NHL News
Jack Hughes Grabs Two Assists In Saturday's Win
New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes played his part in Saturday's 3-1 win over Buffalo with two assists. After going scoreless in the season opener on Friday in the same matchup, Hughes notched a pair of third-period assists. He helped Paul Cotter and Timo Meier on the score sheet. Hughes himself finished without a goal despite sending six efforts on the net. If he stays clear of injuries, we could see a 100-point campaign by Hughes this season. He was only one point short of it a couple of years back and averaged enough points to have been around the plateau again last term if he hadn't missed 20 games.
4 hours ago
Seamus Casey Fires In First Career Goal
New Jersey Devils defenseman Seamus Casey notched his first career goal and point as the team defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-1 in Czechia on Saturday. Casey tied the game with a power-play goal in the second period. He finished with two total shots and registered one block across 12:09 of action. Casey logged 3:03 with the man advantage. The games in Prague were Casey's first NHL appearances after he made the roster due to Luke Hughes' (shoulder) absence. He was highly productive in college, and it appears as though Casey won't have problems making a mark in the NHL, either.
4 hours ago
Tage Thompson Scores Lone Sabres Goal On Saturday
Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson provided the lone goal in Saturday's 3-1 defeat against the New Jersey Devils. He gave the Sabres the lead at the 8:18 mark in the second period, but the team's offense was lacking again, and Buffalo couldn't avenge Friday's 4-1 defeat. Thompson registered his first point of the year on Saturday and produced six shots on goal with a minus-one rating across this week's two games in Prague. He will be hoping to have a bounce-back campaign as Buffalo's first-line center. After flirting with the 100-point mark in 2022-23, Thompson tallied only 56 points (29 goals, 27 assists) in 71 outings last term.
4 hours ago
Kevin Labanc Inks One-Year Contract With Blue Jackets
Winger Kevin Labanc has signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was a free agent after spending eight seasons with the San Jose Sharks. Columbus snapped up Labanc following a hugely impressive spell he had during the preseason with the New Jersey Devils. The 28-year-old tallied six goals and seven points across four preseason appearances. Since making his debut in 2016-17, Labanc has totaled 225 points (82 goals, 143 assists) in 478 regular-season games. However, he posted only nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 46 games with the Sharks last season.
4 hours ago
Tanner Pearson Signs One-Year Deal With Golden Knights
Veteran winger Tanner Pearson has inked a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Vegas Golden Knights. The 32-year-old earned the deal after impressing in preseason while on a professional tryout contract. Pearson has produced two goals and three points in four preseason outings with the Golden Knights. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect the same level of productivity from Pearson during the regular season. However, it's nice to see the veteran getting another opportunity in the league after running into serious health issues a couple of years back. Pearson has skated in only 68 games across the previous two campaigns, recording 18 points (six goals, 12 assists).
5 hours ago
Jack Campbell Enters Player Assistance Program
Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jack Campbell has entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program and will be out indefinitely. After Edmonton bought out the final three seasons of his five-year, $25 million deal, Campbell signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Red Wings in the summer but was expected to start the campaign in the AHL. Detroit has stocked up on goalies, with Alex Lyon, Ville Husso, and Cam Talbot also options between the pipes. It's been a rough couple of seasons for Campbell in the NHL, but he carries a strong 93-52-18 career record.
5 hours ago
Nicolas Aube-Kubel Out With A Lower-Body Injury
Buffalo Sabres right wing Nicolas Aube-Kubel (lower body) sat out Saturday's rematch with the New Jersey Devils. Aube-Kubel suffered a lower-body injury against the Devils on Friday, missing the third period. Peyton Krebs filled in for Aube-Kubel on the fourth line in Saturday's 3-1 loss, recording one shot on goal and one hit across 14:11 of action. He could remain in the spot when Buffalo resumes the action on Thursday versus the L.A. Kings. Krebs finished last season with 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) in 80 games while averaging 12:30 of ice time.
5 hours ago
Zach Benson Nursing A Lower-Body Injury
Buffalo Sabres winger Zach Benson missed Saturday's meeting with New Jersey due to a lower-body injury. The 19-year-old managed to log 17:23 of ice time when the teams opened the 2024-25 NHL campaign on Friday in Prague, but he was taken out of the lineup for Saturday's rematch. Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff told reporters that Benson played through the injury on Friday. Benson enjoyed a 30-point rookie campaign last season, making 71 appearances. Jiri Kulich replaced him on the second line on Saturday. It's currently unclear if Benson will be ready to return to the lineup when the Sabres face the Los Angeles Kings in their next game on Thursday.
5 hours ago
JJ Peterka Diagnosed With A Concussion
Buffalo Sabres winger JJ Peterka has been diagnosed with a concussion. He was injured in the first period of Saturday's 3-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils. Peterka was forced to exit the contest in the first period after absorbing a big hit from Devils defenseman Brenden Dillon. The young forward kicked off the campaign on the top line and notched an assist in Friday's season-opening 4-1 loss to the Devils. Considering the nature of the injury, it's unclear when Peterka will be able to return to the lineup. Jordan Greenway replaced him on the first line on Saturday. Jason Zucker and Jiri Kulich are also candidates to move up in the lineup during Peterka's absence. Buffalo returns to action on Thursday versus Los Angeles.
5 hours ago
Macklin Celebrini To Miss Saturday's Action
San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (lower body) will not play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Vegas Golden Knights. The rookie phenom has battled a lower-body injury this week after getting hurt in a meeting with Utah on Tuesday. There's still some time left for Celebrini to get healthy for the season opener, as San Jose won't be in action until Thursday. Celebrini is considered a Calder Trophy favorite this season, along with Philadelphia forward Matvei Michkov. Assuming he doesn't run into serious health problems, Celebrini should have no issues getting around the 60-point mark.
5 hours ago
Calle Jarnkrok Sits Out Preseason Finale
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Calle Jarnkrok (lower body) will not play against Detroit in Saturday's preseason finale. After sustaining a lower-body injury early in preseason, Jarnkrok returned to action Thursday versus Detroit, but he will miss the rematch after re-injuring himself. Following Thursday's game, Jarnkrok was held out of Friday's practice and was labeled as day-to-day. He needs to get healthy by Wednesday if he doesn't want to miss the season opener. Jarnkrok will fill a middle-six position in the Maple Leafs attack once he's cleared to return.
6 hours ago
John Tavares Returns To Maple Leafs Lineup Saturday
Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares (lower body) will return to the lineup for Saturday's preseason finale against Detroit. The former Maple Leafs captain has been troubled by a lower-body injury lately, missing a week of action. Tavares' return on Saturday signals that he will also be good to go for the regular-season opener. The veteran star will have plenty to prove this season after having a down year last term. He's expected to start the campaign on the second line with Max Domi and William Nylander. Tavares should also get heavy usage on the top power-play unit.
6 hours ago
Jake McCabe Sitting Out In Preseason Finale, Labeled As Day-To-Day
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe (upper body) will not play in the preseason finale on Saturday evening and remains day-to-day heading into the opening week of the season, according to Nick Barden of TNH Toronto. McCabe sat out during Friday's skate and is now in danger of missing the season opener on Wednesday evening. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, as he should be in line to slot in on the second defensive pair. Last season, McCabe tallied a career-high eight goals and 28 points. McCabe remains a solid pick late in drafts in category leagues that score hits and blocked shots, as he logged over 200 hits for the first time in his career last season, along with a solid 129 blocks.
11 hours ago
Thomas Chabot, Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle Return To Practice
Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot (undisclosed) and forwards Brady Tkachuk (upper body) and Tim Stutzle (upper body) returned to practice earlier this week and could play in one of the final preseason games this weekend, according to Claire Hanna of TSN Sports. Hanna noted that head coach Travis Green said he is not "overly concerned" with their status. This is an excellent sign as all three skaters are on track to be ready for the season opener on Thursday when they host the Stanley Cup Champion, Florida Panthers. Both Tkachuk and Stutzle are slated to play on the top line alongside Claude Giroux, while Chabot will play on the second pair with Nick Jensen to open the season.
11 hours ago
JJ Peterka Leaves Saturday's Game Early
Buffalo Sabres forward JJ Peterka (upper body) left Saturday's game early with an injury. In the opening period, the 22-year-old took a hard hit from New Jersey defenseman Brenden Dillon and remained down on the ice before leaving the game. Peterka tallied an assist in the season opener on Friday afternoon on a goal scored by Owen Power and once again started on the top line on Saturday afternoon. Fantasy managers should monitor the 22-year-old's status before their next game on Thursday evening when they host the Nashville Predators. If Peterka were to miss an extended period, Jordan Greenway or Jason Zucker are candidates to slot in as the top left wing.
11 hours ago
Yegor Sharangovich Suffers Injury On Friday Evening
Calgary Flames forward Yegor Sharangovich (undisclosed) suffered an injury during Friday's preseason finale. Wes Gilbertson of Postmedia reported that the 26-year-old took an awkward fall late into the final period of the game and did not return after. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status ahead of the season opener on Wednesday evening when they face the Vancouver Canucks. The former fifth-round pick performed very well in his Calgary debut last season as he tallied a career-high 31 goals and 59 total points. When he returns to the ice, he should be expected to start on the top line alongside Nazem Kadri and Andrei Kuzmenko.
11 hours ago
Erik Karlsson Will Play In Season Opener
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (upper body) will be "ready to go" for the season opener on Wednesday evening, according to Rob Rossi of The Athletic. Karlsson was battling an upper-body injury and remained sidelined through the majority of training camp. The 34-year-old returned to practice earlier on Saturday and was able to participate in full. This is an excellent sign for the three-time Norris Trophy winner, as he should rejoin the starting lineup just in time for the season opener on Wednesday when the Penguins host the New York Rangers. In his first season in the Steel City, Karlsson only found the back of the net 11 times and tallied 45 assists, a stark contrast to the 101 points he tallied the year prior. However, fantasy managers should expect the 34-year-old to produce elite offensive numbers from the blue line this season despite his underwhelming Pittsburgh debut.
12 hours ago
Nicholas Robertson Day-To-Day With Injury
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nicholas Robertson (upper body) is day-to-day with an injury, according to Dave Alter of The Hockey News. Robertson was seen during Saturday's practice, which is a good sign the injury is not serious, but he will sit out in Saturday's preseason finale out of precaution. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the 23-year-old's status ahead of their season opener on Wednesday evening against the Montreal Canadians. After playing in only 15 games in the 2022 season, the former second-round pick took a significant step forward last season as he logged 56 games with 14 goals and 13 assists. Robertson originally requested a trade earlier in the offseason but then inked a one-year agreement earlier in September, which suggests that he will suit up for his fifth season in Toronto in 2024.
12 hours ago
Boone Jenner Suffers Upper-Body Injury During Friday's Practice
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Boone Jenner (upper body) suffered an injury during Friday's practice, according to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic. The Blue Jackets captain was hit hard along the boards and had to leave the ice. The 31-year-old should be considered day-to-day for the time being, as he has not been ruled out for the season opener on Thursday evening against the Minnesota Wild; however, he was kept off the starting lineup during Friday's preseason game out of precaution. Last season, Jenner hit the 20-goal mark for the third-straight campaign but saw his overall offensive output drop as he tallied only 35 points, his lowest in the past three years. Fantasy managers should expect Jenner to serve as the starting left wing on the top line alongside Sean Monahan and Krill Marchenko.
Yesterday
William Karlsson Remains Questionable For Season Opener
Vegas Golden Knights forward William Karlsson (undisclosed) will not play in the preseason finale on Saturday and remains questionable for the season opener on Wednesday evening. Karlsson has remained sidelined during practices since the end of September with an undisclosed injury. At first, the 31-year-old was sidelined for maintenance purposes, but seeing that his absence has continued to extend suggests it may be more serious than originally expected. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Karlsson's status ahead of their regular season opener. The center enjoyed an excellent 2023 campaign, scoring 30 goals (his highest mark since 2017) with 30 assists. When he returns, Karlsson should be expected to have a permanent role within the Vegas top 6.
Yesterday
