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Elvis Merzlikins Moves to Toronto
Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (shoulder) was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday. The Columbus Blue Jackets included Merzlikins in a six-player trade centered around Kirill Marchenko and Matthews Knies. The Latvian netminder spent seven years in Columbus, suiting up for nearly 300 regular-season games. His future going forward is murky. Due to a shoulder injury, it's unclear when Merzlikins will be available for selection, and he's in the final season of his five-year, $27 million contract. The Maple Leafs have Sergei Bobrovsky and Anthony Stolarz ahead of Merzlikins on the depth chart.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
More Recent News
Jake DeBrusk Expected to Play in Season Opener
Vancouver Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk (lower body) is expected to be fine for Tuesday's season opener against the Edmonton Oilers, Postmedia's Ben Kuzma reports. DeBrusk missed Monday's practice, initially leaving his status questionable for Tuesday night. However, he traveled with the team and will likely play. DeBrusk was slow out of the gate last season but finished with a respectable 42 points (23 goals, 19 assists) in 81 games. Fantasy managers know what to expect from DeBrusk, who has tallied at least 40 points in five consecutive campaigns.
Source: Ben Kuzma
Source: Ben Kuzma
Brock Faber Moved to Injured Reserve
Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber (upper body) will not be available for the season opener against Nashville on Oct. 1 after being placed on Injured Reserve, retroactive to Sept. 25. Faber took a puck to the left side of his head in a preseason game last week. He initially carried on playing, making it look like it wasn't a serious injury. However, it will keep Faber sidelined for at least one game. As a result, Quinn Hughes faces a massive workload, and the rest of the blue line must also be ready for additional duties. In 2025-26, Faber averaged 24:41 of ice time per game and recorded a career-high 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) in 80 appearances.
Source: Michael Russo
Source: Michael Russo
Blue Jackets Acquire Matthew Knies
The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired winger Matthew Knies in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday. He was part of a six-player deal that also sent Columbus defenseman Emil Andrae, winger Steven Lorentz, and a second-round draft pick. Knies had a productive 2025-26 season (66 points in 79 games), but his name often surfaced in trade rumors. Now, the American winger will start a new chapter in his career in Columbus. Knies could see more ice time with the Blue Jackets, boosting his fantasy appeal.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Kirill Marchenko Lands in Toronto, Signs Six-Year Extension
The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired right wing Kirill Marchenko from the Columbus Blue Jackets in a six-player deal. The Russian forward has been hoping for a change of scenery and finally got his move. After trading for Marchenko, the Maple Leafs signed him to a six-year, $72.5 million extension. Marchenko could have become a restricted free agent after the 2026-27 season. Last season, he narrowly missed a second consecutive 30-goal season. He has the potential to become a point-per-game player in Toronto as Auston Matthews' running mate on the first line.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Logan O'Connor Day-to-Day With Lower-Body Injury
Colorado Avalanche right wing Logan O'Connor (lower body) is day-to-day, Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now reports. He sustained a lower-body injury in training camp, leaving O'Connor questionable for opening night. The Avalanche begin the action on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings. O'Connor has been a regular 20-point scorer for Colorado, but he played only 13 games in 2025-26 after hip surgery. Left wing Zachary L'Heureux (lower body) is also day-to-day heading into opening week, so Colorado could be missing two fourth-line grinders on Wednesday.
Source: Aarif Deen
Source: Aarif Deen
Dante Fabbro to Miss at Least One Month
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Dante Fabbro (upper body) will miss the first month of the regular season, according to The Athletic's Aaron Portzline. On Sunday, Portzline reported that Fabbro is expected to be unavailable for "a month or more." A week ago, Fabbro suffered an upper-body injury in a preseason game, and the team placed him on Injured Reserve Friday. Regarding Columbus' defense, Damon Severson's (shoulder) availability at the start of the season is also in question. As such, the Blue Jackets are trying to sign Carson Soucy to a standard contract after he spent training camp with the team on a tryout deal.
Source: Aaron Portzline
Source: Aaron Portzline
Mackie Samoskevich Placed on Injured Reserve
Seattle Kraken right wing Mackie Samoskevich (upper body) will begin the 2026-27 campaign on Injured Reserve. He has dealt with an upper-body injury during preseason, and the team is set to start the regular season without him. In limited playing time, Samoskevich managed back-to-back 30-point seasons with the Florida Panthers, so it will be interesting to see what he can do in a larger role in Seattle. The Kraken plan to use him as a top-six regular. Alongside Samoskevich, Seattle placed center Jake O'Brien (lower body) on Injured Reserve Sunday.
Source: Seattle Kraken PR
Source: Seattle Kraken PR
Dan Vladar Practices in Full Capacity Sunday
Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (upper body) fully participated in Sunday's practice, Jackie Spiegel of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Vladar had an injury scare last week in a preseason game, but he's on track to be ready for opening night. "I wouldn't say he's 100%, but he's very hopeful," Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet said. The Czech shot-stopper had an impressive first year with the Flyers and has a big role to play in the team's success. He finished the 2025-26 campaign with a 29-14-7 record, a 2.42 goals-against average, and a .906 save percentage.
Source: Jackie Spiegel
Source: Jackie Spiegel
Nick Blankenburg Inks One-Year Deal With Maple Leafs
Defenseman Nick Blankenburg has converted a professional tryout agreement into a standard contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. On Sunday, Blankenburg signed a one-year, $1.4 million deal. The Maple Leafs are getting a versatile defenseman who recorded 24 points (eight goals, 16 assists), 72 SOG, 59 blocks, and 55 hits in 61 games last season. However, Blankenburg won't have a major role on the backline, making him a non-factor in fantasy hockey. He may not even be in the opening-night lineup.
Source: Toronto Maple Leafs
Source: Toronto Maple Leafs
Logan Stanley Joins Islanders on One-Year Deal
Defenseman Logan Stanley signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the New York Islanders on Sunday. Despite a career year in 2025-26, Stanley was a free agent with only a few days remaining until the new campaign begins. He skated with the Winnipeg Jets and Buffalo Sabres last season, registering 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists), 96 SOG, 84 blocks, and 110 hits. Stanley will be a good depth option for the Islanders, who have dealt with several injuries on defense in previous seasons.
Source: New York Islanders PR
Source: New York Islanders PR
Jordan Greenway on Track to Be Ready for Season Opener
Chicago Blackhawks left wing Jordan Greenway (lower body) is expected to be available for next week's season opener, Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. The power forward has been nursing a lower-body injury in training camp, but he returned to the ice on Saturday. Greenway hopes for a fresh start in Chicago after a pair of very rough campaigns with the Buffalo Sabres. Injuries have limited him to just 74 regular-season appearances over the past two seasons. The 29-year-old will primarily add toughness to the Blackhawks' lineup and should be left on the waiver wire in fantasy leagues.
Source: Ben Pope
Source: Ben Pope
Joel Edmundson Considered Day-to-Day
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Joel Edmundson (undisclosed) is day-to-day, Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports. Edmundson appeared in all 82 regular-season games last term, but an undisclosed injury could end his ironman streak at the start of 2026-27. The Kings will start the Peter Laviolette era on Sept. 30 against the Colorado Avalanche. Edmundson enjoyed a career year offensively last season, posting 23 points (two goals, 21 assists). He did so on a measly 1.9 shooting percentage, leaving room for improvement.
Source: Zach Dooley
Source: Zach Dooley
Mats Zuccarello Looks Sharp in His Return
Los Angeles Kings right winger Mats Zuccarello (shoulder) recorded a goal and two assists in Saturday's 6-2 preseason win over the Anaheim Ducks. The Norwegian veteran was in action for the first time in preseason after recovering from a minor shoulder issue. He set up two even-strength goals and potted a power-play marker. Zuccarello will aim for a sixth consecutive 50-point campaign in 2025-26. Last season, he averaged nearly a point per game, producing 15 goals and 39 assists in 59 appearances.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Logan Mailloux Suffers Upper-Body Injury in Preseason Game
St. Louis Blues defenseman Logan Mailloux sustained an upper-body injury during Saturday's preseason game against the Chicago Blackhawks. He was on the ice for just six shifts, totaling 5:54 of ice time. Mailloux had his rookie campaign in 2025-26, recording 13 points (five goals, eight assists), 80 SOG, 56 blocks, and 93 hits in 67 games. He must recover by Oct. 2 to avoid missing time at the start of his sophomore year. With Tyler Tucker (knee) also battling an injury and unlikely to play in the first game of the season, the Blues' defensive depth could be tested in the opening weeks.
Source: St. Louis Blues
Source: St. Louis Blues
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
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
