NHL Player News

Pionk (lower body) will join the team for its five-game road trip, Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site reports Tuesday.

Pionk didn't participate in line rushes Tuesday, so he may not be ready for the first game of the trip versus the Capitals on Wednesday. Still, the blueliner hasn't been officially ruled out. In his last five outings, the Nebraska native has generated one goal on 10 shots and two assists, including one power-play point.

Seider distributed two assists, recorded three shots on goal and blocked seven shots in Monday's 4-3 loss to New Jersey.

Seider was fantastic at both ends of the ice Monday, impersonating a brick wall by recording seven blocks. He also tallied two secondary helpers on Detroit's goals from Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Larkin. With the monster effort Monday, Seider is up to 13 assists, 16 points, 59 shots on goal, 43 hits and 43 blocks through 23 games this season. The 24-year-old blueliner has continued to be a force both offensively and defensively this season, giving him elite category coverage in all fantasy leagues that value defensive stats. He is not only on pace to post one of the most well-rounded seasons from a defenseman this season, but also has a chance to set a career high in multiple key stats.

Head coach Dean Evason conveyed Tuesday that Werenski (upper body) is "working through some stuff today," but the blueliner is expected to skate Wednesday morning and see how he feels, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

This is great news for the Blue Jackets and fantasy managers alike, as Werenski appears to have avoided a serious injury. NHL Insider Frank Seravalli said Tuesday that the Blue Jackets believe Werenski will be good to go for Wednesday's home matchup versus Toronto, but that's certainly not a guarantee depending on how the all-world defenseman feels after the morning skate. If Werenski is forced to miss any time, Denton Mateychuk would be a candidate to receive increased opportunities on the blue line.

Mayo was loaned to AHL Cleveland on Tuesday.

The Blue Jackets signed Brendan Smith to a one-year, two-way contract Monday, which could be a reason why the team felt comfortable sending Mayo back to the minors. Mayo has appeared in just one game with the big club this year, posting three shots on goal and a minus-1 rating in 7:33 of ice time.

Carlson scored a goal on a team-high five shots on net while adding an assist and a plus-3 rating in Monday's 5-1 win over the Blue Jackets.

The veteran blueliner blasted a one-timer past Elvis Merzlikins with just three seconds left in the second period before helping to set up a Martin Fehervary tally early in the third. Carlson has three multi-point performances in the last four games, and on the season, the 35-year-old has turned back the clock with five goals and 21 points in 22 contests.

Chychrun scored two goals, one on the power play, in Monday's 5-1 win over Columbus.

The 27-year-old defenseman extended his goal streak to three games by opening the scoring early in the first period, then Chychrun gave the Caps a 3-0 lead in the final minute of the second frame with a shot from the blue line that eluded Elvis Merzlikins. Chychrun has gotten onto the scoresheet in eight straight contests, racking up five goals and 11 points during that heater as he hurtles toward a career-best campaign -- through 23 games this season, he's amassed eight goals and 21 points.

Werenski sustained an upper-body injury during Monday's game versus the Capitals and will not return.

Werenski didn't come out for the start of the third period and was ruled out shortly thereafter. The star blueliner logged four shots on goal and one block in 17:36 of ice time prior to exiting the contest. There will be a big void to fill on Columbus' blue line if Werenski is forced to miss any time. He should be considered day-to-day ahead of Wednesday's home matchup versus the Maple Leafs.

Edvinsson (illness) will remain sidelined for Monday's road game against the Devils, per the NHL media site.

Edvinsson missed his first game of the campaign Saturday against the Blue Jackets due to his illness, and he'll sit out a second consecutive contest Monday. Due to his absence, Jacob Bernard-Docker will stay in the lineup, and he'll skate next to Axel Sandin-Pellikka on the No. 2 pairing. Detroit's next game is at home versus the Predators on Wednesday.

Cernak (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve Monday, per the NHL media site.

The Lightning announced Monday that Cernak was considered week-to-week due to an undisclosed injury, so his placement on injured reserve isn't particularly surprising. Declan Carlile and Steve Santini will likely operate on the third defensive pairing in Cernak's absence, while Maxim Groshev was called up from AHL Syracuse on Monday to provide additional depth.

Walman (undisclosed) won't be in the lineup against Dallas on Tuesday, according to Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 Edmonton.

Walman remains day-to-day and will miss his second straight game. He has collected three goals, 10 points, 23 shots on net and 31 blocked shots in 17 outings this campaign. Once Walman is ready to return, he could replace Ty Emberson in the lineup.