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NHL Hockey Player News
Gourde underwent successful surgery to repair a sports hernia and is expected to miss the next 5-7 weeks.

Gourde has not played since January 2nd and will miss another five-to-seven weeks after undergoing sports hernia surgery. The 33-year-old forward is averaging 15:34 time-on-ice and has 16 points (6G / 10A) in 35 games. His name has floated around trade rumors recently and his return to the lineup should coincide with the upcoming March 7th trade deadline.

Yanni Gourde
Kovalenko (upper-body) will be out until after the 4 Nations Tournament.

Kovalenko exited Thursday's 6-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken after only 8:58 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury and will be out of the lineup until, at earliest, February 23rd when the Sharks visit the Calgary Flames in their first game back from the Four Nations Tournament hiatus. The 25-year-old Kovalenko is averaging 12:04 time-on-ice and has 16 points (5G / 11A) in 45 games this season.

Nikolai Kovalenko
Taveres (lower-body) was a full participant in Friday’s practice.

Tavares has not played since January 14th, missing six games, but appears to be nearing a return after practicing on Friday. Before his injury, Tavares had been held off the scoresheet in three straight games but is still producing at a near point-per-game pace, scoring 42 points (20G / 22A) in 43 contests. The Maple Leafs return to action on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers.

John Tavares
Klingberg missed Friday's practice due to illness.

The Oilers signed Klingberg to a one-year, $1 million contract two weeks ago and he made his Edmonton Oilers debut on Thursday, playing 16:39 time-on-ice, but did not practice on Friday due to an illness. It was his first game since undergoing hip surgery over a year ago after a brief 14-game stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he scored five points (0G / 5A).

John Klingberg
Ekholm missed practice on Friday due to illness.

Ekholm has not practiced the past several days due to an illness but was able to play in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Assuming this is the same illness he has battled earlier this week, he will likely play on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 34-year-old defenseman has four points (1G / 3A) in his last four games.

Mattias Ekholm
Murphy (groin) will return to Chicago's lineup on Saturday in Florida.

Murphy has not played since December 31st, missing 13 games due to a groin injury, but will draw back into the lineup on Saturday against the Florida Panthers. Before his injury, the 31-year-old Murphy had been a steadying force on the blue line for the Blackhawks this season, averaging 20:33 time-on-ice and scoring 13 points (1G / 12A) in 38 games.

Connor Murphy
Saros (illness) will be a game-time decision to dress in Buffalo on Friday.

Saros is battling an injury and might be sidelined in Friday's contest against the Buffalo Sabres. Justus Annunen was in the starter's crease at Nashville's morning skate on Friday, indicating that an EBUG will likely be his backup if Saros cannot suit up.

Juuse Saros
Cooley will be out indefinitely with a lower-body injury.

Cooley showed no signs of an injury in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, recording an assist and playing 17:47 time-on-ice, but will be out indefinitely due to a lower-body injury. The 20-year-old forward has been enjoying a tremendous season with Utah, scoring 43 points (15G / 28A) in 50 games.

Logan Cooley
Aho (illness) is not on the ice for warmups for Thursday's game against the Blackhawks

Aho was absent from Carolina's morning skate on Thursday due to an illness and will be unavailable for their meeting with the Chicago Blackhawks. The 27-year-old Aho has 51 points (17G / 34A) in 51 games this season, including five points (3G / 2A) in his last three.

Sebastian Aho
Ekholm (illness) is expected to play vs. Detroit on Thursday after missing practice on Wednesday.

Ekholm did not practice on Wednesday due to an illness but will likely play against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday. The 34-year-old Ekholm is averaging 22:45 time-on-ice and has 22 points (7G / 15A) in 50 games this season.

Mattias Ekholm
Doughty (rest) will be a game-time decision in Tampa Bay on Thursday.

Doughty made his season debut on Wednesday, returning from a 47-game absence due to ankle surgery, and could miss Thursday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning as he acclimates back to game-speed. Over the last two seasons, Doughty averaged nearly 26:00 TOI/GP. In 82 games in 2023-24, he had 15 goals, 50 points, 44 PIMs, and a +15 plus/minus.

Drew Doughty