NHL Player News

Rodrigues (undisclosed) is expected to be in the lineup for Thursday's preseason game versus the Lightning.

Rodrigues missed two preseason contests while nursing the injury. The 32-year-old forward figures to play in a middle-six role throughout the year, though he may get a bit more ice time initially as the Panthers look to navigate the start of the season without Matthew Tkachuk (groin). Rodrigues has played on the wing in recent years but may shift to center due to the absence of Aleksander Barkov (knee).

Clattenburg was reassigned to AHL Bakersfield on Thursday.

Clattenburg was up with the Oilers for Wednesday's preseason game versus the Kraken to give some of the teams veterans a night off. The 20-year-old winger figures to spend most of 2025-26 in the AHL as he makes the adjustment to the professional ranks.

Heinen was placed on waivers by Pittsburgh on Thursday, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

Of the six Penguins on waivers Thursday, Heinen might be the most surprising, considering he was part of the Marcus Pettersson trade last year. In his 28 appearances for Pittsburgh following the trade, the veteran winger notched three goals and eight helpers while averaging 12:32 of ice time. Given his wealth of NHL experience, there could be plenty of clubs willing to give Heinen a look. If he does clear waivers, Heinen figures to link up with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the start of the 2025-26 campaign.

Lavoie was placed on waivers by the Golden Knights on Thursday, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

Lavoie signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Golden Knights during the offseason and will be left off the team's Opening Night roster. He spent most of last season with AHL Henderson and will likely head back to the Silver Knights if he clears waivers.

Kerins was placed on waivers by the Flames on Thursday.

Kerins made his NHL debut last year, but he'll begin the 2025-26 regular season in the minors if he clears waivers. However, he was a strong contributor for AHL Calgary last year, so he should be in the mix to be called up if the Flames need additional forward depth at any point.

General manager Craig Conroy said Thursday that Huberdeau (undisclosed) is still being evaluated, Wes Gilbertson of the Calgary Sun reports.

Huberdeau sustained an injury in the third period of Wednesday's preseason game against the Canucks, and the extent of the issue isn't yet known. The Flames open their season with a back-to-back set that includes a matchup against the Oilers on Wednesday and a game against Vancouver on Thursday, and it's not yet clear whether Huberdeau will be available for either of those games.

Toews (undisclosed) was labeled day-to-day by head coach Scott Arniel on Thursday, Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site reports.

Toews seems unlikely to suit up in Friday's preseason finale against the Flames, and he instead should be expected to focus on being 100 percent ahead of Opening Night against the Stars on Oct. 9. Barring any setbacks, the veteran center should slide into the No. 2 center role for the Jets, at least until Adam Lowry (hip) is cleared to return. At that point, Toews could be shifted to the wing while remaining in a top-six role.

Stephens was waived by the Kraken on Thursday.

Stephens will head to AHL Coachella Valley if he clears waivers. He made 35 regular-season appearances for the Firebirds last year and recorded six goals, seven assists and 23 PIM.

Meyers was placed on waivers by the Kraken on Thursday.

Meyers inked a one-year contract with Seattle in June but was unable to land a spot on the team's Opening Night roster. He'll head to AHL Coachella Valley if he clears waivers, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him spend most of the 2025-26 campaign in the minors.

Head coach Travis Green said Thursday that he hopes Eller (abdomen) will be able to suit up in Saturday's preseason finale against the Canadiens, Claire Hanna of TSN reports.

Eller has already been ruled out for Thursday's preseason matchup against the Blues, but he could have an opportunity to suit up for the Senators ahead of the regular season. Eller has spent training camp recovering from minor abdominal surgery, but he's been trending in the right direction and appears to be in the mix to be available for the start of the regular season.