NHL Player News

Colton scored a goal on four shots and added two hits in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Mammoth.

Colton tallied midway through the first period to open the scoring. The 29-year-old has been playing on the wing in a third-line role to begin 2025-26, and he's unlikely to see a larger role as long as the Avalanche stay relatively healthy at forward. He's picked up four hits and five shots on net over two games. Colton exceeded 30 points in three straight years before just missing that mark in the 2024-25 regular season, so he has some appeal in deeper fantasy formats, especially in those that count hits.

MacKinnon scored a power-play goal on four shots and added two hits in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Mammoth.

Ian Cole's interference penalty came back to haunt the Mammoth, as MacKinnon's tally on the ensuring power play was the game-winner. The 30-year-old superstar has already supplied three points, six shots on net and a plus-2 rating over his first two games of the campaign. MacKinnon is as automatic as anyone for fantasy.

Lundell scored a power-play goal Thursday in a 2-1 win over the Flyers.

Lundell is the obvious choice to pick up the offensive slack with the absence of Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov, but his defense-first focus could get in the way. This goal is a great sign -- he wired a sharp wrister from the right circle that beat Dan Vladar. Lundell set a career-best mark last season with 45 points (17 goals, 28 assists), and he'll attempt to build on his momentum this year.

Miller scored a goal and added an assist in Thursday's 4-0 win over Buffalo.

Miller's goal came on a beauty tip of Braden Schneider's point shot for a 3-0 lead at 17:11 of the final frame. The intense pivot scored at a 90-point pace (13 goals and 22 assists in 32 games) after returning to the Rangers last season. Miller's skill set and edgy temperament will help carry the Rangers this season, although he may not be strong enough to lift them into the postseason.

Norris (upper body) was injured late Thursday versus the Rangers and did not finish the game, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.

Head coach Lindy Ruff did not sound particularly optimistic when asked about Norris' status after the game, but no further details were available. At this point, the Sabres may have to face the Bruins on Saturday without Norris, though they could get Zach Benson (face) back. An update on Norris' health should be available prior to Saturday's contest.

Stephenson (undisclosed) is in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Ducks, per Sound of Hockey.

Stephenson missed a large portion of the preseason while injured, but he's ready for Opening Night. The 31-year-old is slated to center the third line, though he could get a little extra ice time in all situations even though Shane Wright is on the second line. Stephenson has produced at least 51 points in four straight seasons and offers some fantasy upside as a playmaker.

McCann (lower body) will be in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Ducks, per Sound of Hockey.

McCann is set to play on the top line after missing all of the preseason while recovering from his injury. The 29-year-old is one of the Kraken's top forwards and has reached the 60-point mark in three straight years, so he should be productive if he's at 100 percent.

Dickinson (undisclosed) exited Thursday's clash against Boston and won't return to the game.

Dickinson had one hit and two PIM while logging 8:25 of ice time before he left the game. If he can't play Saturday versus Montreal, then Lukas Reichel, who has been a healthy scratch for Chicago's first two tilts of 2025-26, might make his season debut.

Trocheck (upper body) won't return to Thursday's game versus the Sabres.

Trocheck left in the middle of the second period and was ruled out during the intermission. Should the 32-year-old miss time, Juuso Parssinen would likely enter the lineup. Trocheck's status for Saturday versus the Penguins has yet to be determined.

Stenlund (undisclosed) will play in Thursday's game versus the Avalanche.

Stenlund was in need of further evaluation after leaving practice Tuesday, but he has apparently checked out fine. He'll center the Mammoth's third line for the season opener, but he could be bumped down to the fourth line once Barrett Hayton (undisclosed) is healthy again.