NHL Player News

Thrun (shoulder) will not be in action versus the Sabres on Saturday, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

With Thrun unavailable, the 22-year-old Shakir Mukhamadullin is expected to make his NHL debut and could even see time on the second power-play unit. For his part, Thrun has managed just three points in 23 games this season and probably shouldn't be expected to offer much in the way of offensive upside moving forward.

Samuelsson is still undergoing medical imaging for his upper-body injury, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports Friday.

Samuelsson should probably be considered a longshot to face the Sharks on Saturday. If he does miss out, the 23-year-old blueliner will be sidelined for the fourth time in his last six contests. Samuelsson is currently stuck in a 36-game goal drought during which he's managed a mere 39 shots and three helpers.

According to coach Rick Bowness, Morrissey (lower body) will be a game-time decision versus Toronto on Saturday, per Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun.

Morrissey absorbed a shot from Matthew Knies in the first period Wednesday and was unable to return. Morrissey practiced Friday and is likely to play Saturday, but the Jets won't be sure until closer to game time. Morrissey has seven goals, 26 assists, 118 shots on goal and 67 blocked shots in 46 games this season.

Morrissey (lower body) is back at practice Friday, per Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site.

Morrissey was hurt blocking a shot in the first period Wednesday versus the Maple Leafs and did not return. Morrissey is expected to return Saturday when the Jets face the Maple Leafs. The blueliner has seven goals and 33 points in 46 games, as he is headed for the second-best season in his NHL career.

Rafferty was sent down to AHL Grand Rapids on Friday.

Rafferty was recalled Thursday, but he was a healthy scratch in the Red Wings' 3-0 win over the Flyers. Rafferty has two goals and 15 points in 36 AHL games this season.

Ludvig (upper body) is taking part in practice Friday in a regular jersey, Penguins' studio host Dan Potash reports.

Ludvig was injured Dec. 31 and is eligible to come off long-term injured reserve in time for Saturday's tilt versus Montreal. The defenseman has one assist, 37 hits and 23 blocked shots in 19 games. Should he not play Saturday, the Penguins don't play until Feb. 6 when they are home to Winnipeg.

Carrier scored a goal on three shots in Thursday's 3-2 victory over the Wild.

Carrier got Nashville on the board 1:44 into the third period, beating Filip Gustavsson with a wrister from an open slot to tie the game 1-1. Carrier's offered modest offensive production of late -- he has four points in his last eight contests, including three of his four goals this season. The 27-year-old blueliner is up to 14 points with 91 blocked shots and 43 hits across 44 games this year while averaging 18:20 of ice time on the Preds' second defensive pairing.

Dobson delivered three power-play assists in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Canadiens.

He also added two hits, two blocked shots and had an even plus-minus rating despite the fact that all of the Isles' scoring on the night came on the power play. Dobson hasn't scored a goal since Dec. 29, but he's still been plenty productive with 16 helpers through 12 games in January. The 24-year-old has already tied his career high with 51 points on the season, and the dark horse Norris Trophy contender has a plus-20 rating for a team that has a minus-22 goal differential.

Josi notched a goal and an assist in Thursday's 3-2 win over Minnesota.

Josi earned an assist early in the third period, firing a slapshot that Filip Forsberg deflected past Filip Gustavsson, before adding a goal later in the frame, the eventual game-winner in the Predators' 3-2 victory. Josi now has three goals and 14 points in his last 12 contests. The 33-year-old blueliner is up to 42 points (10 goals, 32 assists) through 48 games this season while averaging 24:37 minutes of ice time, including 4:04 on the power play.

Vaakanainen scored a goal and blocked three shots in Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Stars.

It's been a long and twisting path for Vaakanainen to get his first goal -- he's had a couple of potential tallies taken away. The milestone moment came in his 108th career contest. The 25-year-old is now in a top-four role for the Ducks, though he'll likely continue to make limited scoring contributions. He's at eight points, 42 shots on net, 41 blocked shots, 14 PIM and a plus-6 rating through 40 appearances this season.