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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hischier practiced for the first time since suffering an oblique injury on a hit from Nick Suzuki on January 25th. Hischier's return to practice suggests that he will play Saturday vs. the Stars, but expect an official update in the days leading up to their first game back.
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.
Wilsby missed the final two games before the 4Nations break, but was back at practice on Tuesday, suggesting that he'll be available for Saturday's game vs. the Avalanche. Wilsby has five points (1G / 4A) in 23 games this season.
Evangelista missed the final three games before the 4Nations break, but was back at practice on Tuesday, suggesting that he'll be available for Saturday's game vs. the Avalanche. Evangelista has 15 points (5G / 10A) in 41 games this season.
Jankowski missed the final nine games before the 4Nations break, but was back at practice on Tuesday, suggesting that he'll be available for Saturday's game vs. the Avalanche. Jankowski has just eight points (3G / 5A) in 37 games this season.
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.
Rust missed Pittsburgh's final game before the 4-Nations Face Off due to an undisclosed injury, but will likely return to the lineup on Saturday against the Washington Capitals. The 32-year-old winger last appeared on February 7th and had 13 points in his previous 13 games. Across 48 games played this season, Rust is third on the Penguins in scoring with 20 goals and 42 points.
Malkin has been out since January 25th due to an upper-body injury but was a full participant in Pittsburgh's practice on Tuesday and will return to the lineup on Saturday against the Washington Capitals. The 38-year-old will make a welcome addition back to the Penguin's lineup adding his nine goals and 34 points in 47 games played this season.
Lowry missed eight straight games due to an upper-body injury before the break for the 4-Nations Face Off, but appears ready to return to the lineup after practicing in full on Wednesday. The 31-year-old Lowry has 26 points (11G / 15A) in 26 games this season. The Jets return to action on Saturday against the St. Louis Blues.
Fabbro did not play the previous three games for the Blue Jackets due to an upper-body injury but is expected to return to action on Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 26-year-old Fabbro is averaging 20:22 time-on-ice, recording 13 points (4G / 9A), 96 blocks, and 44 hits in 37 games this season.
