NHL Player News

Mikkola (upper body) will not be an option against Carolina in Game 4 on Monday, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.

Mikkola was originally expected to be ready for Game 4 after getting injured in Game 3 on Saturday, but he will be sidelined for a potential series-clinching contest. After being blanked in his first nine postseason contests, the 29-year-old defenseman has found his offensive game, recording four points in the first three games of this series. With Mikkola out, Uvis Balinskis will step into the lineup.

Brannstrom signed a three-year contract with Lausanne HC of Switzerland's National League on Monday.

Brannstrom collected three goals, eight points, 33 shots on net, 39 blocked shots and 14 hits across 28 regular-season appearances with Vancouver in 2024-25 before ultimately being dealt to the Sabres via the Rangers at the trade deadline. He also earned eight goals and 15 assists in 27 AHL regular-season outings between Abbotsford, Hartford and Rochester in the 2024-25 campaign. Brannstrom is eligible for restricted free agency in July, and the Sabres can retain his NHL rights by issuing him a qualifying offer.

Bichsel logged an assist, three shots on goal, five hits and two PIM in Sunday's 6-1 loss to the Oilers in Game 3.

Bichsel was originally credited with the Stars' goal, but he had to settle for the primary helper on a Jason Robertson tally after a scoring update. The 21-year-old Bichsel has played every game this postseason, but this was his first point in 16 appearances. He's added 12 shots on net, 66 hits, seven blocked shots, 28 PIM and a plus-1 rating while filling a third-pairing role. While the results are starting to get away from the Stars, Bichsel continues to gain valuable experience early in his career, and he could be poised to take on a larger role as a shutdown defenseman in 2025-26.

Kulak notched an assist, three hits, three blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Stars in Game 3.

Kulak has turned things around with a goal and an assist over the last two contests to follow a six-game slump. The 31-year-old blueliner had the secondary assist on Evan Bouchard's tally to open the scoring in this game. Kulak is now at four points, 15 shots on net, 13 hits, 26 blocked shots and a plus-7 rating over 14 playoff outings. He continues to be effective in a shutdown role in the Oilers' top four.

Klingberg scored a power-play goal on two shots, added three hits and blocked four shots in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Stars in Game 3.

Klingberg's first goal of the postseason ended a five-game point drought. The defenseman has been steady in his role for the Oilers, providing a little depth scoring without costing his team in the defensive zone. He's produced four points, 18 shots on net, 21 hits, 24 blocked shots and a plus-7 rating over 13 playoff outings.

Bouchard scored a goal on three shots, dished an assist and went plus-3 in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Stars in Game 3.

Bouchard opened the scoring at 14:02 of the first period and set up a Connor McDavid tally late in the second. The 25-year-old Bouchard has earned five points over three contests in the Western Conference Finals, matching his total from the previous round. The defenseman is at six goals, 11 assists, 34 shots on net, 19 blocked shots and a plus-7 rating over 14 playoff appearances.

Kampfer has officially retired from professional hockey, according to the NHL Alumni X account.

After a career spanning four franchises, 11 NHL seasons and 231 NHL games, Kampfer is officially hanging up his skates. The 36-year-old, who spent the majority of his time in the league with the Bruins, last played in the NHL in 2020, and he has spent the last four seasons between the AHL and KHL. The 2022 Olympian for Team USA scored 15 goals and added 24 assists in the NHL, winning the Stanley Cup in 2011 with Boston.

Ekholm (undisclosed) won't play against Dallas on Sunday in Game 3, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Ekholm hasn't played yet this playoffs after missing 16 of Edmonton's final 21 games of the 2024-25 regular season. He is day-to-day ahead of Tuesday's Game 4 matchup versus the Stars.

Chatfield (undisclosed) likely won't be able to play in Monday's Game 4 at Florida, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

Chatfield has missed Carolina's last four postseason games and is likely to miss a fifth unless something changes before Monday's Game 4. He was a top-four defenseman when healthy, so the Hurricanes have missed Chatfield's presence on the blue line in this series and now find themselves on the brink of elimination. The 29-year-old holds a plus-six rating in nine appearances this postseason.

Walker (undisclosed) may not play in Game 4 against Florida on Monday, per Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site.

Walker sat out Saturday's 6-2 loss to Florida in Game 3, and he's currently doubtful for Game 4 on Monday. He has earned one goal, two assists, 24 shots on net, 16 blocked shots and 16 hits through 12 appearances this postseason. If Walker remains unavailable, Alexander Nikishin will presumably play in Monday's must-win matchup versus the Panthers.