NHL Player News

Karlsson logged an assist and two hits in Friday's 3-2 shootout win over the Blackhawks.

Karlsson helped out on a Max Sasson tally in the second period, which tied the game at 2-2. The 25-year-old Karlsson has played in each of the last two games over Jonathan Lekkerimaki. While it's unclear if Karlsson will stay in the lineup, he'll have a better chance if the Canucks opt to send a forward to the minors now that Teddy Blueger has returned from an undisclosed injury. Even then, Karlsson will likely be confined to a fourth-line role, with usage similar to 2024-25 when he had six points, 28 shots on net and 27 hits over 23 appearances.

Sasson scored a goal in Friday's 3-2 shootout win over the Blackhawks.

Teddy Blueger (undisclosed) returned to action Friday, but Sasson stayed in the lineup over Aatu Raty. That may not always be the case, but Sasson has two goals on four shots over his two NHL outings this season, so he's made a good early impression. The 25-year-old should be able to play more often than not if he can contribute semi-regularly on offense.

Moore scored both goals for AHL Rockford in its 2-1 overtime win over Texas on Friday.

Moore opened the scoring 1:15 into the first period and won it 2:18 into overtime. The 20-year-old forward is up to four goals and an assist through three minor-league games. He's doing everything he can to be ready for a call-up should the Blackhawks opt to change things up at the NHL level. However, Moore is unlikely to get promoted unless there's at least middle-six minutes waiting for him, as he's too talented to grind it out on the fourth line.

Heinen recorded three assists in AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's 5-2 win over Hartford on Friday.

Heinen has four helpers over three games with the farm team to begin the AHL campaign. He hasn't been in the minors since 2017-18, most recently earning 29 points over 79 regular-season outings in 2024-25 between the Canucks and the Penguins. Should the injury bug bite Pittsburgh, Heinen would be an experienced option for a call-up to fill a bottom-six role.

Blueger (undisclosed) will play Friday versus the Blackhawks, Dan Murphy of Sportsnet reports.

Blueger missed the first four games of the season due to the undisclosed issue. The 31-year-old is slated to replace Aatu Raty on the third line for Friday's contest. Moving forward, Blueger is likely to fill a role as a defensive center in the bottom six.

Huberdeau (undisclosed) was activated off injured reserve Friday.

Matvei Gridin was reassigned to AHL Calgary in a corresponding move. Huberdeau missed the Flames' first five games of 2025-26, but he should make his season debut Saturday in Vegas. The 32-year-old had 28 goals and 62 points across 81 appearances with the Flames in 2024-25. Huberdeau should serve in a top-six capacity and on the first power-play unit this year.

Kopitar is considered week-to-week due to a foot injury, the team announced Friday.

Kopitar, who missed Wednesday's practice, was regarded as a game-time decision Thursday versus Pittsburgh, but it seems the injury is worse than initially thought. Given Kopitar's new timetable, he'll likely miss at least the Kings' next three games -- Saturday versus Columbus, Tuesday in St. Louis and next Thursday in Dallas. Phillip Danault is projected to serve on the first line during Kopitar's absence.

Wright scored a goal in Thursday's 4-3 shootout loss to Ottawa.

Wright opened the scoring for Seattle at the 4:57 mark of the first period with a backhander that went straight past Linus Ullmark. He was a non-factor in the first two games of the season, but Wright seems to be turning things around and has recorded a point in each of his last two appearances. He also took six shots Thursday after not registering a single one in his previous three games, so that uptick might be worth monitoring.

Stephenson scored two goals, including one on the power play, in Thursday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Senators.

Stephenson found the back of the net early in each of the second and third periods, with the latter of those goals coming with the man advantage. These were Stephenson's first two goals of the season. Despite being a bottom-six forward, he has some fantasy upside based on his track record -- he has reached the 50-point plateau in each of the last four regular seasons.

Cozens scored a goal on two shots and added two hits in Thursday's 4-3 shootout win over the Kraken.

Cozens remains steady on offense this season with two goals and two assists over five outings. He came up clutch Thursday, tying the game with 1:46 left in the third period, allowing the Senators to ultimately complete the comeback in the shootout. Cozens has added 16 shots on net, 19 hits and a minus-7 rating while centering the second line and playing on the first power-play unit. His goal Thursday was his first point at even strength this year.