NHL Player News

Morrissey (upper body) was activated from injured reserve Friday.

Following a five-game absence, Morrissey appears ready to return to the lineup against Vancouver on Saturday. He has accounted for 10 goals, 42 points, 104 shots on net and 94 blocked shots across 56 appearances this season.

Liljegren was flipped to the Capitals from the Sharks on Friday in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick.

Liljegren isn't exactly an offensive stud, so he's far from a replacement for John Carlson, who was sent to Anaheim in a separate deal late Thursday night. Still, there should be an open roster spot on the back end for the 26-year-old Liljegren, where he figures to serve in a shutdown role.

Cholowski was recalled from AHL Utica on Friday.

Cholowski has five assists in 13 AHL outings this season. He also has one helper, 10 shots on goal and 15 blocked shots in 15 NHL appearances during the 2025-26 campaign.

Pesce (lower body) is considered week-to-week, Mike Morreale of NHL.com reports Friday.

Pesce has a goal, seven points, six PIM, 11 hits and 80 blocks in 37 appearances with the Devils in 2025-26. He missed Wednesday's game against Toronto due to the injury. Johnny Kovacevic might play regularly while Pesce is unavailable.

Holl was traded to St. Louis, along with Dmitri Buchelnikov and a 2026 first-round and 2026 third-round pick, from Detroit on Friday in exchange for Justin Faulk.

Holl appeared in 73 games for the Red Wings last season, notching eight points, but hasn't been able to break into the lineup this year. With AHL Grand Rapids, the blueliner has produced two goals and 12 helpers in 41 contests. Per the NHL media site, Holl will start his time with the Blues on the NHL roster.

Faulk was traded to Detroit from St. Louis on Friday for a 2026 first-round pick, a 2026 third-round pick, Justin Holl and Dmitri Buchelnikov.

Faulk is currently stuck in a 19-game goal drought during which he has generated 11 helpers and 37 shots. With the Wings, Faulk should slot into a top-four role and could link up with the No. 2 power-play unit behind Moritz Seider. With 32 points through 61 games this year, Faulk still has time to get over the 40-point threshold for the first time since 2022-23.

Clayton was reassigned to the minors Friday.

Clayton was recalled from AHL Abbotsford on Thursday, but he didn't end up making his NHL debut during his brief stint with Vancouver. The 26-year-old has two goals, seven points and 36 PIM in 49 AHL outings between Abbotsford and San Jose in 2025-26.

Pouliot was acquired by the Blackhawks from the Rangers in exchange for Aidan Thompson on Friday, Scott Powers of The Athletic reports.

Pouliot has significantly more NHL experience than Thompson, who has never played in an NHL game, but Pouliot hasn't featured at that level since 2023-24, when he was with Dallas. Still, the Hawks could bring him up for the end of the season in order to see what he has to offer and to provide some veteran experience on a young blue line.

Samuelsson scored an empty-net goal, blocked three shots and went plus-3 in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Penguins.

Samuelsson snapped a five-game point drought with the empty-netter. The 25-year-old defenseman has had an incredible campaign with 12 goals, 35 points, 89 shots on net, a plus-32 rating, 103 hits and 121 blocked shots. He's currently in a top-four role, but he would be the most likely player to see his ice time drop with the Sabres' acquisitions of Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn in a trade with the Jets on Thursday. That said, Samuelsson's success could help him keep his minutes while Stanley slots in on the third pairing once he gets into the lineup.

Mikkola scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Blue Jackets.

Mikkola ended a six-game point drought with the tally. It was his first goal since Dec. 23 versus the Hurricanes. The 29-year-old defenseman rarely does much on offense, and this has been a down year for him, as is true for many of the Panthers' players. He's produced 10 points, 60 shots on net, 99 hits, 71 blocked shots and 45 PIM through 62 appearances in a top-four role.