Bolduc missed Friday's practice and Saturday's preseason finale and is considered day-to-day as the regular season approaches. For now he's considered questionable to play in the season opener on Wednesday. Expect Joe Veleno to replace him in the lineup if Bolduc can't play.
Demidov left Tuesday's game with a wrist injury, but the Canadiens said he was pulled for "precautionary reasons." Demidov was also held out of the lineup for Saturday's preseason finale, but there's no concern for his availability for the season opener on Wednesday.
Dobson returned to the Canadiens' lineup in Saturday's preseason finale after suffering a groin injury vs. Toronto on September 25th. Dobson, who was acquired in a big trade with the Islanders this offseason, is expected to open the season on a pair with Mike Matheson.
Davies' deal is a two-day contract and provides the Golden Knights with some organizational depth on the blueline. The 28-year-old has appeared in 23 career NHL games with the Predators and Sabres, but has spent the last four seasons almost exclusively in the AHL, most recently with Belleville, where he had 48 points (11G / 37A) in 72 games.
Brodin, who had offseason surgery on an upper-body injury, is questionable for the Wild's season opener on Thursday. There was hope that he'd be ready, but he's "stagnated a little bit," according to head coach John Hynes. If Brodin is unavailable, David Jiriceck is expected to be in the opening night lineup.
Laferriere is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and his status for their season opener is up in the air. If Laferriere doesn't play on Tuesday, expect Joel Armia to move up the lineup to skate with Quinton Byfield and Kevin Fiala.
Girard missed almost all of the preseason, but made his debut in Colorado's finale on Saturday. This is a good sign that Girard will be available for their season opener, but Colorado also waived two defensemen on Sunday, furthering the belief that Girard is good-to-go for Tuesday.
Vlasic had his preseason cut short due to a lower-body injury, and his status for the season opener is up in the air. The Blackhawks are expected to take eight defensemen to Florida, and Ethan Del Mastro is expected to take his spot in the lineup if he's unable to go.
Janmark is expected to start the season on injured reserve, making room on the roster for couple of newcomers to make their Oilers debut on opening night. Depending how players like Ike Howard, David Tomasek, Matthew Savoie, and Noah Philp start the season, Janmark could have a difficult time cracking the Oilers lineup this season.
Walman hasn't officially been ruled out for the season opener, but Oilers' head coach Kris Knoblauch said it's unlikely. With Walman injured, Alec Regula may skate with Darnell Nurse in the season opener.
Samuelsson has been sidelined since September 26th, but is ahead of schedule in his recovery. Head coach Lindy Ruff expects Samuelsson to be ready for the Sabres' season opener on October 9th.
Power has been sidelined after he "strained something" during Monday's practice, but head coach expects him to be ready for their season opener on October 9th. Power's availability will be key because the Sabres are already without Michael Kesselring and possibly Mattias Samuelsson on the blueline.
Benson has been skating with other injured players, but has yet to resume practice. Head coach Lindy Ruff expects Benson to return to practice soon, making him questionable to play in their season opener on October 9th.
Kesselring left the Sabres' preseason game on October 1st after aggravating an injury that he'd been dealing with throughout camp. Sabres' head coach Lindy Ruff said that Kesselring will be re-evaluated on a week-to-week basis, effectively ruling him out for the start of the regular season.
Perfetti suffered the ankle injury during the Jets' preseason finale after delivering a hit on Kevin Bahl in the second period. With Perfetti out to open the season, that opens a door in the Jets' top-6 and on the top power-play unit. Nikita Chibrikov is expected to get the first crack on the second-line with Jonathan Toews and Gustav Nyquist, while it will likely be Alex Iafallo on PP1.
San Jose has acquired the contract of Ryan Ellis, and a 2026 6th-round pick from Philadelphia for Carl Grundstrom and Artem Guryev. Ellis is in the 7th year of an eight-year, $50 million contract, but is not eligible to play due to a significant back injury, making this trade a salary dump for Philadelphia. Ellis's last NHL appearance was in the 2021-22 season.
