Bunting was acquired by the Predators in a trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins before the deadline last week and could finally make his debut with the team as he approaches his return from an appendectomy. The 29-year-old Bunting had 29 points (14G / 15A) and a -18 plus/minus rating in 58 games with Pittsburgh this season.
Colangelo has been effective for the Ducks lately but will be out day-to-day due to an upper-body injury. The 23-year-old forward has six points (5G / 1A) in his last six games while averaging under 13 minutes of ice time per game.
Johnston played 7:05 time-on-ice in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Utah Hockey Club and will be out day-to-day with an upper-body injury. The 31-year-old forward is averaging 8:41 time-on-ice and has four points (1G / 3A) in 43 games this season.
Blackwood is battling an illness but will likely suit up as the back up to Scott Wedgewood on Friday against the Calgary Flames. The 28-year-old Blackwood has been stellar since joining Colorado, posting a 2.17 GAA and .919 SV% in 28 games (18-7-3).
Demko has not played since February 8th due to a lower-body injury but appears to be progressing towards a return after participating at practice on Friday. The 29-year-old Demko was performing at a high level before his injury, posting a 1.21 GAA and .955 SV% in his previous five appearances (3-1-0).
Armia was a late scratch before Wednesday's game due to an upper-body injury, but will likely return to the lineup on Saturday against the Florida Panthers. The 31-year-old Armia is averaging 14:42 time-on-ice and has 25 points (11G / 14A) in 64 games this season.
Kucherov has missed the last four periods of hockey for Tampa Bay due to an illness but appears to be ready to return to the lineup after practicing with the team on Friday. The 31-year-old Kucherov remains among the league leaders with 92 points (28G / 64A) in 61 games this season. That said, the elite forward has been held off the scoresheet in two straight games for only the second time this season.
Norris has battled injuries the past few seasons, a trend that unfortunately has followed him to his new club, the Buffalo Sabres. The 25-year-old Norris was acquired by the Sabres last week in a trade that sent Dylan Cozens to the Ottawa Senators. Norris has been productive early in his tenure with Buffalo, recording two points (1G / 1A) and averaging 18:36 time-on-ice in three games.
Peterka did not play in Buffalo's previous game and will miss at least one more contest due to a lower-body injury. The 23-year-old Peterka has a career-high 51 points (19G / 32A) in 61 games this season.
Bichsel did not practice on Thursday due to an illness and is not ready to join the team for the Friday night matchup against the Winnipeg Jets. The 20-year-old rookie defenseman is averaging 14:57 time-on-ice and has five points (2G / 3A) in 22 games this season. Brendan Smith will draw into the Stars' lineup as Bichsel's replacement.
Gudbranson only played three games this season before suffering a shoulder injury and undergoing surgery in October. The 33-year-old is in his 14th NHL season, his third with Columbus, and is slated to make his return to the lineup next week.
Christiansen was limited to only 5:27 time-on-ice before exiting Thursday's 4-0 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights due to an upper-body injury. The 25-year-old Christiansen is averaging 12:43 time-on-ice and has eight points (1G / 7A) in 65 games this season.
Backlund exited the Flames' 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks in the first period and will be out week-to-week due to an upper-body injury. The 35-year-old Backlund is averaging 18:48 time-on-ice and has 24 points (11G / 13A) in 64 games this season. In a corresponding move, the Flames recalled Dryden Hunt from the Calgary Wranglers (AHL).
Pionk played a season-low 16:18 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the New York Rangers and will be sidelined week-to-week due to an undisclosed injury. The 29-year-old Pionk was having an impressive season on the Jets' blueline, averaging 22:09 time-on-ice, recording 37 points (9G / 28A) and 109 hits in 66 games.
Ehlers has been tending to an undisclosed ailment, missing the Jets' previous two practices, but will be in the lineup on Friday against the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old Ehlers is averaging 15:54 time-on-ice and has 57 points (21G / 36A) in 57 games this season. He has never finished a season with a point-per-game pace.
Ristolainen did not play on Thursday and remains day-to-da with an upper-body injury. The 30-year-old Finnish defenseman is averaging 20:31 time-on-ice and has 19 points (4G / 15A) in 63 games this season.
Boqvist was limited to only 7:51 time-on-ice before exiting Monday's 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings with an upper-body injury and did not practice on Thursday. The 24-year-old Boqvist is averaging 13:31 time-on-ice and has 11 points (4G / 7A) in 30 games this season. Scott Mayfield will draw into the lineup as Boqvist's replacement.
Christiansen was limited to only 5:27 time-on-ice before exiting Thursday's 4-0 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights due to an upper-body injury. The 25-year-old Christiansen is averaging 12:43 time-on-ice and has eight points (1G / 7A) in 65 games this season.
Tanev has missed the last six games, but will likely return to the lineup on Thursday against the Florida Panthers. The 35-year-old Tanev is averaging 19:48 time-on-ice, recording 17 points (2G / 15A) and 151 blocks in 57 games this season.
Kucherov did not play for the entirety of the third period in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes and it appears he will miss Thursday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 31-year-old Kucherov remains among the league leaders with 92 points (28G / 64A) in 61 games this season. That said, the elite forward has been held off the scoresheet in two straight games for only the second time this season.
