NHL Player News

Heiskanen logged an assist and two shots on goal in Saturday's 2-1 overtime win over the Jets in Game 6.

Heiskanen picked up two assists, six shots on net, four hits and a minus-1 rating over three games versus the Jets after returning from a long-term knee injury. His ice time has ticked steadily upward -- he saw 23:40 in this contest, which had just 1:33 of overtime before it ended. The Stars held a series lead throughout the time Heiskanen's been back, allowing them to ease him in. That will likely end in the Western Conference Finals, as the 25-year-old will be tasked with shutting down Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in a rematch of last year's matchup in the same round, which the Oilers won in six games.

Harley scored a power-play goal on three shots, added an assist and blocked two shots in Saturday's 2-1 overtime win over the Jets in Game 6.

Harley set up Sam Steel's game-tying goal in the second period. In overtime, Harley cashed in on a power play that carried over from the end of the third, tallying the series-clinching goal 1:33 into the extra session. As if more proof was needed, Harley is showing why he is already one of the top blueliners in the NHL at 23 years old. He's racked up four goals, 11 points, 24 shots on net, 29 blocked shots, 18 hits and a minus-5 rating over 13 playoff outings while seeing some of the heaviest defensive minutes.

Morrissey sustained a knee injury in Saturday's Game 6 loss to the Stars, and head coach Scott Arniel specified that the injury is "not good," Mark Lazerus of The Athletic reports.

Morrissey was injured when Mikko Rantanen fell on his leg in the second period. Given the update from Arniel, it's likely Morrissey would have missed some time had the Jets been able to extend their season. The severity of the injury may be revealed once the defenseman is evaluated back in Winnipeg. If surgery is required, this injury may impact his availability for training camp and the start of the 2025-26 campaign.

Chatfield (undisclosed) is day-to-day ahead of Game 1 against Toronto or Florida, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports Saturday.

Coach Rod Brind'Amour is hopeful that Chatfield will be available at the start of the next round of the playoffs. The 29-year-old Chatfield sat out Thursday's series-clinching 3-1 win over Washington in Game 5. He has one goal, eight shots on goal, nine hits and 11 blocked shots in nine appearances this postseason. If Chatfield is ready to return, he will probably replace Alexander Nikishin in the lineup.

Bear was reassigned to AHL Hershey on Friday.

Bear will link up with the rest of the Bears to face AHL Charlotte on Friday, as the minor-league club competes in the Calder Cup Playoffs. The 27-year-old blueliner appeared in just 24 games for the Capitals this season, registering one goal on 24 shots, three assists and 16 hits while averaging just 14:54 of ice time. Given his minimal usage at the NHL level, it wouldn't be surprising if Washington lets him walk in the offseason as an unrestricted free agent.

Per Ryan Rishaug of TSN, Ekholm (undisclosed) will not be in the lineup for Games 1 and 2 of the Western Conference Finals, according to head coach Kris Knoblauch.

Knoblauch is optimistic that Ekholm will return at some point in Round 3, as the left-shot defenseman has missed 21 of the Oilers' last 22 games, seeing only 1:52 of ice time April 11 in his only outing since March 26 versus Dallas. Ekholm had nine goals, 24 assists, 143 shots and 95 blocked shots across 65 regular-season games in 2024-25.

Pionk logged two assists (one on the power play), six hits and two blocked shots in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Stars in Game 5.

Pionk got on the scoresheet for the first time in the second round in this contest. He helped out on Mark Scheifele's opening tally in the second period and Vladislav Namestnikov's power-play goal in the third. Pionk is up to seven points, 23 shots on net, 42 hits, 16 blocked shots, 14 PIM and a plus-1 rating over 12 playoff contests. He continues to see top-four minutes and will play a big role defensively if the Jets are able to pull off a comeback against the Stars, who lead the series 3-2 after Game 5.

Nikishin made his NHL debut in a 3-1 win over Washington in Game 5 on Thursday.

Nikishin had two shots on goal in 10:33 of ice time. He replaced and injured Jalen Chatfield (undisclosed) on the Canes third pair with Shayne Gostisbehere. Nikishin had been practicing with the Canes since agreeing to a two-year contract April 11. It will take some time for him to get comfortable on NHL ice, but so far, so good. Nikishin had 46 points (17 goals, 29 assists) in 61 KHL games with SKA St. Petersburg this season. He finished his KHL career as SKA's all-time leader in scoring by a defender with 177 points, including 54 goals, in 288 games. Nikishin was also named KHL Defenseman of the Month seven times in three seasons with SKA.

Chatfield (undisclosed) won't play in Game 5 versus the Capitals on Thursday, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

Chatfield suffered an undisclosed injury in Game 4 and didn't practice Wednesday. He was initially expected to play, but instead, he'll be out of action, with Alexander Nikishin expected to draw in for his NHL debut instead. Chatfield would get a little extra time to recover if the Hurricanes are able to punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals with a win Thursday.

Ekblad produced an even-strength goal and a power-play assist Wednesday in the Panthers' 6-1 win over the Maple Leafs in Game 5 of their second-round series.

The 29-year-old blueliner opened the scoring late in the first period, snapping a shot top shelf through traffic on Joseph Woll. Ekblad extended his playoff point streak to five games in the process, and he has two goals and six points in his six appearances for Florida this postseason while adding 22 PIM, 18 hits, 15 shots on net, six blocked shots and a plus-1 rating.