NHL Player News

Gilbert (upper body) needed help getting off the ice after his head hit the ice following a slew-foot from Nashville's Philip Tomasino in Thursday's game, Wes Gilbertson of the Calgary Sun reports.

Gilbert was hurt late in the third period, so a clear update on his status is unlikely Thursday. The Flames' next game is Saturday versus the Flyers. Jordan Oesterle would likely enter the lineup if Gilbert is held out, either for concussion protocol or any other reason.

Heiskanen (lower body) is questionable to return to Thursday's game versus the Avalanche.

The injury announcement came in the third period, so it's not looking good for Heiskanen to make it back. He crashed into goalie Scott Wedgewood early in the third and apparently the defenseman got the worst of the collision. Heiskanen had one assist in 14:38 of ice time prior to the injury. The Stars host the Predators on Saturday for their next game.

Burroughs will miss Thursday's game against Winnipeg because of a lower-body injury, per Max Miller of The Hockey News.

Burroughs has four assists, 36 PIM, 87 hits and 73 blocks in 36 contests this season. Marc-Edouard Vlasic will draw into the lineup after being scratched for San Jose's previous four games. Burroughs is day-to-day, so he might be able to return Saturday versus Toronto.

Cernak (upper body) won't return Thursday versus Minnesota

Cernak also missed Tuesday's 4-2 loss to Winnipeg. He has five assists, 84 hits and 61 blocks in 37 contests this season. Cernak will likely serve in a top-four capacity once he returns, but he shouldn't be counted on to receive power-play ice time.

Provorov (illness) is good to play Thursday versus Philadelphia, per Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site.

Provorov didn't practice Wednesday due to the illness, but he didn't end up missing any playing time. That's great news for Columbus given how important the 26-year-old defenseman is to its blue line. Provorov has two goals, 21 points, 29 hits and 75 blocks in 39 outings while serving on the top pairing and first power-play unit.

Miromanov (undisclosed) has resumed skating recently, Jesse Granger of The Athletic reports.

Miromanov has yet to play this season due to an undisclosed injury and is still considered out indefinitely, but it's nonetheless encouraging that he's been able to start skating recently, albeit in a limited capacity. The 26-year-old blueliner had just six points through 14 games as a part-time player for Vegas in 2022-23, so even once he's healthy enough to play, he almost certainly won't be a useful fantasy option.

Hutton (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Thursday, per the NHL media site.

Hutton hasn't played since last Thursday, so he's eligible to be activated before Saturday's contest versus the Islanders. In the meantime, Brayden Pachal might remain in the lineup against the Panthers on Thursday. Hutton has a goal and nine points in 31 appearances in 2023-24.

Faulk (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Thursday.

The move can be made retroactive to last Friday, which is when Faulk was last in the lineup, so the only contest he won't be eligible for is Thursday's game versus Vancouver. The 31-year-old has two goals and 17 points in 35 outings this year. When Faulk's healthy, he'll likely resume playing on the top four and receive significant power-play ice time.

Barrie (upper body) is expected to miss his fifth straight game Thursday versus Calgary,

Barrie skated during morning practice and is inching closer to a return, but that will not happen Thursday. Barrie has a goal and 11 points in 30 games this season, including three assists on the power play. The Predators play in Dallas on Saturday and Barrie could return to action at that time.

Forbort (undisclosed) has resumed skating and is now regarded as "week-to-week," coach Jim Montgomery told Conor Ryan of The Boston Globe on Thursday.

Forbort hasn't played since Dec. 3 because of the injury. He has four assists, 29 hits and 35 blocks in 20 outings in 2023-24. When Forbort is healthy, Mason Lohrei might lose his spot on the third pairing.