NHL Player News

Pittsburgh claimed Kolyachonok off waivers from Utah on Sunday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Kolyachonok recorded two goals, three assists, 12 shots on net, 19 blocked shots, and 14 hits in 23 appearances with Utah during the 2024-25 season. The team planned to assign him to AHL Tucson if he cleared waivers; however, he will now have the chance to play regularly with the Penguins.

Chisholm has gone 11 games without a point after failing to get on the scoresheet in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Islanders.

Chisholm logged just 4:25 of ice time Saturday as the Wild dressed seven blueliners in the absence of Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body). Chisholm has had a career year with 11 points over 48 appearances, but he adds little else to the mix. He's racked up 53 shots on net, 43 blocked shots and a minus-4 rating. Chisholm has been scratched twice during his drought and may be in line for a smaller role down the stretch if he can't turn things around soon.

Merrill's point drought reached 14 games in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Islanders.

Merrill had been a healthy scratch the previous game. The Wild are short on players, so he had to fill in as a seventh defenseman when Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) couldn't suit up. Merrill has a meager four points with 33 shots on net, 63 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating over 47 appearances this season, so he isn't a realistic fantasy option in most formats.

Middleton notched an assist and three blocked shots in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Islanders.

Middleton set up a Yakov Trenin tally late in the second period that ended up being the game-winner. The helper ended Middleton's eight-game slump, during which he went minus-1 with 19 blocked shots and nine hits. The 29-year-old is up to 18 points through 45 outings this season, giving him a chance to surpass the 25-point career year he had in 2023-24. He's added 65 shots on net, 66 hits, 113 blocked shots, 31 PIM and a plus-16 rating in 2024-25 while filling a top-four role.

Perunovich accounted for an assist, two PIM, one shot on goal, three blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in 24:39 of ice time in Saturday's 6-3 loss to Minnesota.

Perunovich utilized his offensive ability when he single-handedly set up Anders Lee's 23rd goal of the season at 7:17 of the middle frame. Perunovich has earned three helpers over seven outings with the Islanders since being acquired in a trade from the Blues on Jan. 27. The left-shot blueliner's mobility has been a welcome addition for a club that is riddled with injuries on the back end. Perunovich's 24:39 of ice time Saturday was a season high, and considering his power-play role on the second unit, the 26-year-old makes for a speculative add in formats that prioritize scoring -- he doesn't provide many hits, blocked shots or PIM.

Fowler scored a goal on two shots in Saturday's 6-5 shootout win over the Blackhawks.

Saturday's rematch of the Winter Classic was a much more competitive meeting between the Blues and Blackhawks. Fowler snapped a seven-game point drought with his third-period tally. The 33-year-old defenseman had two goals against Chicago at Wrigley Field, so he's clearly taken a liking to playing against his new divisional rivals following his trade from the Ducks earlier in the season. Fowler is at six goals, 18 points, 54 shots on net, 69 blocked shots and a minus-3 rating over 43 appearances this season.

Johnson registered an assist in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Rangers.

Johnson suited up for the third game in a row as the Blue Jackets continue to toy with using seven defensemen. His playing time has been sporadic when the team goes with six blueliners, as he's battling with Jordan Harris for one spot in the lineup in those instances. Johnson is up to five helpers, 18 shots on net, 28 blocked shots and a minus-6 rating through 34 appearances this season, a level of production that won't be useful for most fantasy managers.

Vaakanainen scored a goal in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Blue Jackets.

Vaakanainen initially wasn't credited with the goal, but a late scoring change made it his first tally as a Ranger. It's also his first goal of the campaign to go with six assists over 28 appearances when accounting for his time with the Ducks at the start of the season. He's added 16 shots on net, 29 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating. Vaakanainen has typically maintained a third-pairing role over Zac Jones, though both could end up out of the lineup if the Rangers make any more moves to add defensemen.

Hanifin logged an assist and two shots on goal in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Bruins.

Hanifin has a helper in two straight contests after going 15 games without a point. The 28-year-old is up to 23 points, 102 shots on net, 81 blocked shots and a minus-3 rating. It's a good sign he's built up some momentum heading into the 4 Nations Face-Off, where he'll represent Team USA.

Moser (lower body) was activated from injured reserve Sunday, per the NHL media site.

Moser missed 27 straight games due to the injury and was among Tampa Bay's scratches for Sunday's road game versus Montreal. He could be an option to play after the 4 Nations Face-Off against Seattle on Feb. 23. Moser has two goals, eight assists, 28 shots on net, 39 blocked shots and 19 hits in 27 appearances this season.