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Minnesota Wild
Marat Khusnutdinov signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Wild on Wednesday that runs through next season. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The 21-year-old forward has 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in 49 games with HK Sochi in the Kontinental Hockey League this season, and is the team captain. Khusnutdinov played six games with SKA St. Petersburg before he was traded to HK Sochi on Oct. 10.
Wild general manager Bill Guerin said the plan is for Khusnutdinov to play for Minnesota as soon as he's available, pending visa processing. Guerin said he hopes that will be within the week, but "we'll see.
"I think Marat is the type of player that can help us right now," Guerin said. "All the assets that he has, he’s a solid two-way player. He’s got speed, he’s tenacious. Those are the things we’re looking for. We want to make sure we put him in a situation that he can succeed in. And timing of when he gets into the lineup is going to be important, but he will eventually get in the lineup."
Selected in the second round (No. 37) of the 2020 NHL Draft, Khustnutdinov has 75 points (22 goals, 53 assists) in 162 KHL games over four seasons from 2020-24.
The Wild visit the Nashville Predators on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; BSWIX, BSSO, BSN).
San Jose Sharks
Mackenzie Blackwood was placed on injured reserve Wednesday because of a lower-body injury.
The goalie stopped all 13 shots he faced before leaving 17:34 into the first period of an eventual 7-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. Kaapo Kahkonen allowed seven goals on 31 shots in relief.
Blackwood is 9-18-3 with a 3.48 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in 35 games (32 starts) this season.
The Sharks recalled goalie Magnus Chrona from San Jose of the American Hockey League on Wednesday. He has played two games with the Sharks this season, the last coming Dec. 28, and is 5-13-4 with a 3.51 GAA and .892 save percentage in 24 AHL games.
The Sharks next play Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks (10:30 p.m. ET; BSSD, BSSC, NBCSCA).
Los Angeles Kings
Adrian Kempe has been sent back to Los Angeles to have an injury evaluated.
Kempe sustained the injury with 1:35 remaining in a 4-2 loss at the Edmonton Oilers on Monday after he was tripped by Oilers defenseman Cody Ceci. He held his arm as he exited down the tunnel.
The forward did not play in a 4-2 loss at the Calgary Flames on Tuesday. The Kings have one more game remaining on their road trip, at the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday (10 p.m. ET; TVAS, SNP, BSW). They then return home for a five-game homestand that begins Sunday.
"He's not here," Kings coach Jim Hiller said of Kempe on Tuesday. "He's gone home just to be evaluated further. We can't tell you any more than that. We'll let you know when we know."
Kempe leads Los Angeles with 51 points (19 goals, 32 assists) in 57 games. -- Aaron Vickers
Vegas Golden Knights
Jack Eichel skated with the Golden Knights on Tuesday for the first time since sustaining a knee injury last month.
The center did not, however, play in a 6-2 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday. It was the 17th game he has missed since sustaining the injury in a 2-1 overtime win against the Boston Bruins on Jan. 11.
"It's good to have him around just for his sake too," Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said before the game. "He's not ready to play yet, but when he's skating and with the group he's that one step closer, so I think it's great."
Eichel, who wore a red non-contact jersey and did not participate in line rushes, has 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists) in 42 games this season.
"The trainers would have a better idea (of a return date)," Cassidy said. "... Could he play on this trip? I guess that's why he's here. We're not planning on it that way, would be nice if he could though."
The Golden Knights conclude their road trip with games against the Bruins on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, NESN, SNP, SNW, SNE), the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday. -- Dave McCarthy
