Gaudette had one assist in 7:39 TOI in his Blackhawks debut on April 19th but sat out for the last three games. He will replace Philip Kurashev in the lineup on Thursday and will likely skate on the third line with Dylan Strome.

Ullmark was forced to leave Tuesday's game in Boston with a lower-body injury and is week-to-week. This is a terrible break for the Sabres, who could have moved him at the trade deadline but wanted to work on an extension. However, they're well out of the playoff race and it's better for them to play it safe with Ullmark's health.

Pinto skated on the fourth line with Connor Brown and Alex Formenton in Friday's practice and will replace Michael Amadio in the lineup on Saturday. Pinto was the No.32 overall pick in 2019 and scored 15 goals with 17 assists (32 points) in 28 games in his second season at the University of North Dakota.

Highmore turned himself into an undrafted NHL player after five years in the QMJHL and 97 AHL games. Still, he doesn't project to be anything more than bottom-6 winger at best.

This seems like odd timing to trade Gaudette if you're the Canucks. Gaudette had a solid 2020 campaign, posting 33 points (12G / 21A) in 59 games but they've sold low on him, with him picking up just seven points (4G / 3A) in 33 games. Gaudette has some offensive upside but has been tough to trust in his own end. For the Blackhawks, it's a very low-risk investment.

Amadio was acquired in a trade with the Kings at the end of March and is expected to make his Senators debut on Thursday. Amadio, who had just two assists in 20 games with Los Angeles, will likely be on the fourth line.