NHL Player News

Walman was activated off injured reserve by the Oilers on Sunday, according to the NHL Media site.

Walman, who signed a big extension with the Oilers just prior to the season, hasn't been available for any of the team's games this season, and was placed on IR to start the year. He's officially been activated, though, with Alec Regula being placed on injured reserve in a corresponding move. The insertion of the 29-year-old Walman to the team's defense corps is a major boost since Walman produced eight points in 15 regular-season games with the Oilers in a top-four role last season after coming over from the Sharks via trade.

Bichsel notched an assist and three hits in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Blues.

Bichsel's assist on a late Mikko Rantanen goal was the 21-year-old defenseman's first point in five games this season. Bichsel is seeing steady usage in a bottom-four role, and he will likely remain unchallenged for playing time as long as Nils Lundkvist (lower body) is out. Last season, Bichsel had nine points in 38 regular-season contests, but his best path to fantasy value is through physicality. He already has 13 hits and nine blocks this season and could be capable of a 200-hit, 100-block campaign.

Struble notched an assist in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Rangers.

Struble was a healthy scratch for the first four games of the year. There's now room for both him and Arber Xhekaj in the lineup while Kaiden Guhle (lower body) is expected to be out for over a month. Struble is a physical and agitating defenseman who has recorded at least 50 PIM and 120 hits in each of his first two seasons despite playing just 56 regular-season games in each year. He doesn't have a high ceiling on offense, but he could improve in that area if he gets consistent ice time.

Gavrikov logged an assist and two PIM in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Canadiens.

The helper came on an Artemi Panarin tally in the third period, which stood as the game-winner. Gavrikov hasn't offered much offense, though the same could be said for many of the Rangers amid a slow start to the season. In addition to his single point, he has eight shots on net, 10 blocked shots, two hits, six PIM and a plus-3 rating while skating alongside Adam Fox on the first pairing.

Fox notched a pair of assists, two shots on goal, two hits and two blocked shots in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Canadiens.

Fox had been held off the scoresheet in the previous three games, a span in which the Rangers had just one goal. Despite the team's scoring woes, Fox already has three goals and three assists in seven contests. He's added 19 shots on net, 11 blocks and a plus-1 rating. Fantasy managers don't have to worry about Fox's production -- he's a No. 1 blueliner on the ice and in most formats as well.

Robertson scored a goal on two shots in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Canadiens.

The goal gave the Rangers their first lead in the contest at 3-2 in the third period. It was Robertson's first tally in six career appearances, four of which have come this season since Carson Soucy (upper body) landed on injured reserve last Sunday. Robertson appears set to be a bottom-four defenseman for most of 2025-26, though he may occasionally sit out when the Rangers' blue line is at full health. He has four hits, one blocked shot, three shots on net and a minus-1 rating.

Regula (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve Sunday, per the NHL media site.

Regula is poised to miss his fourth straight game against Detroit on Sunday, and it's unclear when he will be ready to return. He didn't earn a point in Edmonton's first two games of the season while providing three shots on goal and two blocked shots.

McIlrath (lower body) was activated off injured reserve by the Capitals on Sunday, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

McIlrath has not suited up for a game yet this season while recovering from an injury suffered in the preseason. It's a good sign to see him activated, though he isn't in action for Sunday's game against the Canucks. Whether he sticks in the NHL, where he spent much of last season as a healthy scratch, or gets sent back to the AHL remains to be seen. The 33-year-old appeared in just 17 games last season, recording two assists.

Mukhamadullin (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Sunday, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The Sharks recalled Luca Cagnoni from the minors in a corresponding move. Mukhamadullin probably won't be an option for San Jose's upcoming four-game road trip, which begins against the Islanders on Tuesday. However, it's unclear when he will be available to return. He had two assists in 12:45 of ice time during the Sharks' regular-season opener before missing the last four games.

Cagnoni has been recalled by the Sharks from AHL San Jose, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports Sunday.

The corresponding move is the placement of Shakir Mukhamadullin (upper body) on injured reserve. The Sharks' back end has been decimated with the injury bug in the early going of the season, so it's a big opportunity for the 20-year-old Cagnoni to kick the door down and show he belongs in the NHL. He had two assists in six NHL games last season and absolutely lit up the AHL with 52 points in 64 games.