Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Alex Ovechkin achieved his 33rd career hat trick and added an assist, moving him into 10th place on the NHL points list. This performance contributed to the Capitals' 8-4 victory over Montreal on Thursday night.
Petr Mrazek is confirmed to start in goal for the Anaheim Ducks in their home game against Ottawa on Thursday. This update was reported by Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune. Further analysis regarding this development is available on RotoWire.com.
Akira Schmid is slated to protect the road goal for the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday against the Mammoth. This update was reported by Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Knight is expected to start at home against Seattle on Thursday, per Tracey Myers of NHL.com.
Daccord will guard the road goal versus the Blackhawks on Thursday, Tracey Myers of NHL.com reports.
Matthew Knies (lower body) will miss Thursday's game against Columbus. This update was reported by David Alter of The Hockey News.
Joseph Woll is confirmed to start in goal at home against the Blue Jackets on Thursday. The news comes from David Alter of The Hockey News.
Calvin Pickard is set to start in goal for the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday's road game against Tampa Bay, as reported by Tony Brar of Oilers TV.
New York Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer, 18, has earned consideration for the Canadian Olympic team for the 2026 Milano Cortina Games, with the Islanders confirming his inclusion on Team Canada's long list. Schaefer, the No. 1 overall pick in June's NHL Draft, has entered the IOC's drug testing protocol for Olympic eligibility. Despite not being invited to last summer's National Team Orientation Camp, his stellar start to his first NHL season has put him on Canada's radar. He leads all rookie skaters with 15 points in 20 games and also has the highest ice time among rookies, averaging 22:30 per game. The Hamilton, Ont. native has previously represented Canada in U18 and U20 world junior championships. With the Olympic roster allowing for eight defensemen, Schaefer could potentially secure an additional spot. The 25-man roster is due by Dec. 31.
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty has been placed on injured reserve after being hit by a shot in his left foot during last Saturday's game against Ottawa, a shot taken by Tyler Kleven. The 35-year-old missed Monday's game at Washington and will be out for the near future, with coach Jim Hiller stating he is 'week to week'. This injury is not related to the broken left ankle that caused him to miss the first 47 games of last season. Doughty, in his 17th NHL season, has recorded two goals and six assists in 19 games for the Kings this season. The two-time Stanley Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist is also hoping to be in contention for a role with Canada at the Olympics in February.
Linus Ullmark is slated to start in goal for the Ottawa Senators on Thursday's road game against the Ducks. The veteran goaltender, who won the Vezina Trophy in 2022-23 with a 40-6-1 record, 1.89 GAA, and .938 save percentage, followed that up with a 22-10-7 record, .915 save percentage, and 2.57 GAA in 39 starts last season. His GSAx was third-best in 2022-23 (38.21) and eighth-best in 2023-24 (21.62), indicating his ability to save high-quality shots. Despite struggling in the 2023 playoffs against Florida (3.33 GAA, .896 SV%), his career .919 save percentage over 207 games, combined with his move to Ottawa, positions him as a strong candidate for over 30 wins and a top-10 goaltender this season. Ullmark, who signed a four-year, $20 million deal with Boston in 2021, previously played for Buffalo, where he posted strong numbers (26-20-6, 2.67 GAA, .916 SV%) despite durability issues from lower-body injuries that sidelined him for 29 games. He is reportedly fully recovered from these injuries.
Jake Oettinger is expected to start Thursday's game for the Dallas Stars, having been the first goalie off the ice during morning skate. The 25-year-old netminder, despite an "off year" in 2023-24 with a 2.72 GAA and .905 save percentage, is considered one of the best young goalies in the world. He is projected to log 55-60 starts and is expected to return to elite territory, positioning himself for a rich long-term deal as he enters the second season of his three-year contract.
Igor Shesterkin was the first goaltender off the ice at morning practice on Thursday, indicating he will start in goal for the New York Rangers in their visiting crease in Colorado, as reported by Colin Stephenson of Newsday. Heading into 2024-25, there is chatter about a contract extension, with Shesterkin reportedly seeking max money to become the highest-paid netminder in the NHL. He is considered a consistent, elite goaltender, a beast in the postseason, and was a potential first-round fantasy pick. In 2022-23, he posted a 2.48 GAA, .916 save percentage, and a 37-13-8 record. A season prior, he led the league with a 2.07 GAA and .935 save percentage, adding 36 victories and six shutouts, earning him the Vezina Trophy and a third-place finish in Hart Trophy voting. He will be backed up by Jonathan Quick this year, with a clear path to 60 games if healthy.
Yaroslav Askarov was the first goalie off the ice ahead of Thursday's home matchup with Los Angeles, as reported by Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now, indicating he will be between the pipes. The 23-year-old netminder has been performing well recently, going 5-1-0 with a 1.31 GAA in his last six contests. For the 2025 season, his current stats are 6 wins, 5 losses, 0 shutouts, a 2.99 GAA, and a .905 SV% through 12 outings, already setting a new personal best in wins. Askarov signed a two-year, $4 million contract extension with the Sharks in August of 2024. He figures to see plenty of work ahead of Alex Nedeljkovic and should be capable of challenging for the 20-win threshold.
Kevin Lankinen, a 30-year-old goalie, is expected to start Thursday, November 20, 2025, protecting the home crease against Dallas. He is going through his starter's routine at morning skate, per Jeff Paterson of CanucksArmy.com. Lankinen will get his seventh start in the last eight games, having recently had a rare night off Monday. His 2025 stats are 4 wins, 5 losses, 0 shutouts, a 3.44 GAA, and an .890 save percentage. He signed a five-year, $22.5 million contract with the Canucks in February of 2025.
Karel Vejmelka, a 29-year-old goalie, is starting against the Golden Knights on Thursday, November 20, 2025. He was the first goalie off during Thursday's morning skate, as reported by Cole Bagley of KSL Sports, indicating he'll draw the home start. This will be Vejmelka's fourth start in Utah's last five games. In his last three outings, he has a record of 1-0-2 with a 2.62 GAA and an .879 save percentage. His 2025 stats are 8 wins, 4 losses, 0 shutouts, a 2.85 GAA, and an .880 save percentage. He signed a five-year, $23.75 million contract extension with Utah in March of 2025.
Scott Wedgewood is slated to start Thursday against the Rangers, as reported by Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports. He signed a two-year deal with the Preds on July 1 and serves as the clear No. 2 goaltender, behind Juuse Saros and ahead of Yaroslav Askarov. Wedgewood is projected for no more than 20 starts in Nashville this season and could be a daily fantasy option, offering appeal in deeper formats due to his team situation. In the 2023-24 season, he posted a 16-7-5 record, 2.85 GAA, and .899 save percentage with the Stars. The previous season (2022-23), he served as Jake Oettinger's backup, achieving a 9-8-3 record, 2.72 GAA, and a .915 save percentage across 21 games. Dallas had re-signed him to a one-year, $2 million contract in late June. Earlier in his career, Wedgewood played for the Devils, Coyotes, and Stars, recording a 13-15-6 record, 3.14 GAA, and a .910 save percentage.
Jet Greaves is slated to start in goal for the Blue Jackets' road game against Toronto on Thursday. He recently rested during the second half of a back-to-back set Tuesday against Winnipeg and is expected to return to the crease for the sixth time in the team's last seven games. Over his last five starts, Greaves has posted a 3-0-2 record with a 2.66 GAA and .901 save percentage. His recent performances include stopping 29 of 32 shots in a 4-3 shootout win over the Canadiens on Monday, making 31 saves on 32 shots in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Rangers on Saturday, and stopping 25 of 29 shots in a 5-4 win over the Oilers last Thursday. Greaves signed a two-year, $1.625 million contract with the Blue Jackets in July of 2024.
Victor Hedman (undisclosed) is expected to be sidelined for 'probably a couple more weeks,' according to head coach Jon Cooper on Thursday.
Anthony Stolarz (upper body) has not yet returned to the ice, Lance Hornby of The Toronto Sun reported Thursday. Stolarz was one of the best backup goalies last season, picking up 16 wins in 27 games (16-7-2) with a 2.03 GAA and .925 save percentage, and is now in Toronto poised to share the crease with Joseph Woll.
