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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Goaltender Samuel Ersson is expected to start in goal for the Ottawa Senators in Monday's preseason road matchup, marking his team debut. The 26-year-old backstop is seeking a fresh start following a 2025-26 campaign where he logged a 14-11-5 record, 3.12 GAA, and .870 save percentage over 33 starts. Ersson is currently competing against Leevi Merilainen for Ottawa's top backup goaltending role behind the starter.
Goaltender Alex Lyon will start in net for the Buffalo Sabres during Monday's preseason exhibition against the Pittsburgh Penguins, according to SportsNet Pittsburgh's Josh Getzoff. Head coach Lindy Ruff may ride the hot hand during the 2026-27 season, making exhibition play critical. Lyon is expected to compete directly with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for the primary workload in goal ahead of depth netminder Colten Ellis.
The Chicago Blackhawks placed defenseman Derrick Pouliot on waivers Monday with the intent of assigning him to the AHL's Rockford IceHogs. Drafted eighth overall in 2012, Pouliot has become an AHL regular and NHL depth blueliner. He played eight games for the San Jose Sharks in 2022-23, five games for the Dallas Stars the following year, and spent time with Hartford and Syracuse before rejoining Rockford.
Philadelphia Flyers forward Denver Barkey left Monday's 5-2 preseason loss against the Washington Capitals with a lower-body injury and did not return. The 21-year-old took a hard hit along the boards from Martin Fehervary in the first period and departed after taking one shift in the second. Serving as the Flyers' first-line center between Zach Aston-Reese and Porter Martone, Barkey's injury creates concern as he competes for a regular season spot.
St. Louis Blues defenseman Tyler Tucker is out "more than day to day" after injuring his knee making a play into the corner during Sunday's practice. Head coach Jim Montgomery confirmed the fifth-year blueliner will be re-evaluated in a couple of days, with no definitive timeline yet set. Tucker, who recorded four goals and 17 points in 69 games last season while competing for a top-six spot, missed Monday's practice prior to the team's preseason matchup against Dallas.
Florida Panthers forward Brady Tkachuk marveled at how the Carolina Hurricanes give opponents no time and space on the ice. Recalling when the Ottawa Senators were swept by Carolina last spring, Tkachuk noted that their tough, hard-nosed style takes time to master. Now with Florida, Tkachuk is positioned to challenge the defending champions in a competitive Eastern Conference landscape.
Trevor Zegras highlighted the relentless wave-like pressure of the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes, noting that it wears opponents down over the course of a series. While the NHL is a copycat league, players across the league point out that replicating coach Rod Brind'Amour's demanding, high-stress system is nearly impossible without years of perfecting it and assembling the exact right mix of players.
Jamie Drysdale and fellow NHL players reflected on the relentless playing style of the reigning Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes. Drysdale described the Hurricanes as relentless, while teammate Trevor Zegras noted how wave after wave wears opponents down over a series. Despite other contenders studying their blueprint, players acknowledge that replicating Carolina's demanding, high-pressure system under coach Rod Brind'Amour requires years of dedication.
The Dallas Stars have signed forward Sam Steel to a four-year contract extension worth $14.8 million. The new deal will begin next season and keep Steel under contract with the franchise through the 2030-31 campaign, securing his role in the team's forward group for the foreseeable future as they build upon their recent competitive roster.
Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight is expected to start and play the entire game in Monday's home preseason matchup against the Minnesota Wild after taking the starter's crease during the morning skate. Across 55 regular-season appearances with Chicago last year, Knight posted a 19-25-11 record with a 2.82 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage as the team prepares for the upcoming campaign.
Detroit Red Wings forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygård is aiming for a full-time NHL roster spot after getting a top-six look in training camp. The 2024 first-round pick played nine regular-season games with Detroit last year and tallied 44 points in 60 games with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins. Griffins coach Dan Watson praised his competitive drive and playoff performance, while head coach Todd McLellan noted his increased physical and mental maturity entering the new season.
Anaheim Ducks forward Leo Carlsson enters the 2026-27 NHL season with +20000 odds to win the Hart Trophy. Carlsson became the league's highest-paid player after signing an $18 million AAV offer sheet with Philadelphia that Anaheim matched. After a strong start to 2025-26 with 25 points in his first 15 games, he battled injuries and surgery before returning to score 11 points in 12 playoff games. He will need a healthy 84-game season to contend for the Hart.
St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer will start in goal for Monday's preseason matchup against the Dallas Stars, playing the first two periods before Georgii Romanov takes over in the third. Hofer enters the new campaign following a strong 2025-26 regular season where he posted a 24-13-5 record, six shutouts, a 2.61 GAA, and a .909 save percentage across 46 appearances for St. Louis.
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby has been ranked the 12th best player in the NHL entering the 2026-27 season by NHL Network's Top 50 Players Right Now series. Crosby, who turned 39 last month and is entering the final year of his contract, recorded his 21st straight point-per-game season last year, extending his NHL record. The Penguins open their preseason tonight hosting the Buffalo Sabres at PPG Paints Arena.
Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin is currently listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury, less than two weeks before the team's season opener. Having missed a recent practice, the 41-year-old veteran will likely not be rushed back for preseason action, though he could be ready for the start of the 2026-27 campaign. Last season, Ovechkin posted 32 goals, 64 points, 244 shots on net, and 134 hits across 82 regular-season appearances for Washington.
To help propel Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid to a championship, the Edmonton Oilers appointed experienced bench boss Mike Babcock. After falling short in consecutive Stanley Cup finals and suffering an early playoff exit last spring, Edmonton's leadership group aligned with bringing in Babcock to inject accountability and championship pedigree into the organization.
The Edmonton Oilers hired veteran coach Mike Babcock to help leadership stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl capture an elusive Stanley Cup. Following consecutive final appearances in 2024 and '25 and a first-round exit last spring, management turned to Babcock's extensive experience, 700 regular-season wins, and accountability to push the Cup-favorite roster over the top.
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly addressed his recent absence caused by a viral condition discovered during blood work. After initially skating in a non-contact sweater, Rielly has ramped up activities, joining Group 1 on the top defensive pairing with Darren Raddysh. He expressed hope of returning to game action for the Maple Leafs' final pre-season outing on Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators.
Casey DeSmith will draw the start during Monday's preseason home game against the St. Louis Blues, following Remi Poirier's start in Saturday's opener. DeSmith went 15-8-6 with a 2.43 GAA and .907 save percentage across 30 regular-season appearances last year, and is expected to open the 2026-27 campaign serving as Jake Oettinger's backup.
Charlie Lindgren will start Monday's preseason home game against the Philadelphia Flyers, following Logan Thompson's turn in Sunday's opener against Boston. Head coach Spencer Carbery announced that Clay Stevenson will take over in the crease during the second half of the back-to-back set.
