NHL Player News

Grzelcyk registered an assist and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Rangers.

Grzelcyk had gone 13 games without a point entering Wednesday. The 31-year-old defenseman has largely disappointed to begin his Chicago tenure, earning a mere five assists in 30 contests just one year after his 40-point effort in 82 games for the Penguins. However, Grzelcyk could claim some extra time on the second power-play unit while Sam Rinzel is with AHL Rockford.

Crevier scored a shorthanded goal on three shots, added two PIM, logged two hits and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Rangers.

Crevier snapped his 10-game point drought with a surprising tally for a defenseman, as he got up on the rush while on the penalty kill. This was both his first shorthanded tally and first game-winning goal in his career. The 24-year-old already has a career-high 11 points with 39 shots on net, 40 hits, 21 blocked shots, 35 PIM and a plus-7 rating over 29 appearances. The Blackhawks are expected to utilize six defensemen for a while after starting the year with seven blueliners in the lineup frequently, so Crevier could see a bump in ice time from his 14:17 average so far.

McAvoy (face) will be a game-time decision in Winnipeg on Thursday, according to Jim McBride of The Boston Globe.

McAvoy is hoping to return after missing 11 games. He was injured Nov. 15 in Montreal when struck in the face by the puck. McAvoy has 14 assists in 19 games this season. Should McAvoy play, look for Jonathan Aspirot to head to the press box.

Kiersted was recalled from AHL Iowa on Thursday.

Kiersted has seen minimal action in the NHL across the past few seasons, but he'll join Minnesota to provide additional depth while Jake Middleton (upper body) is on injured reserve. Kiersted has recorded three assists, 16 PIM and a minus-12 rating over 23 appearances with Iowa this year.

Middleton (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Thursday.

Middleton suffered the injury Monday in Seattle in the third period and did not return. He has six assists, 35 PIM, 42 hits and 43 blocked shots across 28 appearances this season. The Wild realled Matt Kiersted from AHL Iowa in a corresponding move.

Carlson (upper body) will be a game-time decision versus Carolina on Thursday, per Tarik El-Bashir of Monumental Sports Network.

Carlson has missed the last three games with the injury. He has six goals and 17 assists, including five helpers on the power play, across 26 appearances this season. If Carlson is unable to go, look for Dylan McIlrath or Declan Chisholm to enter the lineup.

Gustafsson was summoned from AHL Grand Rapids on an emergency basis Thursday.

The Red Wings may need a seventh defenseman Thursday in Edmonton, as Simon Edvinsson was injured Wednesday in Calgary. Gustafsson has only played one NHL game this season, going minus-1 with two shots on goal. He had one goal and 13 assists in 14 AHL games before his recall. The Red Wings placed Mason Appleton (lower body) on injured reserve in a corresponding move.

Carlile was recalled from AHL Syracuse on Thursday, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.

Carlile has one goal in nine NHL games this season, as he was called up from the minors for the second time this season. Carlile had two goals and nine assists in 16 AHL games before his recall. The Lightning placed Victor Hedman (undisclosed) on injured reserve in a corresponding move.

Hedman (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve Thursday, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.

Hedman suffered an injury during Tuesday's game against the Canadiens, and the issue will force him to miss at least a week. He was sidelined for 12 games between November and early December due to an unspecified injury, and it's not yet clear how much time he'll miss due to his current ailment. Declan Carlile was recalled in a corresponding move, and he should have a chance to see playing time in Hedman's absence.

Dunn scored a goal on three shots and added two assists, all on the power play, in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Kings.

Dunn had a hand in the Kraken's first two goals before giving them the win at 1:21 of overtime. He registered his first multi-point effort since Nov. 13 versus the Jets. The 29-year-old defenseman has five points over his last six outings, but the Kraken's lackluster offense in that stretch has played a role in lowering his scoring totals. For the season, Dunn is at five goals, 17 points (eight on the power play), 65 shots on net, 25 blocked shots, 24 PIM and a minus-5 rating over 28 appearances.