NHL Player News

Carrier (upper body) is expected to play Saturday versus the Coyotes, Zach Gilchriest of the Predators' official site reports.

Carrier missed the last game before the All-Star break, but it appears the time off gave him ample time to heal. The 27-year-old will play in a bottom-four role, while Dante Fabbro will come out of the lineup.

Pesce (illness) isn't available Saturday versus New Jersey, per Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal.

Pesce was a game-time decision but didn't join the Hurricanes for the pregame warmups. He has three goals and seven points in 41 outings in 2023-24. With Pesce set to miss his second straight contest, Tony DeAngelo is projected to remain in the lineup.

Weegar scored three goals Saturday in a 5-2 win over the Islanders.

It was his first NHL hat trick, and remarkably, it's the first hat trick by any NHL defender this season. Weegar opened the scoring early in the first with a wrist shot from the right faceoff dot off the rush. His second came late in the second and stood as the winner. Weegar one-timed the puck past Semyon Varlamov after his teammate whiffed on a shot from the low slot. An empty-net goal completed the trick. Weegar has a career-high 15 goals and is on pace for a new personal best of 50 points. Fantasy managers should be wary of Weegar's inflated 11.6 percent shooting percentage, which is more than double his career mark of 5.7. Still, the 30-year-old has been a valuable defender this season even if there is some potential regression coming.

Van Riemsdyk (illness) will miss Saturday's game against Boston.

Van Riemsdyk has eight assists, a minus-11 rating, 48 shots, six hits and 54 blocks in 40 contests this season. It will be his second straight absence due to the illness. Ethan Bear is expected to remain in the lineup Saturday, but he might be a healthy scratch once van Riemsdyk is ready to return.

Whitecloud missed practice Saturday with an illness.

Whitecloud has a pair of goals, three assists, 79 hits and 58 blocked shots this season. He was a healthy scratch in Arizona on Thursday and should be considered questionable for Monday's tilt versus Minnesota.

Pesce (illness) will be a game-time decision versus New Jersey on Saturday, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

Pesce missed Thursday's tilt versus the Avalanche. Pesce has regressed offensively this season, lighting the lamp on three occasions while adding four assists in 41 games. Check in close to puck drop to see if he is in the lineup.

Timmins (illness) won't be available to play Saturday versus Ottawa, per David Alter of The Hockey News.

Timmins, who has been a healthy scratch for the past three games, should be considered day-to-day. Mark Giordano (lower body) won't play Saturday, so William Lagesson will fill in on the blue line. Timmins has six points, 14 shots on goal, 17 blocked shots and 18 hits across 16 appearances this season.

Giordano suffered a lower-body injury versus Dallas on Wednesday and won't play Saturday against Ottawa, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.

Giordano, who may be out a bit longer than day-to-day, will be replaced in the lineup by William Lagesson. The 40-year-old Giordano has not had a point in his last 12 games and has a goal and six points in 34 appearances this season.

Romanov (lower body) won't play Saturday against Calgary, according to Andrew Gross of Newsday.

Romanov has contributed five goals, 13 points, 81 shots on net, 109 blocked shots and 82 hits across 51 outings this campaign. He will be replaced in the lineup Saturday by Sebastian Aho. Romanov is considered day-to-day ahead of Tuesday's matchup versus Seattle.

Schultz will miss Saturday's tilt in Philadelphia for personal reasons, Alison Lukan of Root Sports reports.

Coach Dave Hakstol is hopeful that Schultz will be back with the Kraken shortly. Schultz has four goals and 16 points in 42 games this season. He will be replaced by Ryker Evans on the second power-play unit and on the blue line.