Hold onto your hockey helmets, because the NHL is buzzing with updates that could shake up the standings! From unexpected roster moves to injury comebacks, here’s the latest scoop in our NHL Status Report—and trust us, you won’t want to miss this. But here’s where it gets controversial... Are teams making the right calls with their lineups, or are they risking their seasons on shaky decisions? Let’s dive in and find out.
Ottawa Senators:
Goaltender James Reimer might make his debut start for the Senators against the New York Rangers on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; MSG, SN, RDS2). The 37-year-old veteran signed a one-year, $850,000 deal with Ottawa after wrapping up last season with the Buffalo Sabres. Meanwhile, Linus Ullmark remains sidelined with no clear return date, though he’s been spotted skating. Coach Travis Green remains optimistic, but fans are left wondering: Can Reimer fill the void? And this is the part most people miss... Hunter Shepard has been reassigned to the AHL’s Belleville, raising questions about the team’s goaltending strategy.
Buffalo Sabres:
Forward Josh Dunne is out for 4-6 weeks with a mid-body injury, though surgery isn’t required. Interestingly, he’d been playing through the pain, logging 7:13 in a recent loss to the Florida Panthers. Bold move or risky play? Michael Kesselring is nearly ready to return but will likely sit out his sixth straight game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, truTV, TNT, TVAS). Zac Jones, meanwhile, has been sent down to the AHL’s Rochester.
Montreal Canadiens:
Alexandre Texier has inked a two-year, $5 million deal with Montreal, averaging $2.5 million annually. Since joining the Canadiens on a one-year contract in November, he’s tallied 16 points in 25 games—a stark contrast to his single assist in eight games with the St. Louis Blues. But here’s the kicker... Texier’s Olympic dreams are alive as he joins Team France for Milano Cortina 2026. Is this a sign of bigger things to come for the 26-year-old?
Los Angeles Kings:
Corey Perry is away from the team due to a family illness, missing Wednesday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights (10 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, SN360, TVAS). The Kings will roll with 11 forwards and seven defensemen, including Jacob Moverare. Controversial question: Are the Kings spreading themselves too thin? Injured forwards Joel Armia, Anze Kopitar, and Trevor Moore skated but remain out, leaving fans to wonder about their long-term impact.
New Jersey Devils:
Simon Nemec returns to the lineup against the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; KHN/Prime, MSGSN, KONG), replacing Johnathan Kovacevic, who’s been managed carefully after knee surgery. But is this the right move? Coach Keefe insists it’s about balancing recovery and performance, but some fans are skeptical. Nemec, by the way, is headed to the Olympics with Team Slovakia.
Philadelphia Flyers:
Jamie Drysdale is back from injured reserve and ready to face the Sabres after missing three games. However, Bobby Brink remains sidelined with an upper-body injury, raising concerns about the team’s offensive depth. Are the Flyers doing enough to protect their stars?
Chicago Blackhawks:
Connor Bedard is expected to play Thursday against the Calgary Flames after missing a game due to illness. But here’s the twist... Teuvo Teravainen is out with an upper-body injury, leaving fans to debate whether the Blackhawks can stay competitive. Coach Jeff Blashill remains tight-lipped about Teravainen’s return.
San Jose Sharks:
Will Smith is making progress but won’t face the Washington Capitals on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; MNMT, NBCSCA). Coach Ryan Warsofsky is cautiously optimistic, but here’s the real question: Can the Sharks survive without him? Shakir Mukhamadullin and Ty Dellandrea are also questionable, adding to the team’s uncertainty.
Vegas Golden Knights:
Goalie Adin Hill might return Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, but Akira Schmid starts Wednesday against the Kings. But is Hill ready? After being out since October, his return could be a game-changer—or a risky gamble. Brett Howden and William Karlsson remain sidelined, with Karlsson’s recovery hitting a snag. Are the Golden Knights running out of time?
So, what do you think? Are these teams making the right moves, or are they setting themselves up for failure? Let us know in the comments—we’re all ears!
