NHL Player News

Bjornfot was put on waivers Wednesday.

Bjornfot has appeared in just one game with LA this season. Although an undisclosed injury is part of the reason for that, he was activated off the injured reserve Dec. 14, so over the Kings' last eight games, the 22-year-old has simply been a healthy scratch. Bjornfot should get an opportunity to play regularly with AHL Ontario if he clears waivers.

Desharnais posted an assist and two hits in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Flyers.

Desharnais went 14 games without a point before drawing the secondary helper on Connor McDavid's first-period tally Tuesday. Playing in a third-pairing role has done little for Desharnais' limited offense -- he has just five points over 33 contests. The 27-year-old blueliner has added 43 hits, 47 blocked shots and 27 PIM while averaging 14:22 of ice time per game, providing some grit on the back end. Given the Oilers' cap situation and the lack of success from defensemen they've called up on occasion, Desharnais' spot in the lineup should be considered secure.

Ceci posted an assist, two blocked shots and two PIM in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Flyers.

Ceci has three helpers over his last five contests, matching his production from the prior 14 games. The 30-year-old defenseman rarely posts big scoring numbers, but he sometimes gets warm enough to have appeal in deep fantasy formats. For the season, he's at 10 helpers without a goal while adding 41 shots on net, 40 blocked shots and a plus-8 rating through 35 appearances.

Karlsson notched an assist in Tuesday's clash with Washington.

Despite the helper, Karlsson is mired in a 16-game goal drought dating back to Nov. 25 versus Toronto. At this point, there is little chance that the defending Norris Trophy champion will reach the 25-goal mark as he did last year.

Andersson logged an assist, four blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Wild.

Andersson set up Andrew Mangiapane for the opening tally. Later in the game, Andersson displayed his defensive chops, helping the Flames kill off two penalties in the third period. The defenseman has eight points and 52 blocks over his last 14 contests. For the season, he's at 19 points, 77 shots on net, 92 blocks, 27 PIM and an even plus-minus rating through 33 outings.

Clarke was called up from AHL Ontario on Wednesday, Russell Morgan of Hockey Royalty reports.

Clarke has seven goals, 32 points and 30 PIM in 30 contests with Ontario in 2023-24. He registered two assists in nine games with LA in 2022-23. The 20-year-old defenseman was taken with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft and figures to be a significant part of the Kings' long-term plans.

Ludvig was put on long-term injured reserve Wednesday, rather than the regular IR, with an upper-body injury, per Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Ludvig consequently isn't eligible to return until Jan. 27 versus Montreal at the earliest, assuming this move is retroactive to Sunday, which is when he was last in the lineup. The 23-year-old defenseman has an assist in 19 contests this season. Pierre-Olivier Joseph is likely to play regularly while Ludvig is unavailable.

Wotherspoon is practicing with the Bruins on Wednesday, Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic reports, indicating he's been recalled from the minors.

It appears Wotherspoon's demotion was nothing more than a paper transaction that likely saved the Bruins a bit of long-term cap space or kept him waiver exempt after he previously passed through waivers back in October. Either way, the blueliner was on the ice for practice Wednesday and might be an option to play versus Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Makar registered three assists in a 5-4 overtime win over the Islanders on Tuesday.

Two of Makar's three helpers were recorded with the man advantage. He's up to 44 points (eight goals) in 33 contests this season, including 20 power-play points. Makar has seven assists in six games since returning from a lower-body injury.

Romanov found the back of the net in a 5-4 overtime loss to Colorado on Tuesday.

Romanov found the back of the net midway through the second period to give the Islanders a 4-3 edge. It was his third tally and ninth point in 37 contests this season. Romanov stands out in terms of hits and blocks -- he has 50 and 88, respectively, in 2023-24 -- but the 23-year-old isn't a major offensive threat, having never recorded more than 22 points in a single season. It doesn't help that Romanov gets almost no power-play ice time and is unlikely to receive a role with the man advantage over the remainder of the campaign.