NHL Hockey Player News

Kiviranta scored a goal in the Stars' previous game, a 5-0 win over the San Jose Sharks, but he was dinged up after blocking a shot. Head Coach Glen Gulutzan said Kiviranta will miss some time but is hopeful it will be only one week.

Rust suffered an injury late in the preseason and has been sidelined since. The 34-year-old Rust matched a career high with 65 points (29G / 36A) in 72 games last season. He has had success in the past on lines with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, but the team's offence has been rolling through three games this season so they may insert Rust onto the third line alongside Ben Kindel.

To some surprise, Colorado hasn't yet turned to Scott Wedgewood this season and will roll with Blackwood between the pipes for a third straight game. Despite Wedgewood's tremendous 2025-26 season, it's hard to blame Head Coach Jared Bednar for turning to Blackwood again, given his solid 2.50 GAA and .912 SV% through the first two games (2-0-0). Colorado enters Wednesday's contest as sizeable -193 road favourites against a Winnipeg Jets team that is 2-0-1 this season.

Kuzmenko was away from the team to start the season while tending to the death of his father. The 30-year-old Kuzmenko played two games for Pittsburgh, but he will return to the sidelines on their upcoming road trip. He is averaging 12:00 time-on-ice and has zero points through two games this season.

Sorokin had the night off in New York's previous game, but he will likely return to the crease on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks, looking to build on a strong start to the 2026-27 season. The 31-year-old goalie has been outstanding through two games, despite a 1-1-0 record, saving 61 of 63 combined shots (.968 SV%). Sorokin had the worst save percentage of his career in 2025-26 (.906 SV%) and hopes to improve those totals this season under new Head Coach Pete DeBoer.

Sergei Murashov had a decent outing in his season debut last game, but the team will turn to Silovs to start for the third time in four games to start the season. The 25-year-old Silovs was outstanding in his season opener, saving all 19 shots he faced in a 7-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, but was not nearly as dominant in his following outing, allowing five goals on 25 shots (.800 SV%) while managing to salvage a 6-5 overtime victory over the Montreal Canadiens. The Penguins enter Wednesday's contest as +139 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals team that is 1-1-0 this season.

Romanov exited Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers after only 13:20 time-on-ice with an undisclosed injury, and was absent from practice on Wednesday. The 26-year-old Romanov missed 67 games last season due to a shoulder injury, but it is unclear if his most recent ailment is related. Expect an update from the team before they return to action on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Roy exited Saturday's game with a lower-body injury, and his status is day-to-day. The 31-year-old Roy averaged 20:37 time-on-ice, recording 19 points (2G /17A), 116 hits, and 146 blocks in 79 games last season. Dylan McIlrath will draw into the lineup as Roy's replacement on Wednesday.

James is recovering from a broken hand that sidelined him for the entirety of training camp, but he should make his return to the lineup on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. The 24-year-old forward made his NHL debut last season, tallying 15 points (7G / 8A) in 43 games with Tampa Bay.

Sergei Murashov had a decent outing in his season debut last game, but the team will turn to Silovs to start for the third time in four games to start the season. The 25-year-old Silovs was outstanding in his season opener, saving all 19 shots he faced in a 7-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, but was not nearly as dominant in his following outing, allowing five goals on 25 shots (.800 SV%) while managing to salvage a 6-5 overtime victory over the Montreal Canadiens. The Penguins enter Wednesday's contest as +139 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals team that is 1-1-0 this season.

Toninato is no stranger to the NHL, with 36 points (13G / 23A) in 197 career games, but he has spent most of his career in the AHL. The 32-year-old forward scored 43 points (16G / 27A) last season in 52 games with the Rockford IceHogs (AHL).

Suniev was drafted 80th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, but has yet to make his presence felt at the NHL level. The 21-year-old spent mot of the 2025-26 season in the AHL, where he tallied 24 points (16G / 8A) in 57 games with the Calgary Wranglers.

Castagna was drafted in the third round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft by the Arizona Coyotes. The 21-year-old forward made his professional debut earlier this season, tallying two goals in two games with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL). He spent the previous three seasons playing for Cornell University.

Doan played only 12:05 of ice time in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Minnesota Wild because of a lower-body injury. The 24-year-old had a breakout 2025-26 season, scoring 52 points (25G / 27A) in 82 games, but has yet to find the scoresheet through three games this season.

With Matt Roy (lower body) out day-to-day, McIlrath will draw into the lineup on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 34-year-old McIlrath averaged 9:19 time-on-ice last season in 13 games with the Capitals.

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. The 29-year-old goalie hopes to continue his upward trajectory after an encouraging start to the season, saving 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%) in his only game so far, a 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The Capitals enter Wednesday as -154 home favourites against a Pittsburgh Penguins team that has outscored its opposition 15-8 through three games (2-1-0).

To make room for the recently signed Michael Bunting, the Flyers have sent Bump down to Lehigh Valley (AHL). The 22-year-old Bump made his NHL debut last season, scoring nine points (5G / 4A) in 17 games with the Flyers.

L'Heureux's Avalanche debut has had to wait after the bruising forward missed the team's first two games due to a lower-body injury. The 23-year-old former 1st-round pick (2021 - 27th overall) appeared in 25 games with Nashville last season, picking up four goals, five points and 25 PIMs.