NHL Hockey Player News

To no one's surprise, Ilya Sorokin was the first goalie off the ice at New York's final preseason practice, suggesting the 31-year-old will be the Islanders' opening-night starter when they take on the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Wednesday. Sorokin is entering his seventh NHL season and sixth as New York's starting netminder after posting a 29-24-2 record last season, along with a 2.68 GAA, .906 SV%, and league-leading seven shutouts.

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.

In his rookie season in 2024-25, Wolf finished as the runner-up for the Calder Trophy after posting an impressive 2.64 GAA and .910 SV% in 53 games (29-16-8). That said, he took a disappointing step back in 2025-26, as did his entire Flames team, posting a subpar 3.01 GAA and .899 SV% in 57 outings (23-29-3). The 25-year-old goalie will hope to rebound in 2026-27, starting with the season opener on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. The Flames enter the action with even -105 odds at home.

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.