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Bryan Rust Sustains Undisclosed Injury Saturday
Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (undisclosed) was limited to 8:04 of ice time in Saturday's preseason finale against the Buffalo Sabres. He had his last shift midway through the second period. Penguins head coach Dan Muse told reporters postgame that Rust was still being evaluated. The Penguins have a worrying situation on the frontline, as Ben Kindel (lower body), Blake Lizotte (upper body), Justin Brazeau (lower body), and Andrei Kuzmenko (personal) were already absent on Saturday. The team will be desperate to get some bodies back for opening night on Sept. 30 against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Source: Pittsburgh Penguins PR
Source: Pittsburgh Penguins PR
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Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Exits Preseason Game With Lower-Body Tweak
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower body) exited early from Saturday's 3-1 preseason loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was pulled a few minutes into the third period. Luukkonen had a solid performance, stopping 15 of 17 SOG. Colten Ellis finished the game in Luukkonen's place. Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said Luukkonen left due to a "lower-body tweak." This doesn't sound serious, but it's worth monitoring for fantasy managers, especially since Alex Lyon (upper body) is already unavailable. Ultimately, Ellis may get the nod to start the season in net for Buffalo.
Source: Sabres.com
Source: Sabres.com
Jake Sanderson Makes Precautionary Exit
Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson (undisclosed) didn't complete Saturday's preseason finale against the Montreal Canadiens. Sanderson has been dealing with an undisclosed injury in training camp. There was good news before Saturday's game, as Ottawa announced Sanderson would play, but he made an early exit. Sanderson logged 13:22 of ice time and registered a power-play assist. After the game, the team said Sanderson left for precautionary reasons. This is a good sign that he will be available when the real action starts. The Senators open their 2026-27 campaign on Oct. 2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Tyler Tucker Expected to Miss Start of Season
St. Louis Blues defenseman Tyler Tucker (knee) isn't expected to be available at the start of the season, according to Lou Korac of NHL.com. The 26-year-old injured his knee in training camp and likely won't have enough time to recover for the season opener against the Dallas Stars on Oct. 2. Tucker held a regular role on the Blues' defense last season, appearing in 69 games. He recorded 17 points (three goals, 14 assists), 68 SOG, 51 blocks, and 100 hits. Youngsters Logan Mailloux and Theo Lindstein could benefit from Tucker's absence.
Source: Lou Korac
Source: Lou Korac
Jason Dickinson Likely to Miss Start of Season
Edmonton Oilers center Jason Dickinson (foot) will likely miss the start of the 2026-27 campaign. He has re-aggravated a foot injury he had been dealing with during the postseason. The Oilers acquired Dickinson from the Chicago Blackhawks in March and signed him to a five-year, $20 million contract extension in the summer. He is considered an important bottom-six piece, though head coach Mike Babcock must now seek alternatives to start the year.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Canucks Place Filip Chytil on Injured Reserve
Vancouver Canucks center Filip Chytil (shoulder) landed on Injured Reserve Friday. The move is retroactive to Sept. 24. Chytil hurt his shoulder in a preseason game against the Edmonton Oilers. He is considered week-to-week. Fortunately, Chytil avoided another concussion, but he is set to miss some time again. The Canucks begin their 2026-27 campaign on Tuesday against the Oilers. Chytil will center Vancouver's third line when he's ready to return to action. Last season, he was limited to 12 outings, scoring three goals.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Brock Faber Exits Preseason Game After Being Hit by Puck
Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber (head) didn't finish Friday's preseason clash against the Dallas Stars. He was hit in the head by a puck in the second period and didn't take the ice in the third. "Some of it was precautionary," Wild head coach John Hynes said postgame. "It's always a concern when you have a guy that you have to keep him out for precautionary reasons. But as I said, we don't know if it's anything major or not." Faber plays a key role for the Wild, and it would be a huge blow for the team if he isn't available at the start of the season. Fortunately for the team, Faber still has time to recover ahead of the season opener against Nashville on Oct. 1.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Tyler Seguin Returns to Action Friday
Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin (knee) returned to action on Friday against the Minnesota Wild. The former All-Star logged 13:57 of ice time, helping his team win 2-1. This was Seguin's first appearance since suffering an ACL injury last December. Only recently, Stars general manager Jim Nill suggested it was uncertain whether Seguin would be available at the start of the season. Yet it seems he'll be ready for the season opener. At 34, Seguin isn't the player he used to be, but he can still get hot at times. However, injuries have become an issue, as Seguin has appeared in only 47 regular-season games over the past two campaigns.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Pyotr Kochetkov Re-Ups With Hurricanes on Two-Year Deal
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov has agreed to a two-year, $7.9 million contract extension. He was set to become an unrestricted free agent in the 2027 offseason. Last season, Kochetkov missed most of the season due to a hip injury and appeared in only nine regular-season games. When he was in the net, he was reliable, posting a 6-2-0 record, a 2.33 goals-against average, a .899 save percentage, and one shutout. Kochetkov will share the crease with Brandon Bussi this season, working behind a very strong Hurricanes defense.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mason Lohrei Returns to Practice
Boston Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei (undisclosed) practiced on Thursday, Joe Haggerty of the Boston Sports Journal reports. He suffered an undisclosed injury during Wednesday's practice session. Fortunately, it wasn't serious, and Lohrei is set to be available for next week's season opener. He is expected to have a larger role in the first few games due to Charlie McAvoy's (suspension) absence. This could give Lohrei early momentum. In 2025-26, he tallied 26 points (seven goals, 19 assists) in 73 games, with 73 SOG, 92 blocks, and a plus-17 rating.
Source: Joe Haggerty
Source: Joe Haggerty
Ivan Demidov Expected to Return to the Ice Friday
Montreal Canadiens right wing Ivan Demidov (foot) is expected to resume skating on Friday. On Thursday, he missed a second straight practice after being hurt in Monday's preseason game against the Ottawa Senators. Demidov took a shot off his foot. The good news for fantasy managers is that Demidov is expected to rejoin his teammates on Friday, and his status for opening night isn't in doubt. During his rookie campaign in 2025-26, Demidov led all first-year players in scoring with 62 points (19 goals, 43 assists) in 82 games. After proving himself as an elite playmaker, he is looking to improve as a finisher and is expected to take another step this season.
Source: TSN
Source: TSN
Ben Kindel Considered Week-to-Week
Pittsburgh Penguins center Ben Kindel (lower body) is considered week-to-week, casting doubt on his status for the season opener on Sept. 30. The 19-year-old was injured Monday in a preseason game against the Buffalo Sabres. He was initially listed as day-to-day, but Kindel's injury appears to be more serious than first thought. Kindel impressed as a teenager during his rookie campaign last season, notching 35 points (17 goals, 18 assists) in 77 appearances. He will fill a middle-six role once healthy.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Nicholas Paul Could Miss Opening Night
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nicholas Paul (undisclosed) is day-to-day after leaving Wednesday's preseason game against Ottawa early. Head coach Jim Hiller told reporters he is unsure whether Paul will be available for the team's regular-season opener against Montreal on Sept. 29. The Maple Leafs acquired Paul from the Tampa Bay Lightning in July. He is coming off a disappointing year, in which Paul registered just 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 51 games. A big bounce-back season appears unlikely, especially since Paul is not at 100 percent at the start of the campaign.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Alex Ovechkin Logs Full Practice
Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin (lower body) participated fully in Thursday's practice, according to Tom Gulitti of NHL.com. Ovechkin missed the start of training camp and skated for only 15 minutes on Wednesday. His full return to practice is a strong sign he will be available for opening night against the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 2. A year ago, Ovechkin also dealt with a lower-body injury during the preseason before going on to play in all 82 regular-season games. Even after turning 40, Ovechkin was productive, scoring 32 goals and 64 points.
Source: Tom Gulitti
Source: Tom Gulitti
Blackhawks Sign Oliver Moore to Five-Year Extension
Chicago Blackhawks forward Oliver Moore has landed a contract extension ahead of the new season. Starting next year, he will be on a five-year, $21.25 million deal. Moore had his first full season in the NHL last term, recording 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) in 51 outings. His season ended early in March due to a lower-body injury. The 21-year-old also made nine appearances in the AHL, scoring a point per game. After averaging less than 13 minutes of ice time in 2025-26, Moore is expected to have a larger role this season, which should improve his numbers across the board.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Adam Fantilli Agrees to Six-Year Extension With Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli signed a six-year, $82.5 million contract extension Thursday. He will earn $13.75 million annually, making Fantilli Columbus' highest-paid player. The 21-year-old was a restricted free agent and didn't participate in training camp because of his contract status. He will now join the team and begin preparing for his fourth NHL campaign. Fantilli posted a career-high 59 points (24 goals, 35 assists) in 82 games last season. He became only the third player in franchise history to record multiple 20-goal seasons before turning 22. Given his age, Fantilli should still have significant upside and is a player fantasy managers should value highly.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mattias Samuelsson Out Week-to-Week
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (lower body) has been listed as week-to-week. The 28-year-old sustained a lower-body injury Tuesday during preseason action after being hit by a puck. Buffalo will face Columbus in its season opener on Oct. 1, and there's a significant possibility Samuelsson might not be in the lineup. That would be a major blow for the Sabres after Samuelsson's breakout campaign in 2025-26. He recorded 41 points (13 goals, 28 assists), 109 SOG, 154 blocks, 132 hits, and a plus-41 rating in 78 games. Olen Zellweger (concussion) was also hurt this week, leaving two holes to fill on defense.
Source: Associated Press
Source: Associated Press
Dante Fabbro Could Miss Opening Night
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Dante Fabbro (upper body) is uncertain for the season opener, The Athletic's Aaron Portzline reports. Fabbro was injured in Monday's preseason game against the Detroit Red Wings. On Wednesday, Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness told reporters that Fabbro's recovery "is going to be a little longer than we'd hoped." Columbus opens its season on Oct. 1 against the Buffalo Sabres, so Fabbro still has time to recover. With Damon Severson (shoulder) also racing to get healthy for the season opener, Columbus could already face selection problems. If the blue line isn't at full strength next Thursday, Denton Mateychuk would have an increased role.
Source: Aaron Portzline
Source: Aaron Portzline
Damon Severson Questionable for Season Opener
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson (shoulder) is questionable for next week's season opener, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports. Severson has been recovering from shoulder surgery since early April. At training camp, the team has steadily increased Severson's workload, but head coach Rick Bowness isn't sure whether Severson will be available on Oct. 1 against the Buffalo Sabres. Dante Fabbro (upper body) is also nursing an injury, giving trialist Carson Soucy a realistic shot at making the team. Meanwhile, Denton Mateychuk could have significantly more responsibility on defense early in the season.
Source: Aaron Portzline
Source: Aaron Portzline
Jake Oettinger Dealing With Lower-Body Issue
Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (lower body) was a late scratch for Wednesday's preseason contest against the Minnesota Wild and is questionable to suit up for Friday's rematch, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports. According to Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan, Oettinger is dealing with some lower-body tightness. This doesn't appear to be a serious issue, and Oettinger is still on track to be Dallas' starter on opening night. The Stars kick off the campaign on Oct. 2 against the St. Louis Blues, giving Oettinger more than a week to shake off his lower-body issue.
Source: Lia Assimakopoulos
Source: Lia Assimakopoulos
Dylan Larkin Joins Red Wings for Practice
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (upper body) practiced on Wednesday, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports. This was his first practice session with the team at training camp. Larkin missed the start of camp and a pair of preseason games due to an upper-body injury. He is also expected to sit out Thursday's matchup against the Buffalo Sabres. Larkin's final chance to get some preseason action under his belt will be on Saturday, when the Red Wings host the Columbus Blue Jackets. With trade talks waning, it's starting to look increasingly likely that Larkin will be in the lineup for Detroit's regular-season opener against the New York Rangers on Oct. 2.
Source: Helene St. James
Source: Helene St. James
