NHL Hockey Player News

Jordan Binnington had a heavy workload during Team Canada's Silver Medal performance at the Olympics and will get some extra rest on Thursday, as the Blues will turn to Hofer to tend the twine against the Seattle Kraken. The 25-year-old Hofer has largely outplayed Binnington for most of the season, but struggled heading into the Olympic break, losing three of four (1-2-1) while posting an ugly 3.98 GAA and .824 SV%. Before that, Hofer was dazzling, with a 2.00 GAA and .932 SV% in his previous eight games (6-2-0).

Savoie had only played five NHL games heading into this season, but the 22-year-old forward has eclipsed those totals in 2025-26, playing in all 58 games. He is averaging 13:50 time-on-ice and has 18 points (9G / 9A).

Thompson scored four points (3G / 1A) in six games while representing Team USA during their Gold Medal performance at the Olympics and will return to Buffalo's lineup on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils. The 28-year-old Thompson has 59 points (30G / 29A) in 57 games this season and is pacing for the second point-per-game season of his career. He had a career-high 94 points (47G / 47A) in 78 games in the 2022-23 season.

Jakob Markstrom outdueled Gustavsson in the latter half of Team Sweden's Olympic run, allowing Gustavsson to be well-rested when he returns to the crease on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 27-year-old Gustavsson had helped his team record at least a point in seven straight games (6-0-1) heading into the Olympic break despite posting a pedestrian 3.19 GAA and .888 SV%.

Boldy scored a crucial goal for Team USA in Sunday's 2-1 overtime win over Team Canada to help capture the Gold Medal. The 24-year-old Boldy will return to action for Minnesota on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche, looking to improve on an already impressive season, with 62 points (32G / 30A) through 54 games.

Faber played an important shutdown role in Team USA's Gold Medal performance at the Olympics, scoring two points (1G / 1A) in six games, and is set to return to Minnesota's lineup on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche. Minnesota's recent acquisition of Quinn Hughes has helped Faber elevate his game to new heights, as he had 16 points (5G / 11A) in 16 games leading up to the Olympic break.

Hughes was impressive while representing Team USA during their Gold Medal performance at the Olympics, scoring eight points (1G / 7A) in six games, and is set to return to Minnesota's lineup on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 26-year-old Hughes has been outstanding since being traded to Minnesota earlier this season, averaging a career-high 28:18 time-on-ice and scoring 34 points (3G / 31A) in 26 games.

McMichael did not play the final few games for Washington heading into the Olympic break due to an upper-body injury, but appears ready to return after being activated from Injured Reserve on Wednesday. The 25-year-old McMichael is averaging 17:03 time-on-ice and has 31 points (8G / 23A) in 55 games this season.

Vejmelka should be well-rested after returning from his stint at the Olympics with Team Czechia, who predominantly relied on Lukas Dostal to tend the twine. The 29-year-old Vejmelka will likely return to the crease for Utah in their first game back from the Olympic break on Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche. Vejmelka was on an outstanding run heading into the Olympic break, winning 10 of 13 shots (10-3-0) while posting a solid 2.20 GAA and .919 SV%. The Mammoth enter Wednesday's action as +108 home underdogs against the league-leading Colorado Avalanche, who sent eight lineup regulars to the Olympics.

Hyry is an undrafted Finnish forward who made his NHL debut last season, scoring one assist in five games with the Dallas Stars. The 24-year-old has 17 points (7G / 10A) in 26 games with Texas (AHL) this season and has been recalled by Dallas, which finds itself with a myriad of injured players after the Olympics.

Hintz helped Finland capture a Bronze Medal at the Olympics, but he will be unavailable due to an illness when Dallas returns to action on Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken. The 29-year-old Hintz has 44 points (15G / 29A) in 52 games this season and has seen his goal scoring decrease. Hintz has averaged 33 goals per 82 games over the past four seasons, but is pacing for only 24 this season.

Faksa did not play in Czechia's final two games at the Olympics and will not play when Dallas returns to action on Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken. The 32-year-old Faksa is not expected to be out long-term and should be ready to suit up on Saturday against the Nashville Predators. Faksa has 17 points (2G / 15A) through 56 games in a fourth-line role this season and has not surpassed the 20-point plateau since 2018-19.

Harley played a prominent role on the blueline for Team Canada during their Silver Medal performance at the Olympics, scoring four points (1G / 3A) in six games, and hopes to carry that momentum back to Dallas. The 24-year-old Harley has 23 points (5G / 18A) in 45 games this season and had five points (3G / 2A) in five games leading into the Olympic break.

The Maple Leafs hope to push for playoff contention with a strong post-Olympics run and will turn to Stolarz to tend the twine in their first game back from the break. The 32-year-old Stolarz has had a miserable 2025-26 season, plagued with injuries, but headed into the Olympic break on a high note, saving 34 of 36 shots (.944 SV%) for his best performance of the season, a 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers. That said, the Maple Leafs enter Wednesday's action as sizeable +192 road underdogs against a Tampa Bay Lightning team that leads the Eastern Conference and is riding a five-game winning streak.

Cowan did not play the final few games for Toronto heading into the Olympic break, and he will remain sidelined when the team returns to action on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 20-year-old rookie is averaging 13:31 time-on-ice and has 17 points (7G / 10A) in 43 games.

Joshua has been sidelined since late December due to a kidney laceration and is nearing a return, but will remain sidelined in Toronto's first game after the Olympic break on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 29-year-old is in his first season with the Maple Leafs, recording 10 points (6G / 4A) and 127 hits in 36 games this season.

Tavares was absent from practice on Tuesday due to an illness, but he will be available when the Maple Leafs return to action from the Olympic break on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 35-year-old Tavares is having a productive season in Toronto with 47 points (20G / 27A) in 57 games, but has seen his pace dip in recent weeks, with only seven points (4G / 3A) in his last 13 games.

Matthews scored seven points (3G / 4A) in six games as the captain of Team USA during their Gold Medal performance at the Olympics. The 28-year-old forward is expected to rejoin the Maple Leafs when they return to action on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Before the Olympic break, Matthews had six points (1G / 5A) in his last five games with the Maple Leafs. The team hopes he can return to that form as they continue their fight for a playoff spot.