NHL Player News
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Cale Makar D | COL
Avalanche's Cale Makar: Slated to be game-time call
Makar (illness) participated in Sunday's optional practice and will likely be a game-time decision for Monday's 4 Nations Face-Off game against Finland, Claire Hanna of TSN reports.
Makar sat out Saturday's 3-1 loss to the United States despite partaking in the morning skate. He remains day-to-day ahead of a must-win game for Canada on Monday. If Canada secures a regulation win over Finland, the team advances to Thursday's championship matchup against Team USA.
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Thomas Harley D | DAL
Stars' Thomas Harley: Strong in 4 Nations debut
Harley logged 18:17 of ice time in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal.
Harley slipped on the Canada uniform because Cale Makar (illness) was unavailable. However, Canada coach Jon Cooper is hopeful Makar can return Monday against Finland. Still, Harley played incredibly well Saturday, looking as cool as a long-term veteran in a high-pressure situation.
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Rasmus Dahlin D | BUF
Sabres' Rasmus Dahlin: Goal, six blocks for Sweden in loss
Dahlin scored a goal for Sweden in Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss to Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal.
Dahlin snuck in untouched from the left point and tapped the puck in from the doorstep. He had a game-high six blocks to go with one hit. Dahlin entered the tournament on a five-game, eight-point streak (one goal, seven assists) with the Sabres.
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Erik Karlsson D | PIT
Penguins' Erik Karlsson: Nets goal for Tre Kronor
Karlsson scored a goal for Sweden in Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss to Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal.
Karlsson put Sweden up 3-2 in the second on a 3-on-2 rush. He had three shots and one block. Karlsson was one of the best Swedish players on the ice, ultimately earning the game's third star for his work.
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Cale Makar D | COL
Avalanche's Cale Makar: Unavailable vs. United States
Makar (illness) will miss Saturday's 4 Nations Face-Off game against the United States, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
Makar recorded two shots and three blocks in a team-high 28:06 of ice time in Canada's 4-3 overtime victory over Sweden on Wednesday. As a result of Makar's absence, Thomas Harley will draw into the lineup. The 26-year-old Makar's next chance to play for Canada will come Monday versus Finland.
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Cale Makar D | COL
Avalanche's Cale Makar: Game-time decision Saturday
Makar (illness) will be a game-time decision versus the United States on Saturday at the 4 Nations Face-Off, per Dan Rosen of NHL.com.
Makar participated in Saturday's morning skate after skipping Friday's session. He logged a game-high 28:06 of ice time versus Sweden on Wednesday in Canada's 4-3 overtime win. If Makar is unavailable to play, Thomas Harley is with Team Canada as an emergency option.
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Seamus Casey D | NJ
Devils' Seamus Casey: Overcomes injury
Casey missed nearly two months for AHL Utica due to a wrist injury, Ben Birnell of The Daily Sentinel reports.
Casey has been superb when healthy, earning 15 points over his first 19 AHL games with the Comets. The 21-year-old actually made his NHL debut before his first AHL game, filling in with the Devils when the team was thin on defense early in the campaign. There's been no room in the NHL since late October, and while Casey missed time with an injury, his development remains strong. The Devils have four blueliners under contract for two more years after this season, but if they don't re-sign Johnny Kovacevic, Casey could have a clearer path to the NHL in 2025-26. With his offense developing well, any refinement in his game in the AHL is likely to be on the defensive side of things.
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Cale Makar D | COL
Avalanche's Cale Makar: Set to play against Americans
Makar -- who missed practice Friday due to an illness -- is expected to suit up in Saturday's clash with Team USA after coach Jon Cooper told reporters Friday, "I'm confident he'll be there," per Chris Johnston of The Athletic.
Makar led Team Canada with 28:06 of ice time against Sweden on Wednesday and would represent a significant gap on the blue line for the Canadians. Barring any setbacks, Makar should continue to rack up minutes versus the United States on Saturday and should remain on the No. 1 power-play unit.
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Thomas Harley D | DAL
Stars' Thomas Harley: Joining Team Canada
Harley will be allowed to join Team Canada ahead of Saturday's matchup with the United States, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.
The rules for the 4 Nations Face-Off originally would not have allowed Harley to join Canada even with Cale Makar under the weather, but in light of Shea Theodore's arm injury, the NHL and NHLPA agreed to let Harley link up with the team in case he is needed Saturday.
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Cale Makar D | COL
Avalanche's Cale Makar: Misses practice Friday
Makar missed practice Friday with an illness, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports.
Makar's illness gives Team Canada only five healthy defensemen ahead of Saturday's tilt with the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Canada is already down a defenseman with Shea Theodore out for the remainder of the tournament with an upper-body injury. Should Makar not be available Saturday, look for Thomas Harley to enter the lineup.