Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin praised friend Igor Shesterkin's recent goalie goal, calling it a "real goal" and a "beautiful shot" compared to his own fortunate empty-netter in March 2025. Sorokin messaged Shesterkin to congratulate him on becoming the 18th goalie in NHL history to score. Sorokin, who saw an errant pass result in his goal, is set to start the Islanders' home opener on Saturday against the Devils.
Tyrel Bauer made his presence felt immediately in his NHL debut during Friday's season-opener against the Boston Bruins. On just his first career shift, Bauer dropped the gloves and fought Bruins tough guy Mark Kastelic. Despite the early spark and a lopsided opening frame, the Winnipeg Jets ultimately dropped a 4-3 decision in overtime.
Kyle Connor scored his first goal of the season on the power play during the second period, marking his ninth straight year scoring in a season-opener—an NHL record. Despite Connor's contribution and a 3-2 lead built alongside Mario Ferraro, the Winnipeg Jets ultimately fell 4-3 in overtime to the Boston Bruins on Friday night in their highly-entertaining season opener.
Sidelined with an upper-body injury and placed on non-roster IR, Dylan Larkin was booed during Detroit's season opener following his offseason trade request. The center was stripped of his captaincy in September after 11 seasons with the team, which missed the playoffs for 10 straight years. Larkin, who has five years left on an eight-year, $69.6 million contract, recently expanded his preferred trade list beyond Vegas, Florida, and Minnesota to include Colorado, Dallas, Tampa Bay, and Washington.
Arizona State has appointed a former chief justice of the Arizona Supreme Court to lead an independent review regarding the collapse of hockey player Matthew Mayich during an outdoor workout in August.
Stuart Skinner is scheduled to protect the home goal against the Boston Bruins on Friday as he takes over the No. 1 job in net. The 27-year-old goaltender is coming off a season in which he posted a 23-17-9 record alongside a 2.92 GAA and an .888 save percentage over 50 regular-season outings. Skinner brings substantial starting experience to the crease for the upcoming campaign.
Hoyt Stanley has been returned to the Belleville Senators from Ottawa's 23-man roster. Stanley had been a surprise addition to the opening roster largely due to injuries affecting defensemen Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub. With Sanderson expected to return for Saturday's season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Stanley was reassigned to the minors to continue his development.
Jake Sanderson (undisclosed) is expected to play in Saturday's season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs after returning to practice on Friday. Sanderson missed several days of training camp and exited last Saturday's preseason game against Montreal early. His expected return paved the way for rookie Hoyt Stanley to be reassigned to the minors, and Sanderson is slated to resume his role on the top power-play unit.
Carson Soucy was referenced in a Buffalo Sabres practice update following a hit he landed on Olen Zellweger late last month during the preseason game against the Blue Jackets. Zellweger has since cleared concussion protocol and returned to the ice, while Soucy's previous physical play continues to be a focal point as the Sabres prepare for their upcoming games.
Forward Andrei Kuzmenko will change his jersey number to No. 62 in honor of his father, who was killed in a bear attack in Russia at age 62. Kuzmenko is making the emotional jersey number change to pay tribute to his late father's memory ahead of the upcoming season.
Goaltender John Gibson will protect the home goal for the Detroit Red Wings against the New York Rangers in their season opener. Gibson earned the nod after allowing five goals on 45 shots across two preseason appearances. He appeared in 57 games during the 2025-26 campaign—his most since 2018-19—though his extensive injury history could challenge his workload this season as he looks to anchor the net for Detroit.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is listed as a non-roster player while serving a team suspension amid a contract holdout for a trade. The 33-year-old backstop has missed regular-season action, leaving Stuart Skinner to handle the No. 1 role in net with Clay Stevenson serving as the primary backup.
Following a single NHL appearance to start the season, 23-year-old defenseman Ryan Ufko has been reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL. Head coach Andrew Brunette noted that Ufko's play tapered and he got overwhelmed, leading management to send him down to ensure he gets consistent playing time rather than sitting out in Nashville.
Luca Cagnoni scored his first career NHL goal 3:14 into overtime to lift the San Jose Sharks to a 4-3 win over the Florida Panthers. The 21-year-old defenseman beat goalie Akira Schmid with a wrist shot from inside the face-off circle following a pass up the ice. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky commended Cagnoni's summer conditioning and skill execution in extra time. The dramatic game-winner capped off Cagnoni's first career opening night roster appearance with San Jose.
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart will defend the home crease against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday. Hart previously drew the Opening Night start at home against the Blackhawks on Tuesday, securing a 5-2 victory after stopping 24 of 26 shots. The 28-year-old netminder previously dominated the Ducks in last year's postseason, going 4-2-0 with a stellar 1.99 GAA and .935 save percentage across six playoff starts.
Kole Lind is returning to the Vancouver Canucks organization after signing a one-year AHL contract with the Abbotsford Canucks. Originally selected 33rd overall by Vancouver in the 2017 NHL Draft, the forward posted 24 goals and 46 assists across 126 games with Utica before playing seven NHL games with Vancouver in 2020-21. Lind was later selected by Seattle in the 2021 Expansion Draft and spent time with the Texas Stars prior to rejoining Abbotsford.
Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff announced that Olen Zellweger has been cleared from a concussion and is set to return for Saturday's game against Chicago. Zellweger missed Thursday's opener against the Blue Jackets but practiced Friday following a one-game absence. Acquired from Anaheim in the offseason, he logged 7 goals, 15 assists, 85 blocked shots, and 33 hits over 76 games last year.
Maple Leafs goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky cleared the air regarding his accidental rookie lap alongside first overall pick Gavin McKenna prior to Tuesday's season opener against Montreal. Bobrovsky explained that he simply forgot and accidentally led McKenna out onto the ice before joking that he would pretend it was his own first game too. Bobrovsky now steps into Toronto's crease to anchor the club.
Warren Foegele (undisclosed) will play in Saturday's Opening Night matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Foegele was placed on the injured non-roster list after dealing with an undisclosed issue for most of training camp, but he has practiced recently and skated on the top line during Friday's session. The 30-year-old recorded 13 goals, four assists, 74 hits, 19 blocked shots, and 18 PIM over 68 regular-season games between Los Angeles and Ottawa last year.
Jake Oettinger was the first goalie off during Friday's morning skate, indicating he will draw the home start for the Dallas Stars' regular-season opener against the Blues. After dealing with a late-preseason lower-body injury, Oettinger was recently cleared. The 27-year-old enters the 2026-27 campaign ready to reprise his role as the primary netminder after going 35-12-6 with a 2.59 GAA and .899 save percentage across 54 appearances last year.
