NHL Player News

Boqvist (illness) was not able to participate in practice Monday, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Boqvist still could be available to play Tuesday versus Edmonton. He has compiled seven assists, 20 shots on goal and 26 blocked shots in 18 outings this season. If Boqvist can't play Tuesday, David Jiricek will probably fill in on the blue line.

Werenski (ankle) isn't expected to play Tuesday versus Edmonton, but he could return to action as soon as Thursday against the Flames, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Werenski's absence will likely extend to 10 games Tuesday, but it sounds like he could return to his featured role skating on the top pairing and No. 1 power-play unit versus Calgary. The 26-year-old blueliner has picked up 25 points through 34 contests this season.

Stecher will be sidelined for four-to-six weeks with a lower-body injury.

Arizona's defensive depth will be tested while Stecher is sidelined, but fantasy managers shouldn't be impacted by his absence, as he's only picked up five points through 42 contests this campaign. Josh Brown will likely stick in the lineup for the duration of Stecher's recovery.

Soucy (hand) will be out for five-to-six weeks, according to Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650.

Soucy was injured in Saturday's 6-4 win over Toronto. In 21 appearances this season, he has earned two goals, four assists, 15 shots on net, 39 blocked shots and 21 hits. Noah Juulsen is projected to replace Soucy in the lineup Monday against Chicago.

Barron was assigned to AHL Laval on Monday.

Barron has supplied six goals, 12 points, 51 shots on net, 51 blocked shots and 37 hits in 41 NHL games this season. His demotion could lead to Johnny Kovacevic's return to the Canadiens' lineup or to a possible recall of Arber Xhekaj from the minors.

Stecher sustained a lower-body injury and won't be available against Pittsburgh on Monday, Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports reports.

The severity of Stecher's injury has yet to be determined, so Monday's matchup may not be the only one that the blueliner misses. The 29-year-old British Columbia native is currently stuck in a 30-game goal drought during which he's recorded a mere 28 shots and three helpers. With Stecher out, Juuso Valimaki will step into the lineup for the first time since Jan. 7 against Winnipeg.

Friedman was recalled from his conditioning loan with AHL Abbotsford on Monday.

Friedman had one goal and three assists in four games with Vancouver's top minor-league affiliate during his conditioning stint. He is projected to serve as an extra Monday against Chicago after Carson Soucy (hand) was injured in Saturday's 6-4 win over Toronto. Noah Juulsen is expected to replace Soucy in the lineup versus the Blackhawks.

Soucy missed the third period against Toronto on Saturday and could be out of action for 3-4 weeks due to a hand injury, The Providence reports.

Soucy already missed 23 games this season due to a lower-body injury and could once again be headed for injured reserve. Since returning from that injury, the 29-year-old defenseman has managed just one point and three shots in eight contests. Without Soucy in the lineup, Noah Juulsen could be in the mix to play, though Mark Friedman figures to also be an option.

Fox notched a pair of assists in Sunday's 5-2 victory over the Ducks.

Fox has three multi-point games in his last six contests, racking up seven points over that stretch including three power-play helpers. The 25-year-old blueliner has reached the 70-point threshold in the previous two campaigns but could be in danger of missing the mark this year after being sidelined nearly all of November due to injury.

Johnson (upper body) will join the team on its three-game California road trip, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports Monday.

Johnson has managed just one point in his last 23 appearances, so few fantasy players will be awaiting his return to the lineup. Even once given the all-clear, Johnson could periodically find himself watching from the sidelines as a healthy scratch in favor of Ryan Johnson.