Carolina Hurricanes News

Ehlers has been sidelined with a knee injury since January 18th but was cleared for contact on Thursday, a big step towards him returning to the lineup. It seems possible that Ehlers could be back Friday vs. the Stars or Sunday vs. the Rangers. He skated on the third line with Adam Lowry and Andrew Copp in Thursday's session. Expect the Jets to provide an update after practice.

Carrier left Tuesday's morning skate early and will be a game-time decision vs. the Sharks. Jake Leschyshyn has been recalled as a reserve in case Carrier is unavailable.

Dzingel was claimed off of waivers from the Maple Leafs on Monday and will immediately make his Sharks debut. Dzingel will replace Jonathan Dahlen in the lineup and will skate with Logan Couture and Rudolfs Balcers.

Dzingel was acquired from the Coyotes on Saturday and waived on Sunday. Dzingel, who is on a one-year deal that pays him $1.1 million, has scored four goals with three assists (seven points) in 26 games this season. Dzingel will likely find a spot in the Sharks' bottom-6.

Dzingel has appeared in just 26 games with the Coyotes this season, scoring four goals with three assists (seven points). Dzingel wil likely serve a similar role in Toronto, being a fringe roster player that will play in the bottom-6 when he gets into the lineup.

Kotkaniemi missed three games while in COVID-19 protocol but will play Saturday in Minnesota. Kotkaniemi will replace Steven Lorentz and skate on the fourth line with Derek Stepan and Jordan Martinook.

Robinson suffered an MCL sprain in his right knee on January 31st and will miss roughly six weeks. Brendan Gaunce was recalled from the AHL and will replace Robinson in the lineup on Tuesday. Cole Sillinger will take on a PK role in his absence.

Kotkaniemi likely will not be available for Monday's game in Toronto after testing positive for COVID-19 on Sunday. It's unclear who will replace him in the lineup, with the only reserve forward being Teuvo Teravainen, who is a game-time decision. The Hurricanes may have to call up Josh Leivo from the AHL if Teravainen can't play.

Deslauriers missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury but will be back in the lineup on Monday. Deslauriers will likely replace Buddy Robinson on the Ducks' fourth line.

Deslauriers will not be available for Thursday's game in Montreal. Josh Manson will return from the COVID-19 protocol list, so the Ducks could go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen.

Smith suffered an upper-body injury on Wednesday and will not be available for Saturday's game vs. the Hurricanes. Expect a defenseman to be recalled from the taxi squad to replace Smith.

The move to LTIR means that Ehlers will have to miss 10 games or 24 days, whichever comes first. In Ehlers' case, he won't be eligible to play until February 14th vs. the Blackhawks.