After six seasons in Buffalo, Jacob Bryson is now a member of the Winnipeg Jets alongside Isak Rosen a 2027 2nd Round Pick, and conditional 2026 4th Round Pick for Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn. Bryson is 28-year-old and has never surpassed more than 10 points in an NHL season. Through 35 games played in 2025-26, he has two goals, five points and eight PIMs.
Tolopilo had a rough outing in his most recent stat, allowing six goals on 37 shots (.838 SV%) in a 6-1 loss to the Dallas Stars, but was solid in relief of Kevin Lankinen on Wednesday, saving nine of 10 shots (.900 SV%) in an eventual 6-4 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The 25-year-old Tolopilo has a 3.27 GAA and .901 SV% in 12 appearances this season (3-5-2). The Canucks enter Friday's contest as +128 road underdogs against a Chicago Blackhawks team coming off a 3-2 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets.
Kiviranta has not played since February 26th, but he will re-enter the lineup on Friday in a meeting with his former team, the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old Finnish forward is averaging 9:55 time-on-ice and has seven points (2G / 5A) in 30 games this season.
The Oilers acquired Dach and forward Jason Dickinson in exchange for forward Andrew Mangiapane and a conditional 2027 first-round draft pick earlier this week. A second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Dach made his NHL debut in 2025, registering five goals and 11 assists across 78 games with the Blackhawks. He is expected to make his team debut on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Oilers acquired Dickinson and forward Colton Dach in exchange for forward Andrew Mangiapane and a conditional 2027 first-round draft pick earlier this week. In Dickinson, the Oilers are gaining an excellent two-way forward who should excel in a shutdown role and finally fill Edmonton's third-line-centre void. A former first-round pick way back in 2013, Dickinson has spent the last four seasons with the Blackhawks, developing into one of the league's more underrated defensive forwards. The Georgetown, Ontario native won't need to worry about obtaining a work visa and will make his Oilers debut on Friday when they host the Hurricanes.
Edmonton, one of the NHL's worst defensive teams (3.38 GA/GP), acquired Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday to help them shore up their blueline. In 60 games with Chicago this season, the 32-year-old Murphy averaged 16:34 time-on-ice, recording 13 points (4G / 9A), 62 hits, and 87 blocks. He will make his team debut on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Carrick was one of many Ranger players on the trade block and finds himself in Buffalo after the Sabres traded a 2026 3rd round pick and a 2026 6th round pick (CHI) to the New York Rangers to acquire him. The 34-year-old veteran forward has reached double digit points (10) for just the 4th time in his 11 NHL seasons and should play a complimentary role in Buffalo's bottom-six.
Fresh off signing a two-year contract extension with the Sharks, Nedeljkovic will tend the twine on Friday against the St. Louis Blues. Nedeljkovic was excellent in his only outing since returning from the Olympic break, saving 27 of 28 shots (.964 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. The 30-year-old Nedeljkovic is boasting his most consistent campaign in several seasons, with a serviceable 2.83 GAA and .902 SV% in 26 appearances (11-9-2). The Sharks enter Friday's contest as -131 home favourites against a Blues team that has won three of their last four games (3-1-0).
Dostal had the night off in Anaheim's previous game, following a poor outing where he allowed five goals on 26 shots (.808 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, and hopes to rebound on Friday against the Montreal Canadiens. Before his recent blip, the 25-year-old Czech goalie was on a tremendous run, posting a stellar 2.35 GAA and .917 SV% while winning 11 of 12 games (11-1-0). The Ducks enter Friday's contest as slight -103 home underdogs against a Canadiens team that has lost two of their last three games (1-1-1).
Colorado acquired Nicolas Roy from Colorado for a 2027 1st round pick and a 2026 5th round pick earlier this week and he is expected to make his team debut on Friday against the Dallas Stars. Roy has become a valuable bottom-six center in the NHL and will bring that presence to Colorado as they set their sights on a deep playoff run. The 29-year-old Roy averaged 14:45 time-on-ice, recording 20 points (5G / 15A), 32 blocks, and 61 hits in 59 games this season with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Jarry has not played since allowing five goals on 25 shots (.800 SV%) on February 25th in a 6-5 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. The 30-year-old Jarry has been shaky in an Oilers jersey, allowing four or more goals in five of his last six appearances (2-3-0), posting a dreadful 5.47 GAA and .823 SV%. The Oilers enter Friday's contest as +104 home underdogs against the Eastern Conference-leading Carolina Hurricanes, who have scored five or more goals in three of their last four games (3-1-0).
Morrissey was unable to contribute to Team Canada at the Olympics after suffering an injury in their opening game and been sidelined for the Jets since the NHL resumed action. With Neal Pionk also injured, the team is eagerly awaiting Morrissey's return to the lineup and top powerplay unit. The 30-year-old Morrissey has 42 points (10G / 32A) in 56 games this season.
After 17 seasons and one Stanley Cup victory, John Carlson is no longer a member of the Washington Capitals after he was acquired by Anaheim for conditional 2026 or 2027 1st round pick and a 2027 3rd round pick late Thursday. The 36-year-old appeared in 1143 games with the Capitals, picking up 166 goals and 771 points while posting an impressive a +117 plus/minus. He should step right in to a top line and power play role with the Ducks and will make an excellent mentor of budding star Jackson LaCombe. He will not play on Friday and is hopeful to make his debut on Sunday against the St. Louis Blues.
An original member of the Seattle Kraken, Eberle has continuously produced for the team and has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension. The 35-year-old forward is averaging 18:37 time-on-ice and has 42 points (22G / 20A) in 59 games this season.
Hinostroza had a brief stint with the Florida Panthers in the 2020-21 season and will return there after spending most of the past two seasons with the Minnesota Wild. The 31-year-old forward averaged 10:18 time-on-ice and scored 10 points (3G / 7A) in 48 games this season with Minnesota.
In a meeting between the top two teams in the league standings, Colorado will turn to Blackwood on Friday against the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old Blackwood has a solid 2.03 GAA and .914 SV% in three games since returning from the Olympic break, continuing an outstanding first full season in Colorado. The Avalanche enter Friday's action as -116 road favourites against a Stars team that is riding a franchise-best 10-game winning streak and has outscored their opposition 19-6 in their last four games.
Pesce played 22:04 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers, did not play on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and is expected to miss at least two more games. The 31-year-old defenseman is averaging 20:18 time-on-ice and has seven points (1G / 6A) in 37 games this season.
Perry has had numerous deep postseason runs in recent years, and Tampa Bay hopes he can continue that recent trend. The 40-year-old Perry has remained effective in his 21st NHL season, scoring 28 points (11G/ 17A) in 50 games with Los Angeles.
Crosby did not play in the final two games for Team Canada at the Olympics due to a lower-body injury and has been sidelined since. Crosby is still about two weeks away from his original return timeline, and it's unclear if that has been altered, but his presence at practice is an encouraging sign for a Penguins team battling to return to the postseason. The 38-year-old Crosby is leading the Penguins with 59 points (27G / 32A) through 56 games.
Minnesota continues to add forward depth ahead of Friday's Trade Deadline, most recently by acquiring Nick Foligno from the Chicago Blackhawks. The 38-year-old Foligno averaged 12:48 time-on-ice and scored 11 points (3G / 8A) in 37 games with Chicago this season.
