Blake Lizotte's Pittsburgh debut may have to wait after it was announced on Monday that the forward has been placed on Injured Reserve due to a concussion. The 28-year-old signed a two-year, $3.7 million contract in the offseason with Pittsburgh after five solid seasons in Los Angeles. In 62 games in 2023-24, Lizotte had seven goals, 15 points, 76 SOG and 20 PIMs while averaging just 11:49 TOI/GP.
Although his lower-body injury doesn't seem too concerning, Rust has been placed on IR. With this latest development, it appears the 32-year-old will not be ready for the Penguins' season opener on October 10th when they take on Columbus. He had 28 goals and 56 points in 62 games played in 2023-24.
Bourque was the 2023-24 AHL points leader with 77 (26G / 51A) in 71 games and was projected to crack the opening night roster for Dallas before suffering an undisclosed injury that caused him to exit the team's final preseason game. The 22-year-old Bourque was expected to play on a line with Jamie Benn and fellow rookie Logan Stankoven.
Johnston had been unavailable for the latter half of training camp after battling an undisclosed injury but could be ready for the Stars' season opener on Thursday against the Nashville Predators. The 21-year-old is coming off a breakthrough season, scoring 65 points (32G / 33A) in 82 games, and is expecting to be a driving force for a deep Dallas Stars offense.
In mid-September, the Canucks announced that 28-year-old Dakota Joshua had been diagnosed with testicular cancer and successfully had a tumor removed but would not be ready for the start of training camp. The fifth-year winger is coming off his best season in 2023-24, with 18 goals, 32 points, 60 PIMs, 84 SOG, and a +19 plus/minus through 63 games played and could return to the lineup by November.
Demko is still several weeks away from ramping things up, but with tenuous uncertainty surrounding his injury, this is positive news for Demko and the Canucks. The 28-year-old Demko was tremendous for the Canucks last season, posting a career-best 2.45 GAA and .918 SV% in 51 games (35-14-2). In the interim, the Canucks are rolling with Arturs Silovs and Kevin Lankinen between the pipes.
Highmore spent most of the 2024 season in the AHL, where he had 31 points (9G / 22A) in 43 games. During a brief time in the NHL, he had two assists in seven games, giving him 29 points (12G / 17A) in 146 career NHL games with the Blackhawks, Canucks, Blues and Senators. He is expected to be out for a week to two weeks.
Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell said that Jenner is going to be out "a while" and is going to see another specialist next week. The team should release a more detailed timetable following that appointment. Jenner battled injuries last season but still managed 35 points (22G / 13A) in 58 games. In an effort to replace Jenner, the Blue Jackets signed Kevin Labanc on Sunday.
The Rangers open their season on October 9th against the Pittsburgh Penguins and expect that Panarin will be ready to suit up. Panarin battled a lower-body injury through a large portion of training camp. The 32-year-old Panarin is coming off a career-best season where he scored an astonishing 120 points (49G / 71A) in 82 contests. Panarin has played all 82 games in back-to-back seasons and is averaging an impressive 1.32 points per game in his five seasons with the Rangers.
Seeler is battling a lower-body injury and his status for the Flyers' season opener on Friday against the Vancouver Canucks is uncertain. The 31-year-old Seeler has spent the last three seasons with the Flyers, tallying 30 points (6G / 24A), 433 blocks, and 333 hits in 191 combined games.
The Flames took a tough blow in their preseason finale on Friday when Sharangovich exited the contest with a lower-body injury. Sharangovich was expected to start the 2024-25 campaign on the Flames' top line with Nazem Kadri and Andrei Kuzmenko after scoring an impressive 59 points (31G / 28A) in 82 games last season.
Jarnkork has been dealing with a lingering lower-body injury throughout training camp and re-aggravated it in Thursday's preseason game. At this point, it seems unlikely that he will be ready for the Maple Leafs season opener on Wednesday as the forward is considered day-to-day.
It's unclear when Thompson is expected to re-join the Capitals, but their season doesn't open until Saturday, so it's safe to assume he'll be available for their opener. Thompson is expected to share the crease with Charlie Lindgren this season, his first with the Capitals.
The Rangers open their season on October 9th against the Pittsburgh Penguins and are hopeful that Panarin will be ready to suit up. Panarin battled a lower-body injury through a large portion of training camp but appears to be on the mend. The 32-year-old Panarin is coming off a career-best season where he scored an astonishing 120 points (49G / 71A) in 82 contests. Panarin has played all 82 games in back-to-back seasons and is averaging an impressive 1.32 points per game in his five seasons with the Rangers.
Lindgren suffered an upper-body injury early in training camp and is currently two weeks into his initial four-week timeline. The 26-year-old Lindgren will be an important part of the Rangers defensive core when he is healthy. He had 17 points (3G / 14A), 103 blocks, and 114 hits in 76 games last season.
Sorokin missed the start of training camp after undergoing offseason back surgery but GM Lou Lamoriello said that "he's ready" for the start of the season. It's still unclear if Sorokin or Semyon Varlamov will get the start but it's good news that Sorokin won't miss any time to start the year.
Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell said that Jenner is going to be out "a while" and is going to see another specialist next week. The team should release a more detailed timetable following that appointment. In an effort to replace Jenner, the Blue Jackets signed Kevin Labanc on Sunday.
Gibson underwent an emergency appendectomy on September 25th and is about two weeks into his original 3-6 week timeline. The American netminder has failed to produce a save percentage above .900 in each of the last two seasons and beginning 2024-25 on the Injured Reserve is a tough way to ensure a bounce-back campaign after only 13 wins in 2023-24.
