NHL Player News

McCabe scored a goal in a 5-2 win over the Flyers on Saturday.

McCabe lofted a shot from the center of the blue line that went in through a screen at 8:14 of the second period. It pushed the score to 2-1 in favor of the Leafs. He has three points (one goal, two assists) in his last four games, but he may be focused on more shutdown situations in the near future after Chris Tanev (upper body) was stretchered off the ice Saturday.

Aitcheson scored two goals on six shots in OHL Barrie's 4-2 win over Erie on Saturday.

Aitcheson has five goals and one assist during a four-game point streak. The 19-year-old defenseman is showing some serious scoring chops with 11 goals and 17 points through 16 appearances this season. He had 26 goals and 59 points over 64 regular-season outings in 2024-25, but he appears to have taken another step, which is exactly what the Islanders want to see out of one of their top prospects.

Tanev (upper body) was taken out of Saturday's game against Philadelphia on a stretcher after Matvei Michkov knocked into him, Luke Fox of Sportsnet reports.

Tanev was playing in his first game since returning from a concussion. Michkov's hit might not have been intentional, but he did receive two minutes for interference. Should Tanev need to miss some time, Philippe Myers is likely to draw back into the lineup.

Blankenburg picked up an assist in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Flames.

It was his first point of the season in his third appearance. After being a healthy scratch in 10 of the first 11 games, Blankenburg has played in two straight outings because of injuries to Roman Josi (upper body) and Adam Wilsby (lower body).

Nikishin scored a goal Saturday in a 2-1 loss to Boston.

He wired a slap shot from the slot late in the third period with the extra skater on the ice for Carolina's lone goal. Nikishin has a goal and an assist in his last two games. He has produced two tallies, six points, 21 shots on net and a plus-10 rating through 11 contests this season. He's already in the hunt for the Calder Trophy as the best rookie. Due to injuries, he is on the top pairing and has been working on the second power-play unit. Nikishin is a star in the making.

Dineen scored a goal and added an assist in AHL Bakersfield's 4-3 overtime loss to Calgary on Saturday.

Dineen has made a positive start to the AHL season with six points over eight games. The 27-year-old has enough experience to get a call-up should the Oilers need emergency depth on the blue line. However, with Edmonton's defense at nearly full health, don't expect Dineen to be recalled any time soon.

Liljegren exited Saturday's clash against Colorado because of an upper-body injury and won't return to the game.

Liljegren had no points in 7:20 of ice time before departing Saturday. That gives him three assists in nine outings this season, including the matchup against the Avalanche. If Liljegren isn't available for Sunday's tilt against Detroit, then Vincent Iorio might draw back into the lineup.

Mermis was reassigned to AHL Toronto on Saturday.

Mermis had no points and one shot while logging 13:12 of ice time in his season debut with the Maple Leafs on Oct. 24. He followed that up by being a healthy scratch in Toronto's past three games. Mermis' demotion corresponds with Chris Tanev (concussion) being activated off injured reserve.

Fensore was loaned to AHL Chicago on Saturday.

Fensore could play in Saturday's matchup against AHL Toronto before potentially being recalled by Carolina. He has been a healthy scratch with the Hurricanes in three of the last four games, including Saturday's 2-1 loss to Boston.

Tanev (concussion) was taken off injured reserve, per the NHL media site, which clears him to play Saturday in Philadelphia.

Tanev was already expected to play against the Flyers, and his activation off IR cements his availability. He missed four straight games due to the injury. Tanev has an assist, two hits and eight blocks in seven appearances this season. Philippe Myers is projected to be a healthy scratch Saturday due to Tanev's return.