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  • Unavailable Thursday
    Kane (hip) is expected to miss Game 3 against the Panthers on Thursday, per Greg Wyshynski of ESPN.

    Advice: Kane has four goals, eight points, 37 PIM and 64 hits in 20 playoff outings this year. Corey Perry and Derek Ryan, who were both healthy scratches for Game 2 on Monday, are projected to draw back into the lineup. Sam Carrick is slated to miss Thursday's game after logging 7:31 of ice time in Edmonton's last contest, but unlike Kane, it's believed Carrick's absence is the coach's decision. Rotowire.com Today, 4:46 pm
     
  • Heading back to Czechia
    Smejkal signed a five-year contract with HC Dynamo Pardubice of Czechia on Thursday.

    Advice: Smejkal picked up one goal and one assist over 20 NHL games, as well as 22 points in 47 contests with AHL Belleville. The 27-year-old winger signed an entry-level deal last May, but he was set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer before signing this deal to head back to his home country. Rotowire.com Today, 3:02 pm
     
  • Agrees to one-year deal
    Kakko has signed a one-year, $2.4 million contract with the Rangers on Thursday, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Kakko was set to become a restricted free agent in July after completing his two-year, $4.2 million contract. He struggled in 2023-24, recording just 13 goals and 19 points across 61 regular-season contests after setting career highs with 18 goals and 40 points in 82 outings in 2022-23. The 23-year-old can't be counted out at the age of 23, but he certainly hasn't lived up to his potential after being selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. Look for him to open next season as a part of the Rangers' bottom six. Rotowire.com Today, 12:08 pm
     
  • Recovering from sports hernia
    Couturier said he's recovering from a "little sports hernia surgery, lower abs," Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reports Thursday.

    Advice: Couturier was limited to a goal and eight points over his final 33 contests in 2023-24 after supplying 10 goals and 30 points across his first 41 appearances. Although it's not clear how long he was dealing with a sports hernia, the injury might help explain his steep decline in offensive production in the second half of the campaign. The 31-year-old will look to rebound next season, but injuries have been a recurring problem -- he missed the entire 2022-23 campaign and was limited to 29 games in 2021-22. Rotowire.com Today, 11:13 am
     
  • Good to go for Game 3
    Barkov (upper body) will play in Thursday's Game 3 versus the Oilers, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

    Advice: Barkov exited and did not return to Monday's Game 2 win over Edmonton after taking a high hit from the Oilers' Leon Draisaitl in the third period, but luckily for the Panthers, it seems whatever injury prevented him from returning to that contest didn't end up being overly serious. The 28-year-old pivot, who's racked up six goals and 19 points through 19 games this postseason, will skate on the first line and top power-play unit Thursday. Rotowire.com Today, 11:06 am
     
  • Signs new deal
    Crookshank signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Senators on Wednesday, per PuckPedia.

    Advice: Crookshank made his NHL debut in 2023-24, picking up three points, 20 shots on net, 20 hits and a minus-3 rating over 13 appearances. He also had 46 points in 50 contests with AHL Belleville. Crookshank will likely spend some time in the minors in 2024-25, but he may be ready to push for a larger role at the NHL level. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 4:04 pm
     
  • Questionable for Thursday
    Kane (hip) is questionable for Game 3 against Florida on Thursday, per Dan Rosen of NHL.com.

    Advice: Kane has four goals, eight points, 37 PIM and 64 hits in 20 playoff contests this year. Corey Perry, who was a healthy scratch in Game 2 on Monday, is projected to draw back into the lineup at the expense of Ryan McLeod on Thursday. However, if Kane ends up being unavailable, then both Perry and McLeod might dress for Game 3. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:38 am
     
  • Hits unconditional waivers
    Todd was placed on unconditional waivers Tuesday for the purpose of contract termination, per CapFriendly.

    Advice: Todd generated 19 goals and 55 points in 69 regular-season contests for AHL San Jose during the 2023-24 campaign. The 28-year-old forward doesn't have any NHL experience yet. Per Max Miller of The Hockey News, Todd intends to sign in Russia for the 2024-25 season. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 12:29 pm
     
  • Making progress
    Barkov (upper body) is progressing ahead of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Thursday against Edmonton, according to Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

    Advice: Barkov's availability for Thursday's contest is in question due to an injury he sustained during the third period of Monday's 4-1 victory over the Oilers. He will be assessed further Wednesday, but head coach Paul Maurice expressed optimism Tuesday that they will be in "good shape" if the 28-year-old forward continues to make positive progress. Barkov has registered six goals and 19 points in 19 outings this postseason. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 9:51 am