NHL Status Report: Shesterkin, Fox return for Rangers against Flyers

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

New York Rangers

Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin returned for the Rangers when they hosted the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. Fox, a defenseman, had missed 13 games since he sustained a lower-body injury in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Utah Mammoth on Jan 5. Shesterkin, a goalie, sustained a lower-body injury in the first period against Utah when he fell backwards and could not put weight on his left leg. "I think it's a huge boost," Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said. "The caliber of players that they are, it's hard to replace those guys as we know. So, I think when you get two elite players back in the lineup like that I think it gives a huge boost of confidence to the whole group." … Forward Conor Sheary returned from a lower-body injury after missing 15 games. … Sullivan, assistant coach David Quinn, and forwards Vincent Trocheck and J.T. Miller also were back after winning the gold medal with Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Kris Letang returned for the Penguins against the New Jersey Devils. The defenseman was activated from injured reserve on Wednesday after he missed for four games with a foot fracture he sustained in a 6-2 win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 29. Letang, who was projected to be out four weeks, has 25 points (three goals, 22 assists) in 50 games this season while averaging 22:06 of ice time.

Carolina Hurricanes

Eric Robinson played for the Hurricanes against the Tampa Bay Lightning after the forward missed seven games with an upper-body injury. … Sebastian Aho felt run down and did not take part in the morning skate, but the forward also played. Aho won a bronze medal with Team Finland at the Olympics.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Dakota Joshua returned against the Florida Panthers on Thursday after missing 20 games with a lacerated kidney. The forward was activated off long-term injured reserve before the Maple Leafs' 4-2 loss at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday but did not play.

St. Louis Blues

Robert Thomas is expected to return to the Blues on Friday from a temporary leave of absence because of a personal matter. Thomas has not played since Jan. 10 and had a right leg procedure, which the Blues announced Jan. 31. He has 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 42 games. ... Dylan Holloway was activated from injured reserve ahead of their game against the Seattle Kraken on Thursday. The forward had missed 23 of the past 24 games because of a right high ankle sprain he sustained during practice on Dec. 14. He has 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in 34 games. ... The Blues designated forward Mathieu Joseph to non-roster.

Anaheim Ducks

Leo Carlsson had a goal and two assists to help the Ducks to a 6-5 win against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday in his return from a Jan. 16 procedure to treat a left thigh injury. The 21-year-old center was projected to be out 3-5 weeks and was unavailable to play for Team Sweden at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. He has 47 points (19 goals, 28 assists) in 45 games, second on the Ducks to Cutter Gauthier (50 points; 26 goals, 24 assists).

Utah Mammoth

Logan Cooley returned for the Mammoth's 4-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday. The forward missed the past 28 games with a lower-body injury and also skated with the Mammoth during the Olympic break. Cooley had an assist to give him 24 points (14 goals, 10 assists) in 30 games this season. Forward Alex Kerfoot returned after missing 12 games with a lower-body injury and was minus-1 in 11:22 of ice time. ... Forward Michael Carcone was out with an illness.