NHL Hockey Player News

Bjugstad has yet to play this season and is expected to miss at least three more months after recovering from offseason surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle. The 34-year-old Bjugstad, a veteran of 821 career games, will provide solid bottom-six depth for the Jets. Last season, he scored nine points (6G / 3A) in 61 combined games with the St. Louis Blues and New Jersey Devils.

The New Jersey Devils drafted Command 12th overall in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, and the Jets will hope he lives up to his high-draft expectations. The 18-year-old Swedish forward has yet to play a professional game in North America. He has played 12 games for Orebro HK (SHL) over the past two seasons and has not registered a point.

Daws played his final game for the Devils last night and left on a high note, saving 16 of 17 shots (.941 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks. He has a 2.94 GAA and .897 SV% in 59 career NHL appearances (26-26-1). The 25-year-old German goalie will likely get a chance to battle for playing time behind Stuart Skinner on the Winnipeg Jets.

Mercer, the 18th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, was typically buried in New Jersey's lineup and never had a chance to show his offensive potential. The 24-year-old forward had an encouraging 56-point season (27G / 29A) as a sophomore in 2022-23, but never lived up to that billing in the following three seasons. He should see a larger offensive role with the Winnipeg Jets.

Kulich, a 22-year-old Czech forward, has three points (1G / 2A) in eight games, but could miss some time after suffering an upper-body injury at practice. The Sabres return to action on Saturday and it seems unlikely that Kulich will be available.

After weeks of drama and rumours following a highly publicized trade request, Hellebuyck's wishes have finally been granted in a trade that sends him to the New Jersey Devils. Hellebuyck, a three-time Vezina Trophy winner, has yet to play this season, refusing to report to training camp amid his trade request, and comes off a 2025-26 season with a 2.86 GAA and .895 SV% in 57 games (23-23-11). He joins a Devils team whose goaltending, previously occupied by Jake Allen and Nico Daws, will be immensely upgraded by his presence.

The Rangers return to action on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators, and it is unclear if Tolvanen will be available. The 27-year-old Finnish forward was acquired by the Rangers in the offseason and has provided some depth production early on, with four points (3G / 1A) in 12 games.

Ristolainen has not played in nearly three weeks due to an upper-body injury, but he could return on Saturday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 31-year-old Finnish defenseman missed significant time last season with a ruptured right triceps tendon and played just 44 games, averaging 21:23 time on ice and scoring 14 points (1G / 13A).

The Avalanche have lost two straight and hope to return to the win column on Friday, with Blackwood tending the twine against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Blackwood has been far from spectacular this season, but Head Coach Jared Bednar has leaned on him more than counterpart Scott Wedgewood. The 29-year-old Blackwood has a 2.90 GAA and .889 SV% in seven games (4-3-0). Colorado enters Friday's contest as -122 home favourites against a Tampa Bay Lightning team on a 7-1-0 run.

Thompson has quietly become one of the NHL's most consistent and reliable goalies over the past several seasons, coming off consecutive 31-win campaigns. That said, the 29-year-old goalie has had some ups and downs to start the 2026-27 season and has not been as spectacular as previous seasons. Thompson has allowed three or more goals in three of his last four (1-3-0), posting a 3.58 GAA and .880 SV%. The Capitals return to action Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres and if Thompson is unable to suit up, expect Charlie Lindgren to tend the twine.

The Penguins return to action on Saturday against the Nashville Predators, and it is unclear whether Malkin will be available after missing Friday's practice due to illness. The 40-year-old Malkin is averaging a career-low 17:02 time on ice, but is still producing at an effective rate, with nine points (6G / 3A) in 11 games.

Makar made his NHL debut last season, going without a point in 12 games. The 25-year-old has been more productive at the AHL level, where he has four points (3G / 1A) in six games with the Eagles this season.

Tanev has not played in nearly two weeks since suffering an upper-body injury. His status hasn't improved, remaining week-to-week, but his presence with the team is an encouraging sign. The 36-year-old defenseman has been plagued with injuries lately, and is coming off a 2025-26 season where he only played 11 games.

The Blackhawks have played better since welcoming Connor Bedard into the lineup, going 2-1-0, but keeping the puck out of their net remains an issue. Knight has allowed three or more goals in six of seven games this season, including allowing four on 32 shots (.875 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-0 loss to the Dallas Stars. The 25-year-old American goalie has a 3.59 GAA and .888 SV% in seven games (3-4-0). The Blackhawks enter Friday's contest as +145 home underdogs against a Montreal Canadiens team with their own defensive struggles, allowing 15 goals in their last four games (2-1-1).

Blankenburg played 11:27 time-on-ice in Toronto's 5-4 win over the New York Rangers on Tuesday, but he was placed on Injured Reserve with an undisclosed injury on Friday. The 28-year-old defenseman is averaging 13:05 time-on-ice and has one assist in six games. The Maple Leafs have recalled Dakota Mermis from the Toronto Marlies (AHL) in a corresponding move.

McWard is an undrafted defenseman that has played nine NHL games, but has spent most of his professional career in the AHL. The 25-year-old scored 27 points (6G / 21A) last season in 63 games with the Bridgeport Islanders (AHL).

Nick Blankenburg (undisclosed) has been placed on Injured Reserve, prompting the Maple Leafs to recall Mermis from the Marlies (AHL). The 32-year-old Mermis has spent most of his career in the AHL, but has 14 points (5G / 9A) in 89 career NHL games.

Desharnais played the first nine games of the season for the Kings, but will miss the next several weeks after undergoing an appendectomy. The 30-year-old defenseman is averaging 19:25 time-on-ice and has three assists this season.