NHL Hockey Player News

With Jeremy Swayman's contract talks looming, Boston claimed Jiri Patera off of waivers from Vancouver on Wednesday. The 25-year-old goaltender signed a two-year, two-way contract with Vancouver in July but was swiftly claimed by Boston. In six games with Vegas in 2023-24, he had a 1-3-1 record, a 3.98 GAA and a .893 SV%.

Montreal was given some semi-good news on Tuesday when it was announced Patrik Laine was only expected to miss two to three months with a sprained left knee from a hit endured by Toronto's Cedric Pare. The 26-year-old winger was acquired from Columbus in late August for a 2026 2nd-round pick and Jordan Harris after he put up six goals, nine points, and 41 SOG in 18 games in 2023-24.

Blake Lizotte's Pittsburgh debut may have to wait after it was announced on Wednesday that the forward is being further evaluated for a concussion and is without a timetable to return. 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.

Pittsburgh will be in need of a backup goaltender to start the 2024-25 season after it was announced Alex Nedeljkovic sustained a lower-body injury on Wednesday and will be out week-to-week. The 28-year-old surprisingly took over Pittsburgh's crease for the Penguins end of season playoff run in 2023-24 due to his 18-7-7 record, 2.97 GAA and .902 SV% during his first season in Pennsylvania.

Celebrini crashed hard into the boards on Tuesday during San Jose's preseason clash vs. Utah and did not return due to a lower-body injury. If the 18-year-old is forced to delay his NHL regular season debut it will be a massive letdown after Celebrini was taken 1st overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and is considered one of the league's most exciting prospects. San Jose is expected to provide updates on the injury in the upcoming days.

Pittsburgh will be in need of a backup goaltender to start the 2024-25 season after it was announced Alex Nedeljkovic sustained a lower-body injury on Wednesday and will be out week-to-week. The 28-year-old surprisingly took over Pittsburgh's crease for the Penguins end of season playoff run in 2023-24 due to his 18-7-7 record, 2.97 GAA and .902 SV% during his first season in Pennsylvania.

Panarin left Tuesday's game in the first period and the Rangers announced that he will not return. This is the second time in a week that Panarin has departed a game with a lower-body injury. It's unclear if it's the same ailment or not, but expect more details from the Rangers as the season gets closer.

Terry will miss Anaheim's practice for a second straight day after it was announced the forward was day-to-day with a lower-body injury. The 27-year-old American right-winger is expected to have a large role yet again on the young Anaheim Ducks, after putting up 20 goals, 54 points and 172 SOG in 76 games played in 2023-24.

Samoskevich has been dealing with an upper-body injury throughout training camp but was a limited participant on Tuesday. Samoskevich was penciled in to start the season on the Panthers' third line at the start of the preseason but it's unclear if he'll be ready for the start of the regular season until he's cleared for contact.

Reinbacher suffered a knee injury in the Canadiens' preseason game vs. the Maple Leafs and is expected to be sidelined until at least early-March. This is a tough blow in a big developmental year for the 2023 No.5 overall pick. The 19-year-old blueliner appeared in 11 AHL games a season ago, scoring two goals with three assists.

Karlsson has been hampered by an undisclosed injury during training camp but head coach Bruce Cassidy said that they are hopeful that he'll return to practice later this week. As of now, the Golden Knights are expecting him to be in the lineup when they start their season on October 9th.

Norris has been out since late-February after undergoing his third surgery on his left shoulder. The Senators have been cautious with Norris throughout training camp to ensure he's ready to go for the start of the season. Tuesday will be his pre-season debut and he'll look to stay healthy this season after missing 106 games over the last two seasons.

Zub has been battling a lower-body during training camp but will suit up on Tuesday, which is a good sign that he'll be available for the Senators' season opener (Oct.10). Zub is coming off of the best season of his career, posting 25 points (5G / 20A), 139 hits and 122 blocked shots while averaging 21:01 TOI/GM in 69 games.

Jones has been sidelined during his first training camp with the Bruins due to an undisclosed injury. Head coach Jim Montgomery told reporters on Tuesday that he's "getting close," which is a good sign that he could be available for the Bruins' season opener.

Lindholm suffered an undisclosed injury on the first day of training camp and has yet to appear in a preseason game. His availability for Tuesday's game is a good sign that he'll be ready-to-go when the Bruins open their season on October 8th.

Saad and his wife are expecting their third child right around the time of the Blues' first road trip of the season. In Monday's practice, he skated on the "fifth line," an indication that the Blues are preparing to be without the veteran winger when their season starts on October 8th. While Saad is out, Zack Bolduc is expected to skate in the top-6, and his strong preseason could make Saad more of a bottom-6 option this season.

Karlsson worked out off-ice on Monday and is "going through the process" according to head coach Mike Sullivan. The Penguins have said previously that they expect Erik Karlsson to be ready for the season opener, but he's running out of time to join his teammates fro practice.

Basha was Calgary's 2024 2nd-round pick (41st overall) and signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Flames on Sunday. The 18-year-old left-winger has already returned to Medicine Hat (WHL) for his fourth season of junior hockey this year after putting up 30 goals and 85 points as the Tigers third highest scorer in 63 games played in 2023-24.

New York will be without one of their key bottom-six forwards to start the season after it was announced Jimmy Vesey injured his lower body in practice and would be out week-to-week. The 31-year-old is entering his third season in New York after joining on a PTO in 2022-23 and put up an impressive 13 goals, 26 points, 20 PIMs and 116 SOG in 80 games played in 2023-24.