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Avalanche’s Scott Wedgewood Leaves Due To Injury

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The Colorado Avalanche announced mid-game that goaltender Scott Wedgewood will not return versus Vancouver due to an upper-body injury. It is not immediately clear what happened to the netminder, but given that he managed to complete the second period, hopefully his absence is cautionary, and the veteran will not need to miss any additional time. 

Wedgewood, 33, has been one of the top stories so far this season. In his first full season with Colorado, he has posted a remarkable 13-1-3 record, with a .921 save percentage and 2.08 goals-against-average. Such performance fetched himself a one-year extension, which was inked in mid-November. Although it is hard to ignore the strength of the team in front of him, Wedgewood has played at such a level as a backup with Arizona and Dallas in the past, as he and Colorado have been a perfect match.

Mackenzie Blackwood, another attainable goalie who flashed enough potential elsewhere to earn an envious position with the Avalanche, took over for the third period. Now, updates on Wedgewood will be watched closely, but given the recent play of the NHL’s top team, they will likely not miss a beat.

Sharks’ Vincent Desharnais Week-To-Week, Pavol Regenda Recalled

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12/2: Vincent Desharnais will be out week-to-week, per Max Miller, San Jose Beat Reporter with the upper-body injury. He has missed the last three games, and the IR placement is retroactive to his last appearance on Nov. 26.

12/1: The Sharks announced Monday they’ve placed defenseman Desharnais on injured reserve and recalled winger Pavol Regenda from AHL San Jose in a corresponding move. Their active roster remains full.

The 29-year-old stay-at-home righty is arguably having the best season of his four-year NHL career. He’s only got two assists through 20 games but has been San Jose’s second-best shutdown defender behind Mario Ferraro, posting a +1 rating and a 2.12 GA/60 at 5-on-5. That second mark is third-best on the team overall among qualified skaters. He also ranks sixth in shots against per 60 (29.17), fourth in expected goals against per 60 (2.45), and second in scoring chances against per 60 (25.17).

Desharnais features alongside Ferraro on the Sharks’ top penalty kill and has spent most of his time at even-strength in third-pairing duties sheltering rookie Sam Dickinson. They’ve been the Sharks’ best pairing at controlling expected goals with a 56.9 xGF% at 5-on-5. He’s a notable loss if he’s to miss significant time, particularly as the Sharks have cooled off to the tune of a 4-5-0 record in their last nine games.

Regenda comes up to ensure the Sharks have 12 forwards for tonight against Utah. He could make his Sharks debut if Adam Gaudette, who Max Miller of NHL.com reports is questionable due to illness, can’t go. Regenda, 26 next week, was acquired from the Ducks in exchange for Justin Bailey midway through last season but played out the year in the AHL after his pickup. Anaheim initially brought him over as an undrafted free agent out of Slovakia in 2022 and, while he could have tested Group VI unrestricted free agency last summer, opted to return to San Jose on a two-way deal.

Since being acquired by the Sharks, the 6’4″, 212-lb Regenda has a 12-20–32 scoring line in 55 AHL appearances, including seven points in 19 games this year. He has 19 games of NHL experience, all with Anaheim, but hasn’t seen the top level since March 2024. He has one career goal with a pair of assists alongside a -4 rating. He’s not much more than a fourth-line plug-in call-up option but provides a physical edge should the Sharks need one.

Jarred Tinordi Seeking Opportunity

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Insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet shared earlier today that Jarred Tinordi has been cleared after a knee surgery in the summer, and he is now hoping to resume his career. The defenseman spent 2024-25 with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers before the injury, and last played in the NHL with the Blackhawks two seasons ago. 

Drafted 22nd overall by Montreal in 2010, Tinordi, 6’6”, once projected as a reliable stay-at-home top four defenseman, but things did not quite pan out. Son of NHL defender Mark Tinordi, Jarred had the pedigree to go along with strong reach and defensive upside. A physical force on the London Knights, he recorded just 30 points in his OHL career, and as the game evolved into the 2010s, players in his mold seldom appeared as high draft picks any longer. 

Unable to break through with the Canadiens, Tinordi was dealt to Arizona in early 2016, in a controversial trade involving All-Star-to-be, John Scott. He appeared in just seven games with the ‘Yotes, spending 2016-17 with AHL Tucson. His one goal on the season went into the history books however, the first in the Roadrunners’ home debut as a franchise. 

After a stop in the Penguins’ system, Tinordi signed with the Predators, set to serve as captain of their affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. By this point, he was a strong AHL player with leadership qualities, but any sustained NHL future seemed out of the picture. Tinordi worked his way up to the Preds lineup in 2019-20, appearing in 28 games and scoring his first NHL goal, at age 27, a sign of his resilience. One year later, in 2021, he was waived, leading to short stops with the Bruins and Rangers. Tinordi, then 30, was picked up by the Blackhawks. 

No less than a decade of grinding away between the AHL and NHL, across six different organizations, Tinordi’s determination paid off in 2022-23 as he became a full time NHLer for Chicago. The veteran played in 96 games for the Hawks, and while the numbers were not pretty, especially suiting up for a rebuilding team, Tinordi brought needed physicality and leadership to a team in darker times. 

Tinordi caught on with Calgary last season, on a two-way deal, where he served as an alternate captain with the Wranglers before the injury. Now healthy, NHL opportunities are not likely for the defender who will turn 34 in February, especially coming off knee surgery, and with the game faster than ever. Yet considering everything he has been through, it would be nice to see an AHL team pick up the veteran to continue his tenure in North America. In September it was speculated the Blackhawks organization might have interest. Regardless of what comes next, Tinordi was able to carve out a long career despite not meeting initial expectations, with 205 games at the highest level. 

Image credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Injury Notes: Appleton, Predators, Wennberg

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Red Wings Head Coach Todd McLellan told Daniella Bruce, Detroit’s Broadcast Reporter, that forward Mason Appleton will miss 7-10 days due to a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old longtime Winnipeg Jet, signed by the Wings to a two-year deal last summer, is a key bottom six two way forward with nine points in 26 games this season. 

In a skid to close out November, Detroit’s third and fourth lines have been shaken up of late. Marco Kasper has slotted down in tonight’s game versus Boston, as the skilled 21-year-old is trying to find his groove, with just three points (all goals) so far this season. Based on the timeline, Appleton will miss the club’s next three games, and could return by December 10th in Calgary. 

Elsewhere across the league:

  • Brooks Bratten, Nashville’s beat reporter, shared that Justin Barron, Michael McCarron, and Nick Perbix would miss tonight’s game against Calgary, each player out day-to-day. Barron has been sidelined since the Global Series in mid-November with a lower-body ailment. McCarron, a former first rounder who has established himself as a physical fourth line center, was shaken up after dropping the gloves with Logan Stanley on Saturday. Perbix will miss his first game as a Predator after coming over from Tampa Bay on a two-year deal. He has brought needed stability to the Preds’ defense core, however unfortunately, not enough to move the needle much as the team continues to struggle.
  • San Jose beat reporter Max Miller updated that center Alexander Wennberg sustained an upper-body injury in last night’s win over Utah, and he will be questionable for tomorrow against Washington. Wennberg, 31, was brought in by San Jose to hold down a second line center spot at a favorable $5MM. Now, a pending UFA, he could be an eventual trade target in the Sharks’ player recycling strategy of sorts, which has paid off consistently. The Swede has 13 points in 27 games, not yet missing a contest this season.

Flyers Activate, Reassign Oliver Bonk

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Earlier today it was announced out of AHL Lehigh Valley that Flyers defenseman Oliver Bonk has been activated from injured reserve, and assigned to Lehigh Valley. The top prospect had a real chance to make the Flyers roster out of camp prior to going down in early October with an upper-body injury. It had been thought to be week-to-week, but finally, he is set to return. 

Selected 22nd overall by Philadelphia in the 2023 draft after a tremendous career with the London Knights (OHL) where he finished as a +82, Bonk is finally set to embark on his professional career. He will join a successful Phantoms squad and provide a major boost to their defense corps headed into December, far and away the blueliner with the highest upside on the team. 

As the Flyers have held their own, surpassing expectations and seemingly solving their question marks on the back end for now, they do not have to feel rushed with Bonk. Especially considering the injury, it is best for him to start out with the Phantoms and ease back gradually. The son of longtime NHLer Radek Bonk, Oliver, 6’2″, has a real chance to become a top pair defender. Although playing a different position, he has the same reliable traits as his father did, steady defensively and suited for any situation. 

Outside of Cam York, Philadelphia has not hit on defensemen in their pipeline in the last few years relative to expectations, so Bonk’s performance in the AHL will be watched closely. As he is a righty, there is a very clear path forward in the organization for Bonk, and thankfully he is finally set to get going with the Phantoms.  

 

Flyers Recall Carl Grundstrom

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The Philadelphia Flyers announced this evening that forward Carl Grundström has been recalled from AHL Lehigh Valley. After receiving the tough news that Tyson Foerster is out for two to three months earlier today, the Flyers naturally needed to add a forward to the mix, and opt for Grundström, who brings 293 games of NHL experience. 

The 28-year-old was acquired by the Flyers in October from San Jose in a deal where Ryan Ellis’ contract was moved out. Although Grundström is no longer a viable full time NHLer at this point, and therefore has a slightly inflated contract at $1.8MM (set to expire after this season) adding a solid depth option for a LTIR player was a favorable move for GM Daniel Briere. The Swede has been a top scorer for Lehigh Valley, and considering his contract rate, there is virtually no chance he will be claimed on waivers by another team, so his appeal as a stop-gap forward is obvious.

Once a standout prospect for the Maple Leafs, Grundström was a useful bottom sixer for the Kings for four years after coming over in the Jake Muzzin deal. He never reached 20 points in a season, but brought a simplified, gritty game to the lineup each night. After it was apparent he had lost his role as the Kings returned to contender status, Grundström was sent to the Sharks, but was unable to stick after nine points in 56 games, helping the team weather the storms of their hardcore rebuilding days. 

Now, with Foerster out, Grundström will have an opportunity to re-establish himself in the NHL, bringing a playing style very friendly to the orange and black. The Flyers host Buffalo tomorrow as they look to fend off a throng of teams set on contention below themselves, and hold onto their spot in the wild card mix. 

Blue Jackets Place Mathieu Olivier On IR, Recall Luca Del Bel Belluz

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The Columbus Blue Jackets announced that Mathieu Olivier has been placed on injured reserve, and forward Luca Del Bel Belluz has been recalled from AHL Cleveland on an emergency basis. Thankfully the team will have some time to settle, as they are not in action again until Thursday when they host Detroit. 

Olivier is thought to be week-to-week, absent since leaving mid-game against Washington on November 24th with an apparent upper-body injury. The 28-year-old epitomizes the modern-day grinder. Undrafted out of the QMJHL, he caught on with the Predators organization but never broke out. After the 2021-22 season, Olivier got a fresh start as Columbus gave up a fourth round pick for the winger, which at the time felt like a lot for a grinder with limited NHL upside. Instead, Olivier established himself as a Jacket in 2022-23, playing in 66 games and setting career highs across the board. He took a massive step last season with 18 goals and 32 points, earning a well deserved six-year extension worth $3MM per season. 

With three goals in 23 games so far, the scoring touch has fallen a bit, but once healthy, Olivier will return as a vital cog in the Jackets’ bottom six, a role he will likely hold for years to come. 

On the other hand, Del Bel Belluz, 22, is a top prospect for Columbus after being selected in the second round of the 2022 draft. The Ontario native’s path to the NHL has been a bit clouded with the additions of veterans such as Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood, along with their group of exciting young forwards, but he has certainly held his own in the AHL. Del Bel Belluz has 11 points in as many games with Cleveland this year, and had 53 in 61 games last season. The center got into seven games with the Jackets already this season, but in a limited fourth line deployment, it wasn’t the best scenario for the youngster. 

Now, with Olivier down for the time being, Del Bel Belluz has another crack to make his mark, with seven NHL points to his name at this point, and help the Blue Jackets close out 2025 on the right note. 

Senators Reassign Hayden Hodgson To AHL

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The Ottawa Senators announced this afternoon that forward Hayden Hodgson has been sent back to AHL Belleville. The bruising winger was called up to the big club on November 9th, since then appearing in eight contests, with no points, and 11 penalty minutes, playing in a limited capacity. 

Hodgson, 29, has three career NHL points in 17 games between Ottawa and the Flyers, not exactly a world-beater, but considering his path to this point, etching himself into a Senators lineup is seriously impressive. The Ontario native was undrafted out of the OHL, and spent the next several seasons grinding away in the ECHL, even making a short stop in Slovakia before coming back to North America. The decision to return paid off, as he eventually earned an opportunity with the Flyers in the 2021-22 season, scoring a goal in a short NHL run, in his debut, no less.  

After catching on with Ottawa on a two-way deal, last season Hodgson led the Belleville Senators with 156 penalty minutes, and in 10 games with them so far in 2025-26, he has three goals. In an age where players in his mold are largely phased out of the NHL, impressively Hodgson has managed to make a name for himself, and is signed through 2026-27 with the Senators organization. Although headed back to Belleville for now, the Sens could call upon their bruiser again in the near future as a reliable fourth line option with serious physicality. 

Bruins Activate Viktor Arvidsson

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3:45 p.m.: Arvidsson has been activated and will be in the lineup tonight, per Ryan. Boston had an open roster spot after sending Georgii Merkulov down over the weekend.

8:09 a.m.: Although they will be without star winger David Pastrňák for the third straight game, the Boston Bruins will get a boost to their top-six tonight. In a new report from Conor Ryan of Boston.com, the Bruins are likely to welcome winger Viktor Arvidsson back from the injured reserve ahead of their upcoming contest against the Detroit Red Wings.

Arvidsson, who’s in his first year with Boston, has missed the last few weeks with a lower-body injury. He sustained the injury during the Bruins’ November 15th contest against their rival, the Montreal Canadiens. He has been a full participant in practice the last few days.

This was the risk for Boston in acquiring Arvidsson in the first place. In the last two years with the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers, the former 112th overall pick has skated in only 85 games, scoring 21 goals and 42 points while averaging 15:21 of ice time.

His average production has been solid, but missing nearly half of the available contests is unreliable at best. He continued that scoring pace earlier this season with the Bruins, registering six goals and 10 points in 20 games, managing a 14:33 ATOI.

Much like anyone else, Arvidsson can hardly replace the void left by Pastrňák, though he’ll help soften the blow somewhat. Boston remains hopeful that Pastrňák is only day-to-day, though only time will tell when he’ll eventually return. Despite splitting their two games without their best player, the Bruins have been outscored 8-5 without Pastrňák.

Lightning Place Niko Huuhtanen On Unconditional Waivers

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The Lightning placed winger Niko Huuhtanen on unconditional waivers today, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports. He will have his contract terminated tomorrow if he clears, and will become an unrestricted free agent.

Huuhtanen’s stock as a prospect has resembled a bell curve. Tampa Bay selected the 22-year-old in the seventh round with the final pick of the 2021 draft out of his native Finland, where he’d scored 20 goals and 34 points in 37 junior league games in the Tappara organization. He came to North America to finish his junior career in 2021-22 as an import draft selection by the WHL’s Everett Silvertips. There, he exploded for 37 goals and 77 points in 65 games, leading the league in goals by a rookie. He returned home the following season to begin his pro career, where he again adjusted seamlessly, putting up a 17-13–30 scoring line in 48 games for Jukurit to win the rookie scoring crown and earn Liiga Rookie of the Year honors.

By that time, Huuhtanen was on the map as a potential NHLer. Elite Prospects tabbed him as the No. 11 prospect in Tampa’s system entering the 2023-24 season, noting that his skating mechanics were still an issue despite his gaudy production in juniors and overseas. They were onto something. While Huuhtanen remained in Finland and had continued success with Jukurit that year, notching 19 goals and 46 points in 52 games, that was the last time he looked like he had a legitimate chance of reaching the top level.

Huuhtanen signed his entry-level contract with the Bolts in 2024 and arrived last season to play out the year with AHL Syracuse. As forewarned, the production didn’t translate as either side had hoped. The 6’3″ winger was limited to eight goals in 51 appearances, although he did add 12 assists for 20 points and a respectable +13 rating.

This season, though, he’s seen a further reduction in role. He started the season on the non-roster list due to an undisclosed injury. When he got healthy and was assigned to Syracuse at the beginning of November, he had a two-assist game in his debut but didn’t stick in the lineup. After just five games with three assists, the Bolts sent Huuhtanen down to ECHL Orlando. He suited up once for them on Nov. 22 and hasn’t appeared since.

Huuhtanen has still managed 23 points in 56 career regular-season AHL games. That might be enough for him to catch on with another NHL team on a two-way deal since he’s still relatively young, but in all likelihood, he’s angling for a return to Europe and will sign a new deal in the coming days.

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