NHL Player News

Hlavaj will start for Slovakia during Friday's semifinal matchup against the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Hlavaj has made four appearances at the Olympics, going 3-1-0 with a 2.67 GAA and .932 save percentage. He'll face a tough test against the United States, but he was productive against Germany during the quarterfinals, allowing two goals on 27 shots in the 6-2 victory.

Groulx was reassigned to AHL Toronto on Friday.

Groulx was recalled by the Maple Leafs on Thursday so that he could attend the team's practice in place of Max Domi (personal). The NHL's Olympic break hasn't ended, so naturally, Groulx didn't get a chance to get into a game for the Leafs during this brief stint.

Villalta was assigned to AHL Tucson on Friday.

After being recalled by the Mammoth on Tuesday, Villalta will return to the minors a few days later and will presumably be available for the Roadrunners' weekend series against Ontario. Villalta will likely remain in the minors once Utah resumes play Wednesday against Colorado.

Lamoureux was reassigned to AHL Tucson on Friday.

Lamoureux has played five games with Utah this season, picking up one assist. The 29th selection in the 2022 Draft, Lamoureux had three goals and 11 assists in 40 AHL appearances before his recall.

Simashev was loaned to AHL Tucson on Friday.

Simashov has practiced with the Mammoth since being brought up from the minors Tuesday. He has one assist, 23 shots on goal, 26 blocked shots and eight hits in 24 NHL appearances this season.

But was assigned to AHL Tucson on Friday.

But was called up by Utah on Tuesday, but he'll head back to the minors a few days later, presumably so he can appear in the Roadrunners' weekend series against Ontario. But has appeared in 28 NHL games this year, but it's not yet clear whether he'll rejoin the Mammoth before the team resumes play against Colorado on Wednesday.

DiPietro was assigned to AHL Providence on Friday, Scott McLaughlin of WEEI reports.

DiPietro was recalled by Boston on an emergency basis Wednesday, but his return to the minors will allow him to play in games for Providence over the weekend. Over 28 appearances in the AHL this year, he's gone 21-5-0 with a 1.64 GAA and .942 save percentage.

Kiersted was reassigned to AHL Iowa on Friday.

Kiersted has one assist in four NHL games this season. The 27-year-old defenseman had one goal and five helpers in 31 AHL games this season before his recall.

Thomas (leg) participated in Friday's practice session, Lou Korac of NHL.com reports.

Thomas underwent a minor leg procedure at the end of January with the expectation that he would be ready to return in the first game after the Olympic break. While it's not yet clear whether Thomas will officially get the green light for Thursday's game against Seattle, it's at least encouraging that he's back at practice.

Saros will patrol the Finnish crease versus Canada in semifinals action Friday at the 2026 Winter Olympics, according to Ethan Sears of the New York Post.

Saros gave up three goals on 24 shots in a loss to Slovakia, but the 30-year-old has been outstanding since then while turning aside 70 of 73 shots to enable Finland to make it to the semifinals. Canada enters the game as the favorite, but will be without the services of Sidney Crosby (lower body).