NHL Player News

Heiskanen (knee) is out indefinitely and might need knee surgery, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports Thursday.

Heiskanen will meet with doctors Friday to have his MRI examined. It's not clear if he'll miss weeks or months, but the Stars believe he will at least return before the end of the 2024-25 campaign. He has five goals, 25 points, 17 hits and 85 blocks in 50 appearances in 2024-25. Kyle Capobianco might play regularly during Heiskanen's absence.

Anderson (upper body) won't return to Thursday's game versus the Lightning.

Anderson was injured late in the first period. The 25-year-old should be considered day-to-day until more information is available. If he ends up missing time, his absence could allow Brandt Clarke to get back in the lineup.

Stillman was assigned to AHL Chicago on Thursday.

Stillman spent just over a week with the Hurricanes, and he made his season debut in the NHL against the Rangers on Tuesday, recording two hits and five PIM while logging 7:40 of ice time. However, he'll head back to the minors after Ryan Suzuki was called up to make his NHL debut Thursday against the Blackhawks.

Ekholm (illness) is set to play Thursday versus Detroit.

Ekholm missed Wednesday's practice but won't be held out any games due to the illness. He's on a three-game scoring streak in which he's provided a goal and four points. He has seven goals and 22 points in 50 outings this campaign.

Kylington (upper body) is expected to return to action before the Avalanche play their last game before the break Feb. 7 against Edmonton, per Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now.

Kylington has been out of action since Nov. 27. He has one goal and two points across eight appearances this season. He should see some action as a third-unit blueliner, possibly replacing Sam Malinski in the lineup.

Heiskanen (lower body) will be out of action through the 4 Nations Face-Off, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reports.

Heiskanen will not represent Finland during the tournament after he took a big hit Wednesday courtesy of the Golden Knights' Mark Stone. The Stars' top defenseman has a five-game point streak, giving him five goals and 25 points in 50 outings. Look for Thomas Harley to take over quarterbacking the top power play.

Benoit was held off the scoresheet in all 11 of his appearances in January.

Benoit's overall point drought is up to 12 games. He was also scratched twice in the middle of the month, but the Maple Leafs seem to value his physicality even if it comes with a complete lack of offense. For the season, the 26-year-old blueliner is at four assists, 31 shots on net, 28 PIM, 125 hits and 65 blocked shots over 47 appearances. Benoit has the upper hand on Philippe Myers and Conor Timmins to stay in a third-pairing role.

Boqvist was waived by Florida on Thursday, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Boqvist hasn't been in the lineup since Jan. 6, so this move isn't shocking. However, his demotion would leave the Panthers with just six defensemen on the roster, so Florida will probably recall a blueliner from the minors. Boqvist has two goals and six points in 18 outings this campaign.

Spurgeon scored a power-play goal and blocked three shots in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Maple Leafs.

Spurgeon has two goals and an assist over four contests since he returned from a lower-body injury. His goal Wednesday was his 400th career point, a milestone he achieved in his 903rd appearance. The defenseman looks to be in a groove and could give fantasy managers a boost prior to the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off. Spurgeon has six goals, 16 points (four on the power play), 65 shots on net, 62 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating over 36 outings in a top-four role this season.

Evans will be sidelined against San Jose on Thursday due to an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day, Alison Lukan of the Kraken Hockey Network reports.

Evans logged just 17:59 of ice time versus the Ducks on Tuesday, his first time dipping below 20 minutes since Jan. 11 versus Buffalo, so it's possible that's when he picked up his upper-body ailment. With the 23-year-old blueliner unavailable, Cale Fleury was called up from AHL Coachella Valley and will make only his third NHL appearance this season.