NHL Player News

Bear (undisclosed) will not be in the lineup versus Philadelphia on Thursday.

At this point, Bear has missed enough preseason games and training camp sessions that he may have to start the 2025-26 campaign in the minors. After some decent campaigns with the Oilers, Hurricanes and Canucks, the 28-year-old defenseman saw himself relegated to the minors for all of 2024-25. With AHL Hershey last year, Bear was solidly productive with 10 goals and 36 helpers in 62 regular-season tilts. With youngsters Matthew Schaefer and Isaiah George pushing for NHL opportunities, Bear likely has fallen too far behind at this point to be a full-time option for the Isles.

Mikkola agreed to terms on an eight-year, $40 million contract extension with Florida on Thursday.

Mikkola's new deal will keep him with the Cats through the 2033-34 campaign at a $5 million AAV, a number that should age very well over the next several years as the cap is expected to rise significantly. In 76 regular-season games last year, the 29-year-old blueliner dished out 137 hits and made 88 blocks while recording his first 20-plus point season. His offensive numbers may not be that impressive, but he offers enough category coverage to provide some value in deeper formats.

Kesselring (undisclosed) left Wednesday's preseason game versus the Penguins, but his injury is not believed to be serious, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

Kesselring departed late in the second period, but it appears to be precautionary for now. The Sabres are already dealing with a number of injuries on the blue line, so it's unclear if they'll take any chances with Kesselring's health in the team's preseason finale Friday in Pittsburgh.

Attard (lower body) won't play in Wednesday's preseason game versus the Golden Knights, Brennan Vogt of Hockey Mountain High reports.

Attard was hurt in Tuesday's game against Vegas, and he's not ready to go a day later. It is unclear if he'll return to the lineup prior to the end of the preseason -- the Avalanche's last exhibition game is versus the Stars on Saturday.

St. Ivany sustained a lower-body injury while blocking a shot in Wednesday's preseason game versus the Sabres and won't return, Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

This injury will likely take St. Ivany out of the running for an Opening Night roster spot, but he was already a long shot. More information on the 26-year-old's status should be available prior to Friday's rematch with the Sabres.

Burroughs is managing an upper-body injury sustained in Tuesday's game versus the Mammoth, Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports.

Burroughs suffered the injury on a blocked shot and is awaiting additional test results, but there is not much concern at this time. Burroughs figures to be defensive depth throughout 2025-26, with the Kings poised to begin the year with eight blueliners on the roster.

Dunn (undisclosed) isn't expected to play in Wednesday's preseason game against Edmonton, per Mike Benton of the Kraken Audio Network.

Wednesday's clash is Seattle's final preseason game, so Dunn won't get another chance to shake off the rust before the Kraken's regular-season opener against Anaheim on Oct. 9. Dunn had 11 goals and 39 points across 62 appearances in 2024-25. If he's not available for Opening Night, then Josh Mahura or Ville Ottavainen might draw into the lineup.

Hamara was summoned by Ottawa on Wednesday.

Hamara provides the Senators with another option ahead of Thursady's preseason tilt against St. Louis and Saturday's exhibition game versus Montreal. The 21-year-old had eight goals and 55 points in 58 regular-season outings with OHL Brantford in 2024-25. Look for Hamara to be reassigned to AHL Belleville before Ottawa's regular-season opener against Tampa Bay on Oct. 9.

Edvinsson (lower body) will suit up against the Leafs on Thursday, Daniella Bruce of the Red Wings' official site reports.

According to head coach Todd McClellan, the 22-year-old Edvinsson will play in both of the Wings' final preseason games versus Toronto. With Edvinsson good to go, Detroit put defensemen William Lagesson and Ian Mitchell on waivers to reassign them to the minors.

Aamodt was placed on waivers by Colorado on Wednesday, according to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports.

Aamodt is expected to report to AHL Colorado if he goes unclaimed. The 27-year-old has spent parts of the past four seasons with the Eagles, so it's a team he's very familiar with. Aamodt had four goals, 17 points and 47 PIM across 69 regular-season outings with the Eagles in 2024-25. He's probably going to end up spending the vast majority, if not all, of the upcoming season in the AHL.