Injury Notes: Foerster, Carlo, Nichushkin
The Philadelphia Flyers announced mid game that forward Tyson Foerster will not return after sustaining an upper-body injury. The winger unloaded on a one-timer and immediately went down in a non-contact play, appearing to favor his shoulder. Although Foerster was on injured reserve earlier this season, it was a lower-body injury with no apparent correlation.
Foerster, 23, was a great find at 23rd overall by the Flyers in 2020. The 6’2” winger has scored nine goals in 20 games, on track to take another step forward after last year’s 25 goal, 18 assist campaign where he appeared in 81 games. Especially as Philadelphia has found their stride of late, firmly in the Wild Card mix as of today, the hope will be that the top line forward will not be out for long.
Elsewhere across the league:
- Toronto Head Coach Craig Berube told David Alter of The Hockey News that defenseman Brandon Carlo had a setback in his recovery, and will return home to see a specialist. Placed on IR two weeks ago, the 29-year-old has been dealing with a lower-body injury. As he practiced in recent days, it appeared Carlo could be gearing up for a return tomorrow at Florida, before the setback. The towering blueliner’s struggles to acclimate to the Leafs have been well discussed, especially considering the steep package GM Brad Treliving gave up. Troy Stecher, claimed off waivers, has been a steady presence to alleviate pressure on Philippe Myers in Carlo’s absence, but if the Leafs are to turn their season around, Carlo must find his game when healthy.
- Avalanche Head Coach Jared Bednar told Meghan Angley of Guerilla Sports that forward Valeri Nichushkin is a “possibility” for tomorrow, as Colorado hosts Vancouver. The often injured 30-year-old went down with a lower-body ailment against the Ducks on November 12th and was listed as week-to-week. When ready, Nichushkin will likely jump right back into a top-six role where he had 12 points in 17 games before going down. In his absence, Ross Colton has filled in adequately and the team has not missed a beat, currently atop the league with just one regulation loss, a sign of their depth after a wildly successful roster shakeup.
Pacific Notes: Sherwood, Strome
On an episode of Sens 1-on-1 last Thursday, Nick Kypreos discussed Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood, noting that the late-bloomer is looking for $5 million or more per season, on a six year deal. Canucks reporter Rick Dhaliwal also speculated on Sherwood today on the Donnie & Dhali show, saying that Boston and Minnesota are two teams which are in on the pending free agent as a trade target.
With a free agent market which has largely evaporated even before January, Sherwood would be wise to play the long game for a major pay raise. Fully aware of this, and with a team sputtering of late, Vancouver may take advantage of Sherwood’s emergence as well, and get a substantial trade package for a player likely to hit the open market either way.
Sherwood, 30, was undrafted out of Miami (OH) but soon earned his way into a fourth line role with the Ducks in 2018-19. He then had to wait five years to become a full time NHLer again, doing so with Nashville, helping the team surpass expectations. Hitting the market, the winger inked a two year deal worth $1.5MM per season with the Canucks in 2024. He set career highs in games, goals, and assists last season, even breaking the single-season all-time hits record. With 12 goals in 26 games so far, Sherwood has maintained such levels, and the feisty winger may be set on hitting the market and cashing in after a long uphill battle to this point.
With Evander Kane and Derek Forbort’s contracts set to come off the books, in theory Vancouver could make an extension work, but considering their state as a franchise, they may opt to receive a substantial trade package for the 30-year-old. Both Minnesota and Boston own their first-round picks this season, and it’s not hard to imagine Sherwood fetching one, if he can maintain such performance.
Elsewhere in the division:
- Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune shared that veteran Ryan Strome would be a healthy scratch tonight against St. Louis, as young defenseman Ian Moore re-entered the lineup, leaving Anaheim in a 11-forward, 7-defensemen configuration. Strome was injured before the season, but has offered on-track production with three points in nine games since, and solid underlying numbers as a two-way center. The veteran has been remarkably consistent with 41 points exactly in his last three seasons, but such is a bit underwhelming for a $5MM cap hit set to expire in 2027. Strome’s role has simply diminished on a dynamic young team, but it is safe to assume he’s set in Anaheim for now and will return to the lineup soon.
Rangers Recall Brennan Othmann
The New York Rangers announced this evening that forward Brennan Othmann has been recalled from AHL Hartford. With Adam Fox landing on long term injured reserve yesterday, the club had an open spot, and no corresponding move was needed. However, Adam Edstrom left practice today and is thought to be day-to-day with a lower body injury, per Colin Stephenson of Newsday Sports, so Othmann offers insurance if Edstrom cannot go tomorrow versus Dallas.
Othmann, drafted 16th overall in 2021 by New York, has been in Hartford since a one game stint with the big club in late October. Having been unable to reach expectations thus far, his name has floated around in rumors already this season. Although the Ontario native will turn just 23 in January, his AHL performance has not inspired much confidence of late. Othmann put up an impressive 49 points in 67 games in his first professional season, but after being hampered by injury in 2024-25, he has just one goal, seven points in 15 AHL games, a step below expectations at this point. At the NHL level, Othmann has not scored in 26 games to-date, posting two assists.
As they needed a forward, Othmann was an easy choice for GM Chris Drury, as he remains waiver exempt. However, a restricted free agent at season’s end, the former first-round top prospect will need to show something to warrant a future in New York, either in a small sample size as a bottom-sixer in the NHL, or putting it all together in the AHL and returning to a high scoring pace.
With the Rangers depleted from injuries, and likely in need of a shake up regardless, Othmann’s name is one to watch as trade season heats up. In the meantime, the winger will look to prove his organization right for their patience with his development so far, and step up in a time when the team is in need of a spark, if called upon tomorrow night.
Wild’s Tyler Pitlick, Flyers’ Adam Ginning Clear Waivers
Dec. 1: Both Ginning and Pitlick have cleared waivers, per Friedman. Pitlick is expected to stay on Minnesota’s roster while Ginning is now eligible to return to Lehigh Valley.
Nov. 30: This afternoon, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet shared that Wild veteran Tyler Pitlick has been placed on waivers, along with Flyers defenseman Adam Ginning.
Pitlick, 34, has been back-and-forth between the AHL and NHL so far this season, most recently being called back up two weeks ago. His status on waivers is mainly due to surpassing the 10-game threshold in the NHL, more than signifying a desire to move on. Signed to a two-year, two-way deal last summer, Pitlick provides depth since joining his hometown organization, as well as experience, as he was a regular NHLer from 2016-2022. Having cleared waivers already earlier in the season after not making the roster, it is most likely he will return to AHL Iowa, where he has scored three goals in five games, and vie for an NHL return again when needed, at a $775k cap hit. In 15 games with Minnesota so far, Pitlick has zero points, but has mixed it up with 22 penalty minutes.
On the other hand, Ginning offers slightly more intrigue, soon to be 26, as a former second-round selection of Philadelphia in 2018. However, at this point, the 6’3” Swedish defenseman does not have much NHL upside, as he has been surpassed in the Flyers organization by Emil Andrae. This season is thought to likely be his last chance, especially under a new coach in Rick Tocchet, and with pending UFA status. Ginning has skated in five games for the Flyers so far, not recording any stats, and has one goal in 16 total NHL games.
While a team thin on the blueline could pick up Ginning for the short term, it is not likely he offers much more than their own internal options, and most likely, Ginning will rejoin AHL Lehigh Valley to continue his season. At 11-6-1, the Phantoms would be eager to add such a player back to their lineup as a top defender.
Injury Notes: Pesce, Jenner, Cooley
Last night, Ryan Novozinsky of njdotcom asked Devils Head Coach Sheldon Keefe for an update on defenseman Brett Pesce. As shared by Novozinsky, while the key defenseman is progressing, he is still not close to a return, and remains considered week-to-week.
The blueliner has now been absent for over a month after blocking a shot against the Avalanche and leaving mid-game. The initial thought was at least one month, so the update is not great, but it appears the veteran is on the right track for a return by January. While Pesce never jumps out on the stat sheet, anyone remotely familiar with his game knows his importance as a top shutdown defender. Prior to going down, he and Luke Hughes were a formidable pair, complementing each other’s games perfectly.
Impressively, New Jersey has battled through the adversity of losing Pesce, along with Jack Hughes and others, remaining atop the Metropolitan, especially thanks to a 9-1-1 home record. 21-year-old Simon Nemec has stepped up of late, being trusted with high minutes from Keefe, and starting to break through from his second-overall selection billing. However, Pesce’s absence is a major hole, and if the Devils are to hold off the Hurricanes along with the many other formidable teams in the division, they will need their steady leader back, placing their elite young defenders Hughes and Nemec back into more favorable roles.
Elsewhere across the league:
- Blue Jackets Head Coach Dean Evason told Jeff Svoboda, Columbus’ team reporter, that Boone Jenner is “close” to returning, but likely not tomorrow against the Devils. The captain practiced today but is being phased back gradually. Jenner landed on IR two weeks ago with an upper-body-injury, and it was thought to be longer term, so a return by early December is favorable. The 32-year-old career long Jacket has 10 points in 16 games, and while a Monday return seems out of the cards, Jenner could return on Thursday as Columbus hosts Detroit.
- Insider Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff confirmed that Utah forward Logan Cooley appears to have “dodged a bullet”, with an initial finding of a quad contusion. Although further testing will be done, it seems to confirm last night’s sentiment that a serious injury was avoided. Cooley’s knee-on-knee collision with Alexei Toropchenko immediately caught the concern of the league, as he had to be helped off the ice, earning Toropchenko a match penalty. In an update from Matthew DeFranks of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Toropchenko will not face supplemental discipline for the hit. Thankfully it appears the dynamic young star Cooley, with 23 points in 26 games, will not be sidelined for long.
Rangers Recall Spencer Martin, Assign Dylan Garand To AHL
This morning the New York Rangers announced an organizational goaltender swap; as Spencer Martin has been called up, while Dylan Garand is headed back to AHL Hartford. The move is a natural one, as Jonathan Quick has landed on IR, with a lower-body injury sustained earlier this week.
Martin, 30, signed to a two-year deal earlier this month after starting the season in the KHL with CSKA Moscow. The Ontario native carved out a respectable career over the last nine professional seasons between the AHL and NHL, notching 66 games in the NHL, but it appeared he had run out of opportunities and was set to finish his career abroad. Instead, after 14 games with Moscow, his KHL contract was terminated. Now, even if temporarily, Martin finds himself back in the NHL with an Original Six franchise, proving to be quite a change of events in just one month.
On the other hand, Garand, 23, is a prospect with potential to be a legit NHL backup. Even if not the absolute highest upside, he was a nice find in the fourth round of the 2020 draft, and the Rangers are making sure to develop Garand properly. Naturally he emerges as the likely next man up whenever Quick retires, but in the meantime, the British Columbia native has yet to debut in the NHL, and the organization prefers he continues to play at the AHL level, than sit behind Igor Shesterkin. The team opted to start their star Shesterkin in a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday, rather than give Garand his debut yet.
Therefore, with Garand needing proper seasoning, and Quick approaching age 40 despite his late career resurgence, Martin is a needed buffer between the two. The hope is that Quick will return soon, with his tremendous performance so far this season, to the tune of a .944 SV% and 1.69 GAA, but at his age such injuries are unfortunately not so surprising. Martin, an AHL All Star last season, is a real asset capable of serving as a viable NHL backup, or AHL star, needing no additional development at this point in his career.
Kyle Palmieri Exits Due To Injury
The New York Islanders announced mid-game that forward Kyle Palmieri will not return, due to a lower body injury. Early in the second period, the veteran hit Jamie Drysdale in the corner along the boards, and as Drysdale went down, he tripped Palmieri, who immediately favored his leg in pain after going down awkwardly.
In a remarkable effort, despite it looking serious and potentially warranting a stoppage of play, Palmieri picked up his stick and limped to the bench, sneaking up behind Emil Andrae, and catching him completely off guard, stripping the puck and setting up an Emil Heineman goal, where Palmieri rightfully earned an assist. Making it a 3-1 game, the gutsy play sparked a comeback from the Islanders, who managed to tie the game and force overtime.
At 34, Palmieri remains from a previous era for New York, but as an assistant captain, his presence in the lineup is undeniable. So far this season he has 17 points in 24 games, continuing to produce in a top line role, and currently averaging a career high in ice time, showing the trust Patrick Roy has in the local native.
Noteworthy is Palmieri’s current consecutive games played streak, 223, good for 19th-best among active players, which is now in jeopardy. With New York having a strong start to the season, they’re already missing Alexander Romanov for several months, and J.G. Pageau is week-to-week. Therefore, updates on Palmieri will be closely watched in the next 24 hours. The Islanders are back in action on Sunday afternoon, hosting the Capitals.
Afternoon Notes: Nylander Out, Domi Scratched, Schaefer
This afternoon, Mark Masters of TSN shared that Maple Leafs star William Nylander will not play due to illness. Nylander was absent from practice yesterday in what was considered a maintenance day, but the Leafs will have to take on Washington without him, and hope for a return tomorrow versus Pittsburgh.
Notably, even with the open spot, Max Domi will be a healthy scratch. It has not been a fun year so far for the 30-year-old, who has experienced a gradual decline in production from a strong first season with his hometown club. In 23 games this season Domi has just six points, is a -13, and is starting to face an uncertain future with the Leafs. Despite being signed until 2027-28 at a $3.75MM cap hit, it is his first healthy scratch as a Maple Leaf, with potentially more on the horizon.
Winger Mattias Maccelli will re-enter the lineup today, after he was scratched on Wednesday.
Elsewhere across the league:
- The Nashville Predators recalled forward prospect Reid Schaefer from AHL Milwaukee, and the 22-year-old is expected to make his NHL debut tonight in Chicago. Schaefer, a 2022 first round selection of his hometown Edmonton Oilers, before being traded to Nashville in the Mattias Ekholm deal, has been a top performer for Milwaukee with 14 points in 15 games. Despite the first round pedigree, and current output, Schaefer likely has a third line ceiling. Nashville hopes their prospect can pan out in a Lawson Crouse-type mold, but at the least, the 6’4” forward could become a fixture in the Predators’ new era in a bottom six role.
Red Wings Activate Michael Rasmussen, Reassign Erik Gustafsson to AHL
Earlier today before their matinee game versus Tampa Bay, the Detroit Red Wings updated that forward Michael Rasmussen was activated from injured reserve, while defenseman Erik Gustafsson was sent back down to Grand Rapids (AHL).
Rasmussen was placed on IR just two days ago, having missed three games before his return today. The former high draft pick has managed to establish himself as a solid bottom six forward capable of reaching the 30-point mark, earning himself a four-year extension worth $3.2MM per year. Since inking the deal in 2024, the British Columbia native has not performed at such a level, with only seven points in 20 games this year, but still just 26, he figures to be a useful depth forward capable of filling roles across the lineup for the near future. Sure enough, Rasmussen found the back of the net today, although the Wings fell to Tampa Bay, 6-3.
On the other hand, Gustafsson’s fall from grace has been well documented to this point, once a 60-point getter, and in more recent years still a valuable powerplay specialist. Now at 33, in the final year of his two-year contract worth $2MM at the NHL level, Gustafsson’s NHL days are likely numbered as he has been surpassed by the Wings’ many talented young blueliners. The veteran appears to be a quick call-up for Detroit when needed, but otherwise is set to spend most of the season with the Griffins. Having a player as capable as Gustafsson in the AHL is certainly beneficial, as the Grand Rapids boasts a remarkable 14-1-1 record to-date, and the Swedish defenseman will likely continue elite AHL production, as he has eight points in 10 games.
With December approaching, the Red Wings remain in the Wild Card mix, but as losers of three in a row, and another decisive loss today, Rasmussen will need to help drive Todd McLellan’s bottom six with possible reinforcements on the way as Steve Yzerman tries to end the team’s nine year playoff drought.
Lukáš Dostál Out Two To Three Weeks
Prior to this afternoon’s tilt vs Los Angeles, the Anaheim Ducks announced that goaltender Lukáš Dostál will miss two to three weeks due to an upper-body injury. The 25-year-old’s ailment led to the recall of Ville Husso on Wednesday, and now the upstart Ducks, currently atop the Pacific Division, must move forward without their #1 goalie, who has played a big part in their resurgence so far this season.
Without Dostál, the team turns primarily to Petr Mrázek, a highly experienced backup, but in six games so far as a Duck, the 33-year-old has not been great, at least up to Anaheim’s current standards, posting a 3-3 record and a 3.69 GAA. In their first game without Dostál earlier this week, Mrázek allowed four goals in a 5-4 defeat at the hands of the Canucks.
On the other hand, Husso played well in a small sample size when called upon last season, with a .925 save percentage. The once more-promising goaltender was, interestingly, signed to a two-year extension worth $2.2MM per season, highly unusual for a third goalie set to play in the AHL, but now is the time for the Finn to prove his value to the organization. Whether necessary or not, any team with a third netminder having a pedigree such as Husso’s is impressive and needed in times such as this.
Sure enough, Husso is set to start today, thrown into action for his first NHL appearance since last April.
As Anaheim has exceeded expectations so far this season despite unfavorable defensive metrics, losing Dostál, an emerging young star, is a real test to see how sustainable their success under Joel Quenneville can be. After the tough news, the team is right back into action this afternoon against their in-state rivals, and it will be up to Mrázek and Husso, two familiar names, to backstop the team as 2025 winds down.