NHL Hockey Player News

Comrie has yet to appear in any of the Sabres' four games thus far this season but is expected to start Saturday after occupying the crease at morning skate. The 28-year-old was 9-9-1 with an .886 SV% and a 3.67 GAA in 19 games started in 2022-23. He takes on the New York Islanders, who have gotten points in all three of their matchups (2-0-1) and are 22nd in the NHL in goals per game (2.67).

Mayfield was forced to leave the Islanders' opening game vs Buffalo after blocking a shot and missed Tuesday's game against the Coyotes as a result. The 31-year-old defensemen is coming off a career season in 2022-23 which saw him collect career highs in goals (6), assists (18), and SOG (119). He was listed as a game-time decision for tonight's game against the Islanders, which suggests he should be nearing a return.

Schmid will make his second start of the season after surrendering three goals on 30 shots in last Friday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Coyotes. The 23-year-old netminder was fantastic down the stretch for the Devils last season, recording a .922 SV% and a 2.13 GAA in 18 appearances. He was even able to wrestle some starts away from starter Vitek Vanecek in the post-season, and could continue to see his usage grow if he's able to maintain the excellent form he's shown to date.

It's a surprise start for Martin after Blue Jackets head coach Pascal Vincent confirmed earlier in the day that Elvis Merzlikins would be in goal, but the Blue Jackets starter must still be feeling the effects of the illness that caused him to miss Monday's game against the Red Wings. Martin will make his third appearance of the season and will be hoping to build on a lackluster start to the campaign. The 28-year-old has allowed six goals on just 45 shots, good enough for a measly .867 SV% and a 4.54 GAA.

Markstrom will return to the crease for his fourth start of the season after his understudy, Daniel Vladar, served between the pipes in Thursday’s win over the Sabres. Markstrom has endured an up and down start to the season, featuring a pair of solid performances against the Jets and Capitals, and one not-so-solid performance against the Penguins. His record on the season sits at 1-1-1 to go along with an .898 SV% and a 2.96 GAA. He’s in a good spot to get back in the win column tonight in Columbus with the Flames currently being favoured at -145.

After an impressive first year in North America, scoring 64 points (21G / 43A) in 70 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL, Berggren became a regular in the lineup for the Red Wings last season where he recorded 28 points (15G / 13A) in 67 games. Berggren has impressed in the AHL again to begin the 2023-24 season, registering three assists through the opening two games of the season.

Varlamov has yet to start any of the Islanders' three games yet this season but had an 11-9-2 record, .913 SV% and 2.70 GAA in 2022-23. He takes on the struggling Buffalo Sabres who have dropped three of their first four games and are ranked 25th in the NHL in both goals for (2.25) and shots on goal (27.8).

It appears Sorokin will start for the third consecutive game to open the season for the Islanders, who are playing the front end of a back-to-back on Friday. In two games so far, Sorokin has been his usual, Vezina-caliber self, recording a 1.00 GAA and .952 SV% along with a shutout in two games (2-0-0). The Islanders are slight +105 home underdogs against the New Jersey Devils, who have only one win in their first three games (1-1-1).

Miller has yet to play this season for New Jersey this season and will remain unavailable Friday as they take on the New York Islanders. The 30-year-old was acquired in the offseason for a 2025 fifth-round pick from Dallas after he had six goals, 15 assists, 106 SOG, 37 PIMs and a +23 plus/minus through 79 games in 2022-23. Miller is being re-evaluated with a possible update expected Saturday.

Bernard-Docker did not pick up a point in his two games played with Belleville (AHL) but has been recalled to Ottawa Friday. The 23-year-old defensemen cleared waivers after not originally making the Senators' roster but with the recent injury to Artem Sub will find himself back up with the big club. In 19 games in 2022-23 he had one assist, 11 PIMs, 22 SOG, and a -2 plus/minus with Ottawa.

Simek failed to appear in any of the Sharks' first four games and has been assigned to the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) after clearing waivers Friday. The 31-year-old heads to the AHL after posting a goal, two assists, 29 PIMs, and a -13 plus/minus in 44 games with the San Jose Sharks in 2022-23.

Toninato had a goal, an assist, two PIMs and a -1 plus/minus through two games with the Manitoba Moose (AHL) and has been recalled to the Jets Friday. The 29-year-old forward returns to the NHL where he has played six seasons and has 12 goals, 30 points and 73 PIMs in 169 career games played.

Harkins was originally acquired off waivers from Winnipeg by Pittsburgh on October 1st but has cleared waivers again and been assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL). The 26-year-old winger failed to pick up a point in four games so far in 2023-24 but had four SOG, two PIMs and a -1 plus/miuns.

Zohorna did not have any points and was a -1 plus/minus in two games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) but has been recalled to Pittsburgh Friday. The 27-year-old stands a towering 6'6" and left an impression after an extremely strong preseason (3 Pts in 4 GP). He has made NHL appearances in three separate seasons with three different teams and has five goals, 11 points and a +8 plus/minus in 35 career games played.

MacEwen was placed on waivers Thursday but cleared and has officially been reassigned to Belleville (AHL). The 26-year-old enforcer had an assist, two SOG, and a +1 plus/minus in two games played in 2023-24 while averaging only 6:38 TOI on the Senators' fourth line. He was signed to a three-year, $2.325 million contract ($775,000 AAV) by the Ottawa in the offseason.

Fabbri has been plagued with injuries throughout his career and will once again be sidelined for approximately four weeks with a lower-body injury. Thankfully for Fabbri and the Red Wings, the injury is not knee-related, which has been the culprit of most of his injury woes. In his only game this season, Fabbri scored one goal in 14:44 time-on-ice. Andrew Copp has been the biggest benefactor with Fabbri out of the lineup, as he has jumped up to the second line and scored four points (3G / 1A) in those three games.