NHL News
Jordan Binnington Takes On Kraken Tuesday
St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington will be in the crease for Tuesday's season opener against the Seattle Kraken. The 31-year-old will look to register a third consecutive win in the matchup. He has a 3-1-0 overall record in his career against Seattle. It's been a good matchup for Binnington, but the Blues are considered underdogs for Tuesday's clash, and the veteran netminder certainly has to be at his best to make a winning start to the new campaign.
0 hour ago
Philipp Grubauer Starts For Kraken On Tuesday
Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer will start Tuesday's season opener against the St. Louis Blues. He gets the nod ahead of Joey Daccord, who outplayed the German last season. Grubauer finished the 2023-24 campaign with a 14-16-2 record. He started the season with four consecutive losses and will look to avoid the same fate in 2024-25. The bookmakers have Seattle as a slight favorite for Tuesday's contest, so Grubauer appears to be in a good position to make a winning start. He boasts a 4-4-2 career record against the Blues.
0 hour ago
Nicolas Aube-Kubel Ruled Out For 3-6 Weeks
Buffalo Sabres right wing Nicolas Aube-Kubel (lower body) has been ruled out for 3-6 weeks. The 28-year-old was injured last week as the Sabres kicked off their 2024-25 NHL campaign with a pair of games against the New Jersey Devils in Europe. Buffalo placed Aube-Kubel on Injured Reserve on Monday. Peyton Krebs replaced him in the lineup at the weekend but skated on the top line in Tuesday's practice. The Sabres also have wingers JJ Peterka (concussion) and Zach Benson (lower body) battling injuries. If at least one of them will be ready to play against Los Angeles on Thursday, Krebs will likely drop back down to the fourth line, where he will have zero fantasy value.
1 hour ago
Jake Guentzel Expected To Play In Season Opener
Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Jake Guentzel (undisclosed) is expected to return to practice on Thursday. He skipped Tuesday's practice session after leaving Monday's practice early due to an unspecified ailment. However, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said that Guentzel was "alright" and would return to practice on Thursday. Cooper also believes he will have the speedy winger available for Friday's season opener against the Carolina Hurricanes. Guentzel is set to star on the first line next to Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov this season.
1 hour ago
Tomas Nosek Remains Week-To-Week
Florida Panthers forward Tomas Nosek (upper body) is still considered week-to-week ahead of Tuesday's regular-season opener against Boston. He landed on Injured Reserve on Monday. Nosek has been out since getting hurt in a preseason contest on Sept. 23. The Czech veteran figures to skate as the fourth-line center once he's healthy again. Jesper Boqvist is set to fill the role against his former team on Tuesday. Jonah Gadjovich and A.J. Greer will join him on the line.
1 hour ago
Sergei Bobrovsky Faces Bruins In Season Opener
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky will start on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. Bobrovsky played a big role in Florida's second-round victory over the Bruins in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, allowing two or fewer goals in five of six games, and he can now frustrate them again on Tuesday night in Florida's season opener. However, the Russian netminder has seen very little success in the matchup during the regular season, going 4-11-4. He lost all four regular-season clashes with the Bruins last term, posting a 3.24 goals-against average with a .871 save percentage.
1 hour ago
Joonas Korpisalo To Start Season Opener
Boston Bruins goaltender Joonas Korpisalo will be between the sticks for Tuesday's season opener against the Florida Panthers. Boston managed to get Jeremy Swayman under a new contract right before the start of the season, but the team has decided to go with Korpisalo for the first game. The Finnish netminder faces a difficult challenge on the road against the defending Stanley Cup champions. Korpisalo has a 3-7-2 career record against the Panthers with a 3.81 goals-against average and a .893 save percentage.
1 hour ago
Macklin Celebrini Expected To Play In Season Opener
San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (lower body) will play in Thursday's season opener against St. Louis, head coach Ryan Warsofsky has confirmed. Celebrini sustained a lower-body injury in a preseason game at the start of the month and has been out of action because of it. However, he will be good to go for his debut on Thursday. The 18-year-old will pick up first-line center duties. Tyler Toffoli and William Eklund skated alongside him in Monday's practice, and it's likely the trio will stick together for Thursday's contest against a Blues team that allowed 3.02 goals per game last season and won't have Torey Krug (ankle) available in defense.
6 hours ago
Artturi Lehkonen To Be Re-Evaluated At The End Of October
Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen (shoulder) will be re-evaluated at the end of the month. The Avalanche have 11 games scheduled for October, starting with Wednesday's regular-season opener against Vegas. With Gabriel Landeskog (knee) and Valeri Nichushkin (suspension) also unavailable, the team's attack is looking quite light behind the top line. The absences could mean a big role for rookie Calum Ritchie right off the bat. He practiced on the second line on Monday and has made the opening night roster.
6 hours ago
Jakub Vrana Signs One-Year Contract With Capitals
Left wing Jakub Vrana has agreed to a one-year contract with the Washington Capitals. The deal is a league minimum of $775,000. Vrana spent training camp and preseason with the Capitals on a professional tryout agreement. It marks a return to D.C. for Vrana, who began his NHL career with the Capitals in 2016-17. He was dealt to the Detroit Red Wings in 2021, and Vrana spent the previous couple of campaigns in the St. Louis Blues organization. The 28-year-old mostly featured in the AHL last season. Vrana's career has been on a downward spiral, but he has previously proven that he can be an impactful player. In 367 career appearances, Vrana has produced 110 goals and 209 points.
6 hours ago
Matthew Poitras Ruled Out For Tuesday
Boston Bruins center Matthew Poitras (undisclosed) has officially been ruled out for Tuesday's season opener against Florida. He was already iffy for the contest with an undisclosed ailment, and the young forward hasn't recovered in time for the first game of the season. However, Poitras practiced on Monday in a non-contact jersey, meaning he should not miss too much action at the start of the campaign. Once he's ready to go, Poitras is expected to center Boston's third line. He won't be a very attractive fantasy piece in the role.
7 hours ago
Brandon Saad Will Miss Season Opener
St. Louis Blues left wing Brandon Saad (personal) will not be in the lineup on Tuesday as the team begins its 2024-25 campaign with a road contest against the Seattle Kraken. Saad hasn't traveled to the game with the team, remaining in St. Louis for the expected arrival of his third child. The Blues also visit San Jose and Vegas in the opening week, and it remains to be seen if Saad will be ready to link up with the team at some point. The veteran is slated to fill a middle-six role for St. Louis this season. Saad notched 26 goals and 42 points in 82 games last term.
7 hours ago
Artemi Panarin Ready To Go For Season Opener
New York Ranger left wing Artemi Panarin (lower body) has said that he will be ready to play in the team's season opener. The Rangers begin the campaign on Wednesday night versus the Pittsburgh Penguins. Panarin's status had been under a question mark after he battled a lower-body injury throughout preseason. The Russian winger has saved some of his best performances for meetings with the Penguins, posting 17 goals and 39 points in 30 career games against them. It's the most goals he has scored against any opposition during his nine-year NHL career.
7 hours ago
Max Pacioretty Signs One-Year Deal With Maple Leafs
Veteran winger Max Pacioretty has signed a one-year, $873,770 contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Pacioretty spent the training camp with the team on a professional tryout contract and will now also start the regular season with the Maple Leafs. Health issues have kept the 35-year-old back in recent campaigns, but he finds himself in a good situation in Toronto. Pacioretty is projected to start the season on the third line, but he should also see action among the top six and will definitely be used on the power play. The Maple Leafs also added Steven Lorentz to their forwards group on a one-year contract on Monday.
7 hours ago
Ryan Lindgren Placed On Injured Reserve
New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren (upper body) will open the season on the injured reserve, according to Arthur Staple of The Athletic. Staple further noted that Lindgren is expected to return within the next ten games. The 26-year-old was already sidelined with the injury for a few weeks and was facing an uphill battle to be ready in time for the season opener. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status but should not expect him to miss any significant period. While Lindgren remains out, K'Andre Miller is a candidate to play on the top pairing with Adam Fox. Lindgren has yet to eclipse the 20-point mark in his five-year NHL career but remains a valuable asset in leagues that score hits and blocked shots, as he tallied 114 and 103, respectively, in the 2023 season.
Yesterday
Yegor Sharangovich Placed On Injured Reserve
Calgary Flames forward Yegor Sharangovich (lower body) was placed on the injured reserve on Monday and was deemed week-to-week. The 26-year-old suffered an injury during Friday's preseason game and will now miss at least the first week of the 2024 regular season. As a result, fantasy managers should expect 19-year-old Samuel Honzek to claim the open spot on the top line, as he was seen doing line rushes with them earlier on Monday. Sharangovich enjoyed a breakout campaign last season as he tallied an impressive 31 goals and 59 points, both career-highs. Honzek is worth a look in deeper formats, as he should be given ample opportunities to succeed while Sharangovich is sidelined.
Yesterday
Boone Jenner To Open Season On Injured Reserve, Could Miss Significant Time
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Boone Jenner (upper body) is expected to be placed on the injured reserve, according to Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers. Scheig further noted that Jenner could miss a significant amount of time. The 31-year-old reportedly suffered the injury during Friday's practice. As a result, fantasy managers should expect 23-year-old Yegor Chinakhov to replace Jenner on the top line. Jenner scored at least 20 goals for the third-straight campaign in 2023 with 35 points. Chinakhov began to emerge in Columbus last season as he scored a career-high 16 goals before suffering a season-ending injury. Chinakhov is worth adding in most formats as he should have a good opportunity to reach the 20-goal mark this season playing on the top line and top power-play unit.
Yesterday
Alex Nedeljkovic Hits Injured Reserve
Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Alex Nedeljkovic (lower body) was placed on the injured reserve earlier on Monday according to Michelle Crechiolo of Pens Inside Scoop. The 28-year-old was deemed week-to-week during the final week of the preseason which could suggest Nedeljkovic could miss some time early on. As a result, rookie Joel Blomqvist made the Opening Night Roster and is set to backup Tristan Jarry. When Nedeljkovic returns, fantasy managers should expect him and Jarry to split time in the crease as they did through most of the 2023 campaign. Blomqvist spent the entire 2023 season in the AHL and performed very well with a 0.921 SV% and a 2.16 GAA. Blomqvist is worth a look in deeper formats as he could make his first NHL start on Thursday evening against the Detroit Red Wings as Jarry will likely get the nod on Wednesday evening in the season opener.
Yesterday
Bryan Rust Opens Season On Injured Reserve
Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (lower body) will open the 2024 season on Injured Reserve, according to Michelle Crechiolo of Pens Inside Scoop. Rust was originally deemed day-to-day during last week's practices but will miss at least the first four games of the season. However, seeing that the injury did not appear to be serious suggests that the 32-year-old could be back on the ice fairly quickly. Rust enjoyed a nice bounce-back campaign last season by scoring 28 goals with 56 points, which was an increase from the 20 goals and 46 points he posted in 2022. While Rust remains sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Anthony Beauvillier to serve as the top right wing alongside Drew O'Connor and Sidney Crosby, which makes him an intriguing streaming option through the first week of the season.
Yesterday
Wyatt Johnston Expected To Play On Thursday
Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston (undisclosed) is expected to play on Thursday night, according to Bruce LeVine of the Dallas Stars. The 21-year-old has been dealing with an undisclosed injury but is expecting to be ready to suit up when the Stars face the Nashville Predators. The former first-round pick took a significant step forward in his sophomore campaign last season, tallying a career-high 32 goals and 65 points. In addition, he averaged two more minutes of playing time every game in relation to his rookie season. Fantasy managers should expect Johnston to open the campaign playing on the top line alongside Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz and seeing top power-play minutes.
Yesterday