NHL Status Report: Jones to return for Panthers against Canucks

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

Florida Panthers

Seth Jones will return to the lineup for the Panthers at the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday (10 p.m. ET; SNP, SCRIPPS). The defenseman has missed 26 games since sustaining a collarbone injury at the 2026 Winter Classic against the New York Rangers on Jan 2. Florida was 21-16-3 before the injury but went 12-14-0 without Jones, who has 24 points (six goal, 18 assists) in 40 games this season. "He touches all areas. He's a power-play guy, he's a penalty-kill guy, he plays against the other team's best, and he's as good a defender as he is an offensive player," Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. "We survived because of him for the longest time, but you look at our analytics when he came out of our lineup, it changed the way we looked and the way we played. So everybody is really excited to get him back." ... Forward Sam Bennett will also return Tuesday after missing one game with an undisclosed injury.

Montreal Canadiens

Kirby Dach will be out 2-4 weeks for the Canadiens because of an upper-body injury. The forward left a 4-3 loss to the Ducks on Sunday shortly after he fell to the ice following a hit by Jeffrey Viel at 3:30 of the first. Dach has 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in 32 games. He missed 31 games earlier this season because of a broken foot.

San Jose Sharks

Alexander Wennberg (upper body) will be a game-time decision at the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday (9 p.m. ET; SNW, NBCSCA). The Sharks center, who played for Team Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics, missed a 7-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Sunday after he was injured during a 4-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. Wennberg was replaced by forward Philipp Kurashev. "I thought (Kurashev) did a good job stepping in there," coach Ryan Warsofsky said. "But let's be honest, (Wennberg) is one of our best players, so anytime you lose one of your best players, you suffer a little bit." Wennberg has 43 points (13 goals, 30 assists) in 64 games this season.

Minnesota Wild

Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) is day to day and did not play against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. The forward played 18:47 in a 4-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday. He was replaced by forward Robby Fabbri, who was claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Blues on March 2. Eriksson Ek has 44 points (17 goals, 27 assists) and is plus-13 in 62 games.

Winnipeg Jets

Neal Pionk was on the ice in a noncontact jersey for the Jets at the morning skate prior to their game against the Predators on Tuesday. The defenseman has not played since Jan. 13 because of an undisclosed injury. Pionk has eight points (two goals, six assists) in 40 games this season. "He's coming on the road trip.," Jets coach Scott Arniel said Tuesday. "He'll be getting into contact here, is the next step for him, Getting real close. I'm not making any promises on the road trip, but he's coming on the trip to get into contact."

Chicago Blackhawks

Sacha Boisvert signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blackhawks on Monday. It has an average annual value of $974,167. The 19-year-old forward was a first-round pick (No. 18) by Chicago at the 2024 NHL Draft and had 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) in 26 games for Boston University this season. Boisvert's immigration paperwork is not yet completed, so he did not play against the Wild on Tuesday. “The immigration thing, you just never know when it happens, so we’ll work through it to expedite it, but it’s still immigration,” Chicago coach Jeff Blashill said Monday.

New York Islanders

Semyon Varlamov rejoined the Islanders at the end of practice Monday as the goalie continues to work his way back from two knee replacements. "It's great for him," coach Patrick Roy said. "I mean, he's been working so hard to get to where he is. I mean, two knee replacements, come on. It's not an easy thing for a goaltender, but he's been here a lot, and he's been doing everything the right way." Varlamov, 37, has not played since he made 21 saves in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals on Nov. 29, 2024. New York signed goalie David Rittich to a one-year contract on July 1, 2025, to serve as the backup for Ilya Sorokin. Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche said on March 6 that Varlamov was not an option this season. “Varly is still on the ice every day; I wish I could give you a different update," Darche said. "It's one thing to take shots and move on the ice, but it's another thing to play games. He's not at the point yet of practicing, so we don't expect him back this season." Varlamov, who is in the third season of a four-year contract, is on long-term injured reserve.