NHL Player News

Zub picked up an assist while adding six blocked shots, one shot on net and a plus-1 rating in Thursday's 2-1 shootout win over the Islanders.

Making his season debut after he needed a little extra time to complete his recovery from a knee injury he suffered in the first round of last season's playoffs, Zub was a key part of a Senators penalty kill that went a perfect 3-for-3 on the night, including a big one in OT. The veteran blueliner also started the play that produced the tying goal in the second period, finding Warren Foegele on a long stretch pass out of his own zone to create a scoring chance that Ridly Greig cashed in. Zub didn't see his usual 20-plus minutes as he got eased into action, but his workload should ramp up quickly enough while Ottawa waits for jake Sanderson (lower body) to get healthy as well.

Gilbert scored a goal, added two PIM and went plus-2 in Thursday's 5-4 overtime win over the Maple Leafs.

Gilbert tallied in the third period, cutting Toronto's lead to 4-3 at the time. The 29-year-old defenseman has a goal, an assist and a plus-3 rating over two contests this season. He's filling in while the Sabres are missing Rasmus Dahlin (upper body), Matt Grzelcyk (lower body) and Conor Timmins (lower body) from the blue line. Gilbert is rarely a source of offense, so his hot start to the season should not be expected to continue for long.

Power scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 5-4 overtime win over the Maple Leafs.

Power's tally was the game-winner. The 23-year-old defenseman's strong start to the year continues, as he's effectively filled the void created by the Sabres' trade of Bowen Byram to Chicago. Through eight contests, Power has two goals, six assists, eight shots on net and a plus-4 rating over eight appearances. Power is still searching for his first power-play point of the year, but he is seeing decent usage in that situation and will get even more while Rasmus Dahlin (upper body) is on the mend.

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

Pesce ended his scoring slump to begin the year. The 31-year-old had gone six games without a point despite seeing steady top-four minutes. Through seven outings, he's added seven shots on net, 11 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating. Pesce has missed the 20-point mark in three straight years after reaching it five times over his first eight seasons in the NHL. He carries little fantasy appeal as more of a defensive presence.

Hamilton logged two assists, including one while shorthanded, two blocked shots and a plus-4 rating in Thursday's 7-1 win over the Rangers.

Hamilton had his first multi-point effort of the campaign in this blowout. The 33-year-old defenseman was able to contribute a shorthanded point for the first time since the 2020-21 campaign, when he was with the Hurricanes. He's yet to add anything on the power play from the second unit. Hamilton has four points, 21 shots on net, 11 blocked shots and eight hits across seven outings this season.

Middleton scored a shorthanded goal on two shots, added two hits and logged 10 PIM in Thursday's 6-2 loss to the Golden Knights.

This was Middleton's first point as a Flame. The 30-year-old defenseman, acquired in a July trade that sent Blake Coleman and Olli Maatta to Minnesota, is serving as a veteran shutdown defenseman for a young team. Over seven games, Middleton has added nine shots on net, 14 hits, 14 PIM, 11 blocked shots and a minus-4 rating. He won't add much offense, but his physical play could still be useful in banger leagues.

Hedman scored the game-winning goal in overtime Thursday in a 4-3 victory over Seattle.

It was Hedman's first goal since February 28 against the Sabres. It was a sweet skill play as he skated in, split the D and beat Philipp Grubauer from in tight. The Norris trophy winner (2017-18) played just 33 games last season and missed all seven games the Lightning played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs as he took time to prioritize his mental health. Hedman is being deployed in a different way this season, allowing others to step up with big ice time and greater offensive opportunities. He has one goal and two assists in seven games so far this season.

Mukhamadullin scored a goal and blocked three shots in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Mammoth.

This was Mukhamadullin's first goal and point of the season. The 24-year-old has filled a third-pairing role and will stay in that spot while Jake Walman (upper body) is on the mend. Mukhamadullin's overall play has left plenty to be desired -- he's at a minus-5 rating, five hits and seven blocked shots over five outings. He has little chance of moving into the top four at any stage of the 2026-27 campaign.

Fowler notched three assists, including one on the power play and one while shorthanded, and added three shots on goal in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Wild.

Fowler didn't do much to begin the year, but he's earned four helpers over his last two games. The defenseman also has nine shots on net, seven blocked shots and six PIM across seven appearances. Fowler's got enough scoring upside to be worth a look in fantasy, though he could run hot and cold on a middling Blues team.

Samuelsson scored a goal and added an assist Thursday in a 5-4 overtime win against Toronto.

Samuelsson's shot from the high slot went over Sergei Bobrovsky's blocker in the second half of the third period to force overtime. The defender has two consecutive two-point games (one goal, three helpers) while Rasmus Dahlin (upper body) has been out. Samuelsson put up a surprising 41 points, including 13 goals, 109 shots and a plus 41 rating in 78 games last season, so the offense is in him. So far this season, he has put up two goals and four assists in eight contests.