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NHL News

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

Thursday, September 17

Semyon Varlamov Returns to Ice After Unprecedented Knee Surgeries

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New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov took the ice for training camp following a 22-month absence after undergoing partial knee replacements on both knees. The 40-year-old netminder prepared for his return by playing two AHL games with Bridgeport at the end of last season. General manager Mathieu Darche and head coach Pete DeBoer praised his inspiring effort, noting the team may carry three goalies alongside Ilya Sorokin and Vitek Vanecek.

Jake Sanderson Healthy and Ready to Go for Ottawa Senators Camp

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Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson is completely healthy and ready to go for the start of training camp after recovering from a concussion. Sanderson logged 14 goals and 54 points in 67 regular-season appearances for Ottawa in 2025-26. On Thursday, he skated alongside Carter Yakemchuk, who is emerging as a strong candidate to be Sanderson's defensive partner for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign.

Seth Jones Looks Sharp in Practice Opening Camp After Injury Recovery

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Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones looked sharp on the ice during training camp practice Thursday after spending the offseason rehabbing a broken foot suffered late last year, which followed an upper-body injury from the Winter Classic. The 31-year-old is set to resume his usual top-four role in all situations, though it remains to be seen if he will secure the top power-play assignment over Aaron Ekblad.

Carter Verhaeghe Ready for Training Camp After Solid Previous Season

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Florida Panthers left winger Carter Verhaeghe is fully ready for the start of training camp after recovering from a lower-body issue. Verhaeghe recorded 25 goals and 55 points in 77 regular-season appearances during the 2025-26 campaign. During Thursday's line rushes, he skated alongside Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk, a combination coach Paul Maurice suggested would be one of Florida's primary units if they had to play immediately.

Igor Shesterkin's Return Highlights Renewed Optimism for Rangers

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Igor Shesterkin's absence due to injury last season exposed a lack of depth that sunk the New York Rangers to the bottom of the Eastern Conference. With their franchise goaltender back alongside a revamped roster featuring new additions like Pavel Dorofeyev, Sean Durzi, and Marcus Pettersson, the Rangers are eager to turn the page and find fresh success under coach Mike Sullivan.

Vincent Trocheck Traded to Utah in Busy Summer Shake-Up for Rangers

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Vincent Trocheck was traded away to Utah as part of a busy summer of changes orchestrated by New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury to fix the lack of depth that contributed to a last-place finish last season. Trocheck's departure paves the way for team captain J.T. Miller to move into a full-time center role in a revamped lineup featuring several new faces.

Sean Durzi Set to Bolster New York Rangers Defense in Renewed Season

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Sean Durzi arrives with the New York Rangers as part of a busy summer overhaul engineered by general manager Chris Drury to address the depth issues that plagued the team last year. Along with Marcus Pettersson, Durzi upgrades the Rangers' second defensive pairing behind Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov, bringing positive life into a room eager to turn the page and overachieve.

Marcus Pettersson Joins New York Rangers to Upgrade Blue Line Depth

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Marcus Pettersson was acquired by the New York Rangers during a busy summer of changes designed to fix a lack of depth that hurt the team during last year's last-place finish. Pettersson and fellow new arrival Sean Durzi are expected to upgrade the Rangers' second defensive pair behind Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov, bringing positive new energy to the locker room as training camp opens under coach Mike Sullivan.

Adam Fox and the New York Rangers Ready for a Fresh Start This Season

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Adam Fox and the New York Rangers are eager to turn the page from a last-place finish in the Eastern Conference last season, which was derailed by injuries to prominent players. With a busy summer of roster changes bringing in fresh faces like Pavel Dorofeyev, Sean Durzi, and Marcus Pettersson, Fox and his confident teammates are ready to trust their talent and overachieve under returning two-time Cup-winner Mike Sullivan.

Sam Bennett Feels Mentally and Physically Fresh Heading Into Training Camp

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Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett told reporters Thursday that he feels mentally and physically fresh ahead of the 2026-27 campaign after ending last season on the shelf due to a couple of late-season lower-body injuries. The 30-year-old is in good shape and should continue to center the Panthers' second line, having produced a career-high 58 points over 76 appearances during the previous season.

Patrick Kane Adjusts to New Surroundings in Return to Chicago Blackhawks

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Veteran forward Patrick Kane is adjusting to new coaches and teammates as he begins his 20th NHL season in his return to the Chicago Blackhawks after signing a $16 million, two-year contract. Kane, who had 16 goals and 41 assists in 67 games with Detroit last season, skated on a line with Frank Nazar and rookie Roman Kantserov at training camp. The Blackhawks open the season on Sept. 29 at Vegas, and Kane is expected to eventually play alongside recovering captain Connor Bedard.

AJ Spellacy Assigned to Non-NHL Group for Blackhawks Camp

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Forward AJ Spellacy did not skate with the primary NHL group on day one of Chicago Blackhawks training camp, despite turning heads at the Prospect Showcase. Management indicated the opening night roster will come from the main practice group, meaning Spellacy is slated to begin the season in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs. The prospect will look to dominate in the AHL and force a call-up during the 2026-27 campaign.

Connor Bedard Misses Blackhawks Practice Amid Shoulder Recovery

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Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard missed the team's first official training camp practice as he continues recovering from shoulder surgery, leaving a void at top-line center filled by Frank Nazar alongside Patrick Kane. Bedard's injury leaves a temporary hole in Chicago's lineup and impacts fantasy hockey projections, where analysts in a recent mock draft actively debated how early to select the young star for the upcoming season.

Erik Karlsson Unfazed By Contract Status Heading Into Penguins Camp

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Entering the final year of his contract, 36-year-old defenceman Erik Karlsson reported to Pittsburgh Penguins training camp without an extension in place, noting he remains unconcerned about his future. Karlsson, who recorded 15 goals and 51 assists last season while achieving a positive plus/minus for the first time in nearly a decade, acknowledged the team is in a transitional stage and expects to maintain his elite level of play.

Sidney Crosby Enters 22nd Season With Penguins Amid Contract Status

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Sidney Crosby begins his 22nd season with the Pittsburgh Penguins entering the final year of his current contract, which carries an $8.7 million AAV. The three-time Stanley Cup winner expressed a desire to continue playing for several more years as long as his mind and body permit. Assistant GM Jason Spezza noted that a contract extension is less of an internal concern as Crosby prepares to lead a team with renewed expectations after missing the playoffs previously.

Jason Robertson Back in Dallas Camp on One-Year Deal After Trade Talks

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Jason Robertson is back with the Dallas Stars on a $12 million, one-year contract that avoided arbitration after a sign-and-trade deal with Seattle fell through during the NHL draft in June. Robertson, who led the team with 96 points last season, stated he is focused entirely on playing. Without an extension before January 1, he could become an unrestricted free agent next summer, matching Mikko Rantanen as the team's highest-paid player.

Thomas Harley Returns to Dallas Stars After Offseason Trade Rumors

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Thomas Harley is back on the ice with the Dallas Stars for training camp after nearly being traded to Columbus this offseason in a deal for Zach Werenski that fell through when Werenski exercised his no-trade clause. Entering the first year of an $84.69 million, eight-year extension signed last November, Harley admitted the trade speculation was stressful but confirmed he and general manager Jim Nill are on the same page moving forward.

Matt Rempe Engages in Heated Scrimmage Skirmish at Rangers Camp

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Matt Rempe ignited a physical edge at the New York Rangers' training camp, getting into a heated board skirmish with defenseman Marc Del Gaizo during a two-period scrimmage. Rempe, who rotated in as an extra on the fourth line during the Group A session, shoved Del Gaizo after a check, knocking his helmet off before teammates intervened. The physical moment highlighted a competitive camp as Rempe works to play his way into the lineup for the upcoming season opener.

Matt Duchene's Past Commitment Contrasts With Hellebuyck's Holdout

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As Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck faces suspension for refusing to report to training camp following a trade request, former Avalanche star Matt Duchene's 2017 situation resurfaces. Though Duchene desperately wanted out of Colorado and was eventually traded to Ottawa, he honored his contract and reported to training camp. Duchene emphasized respecting fans and teammates, highlighting a stark contrast in professionalism regarding current NHL trade demands.

Connor Hellebuyck Suspended by Jets After Refusing to Report to Camp

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The Winnipeg Jets officially suspended star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck after he failed to report for medicals and physical testing amid an ongoing trade request. GM Kevin Cheveldayoff left the door open for the 33-year-old Vezina winner to remain with the team, though he continues seeking fair value. Signed through 2030-31 with an $8.5M cap hit, Hellebuyck remains in Michigan while Stuart Skinner steps in as the top option in net during trade discussions.