RADIO
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
Kaleb Johnson Ineffective in Low-Usage Role on Thursday Night
Green Bay Packers running back Kaleb Johnson played a minimal role in his team's 35-14 Week 3 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday, recording four carries for six yards and one reception for 10 yards on three targets. With Packers RB1 Josh Jacobs currently on the NFL's Commissioner's Exempt List, Johnson has been given a chance to establish himself in the Green Bay backfield. The 23-year-old has failed to seize the opportunity so far, recording 12 carries for 38 yards across three games. Johnson split carries evenly with fellow Packers back MarShawn Lloyd against Atlanta, and neither rusher was even remotely effective. Green Bay is battling injuries along its offensive line and has been completely unable to run the ball so far in 2026. Despite being one of just two teams to have already played three games, the Packers rank 30th in the NFL in total rushing yards (146). Until Green Bay shows some signs of life on the ground, fantasy managers may want to avoid Johnson and the rest of the Packers' backs.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
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
Tucker Kraft Underwhelms Again in Week 3 Loss
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft had a quiet game in his team's 35-14 Week 3 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday, recording four catches for 26 yards on eight targets. It's been an extremely underwhelming start to the season for Kraft, who has hauled in nine catches for 106 yards on 17 targets across Green Bay's first three games of 2026. While Kraft's eight targets in Week 3 appear encouraging on the surface, Packers quarterback Jordan Love attempted 53 total passes, resulting in just a 15.1% target share for Kraft. The 25-year-old currently profiles as the clear number three option in the Green Bay passing game behind breakout wide receivers Christian Watson and Matthew Golden. Particularly if the Packers continue to operate with such a pass-heavy approach, better days should be ahead for Kraft. Still, Kraft's fantasy value is trending in the wrong direction coming out of Week 3.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Ajay Mitchell Tabbed by Sam Presti for Bigger Role
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell could be in line for a larger role after general manager Sam Presti mentioned him and guard Jared McCain as players capable of making a jump this season. Mitchell averaged 13.6 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals in 25.8 minutes across 57 games last year, while producing 18.9 points and 5.0 assists per 36 minutes. Luguentz Dort's offseason departure should create additional backcourt opportunities, though Mitchell will still share minutes with Cason Wallace and other guards. Staying healthy will be key, but his scoring and playmaking make him worth monitoring if his workload grows.
Source: Brandon Rahbar
Source: Brandon Rahbar
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
Jordan Love Throws for 300 Yards in Blowout Loss on Thursday
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love was forced into a pass-heavy game script in his team's 35-14 Week 3 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night, completing 28 of 53 pass attempts for 312 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. While it wasn't a particularly efficient night for Love, he provided fantasy managers with solid production. Green Bay's inability to run the ball effectively early in the 2026 season has altered Love's fantasy outlook relative to previous years. After averaging 29.3 pass attempts per game in 2025, Love is currently averaging 41.3 pass attempts per contest in 2026. Through three games, he's completed 52.4% of his passes for 844 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions. If the Packers continue to operate in such a pass-heavy manner, Love could provide consistent top-12 quarterback production for fantasy managers.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Jared McCain Earns High Praise From GM Sam Presti
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain drew praise from general manager Sam Presti ahead of training camp. "There's a lot more to him as a player than someone who can come in and rip off a bunch of 3s. He's a winning player," Presti said, according to Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com. McCain averaged 10.4 points and 1.8 threes on 39.1 percent shooting from deep in 18.0 minutes across 30 games with Oklahoma City last season. The departures of Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe, and Aaron Wiggins should create more perimeter opportunities, though McCain will still compete with Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell for minutes. His shooting makes him worth monitoring if his role expands.
Source: Brandon Rahbar
Source: Brandon Rahbar
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
Chig Okonkwo a Long Shot to Play in Week 3
Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters said that tight end Chig Okonkwo (hamstring) is a long shot to play in the team's Week 3 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, per Tashan Reed of The Washington Post. Okonkwo suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1 that sidelined him in Week 2 and appears likely to do the same in Week 3. After recording 56 catches for 560 yards and two touchdowns on 79 targets across 17 games with the Tennessee Titans in 2025, Okonkwo signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Commanders in free agency. When healthy, he should play a regular role in the team's passing game. Without Okonkwo, Commanders tight ends Ben Sinnott and Colson Yankoff combined for two catches for 20 yards on two targets in Week 2. If Okonkwo is indeed inactive against Seattle, the fantasy outlook improves slightly for Washington wideouts Terry McLaurin, Stefon Diggs, and Antonio Williams.
Source: The Washington Post - Tashan Reed
Source: The Washington Post - Tashan Reed
Gary Trent Jr. Remains Under NBA Investigation
Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Gary Trent Jr. remains under NBA scrutiny over the four-year, $64 million contract he signed this offseason, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic. The league has hired law firm Hecker Fink to investigate whether Trent's previous team-friendly deals were connected to a future payday once Milwaukee gained his Early Bird rights. The Bucks and Klutch Sports are cooperating, and no wrongdoing has been established. Trent averaged 8.1 points and 1.9 threes in 21.2 minutes last season. With Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Caris LeVert, and AJ Green in a crowded perimeter rotation, Trent's fantasy value should remain tied mostly to three-point shooting.
Source: Joe Vardon
Source: Joe Vardon
Surgery Not an Option for Jayden Daniels, Quick Return Possible?
Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters said that "surgery is not on the table" for injured quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) and that the team has "not discussed" placing Daniels on Injured Reserve, per JP Finlay of NBC4 Sports. Daniels dislocated his left elbow for the second time in the last calendar year during Washington's Week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The 25-year-old has already been ruled out for the Commanders' Week 3 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, but it appears as though the team is anticipating that Daniels will return to the field within its next four games. Before getting hurt, Daniels threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 100 yards on 12 attempts in roughly a game and a half of action this season. He remains an ultra-high-upside dual-threat quarterback for fantasy managers when healthy, but his ability to stay on the field is a major question mark. With Daniels sidelined, veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota will take over as Washington's QB1.
Source: NBC4 Sports - JP Finlay
Source: NBC4 Sports - JP Finlay
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
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Experiments with More Off-Ball Work
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander asked Team Canada head coach Gordie Herbert to use him more off the ball this summer, according to Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor. The two-time MVP worked more as a cutter and spot-up threat during World Cup qualifying, though Oklahoma City has not announced any role change. A healthier Jalen Williams could ease some of Gilgeous-Alexander's creation burden, with Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain also capable of handling possessions. Even with a modest dip in on-ball usage, Gilgeous-Alexander should remain an elite fantasy option after averaging 31.1 points, 6.6 assists, and 1.4 steals on 55.3 percent shooting last season.
Source: Kevin O'Connor
Source: Kevin O'Connor
Hauss Hejny Doubtful For Saturday
Colorado State quarterback Hauss Hejny (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for Saturday's game against UTSA with a hamstring injury. The sophomore quarterback transferred from Oklahoma State to Colorado State in the portal this offseason and has gotten off to a great start. Through three games, he has completed 64% of his 73 pass attempts for 619 yards, 10 touchdowns, and one interception, while adding 13 carries for 128 rushing yards and one touchdown. Hejny hurt his hamstring in the first quarter of Week 3 in a 41-23 loss to BYU. Redshirt freshman K'saan Farrar immediately relieved Hejny in the game but struggled mightily and was eventually replaced by redshirt sophomore Darius Curry.
Source: Pete Thamel Of ESPN
Source: Pete Thamel Of ESPN
