NHL Player News

Strome had two assists in Tuesday's 3-2 OT win over Tampa Bay.

The points were his first of the season. There was plenty of griping online about Strome being a disappointment this season. Too funny. He set career records for goals (29), assists (53), PPG (nine), PPP (34) and points (82). Even with a slight reversion, Strome will still be a strong fantasy play in 2025-26.

Howden (lower body) is out of the lineup Tuesday versus the Flames, Jesse Granger of The Athletic reports.

It wasn't initially known if Howden was hurt or a healthy scratch, but his lower-body issue was revealed shortly after puck drop. The 27-year-old can be considered day-to-day for now. Vegas returns home to face the Bruins on Thursday.

Sasson will be recalled from AHL Abbotsford, according to Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650 on Tuesday.

In a corresponding move, the Canucks will return Braeden Cootes to WHL Seattle. The 25-year-old Sasson has two goals in two minor-league outings this campaign. During the 2024-25 regular season, he had three goals, four assists, 31 shots on net, 13 blocked shots and 18 hits in 29 appearances with Vancouver.

Cootes was reassigned to WHL Seattle on Tuesday, Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650 reports.

Cootes played in Vancouver's first three games of the season, registering zero points, zero shots and three hits. Considering the 18-year-old center racked up 26 goals and 37 assists in 63 regular-season games for Seattle last year, the organization was likely hoping for more out of him during his stint in the NHL. Once Cootes wraps up his season with the Thunderbirds, he could be brought back up for the final few games of the 2025-26 campaign without burning a year of his ELC.

Blueger (undisclosed) was practicing in a non-contact sweater at Tuesday's practice, Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650 reports.

While there is certainly still time for Blueger to get the all-clear, he should be considered questionable, at best, to face the Stars on Thursday. In 82 regular-season games for the Canucks last year, the 31-year-old center notched eight goals and 18 helpers. Despite having already missed three games this year, Blueger should still be capable of reaching the 25-point threshold for the third straight year.

Donato posted an assist in Monday's 3-1 win over the Mammoth.

The helper was Donato's first point in four games this season. So far, the regression red flags are waving strongly -- Donato has mostly played on the third line in 2025-26, and he's been on the second power-play unit. He will struggle to match his 31-goal, 62-point effort from last year in those spots, though the Blackhawks' lines don't yet seem settled, which could open the door for him to get another top-six chance.

Sundqvist (lower body) has been upgraded to day-to-day but still won't play versus the Blackhawks on Wednesday, Lou Korac of NHL.com reports.

Sundqvist's upgraded timeline could see Sundqvist return to the lineup as early as Saturday's tilt against the Stars, though that hasn't been confirmed yet. Once given the all-clear, Sundqvist should be in line for a bottom-six role, which could see Alexandre Texier relegated to the press box as a healthy scratch -- especially once Alexei Toropchenko (upper body) returns.

Raty notched an assist and five hits in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Blues.

Raty picked up his first point in three outings when he set up the first of Kiefer Sherwood's two goals. The 22-year-old Raty has added one shot on net, nine hits and a plus-2 rating to begin 2025-26. The Canucks' lack of center depth -- a situation worsened by the absence of Teddy Blueger (undisclosed) -- has allowed Raty to hold a fourth-line spot. While he's playing regularly, it remains to be seen if he'll generate enough offense to help fantasy managers.

Bjugstad scored a goal on two shots and added two hits in Monday's 5-2 win over the Canucks.

Bjugstad has settled as the Blues' fourth-line center, a role he'll likely keep at least until Oskar Sundqvist (lower body) is healthy. Through three contests, Bjugstad has a goal, four shots on net, five hits and two blocked shots. The 33-year-old had a 45-point campaign with the Coyotes in 2023-24, but that's the only time in the last seven years he's reached even 30 points in a season.

Bennett scored a goal on four shots, doled out seven hits, added four PIM and went minus-4 in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Flyers.

The goal was Bennett's first point in four games this season. The 29-year-old may be struggling to adjust to a larger role, which he's been forced into due to the absence of Aleksander Barkov (knee). Bennett has gone minus-8 with 12 shots on net, six PIM and 11 hits to begin the year, and he's averaging 18:31 of ice time per game, which would be a career high. Until Bennett settles in or reverts to his second-line role, Anton Lundell is likely the pivot to target on the Panthers' roster.