NHL Player News

Danault notched an assist and three shots on goal in Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Hurricanes.

Danault has earned two helpers through six contests so far. The 32-year-old center has been pressed into a larger role in the absence of Anze Kopitar (foot), who is week-to-week. Danault has added eight shots on net, 10 hits and a plus-1 rating. His defensive skills are good enough to handle top-six minutes, but don't expect him to be a big contributor on offense while also shutting down other teams' best players.

Wright had a goal and an assist in a 4-3 overtime win over Toronto on Saturday.

Wright put the Kraken up 1-0 at 7:29 of the first period when he put a rebound into a wide-open net from below the left faceoff dot while on the power play. It was his 100th game. Wright is on a three-game, four-point (two goals, two assists) scoring streak. He's among seven Kraken with four points this season.

Kotkaniemi scored a goal on two shots and added two hits in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over the Kings.

Kotkaniemi was a healthy scratch for the first two games of the road trip, but he replaced Mark Jankowski for Saturday's contest. The days of the Hurricanes tolerating mediocrity from Kotkaniemi are apparently over -- he'll have to earn his place in the lineup, likely on the fourth line, now that Logan Stankoven is centering the second line. Kotkaniemi has two points, three shots on net, three hits and a plus-2 rating through three appearances, but his limited role offers minimal fantasy upside.

Jarvis scored the game-winning goal in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over the Kings.

Per Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site, Jarvis is the first player in NHL history to score four game-winners within a team's first five games of the season. The 23-year-old kept the Hurricanes from a total collapse, scoring at 1:45 of overtime after the Kings erased a 3-0 deficit. Jarvis has six goals on the year, and of his four game-winners, two have come in overtime. He's added two assists, 22 shots on net and a plus-5 rating. He's a gamer, and while he's already an established 30-goal threat, he could take his offense to new levels in 2025-26.

Staal scored twice on four shots, added two hits, went plus-2 and won 20 of 22 faceoffs in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over the Kings.

Staal set the tone with a pair of goals within the first four minutes of the game. His first goal Saturday was the 300th of his career, coming in his 1,333rd regular-season appearance. Given his defensive role for much of his career, it's an impressive milestone for the 37-year-old to reach. He's up to three goals, eight shots, 10 hits and a plus-5 rating across five outings in 2025-26.

Stephenson had two assists in a 4-3 overtime victory over the Maple Leafs on Saturday.

Stephenson has four points (two goals, two assists) in the past two games. He's coming off two consecutive 51-point campaigns, and he has delivered 60-point performances in the past. Stephenson is 31, so he may not climb back to the height of those two high-water regular seasons. Still, he's outstanding at the dot and was among league leaders (eighth overall) for faceoff wins in 2024-25.

Beecher scored a goal on three shots and blocked two shots in Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Avalanche.

Beecher was a healthy scratch for the first five games of the campaign. The 24-year-old replaced Jeffrey Viel in the lineup Saturday and made an immediate impact with a goal at 3:11 of the first period, but that was all the Bruins could muster. Beecher put up 11 points in 78 outings in a fourth-line role last year and offers some upside in the physical categories. However, he's unlikely to be a power-play option, which will severely limit his offense, so his fantasy utility isn't great.

Necas scored an empty-net goal on five shots and went plus-3 in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Bruins.

Necas was able to extend his point streak to six games with 2:37 left in the third period. He has four goals and six helpers to open the season, and he's yet to be held off the scoresheet while thriving in a top-line role. He's earned three of his 10 points on the power play. The 26-year-old also has 14 shots on net, a plus-10 rating, four hits and two blocked shots. Necas is in a contract year and skating with Nathan MacKinnon, so it's no surprise he's been consistent to begin 2025-26.

MacKinnon scored twice on eight shots, added two PIM and went plus-3 in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Bruins.

MacKinnon has a pair of two-goal efforts over his last three games. On the season, this was his fifth multi-point performance, and it was a good rebound from getting held off the scoresheet Thursday versus the Blue Jackets. MacKinnon is up to six goals, 10 points, 25 shots, five hits, five blocked shots and a plus-10 rating across six appearances.

Tavares scored two goals in Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss to Seattle.

Tavares reached 500 points in his 521st regular-season game with Toronto on Saturday. He became one of only four players to have at least 500 points with two different teams, joining an elite list with Ron Francis, Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky. Tavares also has 497 goals, including three this season.