NHL Player News

Heiskanen (knee) has been placed on injured reserve, per the NHL media site Friday.

Heiskanen's placement on IR shouldn't come as a surprise considering he was labeled week-to-week and was ruled out for the 4 Nations Face-Off. The 25-year-old blueliner is still awaiting the results of an MRI to determine exactly how long he will be on the shelf. In the meantime, Thomas Harley is expected to take Heiskanen's spot on the No. 1 power-play unit.

Clifton (illness) will not play versus Nashville on Friday, according to Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550.

Clifton sat out Tuesday against the Bruins with the illness and has lost a lot of weight, which will prevent him from playing against the Predators. Clifton has eight assists, 134 hits and 69 blocked shots over 46 contests this season.

Lilleberg is eligible to return to the lineup versus the Islanders on Saturday after completing his two-game suspension, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lilleberg received a two-game ban for interference with the Red Wings' J.T. Compher on Saturday. Lilleberg has 11 assists and 80 hits over 45 contests this season. The Lightning loaned Declan Carlile to AHL Syracuse in a corresponding move Friday.

Carlile was reassigned to AHL Syracuse on Friday.

Carlile was called up by Tampa Bay on Monday, and he made two appearances during his stint with the NHL club. He recorded no points, a hit and a plus-1 rating while averaging 13:55 of ice time. He should see a more consistent role in the minors, while Emil Lilleberg will return from his two-game suspension Saturday against the Islanders.

Stillman was called up from AHL Chicago on Friday, per Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site.

Stillman made his season debut with the Hurricanes on Tuesday, picking up a fighting major against the Rangers' Sam Carrick. Stillman was returned to the minors Thursday before being called back up Friday. The Hurricanes sent Ryan Suzuki back to AHL Chicago in a corresponding move.

Thrun posted an assist and five PIM in Thursday's 6-2 loss to the Kraken.

Thrun fought Vince Dunn in the second period. In the third, Thrun helped out on a Tyler Toffoli tally. The 23-year-old Thrun continues to handle bottom-four minutes on the blue line. He has two points over his last four games but a more modest 10 points with 39 shots on net, 49 blocked shots, 35 hits, 24 PIM and a minus-13 rating over 45 appearances this season.

Mahura logged an assist and went plus-2 in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Sharks.

Mahura snapped a seven-game point drought with the helper on an Eeli Tolvanen goal in the third period. The 26-year-old Mahura has played regularly since the Kraken dealt Will Borgen to the Rangers in December. For the season, Mahura has five helpers over 41 outings, with four of those assists coming over the last 11 contests. He's added 40 shots on net, 56 hits, 31 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating in a bottom-four role.

Oleksiak managed an assist, four shots on goal and six blocked shots in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Sharks.

With two goals and four assists over his last 11 outings, Oleksiak has been unusually productive in January. He was back in a top-four role Thursday due to the absence of Ryker Evans (upper body). Oleksiak is at 13 points, 47 shots on net, 112 blocked shots, 40 hits and a minus-4 rating through 53 appearances. His offense can disappear as fast as it shows up sometimes, so Oleksiak should only be rostered in fantasy formats where managers can take advantage of his defensive work.

Dunn notched an assist and five PIM in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Sharks.

Dunn helped out on an Oliver Bjorkstrand tally in the second period and dropped the mitts with Henry Thrun later in the frame. Dunn isn't an overly pugnacious player, but he's not afraid to mix it up when he sees fit. The 28-year-old blueliner has four points over his last six games, and he's at 10 goals, 13 helpers, 77 shots on net, 21 PIM, 21 hits and 40 blocked shots through 33 outings this season.

Montour scored twice and blocked three shots in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Sharks.

Montour had been limited to five assists and a minus-13 rating over his last 20 outings. He snapped the goal drought at 2:54 of the second period with what was ultimately the game-winner, and he added a power-play tally after the Sharks brought in Alexandar Georgiev to replace Yaroslav Askarov. Despite the poor play over the last six weeks, Montour remains in a top-four role and still has good numbers overall. He's at 10 goals, 27 points, 147 shots on net, 62 blocked shots, 57 hits, 35 PIM and a minus-5 rating through 52 appearances.