NHL Hockey Player News

Jordan Binnington led the Blues to their first Stanley Cup in the 2018-19 season, but he has struggled to perform at a consistently high level. Last season, the Blues gave an increased workload to Joel Hofer, who eventually outplayed Binnington in the latter half of the season and earned more playing time. The 26-year-old Hofer posted a solid 2.61 GAA, .909 SV%, and six shutouts in 46 appearances (24-13-5). The Blues are making a statement in their 2026-27 season opener, turning to Hofer and giving him a chance to make the crease his. The Blues enter Friday's contest as +161 road underdogs against the Dallas Stars.

Jeremy Swayman had a miserable 2024-25 season after signing a massive eight-year contract extension, posting an ugly 3.11 GAA and .892 SV% in 58 games (22-29-7). There were concerns in the organization regarding the contract, but he followed that up with a solid 2025-26 season, posting a 2.71 GAA and .907 SV% in 55 games (31-18-4). Now, the 27-year-old goalie seems to be continuing his upward trajectory, opening the 2026-27 season with a stellar 24-save shutout in a 3-0 win over the New York Rangers. The Bruins enter the action on Friday as slight +104 road underdogs against the Winnipeg Jets.

With Tyler Tucker (lower body) and Logan Mailloux (right hand) sidelined indefinity, the Blues will expedite their timeline for prospect Adam Jiricek. The 20-year-old Czech defenseman, Jiricek, was drafted 16th overall by the Blues in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. He spent last season in the OHL, where he tallied 59 points (19G / 40A) in 55 games for the Brantford Bulldogs.

Jordan Binnington led the Blues to their first Stanley Cup in the 2018-19 season, but he has struggled to perform at a consistently high level. Last season, the Blues gave an increased workload to Joel Hofer, who eventually outplayed Binnington in the latter half of the season and earned more playing time. The 26-year-old Hofer posted a solid 2.61 GAA, .909 SV%, and six shutouts in 46 appearances (24-13-5). The Blues are making a statement in their 2026-27 season opener, turning to Hofer and giving him a chance to make the crease his. The Blues enter Friday's contest as +161 road underdogs against the Dallas Stars.

Sorokin was serviceable in his season-opening performance, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%), but fell short in a 2-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 31-year-old goalie had an up-and-down 2025-26 season under Head Coach Patrick Roy, posting a 2.68 GAA and .906 SV% in 55 games (29-24-2), and will hope to find more consistency under new bench boss Pete DeBoer. The Islanders enter Saturday's action at home with -105 odds against the New Jersey Devils.

Ufko skated in Nashville's season opener alongside Roman Josi, but he was quickly assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL). The 23-year-old defenseman spent most of the 2025-26 season in the AHL, where he impressed, scoring 44 points (11G / 33A) in 52 games with Milwaukee.

Sanderson participated sparingly in training camp, but has returning the practicing that last couple of days. That said, he status for Saturday's season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs remains uncertain. 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.

Foegele failed to appear in any of Ottawa's preseason games, but is expected to play in their season opener on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 30-year-old left-winger is entering his 10th NHL season and first full season in Ottawa after picking up six goals, eight points and 27 SOG in 21 games with the Senators after being acquired from Los Angeles at last years' trade deadline.

The Stars have complemented Oettinger with a strong backup in Casey DeSmith, easing the pressure of a heavy workload, but that translated into career-worst totals for Oettinger last season. The 27-year-old American goalie posted a 2.59 GAA and a subpar .899 SV% last season in 54 games (35-12-6). Oettinger should continue to pile up wins in 2026-27, with the Stars a strong team, but it's unclear whether he will challenge the league's best netminders with an improved save percentage. The Stars enter their season opener as -180 home favourites against the St. Louis Blues.

Sorokin was serviceable in his season-opening performance, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%), but fell short in a 2-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 31-year-old goalie had an up-and-down 2025-26 season under Head Coach Patrick Roy, posting a 2.68 GAA and .906 SV% in 55 games (29-24-2), and will hope to find more consistency under new bench boss Pete DeBoer. The Islanders enter Saturday's action at home with -105 odds against the New Jersey Devils.

With a highly publicized trade request keeping three-time Vezina-winning goalie Connor Hellebuyck out of the lineup, the Jets will rely on Stuart Skinner to open their season against the Boston Bruins. Skinner was highly scrutinized during his time with the Edmonton Oilers, but had a fresh start last year in a mid-season trade to the Pittsburgh Penguins. That said, the 27-year-old goalie's struggles continued in Pittsburgh, posting a 2.99 GAA and .885 SV% in 27 outings (12-9-5). The Jets enter Friday as slight -117 home favourites against the Bruins.

The Hurricanes were pretty liberal with their goalie rotation last season, and that's likely to be the case again in 2026-27, with a tandem of Brandon Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov. That said, it's hard to question Head Coach Rod Brind'Amour returning to Bussi for consecutive games after an impressive opening-night performance, saving 19 of 20 shots (.950 SV%) in a 1-0 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers. The Hurricanes enter Friday's contest as -141 home favourites against the Washington Capitals.

The Red Wings came close to ending a decade-long playoff drought last season, thanks to an impressive stretch run by John Gibson, and they will need him to do it again in 2026-27 if they want to be competitive. The 33-year-old Gibson, a 13-year-old NHL veteran, has long been a talented goalie, but has had the misfortune of being surrounded by struggling teams, which will likely be the case again in Detroit. Last season, he posted a 2.72 GAA and .901 SV% in 57 appearances (29-22-4). The Red Wings enter their season opener as -125 home favourites against a New York Rangers team coming off an impressive 5-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning yesterday.

Forsling was a late scratch on Thursday in San Jose but head coach Paul Maurice said he could play as early as next game. Uvis Balinskis replaced him on Thursday and would remain in the lineup in Anaheim if Forsling can't play.

Barkov immediately left Thursday's game in San Jose after suffering an apparent leg injury after getting tangled up in the corner. Head coach Paul Maurice said that the injury is "not related to his injury last year at all," and added that they'll have a "good idea by tomorrow afternoon." Barkov will be evaluated in California and an update should be provided ahead of Sunday's game in Anaheim.

Lankinen struggled in Vancouver's season opener, allowing five goals on 37 shots (.865 SV%), but got plenty of help in an eventual 6-5 overtime win over the Edmonton Oilers. The Canucks will likely need Lankinen to be more stoic between the pipes on Thursday in a rematch against the Oilers. Expectations are low for the Canucks this season, but Lankinen will hope to improve on last season's ugly 3.70 GAA and .876 SV% in 47 outings (11-27-5). The Canucks enter the action as +187 home underdogs.

Vejmelka was a busy goalie last season, and he should continue that role in 2026-27, as his backup is Sebastian Cossa, who, while he has a promising future, has only one career NHL appearance. The 30-year-old Vejmelka led the Mammoth to the playoffs last season, appearing in 64 games (38-20-3), posting a 2.75 GAA and .896 SV%. The Mammoth enter their season opener on Thursday as sizeable -219 home favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks team that lost 5-2 on Tuesday to the Vegas Golden Knights.