NHL Player News

Hallander is good to go ahead of training camp, according to assistant GM Jason Spezza, Wes Crosby of NHL.com reports Thursday.

Hallander had missed time in the minors due to injury, but he appears to be a full go in the lead-up to 2026-27. While far from a lock, the 26-year-old center could push for an Opening Night roster spot, though he would need to edge out several players in an already crowded forward group. Even if Hallander doesn't make the team to open the year, he could suit up in more than the 13 regular-season tilts he played in last season.

Barron (lower body) skated on the second line during Thursday's practice session on the first day of training camp, Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press reports.

Barron missed the end of the 2025-26 regular season due to a lower-body injury, but he appears to have moved past the issue over the summer. The 27-year-old racked up 11 goals, 12 assists, 132 hits, 40 blocked shots and 31 PIM while averaging 12:48 of ice time across 65 regular-season appearances with the Jets last year.

Rodrigues (finger) is good for the start of training camp, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports Thursday.

Rodrigues missed the Panthers' final 11 games and finished the 2025-26 campaign on long-term injured reserve. He had 11 goals and 31 points in 69 regular-season appearances with Florida in 2025-26. Now with the Devils following an offseason trade, Rodrigues participated in Thursday's line rushes alongside Arseny Gritsyuk and Dawson Mercer, though those might not be his linemates when the campaign starts.

The Devils announced Thursday that Bjugstad underwent successful surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle last week and will be sidelined for approximately 4-6 months.

Bjugstad sustained his injury in early September while doing offseason training, and he'll be unavailable for a sizable portion of the 2026-27 campaign after undergoing surgery. He made 61 regular-season appearances between the Blues and Devils last year and recorded six goals, three assists, 108 hits, 33 blocked shots and 33 PIM while averaging 10:56 of ice time. Given his return timetable, it appears as though Bjugstad will be sidelined until at least mid-January at the earliest, with the potential that his absence extends later into the season.

General manager Kelly McCrimmon indicated Thursday that Karlsson (wrist) is a full participant to begin training camp, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Karlsson suffered a wrist injury during Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals that required offseason surgery, but he appears to have recovered in time for training camp ahead of the 2026-27 season. The 33-year-old has missed significant time due to injuries across the past two years, as he was limited to 14 regular-season appearances during the 2025-26 campaign due to a lower-body injury. He's made 67 regular-season appearances across the past two years, and he logged 13 goals, 23 assists, 50 blocked shots, 23 hits and eight PIM during that time.

Appleton (upper body) has been cleared to participate in Red Wings' training camp, per Max Bultman of The Athletic.

Appleton missed Detroit's final seven games of the 2025-26 campaign with an upper-body injury. The 30-year-old forward was one of the Red Wings' regular depth wingers prior to his injury, where he posted six goals, 14 points, 63 shots on net and 89 hits across 65 regular-season games. As he's resumed skating for training camp, he'll battle for a similar depth role this season against the Wings' plethora of forwards in attendance.

Namestnikov (undisclosed) was skating on the second line during Thursday's practice session on the first day of training camp, Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site reports.

Namestnikov was unavailable for the end of the 2025-26 campaign due to an undisclosed injury, but he appears to have returned to full health ahead of the 2026-27 season. The 33-year-old was limited to 60 regular-season appearances last year, and he recorded eight goals, six assists, 76 hits, 37 blocked shots and 28 PIM while averaging 13:47 of ice time.

Rasmussen (lower body) was skating on the second line during Thursday's practice session to begin training camp, Max Bultman of The Athletic reports.

Rasmussen missed the end of the 2025-26 campaign due to a lower-body injury, but he appears to have moved past the issue during the offseason. It seems unlikely that he'll face limitations stemming from his previous injury leading up to Opening Night. Across 64 regular-season appearances last year, he recorded six goals, eight assists, 64 hits and 63 blocked shots while averaging 12:39 of ice time.

Glendening signed a professional tryout agreement with the Lightning on Wednesday.

Glendening played for the Lightning in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. In 70 regular-season appearances between New Jersey and Philadelphia last year, he recorded two goals, seven assists, 97 hits, 53 blocked shots and eight PIM while averaging 10:32 of ice time per game. Glendening hasn't had a significant offensive impact in recent years. Still, he could push for a roster spot since Yanni Gourde (hip) and Dominic James (hand) are expected to miss the start of the regular season.

Head coach Lindy Ruff indicated Wednesday that Kulich could step in for Jason Zucker (abdomen) early in the 2026-27 season, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic reports.

Zucker is slated to miss the start of the 2026-27 campaign while recovering from sports hernia surgery, which could lead to increased early-season opportunities for Kulich. The 22-year-old Kulich made 12 regular-season appearances for Buffalo last year and recorded three goals, two assists, 12 blocked shots, nine hits and four PIM while averaging 16:22 of ice time.