NHL Hockey Player News

Ekholm's head hit the ice hard after a hit in a scary incident in Thursday's game. It's unclear how much time Ekholm will be sidelined, but he will not play on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Levi did not practice on Friday and has been ruled out of Saturday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Head Coach Mike Babcock did not explain why Levi was absent or how much time, if any, he might miss. Levi has been leading the way between the pipes for the Oilers early in 2026-27 and will likely hurt the team if he misses any time.

Cirelli exited Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights after just 10:30 of ice time with an undisclosed ailment, but he will be ready to play on Friday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 29-year-old Cirelli has five points (3G / 2A) in nine games this season.

Yager was drafted 14th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, but has yet to make a full-time jump to the NHL. The 21-year-old made his NHL debut last season, playing three games with the Jets and scoring zero points. He has nine points (5G / 4A) in six games this season with Manitoba (AHL). He made his 2026-27 season debut in Winnipeg's previous game, but with the recent acquisition of Dawson Mercer from the New Jersey Devils, Yager will head back to the AHL.

Dean was drafted 30th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, but hasn't been able to find a permanent home at the NHL level. The 23-year-old forward has zero points in 12 career NHL games.

With a 7-2-0 record, Tampa Bay leads the Eastern Conference in points percentage (.778) and hopes to carry their early-season success into Friday with Vasilevskiy tending the twine. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner hasn't had to be spectacular this season, but is coming off a strong performance, saving 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. He has 2.46 GAA and .898 SV% in seven games (5-2-0). Tampa Bay enters the action as +110 road underdogs against a Colorado Avalanche team that is 2-3-1 in their last six 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).

Jakub Dobes had a breakout 2025-26 season, leading the Canadiens to an impressive playoff run, but his sluggish start to 2026-27 opened a door for Jacob Fowler. The 21-year-old Fowler saved 23 of 26 shots (.885 SV%) in his most recent game, a 4-3 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres. He has a 2.16 GAA and .900 SV% in four games this season (3-1-0). The Canadiens enter Friday's contest as -161 road favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks team coming off a 4-0 shutout loss to the Dallas Stars.

Fabbro sustained a hand fracture in the preseason and has been sidelined since. He is nearing his return, but will miss at least one more game. The Blue Jackets signed Carson Soucy off a PTO during the preseason as a replacement for Fabbro. The 28-year-old Fabbro averaged 16:34 time-on-ice and scored 11 points (5G / 6A) in 74 games last season.

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.