NHL Player News

Hughes notched two assists, two shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Predators.

Hughes earned his third straight multi-point effort and his fourth such performance during a seven-game point streak. During the streak, he has five goals and six helpers. The star defenseman is up to 58 points (14 goals, 44 helpers), 135 shots on net, 44 blocked shots and a plus-15 rating across 46 appearances. Hughes has 23 more points than the next closest Canuck, J.T. Miller, who has 35 points on the season.

Sergachev (upper body) will play versus the Penguins on Wednesday.

Sergachev will return from a five-game absence to play on the top pairing and first power-play unit. He had been limited to three helpers and a minus-7 rating over his first seven appearances in January before the injury, but his return will be a boost to Utah's lineup. Juuso Valimaki will be scratched to make way for Sergachev's return.

Juulsen (undisclosed) was activated off injured reserve, per the NHL media site, which clears the way for him to return Wednesday versus Nashville.

Juulsen missed six straight games due to the injury. He has no points, 21 PIM, 89 hits and 57 blocks in 32 outings in 2024-25. Juulsen will likely serve on the third pairing against the Predators.

Lundkvist (undisclosed) was put on injured reserve Wednesday, per the NHL media site.

Lundkvist hasn't been in the lineup since Jan. 21, but it's not clear when he got hurt, so it's possible he was a healthy scratch for a time before sustaining his current injury. He has four assists, 20 PIM, 23 hits and 34 blocks in 39 outings in 2024-25. When the 24-year-old is in the lineup, it's typically as part of the Stars' third pairing.

Zamula (upper body) is not expected back in the lineup versus the Devils on Wednesday, per NHL.com.

Zamula should likely be considered doubtful heading into Thursday's matchup with the Islanders as well given the back-to-back. The 24-year-old blueliner was stuck in an 11-game goal drought prior to getting hurt while generating just six shots and two helpers over that stretch.

Head coach Ryan Warsofsky said Wednesday that Rutta (lower body) is expected to return shortly after the 4 Nations Face-Off, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

San Jose's first game after the tournament is set for Feb. 23 versus Calgary. Rutta has two goals, eight points, 28 PIM, 37 hits and 76 blocks over 51 outings in 2024-25. Jack Thompson is a candidate to play regularly while Rutta is unavailable.

Ekholm didn't participate in Wednesday's practice session due to an illness, Tony Brar of Oilers TV reports.

Ekholm has been hot recently, as he's in the midst of a three-game point streak in which he's racked up a goal and three assists. He hasn't yet missed a game this season, but it's unclear whether he'll be able to suit up Thursday against the Red Wings due to his illness.

Guhle is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery Wednesday to repair a lacerated quadricep muscle.

Guhle has four goals, 14 points, 67 hits and 100 blocks over 44 appearances in 2024-25. Jayden Struble will likely play regularly during Guhle's absence. Montreal will also likely call up a defenseman from the minors since the team is down to six healthy blueliners.

Head coach Ryan Huska said Wednesday that Bahl (upper body) is considered week-to-week, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports.

Bahl has missed the last two games due to his upper-body injury and appears to be facing a somewhat lengthy absence. He has two goals, 14 points, 67 hits and 79 blocks over 47 appearances in 2024-25. Tyson Barrie is a candidate to play regularly during Bahl's absence.

Manson produced an assist, two shots on goal, two hits, three blocked shots and a minus-2 rating in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Islanders.

Manson has seven helpers over 16 contests since he returned from an upper-body injury. That offense is fine, but he has been unsteady on defense despite a plus-1 rating and 18 blocked shots in that span. The physical blueliner is still playing on the second pairing -- the Avalanche don't necessarily have anyone buried on the depth chart who can replace what he brings. He's at 13 points, 52 shots on net, 88 hits, 52 blocked shots, 24 PIM and a minus-9 rating through 40 appearances this season.