NHL Hockey Player News

Saros has not participated in the last two practices for the Predators due to a lower-body injury, resulting in the club calling up Matt Murray from the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL). Despite the call-up, Saros' injury does not appear to be overly concerning, and he was questionable for the season opener on Thursday against the Dallas Stars up until puck drop. Saros finished fifth in Vezina-trophy voting last season with a 2.86 GAA and 906 SV% in 64 appearances (35-24-5).

Benson played 17:23 TOI in Buffalo's season debut on Friday as part of the NHL Global Series in Prague but was unavailable for their contest on Saturday due to a lower-body injury. The 19-year-old Benson appeared in 71 games in 2023-24 and picked up 11 goals and 30 points.

Kaiser was absent from the first game of the season for the Blackhawks due to an illness but will likely be inserted back into the lineup shortly. The 22-year-old defenseman played 32 games with the Blackhawks last season, tallying seven points (0G / 7A), 46 blocks, and 22 hits.

Marino was acquired in a trade from the New Jersey Devils in the offseason but has not been able insert himself into the mix for the Utah Hockey Club just yet. The 27-year-old Marino was absent from training camp due to an upper-body injury and is still likely several weeks away from returning. Marino is joining his third NHL franchise and had four goals, 25 points, 41 PIMs and 57 SOG in 75 games played with New Jersey in 2023-24.

Hatakka suffered an injury in preseason that ultimately resulted in undergoing shoulder surgery. The 23-year-old had a legitimate shot of making the Devils out of training camp after Luke Hughes was announced out due to injury, but will now, unfortunately, be sidelined for the foreseeable future. In 12 games in 2023-24, he had two assists, 12 SOG and a +5 plus/minus while averaging just 14:39 TOI/GP.

Lundestrom collided with Leo Carlsson at practice on Thursday and was down on the ice for several minutes before being assisted off. The 25-year-old Lundestrom is in his sixth season with the Ducks after scoring 11 points (5G / 6A) in 46 games last season.

Rooney exited Wednesday's game against the Vancouver Canucks with only 1:03 time-on-ice after being on the receiving end of a hard hit by J.T. Miller. Last season, Rooney played 33 games with the Flames, tallying four points (3G / 1A), 29 blocks, and 65 hits.

Jenner is expected to miss the next 5-6 months as he rehabs from the successful shoulder surgery that he underwent on Wednesday. The 31-year-old Blue Jackets' captain will hope to return by seasons end while his absence will create a massive hole in their lineup after he had 22 goals, 35 points and 155 SOG in 58 games in 2023-24. Expect Sean Monahan and Adam Fantilli to lock down top-six roles while he recovers.

Boqvist returned to Florida's morning skate on Thursday but will be out with an upper-body injury after taking a puck high and leaving the Panthers' previous game early. The 24-year-old has battled unfortunate injuries throughout his entire six-year career and will be replaced by Nate Schmidt on Thursday. Head Coach Paul Maurice stated he felt good about Boqvist's return in Florida's next game on Saturday.

Chisholm was absent from Minnesota's final practice before their opener on Thursday vs. Columbus due to an illness and will not be ready for the game as well. The 24-year-old defensemen will be fighting to get into the Wild lineup nightly as he attempts to establish himself as an everyday player after three goals, eight points and 18 PIMs in 29 games played in 2023-24.

Peterka left Buffalo's Global Series game in Prague on Saturday after just 1:39 TOI in the first period due to a concussion. He returned to team practice on Wednesday but will remain out of the lineup on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 22-year-old Peterka broke out last season with 50 points (28G / 22A) in 82 games and appears to be nearing a return to the lineup. The Sabres next game is at home on Saturday against the Florida Panthers.

Benson played 17:23 TOI in Buffalo's season debut on Friday as part of the NHL Global Series in Prague but was unavailable for their contest on Saturday due to a lower-body injury. The 19-year-old Benson appeared in 71 games in 2023-24 and picked up 11 goals and 30 points.

Suter suffered an upper-body injury in a preseason matchup on October 1st and will miss the Canucks' season opener on Wednesday. The 28-year-old Suter provided much-needed depth offense for the Canucks last season, tallying 29 points (14G / 15A), 105 shots, and 54 hits in 67 games.

Toronto will be without goaltender Joseph Woll until at least October 16th due to a lower-body injury after he was placed on the injured reserve earlier Wednesday. The 26-year-old netminder was expected to be the Maple Leafs' number one goaltender this season but will pass that duty on to Anthony Stolarz while he recovers. In 25 games played in 2023-24, Woll had a 12-11-1 record with a 2.94 GAA and .907 SV%.

Suter suffered an upper-body injury in a preseason matchup on October 1st and will miss the Canucks' season opener on Wednesday. The 28-year-old Suter provided much-needed depth offense for the Canucks last season, tallying 29 points (14G / 15A), 105 shots, and 54 hits in 67 games.

Middleton didn't play in Minnesota's preseason finale due to injury, but he has been practicing and appears on track to be ready for the season opener. Middleton had career-high highs in goals (7), assists (18), points (25), blocked shots (161), and hits (148) in 80 games last season. He will line up on the second defensive pair alongside Jared Spurgeon.

Boldy didn't play in Minnesota's preseason finale due to a lower-body injury, but he has been practicing and appears on track to be ready for the season opener. Boldy, who had 29 goals and 40 assists last season, is expected to open the season on a line with Joel Eriksson Ek and Marcus Johansson.

There is no concrete timeline for Lemieux's potential return to the lineup but he will be unavailable to start the season. The bruting 28-year-old forward played 32 games with the Hurricanes last season, tallying five points (3G / 2A), 64 penalty minutes, and 71 hits.

Doughty was hurt in an awkward play in a preseason game on September 25th and is considered month-to-month after it was announced the 34-year-old had successfully undergone surgery to repair a fractured ankle. He has been a staple on the Kings blueline for more than a decade and his impact will be sorely missed. Over the last two seasons, Doughty averaged nearly 26:00 TOI/GP. In 82 games in 2023-24, he had 15 goals, 50 points, 44 PIMs and a +15 plus/minus. Brandt Clarke is expected to take his spot on the Kings' top powerplay to start the season.

Chisholm was absent from Minnesota's final practice before their opener on Thursday vs. Columbus due to an illness and looks to be out for the game as well. The 24-year-old defensemen will be fighting to get into the Wild lineup nightly as he attempts to establish himself as an everyday player after three goals, eight points and 18 PIMs in 29 games played in 2023-24.