NHL Hockey Player News

With a highly publicized trade request keeping three-time Vezina-winning goalie Connor Hellebuyck out of the lineup, the Jets will rely on Stuart Skinner to open their season against the Boston Bruins. Skinner was highly scrutinized during his time with the Edmonton Oilers, but had a fresh start last year in a mid-season trade to the Pittsburgh Penguins. That said, the 27-year-old goalie's struggles continued in Pittsburgh, posting a 2.99 GAA and .885 SV% in 27 outings (12-9-5). The Jets enter Friday as slight -117 home favourites against the Bruins.

The Red Wings came close to ending a decade-long playoff drought last season, thanks to an impressive stretch run by John Gibson, and they will need him to do it again in 2026-27 if they want to be competitive. The 33-year-old Gibson, a 13-year-old NHL veteran, has long been a talented goalie, but has had the misfortune of being surrounded by struggling teams, which will likely be the case again in Detroit. Last season, he posted a 2.72 GAA and .901 SV% in 57 appearances (29-22-4). The Red Wings enter their season opener as -125 home favourites against a New York Rangers team coming off an impressive 5-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning yesterday.

With Joonas Korpisalo (lower body) on Injured Reserve and out week-to-week, the Rangers will turn to Garand to tend the twine Friday in the tail end of a back-to-back. The 24-year-old Garand made his NHL debut last season, posting a 1.62 GAA and .948 SV% in three games (2-0-1). The Rangers enter Friday's contest as slight +115 road underdogs against the Detroit Red Wings.

Dostal was relied upon heavily last season, a trend that will likely continue, with journeyman Ville Husso serving as his backup. The 26-year-old Dostal played a career-high 56 games last season (30-20-4), but he struggled at times, posting a subpar 3.10 GAA and .888 SV% on a Ducks team that struggled defensively. The Ducks enter their season opener on Friday as +172 road underdogs against a Vegas Golden Knights team coming off a 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.

After leading Vegas to the Stanley Cup Finals last season, Carter Hart will tend the twine for consecutive games to start the 2026-27 season. The 28-year-old took over the Golden Knights' crease in the 2nd half of last season and posted an impressive 11-3-3 record despite having an ugly .891 SV% and 2.71 GAA. He was solid in Vegas' season opener, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. The Golden Knights enter the action on Friday as -193 home favourites against the Anaheim Ducks.

Zellweger did not play in Buffalo's season opener, but he is expected to debut Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 23-year-old joined Buffalo in the offseason and was sidelined late in training camp with a concussion. He is expected to be a key part of Buffalo's defensive unit this season after putting up seven goals, 22 points and 34 PIMs in 76 GP with Anaheim last season.

Casey was expected to battle for a spot on the Devils' opening-night roster, but he underwent knee surgery that will delay his 2026-27 season by 8 to 10 weeks. The 22-year-old defenseman, the Devils' 46th-overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, spent most of the 2025-26 season in the AHL, where he tallied 19 points (1G / 18A) in 29 games with the Utica Comets.

Jordan Binnington led the Blues to their first Stanley Cup in the 2018-19 season, but he has struggled to perform at a consistently high level. Last season, the Blues gave an increased workload to Joel Hofer, who eventually outplayed Binnington in the latter half of the season and earned more playing time. The 26-year-old Hofer posted a solid 2.61 GAA, .909 SV%, and six shutouts in 46 appearances (24-13-5). The Blues are making a statement in their 2026-27 season opener, turning to Hofer and giving him a chance to make the crease his. The Blues enter Friday's contest as +161 road underdogs against the Dallas Stars.

Jeremy Swayman had a miserable 2024-25 season after signing a massive eight-year contract extension, posting an ugly 3.11 GAA and .892 SV% in 58 games (22-29-7). There were concerns in the organization regarding the contract, but he followed that up with a solid 2025-26 season, posting a 2.71 GAA and .907 SV% in 55 games (31-18-4). Now, the 27-year-old goalie seems to be continuing his upward trajectory, opening the 2026-27 season with a stellar 24-save shutout in a 3-0 win over the New York Rangers. The Bruins enter the action on Friday as slight +104 road underdogs against the Winnipeg Jets.

With Tyler Tucker (lower body) and Logan Mailloux (right hand) sidelined indefinity, the Blues will expedite their timeline for prospect Adam Jiricek. The 20-year-old Czech defenseman, Jiricek, was drafted 16th overall by the Blues in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. He spent last season in the OHL, where he tallied 59 points (19G / 40A) in 55 games for the Brantford Bulldogs.

Jordan Binnington led the Blues to their first Stanley Cup in the 2018-19 season, but he has struggled to perform at a consistently high level. Last season, the Blues gave an increased workload to Joel Hofer, who eventually outplayed Binnington in the latter half of the season and earned more playing time. The 26-year-old Hofer posted a solid 2.61 GAA, .909 SV%, and six shutouts in 46 appearances (24-13-5). The Blues are making a statement in their 2026-27 season opener, turning to Hofer and giving him a chance to make the crease his. The Blues enter Friday's contest as +161 road underdogs against the Dallas Stars.

Sorokin was serviceable in his season-opening performance, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%), but fell short in a 2-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 31-year-old goalie had an up-and-down 2025-26 season under Head Coach Patrick Roy, posting a 2.68 GAA and .906 SV% in 55 games (29-24-2), and will hope to find more consistency under new bench boss Pete DeBoer. The Islanders enter Saturday's action at home with -105 odds against the New Jersey Devils.

Ufko skated in Nashville's season opener alongside Roman Josi, but he was quickly assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL). The 23-year-old defenseman spent most of the 2025-26 season in the AHL, where he impressed, scoring 44 points (11G / 33A) in 52 games with Milwaukee.

Sanderson participated sparingly in training camp, but has returning the practicing that last couple of days. That said, he status for Saturday's season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs remains uncertain. The 24-year-old fifth-year defenseman is expected to play a huge part on Ottawa's blueline and power play yet again this season after putting up 14 goals, 54 points and 147 SOG across 67 games played while averaging 24:50 TOI.