NHL Player News

Nestrasil scored a goal and added an assist in UMass-Amherst's 5-1 win over UConn on Friday.

Nestrasil is up to 12 goals and 14 assists in 29 games for the Minutemen this season. The Blackhawks prospect has put together a strong campaign, which also included eight points in seven games for Czechia at the World Junior Championship. Many Blackhawks prospects have had strong years, which will create significant competition for NHL jobs in the coming seasons.

Balinskis (undisclosed) was injured versus the Sabres on Friday, and there was no update on his status after the contest, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

Balinskis initially returned after a trip to the locker room in the first period, but he didn't come back out for the middle frame. The 29-year-old defenseman can be considered day-to-day for now. Tobias Bjornfot would likely draw into the lineup if Balinskis can't suit up Sunday against the Islanders.

Granlund (upper body) won't play Friday versus the Jets, Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune reports.

Granlund will miss his second game in a row due to the issue. The 34-year-old forward was considered day-to-day ahead of this contest, so he may still be an option as soon as Sunday versus the Flames. The Ducks will dress seven defensemen Friday since Troy Terry (upper body) is also out.

Terry (upper body) won't play Friday versus the Jets.

Terry saw just 13:52 of ice time Wednesday versus the Oilers, earning one assist. The 28-year-old will be replaced in the lineup by defenseman Drew Helleson, who will dress as a seventh blueliner. Terry is considered day-to-day for now, but he missed most of January due to an upper-body issue, so it's possible he's aggravated that injury.

Dostal will guard the home goal versus the Jets on Friday, Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports.

Dostal allowed five goals on 27 shots in a win over the Oilers on Wednesday. There's been no easing back into the NHL schedule for Dostal, who will see a massive amount of playing time since Petr Mrazek (hip) is done for the season. Ville Husso will continue to back up Dostal as well, unless the Ducks make a move for a goalie prior to the trade deadline.

Carcone (illness) is set to play in Friday's game versus the Wild.

Carcone was out Wednesday versus the Avalanche due to his illness. The 29-year-old will bump Brandon Tanev out of the lineup. Carcone has 21 points in 55 appearances this season.

Spence scored a goal and added two assists in the University of Michigan's 4-2 win over the University of Minnesota on Friday.

Spence reached the 20-point mark for the season with this performance, with nine goals and 11 assists in 34 appearances. The Rangers prospect has had to adjust a bit to the NCAA after spending the previous three seasons in the OHL. Spence will likely take more time to develop before joining the professional ranks.

Gustavsson (illness) is expected to back up Jesper Wallstedt for Friday's road game versus the Mammoth, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

Gustavsson was ill Thursday but still put in a good performance to earn the win. He has a 21-9-6 record with a 2.60 GAA and a .909 save percentage over 37 outings this season. While he's on the bench Friday, Gustavsson is the Wild's more experienced goalie and may take a slight majority of the playing time moving forward.

Wallstedt will guard the road goal versus the Mammoth on Friday, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

Wallstedt will get the second half of a back-to-back. He was pressed into duty late in Thursday's win over the Avalanche after Filip Gustavsson (illness) was unable to finish the contest. Gustavsson is feeling well enough to back up, so the Wild should be able to establish some kind of rotation to keep Wallstedt playing regularly moving forward.

DiVincentiis was reassigned to AHL Manitoba on Friday.

DiVincentiis was with the Jets for their first game coming out of the Olympic break, affording Connor Hellebuyck to get extra rest. With Hellebuyck returning to the crease Friday in Anaheim, DiVincentiis will head back to Manitoba, where he'll compete for steady playing time in the AHL.