NHL News: Canes, Avs, Stars, Preds, Rangers, Pens, Sharks, Canucks, Jets and Playoff Races
Sharks forward Joe Thornton isn't close to returning to the lineup.
On the Carolina Hurricanes …

Hurricanes PR: Defenseman Justin Faulk missed last night’s game with an upper-body injury.

On the Colorado Avalanche …

Adrian Dater: The Avs have recalled goaltender Spencer Martin. Jonathan Bernier is out with an upper-body injury.

On the Dallas Stars …

Mike Heika: Forward Martin Hanzal is feeling much better after having his spinal fusion surgery. Forward Jason Spezza (back) skated yesterday, but it didn’t go well. Goaltender Ben Bishop (knee) hasn’t skated yet. The Stars will re-evaluate Spezza and Bishop around April 1st.

On the Nashville Predators …

Brooks Bratten: Coach Peter Laviolette didn’t have any updates on Yannick Weber or Austin Watson after the game.

Adam Vingan: Jokerit has been eliminated from the KHL playoffs and the process to sign with the Predators has begun.

Aivis Kalnins: Eeli Tolvanen and Jokerit Helsinki are working towards a mutual termination of his contract so he can sign with the Predators … confirmation from the KHL.

Bob McKenzie: “It may take a little time to process things like contract, immigration etc. In other words, don’t necessarily expect Tolvanen to be on a plane to NSH in the next day or two:”

On the New York Rangers …

Dan Rosen: Head coach Alain Vigneault said that Rangers GM Jeff Gorton and assistant GM Chris Drury would discuss the idea of recalling 2017 first-round picks Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil for their game on Monday.

On the Pittsburgh Penguins …

Pittsburgh Penguins: Coach Mike Sullivan on Zach Aston-Reese: “I think he’s close to returning. I have not spoken to our medical staff to see if he has full clearance. He took a full contact practice the last two days.”

On the San Jose Sharks …

Kevin Kurz: It’s been two months since Joe Thornton had surgery to repair his damaged MCL. He was back on the ice doing some light skating, but it doesn’t look like he’s close to returning.

“I don’t know. I really don’t know,” he said. “Really it’s day-to-day, or probably week-to-week at this point. Who knows? If I’m better mid-April or mid-May, I’m not sure yet. I can’t say. I’d like to play and contribute if I could, but I have to be healthy at that point.”

On the Vancouver Canucks …

Patrick Johnston: The Canucks have recalled defenseman Ashton Sautner.

On the Winnipeg Jets …

Ken Wiebe: Coach Paul Maurice said that they’d have an update on defenseman Toby Enstrom today. They don’t expect him to be in the lineup.

Scott Billeck: Defenseman Jacob Trouba was on the ice yesterday in a no-contact jersey.