NHL Player News

Kulak notched an assist and three hits in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Blue Jackets.

The helper was Kulak's first point in nine January appearances. The defenseman has added 10 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating this month, but his chances to contribute much of anything are limited by his third-pairing role. Overall, he's managed five points, 43 shots on net, 45 blocked shots, 30 hits, 20 PIM and a minus-1 rating through 43 outings this season, numbers far too low to make an impact in most fantasy formats.

Ceci notched an assist and blocked four shots in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Blue Jackets.

Ceci has gotten an assist in consecutive games and three of his last four outings. He's picked up six helpers during the Oilers' 14-game winning streak while maintaining his primarily defensive role on the top pairing. The 30-year-old is at 13 points (all assists) with 47 shots on net, 62 blocked shots, 27 hits and a plus-10 rating through 43 contests overall.

Nurse notched a power-play assist, two hits, two blocked shots and two PIM in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Blue Jackets.

Nurse had gone four games without a point, though he had eight blocks and six hits in that span. The defenseman helped out on Warren Foegele's power-play marker in the first period. Nurse is up to 17 points, 91 shots on net, 100 blocked shots, 72 hits, 32 PIM and a plus-10 rating through 43 outings overall. His offense isn't at the usual level, but he's still a solid contributor in the non-scoring categories for fantasy.

Lyubushkin (upper body) will play in Tuesday's game versus the Sabres.

Lyubushkin's status amounted to a game-time decision, but he'll suit up on the third pairing after a one-game absence. He'll be paired with Olen Zellweger, who is making his NHL debut Tuesday. Lyubushkin hasn't recorded a point in his last 11 contests.

Kemp was reassigned to AHL Bakersfield on Tuesday.

Kemp has been a healthy scratch for five of six games since being promoted from the minors Jan. 8, so this move doesn't come as a surprise. He'll likely continue to see nearly all of his game action in the minors.

Rafferty was promoted from AHL Grand Rapids on Tuesday.

Rafferty will likely be a healthy scratch for Tuesday's game versus Dallas. He hasn't appeared in an NHL contest since 2020-21.

Johnson (upper body), who's been placed on injured reserve, won't play Tuesday against Anaheim or Wednesday versus LA, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.

Although Johnson will miss the next two contests, he'll be eligible return for the Sabres' final game before the All-Star break Saturday against San Jose. Either way, he's picked up only three points through 41 contests this season, so fantasy managers shouldn't need to track his availability.

Dumba (upper body) will miss Arizona's next three contests, Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports reports.

Dumba will be held out through the All-Star break with his upper-body injury. The 29-year-old defender has tallied just five points through 44 contests this season, so his absence shouldn't impact any fantasy lineups.

MacDonald (lower body) could return prior to the All-Star break, Max Miller of The Hockey News reports.

MacDonald has missed the last 13 games with his lower-body issue, but it sounds like he could be ready to return before the end of January. He's picked up six goals and seven points through 17 contests this season.

Hagg was recalled from AHL San Diego on Tuesday.

Hagg is projected to be a healthy scratch in Tuesday's contest versus the Sabres. He has been credited with five shots on goal, eight blocked shots, 12 hits and a minus-4 rating in four outings with the Ducks this season.