Gabriel Vilardi To Remain Out For Game 2
Apr 20, 2025, 6:00 PM ET
Winnipeg Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi (upper body) practiced on Sunday but will remain sidelined for Monday's Game 2 against the St. Louis Blues. The 25-year-old practiced in a non-contact jersey on Sunday for the first time since sustaining an upper-body injury on March 23. The injury dashed Vilardi's hopes of reaching 70 points for the season, yet he still had a career year with 27 goals and 61 points in 71 appearances. Alex Iafallo will continue to skate on the top line until Vilardi returns. He has done a fantastic job filling in for him and opened the postseason with a goal in Saturday's 5-3 victory.--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
More Recent News
Tyler Tucker Expected to Miss Start of Season
Taavi Pailk
Taavi Pailk
Sep 26, 2026, 11:00 AM ET
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.--Taavi PailkSource: Lou Korac
Jason Dickinson Likely to Miss Start of Season
Taavi Pailk
Taavi Pailk
Sep 26, 2026, 10:49 AM ET
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.--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
Canucks Place Filip Chytil on Injured Reserve
Taavi Pailk
Taavi Pailk
Sep 26, 2026, 10:39 AM ET
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.--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
Brock Faber Exits Preseason Game After Being Hit by Puck
Taavi Pailk
Taavi Pailk
Sep 26, 2026, 10:28 AM ET
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. --Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
Tyler Seguin Returns to Action Friday
Taavi Pailk
Taavi Pailk
Sep 26, 2026, 10:17 AM ET
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.--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
Pyotr Kochetkov Re-Ups With Hurricanes on Two-Year Deal
Taavi Pailk
Taavi Pailk
Sep 26, 2026, 10:10 AM ET
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.--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
Mason Lohrei Returns to Practice
Taavi Pailk
Taavi Pailk
Sep 25, 2026, 10:00 AM ET
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.--Taavi PailkSource: Joe Haggerty
Ivan Demidov Expected to Return to the Ice Friday
Taavi Pailk
Taavi Pailk
Sep 25, 2026, 9:51 AM ET
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.--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
Ben Kindel Considered Week-to-Week
Taavi Pailk
Taavi Pailk
Sep 25, 2026, 9:40 AM ET
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.--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
Nicholas Paul Could Miss Opening Night
Taavi Pailk
Taavi Pailk
Sep 25, 2026, 9:30 AM ET
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.--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
Alex Ovechkin Logs Full Practice
Taavi Pailk
Taavi Pailk
Sep 25, 2026, 9:20 AM ET
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.--Taavi PailkSource: Tom Gulitti
Blackhawks Sign Oliver Moore to Five-Year Extension
Taavi Pailk
Taavi Pailk
Sep 25, 2026, 9:11 AM ET
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.--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
Adam Fantilli Agrees to Six-Year Extension With Blue Jackets
Taavi Pailk
Taavi Pailk
Sep 25, 2026, 9:04 AM ET
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.--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
Mattias Samuelsson Out Week-to-Week
Taavi Pailk
Taavi Pailk
Sep 24, 2026, 9:59 AM ET
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.--Taavi PailkSource: Associated Press
Dante Fabbro Could Miss Opening Night
Taavi Pailk
Taavi Pailk
Sep 24, 2026, 9:51 AM ET
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.--Taavi PailkSource: Aaron Portzline
Damon Severson Questionable for Season Opener
Taavi Pailk
Taavi Pailk
Sep 24, 2026, 9:42 AM ET
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.--Taavi PailkSource: Aaron Portzline
Jake Oettinger Dealing With Lower-Body Issue
Taavi Pailk
Taavi Pailk
Sep 24, 2026, 9:32 AM ET
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.--Taavi PailkSource: Lia Assimakopoulos
Dylan Larkin Joins Red Wings for Practice
Taavi Pailk
Taavi Pailk
Sep 24, 2026, 9:20 AM ET
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.--Taavi PailkSource: Helene St. James
Dan Vladar Avoids Major Injury
Taavi Pailk
Taavi Pailk
Sep 24, 2026, 9:14 AM ET
Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (upper body) is day-to-day after being hurt in Tuesday's preseason game against the Boston Bruins. The Czech shot-stopper was injured in the first period when he collided with Bruins forward Tanner Jeannot. He appeared to have had an issue with his right arm or shoulder. Fortunately, Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet said Wednesday that the team "dodged a bullet," suggesting Vladar's injury is less severe than first thought. Vladar has until Sept. 30 to get healthy for the regular-season opener. Philadelphia will begin the campaign with a back-to-back, so Joseph Woll should also see action in the first week.--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
Brady Tkachuk Considered Day-to-Day
Taavi Pailk
Taavi Pailk
Sep 24, 2026, 9:04 AM ET
Florida Panthers forward Brady Tkachuk (undisclosed) is considered day-to-day. The four-time All-Star left Tuesday's preseason game against Carolina early due to an undisclosed injury. While it's concerning that Tkachuk has sustained an injury during the preseason, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice expects the power forward to be available for the regular-season opener next week. Florida starts its campaign in Raleigh against the Hurricanes on Sept. 29. Tkachuk nearly managed a point per game last season, setting a high bar for his first season as a Panther.--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
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