NHL News: Coyotes, Flames, Avs, Red Wings, Oilers, Predators, Rangers, Blues and Maple Leafs
Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis has been cleared to play.
On the Arizona Coyotes …

Elliotte Friedman: Forward Emerson Etem was placed on unconditional waivers by the Coyotes.

Matt Layman of Arizona Sports: Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson has been out since November 28th and has only played in 17 games this year. He practiced with the team on the weekend, but there isn’t a timeline for when he’ll return to the lineup.

On the Calgary Flames …

Kristen Odland: Have been told that forward Michael Frolik had surgery to repair his broken jaw and will be out for four to six weeks.

On the Colorado Avalanche …

Adrian Dater: Forward JT Compher will be out for the rest of this week. The Avs are on their bye week next week, so Compher could be back on January 13th.

On the Detroit Red Wings

Ansar Khan of MLive: Forward Anthony Mantha missed his second consecutive game with a groin injury.

On the Edmonton Oilers …

Elliotte Friedman: Defenseman Eric Gryba clears waivers.

On the Nashville Predators …

Adam Vingan: The Predators have 22 roster players with Filip Forsberg on the IR. Defenseman Ryan Ellis has been cleared to return, and it’s up to him now when he’s comfortable too go. The Predators won’t need to make another roster move when he’s ready.

Adam Vingan: The Predators send forward Freddy Gaudreau back to the AHL.

On the New York Rangers …

Dan Rosen: Forward Jesper Fast practiced with the team yesterday but is unlikely for today.

On the St. Louis Blues …

Andy Strickland: Blues GM Doug Armstrong said that Jaden Schwartz‘s recovery is right on track. He’s three weeks in. Schwartz will be re-evaluated after six weeks.

On the Toronto Maple Leafs …

Jonas Siegel: Coach Mike Babcock said that he thinks defenseman Nikita Zaitsev could return to the lineup by January 16th.

Jonas Siegel: Forward Nazem Kadri missed his second consecutive game yesterday.