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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Jake Allen is expected to protect the home net in Monday's exhibition contest against the Rangers after being the first goalie off at the morning skate. Allen recorded a 17-17-2 mark with one shutout, a 2.74 GAA and a .903 save percentage over 37 games in 2025-26. The veteran netminder could open the 2026-27 season as New Jersey's primary option, facing competition from Nico Daws and David Rittich.
Sergei Murashov was the first goalie off during Monday's morning skate, indicating he will draw the home preseason start against the Buffalo Sabres. Murashov is competing for a roster spot with the Penguins ahead of the 2026-27 campaign after making 38 appearances with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last year, where he went 24-9-4 with a 2.20 GAA and .919 save percentage.
Entering a pivotal training camp with the Minnesota Wild, 23-year-old defenseman Carson Lambos aims to establish himself as a full-time NHL player. Having spent the last two seasons developing in Iowa and making his NHL debut last year, Lambos requires waivers to be assigned down again. Coach John Hynes noted he wants to see efficient puck movement and competitiveness from the 2021 first-round pick as he fights for a roster spot during a shortened camp.
Former Rangers and Penguins forward Kevin Hayes has announced his retirement from professional hockey at age 34 after playing just five scoreless games with AK Bars Kazan in the KHL. Hayes cited physical limitations, stating his body no longer allows him to perform at the level required to be in top form. Hayes finishes an 861-game NHL career with 193 goals and 470 points across stints with the Rangers, Jets, Flyers, Blues, and Penguins.
Joseph Woll will draw the road start during Monday's preseason game against Washington in his first appearance wearing a Philadelphia Flyers sweater. Traded from the Maple Leafs in mid-June, the 28-year-old goaltender is slated to play two periods before Carson Bjarnason takes over in the third frame. Woll made 39 regular-season appearances for Toronto last year, finishing with a 15-16-7 record, a 3.34 GAA, and an .898 save percentage.
Semyon Varlamov is a full participant at Islanders training camp following two partial knee replacements. The 38-year-old veteran is competing for a key role, though his health remains a central factor in whether coach Pete DeBoer and management will utilize a rare three-goalie system to start the season. Varlamov is expected to see action in upcoming preseason games against the New York Rangers as the team evaluates his readiness for regular-season action.
Vitek Vanecek made 18 saves on 20 shots in a 2-1 preseason loss to the Devils. Coach Pete DeBoer praised his depth value, but the Islanders may avoid a three-goalie system. If Vanecek does not make the NHL roster, he will need to clear waivers to report to Hamilton in the AHL. He signed a one-year, $1 million deal this summer to serve as an insurance policy behind Semyon Varlamov, whose health status will ultimately dictate the team's final roster decisions.
Evgeni Malkin is entering his 21st season with the Pittsburgh Penguins after signing a one-year contract extension, though he remains uncertain if he will continue playing beyond the current campaign. As the Penguins kick off their preseason action at home against the Buffalo Sabres, the veteran center returns as a core anchor while contemplating the eventual end of his storied NHL career in Pittsburgh.
Victor Eklund made a strong initial impression on head coach Pete DeBoer during the New York Islanders' preseason opener against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday afternoon. Playing in a lineup comprised largely of prospects and AHL players, Eklund stood out alongside veteran Cal Ritchie during post-game evaluations despite the team falling 2-1 in Newark. Eklund is competing for recognition as training camp gets underway.
Evgeni Malkin begins his 21st season with the Pittsburgh Penguins on a one-year deal, unsure if it will be his last. The 40-year-old star posted 19 goals and 42 assists last year and sits just 14 points shy of surpassing Adam Oates for top-20 status on the NHL all-time scoring list. Malkin stated he will retire if he cannot play at 100 percent. He now embraces a veteran mentoring role alongside captain Sidney Crosby and defenseman Kris Letang as they pursue another Stanley Cup.
Semyon Varlamov has shown strong form in training camp, moving well and stopping shots as he attempts a return following two partial knee replacements. Coach Pete DeBoer noted that Varlamov is expected to see action in two of the final three preseason games. His health remains a central factor as the Islanders evaluate whether to carry a third goaltender, with Vitek Vanecek pushing for a roster spot amid concerns over the demands of an 84-game season on Varlamov's knees.
Vitek Vanecek stopped 20 of 22 shots in a 2-1 preseason loss to the Devils, auditioning for a backup or third-goalie role with the Islanders. Signed to a one-year, $1 million deal, the 30-year-old hopes to bounce back after posting a 5-13-3 record, 2.94 GAA, and .883 save percentage across 22 games with Utah last season. Coach Pete DeBoer noted that carrying three netminders remains a possibility depending on Semyon Varlamov's health and the threat of losing Vanecek on waivers.
Declan Carlile joined the Pittsburgh Penguins in free agency this offseason and has been developing early chemistry alongside Erik Karlsson at training camp. Expected to skate on the left side, Carlile steps into the role previously occupied by Parker Wotherspoon. He expressed excitement about helping the team push deeper into the playoffs, while Pittsburgh hopes his presence will improve high-danger defensive coverage.
Trevor van Riemsdyk signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins in free agency, aiming to bolster the team's defensive zone play. The veteran blueliner has been paired with Kris Letang during training camp, where his strong defensive presence is expected to complement Letang's game. Van Riemsdyk expressed excitement about joining Pittsburgh's veteran leadership core and contributing to a winning culture focused on playoff success.
Kaedan Korczak was acquired by the Pittsburgh Penguins via trade from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Parker Wotherspoon. Korczak has been skating alongside Sam Girard during training camp, forming a balanced pairing where Korczak brings defensive stability to complement Girard's offensive play. The duo appears poised to open the regular season as Pittsburgh's third defensive pairing as the team looks to shore up its blue line in front of the net.
Taylor Makar made an immediate impact in his preseason NHL debut, scoring a goal to help propel the Colorado Avalanche to a 4-1 victory over the Utah Mammoth at Ball Arena on Sunday night. Makar was one of four goal scorers for Colorado, alongside Beckett Hamilton, Gavin Brindley, and Brock Nelson, as the Avalanche blew open a tied game with three goals across the second and third periods to secure their first preseason win.
Mackenzie Blackwood will start in goal for Sunday's preseason exhibition matchup against the Mammoth. The Avalanche goaltender arrived at training camp in top physical condition, setting up a competitive battle with Scott Wedgewood for the primary starting role under head coach Jared Bednar. Blackwood enters the year positioned as a strong fantasy option playing behind one of the top rosters in the NHL.
Logan Thompson will guard the road goal in Sunday's preseason matchup against the Boston Bruins, according to Mike Vogel of the Capitals' official site. Thompson earned a 31-21-6 record with four shutouts, a 2.44 GAA, and a .912 save percentage across 58 regular-season games for Washington in 2025-26. He is slated to handle the majority of starts in net for the Capitals again during the 2026-27 campaign.
Juuse Saros will protect the road net in Sunday's preseason contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Saros posted a 28-22-8 record with a 3.16 GAA and an .894 save percentage across 59 regular-season games for the Nashville Predators during the 2025-26 campaign. He is expected to handle the bulk of the starts once again for Nashville during the upcoming 2026-27 season as their primary netminder.
Michael DiPietro will patrol the home crease in Sunday's preseason matchup against the Washington Capitals, according to Belle Fraser of the Bruins' official site. DiPietro is coming off a stellar 2025-26 campaign with AHL Providence, where he posted a 34-8-1 record alongside a 1.91 GAA and a .930 save percentage across 45 regular-season appearances. He is projected to serve as Jeremy Swayman's backup for Boston during the 2026-27 season.
