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Alexander Nikishin Makes Season Debut Saturday
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin is penciled in for his season debut Saturday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Russian rearguard missed the start of the season after failing to agree to a new contract with the Hurricanes. He remained an unsigned restricted free agent until Oct. 25, when he inked a one-year, $3 million deal. Nikishin has a point to prove, but his starting position isn't ideal, as the Hurricanes plan to use him on the third defensive pairing. He will also join the second power-play unit. Still, Nikishin had a strong rookie campaign and is worth watching for fantasy managers.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
More Recent News
Kailer Yamamoto Moved to Injured Reserve
Utah Mammoth right wing Kailer Yamamoto (upper body) has been placed on Injured Reserve, Chase Beardsley of The Hockey News reports. He will miss a fourth consecutive game on Saturday against Ottawa. After opening the season as a healthy scratch, Yamamoto forced his way into the lineup with strong play last month. He has posted seven points (three goals, four assists) in nine appearances. The former Oiler has also been a physical force, averaging two hits per game. Yamamoto's exit from the lineup has coincided with Michael Carcone's return, but he hasn't made an offensive impact from the fourth line.
Source: Chase Beardsley
Source: Chase Beardsley
Sam Steel Available Against Sharks
Dallas Stars forward Sam Steel (personal) is available on Saturday against the San Jose Sharks. He missed the Stars' last game for personal reasons. Steel hasn't been impactful in fantasy, recording three points (one goal, two assists) in 13 games. His struggles are well summed up by the fact that Steel has no points and a minus-five rating in his last five appearances. While Steel faces a favorable matchup on Saturday, he is unlikely to be a difference-maker, joining Justin Hryckowian and Tyler Seguin on the third line.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Josh Anderson Won't Play Saturday
Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (personal) will sit out Saturday's contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs, TSN's Mark Masters reports. He's away from the team for personal reasons. Anderson has been one of Montreal's best players recently, posting three goals and one assist in three games. Overall, he has notched 10 points (seven goals, three assists) in 16 outings while delivering a team-high 34 hits. Owen Beck will replace Anderson in the lineup and is worth a look in some fantasy formats, as he has finished on the score sheet in each of his last three appearances.
Source: Mark Masters
Source: Mark Masters
Zach Hyman Returning From Neck Injury Saturday
Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman (neck) will return from a five-game absence on Saturday against Vancouver. Hyman has been unlucky with injuries all season, appearing in just six games. He has one goal and no assists. Saturday's matchup gives Hyman a good chance to kick-start his campaign, as the Canucks allow a league-worst 4.61 goals per game. In his last four outings against Vancouver, Hyman has tallied three goals and two assists.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Devon Levi Returns to Oilers Crease
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Devon Levi (lower body) has been named the starter for Saturday's matchup against the Vancouver Canucks. He's ready for work after missing seven games with a lower-body injury. Tristan Jarry (illness) is also available, giving Edmonton its top two goalies back. While Jarry has a better goals-against average and save percentage, Levi has put together an outstanding 6-1-0 record. He is likely to improve it on Saturday night, facing the NHL's worst team.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Alex Turcotte Upgraded to Day-to-Day
Los Angeles Kings forward Alex Turcotte (undisclosed) has been upgraded to day-to-day, Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports. He suffered an undisclosed injury just three games into the season. Turcotte managed one assist in three outings before his injury. While Turcotte's return would provide Kings head coach Peter Laviolette with another option up front, he isn't expected to make noise in fantasy. In 165 career games, Turcotte has contributed only 13 goals and 31 assists.
Source: Zach Dooley
Source: Zach Dooley
Joonas Korpisalo Activated From Injured Reserve
New York Rangers goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (foot) was activated from Injured Reserve and will be available to make his season debut on Saturday against the Seattle Kraken, Colin Stephenson of Newsday reports. In a corresponding move, the team waived James Reimer. With Igor Shesterkin (knee) out for the season, Korpisalo will compete with Dylan Garand for the top job in New York. He is far more experienced than Garand, but Korpisalo didn't have a great time with the Boston Bruins last season, allowing 3.15 goals with an .894 save percentage.
Source: Colin Stephenson
Source: Colin Stephenson
Kevin Bahl Exits Lineup With Lower-Body Injury
Calgary Flames defenseman Kevin Bahl (lower body) was a late scratch against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night. Just before puck drop, the team announced that Bahl would miss the game with a lower-body injury and would be replaced by Joel Hanley. Bahl leads Calgary in ice time with 21:55 per game. However, he doesn't have much fantasy value, as Bahl has registered two points (one goal, one assist), 12 SOG, 16 blocks, and 22 hits in 16 games. Hanley scored his first goal of the season against Anaheim, but fantasy managers shouldn't read too much into it.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Michael McCarron Makes Early Exit Against Sharks
Minnesota Wild center Michael McCarron (undisclosed) is questionable for Saturday's tilt against Tampa Bay after being hurt in Friday's win over San Jose, Heather Rule of NHL.com reports. McCarron left the ice in the third period with an undisclosed injury. Entering Friday's action, McCarron had scored in back-to-back games. He's been an impactful player all over the ice for Minnesota, recording eight points (three goals, five assists), 32 SOG, and 53 hits in 18 outings. Danila Yurov and Ryan Hartman are likely to receive more ice time if McCarron isn't available on Saturday night.
Source: Heather Rule
Source: Heather Rule
Dmitri Voronkov Suffers Upper-Body Injury Friday
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Dmitri Voronkov (upper body) didn't finish Friday's 5-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. He's being evaluated for an upper-body injury after leaving the contest in the third period. This marks another disappointing moment for Voronkov, who has averaged less than 10 minutes of ice time this season and has been scratched regularly in recent weeks. He has no goals and two assists in 10 appearances. Sean Monahan (lower body) also got hurt Friday night, potentially forcing head coach Rick Bowness to make several lineup changes for the next game.
Source: TSN
Source: TSN
Sean Monahan Exits Loss With Lower-Body Injury
Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan (lower body) was injured in the second period of Friday's 5-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. He exited the action after blocking a shot from Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin while on the penalty kill. Monahan assisted Kent Johnson on Columbus' first goal, but his night ended on a disappointing note. Over the last five games, Monahan has provided three assists, but his overall performance has been disappointing in 2026-27. The 32-year-old sits on six points (one goal, five assists) through 15 games. If Monahan misses time, Adam Fantilli and Charlie Coyle would move up in the lineup.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Ridly Greig Doubtful for Saturday
Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig (lower body) is considered doubtful for Saturday's clash with the Utah Mammoth, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports. He will likely have to sit out a second straight game due to a lower-body injury. In total, Ottawa is currently without four forwards, resulting in Nick Cousins and Philip Tomasino joining the top six. Tomasino has hit the ground running since making his season debut a week ago, notching three points (one goal, two assists) in three games. He will try to tie his career high with a four-game point streak on Saturday night.
Source: Bruce Garrioch
Source: Bruce Garrioch
Tyler Kleven Practices Friday
Ottawa Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven (illness) participated in Friday's practice, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports. He was back on the ice after missing Wednesday's win over Buffalo due to illness. The Senators look set to have Kleven available on Saturday night against Utah. Kleven is a strong performer in the defensive zone, recording 43 blocks and 29 hits in 16 games. But he contributes little offensively, which limits his fantasy value. He has two goals and one assist this season.
Source: Bruce Garrioch
Source: Bruce Garrioch
Linus Ullmark Logs Full Practice Friday
Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark (lower body) practiced fully on Friday, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports. The former Vezina Trophy winner sustained a lower-body injury in mid-October and has missed seven games. While Saturday's game against Utah appears to be too soon for Ullmark to return to action, the Senators should have their No. 1 back next week. Ullmark is a key player for the team, with a 7-1-0 record, a 1.33 goals-against average, and a .945 save percentage. Ottawa's save percentage has dropped to .858 in games without Ullmark this season.
Source: Bruce Garrioch
Source: Bruce Garrioch
Jonathan Huberdeau Skates in Regular Jersey Friday
Calgary Flames winger Jonathan Huberdeau (hip) was on the ice in a regular jersey Friday morning. The 33-year-old has made big strides in his recovery from hip surgery and could be available for action soon. Huberdeau hasn't yet played this season after undergoing a hip procedure in March. The Flames have missed his creativity, as they have averaged the third-fewest goals in the NHL. In his prime, Huberdeau was a point-per-game player, though fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to reach those levels again. In 2025-26, Huberdeau averaged 0.5 points, with 10 goals and 15 assists in 50 games.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Miro Heiskanen Unlikely to Play Saturday
Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (upper body) is considered doubtful for Saturday's matchup against the San Jose Sharks. Heiskanen sustained an upper-body injury in Tuesday's win over Washington and sat out Thursday's game against Columbus. Although there were signs his absence might be limited to one game, he is likely to miss at least one more contest. Heiskanen's injury has created a spot in the lineup for Trey Taylor, while Thomas Harley has moved into the No. 1 defenseman role. Harley logged 28:31 of ice time against Columbus and should have a busy night on Saturday.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Conor Timmins Makes Season Debut Friday
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Conor Timmins will suit up for the first time this season when the team hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday. The 28-year-old missed the start of the season due to a lower-body injury. He was cleared to play earlier this week, but Timmins sat out Wednesday's contest against Ottawa as a healthy scratch. Last season, Timmins had eight assists, 44 SOG, and 81 blocks in 39 games with the Sabres. Although he doesn't contribute much to fantasy teams, the Sabres rate him highly as a penalty-killer. Timmins will work with Zach Metsa on the third defensive pairing.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
John Tavares Set to Return Saturday
Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (lower body) is expected to play Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens, Dave McCarthy of NHL.com reports. Tavares has missed nine games with a lower-body injury. Nicholas Paul has filled in for Tavares as the second-line center, but it looks like the two will be linemates in Saturday's game. Paul and Tavares skated alongside William Nylander on the second line during Friday's practice. Before injury struck, Tavares was enjoying a fruitful spell, picking up seven points (two goals, five assists) in seven games.
Source: Dave McCarthy
Source: Dave McCarthy
Haydn Fleury Injures Hand in Thursday's Win
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Haydn Fleury (hand) exited Thursday's 6-2 win over Vancouver in the third period. He couldn't finish the contest after blocking a shot with his left hand. Fleury recorded a power-play assist when Alex Iafallo opened the scoring in the first period. Typically, Fleury doesn't contribute on offense. This was his second assist of the season, and he has no goals in 12 games. The Jets hope to get Josh Morrissey (wrist) back for Sunday's contest against Tampa Bay, and he may replace Fleury in the lineup.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
James Hagens Suffers Apparent Back Injury
Boston Bruins forward James Hagens (lower back) was forced to leave early against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, Jack Studley of Boston Hockey Now reports. After receiving a hit from Penguins defenseman Samuel Girard, Hagens was holding his lower back and left the ice. Hagens has been one of the best-performing rookies this season in the NHL, boasting 12 points (six goals, six assists) through 17 games. The 20-year-old hasn't shied away from the dirty work either, recording 19 blocks. Boston also lost Matthew Poitras (nose) this week, so the team could have several fresh faces in the lineup on Sunday against Florida.
Source: Jack Studley
Source: Jack Studley
