NHL Player News

Johnson suited up for Saturday's 4-0 loss to the Rangers, logging two hits in 9:46 of ice time.

Johnson drew into the lineup due to the absence of Jake Christiansen (upper body). The 38-year-old Johnson had been scratched for the previous nine games and 12 of the last 15 contests, as Denton Mateychuk has taken a more permanent spot in the lineup. Johnson's run of playing time could be short -- Christiansen hasn't been ruled anything worse than day-to-day, and Erik Gudbranson (shoulder) is also expected to make his first appearance since Oct. 15 within the next week. For the season, Johnson has five assists, 19 shots on net, a minus-7 rating, 15 hits and 29 blocked shots over 35 appearances.

Dahlin scored a goal Saturday in a 4-3 shootout win over the Golden Knights. He fired five shots.

Dahlin played hero with a slapper from the blue line through traffic that beat Adin Hill and tied the game with 14 seconds left in the third period. It was the second-latest tying goal by a defender this season. Vegas' Noah Hanifin tied things up with seven seconds left against Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Dahlin remains in a tie with Josh Morrissey with 52 points, which is fifth overall for NHL defenders. The 24-year-old Dahlin also has 153 shots, 83 blocks and 74 hits on the season.

Byram put up two assists in a 4-3 shootout victory over Vegas on Saturday.

Byram has three assists in his last two games, and he has a career-high 32 points (seven goals, 25 assists) in 65 outings. Most impressively, he made a great play in the last 30 seconds of the game that allowed Rasmus Dahlin to score the game-tying goal with 14 seconds left. Byram is an elite skater who handles the puck well, but to this point in his career, he has struggled to remain healthy and on the ice. Knock on wood, but Byram is on pace to best his career-best 73 appearances set last season. His value will rise in the future when he gets more power-play time.

Myers (undisclosed) is expected to play Saturday versus Chicago.

Myers missed Wednesday's 4-3 shootout win over Calgary due to the injury. He has four goals, 21 points, 70 PIM, 73 hits and 108 blocks in 61 appearances in 2024-25. Myers' return might result in defenseman Elias Pettersson being a healthy scratch.

Orlov (upper body) won't play Saturday against Philadelphia.

The Hurricanes hope Orlov will be an option to return against San Jose on Thursday. The 33-year-old defenseman has four goals, 24 points, 88 hits and 49 blocks in 62 appearances in 2024-25. Scott Morrow is expected to remain in the lineup Saturday due to Orlov's continued absence.

Aho was returned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday, according to Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.

Aho was a healthy scratch in Saturday's game versus New Jersey and might return to Pittsburgh ahead of Tuesday's matchup against the Islanders. Aho appeared in 58 games with the Islanders last campaign, earning two goals and seven assists, but he hasn't seen any playing time in the NHL during the 2024-25 season.

Holl's point drought reached 25 games in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes.

In that span, Holl has a minus-5 rating, 20 blocked shots, 15 shots on net, nine hits and six PIM. He's a third-pairing defenseman for the Red Wings, so it's no surprise there's a lack of offense in his game, but he's usually a more physical player. This season, he's been limited to five points, 29 shots on net, 28 hits, 59 blocks, 16 PIM and a minus-8 rating through 58 appearances.

Chiarot notched an assist, four blocked shots, two hits, two PIM and a minus-2 rating in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes.

Chiarot ended a 12-game point drought when he set up Alex DeBrincat's opening tally late in the first period. Still, since Feb. 4 versus the Kraken, Chiarot has a minus-10 rating, 21 hits and 21 blocked shots while seeing top-four minutes. His lack of offense keeps him off most fantasy rosters despite a large role, and 2024-25 has been a particularly tough year for the 33-year-old. He's at 10 points, 92 shots on net, 103 hits, 116 blocked shots, 51 PIM and a minus-10 rating through 65 appearances.

Burns logged an assist and four shots on goal in Friday's 4-2 win over the Red Wings.

Burns has managed two points, a plus-1 rating, 13 shots on net and 11 blocked shots over seven contests in March. The 40-year-old defenseman continues to handle a top-four role, and his ice time has held steady since the start of February. He's up to 23 points, 155 shots on net, 90 blocked shots and a plus-5 rating through 66 appearances.

Smith logged 15:17 of ice time in Friday's 4-1 loss to the Jets.

Smith had been scratched for the previous four games, but he was needed in place of Lian Bichsel (illness) in Friday's contest. The 36-year-old Smith has had trouble seeing anything more than part-time usage in 2024-25. He's at four assists, a minus-9 rating, 23 shots on net, 31 PIM, 36 hits and 20 blocked shots through 28 appearances in his first year with the Stars, and he'll likely head back to the press box when Bichsel is ready to play again.