NHL Player News

Hunt was picked up off waivers by the Wild on Friday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

Hunt has appeared in 13 regular-season NHL games in his career, all for Minnesota, as he returns to the team that selected him in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft. The acquisition of Hunt from waivers doesn't bode well for Jack Johnson turning his professional tryout into a permanent NHL contract.

Callahan was placed on waivers Friday.

The defenseman will report to AHL Providence if he goes unclaimed through waivers. Callahan spent 17 games at the NHL level with Boston last season, picking up one goal and seven PIM.

Jensen (hip) said Friday that he'll play in Saturday's preseason finale against Montreal, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports.

Head coach Travis Green was hopeful that Jensen would be able to suit up in Saturday's preseason finale, and the defenseman will officially be able to make his return to the ice just before the start of the regular season. It seems likely that Jensen will also be available for Thursday's Opening Night matchup against the Lightning.

Hamara was sent to AHL Belleville on Friday.

Hamara spent last season with OHL Brantford, where the defenseman had eight goals and 47 assists in 58 regular-season games. He is expected to play most, if not all, of the season with AHL Belleville in 2025-26.

Head coach Lindy Ruff said Friday that Kesselring (undisclosed) is considered week-to-week, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.

Kesselring sustained an undisclosed injury during Wednesday's exhibition matchup against the Penguins and had already been ruled out for Friday's preseason finale against Pittsburgh. His return timetable suggests that he may not be ready for Opening Night, and he's slated to be re-evaluated in about a week.

The Rangers sent Morrow to AHL Hartford on Friday.

Morrow was dealt from the Hurricanes to the Rangers on July 1. The 22-year-old played 14 regular-season games with Carolina in 2024-25, scoring once and adding five assists with 16 blocked shots. He should be one of the first defensemen recalled in case of injury.

Mrtka has been ruled out for Friday's preseason finale against Pittsburgh due to an illness, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

Mrtka hasn't yet made his regular-season NHL debut, and he'll be held off the ice in his final chance to work with the Sabres before the start of the 2025-26 campaign. He was selected by Buffalo with the No. 9 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft but will likely spend most of this year with WHL Seattle.

Power (strain) will not be in the lineup to face Pittsburgh on Friday, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

Power's absence against the Penguins on Wednesday was described as a minor strain, but now the blueliner finds himself missing a second straight game, albeit a minor-league one. If Power can't suit up for Opening Night versus the Rangers on Thursday, the team will have to hope one or both of Mattias Samuelsson (upper body) or Michael Kesselring (undisclosed) return to 100 percent to avoid having to go with an untested blue line.

Kesselring (undisclosed) will miss Friday's preseason finale versus the Penguins, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

Kesselring should make the Opening Night roster for the Sabres, though his undisclosed injury does muddy the waters a bit. With the team also dealing with injuries to Mattias Samuelsson (upper body) and Owen Power (strain), neither of whom is playing Friday, the situation on the blue line is a little murky right now.

Cernak (undisclosed) did not play in the third period of Thursday's preseason game versus the Panthers, Lightning reporter Gabby Shirley reports.

Cernak was in and out of the game a couple of times after taking some knocks. There was no update on his status after the contest, but it's possible the Lightning are just taking the proper precautions to have him healthy for the start of the regular season next Thursday versus the Senators.