Yahoo Sports Fantasy Hockey

Player Notes

  • Two points in Thursday's win
    Barkov scored a goal, dished an assist, added two hits, logged two PIM and went plus-2 in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Oilers in Game 3.

    Advice: Barkov was questionable initially after suffering an upper-body injury in Game 2, but he was able to avoid missing time. That proved to be a great thing for the Panthers, as their star center helped out on Sam Reinhart's first-period tally and scored the game-winner himself in the second. Barkov is up to seven goals, 21 points, 50 shots on net, 43 hits and a plus-4 rating through 20 playoff appearances. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:10 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 Yesterday, 11:13 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
  • Game-time decision
    Carrick (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision Monday in Game 2 versus Florida, according to Ryan Rishaug of TSN.

    Advice: Carrick participated in Monday's morning skate, so it's unclear if he's dealing with an injury or if his spot in the lineup is a coach's decision. He has been scratched for three of Edmonton's last four playoff outings, including Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Saturday. Carrick has one assist, four shots on goal and 29 hits in nine outings this postseason. If he plays, Corey Perry might be a healthy scratch. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:33 am
  • Headed to Switzerland
    Merela signed a one-year contract with SC Bern of Switzerland's National League on Monday, per Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times.

    Advice: Merela is eligible for restricted free agency in July, so Tampa Bay could retain his NHL rights by extending a qualifying offer. The 25-year-old forward produced one goal, 17 shots and 32 hits in 19 regular-season appearances with the Lightning during the 2023-24 campaign. Merela also registered 15 goals and 34 points across 55 regular-season outings for AHL Syracuse this past season before adding three goals in eight playoff contests. Rotowire.com Monday, 7:46 am
  • Opens scoring in Game 1 win
    Verhaeghe scored a goal on three shots, blocked three shots and added two PIM in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Oilers in Game 1.

    Advice: Verhaeghe is up to 10 goals this postseason, four of which he's scored over the last seven games. The 28-year-old forward converted after a spring pass from Aleksander Barkov in the first period, and that goal was all the Panthers needed to get the win. Verhaeghe continues to provide clutch offense in a top-line role with 18 points, 64 shots on net, 22 hits, 18 PIM and a plus-3 rating over 18 playoff outings. Rotowire.com Saturday, 8:41 pm
  • Secures two-year deal
    Thomas inked a two-year, $1.55 million contract with Los Angeles on Thursday.

    Advice: Thomas made his NHL debut this season, drawing into seven regular-season games for the Kings in which he recorded three goals on nine shots, one assist and eight hits while averaging just 8:44 of ice time. While he won't be a lock for an Opening Night roster spot, Thomas should certainly be in the mix heading into training camp in the fall. Rotowire.com Thursday, 10:05 am
  • Playing days likely over
    Pavelski said Tuesday that he won't play in 2024-25 and is likely to bring an end to his 18-year NHL career, Ryan S. Clark of ESPN.com reports. "This is it for me," Pavelski said.

    Advice: While Pavelski didn't say outright that he was retiring from professional hockey, he acknowledged in his postseason exit interviews that he had known for a while that the 2023-24 season would be his last in the NHL. The second-oldest player in the NHL this past season, Pavelski remained a productive source of offense for Dallas, notching 27 goals and 40 assists while playing in all 82 contests. Before joining Dallas as a free agent in 2019, Pavelski served as a longtime captain for San Jose and represented the club in two All-Star Games. He added two more All-Star appearances to his ledger during his five seasons in Dallas and finishes his career with 476 goals and 592 assists over 1,332 regular-season games. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 9:36 pm