Nylander doubtful for Maple Leafs on Saturday; Ullmark practices with Senators
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Welcome to the NHL Status Report. Here is the latest lineup/injury news around the NHL.
Leo Carlsson will be out approximately 3-5 weeks after undergoing a procedure on Friday to treat a Morel-Lavallee lesion in his left thigh.
A Morel-Lavallee lesion is a soft tissue injury that is usually caused by a high-velocity force.
Carlsson left practice early on Monday and did not return. He then participated in the morning skate on Tuesday and was a game-time decision for their game against the Dallas Stars, but Carlsson did not play in the Ducks’ 3-1 victory that ended their nine-game losing streak (0-8-1).
The 21-year-old forward leads the Ducks with 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in 44 games this season. He was also named to Team Sweden’s roster for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 earlier this month. Sweden is scheduled to play its first game of the tournament against Italy on Feb. 11.
William Nylander is still being evaluated for a lower-body injury sustained on Thursday and the forward is doubtful to play against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; CBC, SNO, SNW, SNP, NHLN). Nylander had a goal and an assist before leaving at 8:48 of the first period of Toronto’s 6-5 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights and did not return. “Right now, I can’t answer that,” Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said, on how long Nylander could be out. “With the last [injury], I thought it would be quicker and then obviously (it) wasn’t. We’ll just see how he feels here going forward.” Nylander was playing in his fourth game after missing the previous six with a lower-body injury. He leads the Maple Leafs with 48 points (17 goals, 31 assists) in 37 games this season.
Linus Ullmark practiced with the Senators on Friday for the first time since taking a leave of absence on Dec. 28, but there is no timeline for his return. The goalie has missed nine games. “Awesome to see. Happy that he’s back skating with the group. Just looks positive and looks good out there,” coach Travis Green said. “We’re taking it day by day.” … James Reimer, who signed a one-year contract on Monday, could make his debut against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, CITY, SNE) or at the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday.
Go deep with NHL.com’s full coverage of the men’s hockey action at the Olympic Winter Games
Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek were each placed on injured reserve on Friday with a lower-body injury. Boldy, who will represent Team United States at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, had an assist in 19:16 of ice time in a 6-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday. He has 51 points (27 goals, 24 assists) in 48 games this season. Eriksson Ek, who will play for Team Sweden, has missed three games since he was injured Jan. 8 in a Minnesota 3-2 overtime win against the Seattle Kraken. He has 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) in 45 games this season. Forwards Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Hunter Haight, and defenseman David Jiricek were recalled from Iowa of the American Hockey League on Friday, in advance of the Wild’s game at the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday (12:30 p.m. ET; FDSNWI, FDSNNO, NHLN, MSG-B).
Tom Wilson practiced in a regular jersey Friday and could return to the lineup against the Florida Panthers on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, MNMT). The forward has missed five games because of a lower-body injury, but coach Spencer Carbery said “We’ll see” when asked if Wilson could play Saturday. Wilson has 42 points (22 goals, 20 assists) in 41 games.
Patrik Laine, Kirby Dach and Jake Evans practiced with the Canadiens on Friday, but it’s uncertain when the forwards will return. “I couldn’t tell you what’s the timeline,” Canadiens assistant coach Stephane Robidas said. “It’s in the hands of the medical staff. We’ll see. We don’t know more right now.” Laine had core muscle surgery in October and was expected to be out 3-4 months. Dach (broken foot) has been out since Nov. 15 and was expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Evans was also expected to be out 4-6 weeks after sustaining a lower-body injury on Dec. 20. The Canadiens play the Ottawa Senators on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, CITY, SNE).
Forward Juho Lammikko and defenseman Colton White were placed on waivers on Friday. Lammikko has two assists in 22 games, and White has four assists in 23 games. Each last played in a 9-0 loss to the New York Islanders on Jan. 6. The Devils host the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNSO, MSGSN).
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