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NHL News

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

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Tyler Bertuzzi Sidelined Tuesday, Eyes 30-Goal Season with Blackhawks After $22M Deal

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Tyler Bertuzzi (undisclosed) will not be in the lineup Tuesday against the Flames. The 29-year-old winger recently signed a four-year, $22 million deal with the Chicago Blackhawks this offseason, securing the most term of his professional career. Coming off a 2023-24 campaign with the Maple Leafs where he recorded 21 goals and 22 assists, including six power-play points, in 80 games, Bertuzzi is projected to partner with Connor Bedard and could exceed 30 goals in 2024-25. Despite a career-low 7.5 shooting percentage last season, a bounce-back is anticipated, though his injury history makes him a risky fantasy pick. Bertuzzi's career has seen him limited by injuries, including a back injury and an injury-plagued 2022-23 season. He previously notched 30 goals and 62 points in 68 games for Detroit in 2021-22, showcasing his offensive potential and abrasive style.

Arvid Soderblom to Start for Blackhawks Against Struggling Flames Tuesday

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Arvid Soderblom, the 26-year-old Chicago Blackhawks goaltender, is confirmed to start in goal against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Soderblom, who signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract in July 2025, has been consistently active this season, with no more than three games between appearances. He currently holds a 2-2-1 record, a 2.63 GAA, and a .913 save percentage over five games. This upcoming start is against a Calgary team that has struggled significantly on offense, managing only 12 goals in their last six contests and maintaining a 2-3-1 record, ranking them as the league's worst offense.

Eric Comrie Tending Goal for Jets Tuesday Amidst Backup Competition

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Eric Comrie is set to patrol the home crease for the Winnipeg Jets against Columbus on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The 28-year-old netminder, an original Jets draft pick from 2013, signed a one-year, $750,000 deal this past summer and is currently competing with Kaapo Kahkonen to back up Connor Hellebuyck. Comrie had a strong 2021-22 season with Winnipeg (10-5-1, 2.58 GAA, .920 SV% in 19 games) before signing a two-year, $3.6 million deal with Buffalo, where his 2022-23 stats were 9-9-1, 3.67 GAA, and .886 SV% in 19 starts. He was reacquired by the Jets on waivers in February 2024-25 after a brief stint with the Devils. Despite this start, he is projected to play fewer than 15 games this season with limited fantasy upside.

Calgary Flames Claim Forward John Beecher Off Waivers from Boston Bruins

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The Calgary Flames have claimed forward John Beecher off waivers from the Boston Bruins. The 24-year-old center, originally selected 30th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, brings size and speed to the Flames. Beecher has played 136 NHL games, recording 11 goals and 22 points over parts of three seasons. He is currently on a one-year contract worth $900,000. The Flames, sitting last in the league standings, held top priority on the waiver wire and secured Beecher's rights. He will join the team in Buffalo and is available for their game against the Sabres.

Dougie Hamilton Set to Return for Devils, Poised for Top Power-Play Role Amidst Injury Comeback

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Dougie Hamilton (lower body) is expected to return to the New Jersey Devils' lineup Tuesday against the Lightning. This return follows a significant pectoral injury last season that limited him to just 20 games, positioning him as a bounce-back candidate for 2024-25. With Luke Hughes sidelined by a shoulder injury for 6-8 weeks, Hamilton is poised to reclaim his spot on the No. 1 power-play unit, a role he excelled in during his career-best 2022-23 season where he tallied 22 goals and 52 assists for 74 points in 82 games, ranking among the NHL's top defensemen. While a free-agent signing like Brett Pesce could impact his minutes, Hamilton's history shows consistent offensive production, including double-digit goals in seven straight years. Despite previous injury setbacks and a dip in production during his first Devils season, he remains a key offensive blueliner for New Jersey.

Victor Hedman Sidelined Tuesday, Lightning Star's Extensive Career Highlights and Future Outlook

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Victor Hedman (undisclosed) will miss Tuesday's game against New Jersey. The veteran defenseman recently signed a four-year, $32 million contract extension with the Tampa Bay Lightning, following the trades of Mikhail Sergachev and Steven Stamkos's departure. Last season, Hedman bounced back with 13 goals and 76 points in 78 games, including 31 power-play points, after a 49-point performance in 2022-23. He is expected to log significant minutes in all situations, with the signing of Jake Guentzel potentially aiding his power-play production. Hedman's illustrious career includes a Norris Trophy win in 2018, multiple nominations, and a Conn Smythe Trophy in 2019-20 after a career-best 85-point season. He remains a top-tier fantasy option, known for his consistent high-level production and major role on one of the NHL's premier clubs.

Jacob Markstrom Starts for New Jersey Devils, Eyes Strong Debut After Stellar Underlying Stats

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Jacob Markstrom is slated to start in goal for the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday against the Lightning. Acquired by the Devils, Markstrom's traditional stats with the Flames last season (23-23-2 record, 2.78 GAA, .905 SV%) appeared average, but his 28.93 GSAx (goals saved above expected) ranked third in the NHL, indicating a strong underlying performance despite a struggling team defense. He is viewed as a strong second-tier netminder with significant upside in New Jersey's fast-paced system, aiming for a top-eight finish in Vezina voting, an award he was a finalist for three seasons ago. Markstrom signed a six-year, $36 million deal with the Flames in 2020, with his tenure including a Vezina finalist campaign and a challenging season (23-21-12, 2.92 GAA, .892 SV%). He previously posted career-best numbers with Calgary (37 wins, 2.22 GAA, .922 SV%) and was a workhorse for the Canucks before joining the Flames.

Cam Talbot Set to Start for Red Wings, Veteran Goalie Aims to Stabilize Net After All-Star Season

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Cam Talbot will guard the home goal for the Detroit Red Wings against the Kraken on Tuesday. The 37-year-old veteran recently signed a two-year deal with the Wings after an impressive season with the Los Angeles Kings, where he played 54 games, posting a 27-20-6 record with a 2.50 GAA and a .913 save percentage, earning an NHL All-Star Game selection. While he faces competition from Ville Husso and Alex Lyon, Talbot is expected to stabilize Detroit's goaltending, potentially forming the strong half of a platoon. His ratios may dip from his Kings' performance due to Detroit's more porous defensive system. Talbot's career has seen him lead the league in wins (42 with Edmonton in 2016-17) and perform exceptionally as a starter for the Rangers, though he struggled in Ottawa (17-14-2, 2.93 GAA, .898 SV%) before his Kings resurgence.

Sabres' Zach Benson Nearing Return, Michael Kesselring Out Weeks With Injury

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Buffalo Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring will be sidelined for 'weeks' after suffering an injury during the team's overtime victory against Detroit. This is Kesselring's second injury this season, having missed a month earlier due to an unspecified issue. Meanwhile, winger Zach Benson is close to returning and is expected to join the morning skate. Benson had a strong start with eight assists in eight games before a lower-body injury. Josh Norris and Jason Zucker participated in practice in non-contact jerseys.

Matthew Knies Sidelined with Lower-Body Injury, Day-to-Day for Maple Leafs

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Matthew Knies, the 23-year-old left wing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, will be unavailable for Tuesday's game against the Blues due to a lower-body injury. While the injury will cost him at least one game, he is considered day-to-day, with an estimated return date of November 20, 2025, suggesting his absence might not be prolonged. In 2025, Knies has recorded 5 goals, 17 assists, 2 power-play points, a plus/minus of 4, and 8 penalty minutes. He previously signed a six-year, $46.5 million contract with the Maple Leafs in June 2025. In his absence, Sammy Blais is expected to enter the lineup, with Matias Maccelli and Bobby McMann likely seeing increased ice time.

Norris Trophy Race: Makar and Hughes Lead, Islanders' Schaefer Impresses

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Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks continue to lead the Norris Trophy race. Makar leads all defensemen with 25 points (6 goals, 19 assists) and is also tops in plus-minus (+17). Hughes is second among defensemen with 20 points (1 goal, 19 assists) and leads in ice time per game (26:58). New York Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer has been a standout, ranking eighth among defensemen with 15 points (7 goals, 8 assists) in 19 games, leading all blueliners in goals. He also leads the NHL in net penalties drawn (9). Miro Heiskanen of the Dallas Stars and Josh Morrissey of the Winnipeg Jets are also strong contenders.

Seth Jones' Offensive Surge Fuels Panthers in High-Scoring Victory

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Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones has seen a significant uptick in his offensive production, registering three goals and two assists in his last four games, all on the power play. This surge comes after a steady but quiet start to the season where he had six assists in his first 15 games. Head Coach Paul Maurice noted that Jones' confidence is growing and his chances are starting to convert. Jones' improved play was highlighted in an 8-5 win against the Vancouver Canucks, a game where the Panthers showcased resilience despite injuries.

Brad Marchand's Hot Start Discussed on The Wraparound Podcast

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The Wraparound podcast discussed Brad Marchand's hot start with the Florida Panthers. The episode also covered the Montreal Canadiens' injury issues, the Toronto Maple Leafs' struggles, and other NHL topics.

Alex DeBrincat Reflects on Postgame Melee After Red Wings' Victory

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Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat, recently named one of the NHL's Three Stars of the Week for his scoring streak, reflected on the postgame confrontation following their 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers. DeBrincat scored in the game, which was overshadowed by a melee initiated by Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick after Mason Appleton fired the puck into the empty net just after the final horn. DeBrincat acknowledged Quick's perspective but felt the play was close enough to the buzzer. He described the experience as 'kind of fun to get in there' and acknowledged different views on the play.

Evgenii Dadonov Activated from LTIR; Veteran Winger Eyes Return to Middle-Six Role

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Evgenii Dadonov, 35, has been activated from long-term injured reserve after recovering from a hand injury. The veteran winger, who scored 12 goals in 51 games with the Stars last season (17.6% shooting), is expected to handle power-play minutes. Dadonov posted 33 points in 73 contests in 2022-23, with 15 points in 23 games after his trade to Dallas, earning him a two-year deal. While not expected to be a 60-point threat again, a rebound to 15-20 goals is reasonable given his career-low 6.4% shooting last season. He has scored at least 20 goals in four of the past five years and has always been effective on the man advantage. His extensive career includes stints with the Panthers, Senators, Vegas, Canadiens, and Stars, with notable periods of 25+ goals in Florida and a return to the NHL after a KHL hiatus. He's considered a viable mid-to-late round fantasy pick.

Jack Hughes Placed on Injured Reserve for Finger; Expected Ready for Training Camp After Shoulder Surgery

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Jack Hughes has been placed on injured reserve due to a finger injury. This follows a 2023-24 campaign where he amassed 27 goals and 74 points in 62 appearances, including five goals and 15 assists in nine outings before injuries began to hinder him. He missed the final four games of the season to undergo shoulder surgery but is expected to be fully recovered in time for training camp. In 2022-23, Hughes set career highs with 43 goals and 99 points, leading the Devils with 31 power-play points and 336 shots on goal. He also averaged over a point-per-game in 2021-22 despite injuries, and showed significant progress in 2020-21. The 2019 first overall pick is the Devils' top-line center and power-play option.

Flames Claim Beecher; Penguins Waive Tomasino

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The Calgary Flames have claimed forward Johnny Beecher off waivers from the Boston Bruins. Beecher, a 2019 first-round pick, brings size and speed to the Flames, who are last in the NHL in goals-for per game. In six games this season with the Bruins, Beecher scored one goal. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins have placed forward Philip Tomasino on waivers. Tomasino, also a 2019 first-round pick, had one assist in nine games this season and recorded 11 goals and 23 points in 50 games last season.

Akira Schmid to Start Tuesday vs. Rangers; Leads Golden Knights Amidst Injury Returns

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Akira Schmid is set to make the home start for the Vegas Golden Knights against the New York Rangers on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The 25-year-old goalie has posted a 7-1-2 record with a 2.50 GAA and .900 save percentage through 10 outings this season. Schmid, who signed a two-year, $1.75 million contract in July 2024, is currently serving as the team's No. 1 netminder. However, this role is temporary, as Adin Hill (lower body) and Carter Hart (suspension) are expected to reclaim their spots upon their return. The Rangers present a challenge, having scored 15 goals in their last five games, though 13 of those came in two specific high-scoring wins.

Igor Shesterkin Confirmed to Start Against Golden Knights; Contract Talks Loom

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Igor Shesterkin will defend the road net for the New York Rangers against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, confirmed by his morning skate routine. Shesterkin is a consistent, elite performer, crucial to the Rangers' 2022 and 2024 playoff runs. Heading into 2024-25, he seeks a max-money contract extension, aiming to become the NHL's highest-paid netminder, though negotiations are not expected to impact his on-ice performance. His 2022-23 season saw a 2.48 GAA, .916 SV%, and 37-13-8 record, considered a "down year" yet still top-5. He had a historic 2021-22 season with a league-leading 2.07 GAA and .935 SV%, 36 wins, 6 shutouts, winning the Vezina Trophy and finishing third in Hart Trophy voting. Backed by Jonathan Quick, he has a clear path to 60 games. Shesterkin's earlier career included a 16-14-3 record in 2020-21 with a groin injury, and dominant KHL performances with SKA Saint Petersburg, including a 1.11 GAA and .953 SV% in 2018-19.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Sidelined with Undisclosed Injury, Misses Oilers' Road Trip

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Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (undisclosed) will not travel with the Edmonton Oilers for their upcoming three-game road trip. The 31-year-old forward, who posted 18 goals and 67 points in 80 regular-season games last year, along with 7 goals and 22 points in 25 playoff outings, remains a crucial part of the Oilers' supporting cast. While his 37-goal, 104-point 2022-23 campaign was likely an anomaly, he's projected for another 60-70 point season. Nugent-Hopkins' role alongside Zach Hyman and Connor McDavid is expected to continue, especially with new signings Adam Henrique, Jeff Skinner, and Viktor Arvidsson solidifying other lines. Historically, RNH has consistently contributed on the power play, recording 20-plus power-play points in four consecutive seasons, making it his greatest fantasy attribute. Despite past injuries and fluctuations in production, including a career-high 68 points in 2018-19, he's committed long-term with an eight-year contract and remains a solid fantasy option, albeit with expected regression from his career-best shooting percentage.