NHL Player News

Larkin scored a power-play goal on five shots and added two hits in Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Canadiens.

While the game got out of hand quickly, Larkin gave the Red Wings a glimmer of hope with the opening tally at 3:50 of the first period. The 29-year-old center continues to play in a first-line role and will be a massive part of Detroit's offense. He has recorded no fewer than 69 points in each of the last four seasons, and he's reached the 30-goal mark in every year in that span.

Kapanen scored a goal in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Red Wings.

Kapanen has two goals, three shots on net and four hits over two games to begin 2025-26. While that level of offense is unsustainable for a third-line center, he's doing his best to secure his place in the lineup after winning a job in training camp. If he can chip in at even a 0.5-points-per-game pace, Kapanen will have some appeal in deeper fantasy formats.

Bolduc scored a goal on four shots and went plus-2 in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Red Wings.

That's two goals in two games for Bolduc to start the season. A hot start should help him solidify his place on the second line, and he's also seeing ample power-play time on the first unit so far. He had 19 goals and 36 points in 72 regular-season games with the Blues last year, but Bolduc is poised for a true breakout campaign if he can keep his momentum up throughout 2025-26.

Dach notched an assist, two shots on goal and six hits in Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Bruins.

Dach saw 13:22 of ice time while being listed on the first line, though the left-wing spot alongside Connor Bedard has been a revolving door through two games. The helper was Dach's first point of the season to go with three shots and 10 hits. If his offense cooperates, he could be a burgeoning power forward in 2025-26, so fantasy managers in deeper formats will want to keep an eye on his usage.

Eyssimont registered an assist in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over the Blackhawks.

Eyssimont has opened 2025-26 in a third line role for the Bruins. The 29-year-old forward has added four shots on net, one hit, one blocked shot and a minus-1 rating. He's got a bit of skill, but he's already on his fifth NHL team in five years. Eyssimont will likely land in the 15-20 point range while offering a decent amount of hits and PIM.

Mittelstadt scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over the Blackhawks.

Mittelstadt opened the scoring just 3:53 into the game for his first point in two outings. The 26-year-old is in a second-line role, and he's averaged 14:17 of ice time so far. Mittelstadt will need to stay sharp and offer supporting scoring to avoid getting passed over by Fraser Minten, who has started 2025-26 as the third-line center.

Minten scored a goal on three shots and added four hits in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over the Blackhawks.

Minten played the hero to help the Bruins begin the year 2-0-0. He won a puck battle in the defensive zone and initiated a 2-on-1 rush, keeping the shot for himself to score the game-winner at 2:12 of overtime. The 21-year-old made the Bruins out of camp and has started the year as the third-line center. In addition to the goal, he has three shots, six hits and two blocked shots over two contests.

Norris (upper body) is still being evaluated and is not expected to face the Bruins on Saturday.

Norris will miss at least one game due to the upper-body injury he suffered against the Rangers on Thursday, though it could still be longer. Without Norris on the squad, the Sabres recalled Josh Dunne from the minors and will likely press him into the lineup -- especially with Zach Benson (face) still out of action.

Dunne was promoted from AHL Rochester on Friday.

Dunne's elevation to the main roster doesn't bode well for the availability of Josh Norris (upper body) ahead of Saturday's clash with the Bruins. In his two games with the Sabres last year, the 26-year-old Dunne registered five hits, five PIM and one shot but zero points. Even if Norris can't play Saturday, Dunne is far from a lock to make the lineup, especially if Zach Benson (face) is good to go.

O'Reilly scored the game-winning goal on the power play in Thursday's 2-1 season-opening win over the Blue Jackets.

O'Reilly came through in a big spot for the Predators, as he scored the game-winner early in the third period. That goal continues his success with the man advantage, as he put up 28 power-play points in 2023-24 and 17 last year. The 34-year-old began this season in a top-line role on the right wing alongside Filip Forsberg and Brady Martin. O'Reilly could draw starts this season anywhere in the Predators' top-six and will aim to maintain his track record of strong two-way play, which could lead to good category coverage in fantasy.