NHL Player News

Mercer didn't participate in Monday's practice session due to an upper-body injury, Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site reports.

Mercer hasn't yet been ruled out for Tuesday's game against Montreal, but a better idea of his status could come into focus based on whether he participates in Tuesday's morning skate. The 25-year-old has appeared in each of the Jets' first 15 games of the regular season, recording six assists, 13 hits and 10 blocked shots while averaging 15:24 of ice time.

Valimaki scored a goal on two shots and went plus-2 in Sunday's 7-0 win over the Jets.

Valimaki continues to maintain the advantage in a playing-time battle with Mike Reilly. Through six appearances since entering the lineup Oct. 20 versus the Canucks, Valimaki has contributed two goals, one assist, seven shots on net and a plus-8 rating. He's seeing a slice of power-play time as well, though his third-pairing usage at even strength will make it tough to count on consistent offense in fantasy.

Kotkaniemi scored a goal, blocked two shots and went plus-2 in Sunday's 7-0 win over the Jets.

Kotkaniemi has two goals over his last four games. He's played more than expected early in 2026-27 due to the Hurricanes' injury issues, but he's been decently productive in a bottom-six role. Kotkaniemi is up to four goals, three assists, 14 shots on net, 15 hits and a plus-7 rating over 14 appearances. He's two points shy of matching his total from 42 regular-season outings last year.

Rodrigues (illness) is questionable for Tuesday's matchup against Edmonton, per Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site.

Rodrigues missed Monday's practice due to an illness. If he can't play against the Oilers on Tuesday, New Jersey may dress seven blueliners or recall a forward from the minors. Rodrigues has two goals, five points, 17 shots on net, five blocked shots and 20 hits in 14 appearances this season.

Wolf will start Monday's road game against San Jose, Derek Wills of QR Calgary 770 AM reports.

Wolf will draw his second start in the Flames' last three games Monday. Across his first seven appearances of the 2026-27 campaign, he's gone 2-4-0 with a 4.38 GAA and .847 save percentage. The Sharks have generated 2.67 goals per game to begin the regular season, which is the seventh-worst mark in the NHL.

Brazeau (lower body) is slated to play against Vegas on Tuesday, per Wes Crosby of NHL.com.

Brazeau was a full participant in Monday's practice after being recalled from his conditioning stint with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He suffered a lower-body injury during the preseason, and he will finally see his first NHL action of the 2026-27 campaign. Brazeau registered 17 goals, 34 points, 104 shots on net, 44 blocked shots and 90 hits in 64 regular-season outings for Pittsburgh in 2025-26.

Kulich (concussion) is expected to return to the lineup against Ottawa on Wednesday, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.

After missing the last four games with a concussion, Kulich fully participated in Monday's practice. He is projected to play on the top line against the Senators. Kulich has one goal, two assists, nine shots on net, three blocked shots and seven hits in eight appearances this season.

Head coach Jeff Blashill said Monday that Byram (upper body) hasn't yet been medically cleared to play, Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Byram has been skating in a non-contact sweater recently, but he wasn't present for Monday's morning skate. Blashill said that the 25-year-old defenseman is seeing a specialist to try to get him over the "last hurdle" in his recovery process, but Byram will be forced to miss an eighth consecutive game. It's not yet clear whether Byram will be in the mix to return for the Blackhawks' upcoming back-to-back set that includes a game against Florida on Wednesday and a matchup against the Lightning on Thursday.

Bobrovsky will patrol the home crease against Utah on Tuesday, according to Terry Koshan of The Toronto Sun.

Bobrovsky allowed five goals on 17 shots in a 5-4 loss to the Mammoth on Wednesday. In 10 appearances this season, he has a 3-5-2 record, a 3.28 GAA and an .885 save percentage. Utah (9-6-0) ranks seventh in the league with 3.60 goals per game this campaign.

Helenius (upper body) is week-to-week, according to Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic on Monday.

Helenius has missed the last two games and didn't participate in Monday's practice. He has contributed one goal, two assists, 12 shots on net, four blocked shots and 11 hits in 11 appearances this season.