NHL Status Report: Demko returns, starts for Canucks against Jets

Welcome to the NHL Status Report. Here is the latest lineup/injury news around the NHL.

Vancouver Canucks

Thatcher Demko returned for the Canucks against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday after the goalie did not dress for back-to-back games this weekend. Demko most recently played Nov. 3 at the Nashville Predators and backed up Kevin Lankinen at home against the Chicago Blackhawks on Nov. 5. He did not practice Friday due to what was labeled "preventative maintenance," and despite skating on his own Saturday and Sunday, Demko did not dress for either home game over the weekend. Jiri Patera was recalled from Abbotsford of the American Hockey League on Saturday and dressed as the backup to Lankinen for a 4-3 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday and a 5-4 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. Demko is 5-4-0 with a 2.57 goals-against average and .912 save percentage in nine games this season.

Carolina Hurricanes

Charles Alexis Legault will be out 3-4 months for the Hurricanes after having surgery on his right hand on Tuesday. The defenseman, who was placed on injured reserve, had his hand cut in a 5-4 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday. He has two points (one goal, one assist) in eight games this season. "I hate it because he was really starting to find his groove at this level," Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "Hopefully he will heal and be good to go. Tough to swallow, but it is what it is." ... In addition to Legault, Carolina was without defensemen Jalen Chatfield (upper body) and Jaccob Slavin (lower body) for a 4-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Ryan McDonagh will be out "for a few games" because of an undisclosed injury, Lightning coach Jon Cooper said Tuesday; the defenseman left a 3-2 win against the Capitals on Saturday. ... Defenseman Victor Hedman and forward Pontus Holmberg each missed practice Tuesday for the second straight day, and Cooper said players from the American Hockey League would likely be recalled ahead of Tampa Bay's next game against the New York Rangers on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, TNT, TVAS).

Chicago Blackhawks

Frank Nazar (lower body) did not practice Tuesday and is unlikely to play against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday (9:30 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS2, SN360), Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill said. The forward left after colliding with Calgary Flames forward Joel Farabee in the first period of Chicago’s 4-0 win on Friday. ... Jason Dickinson (upper body) skated on his own on Tuesday, but he's not expected to play Wednesday.

Edmonton Oilers

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will be out one week because of an undisclosed injury, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said before their 5-4 overtime win against the Blue Jackets on Monday. The forward, who has 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 16 games this season, was replaced by forward Mattias Janmark, who made his season debut; he had been out because of an undisclosed injury. … Zach Hyman did not play Monday but could make his season debut this week; the forward has not played since dislocating his wrist during Game 4 of the Western Conference Final against the Stars on May 27 last season.

Buffalo Sabres

Jiri Kulich is going "to miss significant time" because of a blood clot issue, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Monday. The forward has missed three games. Ruff said Kulich could play again this season, however. "That really depends on how things go here in the next three, four weeks," he said. Kulich has five points (three goals, two assists) in 12 games. … Buffalo also is without forward Jason Zucker, who has been out three games because of an illness. "Real severe viral, flu-like thing that he hasn't been able to shake," Ruff said. "Undergone a lot of tests and still isn't doing that well." The Sabres visit the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday (9 p.m. ET; Utah16, MSG-B, TVAS).

San Jose Sharks

William Eklund was activated from injured reserve and returned against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday after missing four games with a lower-body injury. The forward has 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 12 games this season. He played on a line with Alexander Wennberg and Philipp Kurashev. "He looks good. The last couple of days, he's stepped into another gear, so it's good," Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said. "He's been good for us. Plays in all situations, so excited to get that line back together." ... Forward Ethan Cardwell was reassigned to San Jose of the AHL.

Philadelphia Flyers

Tyson Foerster could return when the Flyers play the Oilers on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSP, TVAS2, SN). The forward has missed the past four games because of a lower-body injury sustained blocking a shot during the first period of a 5-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 1. Foerster practiced Tuesday with his regular linemates, center Noah Cates and right wing Bobby Brink. "I think it's kind of his call in a sense," coach Rick Tocchet said. "A guy like Tyson, he'll want to play. But he's only had one or two skates. Can you play with only two skates if you've been off for eight days? Yeah, you can, but you also have to think of the safety of the player, so we're taking that all into consideration. We'll talk about it tonight, probably have a call about it tomorrow morning."

Colorado Avalanche

Gavin Brindley signed a two-year contract with the Avalanche on Tuesday. Financial terms were not disclosed. The 21-year-old forward has five points (three goals, two assists) in 14 games this season and could have become a restricted free agent after the season. He was acquired in a trade with the Blue Jackets on June 27, along with two draft picks, for forwards Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Chris Tanev has resumed skating on his own, but there is no timeline for the defenseman's return. Saturday was the first time Tanev skated since being taken from the ice on a stretcher during the third period of a 5-2 win at Philadelphia on Nov. 1. He remained in a hospital there overnight before being discharged the following day. "Just progressing in the right direction, I'd say, more than anything," Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said. Tanev, who was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Nov. 1, missed his fifth straight game when Toronto visited the Boston Bruins on Tuesday.