NHL Player News

Emberson (upper body) might be able to return Saturday versus Buffalo, per Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News.

Emberson has a goal, seven points, 43 hits and 30 blocks in 21 contests this season. If he is available Saturday, then Emberson might slot in on the third pairing, but there's also a chance he'll be a healthy scratch, especially if Henry Thrun (shoulder) ends up being available and the Sharks decide that they want to have Shakir Mukhamadullin make his NHL debut.

Thrun was seen with his shoulder wrapped Thursday, raising questions about his availability for Saturday's contest against Buffalo, per Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News.

Thrun has a goal, three points, 28 shots, 13 hits and 39 blocks in 23 outings this season. If he can't play Saturday, then Kyle Burroughs will likely remain in the lineup. Burroughs might otherwise be a healthy scratch to allow for Shakir Mukhamadullin, who was summoned from AHL San Jose on Thursday, to make his NHL debut.

Hamilton (pectoral) was moved from injured reserve to long-term injured reserve Thursday, James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now reports.

This move can be made retroactive to Nov. 28, and Hamilton isn't expected to return until March at the earliest, so this doesn't impact his timetable. However, it does give the Devils considerable cap maneuverability for the duration of Hamilton's time on LTIR. The 30-year-old defenseman, who comes with a $9 million cap hit, has five goals and 16 points in 20 contests in 2023-24.

DeSimone was selected off waivers by the Devils from the Flames on Thursday, according to Randy Sportak of The Hockey News.

DeSimone has a goal, five points, 19 shots, 12 hits and 21 blocks in 23 contests this season. Although he might not make his Devils debut Thursday in Carolina, DeSimone is likely to serve as a third-pairing defenseman once he does draw into the lineup.

Werenski (ankle) has been activated off injured reserve and will return to the lineup Thursday versus Calgary, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.

Werenski has missed the last 10 games with a high-ankle sprain, but he's expected to skate on the top pairing and No. 1 power-play unit Thursday rather than be eased into the lineup. Werenski's picked up 25 points through 34 contests this campaign.

Jiricek was reassigned to AHL Cleveland on Thursday, Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch reports.

Jiricek evidently isn't happy with the Blue Jackets' decision to demote him, but the team feels like his development will be best served by logging heavy minutes in the minors rather than limited playing time at the top level. The 20-year-old rookie has picked up nine points through 36 NHL contests this season.

Dumoulin notched an assist, two shots on goal, two hits, two blocked shots and a plus-3 rating in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Blackhawks.

Dumoulin broke a four-game slump with a primary assist on Brandon Tanev's second-period marker. With four points in January, Dumoulin has enjoyed his most productive month of the season. The 32-year-old is at 10 points, 34 shots on net, 40 hits, 44 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating over 46 outings. He'll need to stay sharp at both ends of the ice to avoid losing playing time to Ryker Evans.

Borgen notched an assist in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Blackhawks.

Borgen snapped a six-game point drought with the helper. He had 19 hits and 18 PIM while his offense ran dry -- Borgen can usually contribute physically from a second-pairing role. The defenseman is at 17 points, 47 shots on net, 40 PIM, 109 hits, 64 blocked shots and a plus-1 rating through 47 appearances, putting him on track for a career year.

Dunn produced an assist in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Blackhawks.

Dunn was out of the lineup for all four games of the Kraken's recent losing streak. He had 10 points over nine contests during the team's prior winning streak, and he was back on the scoresheet after recovering from an undisclosed injury. The 27-year-old should be active in most fantasy formats as he resumes his roles on the top pairing and second power-play unit. Dunn has 36 points, 84 shots on net, 48 PIM, 44 blocked shots and a plus-1 rating through 43 appearances.

Schultz notched two assists, five blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Blackhawks.

Schultz found success in initiating plays that led to two of the three goals scored by the Kraken's top line. The five blocks were also a season high for Schultz, who often doesn't contribute much in that defensive category. The blueliner has a goal and five assists over his last seven games, giving him 16 points with 59 shots on net, 42 blocks, 22 PIM and a minus-10 rating over 39 contests.