James was drafted by Chicago in the 6th round of the 2022 NHL Draft (173rd overall) but was unable to agree to an entry-level contract and has instead signed a two-year contract with Tampa Bay. The 23-year-old spent the last four seasons playing at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and is expected to join Syracuse (AHL) to start 2025-26. He had 14 goals and 30 points in 35 games in his senior season of college last year.
New York fans can breathe a sigh of relief after it was announced Artemi Panarin would only be out day-to-day with a lower-body injury after leaving Friday's practice early. The Rangers have stated that he was removed due to precautionary reasons, meaning there is little reason to think the 33-year-old will not be ready to go in a few days. Panarin led the Rangers in points yet again last season, after putting up 37-goals and 89 points in 80 games played.
Foerster has participated in the first couple of days of training camp in a non-contact sweater, but anticipates ramping up before the start of the regular season on October 9th. Foerster is coming off of a career-high in goals (25), assists (18), and points (43).
Montour underwent ankle surgery and is expected to miss the first two weeks of training camp, but the Kraken anticipate that he'll be available for the season opener. In his first season with Seattle, Montour had a career-high 18 goals to go along with 23 assists (41 points) in 81 games.
Eller had a "minor procedure" on his abdomen and began training camp with the injured group. Eller is expected to join the main group later in training camp, and his availability for the Senators' season opener is uncertain.
Kovacevic, who got hurt in the playoffs last season, underwent knee surgery over the summer and is still in the process of rehabbing. When the Devils opened training camp on Thursday, they announced that Kovacevic is out with no timetable for his return.
Noesen was not on the ice when the Devils opened training camp on Thursday, and he is expected to miss some time with a groin injury. It's unclear if Noesen, who is coming off of a career-best 22 goals and 41 points, will be ready for the season opener.
Wild GM Bill Guerin said that something has come up with Zuccarello in recent weeks, and he's going to miss some time. With Zuccarello likely to miss the start of the regular season, Liam Ohgren was skating in the Wild's top-6 on the first day of training camp.
Edvinsson was not on the ice as the Red Wings started training camp on Thursday, and GM Steve Yzerman said that he'll be out "a few weeks" but believes he'll be ready “some time around the start of the regular season.”
The 32-year-old signed a two-year deal with the Blackhawks in July 2024 but may never suit up for the team. He already missed the entire 2024-25 season following meniscus surgery in August and arthroscopic surgery in November. On Thursday, GM Kyle Davidson confirmed Brossoit required hip surgery this summer and will be sidelined indefinitely. Chicago is set to open the season with Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom as their goaltending tandem.
Mateychuk is expected to miss at least the first week of training camp with a groin injury, but the Blue Jackets haven't provided a firm timeline on when they expect him to begin practicing. With Mateychuk banged up, Brenden Smith, who is in camp on a PTO, was getting a look alongside Erik Gudbranson on Thursday.
Slavin was absent as the Hurricanes opened camp on Thursday, with head coach Rod Brind’Amour explaining that Slavin felt some soreness after his summer training. “Until he says he’s 100%, we’re not going to put him out there,” Brind’Amour said. The team does not appear concerned about his availability for the season opener on October 9th.
Luukkonen missed the start of training camp on Thursday after the injury flared up while ramping up his preseason training. Sabres GM Kevyn Adams said “the imaging is clean,” and that they expect more clarity in the coming days, but added there are “no alarms right now saying that it’s a significant injury.” Buffalo recently signed Alexandar Georgiev, giving them added goaltending depth while Luukkonen recovers.
Tuch had a "minor little thing" sneak up on him right before the start of training camp, so he was held off of the ice on Thursday. Despite missing practice, Tuch said that he is "feeling great" and anticipates skating with the team in the "next couple of days."
Greenway underwent surgery in July after a setback in his recovery from the injury that limited him to just 34 games in 2024-25. Sabres GM Kevyn Adams said he anticipates Greenway will be cleared to resume practicing around the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign. Expect Greenway to miss the season opener on October 9th.
Hyman missed the second half of last year's playoffs after enduring an upper-body injury and is not expected to be ready for the start of the 2025-26 regular season. Head Coach Kris Knoblach stated he is hopeful the 32-year-old can return in early November. Hyman is just one season removed from a 54-goal campaign in 2023-24 and will hope to get off to a hot start when he is able to return early in the season.
Ovechkin's age-40 season is not starting as he would hope after the veteran had to leave the ice during training camp to be further evaluated for a lower-body injury. Washington has yet to provide an injury update on their captain, who is entering his 21st NHL season. The greatest goal scorer of all time enters 2025-26 after an impressive 44-goal, 73-point campaign in 2024-25.
Pittsburgh will be without its top offensive prospect for a while after it was announced that Rutger McGroarty would be out indefinitely with an upper-body injury. Pittsburgh stated Thursday that they would be taking it slow with their 21-year-old prize prospect and would not rush his return. In his first taste of NHL action last season, the former 14th overall pick (2022) had a goal, three points and 11 SOG in eight games played.
Max McCormick will not have a chance to crack Seattle's roster to start this season after it was announced Wednesday that the 33-year-old would miss training camp and is out indefinitely with a hip injury. McCormick is expected to return to the Coachella Valley (AHL) when he is healthy enough, where he has captained the Firebirds for the last three seasons and recorded seven goals and 13 points in 19 games last season.
