NHL Hockey Player News

The Hurricanes likely entered the season with the intention of Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov splitting time between the pipes, but with Kochetkov battling an undisclosed injury, Andersen gets the easy call for their season-opening matchup against the New Jersey Devils. The 36-year-old Andersen has battled injuries recently and was limited to only 22 appearances last season (13-8-1), posting a 2.50 GAA and .899 SV%. The Hurricanes enter Thursday's contest as -167 home favorites against a Devils team that finished the 2024-25 season mid-pack offensively, averaging 2.95 goals per game.

Kochetkov was absent from practice the past few days and will not suit up for Thursday's season opener against the New Jersey Devils. The 26-year-old Kochetkov posted a 2.60 GAA and .897 SV% in 47 appearances last season (27-16-3). Hurricanes' head coach Rod Brind'Amour stated that Kochetkov aggravated something in practice and "hasn't been getting better." If Kochetkov is unable to play, expect Frederik Andersen to be between the pipes.

Coming off a disappointing opening-night 3-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Rangers will roll with Shesterkin between the pipes on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. Despite the loss on Tuesday, Shesterkin played exceptionally, saving 28 of 29 shots (.966 SV%) in the effort. The 29-year-old netminder had a down 2024-25 season by his elite standards, posting a 2.86 GAA and .905 SV% in 61 games (27-29-5), and will hope to improve in 2025-26. The Rangers enter Thursday's contest as -111 road favourites against a Sabres team that finished the 2024-25 season as a top-10 offensive team (3.28 GF / GP).

Bobrovsky was solid in Florida's season-opening 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, saving 17 of 19 shots (.895 SV%), and will return to the crease on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. In 2024-25, Bobrovsky appeared in 54 games for the Panthers (33-19-2), posting a 2.44 GAA, .905 SV%, and five shutouts. The Panthers enter Thursday's contest as -207 home favorites against a Flyers team that finished last season with the 10th-fewest goals per game (2.9 GF/GP).

After posting elite totals in his first three NHL seasons, Sorokin has posted a 2.86 GAA and .908 SV% in 117 combined appearances over the last two seasons (55-43-18); a steep decline from the 2.34 GAA and .924 SV% in his previous 136 games (70-46-18). Although still a talented netminder, Sorokin's recent stats are likely more aligned with what can be expected in the 2025-26 season. Still, the Islanders enter their season-opening matchup on Thursday as -127 road favourites against a Pittsburgh Penguins team coming off a 3-0 opening-night victory over the New York Rangers.

To no surprise, Tampa Bay will turn to Vasilevskiy between the pipes in Thursday's season opener against the Ottawa Senators. After the worst season of his career in 2023-24, Vasilevskiy returned to his elite ways in 2024-25, finishing as the runner-up for the Vezina trophy after posting a dazzling 2.18 GAA, .921 SV%, and six shutouts in 63 games (38-20-5). Tampa Bay enters Thursday's contest as -172 home favorites against an Ottawa team that snuck into the playoffs last season while being mid-pack offensively (2.96 GF/ GP).

With Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower body) out week-to-week, the Sabres will likely turn to Lyon between the pipes in their season-opening matchup on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The 32-year-old Lyon played 30 games last season with the Detroit Red Wings (14-9-1), posting a 2.81 GAA and .896 SV%. Unless Lyon can establish himself early, expect him to rotate starts with Alexander Georgiev during Luukkonen's absence. The Sabres enter Thursday's contest as +101 home underdogs against a Rangers team that was defeated 3-0 by the Pittsburgh Penguins in their opening-night matchup on Tuesday.

The Hurricanes likely entered the season with the intention of Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov splitting time between the pipes, but with Kochetkov battling an undisclosed injury, Andersen gets the easy call for their season-opening matchup against the New Jersey Devils. The 36-year-old Andersen has battled injuries recently and was limited to only 22 appearances last season (13-8-1), posting a 2.50 GAA and .899 SV%. The Hurricanes enter Thursday's contest as -167 home favorites against a Devils team that finished the 2024-25 season mid-pack offensively, averaging 2.95 goals per game.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, a night after a season-opening 6-5 shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings, the Golden Knights will turn to Schmid between the pipes on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. Schmid spent most of the 2024-25 season with the Henderson Silver Knights (AHL), but was excellent in limited NHL action with the Golden Knights, posting a 1.26 GAA and .944 SV% in five appearances (2-0-1). If the 25-year-old Schmid can put together some strong performances early, he could be in line for topping his career-high of 19 games played in a season. The Golden Knights enter Thursday's contest as -194 road favorites against a Sharks team that finished last season with the worst record in the NHL (20-50-12).

Bobrovsky was solid in Florida's season-opening 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, saving 17 of 19 shots (.895 SV%), and will likely return to the crease on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. In 2024-25, Bobrovsky appeared in 54 games for the Panthers (33-19-2), posting a 2.44 GAA, .905 SV%, and five shutouts. The Panthers enter Thursday's contest as -207 home favorites against a Flyers team that finished last season with the 10th-fewest goals per game (2.9 GF/GP).

After a lengthy offseason, which included a change in agents, Jack Roslovic has signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract to provide the Edmonton Oilers with offensive depth. The 28-year-old is entering his ninth NHL season after tying his career high in goals in 2024-25 with 22 and 39 points across 81 games played with Carolina.

After a 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in their season opener on Tuesday, the Kings will switch to Forsberg between the pipes on Wednesday against the Golden Knights. Forsberg to a two-year deal worth $2.25 million AAV in the offseason to slide into their backup goalie position behind Darcy Kuemper. The 32-year-old Forsberg has been inconsistent in his career but recorded a career-high three shutouts last season in addition to a 2.72 GAA and .901 SV% in 30 appearances (11-12-3) with the Ottawa Senators. The Kings enter Wednesday's matchup against the Golden Knights as +177 road underdogs.

Washe appeared in two games for Anaheim directly after finishing his season with Western Michigan (NCAA) and has earned himself a two-year contract worth $812,500 AAV ($1.625M total). The 23-year-old forward was a sought-after free agent after finishing his senior season with Western Michigan in 2024-25 with 16 goals and 38 points in 42 games played.

Bolduc missed Friday's practice and Saturday's preseason finale and was considered day-to-day. The 22-year-old Bolduc will make his Canadiens debut after tallying 19 goals and 17 assists with the Blues last season.

With several elite players signing contract extensions in the last week, the Golden Knights followed suit, signing Eichel to a massive eight-year extension worth $13.5 million AAV. Eichel was drafted second overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 2015 and was eventually acquired by the Golden Knights in the 2021-22 season. The 28-year-old Eichel is coming off his most productive season, scoring 94 points (28G / 66A) in 77 games, and will be motivated to top those totals in 2025-26 playing alongside new teammate Mitch Marner.

Dorofeyev missed the Golden Knights' preseason finale, recovering from a lower-body injury, but will suit up for their season opener on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 24-year-old Dorofeyev had a breakout 2024-25 season, scoring 52 points (35G / 17A) in 82 games, including 13 powerplay goals, and could be in for another career year in 2025-26.

Montour underwent ankle surgery in the offseason, missing most of training camp, but could be ready for the season opener on Thursday. In his first season with Seattle, Montour had a career-high 18 goals to go along with 23 assists (41 points) in 81 games.

After a 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in their season opener on Tuesday, the Kings will switch to Forsberg between the pipes on Wednesday against the Golden Knights. Forsberg to a two-year deal worth $2.25 million AAV in the offseason to slide into their backup goalie position behind Darcy Kuemper. The 32-year-old Forsberg has been inconsistent in his career but recorded a career-high three shutouts last season in addition to a 2.72 GAA and .901 SV% in 30 appearances (11-12-3) with the Ottawa Senators. The Kings enter Wednesday's matchup against the Golden Knights as +177 road underdogs.

Atkinson was drafted in the sixth round by the Blue Jackets in 2008 and enjoyed the best of his 13 NHL seasons with the team, including a career-high 41-goal campaign in the 2018-19 season. Ending his career with shorter stints with the Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning, the 36-year-old Atkinson ends his career with 489 points (253G / 236A) in 809 games.

The Golden Knights will turn to Hill between the pipes on Wednesday for their season opener against the Los Angeles Kings. Hill played a career-high 50 games last season (32-13-5) and saw his save percentage (.906) fall to the lowest it has been since joining the Golden Knights. With Akira Schmid, a goalie who has never started more than 15 games in an NHL season, as the Golden Knights' backup, Hill could be in for another career-high total in games played. Vegas enters Wednesday's matchup as -199 home favorites against a Los Angeles team that was defeated 4-1 by the Colorado Avalanche last night.