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NHL News

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

Wednesday, September 16

Cutter Gauthier Signs Six-Year, $81M Extension With Ducks Ahead of Camp

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The Anaheim Ducks signed star forward Cutter Gauthier to a six-year contract extension carrying a $13.5 million cap hit through the 2031-32 season. GM Pat Verbeek secured the deal just before the previous CBA expired and two days prior to 2026 training camp. Gauthier, who led the team last season with 41 goals and 76 points as a 22-year-old, remains a core offensive pillar alongside the young core as Anaheim prepares for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign.

Ryan Reaves Announces Retirement After 16 NHL Seasons

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Veteran NHL enforcer Ryan Reaves announced his retirement from hockey after 16 seasons. The 39-year-old winger played in 962 career games across seven franchises, including the Blues, Penguins, Golden Knights, Rangers, Wild, Maple Leafs, and Sharks. Known for his physical style, Reaves accumulated 66 goals, 140 points, 1,137 penalty minutes, and 3,225 hits, finishing his career with three goals in 50 games for San Jose last season and leaving just three active visorless players in the league.

Connor Hellebuyck Suspended by Jets After Missing Training Camp

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The Winnipeg Jets suspended goaltender Connor Hellebuyck after he failed to report to training camp following a public trade request in August. Hellebuyck, under contract through 2030-31 at an $8.5 million average annual value, is a three-time Vezina Trophy winner and 2025 Hart Trophy recipient. Winnipeg previously held trade talks with Buffalo prior to the 2026 draft and signed Stuart Skinner as goaltending coverage this summer. GM Kevin Cheveldayoff will address the media Thursday morning.

Drew Doughty Named Kings Captain Replacing Anze Kopitar

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Drew Doughty has officially been named the new captain of the Los Angeles Kings. Doughty steps into the primary leadership role for the franchise, replacing former captain Anze Kopitar following Kopitar's retirement.

Anze Kopitar Retires as Kings Name Drew Doughty Captain

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Anze Kopitar has retired from the NHL, vacating his position as captain of the Los Angeles Kings. Following Kopitar's retirement, the organization has officially appointed veteran defenseman Drew Doughty as the team's new captain to take over leadership responsibilities.

Brent Burns Debuts New Look at Camp as He Chases Ironman Record

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Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns arrived at training camp with a trimmed beard and hair, sporting a fresh look for his 23rd NHL season. The 41-year-old blueliner, entering the second year of his contract with Colorado, seeks his first Stanley Cup while chasing league history. Burns holds an active 1,007 consecutive games played streak—having not missed a game since 2013-14—and needs just 58 more to top Phil Kessel's ironman record. He tallied 12 goals and 35 points last season.

Macklin Celebrini And Sharks Games Accessible Via New Disney+ Deal

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Finnish and Swedish fans looking to follow Macklin Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks have a new viewing option after the NHL and Disney+ announced a five-year agreement. The partnership will carry 160 regular-season games, featuring 50 matchups scheduled during Nordic primetime. The initiative highlights the league's commitment to expanding international reach and showcasing top Nordic and global talent like Celebrini.

Alexander Wennberg And Sharks Games To Air on Disney+ in Nordic Markets

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Swedish forward Alexander Wennberg and the San Jose Sharks will be easily accessible to fans in Sweden and Finland following a new five-year agreement between the NHL and Disney+. The deal includes 160 regular-season games, with 50 scheduled during Nordic primetime, expanding global reach and showcasing the impact of Nordic players like Wennberg, Ivar Stenberg, Will Smith, and Macklin Celebrini.

Will Smith Expected to Sign Long-Term Extension With San Jose Sharks

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San Jose Sharks forward Will Smith remains likely to sign a long-term extension despite missing Tuesday's deadline for eight-year deals. The 21-year-old center is committed to San Jose and set to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2026-27 season. Smith impressed in his rookie campaign with 24 goals, 35 assists, 16 PIM, and 12 blocked shots in 69 regular-season games while averaging 18:11 of ice time. Nordic fans can watch him on Disney+ via a new five-year NHL deal.

Alexander Nikishin Will Not Report To Hurricanes Training Camp

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Carolina Hurricanes RFA defenseman Alexander Nikishin will not attend training camp opening on Thursday due to an ongoing contract stalemate. General manager Eric Tulsky confirmed he is not under contract and will not be with the team. Reports also indicate Nikishin requested a trade during the offseason, leaving his future with the franchise uncertain as the Hurricanes prepare for the 2026-27 season without their Russian blue-liner.

Tage Thompson Positioned to Begin Training Camp as Sabres' No. 1 Center

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Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff indicated that Tage Thompson will begin training camp working as the team's No. 1 center. Thompson spent significant time at center during the 2025-26 campaign. Last season, he played a career-high 81 regular-season games, recording 40 goals, 41 assists, 85 hits, 48 blocked shots, and 35 PIM while averaging 19:15 of ice time, securing his role as a key offensive contributor for the Sabres.

Dylan Larkin Sidelined for Start of Training Camp

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Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin will miss the start of training camp due to an upper-body injury sustained during off-season training. Larkin, who requested a trade earlier this offseason and was stripped of his captaincy, is signed through 2031. Interim GM Shawn Horcoff stated there is no exact timeline for his return, though the hope is he will be back before camp ends. Larkin has 643 career points and carries a five-year, $69.6 million contract with a no-trade clause.

Cale Makar Dealing With Lower-Body Injury Ahead of Camp

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Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar announced that defenseman Cale Makar is dealing with a lower-body injury and will be kept out of the first day of practices as a precaution. Makar is expected to return to full health before the regular season begins. The injury is unrelated to his previous playoff issues. Fresh off signing an eight-year, $163.2 million extension, the 27-year-old star is coming off a 2025-26 campaign featuring 20 goals and 59 assists.

Dylan Guenther Aims to Expand Scoring Near Net

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Utah Mammoth right winger Dylan Guenther is focused on contributing more deflection and tip-in goals this season to build on his strong production. Guenther tallied 40 goals and 73 points across 79 regular-season appearances in 2025-26. While his career-high 16.5 shooting percentage suggests potential for minor goal regression, expanding his scoring efforts close to the net is expected to help him maintain his elite offensive output for the team this year.

Ethan Del Mastro Agrees to $1.9 Million, 2-Year Contract

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Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Ethan Del Mastro agreed to a $1.9 million, two-year contract as a restricted free agent. The 23-year-old former fourth-round pick made his NHL debut in April 2024 and has recorded two goals and five assists across 45 career games. Last season, Del Mastro appeared in 19 games with Chicago, notching one assist, while also contributing two goals and 16 assists in 45 games with Rockford of the American Hockey League.

Mathew Barzal Out Two Weeks After Aggravating Injury

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New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal is not expected to skate for the next two weeks after aggravating a previous injury, putting his availability for the Sept. 30 season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs in serious doubt. Barzal served as New York's leading scorer last season, appearing in 81 regular-season games while recording 19 goals, 53 assists, and 20 power-play points. The team expects his absence to be relatively brief.

Scott Wedgewood Ready to Battle for Avalanche Crease

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Scott Wedgewood enters training camp facing a fierce battle with Mackenzie Blackwood for the Colorado Avalanche starting goaltender role. After posting a 31-6-6 record and a 2.00 GAA with a .919 save percentage last season, Wedgewood forced a serious re-evaluation in net. Entering the final year of his contract at $2.5 million, the veteran netminder is prepared to defend his workload against a newly motivated Blackwood for the upcoming campaign.

Mackenzie Blackwood Enters Training Camp in Peak Shape

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Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood arrived at training camp in the best shape of his life, looking to reclaim the starting crease under a clean slate. Head coach Jared Bednar noted an open competition, with Blackwood competing against Scott Wedgewood after a stellar summer of work. Signed to a five-year, $26.25 million extension, Blackwood is determined to prove his value following an injury-interrupted previous campaign where he shared duties extensively.

Clayton Keller Aims for Higher Peak Following 88-Point Season

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Utah forward Clayton Keller expressed confidence that he has yet to reach his career peak and is aiming for even greater offensive production in the 2026-27 season. Keller is coming off a stellar campaign in which he registered 26 goals and 88 points across 82 regular-season games for Utah. The 28-year-old winger has now posted at least 25 goals and 75 points in four consecutive regular seasons as he looks to elevate his game further.

Adam Fantilli Set to Miss Start of Training Camp Unsigned

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Adam Fantilli is set to miss the start of training camp with the Columbus Blue Jackets as he remains an unsigned restricted free agent following the expiration of his entry-level contract. Fantilli posted 24 goals and 59 points in 82 regular-season appearances last season. While a new contract could be finalized soon, an extended absence from camp could hinder his preparation and timing for the start of the regular season.