Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Dallas Stars goaltender Remi Poirier will guard the home goal in Wednesday's preseason matchup against the Minnesota Wild. Poirier was pressed into action to make his second start of the preseason after teammate Jake Oettinger was scratched late with an undisclosed issue. Poirier previously stopped 11 of 12 shots in a strong outing Saturday against the St. Louis Blues.
Ottawa Senators defenseman Artem Zub remains sidelined and is not expected to be ready for the start of the regular season. Zub is still recovering from a knee injury suffered in Game 1 of the postseason against Carolina. His continued absence creates an opening on the right side of the Ottawa defense as the team prepares to open the 2026-27 campaign without him on the blue line.
Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin returned to practice for the first time this fall after missing camp with an off-ice injury. While he participated in drills, coach Todd McLellan confirmed Larkin will miss Thursday's preseason opener against Buffalo, with a chance to play Saturday. Meanwhile, Larkin continues to navigate an offseason trade request and has played without the team captaincy he previously held.
Anthony Stolarz will protect the road net for the Toronto Maple Leafs in Wednesday's split-squad game versus the Ottawa Senators. The 32-year-old enters the 2026-27 campaign as the expected backup to Sergei Bobrovsky, a role projected to afford him 25 to 30 starts.
Sergei Bobrovsky will guard the home goal in Wednesday's split-squad preseason contest against the Senators. Handling Toronto's goaltending duties for the second straight preseason game, this matchup marks the end of the Maple Leafs' exhibition slate before Opening Night.
Linus Ullmark will protect the home goal for the Ottawa Senators versus the Maple Leafs in Wednesday's split-squad preseason matchup. The 33-year-old is set to serve as Ottawa's clear No. 1 netminder this season after recording a 28-12-8 record, 2.73 GAA, and .891 save percentage over 49 regular-season appearances in 2025-26.
The Minnesota Wild assigned 23-year-old defenseman Jack Peart to the Iowa Wild. Drafted in the second round (54th overall) of the 2024 draft, Peart enters his third full AHL season following a 2025-26 campaign in which he posted four goals and 15 points across 61 games.
The Minnesota Wild released goaltender William Rousseau from his professional tryout, and he will report to the Iowa Wild training camp. The 20-something undrafted netminder signed following a QMJHL career, splitting time predominantly in the ECHL alongside brief AHL action during the 2025-26 season.
Goaltender Chase Wutzke was assigned to the Iowa Wild by the Minnesota Wild during roster cuts. Selected in the fifth round (142nd overall) of the 2024 draft, Wutzke enters his first full AHL season after playing 47 games in the WHL last year, along with one AHL appearance and six ECHL games to conclude the 2025-26 campaign.
The Minnesota Wild assigned 22-year-old left-handed defenseman Stevie Leskovar to the Iowa Wild as part of their initial roster reductions. Drafted in the sixth round (174th overall) of the 2024 NHL draft, Leskovar has played six AHL games while spending the majority of the 2025-26 season playing in the ECHL.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson is week-to-week with a lower-body injury, placing his availability in serious jeopardy for the team's Opening Night matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 1. In his absence, Owen Power could see increased power-play opportunities, while Ryan Johnson and Zach Metsa are competing for roster spots.
Goaltender Anton Forsberg is slated to start on the road against Anaheim for Wednesday's preseason matchup. Forsberg posted a 16-12-5 record, 2.57 GAA, and .909 save percentage across 36 regular-season appearances with the Kings in 2025-26. Although he is set to open the 2026-27 campaign as the backup, he could expand his role if Darcy Kuemper struggles to rebound from a rough previous season, positioning Forsberg for a significantly larger workload than a typical No. 2 netminder.
The St. Louis Blues assigned forward Justin Carbonneau, along with five other players, to Springfield of the American Hockey League as part of trimming their training camp roster down to 32 players. Carbonneau, a 2025 first-round pick, will continue his development in the AHL. The Blues have two preseason games remaining before opening the regular season on October 2 against the Dallas Stars following their recent roster cuts.
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard is not yet close to joining the team for practice as he recovers from shoulder surgery performed in July. Head coach Jeff Blashill confirmed his status, indicating Bedard is expected to remain sidelined until around November and will miss the start of the regular season. While he has participated in limited training camp activities like taking slap shots, he has not yet ramped up his workload following a stellar 30-goal, 45-assist campaign last year.
Goaltender Nico Daws is slated to start Thursday's road preseason game against the Rangers, playing the full contest in New Jersey's penultimate exhibition matchup. Daws rejoined the Devils on a two-year, $2.2 million contract in July. Having made just nine regular-season appearances over the past two years with a 5-2-0 record, 2.02 GAA, and .925 save percentage, he aims to compete with Jake Allen and David Rittich following the offseason trade of Jacob Markstrom.
The Colorado Avalanche placed defenseman Christian Wolanin on waivers as training camp concludes. The 31-year-old veteran signed a one-year, two-way contract this summer to provide organizational depth after recording 31 points in 53 games with the Providence Bruins last year. If he goes unclaimed, he is expected to be assigned to the AHL's Colorado Eagles, remaining available as a potential call-up option for the Avalanche during the regular season.
The Colorado Avalanche placed defenseman Domenick Fensore on waivers as part of their final roster cuts before the regular season. The 25-year-old blueliner, selected 90th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, spent last season with the AHL's Chicago Wolves, leading the team's defensemen with 35 points in 60 games. If he clears waivers, he is expected to be assigned to the Colorado Eagles for organizational depth.
Goaltender Pheonix Copley was placed on waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Copley initially looked poised to enter the campaign as the club's No. 2 netminder following Elvis Merzlikins' shoulder surgery in August. However, Cam Talbot signed a one-year, $950,000 contract on Sept. 15 and is projected to serve as Jet Greaves' backup until Merzlikins returns. As a result, Copley is slated to open the upcoming season in the minors unless claimed.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson has an uncertain status for the team's Opening Night matchup against Buffalo on Oct. 1 as he recovers from shoulder surgery that ended his 2025-26 campaign in early April. While earlier September reports suggested he would be ready, the team is exercising caution. Coach Rick Bowness noted Severson claims he feels good daily, and the club has steadily increased his workload and contact in practice as the season approaches.
Florida Panthers left wing Brady Tkachuk is considered day-to-day with an undisclosed injury. Tkachuk wasn't scheduled to play in either of the Panthers' final two preseason games regardless, shifting fantasy and team focus toward Opening Night against Carolina on Tuesday. If he is unable to suit up for that contest, it could open up a top-six forward role for teammate Eetu Luostarinen.
