Canucks G Thatcher Demko was spotted on the ice before practice

Stay on top of all the injury news and roster updates from across the NHL with daily Ice Chips.

Vancouver Canucks

Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko, who has not played since Game 1 of last season's opening round against the Nashville Predators due to a back of the knee injury, was spotted on the ice before practice on Friday, according to The Province.

Demko worked with goalkeeping coach Marko Torenius.

The 28-year-old posted a 2.45 goals-against average and .918 save percentage in 51 games with the Canucks last season, his eighth in Vancouver.

Additionally, defenseman Erik Brannstrom and forward Arshdeep Bains were recalled from the AHL.

The 25-year-old Brannstrom has one assist in six games for the Canucks this season, while the 23-year-old Bains has one goal in six games.

Winnipeg Jets

Backup goaltender Eric Comrie appears to be in the starting lineup against the Blue Jackets on Friday night in Columbus, as he was in the starting net during the morning skate.

The 29-year-old Edmonton native has played just two games this season for the Jets, who improved to 9-1 after a 6-2 win over the Red Wings on Wednesday.

Calgary Flames

Dan Vlader will get the start between the pipes on Friday night when the Flames host the New Jersey Devils in Calgary.

The 27-year-old Prague native has a 3.18 goals-against average in five games for the Flames this season.

Friday's game also marks the return of Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom to Calgary for the first time since his move last offseason.

Planned Flames vs. Devils lineup

F

Coleman-Backlund-Coronato
Zary Kadri Pospisil
Huberdeau-Sharangovich-Kuzmenko
Lomberg-Rooney-Mantha

D

Bahl Andersson
Weegar-Miromanov
Barrie Pachal

G

Vladar

New York Islanders

Matthew Barzal has returned to Long Island due to an upper body injury. The time frame for his return to action will be determined after a visit with the team doctors.

The 27-year-old center recorded two goals and three assists in ten games during the 2023-24 season, his ninth year with the team.

The Maple Leafs sent defenseman Jani Hakanpää and forward Connor Dewar to the AHL's Toronto Marlies on LTIR conditioning loans on Friday.

Both players are due to play this season, with Hakanpää's recovery stemming from a knee injury last season that required the Dallas Stars and Dewar to undergo offseason shoulder surgery.

TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reported Thursday that the return of injured players could lead to more moves for the Maple Leafs, who traded Timothy Liljegren earlier this week.

“I'm assuming Brad Treliving will either have to place another player on waivers, perhaps there is an American Hockey League conditioning period that can be applied, or the idea of ​​a trade because Toronto is currently holding on to the 23-man squad,” Dreger said at Insider Trading. “But more than that, it was a new beginning for Timothy Liljegren. Correct? He didn't fit the eyes of head coach Craig Berube. So he gets that start with the San Jose Sharks. The Toronto Maple Leafs are getting a few draft picks they need. Matt Benning – a veteran defenseman – who Treliving could also flip and add an additional edge.

The 32-year-old Hakanpää scored two goals and 10 assists in 64 games for the Stars last season before his injury, averaging 18:38 of ice time. Stars general manager Jim Nill confirmed after the season that Hakanpaa had undergone arthroscopic surgery on his knee but was not expected to require further surgery.

TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reported on July 1 that Hakanpää and the Leafs had agreed to a two-year, $3 million contract. Treliving mentioned the defenseman among the team's new signings later in the day, but his signing didn't become official until he signed a one-year, $1.47 million deal last month.

The Finnish blueliner was selected in the fourth round of the 2010 draft by the St. Louis Blues and did not make his NHL debut until the 2019-20 season with the Anaheim Ducks. He has 15 goals and 45 points in 288 career games for the Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes and Stars.

Dewar scored 11 goals and 19 points in 74 games last season, split between the Minnesota Wild and Maple Leafs. He had one assist in six playoff games as the Maple Leafs lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round.

The 25-year-old re-signed with the Maple Leafs in July on a one-year, $1.18 million contract.

Dewar was drafted 92nd overall by the Wild in 2018 and has 19 goals and 43 points in 190 career games split between the Wild and Leafs.

Practice lines on Friday

F

Knies-Matthews-Marner
Pacioretty-Tavares-Nylander
McMann – Domi – Holmberg/Robertson
Lorentz – Fight – Reaves

D

Rielly-Ekman-Larsson
McCabe-Tanev
Benoit-Timmins
Myers-Benning

G

Wool
Stolarz

Ottawa Senators

Linus Ullmark appears to be the starter for Friday's game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

The 31-year-old native of Sweden has compiled a 2-2 record with a 2.76 goals-against average and a save percentage of 0.904 in five games with this new team this season.

San Jose Sharks

Defenseman Timothy Liljegren, signed from the Maple Leafs earlier this week, will make his Sharks debut on Saturday against the visiting Vancouver Canucks.

The 25-year-old Swede has played one game this season.

Detroit Red Wings

Veteran forward Vladimir Tarasenko missed Wednesday's game due to illness but appears ready to return Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres.

The 32-year-old has scored two goals and provided one assist in nine games for the Wings so far this season.

Colorado avalanche

Forwards TJ Tynan and Nikita Prishchepov have been recalled by the Colorado Eagles of the AHL.