NHL News

Simon Nemec • D • Flames

Simon Nemec Eyes Major Role With Flames

Calgary Flames defenseman Simon Nemec hopes to play a major role with his new club. "It's a new challenge," Nemec said. "That was a good spot for me, for the team. I feel like they need a player like me. I can play a lot of minutes there. I can be part of the future there and be one of the leaders of the team." Nemec moved to Calgary this offseason following a modest three-year run with the New Jersey Devils. He notched a career-high 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 68 contests last season, but the former second-overall pick has the potential to make an even bigger impact. Speaking at the European Player Media Tour, Nemec said he wants to earn a spot on the Flames' top power-play unit, which would certainly boost his fantasy production.

10 hours ago

Macklin Celebrini • C • Sharks

Macklin Celebrini Looks to Evolve as Player and Leader

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini is confident he can still improve after his spectacular 2025-26 campaign. The 20-year-old posted a new franchise record with 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists) in 82 games, ranking fourth on the NHL's scorers' charts. "I still have a lot of space to grow. I think in my game and off the ice," Celebrini said. "Growing into myself as hopefully a leader for this team. We have a great group of vets that have been amazing and helped guide all of us young guys and gave us the best kind of role models as possible." Celebrini is a special talent, giving San Jose a player to build around. No doubt, he'll also lead many fantasy teams to success next season.

10 hours ago

Connor Hellebuyck • G • Jets

Connor Hellebuyck Requests Trade From Jets

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is ready for a new chapter in his career, confirming that he has requested a trade. In a statement via his agent, Ray Petkau, Hellebuyck said he made the request privately several months ago and "tried to handle the situation quietly and respectfully while giving the organization time to explore its options." The Jets drafted Hellebuyck in 2012, and he has been a cornerstone of the franchise, earning the Hart Trophy as the NHL MVP in 2025. Hellebuyck has won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top netminder three times. He's looking to move on despite inking an eight-year, $59.5 million contract extension in October 2023. A change of scenery could do wonders for Hellebuyck's performance after he endured a career-worst year in 2025-26, finishing with a .895 save percentage.

10 hours ago

Matt Savoie • C • Oilers

Matt Savoie Sits Out Training Camp

Edmonton Oilers forward Matt Savoie (undisclosed) has been ruled out of training camp. The 22-year-old is recovering from an offseason injury. According to TSN's Ryan Rishaug, Savoie might not be available until late October. This is a significant setback for Savoie, who had his rookie campaign in 2025-26. The former top-10 pick impressed with 18 goals and 37 points in 82 games. Once he's healthy, Savoie will compete for a top-six role. He would be an attractive fantasy option as a partner to either Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.

Yesterday

Mattias Janmark • C • Oilers

Mattias Janmark Unavailable for Training Camp

Edmonton Oilers forward Mattias Janmark (undisclosed) will not participate in training camp. Janmark underwent season-ending surgery in March, finishing the campaign with only 43 appearances. He contributed one goal and seven assists. Unfortunately, he's still on the mend, and it seems like the Swedish veteran might also be unavailable at the start of the new campaign. While fantasy managers won't lose out on much without Janmark, he's been an effective bottom-six grinder in the NHL. During his 10-year career, Janmark has been part of three trips to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Yesterday

Frederik Andersen • G • Oilers

Frederik Andersen to Miss Training Camp

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Frederik Andersen (undisclosed) won't be available for training camp. The Danish veteran suffered an injury during offseason workouts. It's unfortunate news, especially since Andersen was also injured late last season and missed the end of the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals due to a knee injury. TSN's Ryan Rishaug reports that Andersen could be out until late October. Due to health issues, Andersen hasn't played more than 35 games in any of the past four seasons. Tristan Jarry and Devon Levi will share the crease in Edmonton until Andersen is ready for action.

Yesterday

Thatcher Demko • G • Canucks

Thatcher Demko Uncertain for Start of Training Camp

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (hip) is uncertain for the start of training camp, according to Thomas Drance of The Athletic. Demko appeared in only 20 games last season and was shut down in January for hip surgery. He is still recovering from the procedure ahead of the new campaign, casting doubt on his status for training camp. When healthy, Demko has proven he can be one of the best netminders in the NHL. Unfortunately, he has missed long stretches in each of the past two seasons and has made only 43 appearances. Even if he's good to go for the start of the 2026-27 season, the Canucks may want to limit Demko's workload to protect his health. That would boost Kevin Lankinen's fantasy value.

Yesterday

Victor Hedman • D • Lightning

Victor Hedman Feeling "Great" Ahead of Training Camp

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman is mentally and physically ready for the start of training camp. This is a very positive update, as Hedman's 2025-26 season ended early due to injury and personal reasons. "I'm happy it happened at this stage in my career where I know what I can do, I know what I can bring to the team, and I know what I can do on a daily basis when I'm healthy," Hedman said. "I have zero doubt in my mind. I haven't played a game since obviously March, but for me at this point I know what it takes to be good in this league. I've had a great summer and I feel great going into camp." Hedman will turn 36 in December and isn't the player he once was. However, he's still capable of producing significant fantasy value if he stays injury-free.

Yesterday

Moritz Seider • D • Red Wings

Moritz Seider Looking to Improve Defensively

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider aims to become a better two-way player. After posting a career-high 60 points in 2025-26, Seider established himself as one of the top offensive defensemen in the league. Now, he wants to become more effective in the defensive zone. "I want to establish myself as a guy that people are not happy to see on the ice," Seider said. "I think that's one of the biggest compliments you could get is that people are not happy to see you -- in a good way. I think that's where I see my challenge is to do everything I can to shut the best forwards down in every single game. And I think if I can approach that, I give our team a good chance to win." At 25, Seider should have room to improve. He is only entering his prime and is likely to be a fantasy stalwart for years to come.

4 days ago

Cale Makar • D • Avalanche

Avalanche "Confident" About Signing Cale Makar to New Deal

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar has one season left on his contract, but he's unlikely to start the new season on an expiring deal. "We continue talking," Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said over the weekend. "I'm pretty confident that he'll be signed before the season starts." Makar is expected to get a big raise from his current deal, which pays him $9 million annually. Colorado and fantasy managers alike have received plenty of value from Makar during his current contract, as he has led all defensemen in scoring since signing his extension in 2021. During the course of the deal, Makar has also won the Norris Trophy twice as the NHL's best defenseman.

4 days ago

Pierre-Luc Dubois • C • Capitals

Pierre-Luc Dubois Ready for Training Camp

Washington Capitals center Pierre-Luc Dubois (hand) is healthy and appears to be at 100 percent ahead of training camp, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports. Dubois broke his hand late last season. Due to health issues, the 28-year-old's campaign was frustrating all around, as Dubois appeared in only 29 games. He notched five goals and 14 assists. Across the previous two seasons, Dubois hadn't missed a single game, so hopefully the injury troubles are behind him. Only a year removed from a career year, Dubois remains a name for fantasy managers to watch.

4 days ago

Leon Draisaitl • C • Oilers

Leon Draisaitl Healthy Ahead of New Season

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl is healthy and raring to go ahead of the new NHL season, Shawn P. Roarke of NHL.com reports. The German superstar was banged up during the playoffs and missed a significant chunk of the regular season. Limited to 65 outings, Draisaitl was unable to extend his streak of consecutive 100-point campaigns to five years. He has a chance to start a new run in 2026-27. Since the 2021-22 season, only Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon have recorded more points than Draisaitl. Although he'll be 31 in October, Draisaitl is still performing at his highest level.

4 days ago

Elvis Merzlikins • G • Blue Jackets

Elvis Merzlikins Undergoes Surgery

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins underwent shoulder surgery last week, general manager Don Waddell announced. "Elvis informed us a few weeks ago that he was experiencing some discomfort in his shoulder during his offseason workouts," Waddell said. "Following an MRI, it was determined that surgery was the best course of action. He'll be evaluated again in a few weeks at which time we'll have a clearer idea on when he will be back on the ice." Merzlikins faces a race to be healthy in time for the new season. Columbus opens its training camp on Sept. 16. Phoenix Copley appears poised to serve as the team's No. 2 if Merzlikins is unavailable at the start of the campaign.

4 days ago

Adam Engstrom • D • Canadiens

Canadiens Open to Trading Adam Engstrom

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Adam Engstrom could be on his way elsewhere, The Athletic's Arpon Basu reports. "It is no secret Engstrom's name is floating around out there," Basu wrote. "Teams have asked about him in trade discussions, and the Canadiens are open to those discussions." Engstrom is a highly rated defensive prospect who appeared in his first 15 NHL games last season. He didn't make a significant impact, but Engstrom also had a very limited role, averaging 13:03 of ice time. The Swedish blue-liner boasts impressive scoring numbers in the minors, with 61 points (15 goals, 46 assists) in 111 appearances. He's a pending restricted free agent, finishing a three-year, $2.69 million deal in 2026-27.

Aug 20

Morgan Rielly • D • Maple Leafs

Morgan Rielly Expects to Start Season in Toronto

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly expects to stay with the team for the start of the 2026-27 season, Dave McCarthy of NHL.com reports. Questions have lingered about Rielly's future after Toronto's miserable 2025-26 campaign. Yet he appears set to remain part of the team's core. The 32-year-old has spent his entire 13-year NHL career with the Maple Leafs. Next season, Rielly will aim for a bounce-back campaign after a mediocre 36 points (11 goals, 25 assists) in 78 games. That was his lowest-scoring year since 2020-21. With Darren Raddysh in town, it may be hard for Rielly to reach his previous offensive levels.

Aug 20

Sidney Crosby • C • Penguins

Sidney Crosby Expected to Discuss New Contract Before End of Offseason

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby is currently on track to enter the 2026-27 campaign with an expiring contract. But The Athletic's Josh Yohe reports that Crosby's agent, Pat Brisson, has contract talks planned with the team before the offseason ends. "When I recently spoke with Crosby's agent, Pat Brisson, he said he hadn't discussed the contract with Crosby yet, indicating he was letting his most famous client enjoy his summer before getting back to business," Yohe wrote. "Brisson said there's an understanding that they'll discuss the contract before summer is over. The Penguins' first preseason game is Sept. 21." Crosby signed his previous extension - a two-year, $17.4 million deal - in September 2024, shortly before training camp opened. The legendary forward is entering his 22nd NHL campaign and said at the end of last season that he wants to keep playing for "as many years as possible."

Aug 20

Drake Batherson • RW • Senators

Drake Batherson Seeking Eight-Year Extension

Ottawa Senators winger Drake Batherson hopes to sign an eight-year contract extension, according to Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch. The Senators have until Sept. 15 to sign Batherson to an eight-year deal. When the new collective bargaining agreement takes effect on Sept. 16, the maximum contract length for players signing with their current teams will drop to seven years. Garrioch reported last month that Batherson and the team aren't close to agreeing on a new deal. Batherson is a pending unrestricted free agent. The upcoming campaign will be the final season of his current six-year deal, worth $4.95 million annually. He is likely seeking a significant raise after becoming a 30-goal scorer and posting a career-high 71 points in 2025-26.

Aug 20

Alexander Romanov • D • Islanders

Alexander Romanov Healthy After Shoulder Surgery

New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov (shoulder) is healthy for training camp, Jon Lane of NHL.com reports. The Russian rearguard underwent shoulder surgery in November and played in only 15 games last season. But he has recovered in time for the new campaign. Romanov has averaged 1.9 blocks and 2.4 hits in his NHL career. The Islanders' defense will receive a big boost with him healthy. However, Romanov has never posted more than 22 points in a season, meaning he only has limited fantasy value.

Aug 20

Brad Marchand • LW • Panthers

Brad Marchand Could Miss Start of Season

Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand (lower body) is recovering from offseason surgery and may miss the start of the 2026-27 campaign, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports. According to Richards, Marchand is believed to be dealing with a hip injury and a sports hernia. Health issues limited Marchand to just 52 games last term, and now it appears he could be sidelined at the start of the upcoming season as well. The Panthers will kick off their regular season on Sept. 29, playing on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Aug 17

Jack Roslovic • C • Maple Leafs

Jack Roslovic Excited for New Chapter in Toronto

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jack Roslovic is looking forward to linking up with his new teammates. "A mixture of everything," Roslovic said about his decision to sign with the team during an appearance on TSN's OverDrive. "They've been a team that you could say didn't have their best year last year. But it's a team that's new, it's young, it's vibrant, it's ready to win. A couple of familiar faces around. A really cool, really good style of hockey that's exciting, and I just wanted to be a part of it." Over the last three seasons, Roslovic has played for four NHL teams. He never seems to stick around for long but has been a solid contributor wherever he's been. If Roslovic stays injury-free, a 40-point campaign looks reachable for him in 2026-27.

Aug 14

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