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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Winger Porter Martone is expected to open the 2026-27 campaign on the Philadelphia Flyers' top line alongside Owen Tippett and Trevor Zegras. The 19-year-old has also been practicing on the top power-play unit during training camp. The 2025 sixth-overall draft pick impressed in a nine-game NHL stint last season, recording four goals, 10 points, and 32 shots, positioning him as a strong Calder Trophy candidate.
The Vancouver Canucks assigned 19-year-old center Braeden Cootes to AHL Abbotsford following a solid preseason where he recorded one goal and two assists in three games. Despite competing for a roster spot, Vancouver opted to prioritize Cootes' long-term development over a limited fourth-line NHL role. Cootes, who posted 63 points in 45 WHL games last season, will now compete for top-six minutes and special-teams responsibilities in the AHL.
David Pastrnak was named the 28th captain in Boston Bruins history. The 30-year-old winger reached the century mark in points for the fourth straight season in 2025-26, recording 29 goals and a career-high 71 helpers. Despite a dip in goal scoring and shots, his elite playmaking secures his status as a top fantasy forward. Pastrnak is projected to begin the upcoming season skating on the top line alongside Elias Lindholm and newcomer JJ Peterka.
The St. Louis Blues have placed veteran defenseman Calle Rosen on NHL waivers as part of roster adjustments ahead of Monday's 23-man deadline. The 32-year-old blueliner, reacquired from the Washington Capitals, posted eight goals and 31 points last season, primarily providing reliable play for the AHL's Springfield Thunderbirds. Rosen had been serving as the seventh defenseman on the Blues' depth chart prior to the waiver move.
The Montreal Canadiens have reassigned defenseman David Reinbacher to the AHL's Laval Rocket following training camp. The 2023 fifth-overall pick impressed during three preseason appearances, even earning an audition alongside top blueliner Lane Hutson, but was included in a 10-player assignment list on Sunday. Healthy after past injury setbacks, the young blueliner will begin his campaign in the AHL while Montreal finalizes its roster.
The New York Islanders signed 28-year-old defenseman Logan Stanley to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with a $1.5 million cap hit. The 6-foot-7 blueliner is coming off a career-best offensive season, recording 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) in 76 games split between Winnipeg and Buffalo, before adding eight playoff appearances with the Sabres. Stanley joined the Islanders for practice Sunday morning to provide physical defensive depth ahead of Wednesday's season opener against Toronto.
Forward Nathan Bastian signed a one-year, $850,000 NHL contract with the Florida Panthers after attending training camp on a professional tryout. The deal includes a $525,000 minor league salary with $575,000 guaranteed. Immediately following the contract signing on Sunday, Florida placed the forward on waivers for the purpose of assignment to the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL ahead of the league's opening night roster deadline.
Seattle Kraken forward Mackie Samoskevich (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Sunday. Samoskevich is currently considered day-to-day but will miss the start of the 2026-27 regular season. Once fully healthy and cleared to return, he is projected to occupy a top-six forward role and receive playing time on Seattle's power-play unit.
The St. Louis Blues recalled defenseman Adam Jiricek from the AHL's Springfield Thunderbirds on Sunday. The 2024 first-round pick had a strong training camp before being briefly reassigned on Friday. Jiricek returns to the NHL squad as the Blues shore up depth on defense following an upper-body injury to Logan Mailloux ahead of Monday's official roster submission deadline.
The St. Louis Blues claimed 24-year-old defenseman Justin Barron off waivers from the Nashville Predators on Sunday. Barron, a 2020 first-round pick carrying a $1.575 million cap hit, posted nine assists in 52 games with Nashville last season. He brings 208 games of NHL experience to a St. Louis blueline currently dealing with injuries to Logan Mailloux and Tyler Tucker.
Defenseman Nick Blankenburg signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday, converting his professional tryout into a roster spot. The 28-year-old recorded career highs with eight goals and 24 points in 61 games split between Nashville and Colorado last season. He spent camp paired with Emil Andrae as Toronto works through cap mechanics ahead of opening night.
The New York Islanders reassigned defenseman Isaiah George to the AHL's Hamilton Hammers on Sunday. Despite missing out on the opening night roster after a rough training camp, head coach Peter DeBoer strongly defended the young blueliner, stating there is zero disappointment and stressing that the demotion is part of his development journey to become a regular NHL defenseman.
Carolina Hurricanes winger Seth Jarvis (shoulder) was placed on the injured non-roster list Sunday. Initially expected to miss 4-6 months following June shoulder surgery, Jarvis believes he could return ahead of schedule after skating during training camp. The 24-year-old forward posted 32 goals, 66 points, 224 shots on net, and 81 hits across 71 games for the Hurricanes during the 2025-26 regular season.
The Tampa Bay Lightning traded 31-year-old goaltender Jonas Johansson to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for future considerations. Johansson went 11-10-2 with a 3.29 goals-against average and an .884 save percentage last season, but ultimately lost out on the backup job in training camp to Dennis Hildeby. He now joins Ottawa to provide organizational depth, replacing youngster Leevi Merilainen, who was recently claimed off waivers by the Vancouver Canucks.
Brandon Bussi played exceptionally well in Carolina's preseason finale, stopping all 22 shots he faced to earn a 6-0 shutout victory against the Nashville Predators. Bussi anchored the defense as six different Hurricanes scored and 11 players registered points in the dominant performance. The strong outing leaves Bussi and the Hurricanes looking sharp and ready for their regular-season opener against the Florida Panthers.
Florian Xhekaj put together a strong performance in Montreal's preseason finale against Ottawa, landing six hits including a bone-crushing check on Adam Nemec. Coach Martin St-Louis praised Xhekaj for his remarkable consistency and identity throughout camp. At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Xhekaj feels he did everything possible to earn a roster spot, though final decisions rest with management as roster cuts loom for opening night.
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Bryan Rust is undergoing evaluation for an upper-body injury sustained in Saturday's 3-1 preseason victory against Buffalo, rendering him unavailable for Sunday's practice. Rust, who recorded 29 goals, 65 points, 183 shots on net, and 71 blocked shots across 72 regular-season appearances for Pittsburgh in 2025-26, remains questionable for Wednesday's season opener against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Ducks restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier signed a lucrative six-year, $81-million contract extension with the team during the offseason. Gauthier led the Ducks with a stellar 41 goals and 69 points last season, helping fuel their historic offensive output and playoff run. General manager Pat Verbeek's heavy investment in young stars like Gauthier underscores the franchise's rising ambitions as they prepare for higher expectations and a targeted second season under coach Joel Quenneville.
General manager Pat Verbeek signed center Leo Carlsson to a massive five-year, $90-million contract during the offseason after the Flyers offered the same deal. The 21-year-old star, who recorded a career-high 29 goals and 38 assists last season, enters the year as the NHL's highest-paid player. Coming off a breakout playoff run and a summer of major roster turnover, expectations are at an all-time high for Carlsson and the Ducks as they look to build on last year's historic success.
Kings defenseman Drew Doughty will serve as the team captain this season in his 19th year with the club, taking over the leadership mantle following Anze Kopitar's departure. At 36, he is the third-oldest player on one of the NHL's oldest teams and the last holdover from the 2014 Stanley Cup team. Doughty stated he is not changing his leadership style but will be more aware of keeping his emotions even-keel as the loudest voice in the locker room under new coach Peter Laviolette.
