NHL Player News

Hatakka was brought up from AHL Utica on Thursday.

Hatakka was acquired by the Devils as part of the Timo Meier trade last season but has yet to get into an NHL game for his new club. With the Comets, the 23-year-old defenseman has notched two goals and seven helpers in 28 contests. If he does play versus Columbus on Friday, Hatakka would see his first NHL minutes since 2021-22 when he was with San Jose.

Smith (knee) was placed on injured reserve Thursday.

Smith's placement on IR was made retroactive to Monday, so he'll be eligible to return next Thursday against the Hurricanes, although it remains to be seen if he'll be healthy enough to play in that contest. With Smith on the shelf, Santeri Hatakka was promoted from AHL Utica on Thursday.

Edmundson (undisclosed) is uncertain to play Thursday against the Blues, Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post reports.

Edmundson took the morning skate, but he is considered a game-time call against his former team. Trevor van Riemsdyk seems likely to return to the lineup regardless, but Alexander Alexeyev would also draw in if the 30-year-old is unable to play.

Rafferty was reassigned to AHL Grand Rapids on Thursday.

Rafferty was recalled Saturday and spent all three games with the Red Wings in the press box as a healthy scratch. Look for Jake Walman (illness) to return to the lineup Friday against Carolina following Rafferty's demotion.

Sandin (upper body) is practicing in a regular jersey Thursday, per Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post.

Sandin has missed the last six games -- this is the first time since rejoining practice a week ago that he's been able to shed his non-contact jersey. Sandin had five assists in his last five games before the injury, giving the defenseman 11 assists in 36 games. Should Sandin play Thursday versus St. Louis, he could replace Joel Edmundson in the lineup and see second-unit power-play time in place of Ethan Bear.

Harris had an assist, one shot on net and one block over 17:28 of ice time in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Devils.

Harris' blast from the point was stopped by Nico Daws, but Sean Monahan and Cole Caufield were net front to take advantage of the rebound that led to Caufield's game-winner. The helper was the defenseman's fifth of the season and gave Harris six points through 27 games.

Maatta supplied two assists in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Panthers.

Maatta pulled through for a Detroit team that still sits seven points behind the second-place Florida in the Atlantic Division. This was the second multi-point game for Maatta in 2023-24, and the blueliner will need to keep it up while Jake Walman tends to an illness that has already kept him off the ice for three consecutive contests.

Gostisbehere recorded a power-play assist in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Panthers.

Gostisbehere's feed contributed to captain Dylan Larkin's game-winning tally. The puck-moving defenseman now has 30 points (seven goals, 23 assists) through 43 games, with only 13 others at the position currently sitting at a higher offensive total. Detroit boasts a seven-game point streak with Gostisbehere being a key catalyst for the recent success.

Hagg was demoted to AHL San Diego on Wednesday, per CapFriendly.

Hagg logged 13:05 of ice time in Tuesday's loss to Washington. If Radko Gudas (lower body) is unavailable Saturday, Hagg could be recalled to suit up against the Sharks.

Gilbert (concussion) was put on injured reserve Wednesday, per Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan.

If the move is retroactive to Jan. 4, which is when Gilbert last played, then he can be activated whenever he's healthy. However, it seems unlikely Calgary would put Gilbert on IR unless he was expected to miss at least the next game, which will take place Thursday against Toronto. The 27-year-old defenseman has a goal, seven points, 44 hits and 43 blocks in 28 outings in 2023-24. Gilbert will likely serve on the third pairing once he's recovered.