NHL Player News

Sanderson (lower body) isn't expected to play Thursday versus Boston, per Claire Hanna of TSN.

Sanderson has two goals, 25 points, 27 hits and 102 blocks in 47 appearances in 2024-25. His absence will likely result in Donovan Sebrango drawing into the lineup and might lead to Tyler Kleven playing a bigger role.

Kaiser was reassigned to AHL Rockford on Thursday, per Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio.

Kaiser has a goal and three points in 35 appearances with the Blackhawks in 2024-25. It's possible Kaiser will be recalled ahead of Friday's tilt, but Chicago still has seven healthy defensemen on its active roster, so it wouldn't be shocking if the 22-year-old blueliner ends up being in the minors for a significant stretch of time.

Kylington (upper body) isn't expected to join the Avalanche on their upcoming three-game road trip, which begins Saturday in Boston, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports Thursday.

Kylington is also expected to miss Colorado's games against the Rangers on Sunday and the Islanders on Tuesday. The Avalanche will return home to host St. Louis on Jan. 31. Kylington, who hasn't been in the lineup since Nov. 27, has a goal and an assist in eight appearances in 2024-25.

Timmins played for the eighth straight game Wednesday in a 5-1 loss to the Blue Jackets, but he has been held off the scoresheet in his last 12 outings.

Timmins' grasp on a third-pairing spot in the Maple Leafs' lineup is tenuous at best, especially when he's not adding much on offense. The 26-year-old blueliner has seven points, 46 shots on net, 30 hits, 61 blocked shots, 18 PIM and a plus-2 rating over 42 appearances. Philippe Myers and Simon Benoit have been scratches more recently, but Timmins could also be rotated out of the lineup at some point. His limited offense makes him a non-factor in most fantasy formats.

Fabbro provided an assist, three hits and four blocked shots in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Maple Leafs.

Fabbro has three helpers, a plus-3 rating and 36 blocks over 10 appearances in January. The 26-year-old defenseman remains alongside Zach Werenski on the top pairing. Fabbro is up to 11 points, 47 shots on net, 38 hits, 88 blocks, 22 PIM and a plus-11 rating over 38 outings between Columbus and Nashville this season.

Provorov registered an assist in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Maple Leafs.

The helper ended a five-game slump for Provorov, who has six assists over 10 outings in January. The 28-year-old defenseman continues to chip in a little offense and ample blocks in a top-four role this season. He's reached the 20-point mark for the ninth year in a row and has a decent chance of getting to 30 by the end of 2024-25. Provorov also has 53 shots on net, 69 blocks and a plus-2 rating over 48 contests.

Werenski notched an assist, three blocked shots, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Maple Leafs.

Werenski was held off the scoresheet in the previous two contests. That's been a rare occurrence this season -- Werenski has just three multi-game droughts. The star defenseman is second to Cale Makar in goals (15) and points (52) among blueliners, and Werenski leads defensemen with 181 shots on net.

Sergachev (upper body) will not be an option against the Wild on Thursday, Jessi Pierce of NHL.com reports.

Sergachev will be on the shelf for his third straight game due to his upper-body issue. Considering the team is heading into a back-to-back, the 26-year-old defenseman probably shouldn't be expected to suit up versus the Jets on Friday either. Once Sergachev does return to action, he figures to jump back into his role running the No. 1 power-play unit for Utah.

Broberg (undisclosed) will be in the lineup against the Golden Knights on Thursday, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reports.

Broberg suffered an injury at Wednesday's practice session but appears to be no worse for the wear. With the blueliner suiting up versus Vegas, he will look to end an 11-game goal drought during which he recorded just two helpers to go with 18 shots, 10 blocks and five hits.

Bichsel was recalled from AHL Texas on Thursday,

Bichsel was returned to the AHL on Dec. 30 and had no points in seven games, giving him three goals and nine points in 28 AHL games this season. The 20-year-old has two goals and 26 hits across eight NHL games this season. Bichsel is likely to be a healthy scratch when the Stars face Vegas on Friday, barring any injuries to their top-six defensemen.