NHL Player News

Philp scored a goal on two shots, dished out two hits and added two PIM in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Canucks.

Philp opened the scoring at 12:21 of the second period with the first goal of his NHL career. It came in his 17th appearance, all of which have been over the last two seasons for the 27-year-old. It's been a winding path to the NHL for Philp, but he has a chance to maintain a bottom-six job early in 2025-26. However, minimal power-play time and limited usage at even strength will likely keep his scoring numbers low, and he could rotate out of the lineup for Curtis Lazar or lose his spot altogether once Jack Roslovic is ready to make his Oilers debut.

Draisaitl scored a shorthanded empty-net goal on two shots in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Canucks.

Draisaitl cut off the Canucks' comeback hopes with his third-period tally. The 29-year-old has opened 2025-26 with two goals, one assist, eight shots and a plus-1 rating over two contests. As expected, he's played on the wing for the first two games -- in formats where he didn't already have left-wing eligibility, it shouldn't take him long to gain it. Fantasy managers shouldn't have trouble finding space in their lineups for Draisaitl anyway, as he's one of a handful of players with an expectation for 100 points every year.

Brindley scored a goal in Saturday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Stars.

Brindley put the Avalanche ahead 2-1 midway through the second period. The tally was his first goal and point in four NHL appearances, three of which have come to begin this season. The 21-year-old forward was acquired from the Blue Jackets in the offseason as the headlining part of the return when the Avalanche shed salary by sending Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood east. It's unclear if Brindley will stick in the lineup, but he's playing in a limited fourth-line role that offers minimal fantasy upside.

Necas scored a goal on three shots, dished two assists and went plus-2 in Saturday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Stars.

Necas has found the scoresheet in all three games this season, compiling three goals and three assists. He's earned three of those six points on the power play. The 26-year-old is proving that last year's 83-point regular season wasn't a fluke. Necas and Nathan MacKinnon have created a fruitful partnership on the Avalanche's top line, and it's a goldmine for their fantasy managers.

Gourde scored a goal Saturday in a 5-3 loss to the Devils.

Gourde made it 3-1 in the second period when he finished a 3-on-2 rush with a wrist shot from the high slot. He's centering the third line, and he's no longer the same player he was during his previous stint in Tampa Bay. Gourde may not be a top fantasy option, but he's the kind of player who can help in dailies when he gets on a roll.

MacKinnon scored a power-play goal on four shots, added two assists, logged two hits and went plus-2 in Saturday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Stars.

MacKinnon has scored both of his goals this season on the power play. He's up to six points, 10 shots, four hits and a plus-4 rating over three contests. The 30-year-old is no stranger to hot starts -- last year, he opened the campaign with a 13-game, 25-point streak. He continues to be in the conversation for the best player in the league and is elite for fantasy managers who had a pick early enough in the first round to draft him.

Johnston scored a goal on five shots and blocked two shots in Saturday's 5-4 shootout win over the Avalanche.

Johnston has two goals in as many games this season. He turned defense into offense for his third-period tally, blocking a shot before taking off and converting on a breakaway. Johnston plays an important all-situations role, including on the first power-play unit, and he's sharing third-line minutes at even strength with Jason Robertson. Plug and play Johnston in fantasy lineups as long as the offense keeps rolling.

Hischier had a goal and assist in a 5-3 win over the Lightning on Saturday.

Hischier put the Devils up 3-0 in the first period with his first goal of the season, a wraparound that deflected off the skate of a Tampa defender and past Andrei Vasilevskiy. Hischier set a career high in goals (35) last season, although it came on an inflated 18.7 shooting percentage. His career mark is 13.3. Still, Hischier is one of the league's best two-way pivots, and a 70-point campaign with lots of power-play production is within reach.

Kasper scored a goal Saturday in a 6-3 win over the Maple Leafs.

It was Kasper's first of the year. He put up 19 goals and 18 assists in 77 games last season. The 21-year-old is centering Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat at even strength, and those two have offensive firepower to burn. Kasper is a solid deep league option with plenty of upside.

Domi scored a goal in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Red Wings.

Domi was all over the ice Saturday, especially in the third period. He almost had another goal that would have been on the highlight reels, but he missed the mark. Domi didn't earn his first goal last season until game No. 23, so this type of production is a welcome sign for both the Leafs and fantasy managers. However, his value will be limited if he remains outside of the top six.