NHL Player News

Bjugstad (pectoral) was transferred to long-term injured reserve Friday, per PuckPedia.

Bjugstad is recovering from a torn pectoral muscle which required surgery. The 34-year-old is expected to be sidelined until January at a minimum, so this move doesn't change his timeline. Should further injuries arise, the Devils will have a bit more cap flexibility.

Tavares won't play Saturday against Colorado following the birth of his child, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.

Tavares didn't practice Friday, and he'll be held out of game action a day later after his family welcomed their fourth child. Zack MacEwen and Miles Wood are candidates to enter the lineup Saturday, while Tavares' next opportunity to suit up will be Tuesday against Utah.

Gaudette (upper body) might be available for Saturday's game against Edmonton, per Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News.

Gaudette has missed San Jose's opening four games because of the injury. The Sharks' lineup for Saturday has no shortage of question marks because Macklin Celebrini (lower body) and Kiefer Sherwood (upper body) are both listed as game-time decisions, in addition to the uncertainty regarding Gaudette. If Gaudette is able to play Saturday, then he'll likely serve in a bototm-six capacity.

Head coach Ryan Warsofsky said Friday that Celebrini (lower body) is a game-time decision for Saturday's matchup against Edmonton, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Celebrini has participated in long skating sessions Thursday and Friday and is progressing in his recovery, but the team's medical staff will wait to see how he feels Saturday before determining his status against the Oilers. The 20-year-old has missed the last two games due to his injury, but his recent updates indicate that he doesn't appear to be facing a long-term absence, regardless of whether he gets the green light Saturday.

Celebrini (lower body) is making progress, but he remains questionable for Saturday's game against Edmonton, per Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now.

Although Celebrini was on the ice for a second straight long skating session Friday, he wasn't sure what his status would be Saturday. The 20-year-old has missed San Jose's past two games due to the injury. He has five assists in two appearances in 2026-27.

Head coach Peter Laviolette said Friday that Turcotte is considered day-to-day due to an undisclosed injury, Alexander Legget of MayorsManor.com reports.

Turcotte appeared in each of the Kings' first three games of the regular season, recording an assist, four hits, four PIM and a blocked shot while averaging 14:06 of ice time. However, he didn't practice Friday, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be available for Saturday's game against Vegas.

Tavares missed Friday's practice for personal reasons, per David Alter of The Hockey News.

It remains to be seen whether Tavares will be available for Saturday's game in Colorado. If Tavares does miss the game, then Nick Paul will probably move up to the second line, while Zack MacEwen might play after spending four straight games as a healthy scratch.

Dube is doubtful for Saturday's game against the Blue Jackets due to a neck injury, Lou Korac of NHL.com reports.

Dube is undergoing an MRI for a neck injury that he sustained during a collision in Thursday's overtime loss to the Sharks, and it appears as though he'll be unavailable for at least one game. Across his first three appearances of the regular season, he recorded a goal, three hits and two PIM while averaging 11:32 of ice time. Zach Dean is slated to draw into the lineup for Saturday's matchup.

Steel scored a goal and went plus-2 in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Sabres.

The Stars are still tinkering with line combinations, and the latest adjustment had Steel alongside Wyatt Johnston and Mikko Rantanen to begin Thursday's game. That's a great spot, but it's unclear if Steel will stay there in the long run. He's a versatile forward who can fit in all over the lineup. He has two points, seven shots on net, three hits and a plus-2 rating over four appearances.

Hintz scored a power-play goal on six shots in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Sabres.

Hintz had the last tally of the game. The center is starting to get going with three points over his last two outings. He's up to nine shots on net, seven hits and a plus-2 rating across four contests. Hintz should continue to see steady top-six usage and power-play time.