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NHL Hockey Player News
Vejmelka (illness) returned to Utah's practice on Thursday.

Vejmelka returned to practice on Thursday after being absent on Wednesday due to an illness. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has had a solid 2024-25 campaign, posting a 2.57 GAA and .909 SV% in 34 games (13-15-4). Assuming he has no setback, Vejmelka will likely be between the pipes for Utah in one of their back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday.

Karel Vejmelka
Shesterkin (upper-body) is expected to return in one of New York's two games this weekend.

Shesterkin was sidelined with an upper-body injury for New York's final game before the break for the 4-Nations Face Off but will likely return to the crease in one of their back-to-back contests this weekend. The Rangers are amid a competitive race for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and will need Shesterkin to return to his elite form. He struggled before his injury, posting an ugly .835 SV% in his last five contests (1-4-0).

Igor Shesterkin
Samoskevich (upper-body) is expected to return on Saturday vs. Seattle.

Samoskevich was sidelined for the Florida's final game before the break for the 4-Nations Face Off, and missed four of their last five, but will likely return to the lineup on Saturday against the Seattle Kraken. The 22-year-old Samoskevich is averaging 11:42 time-on-ice and has 17 points (8G / 9A) in 48 games this season.

Mackie Samoskevich
Sturm (lower-body) is expected to return to the Sharks lineup on Sunday.

Sturm missed the final eight games before the 4Nations break but was a full participant in Tuesday's practice and is expected to play Sunday vs. the Flames. Sturm, who has played primarily in a bottom-6 role, has 11 points (5G / 6A) in 41 games this season.

Nico Sturm
Cooley (lower-body) has improved his injury designation to day-to-day.

Cooley did not play the previous six games for Utah HC before the break for the 4-Nations Face Off but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup. The 20-year-old forward has been enjoying a tremendous season with Utah, scoring 43 points (15G / 28A) in 50 games.

Logan Cooley
Vejmelka missed practice on Wednesday due to illness.

It's unclear if Vejmelka will be ready to return to the lineup when Utah HC returns to action on Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has had a solid 2024-25 campaign, posting a 2.57 GAA and .909 SV% in 34 games (13-15-4). If Vejmelka is still sidelined on Saturday, expect to see Connor Ingram between the pipes.

Karel Vejmelka
Wennberg (upper-body) is expected to return to San Jose's lineup on Sunday vs. Calgary.

Wennberg missed San Jose's final four games before the break for the 4-Nations Face Off but will likely return to the lineup on Sunday against the Calgary Flames. The 30-year-old forward is averaging 18:14 time-on-ice and has 23 points (8G / 15A) in 52 games this season.

Alex Wennberg
Hughes (lower-body) was a full participant in Vancouver's practice on Wednesday.

Hughes did not play the final four games for the Canucks before the break for the 4-Nations Face Off due to a lower-body injury but was back at practice on Wednesday. The 25-year-old Hughes is amid another Norris trophy caliber season, posting 59 points (14G / 45A) in 47 games.

Quinn Hughes
Nichushkin (lower-body) practiced on Wednesday and will need a few more skates to determine if he can return on Saturday.

Nichushkin has not played since suffering a lower-body injury on December 31st. The 29-year-old forward originally was not supposed to be out long-term but suffered a setback, keeping him sidelined for the previous 19 games. Nichushkin has been effective when in the lineup but has had trouble staying healthy, failing to play more than 65 games in each of his previous six seasons. He has 17 points (11G / 6A) in 21 games this season.

Valeri Nichushkin
Shesterkin (upper-body) remains day-to-day.

When the Rangers returned from the 4Nations break, Shesterkin was still missing from practice and remains day-to-day. Shesterkin is reportedly skating on his own but has yet to return to team sessions. Unless he progresses quickly over the next couple of days, expect the Rangers to head into the weekend with Jonathan Quick and Dylan Garand as their goaltending tandem vs. Montreal on Saturday.

Igor Shesterkin
Mayfield (lower-body) is on-track to play Sunday vs. Dallas.

Mayfield missed the final four games before the 4Nations break but has been skating since last week and told reporters he's ready to play Sunday. Head coach Patrick Roy did not confirm Mayfield will play, but it seems likely that he'll be officially cleared before Sunday.

Scott Mayfield
Crevier (concussion) is expected to rejoin Chicago's lineup on Saturday vs. Columbus.

Crevier had missed Chicago's previous three games before the Four Nations break but returned to practice Tuesday and will likely to return to the lineup on Saturday in Columbus. The 23-year-old defenseman will tie his career high in games played (24) if he does dress on Saturday.

Louis Crevier
Kozak is week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

Kozak made his NHL debut earlier this season and has one point (1G / 0A) in 11 games with the Sabres. The 22-year-old forward has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, tallying 13 points (7G / 6A) in 28 games with the Rochester Americans.

Tyson Kozak
Markstrom (knee) returned to practice on Wednesday.

Markstrom was placed on IR on Tuesday, but it was retroactive to January 22nd, meaning he's eligible to return whenever he is healthy enough. Markstrom was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday for the first time since suffering the injury. He is four weeks into his initial 4-to-6 week timeline, so it looks like Markstrom is precisely on schedule.

Jacob Markstrom
Moser (lower-body) is expected to return to Tampa Bay's lineup on Sunday vs. Seattle.

Moser has not played since mid-December due to a lower-body injury but will likely return to the lineup on Sunday against the Seattle Kraken. Before his injury, the 24-year-old Moser had been productive from the blueline for Tampa Bay this season, averaging 19:54 time-on-ice and recording 10 points (2G / 8A) and a 13 plus/minus rating in 27 games.

J.J. Moser