NHL Hockey Player News

Ovechkin has dealt with a lower-body injury throughout training camp but completed his first full practice on Thursday. Capitals Head Coach Spencer Carbery was uncertain if Ovechkin would suit up for a preseason game, but was not concerned about the injury. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer played 82 games in the 2025-26 season and scored 64 points (32G / 32A). The Capitals added notable offensive depth in the offseason, so Ovechkin, coming off a career-low 17:27 time on ice, could see his playing time dip even more in 2026-27.

Dallas played it safe with their star goaltender on Wednesday, sitting Jake Oettinger due to lower-body tightness for their 2-0 preseason loss vs. Minnesota. The 27-year-old is entering his seventh NHL season and has 35+ wins in each of the last four seasons while taking the majority of the reps in the Stars' net.

Paul's Maple Leafs debut may have to wait after the 30-year-old left Wednesday's preseason game vs. Ottawa with an undisclosed injury and did not return. Paul's injury is not expected to be serious, but the Maple Leafs will provide updates on Thursday when they address the media. He was acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay in the offseason after putting up seven goals, 15 points, and 68 SOG in an injury-filled 51-game campaign in 2025-26.

Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice suggested that Tkachuk should be ready to make his team debut in the season opener on Tuesday after a few days of rest. Tkachuk has already appeared in two preseason games and is expected to play on a line alongside Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart. The hard-hitting 27-year-old forward finished the 2025-26 season with 59 points (22G / 37A), 175 hits, and 221 shots in 60 games with the Ottawa Senators.

Greenway tweaked a lower-body injury, practiced Wednesday, and is out day-to-day. The 29-year-old Greenway, entering his first season with the Blackhawks, has dealt with injury concerns over his career, including playing only 74 games in his past two seasons combined.

Samuelsson exited Tuesday's preseason game after suffering a lower-body injury and is expected to miss the start of the season, out week-to-week. The 26-year-old defenseman had a breakout 2025-26 season, playing predominantly alongside Rasmus Dahlin, scoring 41 points (13G / 28A) and registering a +41 plus/minus in 78 games.

Vladar suffered an upper-body injury and exited Tuesday's preseason game early, but Flyers Head Coach Rick Tocchet suggested the team "dodged a bullet," as he isn't expected to be out long-term. The 29-year-old is in his second season with the Flyers, after posting an impressive 29-14-7 record, 2.42 GAA and .906 SV% last season. If Vladar misses any time, Joseph Woll is expected to see most of the action in his absence.

GM John Chayka said Joshua has been battling a core injury for an extended period, but insists he remains day-to-day. The 30-year-old Joshua had a decent inaugural season with the Maple Leafs in 2025-26, scoring 18 points (10G / 8A) and recording 195 hits while playing 55 games in a bottom-six role.

Barkey suffered a lower-body injury in Monday's preseason game against the Washington Capitals and is luckily only considered day-to-day. The 21-year-old Barkey made his NHL debut last season, scoring 17 points (5G / 12A) in 43 games and is expected to be entrusted with a larger role in 2026-27.

The Predators are hoping Pinchuk can provide an offensive boost to their roster in 2026-27, but his training camp has been derailed due to an upper-body injury. The 24-year-old Russian forward has yet to play professionally in North America, but he was a standout last season in the KHL, scoring 66 points (31G / 35A) in 65 games with Minsk Dynamo.

Ovechkin is dealing with a lower-body injury that has sidelined him for most of training camp, but it is not expected to be a long-term issue. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer played 82 games in the 2025-26 season and scored 64 points (32G / 32A). The Capitals added notable offensive depth in the offseason, so Ovechkin, coming off a career-low 17:27 time on ice, could see his playing time dip even more in 2026-27.

Senators' Head Coach Travis Green stated that Zub is still recovering from a knee injury from the postseason and is unlikely to be ready for the start of the 2026-27 campaign. The 30-year-old defenseman has battled injuries in his career, but his coming off of a career-best season, scoring 30 points (5G / 25A) in 81 games.

Larkin practiced with the Red Wings on Wednesday for the first time since his highly publicized offseason trade request. Head Coach Todd McLellan suggested Larkin is progressing and could draw into the lineup for the final preseason game on Saturday. Despite the trade request, the Red Wings remain thin at center ice and will need to rely heavily on Larkin for offensive production.

During a late-season stint with the Rangers in 2025-26, Sykora made a notable impact, scoring four points (3G / 1A) in 11 games and making his NHL debut. The 22-year-old Slovak was hoping to play a more regular role at the NHL level in 2026-27, but suffered a lower-body injury in a preseason game on Monday, derailing his season for four to five months.

Phiadelphia did not provide a post-game update regarding their number one goaltender after he left Tuesday's game vs. Boston with an upper-body injury. The 29-year-old is entering his second season with the Flyers, after posting an impressive 29-14-7 record, 2.42 GAA and .906 SV% last season. Joseph Woll is expected to replace Vladar as Philadelphia's starter if he is forced to miss any time, with Aleksei Kolosov likely filling in for the backup role.

Greer is not expected to suit up for any of Anaheim's remaining preseason games, and his status for the team's season opener remains uncertain. The 29-year-old Greer is entering his first season with the Ducks after scoring a career-high 32 points (17G / 15A) last season in 78 games with the Florida Panthers.