Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
As the Ottawa Senators finalized their 23-player roster ahead of the NHL deadline, defenseman Ben Hutton was released from his professional tryout (PTO). The roster reduction also saw several players loaned to Belleville, while others were placed on the injured list, leaving Hutton without a spot on the opening-night roster as the team sets its final lineup for the upcoming season.
Connor Bedard will begin the 2026-27 regular season on the injured non-roster list as he continues recovering from July shoulder surgery. The 21-year-old superstar is expected to rejoin the Chicago Blackhawks in November, barring any setbacks. Bedard posted 30 goals and 75 points across 69 regular-season games in 2025-26. Fantasy managers should move him to an IR slot while he works his way back to full health.
Adam Jiricek's assignment to Springfield was abruptly cut short when the St. Louis Blues recalled the 20-year-old defenseman following Logan Mailloux's right-hand injury that requires surgery and an eight-week absence. After a strong training camp under coach Jim Montgomery, Jiricek is expected to make his NHL debut in the season-opener against Dallas, potentially receiving immediate power-play duties while paired with a veteran defenseman on the blue line.
Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber will begin the 2026-27 regular season on injured reserve after suffering an upper-body injury in Friday's preseason game against Dallas. Faber is coming off a breakout 2025-26 campaign where he set career highs with 15 goals, 51 points, and 148 blocked shots across 80 games. He is slated to rejoin Quinn Hughes on Minnesota's top defensive pairing once healthy.
Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson was placed on injured reserve on Monday as he continues to recover from offseason hip surgery. Expected to remain sidelined until at least early November, Gustavsson posted a 28-15-6 record, 2.69 GAA, .903 save percentage, and two shutouts over 50 games for Minnesota during the 2025-26 regular season. Offseason signee Calvin Pickard was named to the opening night roster in his absence.
Calgary Flames left wing Jonathan Huberdeau was placed on injured reserve on Monday due to an ongoing hip injury. Huberdeau missed the final 26 regular-season games of the 2025-26 campaign with the issue and will not be available for the start of the 2026-27 regular season. The team has not established a clear timeline for his return to action as he continues his recovery process.
The Buffalo Sabres moved defenseman Mattias Samuelsson to injured reserve due to a lower-body injury. The 26-year-old blueliner is expected to miss at least the first two games of the regular season, though his absence could extend further. Despite the early setback, Samuelsson is projected to be capable of replicating his production after recording over 40 points in the 2025-26 campaign.
Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas stated he wants more certainty regarding Evgeni Malkin's future, firmly declaring he is "not doing this day-to-day, year-to-year thing" with the franchise legend. Malkin previously waited until May to sign a contract extension that secured his return for an upcoming 21st NHL season.
The Buffalo Sabres officially placed left winger Jason Zucker on injured reserve as he continues recovering from sports hernia surgery. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen previously noted Zucker would miss the start of the season, though the 34-year-old could potentially return to the lineup as early as mid-October depending on his ongoing recovery progress from the abdominal procedure.
St. Louis Blues defenseman Logan Mailloux underwent successful surgery on his right hand following a preseason fight with Cole Smith and will be re-evaluated in eight weeks. Placed on injured reserve to start the season, Mailloux was coming off a strong training camp where he skated on the top pairing with Philip Broberg. He recorded 13 points in 67 games last year. The Blues recalled Adam Jiricek and claimed Justin Barron off waivers to help fill the void.
Originally claimed off waivers from Nashville as depth, Justin Barron faces an expanded opportunity with the St. Louis Blues following long-term injuries to Logan Mailloux and Tyler Tucker. The 24-year-old defenseman brings 208 NHL games and strong previous 5-on-5 analytics to a revamped St. Louis blue line. While top prospect Adam Jiricek initially edges him on practice lines, Barron remains ready to prove himself as a vital piece for the club.
Unheralded forward Owen Michaels remains on the Edmonton Oilers roster heading into the regular season opener against Vancouver after outplaying expectations during training camp. Head coach Mike Babcock praised Michaels for his strong two-way play, skating ability, and high hockey IQ. Michaels capitalised on roster openings created by injuries, outlasting candidates like Josh Samanski to secure his NHL position.
Forward Josh Samanski has been sent down to the AHL's Bakersfield Condors by the Edmonton Oilers following training camp. Head coach Mike Babcock noted that while Samanski's camp was respectable, he needs to refine his game in the AHL by becoming an elite face-off option, strong penalty killer, and reliable two-way defensive center. The move opens up opportunities on the main roster ahead of the season opener.
The Winnipeg Jets have claimed 27-year-old goaltender Clay Stevenson off waivers from the Washington Capitals to serve in a backup role. Stevenson, who previously starred for the AHL's Hershey Bears with a career 63-31-11 record and 2.50 GAA, brings depth to Winnipeg. Over four career NHL starts with Washington, he posted a 3-1-0 record, a 2.00 GAA, and a .921 save percentage. He now gets a major opportunity for a regular NHL roster spot.
Bryan Rust was placed on injured reserve by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday with an upper-body injury, ruling him out for at least the first two games of the season. His absence adds to Pittsburgh's growing roster challenges ahead of opening night, forcing the team to explore waiver options to bolster depth. In Rust's absence, young forwards Filip Hallander and Ville Koivunen are expected to get looks on the Penguins' third line.
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko is aiming to return to action before Christmas after undergoing hip surgery in January, according to co-president of hockey operations Henrik Sedin. Demko, who missed the second half of the 2025-26 season and was recently placed on injured reserve, is making daily progress in his recovery. While Demko remains sidelined, Kevin Lankinen and Leevi Merilainen will compete for crease duties.
Tristan Jarry will get the starting nod in goal for the Edmonton Oilers' home clash against the Vancouver Canucks. Jarry went 9-6-2 with a 3.86 goals-against average in 19 appearances with Edmonton last season following a trade from Pittsburgh. He is currently getting the first crack at the starting gig with Frederik Andersen on the shelf due to an undisclosed issue, while Devon Levi waits in reserve.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson will miss at least the first two games of the regular season due to his ongoing recovery from shoulder surgery. Severson underwent the procedure in early April, ending his 2025-26 campaign prematurely. Although he felt good during training camp, head coach Rick Bowness confirmed he needs more time. The team's schedule features a week-long break after the opening pair of games, offering a potential window for his return.
Brady Tkachuk is slated to play in the Florida Panthers' season opener against the Hurricanes, making his debut after a major offseason trade. After missing a few practices due to a minor issue, coach Paul Maurice confirmed Tkachuk is ready to roll. Last year with Ottawa, the winger recorded 22 goals and 37 assists in 60 games. He projects to skate alongside Sasha Barkov and Sam Reinhart on the top line as he targets a 70-point campaign.
Jake Sanderson is expected to be fine and should participate in the Ottawa Senators' upcoming on-ice session. Sanderson sat out Monday's practice for precautionary reasons after leaving Saturday's 4-3 preseason win over Montreal with an undisclosed issue. Assuming he avoids setbacks, the standout defenseman is on track to be available for Ottawa's regular-season opener against Toronto on Saturday.
