NHL Player News

Steel signed a four-year, $14.8 million contract extension with the Stars on Monday.

Steel has spent the past three seasons with the Stars, most recently recording 12 goals, 21 assists, 79 hits, 29 blocked shots and 24 PIM while averaging 16:04 of ice time across 73 regular-season appearances last year. He'll remain with Dallas on a multi-year agreement and will likely continue to handle a middle-six role during the 2026-27 campaign.

Blackwell is dealing with a lower-body injury but should return before Opening Night, Robert Tiffin of NHL.com reports Monday.

Blackwell could still return for an upcoming preseason contest, but his focus will be on the Opening Night clash with St. Louis on Oct. 2. In 70 regular-season games last year, the 33-year-old center notched four goals and 11 helpers. As such, he is unlikely to have enough fantasy value in most formats.

Lizotte (upper body) is week-to-week, the team announced Monday.

Lizotte likely won't participate in preseason action and could miss the start of the 2026-27 campaign. He registered seven goals, 19 points, 49 shots on net, 35 blocked shots and 49 hits over 55 appearances in the 2025-26 regular season.

Carlsson scored a goal and added a power-play assist in Sunday's 6-2 preseason win over the Sharks.

Carlsson is firmly cemented as Anaheim's No. 1 center, and he will have a lot to live up to after signing a five-year, $90 million contract with the team in July. The 21-year-old's offensive output has increased in each of his first three seasons in the NHL, and that trend should continue in 2026-27 if he plays in most, or all, of the team's regular-season games.

Barkov delivered a goal and a power-play assist during Sunday's 6-3 preseason win over the Hurricanes.

Barkov skated on the top line between Brady Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart on Sunday, which is a trio that has the potential to be one of the best lines in the NHL this season if it sticks together. Barkov missed the entirety of the 2025-26 season, but if he stays healthy this year, he will be a high-end fantasy option at the center position. Don't forget about the Finnish playmaker on draft day.

Brindley notched a goal, an assist and a plus-1 rating in Sunday's 4-1 preseason win over the Mammoth.

Brindley has an opportunity to seize a more prominent role in 2026-27, as the departures of players such as Valeri Nichushkin and Ross Colton have opened up some ice time in the team's top nine. Furthermore, head coach Jared Bednar said in November of 2025 that he believes Brindley can be a top-six forward in the NHL, per Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette. As such, Brindley is a player to keep an eye on depending on where he plays in Colorado's lineup this year.

Avon registered a shorthanded empty-net goal and two power-play assists in Sunday's 4-2 preseason win over the Flames.

Avon had his best AHL season in 2025-26 -- he delivered 10 goals and 24 points over 45 regular-season contests with Coachella Valley. The undrafted forward has yet to make his NHL debut, and while Sunday's performance is encouraging, Avon doesn't need to be on fantasy managers' radars at this time.

Point recorded an assist and a shot during Sunday's 2-1 preseason win over the Predators.

Point saw a decrease in production during the 2025-26 campaign, recording 18 goals, 32 assists, 23 blocked shots, 14 PIM and eight hits while averaging 18:15 of ice time across 63 regular-season appearances. He dealt with a pair of injuries last year and will attempt to bounce back this season while maintaining a top-six role for Tampa Bay.

Frost has been working as Calgary's No. 1 center to begin training camp, Chris Wahl of the Flames' official site reported Saturday.

Frost had a decent season offensively in 2025-26, as he put up 22 goals and 43 points over 82 appearances, which marked the first time he played in every regular-season game during his career. The 27-year-old averaged just 15:30 of ice time per game last year, but if he stays in the top-line center role, that number will certainly increase. While Frost could be an interesting flier in deeper formats, his fantasy value could be capped by playing on what is expected to be one the NHL's weaker teams.

Salminen signed a two-year, entry-level contract with Florida on Sunday, PuckPedia reports.

Salminen notched 11 goals and 29 points in 43 games for the University of Denver in 2025-26. The 23-year-old forward will join the Panthers for training camp, but he will likely begin his professional career with AHL Charlotte in 2026-27.