NHL Player News

Chytil picked up an assist in Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Panthers.

Seeing his first action of the season after finally recovering from a shoulder injury he suffered back in February, Chytil dug the puck out of the corner during a stretch of 4-on-4 hockey and set up an Elias Pettersson tally late in the first period that gave the Canucks a 2-0 lead. Chytil saw time on the second power-play unit as well as on the penalty kill, and the 27-year-old has been dropped right into a key role in the top six. Since being acquired from the Rangers at the 2024-25 trade deadline as part of the J.T. Miller deal, Chytil has only been healthy enough to play 28 games for the Canucks, collecting five goals on 68 shots with five assists, but an extended run of better injury luck should allow him to be more productive.

Winterton scored a goal Thursday in a 4-3 overtime loss to Tampa Bay.

It was Winterton's second goal of the season and fifth point (two goals, three assists) in his last four games. Not bad for a 23-year-old depth grinder whose best season was 2025-26, when he scored four goals, added 14 assists and delivered 74 hits in 68 games. This is a nice run, but Winterton does little in any fantasy arena.

James logged an assist, three hits and two PIM in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over the Kraken.

James missed a couple of weeks to begin the season while recovering from a broken hand. He got a little time at AHL Syracuse over the weekend to get up to game speed, but he should be a bottom-six regular for the Lightning moving forward. As a rookie last year, he put up 15 points over 43 regular-season outings, giving him 30-point potential if he can avoid further injuries and show a little development in his second NHL campaign.

Lombardi notched two assists, two shots on goal and a plus-3 rating in Thursday's 7-1 win over the Rangers.

Lombardi is up to three helpers over seven contests to begin his rookie year. The 23-year-old forward had added 14 shots on net, eight PIM and three hits from a fourth-line role. Lombardi's potential will be limited in the bottom six, but he has done well with the playing time he's been given so far.

Mercer logged two assists, three shots on goal, two blocked shots and a plus-3 rating in Thursday's 7-1 win over the Rangers.

Mercer's offense is starting to surface -- he has three helpers over his last two games. The 24-year-old forward had gone five contests without a point to start the season. Mercer has added 18 shots on net, four blocked shots and a minus-2 rating. He's in a top-six role, so he should have plenty of opportunities to contribute, but his overall usage, particularly on the power play, is down to start 2026-27.

Beniers scored a goal Thursday in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Lightning.

His goal tied the game 3-3 and forced the overtime. Beniers snapped a four-game point drought with the goal. He now has two goals, two assists and 10 shots over eight games this season. Beniers is coming off a 20-goal, 50-point season in 2025-26, and that could be the kind of player Beniers is. Yes, he's just 23 years old, but the great step forward hasn't happened, and he debuted in 2021-22.

Howden scored a goal and added four PIM in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Flames.

Howden has scored in consecutive games, and he's earned five points over his last five outings. The 28-year-old forward is seeing time on the second line lately, which has bolstered his output on offense. He's at three goals, three assists, 16 shots, 10 hits, eight PIM and a plus-5 rating through nine appearances on the year.

Eichel scored a shorthanded goal on four shots, dished two assists (one on the power play) and went plus-2 in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Flames.

Eichel was involved in all parts of this game as the Golden Knights took care of business in an easy matchup. This was his fifth multi-point effort over nine games so far. The star center has five goals, 11 assists, 28 shots on net and a plus-6 rating. He's earned six power-play helpers and a pair of shorthanded points, showcasing his all-situations skill set.

Draisaitl scored a goal on three shots in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Mammoth.

Draisaitl has three points over his last two outings. The 30-year-old superstar is at five goals, seven assists, 27 shots on net, four hits and a plus-11 rating across seven contests this season. Head coach Mike Babcock has stuck with Draisaitl alongside Connor McDavid to start the year despite numerous injuries to wingers, which has led to the Oilers having a great top line and little else. Regardless of role, Draisaitl is going to be productive.

Schmaltz notched two assists, including one on the power play, in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Oilers.

Schmaltz continues to offer high-end offense to begin the season. This was his third multi-point effort of the year, and he's gotten on the scoresheet in seven of eight games. The 30-year-old forward is up to six goals, five assists, five power-play points, 26 shots on net and a minus-2 rating. Schmaltz often thrives as a playmaker, but after a 33-goal, 74-point regular season in 2025-26, he is poised to be more of an all-purpose threat on offense while adding limited non-scoring production.