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Josh Norris, Jiri Kulich Available Saturday
Buffalo Sabres forwards Josh Norris (concussion) and Jiri Kulich (illness) will suit up for Saturday's contest against the Montreal Canadiens. Kulich returns from a one-game absence, while Norris is available after clearing concussion protocol following his early exit in Thursday's overtime win against Toronto. Both players will hope to kickstart their campaigns after being limited to two points so far. Of the two, Norris has more fantasy value because he logs regular power-play time. Norris' production should increase once Buffalo improves its 10.3 percent power-play efficiency.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Oliver Kapanen Making Season Debut Against Sabres
Montreal Canadiens center Oliver Kapanen (lower body) will make his season debut on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. He will bump Owen Beck out of the lineup. Kapanen's 2026-27 debut has been delayed due to a lower-body injury he sustained just before the season started. The Swedish forward began the campaign on the shelf after playing in all 82 games last term. Kapanen had a strong rookie year, scoring 22 goals and totaling 37 points. Since he will enter the lineup on the fourth line against Buffalo, fantasy managers shouldn't expect Kapanen to make an immediate impact.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Brandon Montour Out Saturday
Seattle Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour (lower body) won't take the ice on Saturday against the Florida Panthers. He will miss a meeting with his former team after sustaining a lower-body injury in Thursday's overtime loss to Tampa Bay. Seattle will miss Montour's playmaking ability and defensive presence. The 32-year-old has registered five assists, 13 SOG, 13 blocks, and seven hits in eight games this season. Seattle called up Ty Nelson from the minors on Friday, and he could make his NHL debut. Cale Fleury is another option to replace Montour in the lineup.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Wyatt Johnston Back in Action Saturday
Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston (illness) has been cleared to return to action on Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks. He has missed a pair of games due to illness. Unfortunately, this illness ended Johnston's 333-game Ironman streak. Before this week, he hadn't missed any action in his five-year NHL career. Johnston has tallied four assists in five games this season. He's goalless despite firing 11 attempts on net. The Blackhawks have the league's fifth-worst defensive record, giving Johnston a good chance to finally light the lamp in 2026-27.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Owen Tippett a Game-Time Decision Saturday
Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett (upper body) is a game-time decision for Saturday's contest against the Ottawa Senators. He missed the morning skate, a bad sign for his availability, but the Flyers haven't officially ruled Tippett out yet. Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet said Tippett re-aggravated an upper-body issue in Thursday's loss to Detroit. Philadelphia can't buy a win right now, and the poor form has affected the whole team, including Tippett. He has only two points (one goal, one assist) through nine games. If Tippett is ruled out Saturday, Matvei Michkov and Porter Martone could take on bigger roles.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Jacob Markstrom Returns to Panthers Crease Saturday
Florida Panthers goaltender Jacob Markstrom (undisclosed) has been named the starter for Saturday's matchup against the Seattle Kraken. He's ready to return to work after missing two games with an undisclosed health issue. Markstrom has started his second spell in Florida well, posting a 2-1-1 record, a 2.03 goals-against average, and a .904 save percentage. With Florida a -200 favorite on Saturday, Markstrom is expected to pick up another victory, though it's a matchup against a hot team: Seattle has won five of eight games so far, going 4-1-1 on the road.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
John Tavares Out Week-to-Week
Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (lower body) is week-to-week, the team announced before Saturday's tilt against the New York Islanders. He will miss his second game of the season and isn't expected back quickly. The Maple Leafs placed Tavares on Injured Reserve. Before he sustained a lower-body injury against Buffalo Thursday night, Tavares was enjoying a great start to the season. He has seven points (two goals, five assists) in seven games. With Tavares out, Easton Cowan will join the top six on Saturday, while Bo Groulx will take his spot in the lineup. Fantasy managers should give Cowan a look, as he's been in good early-season form.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Oskar Back Out 4-6 Weeks With Broken Finger
Dallas Stars forward Oskar Back will miss 4-6 weeks with a broken finger. He landed on Injured Reserve after being hurt in Wednesday's win over Colorado. Back has recorded one assist in seven games this season. While Back isn't a primary contributor in Dallas, he'd be a useful option now that injuries have hit the forward group. For additional depth, the Stars signed winger David Perron to a one-year, $850,000 contract on Thursday. However, Saturday's game comes too soon for Perron to debut.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Vladislav Namestnikov Deemed Week-to-Week
Winnipeg Jets forward Vladislav Namestnikov (undisclosed) is considered week-to-week. He suffered an undisclosed injury during Thursday's morning skate. Namestnikov will miss a second consecutive game on Saturday against Carolina. At the start of the season, the Russian forward hasn't been at his best offensively, contributing only one assist in six games. The Jets used Brad Lambert as Namestnikov's replacement in the lineup on Thursday against Chicago. Lambert made a positive impact with an assist, but he saw less than eight minutes of action on the fourth line and shouldn't be expected to contribute regularly to scoring.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Taylor Hall Week-to-Week With Upper Body Injury
Carolina Hurricanes left wing Taylor Hall (upper body) is week-to-week, head coach Rod Brind'Amour said Friday. The former MVP sustained an upper-body injury against Washington earlier this week and will miss his first game of the season when the reigning champions take on Winnipeg on Saturday. Hall has three goals and five points in eight outings this season. With Jordan Staal (calf) also dropping out of the lineup, the Hurricanes have brought up Bradly Nadeau and Felix Unger Sorum from the minors. However, Seth Jarvis (shoulder) is nearing his season debut and will also help cover for the absences.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Seth Jarvis Could Be an Option This Weekend
Carolina Hurricanes winger Seth Jarvis (shoulder) has joined the team for a five-game road trip and could make his season debut as soon as this weekend. "I would hope so," Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour said about Jarvis playing during the trip. "He hasn't been cleared yet, so when he gets that clearance, then we'll see." Carolina faces Winnipeg on Saturday and Calgary on Sunday. Jarvis is on the cusp of his season debut after working his way back from shoulder surgery. His addition to the squad comes at a good time, as Carolina just lost Taylor Hall (upper body) from the lineup.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Pierre-Luc Dubois Remains Unavailable Saturday
Washington Capitals forward Pierre-Luc Dubois (illness) will be absent for a fourth straight game on Saturday against New Jersey. He's having trouble recovering from illness. Dubois' absence has left the Capitals without a player who averaged a point per game across the first four contests of the year. On Saturday, Washington could also be without Justin Sourdif (illness), forcing head coach Spencer Carbery to make further changes up front. In this situation, Ethen Frank could earn a regular spot in the lineup. So far, he's appeared in only two games this season.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Pavel Zacha Exits Early Friday
Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha (undisclosed) had a great night that ended in frustration on Friday when he was forced to exit a 4-2 win over Anaheim with an injury. According to Scott McLaughlin of WEEI, Zacha didn't take a single shift after 8:59 remained in the third period. Before he left the contest, the Czech forward recorded two power-play assists, helping Boston turn a 2-0 deficit into an impressive road win. After a sluggish start to the campaign, Zacha has collected five points (two goals, three assists) in four games. It would be a significant blow for the Bruins if he can't play on Saturday night against Los Angeles. In Zacha's absence, Fraser Minten and Matthew Poitras would be candidates to take on bigger roles.
Source: Scott McLaughlin
Source: Scott McLaughlin
Egor Chinakhov Without Timeline for Return
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Egor Chinakhov (lower body) has no timeline for his return to action, Josh Yohe of The Athletic reports. The Russian forward is dealing with a lower-body injury and was scratched for Friday's tilt against Colorado. In his first full season with the Penguins, Chinakhov has notched one goal and one assist. Both points came in the first two games of the season. Ville Koivunen filled the gap on the second line Friday and had an assist. That gives him three points (one goal, two assists) in six outings, making Koivunen worth watching.
Source: Josh Yohe
Source: Josh Yohe
Rasmus Dahlin to Remain Out Saturday
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (upper body) will be sidelined for a third consecutive game on Saturday against Montreal. The Swedish defensive star sustained an upper-body injury in Monday's win over Florida. On Monday, Dahlin scored his second goal of the season, taking his points tally to four after six games. Owen Power and Olen Zellweger are benefiting from Dahlin's absence. Power should be scooped up in all fantasy leagues after posting two goals and six assists in eight games. Only five defensemen have been more productive offensively.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
