NHL News

Anthony Mantha • RW • Flames

Flames Want Anthony Mantha To Shoot More This Season

Calgary Flames right wing Anthony Mantha will be expected to fire off a lot more shots in 2024-25. "He's got a rocket of a shot," Flames head coach Ryan Huska said. "I asked him to shoot more if he's gonna play with Huby (Jonathan Huberdeau). Huby's a pass-first guy, as we know. So, I want him to be ready to shoot. We feel like if he has the mindset of, 'I've got to get up to 300 shots,' which is a lot of shots, then he's gonna score some goals because he's naturally talented that way." Mantha's single-season record for shots on goal stands at 198, and he has averaged around 2.3 shots per game for his career. The 30-year-old has struggled in recent campaigns but could have a career year in Calgary if things work out as Huska envisions.

2 hours ago

Tomás Nosek • LW • Panthers

Tomas Nosek Injured In Preseason Game

Florida Panthers forward Tomas Nosek left Sunday's preseason contest against Nashville with an undisclosed injury. He crashed hard into the boards and needed help to get off the ice. Nosek exited the contest after logging only four shifts and 2:27 of ice time. The Czech veteran joined the Stanley Cup champions on a one-year, $775,000 deal, giving the team a solid extra bottom-six option. Nosek has tallied 107 points (44 goals, 63 assists) in 434 career games with an impressive 54.4 faceoff winning percentage.

2 hours ago

Pavel Buchnevich • LW • Blues

Pavel Buchnevich Nursing Foot Injury

St. Louis Blues winger Pavel Buchnevich (foot) missed practice on Sunday after getting injured in Saturday's preseason contest against Dallas. Buchnevich got hurt when he blocked a shot with his foot. He managed to finish the game, so it looks like Buchnevich isn't seriously hurt, but he was kept off the ice on Sunday. The Blues have no practice scheduled for Monday, giving Buchnevich two rest days to get better. After averaging more than a point per game in two consecutive seasons, Buchnevich took a step back in 2023-24 with 63 points (27 goals, 36 assists) in 80 appearances. He'll aim to bounce back this season as a pivotal part of the Blues' attack.

3 hours ago

Arthur Kaliyev • RW • Kings

Arthur Kaliyev Ruled Out Indefinitely With Fractured Clavicle

Los Angeles Kings right wing Arthur Kaliyev has been ruled out indefinitely after suffering a fractured clavicle. Kaliyev was hurt on Day 2 of training camp Friday. These types of injuries typically take at least 10 weeks to heal, meaning Kaliyev is looking at a multi-month absence. Los Angeles is forced to start the season without a player who has averaged close to 0.4 points per game for his career while mostly filling a fourth-line role. It was a down year for Kaliyev in 2023-24, however, as the 23-year-old finished with 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 51 games.

3 hours ago

Evander Kane • LW • Oilers

Evander Kane Out Until 2025

Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane (sports hernia) is not expected to be available until January or February after undergoing surgery, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. Kane had the procedure done on Friday in New York City. He needed to have repairs done on two torn hip adductor muscles, two hernias, and two torn lower abdominal muscles. All of the injuries came as a result of Kane playing through a sports hernia in 2023-24. Kane's absence leaves the Oilers without an important top-six piece, but the team has added quality to its attack in the summer with the additions of Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson. Both players look set to play an important role for Edmonton right off the bat with Kane unavailable.

3 hours ago

Alex Ovechkin • LW • Capitals

Alex Ovechkin Takes Skate Test On Saturday

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (undisclosed) was able to take his skate test and practiced with the team on Saturday. He initially sat out the test on Thursday as the Capitals captain was dealing with a minor injury he suffered during the offseason. With a few weeks still to go until the team's regular-season opener, there doesn't appear to be too much concern regarding Ovechkin's health. The Capitals begin the action on Oct. 12 versus the New Jersey Devils.

Yesterday

Erik Haula • LW • Devils

Erik Haula Battling An Illness

New Jersey Devils forward Erik Haula (illness) hasn't been available for the first few days of training camp because he is feeling under the weather. Haula is a savvy veteran who can be used throughout the lineup, and he has been posting solid but unspectacular numbers throughout his 11-year NHL career. Last season, the 33-year-old came close to registering his third consecutive 40-point campaign, as he popped up with 16 goals and had 19 assists in 76 contests. Haula should be a decent contributor again for the Devils in 2024-25 as a middle-six piece in the attack.

Yesterday

Arthur Kaliyev • RW • Kings

Arthur Kaliyev Expected To Miss Several Months With Upper-Body Injury

Los Angeles Kings right wing Arthur Kaliyev (upper body) is expected to miss several months of action after getting hurt in practice on Friday. Kaliyev, who had just re-signed to a one-year deal earlier in the week, suffered an upper-body injury on a hit and may need surgery. The 23-year-old posted 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 51 appearances last season and has been a solid contributor in limited playing time for the Kings, with 71 points (35 goals, 36 assists) collected in 188 career games.

Yesterday

Ville Heinola • D • Jets

Ville Heinola Might Miss Extended Time Due To Ankle Issue

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Ville Heinola (ankle) is in danger of missing significant time due to an infection in his surgically repaired ankle. Heinola broke his ankle in the team's final preseason game a year ago. The 23-year-old missed the entire 2023-24 campaign, and it looks like Heinola could be absent for a large chunk of 2024-25 as well. Heinola made his NHL debut in 2020-21 after being the 20th pick in the 2019 draft. He has skated in 35 regular-season contests, registering one goal and 10 assists.

Yesterday

Dylan Guenther • RW • Hockey Club

Dylan Guenther Locked Up For Eight Years By Utah

Utah Hockey Club right wing Dylan Guenther has signed an eight-year extension worth around $57 million. Starting next season, his contract will have a cap hit of just over $7.14 million. Guenther, who was the ninth pick in the 2021 draft, signed a big extension despite only featuring in 78 NHL games so far. He has registered 24 goals and 26 assists. However, the franchise appears to have massive faith in him, with general manager Bill Armstrong calling Guenther "elite in every aspect on and off the ice." The 21-year-old winger figures to start the season on the second line and should get a lot of burn on the power play.

Yesterday

Dawson Mercer • C • Devils

Dawson Mercer Signs Three-Year Contract With Devils

New Jersey Devils forward Dawson Mercer has signed a three-year, $12 million deal with the team. The 22-year-old was a restricted free agent. Mercer has enjoyed a fine start to his NHL career in New Jersey, logging 131 points (64 goals, 67 assists) across 246 games. He notched 20 goals with 13 assists in 82 appearances last season. Mercer, who was a first-round pick in 2020, has yet to miss a game with the Devils since making his debut in 2021-22, setting a new franchise record for most consecutive games played to start an NHL career. We should see Mercer regularly in the top six and on the power play in 2024-25.

Yesterday

Brett Pesce • D • Devils

Brett Pesce Considered Week-To-Week

New Jersey Devils defenseman Brett Pesce (lower leg) is considered week-to-week as he continues to progress from a fractured fibula. The 29-year-old suffered the injury early into the playoffs last season. Following nine campaigns with the Carolina Hurricanes, Pesce signed a six-year, $33 million deal with the Devils this summer. He will occupy a top-four spot in New Jersey, but Pesce has never put up big numbers offensively and he doesn't really do enough defensively either to be considered a must-have fantasy piece.

3 days ago

Thatcher Demko • G • Canucks

Thatcher Demko Unsure If He Will Be Ready For Start Of Season

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (knee) is progressing but isn't sure if he will be ready to play when the team opens the season on Oct. 9 versus Calgary. Speaking to the media on Thursday, Demko said he doesn't have a timeline for his return but is on a "great trajectory" right now. The 28-year-old has been nursing a knee issue since getting hurt in Vancouver's playoff opener in April. Arturs Silovs is set to begin the year as the Canucks' No. 1 if Demko doesn't recover in time for the season opener.

3 days ago

Oliver Bjorkstrand • RW • Kraken

Oliver Bjorkstrand Good To Go For Start Of Season

Seattle Kraken right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand (undisclosed) is fully healthy for the start of the 2024-25 NHL season. The Danish winger was hurt playing for his country in Olympic qualifiers a few weeks ago, but he has shaken off the problem ahead of training camp. Bjorkstrand has been one of the Kraken's most consistent players and should be good for 50-plus points again in 2024-25. He enjoyed a career year last term with a 59-point effort across 82 games. The 29-year-old finished second in scoring and led the team with a career-high 39 assists and 25 power-play points.

3 days ago

Rasmus Dahlin • D • Sabres

Rasmus Dahlin To Miss "A Few Days"

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (undisclosed) has escaped serious injury and will be out for only a short while. Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff announced that Dahlin will miss "a few days of practice" after getting hurt during the team's first practice session in training camp on Wednesday. Dahlin was injured at the start of the session while attempting a pass. The Swedish blue-liner has developed into one of the top defensemen in the NHL and looks primed for another big campaign in 2024-25.

3 days ago

John Marino • D • Hockey Club

John Marino Out Week-To-Week

Utah Hockey Club defenseman John Marino (upper body) wasn't on the ice Thursday when the team began its training camp and is considered week-to-week. Utah picked up Marino from New Jersey in the summer, but his attempt to find some chemistry with his new teammates ahead of the 2024-25 campaign has hit a roadblock due to an upper-body injury. After starting out in Pittsburgh, Marino played two seasons with the Devils. He recorded 25 points (four goals, 21 assists) across 75 appearances last term, adding 89 blocks on the defensive end. Marino is projected to play on the second defensive pairing once he's healthy enough to join the lineup.

3 days ago

Nick Bjugstad • C • Hockey Club

Nick Bjugstad Considered Week-To-Week

Utah Hockey Club center Nick Bjugstad (upper body) isn't available for the start of training camp and is considered week-to-week. The versatile forward could also miss the start of the regular season due to an upper-body injury. Bjugstad is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. He notched 22 goals and 45 points in 76 games with 118 hits in 2023-24. The 32-year-old should be a two-way force again as a middle-six forward in 2024-25, but Bjugstad has to get healthy first.

3 days ago

Kaiden Guhle • D • Canadiens

Kaiden Guhle Out At Least One Week After Appendix Removal

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle underwent appendix surgery Wednesday and will be re-evaluated in seven days. Guhle is looking at an opportunity to take up a big role on the Canadiens blue line in 2024-25, but his preparations for the new campaign have suffered a slight blow. Once he's healthy again, Guhle is expected to partner Mike Matheson on the first defensive pairing. He enjoyed a career year last season with 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) in 70 games and should improve further with extra usage.

3 days ago

Moritz Seider • D • Red Wings

Moritz Seider Inks Seven-Year Deal With Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider has signed a seven-year extension worth nearly $60 million. Seider, who was a restricted free agent, will carry a cap hit of $8.55 million going forward. The German blue-liner entered the league with a bang and won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie in 2021-22 with a 50-point effort. He has posted 42 points in each of the last two campaigns. In 2023-24, Seider produced nine goals and 33 assists while racking up 213 blocks and 211 hits. Seider's durability -- he has yet to miss a game in his NHL career -- and two-way ability make him a very valuable asset in fantasy hockey.

3 days ago

Robin Lehner • G • Golden Knights

Robin Lehner Misses Mandatory Medical Exam

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner (hip) may have his contract terminated by the team after he missed his mandatory medical exam ahead of training camp on Wednesday. A preseason medical exam was required to confirm Lehner's medical inability to play the 2024-25 campaign. He has already been unavailable for two seasons and likely has played his final NHL game after having hip surgery in August 2022. Lehner is set to enter the final season of a five-year, $25 million contract he signed with the Golden Knights in 2020. Vegas owes the Swedish netminder $4.5 million in salary for the final year, which Lehner would lose in case of a contract termination.

4 days ago

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