NHL Hockey Player News

Despite losing the starting gig to Anton Forsberg late last season, Darcy Kuemper is expected to start Los Angeles' season opener on Wednesday in Colorado. The 36-year-old struggled toward the end of last season, posting an .853 SV% and a 2-1-5 record in the final eight games of the season, but will look to start a new chapter in 2026-27, his third season with the Kings. He draws the tough task of the Avalanche in Colorado on Wednesday, the same team Kuemper won a Stanley Cup with in 2021-22.

Domi failed his preseason physical after offseason lower-body surgery and was placed on LTIR on Wednesday, saving the Maple Leafs $3.75 million in cap space. Domi appeared in 80 games for Toronto in 2025-26, picking up 12 goals, 36 points and 95 PIMs. He is without a timeline to return.

Edmundson missed Los Angeles' final preaseason game due to an undisclosed injury and his status for opening night was up in the air before the Kings announced Wednesday that he is healthy and ready to go vs. Colorado. The 33-year-old is entering his 12th NHL season and will be looking for another strong defensive campaign after putting up two goals, 23 points and a +14 plus/minus across 82 games last year.

Duchene is doubtful for the Stars' season opener vs. St. Louis after he had a setback from an earlier preseason upper-body injury and is back in Dallas' maintenance program. The 35-year-old missed 25 games last season due to injury but still managed a solid 16 goals and 45 points across 57 games played.

New Jersey will be without one of their key wingers for at least the first two games of the season after the team announced Wednesday that Connor Brown was dealing with a lower-body ailment. The 32-year-old is entering his second season in New Jersey after a successful first campaign in 2025-26 that saw him put up 18 goals, 43 points and 116 SOG across 75 games played.

Burakovsky suffered an upper-body injury in Ottawa's final preseason game and is not unlikely to dress for the Seantors' opening season game vs. Toronto on Saturday. The 31-year-old veteran was acquired in a trade with Chicago in the offseason and is entering the final year of a five-year, $27.5 million contract. He had 11 goals and 33 points in 75 games played last season with the Blackhawks.

Sanderson has missed the Senators last few morning practices but skated on Wednesday and is hopeful to play in Ottawa's season opener vs. Toronto on Saturday. The 24-year-old fifth-year defenseman is expected to play a huge part on Ottawa's blueline and power play yet again this season after putting up 14 goals, 54 points and 147 SOG across 67 games played while averaging 24:50 TOI.

Blackwood will get the first shot at the Avalanches' crease on Wednesday after a strong offseason battle between him and Scott Wedgewood. The 29-year-old missed the start of 2025-26 due to a lower-body injury and was never able to truly reclaim the crease back even after posting a 23-10-2 record alongside his 2.51 GAA and .904 SV%. He hosts the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, who closed out 2025-26 29th in the NHL in goals for with 220.

For a second straight season, Arturs Silovs will be Pittsburgh's opening night starter as they take on the Flyers in Philadelphia on Wednesday. The 25-year-old goalie is entering his second full season with Pittsburgh after an up-and-down 2025-26 season that saw him post a 19-12-8 record, 3.07 GAA and .888 SV% across 38 starts. He will head to Philadelphia for an interstate battle vs. the rival Flyers, who finished 2025-26 tied with the Penguins with 98 points and a 43-27-12 record.

Samuelsson was originally announced as week-to-week with a lower-body injury, but seems to be on the shorter end of the recovery timetable after the Sabres announced Wednesday that he has a chance to appear in their season opener vs. Columbus on Thursday. The 26-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2025-26, putting up career highs in nearly all statistical categories with his 14-goal, 41-point line across 78 games played to go alongside his +41 plus/minus.

Zellweger will miss Buffalo's opening night matchup vs. Columbus but has a chance to return for the teams home opener on Saturday vs. Chicago. The 23-year-old was acquired from Anaheim in the offseason and is recovering from a concussion sustained in the preseason. He is expected to be a key part of Buffalo's defensive unit this season after putting up seven goals, 22 points and 34 PIMs in 76 GP with Anaheim last season.

With Terry's return not scheduled until mid-November at the earliest, the Anaheim Ducks have placed the 29-year-old winger on LTIR to start the season with a hip injury. Terry is entering his 10th NHL season and has not appeared in fewer than 60 games in any of the last five seasons. He enjoyed an impressive, yet shortened campaign in 2025-26, with 19 goals and 57 points across 61 games played.