NHL Player News

Bichsel (concussion) is expected to be an option to play against New Jersey on Tuesday, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Bichsel could replace Brendan Smith in the lineup after missing the last three games. The 20-year-old Bichsel has two goals, five points, 15 shots on net, 12 blocked shots and 73 hits across 18 NHL appearances this season.

Kleven (lower body) is considered week-to-week according to head coach Travis Green, per TSN 1200 Ottawa on Monday.

Kleven didn't travel with the Senators for their two-game road trip but his recovery timeline would seem to rule him out even longer. At this point, fantasy managers should probably expect the 23-year-old blueliner to be placed on injured reserve -- though it's possible the team doesn't need the extra roster spot. Either way, Kleven won't be in action in the short term.

Crevier was promoted from AHL Rockford on Monday.

Crevier was promoted after Philipp Kurashev (hand) was designated for injured reserve in a corresponding move. Following the departure of Seth Jones via trade, Chicago will have some minutes available on the blue line, though Crevier will need to edge out the likes of Ethan Del Mastro and Wyatt Kaiser for opportunities. He may benefit from being one of two right-shot blueliners among the seven defensemen on the NHL roster.

Sanderson (neck) will play against Washington on Monday, per Claire Hanna of TSN.

Sanderson participated in Monday's morning skate and won't miss any additional time after leaving Saturday's 5-3 win over San Jose. He has produced six goals, 37 points, 136 shots on net, 125 blocked shots and 33 hits in 58 outings this season.

Kleven (lower body) didn't accompany the Senators for the team's two-game road trip, TSN 1200 Ottawa reports Monday.

Kleven will miss his second straight game against Washington on Monday and presumably won't be available for Wednesday's matchup versus Chicago. He has accounted for two goals, four points, 54 shots on net, 76 blocked shots and 70 hits across 58 appearances this season. It's unclear when Kleven will be ready to return to the lineup.

Mermis was summoned from AHL Toronto on Monday.

The Maple Leafs returned Marshall Rifai to the minors in a corresponding move. Mermis has six assists in 20 AHL appearances this season. He hasn't seen any NHL playing time with Toronto in 2024-25, but he did play for Utah against Anaheim on Dec. 22, logging two shots on goal, one blocked shot and a minus-2 rating in 10:47 of ice time. Mermis will occupy a depth role with the Maple Leafs and could be a healthy scratch versus San Jose on Monday.

Schuldt was recalled from AHL San Jose on Monday.

The Sharks put Henry Thrun (upper body) on injured reserve in a corresponding move. Schuldt has four goals and 17 points in 53 AHL outings this season. He will be an option for Monday's game against Toronto, though he will probably be a healthy scratch.

Thrun (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Monday.

The Sharks recalled Jimmy Schuldt from AHL San Jose in a corresponding move. Thrun sat out Saturday's 5-3 loss to Ottawa and will miss at least three more games due to his placement on the IR list. He has produced one goal, nine assists, 44 shots on net, 54 blocked shots and 36 hits in 51 appearances this season.

Karlsson earned two assists, one with man advantage, in Sunday's 6-5 overtime loss to Toronto.

Karlsson set up Sidney Crosby on the power play and helped out on Bryan Rust's 21st goal of the campaign in the defeat. Karlsson has two multi-point performances in his last three games and has been held off the scoresheet on only one occasion over his last 11 outings. The right-shot blueliner has eight goals, 45 points, 18 PIM, 154 shots on goal and a minus-21 rating while averaging 23:17 of ice time through 63 contests in 2024-25. Karlsson has been subject to trade speculation, though his $11.5 million cap hit and no-movement clause would certainly complicate any potential deal.

Benoit was held off the scoresheet for the 21st game in a row in Sunday's 6-5 overtime win over the Penguins.

If ever there was a time to end a drought, a game like Sunday's would have been a good one, but Benoit was not involved in the scoring fun. The 26-year-old defenseman remains a steady presence in the Maple Leafs' lineup for his physicality. Over 56 appearances, he has just four assists, but he's compiled 152 hits, 83 blocked shots and 37 PIM while playing in a bottom-four role.