Smith was an additional piece in a trade with Mackenzie Blackwood that sent Alexandar Georgiev and Nikolai Kovalenko to San Jose Sharks on Monday. The 26-year-old Smith was limited to only six games with the Sharks this season, averaging 6:17 time-on-ice in a fourth-line role, and will likely serve a similar role in his new home with the Avalanche.
Kovalenko could make his Sharks debut after being acquired in a trade from the Colorado Avalanche yesterday. The 25-year-old Kovalenko showed glimpses of the talent that made him an offensive standout with Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo (KHL), but limited deployment in Colorado likely stunted the opportunity for true success. In 28 games, Kovalenko has eight points (4G / 4A) and will likely get an opportunity for better deployment in his new home with the Sharks.
Ville Heinola will draw back into the Jets' lineup on Tuesday, resulting in Miller being a healthy scratch. Miller has been in and out of the lineup lately, playing only two of the last seven games. He has seven points (2G / 5A) in 25 games this season.
David Gustafsson will draw back into the Jets' lineup on Tuesday, resulting in Kupari being a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Kupari has been a lineup regular for the Jets this season, averaging 9:40 time-on-ice and scoring three points (2G / 1A) in 28 contests.
Colin Miller will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Heinola to re-enter the lineup. Heinola made his season debut on November 25th and has played five games, averaging 13:06 time-on-ice while registering four blocks and two hits.
Rasmus Kupari will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Gustafsson to re-enter the lineup. The 24-year-old Gustafsson has only played two games this season after playing 39 and and 46 in his previous two seasons.
With Nathan Bastian (jaw) returning to the Devils' lineup on Tuesday, Legare will exit the lineup as a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Legare has played his first three NHL games this season, averaging 10:41 time-on-ice and scoring zero points.
With Philip Tomasino (upper-body) poised to make his return to the lineup, Nieto could be the odd-man out as a healthy scratch. The 32-year-old Nieto is averaging 11:59 time-on-ice through nine games this season, recording zero points, a -6 plus/minus, and six hits.
Anderson will fill in for Craig Smith, who is out with an undisclosed injury. Anderson has zero goals and just one assist in 12 games this season.
Kulich will take a seat on Monday to make way for the return of Jordan Greenway, who is back from an undisclosed injury. Kulich has three goals and zero assists in 18 games this season.
Berard will fill in for Jimmy Vesey, who is listed as a scratch for Monday night's game against Chicago. Berard has one goal and one assist in four games this season.
Trouba was acquired by the Ducks in a trade from the New York Rangers last week in exchange for Urho Vaakanainen and a 2025 fourth-round pick. The 30-year-old Trouba was the captain of the Rangers, averaging 20:00 time-on-ice, and recording six points (0G / 6A), 68 blocks, and 39 hits in 24 games.
Jayden Struble will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the Anaheim Ducks, allowing Barron to re-enter the lineup after a one-game absence. The 23-year-old Barron is averaging 15:29 time-on-ice through 13 games, recording one point (1G / 0A), 15 blocks, and 15 hits.
Justin Barron will draw back into the lineup for the Canadiens on Monday against the Anaheim Ducks, resulting in Struble being a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Struble is averaging 15:09 time-on-ice through 21 games this season, recording five points (2G / 3A), 23 blocks, and 40 hits.
