NHL Hockey Player News

Blankenburg was fighting for a final roster spot in Columbus but has been assigned to Cleveland (AHL) for the start of the 2022-23 campaign. The 25-year-old defensemen had four goals, 10 assists, 50 SOG, 16 PIMs, and a -16 plus/minus through 36 games with Columbus in 2022-23. He will start the season in Cleveland but is expected to play a depth roll with the Blue Jackets as bodies are needed.

The Blue Jackets 2022 first-round selection (6th overall) has failed to make Columbus' opening day roster and has been assigned to Cleveland (AHL) for the start of the 2023-24 season. The 19-year-old mega prospect appeared in only four games with Columbus in 2022-23, failing to pick up a point while collecting two PIMs and a -4 plus/minus. He returns to Cleveland where he spent most of last season and picked up six goals and 38 points in 55 games played.

Olivier will be forced to miss the beginning of the 2023-24 season as he was placed on the injured reserve Monday with a leg injury and will be out indefinitely. The 26-year-old forward is entering his fifth NHL season and second as a Blue Jacket after putting up five goals, 10 assists, 75 SOG, 81 PIMs, and a -20 plus/minus in 66 games in 2022-23.

Thomson has experienced a unique week on the waiver wire. After being originally placed on waivers last week by Ottawa, he now finds himself back with the Senators after being placed on waivers again by Anaheim. Thomson, the 19th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, played 56 games last season for the Belleville Senators (AHL), recording 33 points (7G / 26A) in 56 games.

Greer played his first full NHL season last year, tallying 12 points (5G / 7A) and 114 PIM in 61 games for the Bruins. The former 39th overall pick of the Colorado Avalanche in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft will likely serve as a depth forward this season for the Flames.

Prosvetov provides some much-needed organizational goaltending depth for Colorado, especially with the immediate health of Pavel Francouz (groin) being uncertain. Prosvetov has played most of the last four seasons for the Tuscon Roadrunners of the AHL but has seen some NHL action over that time as well. Last season, he played seven games (4-3-0) for the Arizona Coyotes, recording a 3.98 GAA and .880 SV%. With Justus Annunen being assigned to the AHL, it appears that Prosvetov will begin the season as the Avalanche backup goalie.

Ludvig was the 69th overall selection of the Florida Panthers in the NHL Entry Draft in 2019. He is unlikely to see much, if any, playing time in the NHL this season but adds some nice organizational depth for the Penguins' defensive core. Last season, Ludvig played 54 games for the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL where he recorded 17 points (3G / 14A).

Soderblom was 2-10-2 with a .894 SV% and a 3.45 GAA in 15 games played with Chicago in 2022-23 and will start their second game of the season Wednesday vs. Boston. The Bruins are coming off a historic season that saw them finish with 135 points and second in the NHL in goals per game (301). The Blackhawks are coming off a 4-2 victory over Pittsburgh from opening night Tuesday and will be hoping to remain in the win column.

Mrazek was 10-22-3 with a .894 SV% and 3.66 GAA in 39 games played with Chicago in 2022-23 and will start the Blackhawks' season opener Tuesday vs. Pittsburgh. The Penguins finished middle of the pack and in goals for across the entire NHL last season placing 16th with 261 GF while also closing out the campaign fifth in shots per game (34.4).

Watson was brought into Tampa Bay's training camp on a PTO and has successfully been signed to a one-year, $776,667 contract Monday. The 31-year-old veteran is joining his third NHL team (NSH, OTT) for his 10th career season. He had nine goals, two assists, 123 PIMs and 79 SOG in 75 games played with Ottawa in 2022-23.

Johansson was 2-0-0 with a 2.10 GAA and a .932 SV% in three games played with Colorado in 2022-23 and will get the opening night nod Tuesday as Tampa takes on Nashville at home. The Predators finished 2022-23 ranked 28th in the NHL in goals for (223) and 23rd in shots per game (29.5) so Johansson should be in for a lighter matchup to get the season going.

Ehlers failed to participate in any preseason action for the Winnipeg Jets due to a neck injury but was a full participant in practice Monday and is expected to play in the Jets opener Wednesday. . The 27-year-old only participated in 45 games played in 2022-23 due to injuries but had a productive 12 goals, 26 assists, 11 PIMs, and -2 plus/minus. He is entering his ninth NHL season and will look to complete more than 71 games in a season for the first time since 2017-18.

Robertson had a shot to make the Maple Leafs' opening night roster for a third-straight season but has been loaned to the Toronto Marlies (AHL) to start the 2023-24 campaign. The 22-year-old left-winger had two goals, three assists, 27 SOG, and a +2 plus/minus through 15 games with the Maple Leafs in 2022-23 and should find his way back to the big club sooner rather than later. The Maple Leafs' 2019 second-round draft pick (53rd overall) still carries rookie distinction even though he has appeared sporadically for Toronto in the last three seasons (31 GP).

Holmberg had a shot to make the Maple Leafs' opening roster after putting up five goals, eight assists, 27 SOG, and 18 PIMs in 37 games played in his rookie season in 2022-23 but has been assigned to the Toronto Marlies (AHL) to the 2023-24 campaign. The 24-year-old right-winger was Toronto's 2018 sixth-round pick (156th overall) and should find his way back to the Maple Leafs at some point this season.

Klapka had a shot to make Calgary's opening night roster but has unfortunately been re-assigned to the Calgary Wranglers (AHL) to start the 2023-24 season. The 23-year-old has yet to make his NHL debut after being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022-23. He returns to the Wranglers where he had 13 goals, 12 assists, 80 PIMs, and a +1 plus/minus in 60 games during his inaugural AHL season in 2022-23.

Guentzel, who underwent off-season ankle surgery, continues to be a full participant in practice and could play in the season opener for the Penguins. Last season, he scored 73 points (36G / 37A) in 78 games and would be a major boost for a Penguins team that is coming off missing the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. If Guentzel is able to suit up, expect him to take his familiar role alongside Sidney Crosby on the top line and top powerplay unit.

Phillips was poised to make the Blackhawks for opening night but has been assigned to the Rockford IceHogs (AHL) for the start of the 2023-24 campaign. The 22-year-old was Chicago's 2020 fifth-round pick (141st overall) and had a goal, four assists, five PIMs, and a -10 plus/minus in a short 16-game showing in 2022-23. He returns to Rockford where he also had six goals and 23 assists in 51 games last season.

Willman played in nine games for Philadelphia in 2022-23 and failed to pick up a point but had nine SOG, four PIMs, and a -3 plus/minus and has officially signed a one-year, two-way deal with New Jersey. The 28-year-old centre has appeared in 50 games for the Flyers over the last two seasons since making his debut in 2021-22 and has four goals, six points, and 16 PIMs on his career. He is expected to start the season with New Jersey's AHL affiliate in Utica.

Norlinder was making a strong case to crack Montreal's top-six defense to enter the season but was informed Monday that he is being loaned to Laval (AHL) to start the 2023-24 season. The 23-year-old defenseman was the Canadiens 2019 third-round pick (64th overall) and will return to Laval where he had two goals, 17 assists, 20 PIMs, and a -7 plus/minus in 67 games in 2022-23.

Heineman was fighting for a final spot on Montreal's opening night roster but unfortunately has been informed Monday that he will be returned to Laval (AHL) on loan for the start of the 2023-24 season. The 21-year-old winger was drafted by Montreal in the second round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft (43rd overall) and has yet to make his NHL debut. He returns to Laval where he had seven goals, two assists, six PIMs, and a +5 plus/minus in a short, yet impressive 11-game debut in 2022-23.