Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower body) is slated to start on the road against Columbus on Thursday after tweaking something in his lower body during Saturday's preseason game. He is expected to serve as Buffalo's No. 1 option this season after posting a 22-9-3 record, 2.51 GAA and .909 save percentage across 35 regular-season outings in 2025-26.
Josh Anderson played a vital role in the Montreal Canadiens' season opener against Toronto, scoring a tying goal and displaying physical play with four hits. Entering the final year of a seven-year contract with a $5.5 million cap hit, the alternate captain provides essential physical presence and sandpaper. While not a massive offensive producer, his gritty style makes him a key piece for Montreal.
Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson (undisclosed) missed his third straight practice Wednesday after leaving Saturday's preseason game against Montreal. While the injury has been downplayed, his status for the season opener in Toronto on Saturday remains unclear. The earliest he could potentially return to the ice is Friday's morning skate.
Mathew Barzal (knee) might resume skating this weekend or early next week, according to Andrew Gross. Barzal isn't expected to need a long recovery once he gets back on the ice, though he will miss games in Toronto and against New Jersey. He is slated to serve on the top line and first power-play unit once ready to return to the New York Islanders lineup.
Anaheim Ducks right winger Troy Terry has been moved from the non-roster list to long-term injured reserve due to a hip injury. The transaction does not impact his recovery timeline, as he is not expected to return until mid-November at the earliest. During the 2025-26 season, Terry recorded 19 goals and 57 points in 61 games. Once healthy, he is slated to reclaim a top-six forward role and a spot on the team's first power-play unit.
Dan Vladar is expected to start in goal for the Philadelphia Flyers' season opener at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Vladar comes off a stellar 2025-26 campaign where he posted a 29-14-7 record, 2.42 GAA, and .906 save percentage across 52 regular-season appearances. He also excelled against Pittsburgh in the 2026 playoffs, going 4-2 with a 1.61 GAA and .937 save percentage. He faces a Penguins squad missing injured top forward Bryan Rust.
Jack Eichel recorded a goal and two assists, crossing the 700-point milestone in his 691st game as the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2. Eichel notched his historic tally in the second period, later feeding Mark Stone for an empty-netter. First-year coach Ryan Craig praised Eichel's elite 200-foot play and leadership. Eichel also praised rookie Trevor Connelly's first NHL goal, kicking off the new season with a strong three-point performance.
Rookie Trevor Connelly scored his first career NHL goal in his debut during the Vegas Golden Knights' 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Connelly doubled Vegas' early lead by flipping a rebound over goaltender Spencer Knight's pads in the opening frame. Praised by teammate Jack Eichel for his strong camp and locker room presence, Connelly enjoyed a memorable opening night with his family in attendance to witness his milestone performance in a winning start.
Vasily Podkolzin scored two goals on seven shots and added five hits in the Edmonton Oilers' 6-5 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks. Podkolzin tallied both goals in the third period, including a clutch power-play strike in the final minute to force overtime. Operating with increased usage while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is sidelined with a lower-body injury, the middle-six winger delivered a strong performance that helped Edmonton salvage a point despite blowing a lead.
Evan Bouchard made NHL history by becoming the first defenseman to put up five points in a season opener, recording a hat trick and two assists during the Edmonton Oilers' 6-5 overtime loss to the Canucks. Bouchard added six shots on goal, three blocked shots, and a plus-2 rating. His historic performance included a long-point shot for his hat-trick goal through traffic and multiple multi-point efforts alongside Connor McDonald, cementing his elite fantasy status early.
Patrick Kane scored his first goal in a Chicago Blackhawks sweater since 2023 during a 5-2 season-opening loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Kane created a breakaway goal with vintage patience and hands, finishing the night with four shots, eight shot attempts, and 21:36 of ice time. While Chicago fell short against Vegas' speed, Kane's strong debut performance highlighted his ongoing role as a key veteran presence meant to produce offense and help develop young players on the roster.
Paul Cotter made history in his Vancouver Canucks debut, scoring two goals in a 6-5 overtime win over the Edmonton Oilers. He netted a shorthanded goal in the first period to open the scoring and added the game-winner 1:59 into overtime. Cotter, who joined Vancouver in the offseason on a one-year, $2.15 million contract after playing for New Jersey, finished the game with three shots, two hits, and a plus-2 rating while centering the fourth line.
Victor Olofsson scored the Vegas Golden Knights' first goal of the season midway through the first period of a 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night. Olofsson opened the scoring with a power-play wrist shot that found the top shelf from the far side, helping set the tone for a successful debut for new head coach Ryan Craig.
Mark Stone sealed the Vegas Golden Knights' 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night by scoring an empty-net goal. Stone's late tally provided the final margin of victory, cementing a successful debut for new head coach Ryan Craig. The goal capped a strong night for Vegas' veteran core, which also saw strong performances from Jack Eichel and Victor Olofsson.
Noah Hanifin scored a key goal for the Vegas Golden Knights in their 5-2 season-opening victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night. After Chicago cut Vegas' lead to 3-2 early in the third period, Hanifin answered shortly thereafter to restore a crucial two-goal cushion for the Golden Knights. His tally helped secure Ryan Craig's first victory as Vegas' head coach.
Marco Rossi scored for the Vancouver Canucks as part of a high-scoring offensive attack in their 6-5 overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. Rossi's goal contributed to a fast start for the Canucks, who built a 5-2 lead in the third period before securing the victory in extra time thanks to Paul Cotter's game-winner.
Max Sasson scored a goal for the Vancouver Canucks in their thrilling 6-5 overtime victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. Sasson contributed to a potent offensive night for the Canucks, who built a commanding 5-2 lead in the third period before holding off a furious Oilers comeback. His goal helped launch the Canucks' season on a positive note under head coach Manny Malhotra.
Elias Pettersson scored a crucial goal 5:15 into the third period of the Vancouver Canucks' season opener against the Edmonton Oilers. His tally capped a three-goal run that swiftly extended Vancouver's lead to 5-2 before the Oilers mounted a late comeback. Pettersson's offensive contribution helped fuel the Canucks' strong start to the campaign en route to an eventual 6-5 overtime victory on Tuesday night.
Kevin Lankinen stopped 32 shots to help the Vancouver Canucks secure a 6-5 overtime victory against the Edmonton Oilers in their season opener. Serving as Vancouver's top netminding option with Thatcher Demko sidelined by a hip injury, Lankinen anchored the crease after being named the opening night starter following a strong morning skate. The 31-year-old goaltender navigated a wild game to earn the win for the Canucks.
After being named opening night starter against the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin stopped 20 of 22 shots in a 3-0 season-opening loss on Tuesday. Shesterkin repeatedly bailed out defensive breakdowns and odd-man rushes before surrendering a late third-period goal. The veteran netminder is coming off a 2025-26 campaign where he logged a 25-19-6 record, 2.50 GAA, and .912 save percentage across 51 games.
