RADIO
Damon Severson "Ready to Roll"
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson (shoulder) will be in the lineup at the start of the season, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports. "He's ready to roll," Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell told Scheig. "We'll probably keep him out of the exhibition games. No real reason for him to play in exhibition games. He's here and he's doing everything right now. We just want to be a little cautious where we keep him out of heavy contact or anything like that. We'll let him get back going. But I expect him to be ready for the start of the season." Severson underwent shoulder surgery late last season. He led all Blue Jackets defensemen with a plus-12 rating and posted 32 points (eight goals, 24 assists) in 71 games.
Source: Mark Scheig
Source: Mark Scheig
Alex Formenton Signs One-Year Deal With Oilers
Left wing Alex Formenton has agreed to a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Edmonton Oilers. Formenton hasn't played in the NHL since the 2021-22 campaign, spending three seasons in Switzerland with HC Ambrì-Piotta. He's the third player acquitted in the Hockey Canada sexual assault case to sign an NHL contract since the trial concluded in July 2025. The 26-year-old tallied 32 points (18 goals, 14 assists) in 79 games in his last NHL season, averaging more than one hit per game. He'll be in contention for a bottom-six role with the Oilers.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ducks Place Chris Kreider on Unconditional Waivers
Anaheim Ducks left wing Chris Kreider was placed on unconditional waivers on Wednesday with the purpose of terminating his contract. He will become an unrestricted free agent if he goes unclaimed. The veteran forward has one season remaining on a seven-year, $45.5 million contract. Anaheim acquired Kreider last offseason from the New York Rangers. He had a decent campaign, with 50 points (22 goals, 28 assists) in 75 outings. However, Kreider wants to return to the East Coast for family reasons. Kreider's departure also benefits the Ducks, giving the team more flexibility to sign restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Blue Jackets "100 Percent" Confident Adam Fantilli Deal Gets Done
Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli is expected to sign a new contract before training camp opens next week, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports. "I'm 100 percent that we'll get this thing done," Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell told Scheig on Wednesday. "It's not imminent, but we're talking on a pretty regular basis now. I talked to his agent over the weekend and going to talk again here today or tomorrow. So, as long as you are talking, I always feel like you're going to find a way to get a solution for everybody and everybody's happy." Fantilli needs a new contract after completing his entry-level deal. He has improved each year and ranked third on his team last season with a career-high 59 points (24 goals, 35 assists) in 82 games.
Source: Mark Scheig
Source: Mark Scheig
Tyson Jost Agrees to Tryout Deal With Predators
Center Tyson Jost will join the Nashville Predators for training camp on a professional tryout agreement, Alex Daugherty of the Tennessean reports. Jost hopes to earn a second chance with the franchise after spending the 2025-26 season in Nashville. He registered 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) in 69 appearances. The 10-year veteran has tallied 165 points (69 goals, 96 assists) in 564 career games. Even if he makes the roster, Jost will have a limited role with the Predators, keeping him off fantasy radars.
Source: Alex Daugherty
Source: Alex Daugherty
Ilya Samsonov Joins Sharks on One-Year, Two-Way Deal
Goaltender Ilya Samsonov will attempt an NHL comeback in 2026-27, having signed a one-year, two-way contract with the San Jose Sharks. After six years in the NHL, Samsonov spent the 2025-26 campaign with HC Sochi in the KHL. This could be a smart pickup for the Sharks, given Samsonov's solid play throughout his NHL career. He has posted a 118-48-25 record, a 2.77 goals-against average, and a .902 save percentage. Last season, the Sharks ranked 25th in save percentage, with Yaroslav Askarov and Alex Nedeljkovic sharing starts in the crease.
Source: San Jose Sharks
Source: San Jose Sharks
Senators Expect Artem Zub to Be Ready for Training Camp
Ottawa Senators defenseman Artem Zub (lower body) is expected to be available for training camp, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports. Senators general manager Steve Staios told Garrioch that Zub is still rehabbing from a lower-body injury he suffered during the playoffs, but he expects the Russian rearguard to be fine for training camp. Zub is a versatile defenseman who contributes in all areas. He finished last season with 30 points (five goals, 25 assists), 92 SOG, 120 blocks, and 66 hits in 81 games. The 30-year-old led his team with a plus-22 rating.
Source: Bruce Garrioch
Source: Bruce Garrioch
Thatcher Demko Remains Without Timeline for Return
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (hip) doesn't have a timeline for his return, Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK reports. Recent reports indicated that Demko's availability for training camp is in doubt. Since he doesn't have a timeline for a return, the Canucks may also be without Demko at the start of the regular season. Demko had hip surgery in January. His absence leaves Kevin Lankinen as Vancouver's de facto starter. Last season, Lankinen struggled to fill Demko's shoes, posting a 11-27-5 record.
Source: Rick Dhaliwal
Source: Rick Dhaliwal
Simon Edvinsson Ready to Participate in Red Wings Camp Without Contract
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson plans to attend training camp even if he's still unsigned, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports. The 23-year-old Swedish blue-liner is a restricted free agent after completing his entry-level contract. Edvinsson has enjoyed back-to-back strong campaigns. In 2025-26, he appeared in 72 regular-season contests, recording 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists), 88 SOG, 148 blocks, 94 hits, and a plus-12 rating. Edvinsson has formed a strong partnership with Moritz Seider in Detroit's defense and is expected to stay in Motown long-term. However, his contract situation remains unresolved as the Red Wings are still looking for a new general manager.
Source: Pierre LeBrun
Source: Pierre LeBrun
Fraser Minten Signs Seven-Year Extension With Bruins
Boston Bruins center Fraser Minten has committed his long-term future to the franchise, signing a seven-year, $50.4 million contract extension. The contract will kick in with the 2027-28 season after Minten completes his entry-level deal. Minten earned a handsome payday thanks to a promising rookie campaign. The 22-year-old skated in all 82 regular-season games last season, recording 35 points (17 goals, 18 assists), 117 SOG, and 142 hits. Minten led all first-year players with a plus-21 rating. He has a bright future in Boston and will be expected to take another step forward in 2026-27.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Connor Bedard's Recovery on Track
Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard (shoulder) is on track with his recovery from offseason surgery, Scott Powers of The Athletic reports. According to Powers, Bedard's recovery "is going as planned so far." The young Blackhawks star underwent shoulder surgery in early June and was ruled out for four months. Bedard recently began skating in a limited capacity. He still needs one more month to recover, so fantasy managers must take into account that Bedard won't be available at the start of the season.
Source: Scott Powers
Source: Scott Powers
Filip Gustavsson Still Recovering From Hip Procedure
Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson (hip) is still rehabbing from offseason surgery, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports. Gustavsson underwent hip surgery in May and has had the entire summer to recover. However, it's unclear whether he will be able to participate in training camp. His availability for the start of the season is also uncertain. If Gustavsson isn't available for action, Jesper Wallstedt would be a busy man early in the campaign. It would also open opportunities for Calvin Pickard, who was snapped up as a free agent in July.
Source: Michael Russo
Source: Michael Russo
Jonas Brodin Available for Training Camp
Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (lower body) is skating and healthy for training camp, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports. Brodin suffered a lower-body injury during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, missing Minnesota's final six games. Fortunately for the team, the Swedish veteran has recovered over the offseason and is ready for the new campaign. In 2026-27, Brodin will aim to play more than 62 regular-season games for the first time since 2021-22. He finished last season with 18 points (four goals, 14 assists), 76 SOG, 126 blocks, and a plus-19 rating in 62 outings. His lack of offense and durability issues keep Brodin's fantasy value low.
Source: Michael Russo
Source: Michael Russo
Joel Eriksson Ek Cleared for Training Camp
Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (heel) is healthy for the start of training camp, The Athletic's Michael Russo reports. The Swedish forward dealt with a heel injury late last season, missing Minnesota's final five postseason games. Having him back for the start of the new campaign is great news for the Wild. Eriksson Ek is a strong two-way player who finished last season with 51 points (19 goals, 32 assists), 194 SOG, and 106 hits, and a plus-16 rating in 70 outings. He has averaged 0.57 points and 1.77 hits per game in his NHL career.
Source: Michael Russo
Source: Michael Russo
Christopher Tanev Hopes to Be Available for Training Camp
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Christopher Tanev (abdomen) is aiming to be available for training camp, David Alter of The Hockey News reports. "I mean, I'm feeling good. We still have to talk to the doctors, I think, in a week or two," Tanev said. "But the plan is hopefully I'm ready to rumble once everything gets going." Tanev's 2025-26 season was almost entirely ruined by health issues, as he skated in only 11 games. His experience and shot-blocking ability are valuable assets for the Maple Leafs. However, Tanev's limited offensive skill set means he's not a great option for fantasy managers.
Source: David Alter
Source: David Alter
