NHL Player News

Binnington is slated to start for Team Canada against Finland in Friday's semifinals match at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Mark Lazerus of The Athletic reports.

Binnington made some huge saves to keep Canada's medal hopes alive in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over Czechia in the quarterfinals. He has a 3-0 record at the tournament while allowing five goals on 64 shots. Finland defeated Switzerland in Wednesday's quarterfinal contest with a 3-2 comeback overtime win.

Morrissey (undisclosed) has been ruled out of Friday's semifinal game versus Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports.

Morrissey has been skating but hasn't played since getting hurt in Canada's tournament opener against Czechia on Feb. 12. He has 10 goals and 32 assists across 56 appearances for Winnipeg this season. It remains unclear if he will play in the bronze- or gold-medal game for Canada on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Crosby (lower body) will not be available for Team Canada versus Finland in semifinal action at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Friday, Mark Masters of TSN reports.

Crosby sustained a suspected knee injury against Czechia on Wednesday. He hasn't been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament, but it's unclear if he will be ready to play in Sunday's gold medal game or Saturday's bronze medal matchup. Connor McDavid will serve as Canada's captain in Friday's contest due to Crosby's absence, while Sam Bennett (illness) will be in the lineup.

Hellebuyck will patrol the United States crease against Slovakia for Friday's semifinals contest at the 2026 Winter Olympics, according to Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press.

Hellebuyck was almost perfect in Wednesday's quarterfinal matchup against Sweden, turning aside 28 shots in a 2-1 overtime win. He has allowed three goals on 71 shots in wins over Germany, Latvia and Sweden. Slovakia won Group C and defeated Germany 6-2 in Wednesday's quarterfinal matchup.

Schafer scored twice in QMJHL Chicoutimi's 6-2 win over Rouyn-Noranda on Thursday.

Schafer had been limited to two goals and three assists over his previous nine games. The Capitals prospect has done fine this season with 17 goals, 34 points and a plus-8 rating across 40 appearances. Schafer could still take a number of different paths in his development after this year, but he's in position for a deep run in the QMJHL playoffs for one of the league's top teams.

McDonald was loaned to AHL Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

A day after he was called up by the Flyers, McDonald will return to the minors, likely so he'll be available for the AHL club's weekend series against Hershey. McDonald has yet to appear in an NHL game and will likely remain with Lehigh Valley once the Flyers resume play.

Bonk was reassigned to AHL Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Bonk was up with the Flyers to practice with the team during the Olympic break, and he's returning to the minors without making his NHL debut. The 21-year-old has two goals and six points in 22 outings with Lehigh Valley in 2025-26.

Bjarnason was loaned to AHL Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Bjarnason was called up by the Flyers on Tuesday, but he'll head back to the minors a few days later, which should allow him to appear in the Phantoms' weekend series against Hershey. It's not yet clear whether Bjarnason will have more opportunities to practice with Philadelphia to close out the Olympic break, but he's unlikely to be on the Flyers' roster when they resume play.

Shine was reassigned to AHL Grand Rapids on Thursday.

Shine ended up spending less than a day with the NHL club. The Red Wings are off until next Thursday's game in Ottawa, but Shine's short stint at the top level allowed him to join Detroit for a team practice. The 32-year-old has 21 goals and 36 points in 35 outings with AHL Grand Rapids in 2025-26.

Dries was sent to AHL Grand Rapids on Thursday.

Dries was recalled earlier in the day and practiced with the Red Wings before returning to AHL Grand Rapids. He has 18 goals and 16 assists across 40 AHL appearances this season.