AutoDraft Pro
Get the app

Player news from trusted outlets

NHL News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Sunday, September 27

Leo Carlsson Inks Five-Year, $90-Million Deal to Lead Ducks

AutoDraft Pro AI

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.

Drew Doughty Named Kings Captain for 19th Season in Leadership Shift

AutoDraft Pro AI

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.

Anze Kopitar Departure Leaves Big Hole for Kings Entering New Era

AutoDraft Pro AI

For the first time in 20 years, the Kings are starting a season without Anze Kopitar, the franchise leader in games, assists and points and a two-time Stanley Cup champion. His departure leaves a massive hole on the ice and in the locker room, where his invaluable leadership anchored the team for nearly two decades. The aging Kings now enter a transition under new coach Peter Laviolette, attempting to navigate this daunting new era without their legendary captain.

Pittsburgh Penguins Reassign Jake Livanavage to AHL

AutoDraft Pro AI

Defenseman Jake Livanavage has been assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Livanavage was part of a six-player group trimmed from the roster on September 26 as the team works to reduce its roster from 32 players down to the required 23-player opening day limit. He will report to the AHL alongside several other blue liners and prospects reassigned during this cut down.

Caleb Jones Placed on Waivers by Pittsburgh Penguins

AutoDraft Pro AI

Defenseman Caleb Jones has been placed on waivers by the Pittsburgh Penguins for the purpose of assignment to the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The move was announced on September 26 as Pittsburgh continues trimming its roster down toward the mandatory 23-player limit prior to the start of the regular season. If Jones clears waivers, he will join WBS in the AHL along with several other recently reassigned players.

Pittsburgh Penguins Assign Owen Pickering to AHL Roster

AutoDraft Pro AI

Defenseman Owen Pickering has been assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL as the Pittsburgh Penguins trim their roster ahead of opening day decisions. Pickering was among six players sent down or placed on waivers by the organization on September 26 as Pittsburgh works toward finalizing its mandatory 23-man active roster limit. The move helps the Penguins trim their roster from 32 players ahead of opening night.

Saturday, September 26

Karel Vejmelka Posts 25-Save Shutout in Exhibition Finale Victory

AutoDraft Pro AI

Karel Vejmelka turned aside all 25 shots he faced in Saturday's 2-0 preseason victory over the Colorado Avalanche. The 30-year-old netminder enters the regular season as Utah's clear No. 1 option following a strong 2025-26 campaign where he posted a 38-20-3 record with a 2.75 GAA and .896 save percentage across 64 appearances. Despite Utah adding prospect Sebastian Cossa, Vejmelka is expected to handle a heavy workload.

Macklin Celebrini Scores Goal in Preseason Finale Victory Over Knights

AutoDraft Pro AI

San Jose Sharks captain Macklin Celebrini scored his first goal wearing the "C" during Saturday's 4-2 preseason victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, beating Carter Hart over the blocker to extend San Jose's lead to 2-0. Celebrini also drew a hooking penalty late in the first period and served a high-sticking minor in the third. The top overall pick led the Sharks' primary NHL lineup in their final exhibition tune-up before the regular season.

Casey Cizikas Set to Center New Line Trio with Palat and Duclair

AutoDraft Pro AI

Casey Cizikas is slated to anchor an intriguing fourth-line combination with Ondrej Palat and Anthony Duclair as the Islanders prepare for their regular-season opener in Toronto. Cizikas praised the trio's diverse skill sets, emphasizing communication to unlock secondary scoring. While Cizikas brings straight-line play, coach Pete DeBoer hopes to tap into Duclair's scoring history alongside the veteran Palat to bolster the Islanders' offensive depth this season.

Erik Karlsson Extension Status Shapes Penguins Roster and Trade Outlook

AutoDraft Pro AI

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson is entering the final year of his eight-year contract with no extension discussions held so far. The 36-year-old veteran expressed comfort in seeing how the season unfolds before making a decision on his future. His contract status directly influences Pittsburgh's roster strategy, as a potential mid-season trade could open top-four blue line minutes for top prospect Harrison Brunicke while the team manages its current blue line rotation.

Jake Sanderson Exits Preseason Contest for Precautions

AutoDraft Pro AI

Jake Sanderson did not finish Saturday's preseason game against Montreal due to an undisclosed issue handled for precautionary reasons. Ottawa's season opener is next Saturday in Toronto, providing the 24-year-old blueliner ample time to recover. Sanderson recorded 14 goals and 54 points across 67 regular-season appearances with the Senators during the 2025-26 campaign.

Jackson Blake Dominates Preseason Finale with Three Points

AutoDraft Pro AI

Jackson Blake scored a power-play goal and added two assists in Carolina's 6-0 preseason win over the Predators. His first-period tally served as the game-winner. After producing a career-high 22 goals and 53 points last season alongside a team-leading 20 playoff points, the 23-year-old winger could open the 2026-27 season in a top-six role while Seth Jarvis recovers from a shoulder injury.

Victor Eklund Earns Roster Spot on Islanders Third Line After Strong Camp

AutoDraft Pro AI

Victor Eklund is poised to make the New York Islanders' opening night NHL roster following an impressive training camp performance. The 19-year-old forward stood out with his physical play, puck control, and work ethic, earning a spot in Saturday's preseason finale. Eklund is expected to begin the season on the third line alongside Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Emil Heineman, with potential to move into the top six as the rebuilding squad relies heavily on its young core.

Brandon Bussi Blanks Preds with 22 Saves in Preseason Finale

AutoDraft Pro AI

Brandon Bussi stopped all 22 shots he faced in a 6-0 preseason win over Nashville, wrapping up his preparation for the 2026-27 campaign. Bussi is expected to split starts with Pyotr Kochetkov but enters as the favorite to handle the majority of action after a stellar rookie season where he posted a 31-6-2 record, 2.47 GAA, and two shutouts over 39 appearances.

Joel Edmundson Considered Day-to-Day With Undisclosed Injury

AutoDraft Pro AI

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Joel Edmundson is currently considered day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, casting doubt on his availability for Wednesday's season opener in Colorado. If Edmundson is sidelined for the contest, Erik Gustafsson is expected to step into the lineup. Edmundson registered two goals and 23 points across 82 regular-season appearances for the Kings during the 2025-26 campaign.

Pavel Dorofeyev Shines in Preseason Following Blockbuster Trade

AutoDraft Pro AI

New York Rangers forward Pavel Dorofeyev made a strong impression in the preseason, tallying a goal and two assists across two exhibition games, including a multi-point performance in Friday's 6-1 victory. Acquired on a seven-year contract with an $11 million AAV, the 25-year-old winger has skated alongside J.T. Miller and Oliver Bjorkstrand. Dorofeyev comes off a 37-goal campaign in 2025-26, including 20 power-play goals, bringing elite goal-scoring capability to New York.

Jacob Fowler Set to Start at Home Against Ottawa

AutoDraft Pro AI

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler is scheduled to start at home against the Ottawa Senators in Saturday's preseason game. Fowler posted a 9-6-2 record alongside a 2.43 GAA and .908 save percentage in 17 regular-season games during the 2025-26 campaign. With Jakub Dobes slated as Montreal's top starter, Fowler and Sam Montembeault could both make the roster to handle occasional spot-start duties when needed.

Samuel Ersson Set to Start Road Preseason Game in Montreal

AutoDraft Pro AI

Ottawa Senators goaltender Samuel Ersson is scheduled to start on the road against the Montreal Canadiens in Saturday's preseason game. Ersson recorded a 14-11-5 mark, 3.12 GAA, and .870 save percentage over 33 regular-season appearances with the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2025-26 season. The goaltender is slated to open the upcoming 2026-27 campaign as Ottawa's secondary netminder behind starter Linus Ullmark.

Jakub Dobes Set for Road Start Against Senators

AutoDraft Pro AI

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes is slated to guard the road goal in Saturday's preseason game against Ottawa. Dobes previously stopped nine of 11 shots before being replaced by Jacob Fowler in a 4-3 preseason overtime win over Toronto. The netminder is entering the season expected to serve as Montreal's No. 1 goaltender after posting a 29-10-4 record, 2.78 GAA, and .901 save percentage in 43 appearances in 2025-26.

Trevor Zegras Jersey Tuck Penalty Inspires Flyers Warmup Prank

AutoDraft Pro AI

Philadelphia Flyers forward Trevor Zegras drew a rare "improper wearing of equipment" penalty earlier this week after having his jersey tucked into his pants against Boston following a prior warning. Ahead of Saturday's preseason finale, Flyers teammates trolled the league by tucking their jerseys during pregame warmups. Head coach Rick Tocchet noted the team was warned weeks in advance about the stricter enforcement of the jersey tuck rule.