1 of Florida's upcoming first-round playoff series, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

Ekblad will return to his usual top-four role once postseason play gets underway. He's picked up just 18 points through 51 games in what's been a disappointing season from an offensive standpoint for the 28-year-old defender.

Ekman-Larsson (upper body) won't play in Tuesday's regular-season finale, Colby Guy of Florida Hockey Now reports.

Ekman-Larsson is considered day-to-day with his upper-body issue, so there's a chance he'll be ready for Game 1 of Florida's upcoming first-round playoff series. He's picked up 32 points, 123 shots and 105 hits through 80 contests in a bottom-four role this season.

Middleton logged an assist in Monday's 3-1 win over the Kings.

Middleton has a helper in each of the last two games following an eight-game point drought. The 28-year-old defenseman is up to 24 points through 79 outings, by far the best season of his career. He's added 145 hits, 158 blocked shots, 84 shots on net and PIM, though his minus-16 rating is one negative mark on an otherwise solid campaign for a stay-at-home blueliner.

Faber notched an assist, three shots on goal and two hits in Monday's 3-1 win over the Kings.

Faber is putting together a strong finish to the campaign with five helpers over his last six games, though he's also gone minus-3 in that span. The rookie defenseman is up to 46 points, 133 shots on net, 150 blocked shots and 64 hits through 81 outings overall. He was able to command a top-pairing role throughout the campaign as one of the best rookies in the league.