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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (lower body) might return earlier than his week-to-week timetable suggests. Head coach Lindy Ruff indicated that Samuelsson feels optimistic about his recovery. The 26-year-old suffered the injury during a preseason game against the Blue Jackets. While his status for Opening Night remains uncertain, both Ruff and Samuelsson are downplaying the severity of the injury.
Nathan MacKinnon is slated to make his first and only preseason appearance for the Colorado Avalanche on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. Despite limited preseason action, the 31-year-old forward is healthy and expected to carry a significant workload in the upcoming regular season. Last year, MacKinnon recorded 53 goals and 74 assists in 80 games, averaging over 22 minutes of ice time.
Detroit captain Dylan Larkin has expanded his trade destination list to seven preferred teams, adding Colorado, Washington, Dallas, and Tampa to his preferences alongside Minnesota, Florida, and Vegas. Meanwhile, head coach Todd McLellan confirmed that Larkin has been ruled out for Saturday's preseason finale due to an upper-body injury. He is progressing in his recovery and focusing on potentially returning for Detroit's Opening Night matchup against the Rangers.
Veteran forward Vladimir Tarasenko and the Florida Panthers are reportedly considering a reunion, with NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman stating they are "eying each other." Tarasenko, who posted 23 goals and 47 points for the Minnesota Wild last season, was acquired by the Panthers at the 2023-24 trade deadline, helping them reach the Stanley Cup Final. With Brad Marchand facing an early-season absence, Tarasenko could fill a roster spot, though his fit depends on the Panthers' health and the emergence of other forwards like Sandis Vilmanis.
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov has signed a two-year, $7.9 million contract extension running through the 2028-29 season with an AAV of $3.95 million. Kochetkov was limited to nine regular-season appearances during the 2025-26 campaign due to a hip injury, going 6-2-0 with a 2.33 GAA and .899 save percentage. Fully recovered, he is under contract long-term though he is projected to begin the upcoming season as backup to Brandon Bussi.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have trimmed their roster, with forward Avery Hayes being among the eight players cut. Hayes, who scored a goal in two preseason games, was assigned to the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Despite injuries and absences affecting the forward corps, Hayes did not secure an NHL roster spot. The team faces a deadline to reduce its roster to 23 players by the start of the season.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is absent from the team as he serves a suspension while awaiting a requested trade. The U.S. Olympic gold-medalist goaltender's ongoing absence leaves a massive void in Winnipeg's crease as the NHL season approaches. Analysts and hockey writers project the Jets' fortunes heavily tied to the resolution of his trade status alongside other prominent roster storylines heading into the regular season.
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin will defend the road crease and play the full game during Friday's preseason rematch against the Islanders. Shesterkin previously drew the home start on Tuesday against the same opponent, turning aside 18 of 20 shots while playing the first two periods. He is using Friday's contest to close out the preseason as he prepares to serve firmly as the Rangers' top netminder to begin the 2026-27 campaign.
Minnesota Wild defenseman David Spacek has made the team's final roster decisions much more difficult after surviving the latest round of cuts. Training camp praise from coach John Hynes highlighted Spacek's improved strength, clean puck movement, and solid defensive play. Following a 36-point campaign in Iowa and a two-game NHL taste last year, the 23-year-old right-shot blueliner is proving he may be ready for regular NHL minutes, though waiver requirements complicate his assignment.
Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko is drawing significant trade interest, with the Toronto Maple Leafs reportedly involved in pursuit of the 26-year-old. Marchenko carries an attractive $3.85 million cap hit and is entering the final year of his contract before becoming an RFA. After setting career highs with 31 goals and 74 points in 2024-25, he followed up with 27 goals and 67 points last season. Columbus is reportedly seeking competitive assets rather than futures in any potential deal.
Vitek Vanecek did not play in Friday's preseason matchup against the New York Rangers, with Semyon Varlamov getting the start in the crease and Joshua Kotai serving as the backup. Early morning skate reports initially indicated Vanecek would draw the start, but those plans changed. Vanecek continues to compete with Varlamov for the No. 2 goaltending job behind Ilya Sorokin, though he now appears headed for waivers or the minors.
Semyon Varlamov will start Friday's preseason game at home against the New York Rangers. Despite initial indications that Vitek Vanecek would get the nod after being the first goalie off during morning skate, Varlamov ultimately got the assignment after sitting out the skate. Varlamov missed the entire 2025-26 season due to a knee injury but has been deemed fully healthy for training camp and is expected to secure the backup role to open the regular season.
Charlie Lindgren will start Saturday's preseason finale on the road against the Philadelphia Flyers, playing the full game as his final tune-up before the regular season begins. Lindgren previously made his preseason debut on Monday against Philadelphia, stopping 12 of 14 shots before being relieved by Clay Stevenson midway through the contest. The 32-year-old goaltender looks to cap off his training camp preparations with a strong full-game performance.
Alex Ovechkin has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Boston Bruins and Saturday's finale against Philadelphia due to a lower-body injury. Although he fully participated in practice and is trending in the right direction, head coach Spencer Carbery noted it isn't essential for the 41-year-old forward to play in the preseason. The Capitals are exercising caution but fully expect Ovechkin to be ready for the regular-season opener against Carolina on Oct. 2.
The St. Louis Blues assigned forward Dylan Peterson to AHL Springfield following a strong training camp performance. Peterson showcased a well-balanced mix of grit, toughness, speed, and an encouraging offensive skill set during camp. Despite the waiver-exempt forward's solid showing, he will begin the season in the minor leagues as the Blues finalize their roster cuts ahead of the official opening night deadline.
Defenseman Adam Jiricek, the Blues' 2024 first-round pick, was assigned to AHL Springfield after a strong training camp. While competing for a seventh defenseman role with Tyler Tucker currently sidelined by a tweaked right knee, the team ultimately opted for veteran Calle Rosen. Sending Jiricek to the AHL allows the young defenseman to play upwards of 25 minutes per night and continue his ascendancy toward becoming a dominant blue-line presence.
Forward Otto Stenberg was assigned to AHL Springfield by the St. Louis Blues following the conclusion of training camp. Stenberg's performance during camp produced mixed results, prompting the organization to send the 2023 first-round pick down to the minors where he can secure a more refined role and log larger, developmental minutes. The Blues continue narrowing their roster down ahead of the league's final opening night roster submission deadline.
The St. Louis Blues assigned forward Aleksanteri Kaskimaki to AHL Springfield as part of their latest training camp roster cuts. Kaskimaki displayed notable talent and offensive potential during camp, positioning himself as a reliable, sure-fire call-up option should the Blues need reinforcements during the upcoming regular season. He was sent down alongside several other young prospects as the team trims its roster toward the final opening night limit.
Patrick Kane made his lone preseason appearance for the Chicago Blackhawks against the St. Louis Blues, skating on a line with Frank Nazar and Roman Kantserov. Head coach Jeff Blashill praised his competitive play and chemistry. Kane acknowledged some early rust and missed opportunities but showed flashes of his veteran offensive vision. The Blackhawks plan to rest him for the preseason finale to keep him fresh for the start of the regular season.
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins has been placed on non-roster injured reserve after failing his physical at the start of training camp. Merzlikins underwent shoulder surgery in late August and is currently considered out indefinitely ahead of Opening Night. With him sidelined, Jet Greaves is slated to serve as the team's number one netminder, while Cam Talbot is expected to act as the primary backup until Merzlikins is ready to return to action.
