NHL Player News

Makar was reassigned to AHL Colorado on Thursday.

Makar suited up in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Sharks but was sent down after the game in order to spend the Olympic break in the minors. In his 12 NHL contests this year, Makar has yet to register a point, recording 17 hits, seven shots and four PIM while averaging just 6:13 of ice time.

Werenski scored the game-winning goal in Wednesday's 4-0 win over Chicago.

Werenski saw his centering attempt early in the first period pinball off Louis Crevier's stick, Alex Vlasic's skate and past Spencer Knight to give Columbus a 1-0 lead, and it proved to be all the support Jet Greaves would need. The goal was also Werenski's 20th of the season, making him the first defenseman in history with 20 goals prior to an Olympic break, per Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch. He's also the third American defenseman ever with consecutive 20-goal campaigns, joining Reed Larson and Hall of Famer Phil Housley. Werenski will now take his talents to Milan with Team USA while riding a seven-game point streak in which he's racked up two goals and 10 points.

Huberdeau will undergo hip surgery, ending his 2025-26 campaign, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports Thursday.

Huberdeau has reportedly been playing through this issue all season and has made the decision to shut it down with Calgary effectively out of playoff contention. The 32-year-old winger will turn his focus to getting ready for the 2026-27 campaign and will end this year having generated 10 goals and 15 helpers in 50 games, the lowest point total of his career.

Coyle picked up two assists in Wednesday's 4-0 win over Chicago.

The veteran center had a hand in tallies by Zach Werenski in the first period and Danton Heinen in the second. Coyle will be sorry to see the NHL shut down for the Olympic break -- over the last six games, he's erupted for five goals and 12 points, and on the season he's now on pace to top the career-high 60 points (25 goals, 35 assists) he recorded for the Bruins in 2023-24.

Greaves made 21 saves in Wednesday's 4-0 win over Chicago.

One night after Elvis Merzlikins recorded a shutout, Greaves answered back with his own. It was Greaves' second clean sheet of the season and the fourth of his career, and he heads into the Olympic break having won six straight decisions dating back to Jan. 11, a stretch in which he's posted a 2.10 GAA and .924 save percentage.

Knight stopped 16 of 19 shots in Wednesday's 4-0 loss to Columbus, with the Blue Jackets' final goal getting scored into an empty net.

Chicago apparently got an early start on its Olympic break, as the offense was a no-show in Columbus, and the defense let the Jackets buzz around Knight for most of the game. The 24-year-old netminder has allowed at least three goals in six straight starts, going 2-3-1 over that stretch with a 3.11 GAA and .872 save percentage, and a few weeks off will probably be beneficial for him.

Fiala notched two power-play assists, three shots on goal and two hits in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Kraken.

Fiala had gone two games without a point. He has three multi-point efforts over his last 10 outings, earning two goals and seven assists in that span. For the season, the 29-year-old winger is up to 40 points (17 on the power play) with 145 shots on net, 39 hits, 34 PIM and a minus-10 rating across 55 appearances.

Kuzmenko scored a pair of power-play goal on four shots in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Kraken.

Kuzmenko celebrated his 30th birthday with his first multi-point effort since Jan. 5 versus the Wild. While he had a good performance, the rest of the Kings couldn't say the same. Kuzmenko is currently in a middle-six role, though it's his power-play time that could spark his offense. For the season, the winger has 13 goals, 23 points, 68 shots on net and a minus-4 rating over 50 appearances, with 13 of his points coming on the power play.

Kuemper surrendered four goals on 23 shots in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Kraken.

Kuemper has gone 2-4-3 with a 3.36 GAA and an .864 save percentage over his last 10 outings. That's not great momentum to take into the Olympics, where he'll be representing Team Canada. Kuemper is at 14-11-9 record with a 2.59 GAA and a .900 save percentage over 36 appearances. If he gets into any Olympic games, he should benefit from Canada's strong defensive core, which includes Kings teammate Drew Doughty. Look for Anton Forsberg to handle the net Thursday versus the Golden Knights in the second half of the back-to-back.

Mahura was scratched for the 21st game in a row in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Kings.

Even with a hefty January schedule, the Kraken didn't opt to give Mahura a look or two in a rotational capacity. The team's defense has been mostly healthy lately, and Cale Fleury appears to have priority over Mahura whenever an opening occurs. For the season, Mahura has three points, 12 shots on net, 32 blocked shots, 22 hits, 16 PIM and a plus-9 rating across 20 appearances.