NHL Hockey Player News

Makar was used sparingly in the opening days of training camp, wearing a non-contact jersey, but he was a full participant on Tuesday and is expected to make his preseason debut on Friday. The 27-year-old Makar is coming off a solid 2025-26 campaign, scoring 79 points (20G / 59A) in 75 games, and is fresh off signing a lucrative eight-year, $163.2 million contract extension ($20.4M AAV), making him the highest-paid player in NHL history.

Detroit's ex-captain missed the Red Wings' previous three preseason games with an upper-body injury and will remain out on Saturday as the team closes out the preseason vs. Columbus. The 30-year-old had an eventful offseason after publicly demanding a trade after posting 34 goals, 67 points, and 48 PIMs in 74 games.

Bernard-Docker was fighting for one of Detroit's final defensive spots after signing a two-year, $1.6 million AAV contract extension in the offseason, but is now considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury. The 26-year-old is entering his seventh NHL season and second with the Red Wings after putting up a goal, five points and 25 PIMs in 63 games last season.

Kulich only appeared in 12 games with the Sabres in 2025-26 due to injury, but was removed from Thursday's preseason game vs. Detroit for precautionary reasons. The 22-year-old was Buffalo's 2022 1st-round pick (28th overall) and is hoping for a breakout campaign after putting up 18 goals, 29 points, and 154 SOG across 75 GP in the last two seasons. He is expected to return to Sabres' practice on Saturday.

Zellweger is expected to play a key part on Buffalo's blueline this season and is expected to be ready for the Sabres' opening night game on October 1st vs. Columbus after a concussion derailed his preseason. The 23-year-old was acquired in a trade with Anaheim in the offseason, after putting up seven goals, 22 points and 34 PIMs in 76 games in 2025-26.

Merzlikins underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason and will begin the 2026-27 season on the Injured Reserve with Columbus' season opener on October 1st vs. Buffalo. The 32-year-old appeared in 30 games last season while splitting time with Jet Greaves and posted a 14-11-3 record, 3.40 GAA and .883 SV%.

Chytil left Thursday's game vs. Edmonton with an upper-body injury after an ugly collision with a referee. The 27-year-old missed 70 games in 2025-26 with an upper-body injury, so this update adds to a long list of bad-luck injuries for the forward across his nine-year career. Since joining Vancouver midseason in 2024-25, he has appeared in 27 regular-season games for the Canucks.

Casey is expected to "miss some time," according to Head Coach Sheldon Keefe. It is a tough blow for the 22-year-old, who was hoping to make the Devils' lineup out of camp after appearing in two games last season and spending a stint on the injured reserve. In 29 games with Utica (AHL) last season, the defenseman put up an impressive 19 points despite also having a -13 -plus/minus. New Jersey is expected to provide an injury update in the coming days.

Kulich only appeared in 12 games with the Sabres in 2025-26 due to injury and was removed from Thursday's preseason game vs. Detroit for precautionary reasons. The 22-year-old was Buffalo's 2022 1st-round pick (28th overall) and is hoping for a breakout campaign after putting up 18 goals, 29 points, and 154 SOG across 75 GP in the last two seasons.

Lyon had a scare on Thursday, leaving Buffalo's preseason game vs. Detroit with an upper-body injury in the 2nd period. The 33-year-old is expected to be evaluated on Friday, as the Sabres update us on his status heading into their season opener vs. Columbus on October 1st. Lyon was expected to split time with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen this season, but will likely be replaced by Colten Ellis if he is forced to miss any time.

Paul left Wednesday's preseason game vs. Ottawa with an undisclosed injury and did not return. While the 30-year-old forward's availability for the season opener is uncertain, Head Coach Jim Hiller insisted the his injury is day-to-day. Paul 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.

Kindel suffered a lower-body injury in Monday's preseason game, did not return, and has been sidelined since. Team doctors are still evaluating him, but he has been listed as week-to-week. The 19-year-old forward enters his sophomore season after scoring 35 points (17G / 18A) in 77 games with Pittsburgh in 2025-26.

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.