NHL Player News

Askarov (lower body) was hurt in Wednesday's game between AHL San Jose and Ontario, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

Peng adds that Askarov was favoring his left leg, though an official update on the prospect goaltender was unavailable. In any case, it's unlikely that Askarov will be available in the short term if the Sharks need to call up a goalie.

Vejmelka is questionable for Saturday's clash against the Kings due to an illness, according to Cole Bagley of KSL Sports on Wednesday.

There's still plenty of time for Vejmelka to recover, so it wouldn't be surprising if the 28-year-old netminder is ultimately an option versus Los Angeles. However, Connor Ingram (upper body) is also day-to-day, so Utah's goaltending situation remains in flux. Jaxson Stauber was recalled from AHL Tucson on Tuesday, so Utah already has another option on the roster if needed.

Ferguson was reassigned to AHL Iowa on Wednesday.

Ferguson was called up Tuesday to serve as a practice player wince Filip Gustavsson was away with Team Sweden. The Swedish club played its final game of the 4 Nations Face-Off on Monday, so Gustavsson has presumably rejoined the Wild after a short breather, which would explain why Ferguson is back in the minors.

Stezka was recalled from AHL Coachella Valley on Wednesday.

Stezka was sent to Coachella Valley on Sunday while the Kraken were off for the 4 Nations Face-Off. Victor Ostman was returned to ECHL Kansas City in a corresponding move. Stezka is set to resume his duties as Joey Daccord's understudy when the Kraken's schedule resumes Saturday in Florida.

Ingram (upper body) is day-to-day ahead of Saturday's road game versus the Kings, Brogan Houston of Deseret News Sports on Tuesday.

Utah recalled Jaxson Stauber from AHL Tucson on Tuesday as a potential injury replacement for Ingram. However, head coach Andre Tourigny doesn't expect Stauber to see playing time during the team's upcoming stretch of games. If Ingram is unavailable, Karel Vejmelka will presumably get most of the starts.

Demko (lower body) is week-to-week and won't accompany Vancouver on the team's upcoming five-game road trip, Thomas Drance of The Athletic reports Tuesday.

The Canucks will re-evaluate Demko when the team returns from the trip. He sustained the injury, which isn't to his knee, in a 2-1 win over Toronto on Feb. 8 before the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off. He has a 6-6-3 record with one shutout, a 2.87 GAA and an .891 save percentage in 17 appearances this season. Vancouver recalled Arturs Silovs from AHL Abbotsford on Tuesday under emergency conditions to occupy the backup role behind Kevin Lankinen.

Murray was recalled as a practice player by the Predators on Tuesday, Emma Lingan of The Hockey News reports.

Murray will be on the roster temporarily while Juuse Saros makes his way back from the 4 Nations Face-Off. In his 27 appearances for AHL Milwaukee this year, the 27-year-old Murray is 17-7-3 with a .930 save percentage and a 2.19 GAA. Murray will head back to the minors once Saros rejoins the team.

Sandstrom will head back to his native Sweden to attend to a personal matter, AHL Rochester announced Tuesday.

Sandstrom's leave of absence will likely mean more minutes with AHL Rochester for Devon Levi and Scott Ratzlaff. Additionally, it will limit Buffalo's options should there be an injury on the NHL roster.

Kahkonen was recalled from AHL Manitoba on Tuesday as a practice player.

Kahkonen and Eric Comrie will handle the practice duties between the pipes for the Jets while Connor Hellebuyck is competing in the 4 Nations Face-Off. The 28-year-old Kahkonen has a 6-13-0 record with a 3.34 GAA and an .885 save percentage through 20 appearances with AHL Manitoba this season.

DiPietro will join the Bruins as a practice player, the team announced Tuesday.

Jeremy Swayman remains with Team USA for the 4 Nations Face-Off, so the Bruins brought DiPietro up from AHL Providence to fill out the roster. Once Swayman rejoins the squad, look for the 25-year-old DiPietro to head back to the minors where he figures to spend the bulk of the remaining games.