NHL Player News

Welinski was cut from the Panthers' training camp roster Tuesday and will report to AHL Charlotte.

Welinski hasn't appeared in an NHL game since the 2020-21 campaign, when he was with the Ducks. Last year, the 2011 third-round pick played overseas for the Frankfurt Lions (DEL), but he looks set to come back to North America on a minor-league deal with AHL Charlotte.

Walcott was cut from training camp Tuesday but will join AHL Charlotte for their training camp.

Walcott had announced his retirement from professional hockey just days before signing his PTO with the Panthers, but he seems ready to give it another season with the team's minor-league affiliate. Unless he signs a two-way deal with the club at some point, Walcott figures to play on a minor-league-only contract this season, making him ineligible for a call-up.

Aitcheson (lower body) will be in the lineup versus the Devils on Tuesday, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.

There was concern for Aitcheson's availability after he needed to be helped off the ice in Sunday's matchup with Philadelphia, but it seems the young blueliner was able to bounce back quickly. While he may not be a lock, Aitcheson is certainly battling for a spot on the Opening Night roster versus the Penguins on Oct. 9. It's also possible the team gives him a nine-game look to open the season before sending him back to juniors.

Buium (upper body) will not be in the lineup for Tuesday's preseason game against Dallas.

Buium was labeled day-to-day by the team Friday, so it doesn't seem like this is a long-term concern for the blueliner. Still, as a 19-year-old rookie, Buium can't afford to miss too much training camp time if he is going to be a factor for the Wild this season.

Head coach Patrick Roy said after Sunday's preseason game against the Flyers that Aitcheson is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.

Aitcheson exited Sunday's exhibition after taking a hard hit from Noah Juulsen. However, Roy said that Aitcheson is "fine," so it seems unlikely that the issue will impact the defenseman's availability for the start of the regular season. Whether Aitcheson will be able to suit up in Tuesday's preseason game against the Devils remains to be seen.

Hague sustained an undisclosed injury in Sunday's exhibition game versus the Panthers, and there was no update on his status after the contest, per Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site.

Hague took a hit in the second period and did not return. The left-shot blueliner's next chance to suit up will be in Tuesday's preseason matchup against the Lightning.

Kleven departed Sunday's exhibition contest versus the Maple Leafs due to an undisclosed injury, and head coach Travis Green did not have an update on the defenseman's status after the game, according to Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia.

Kleven left the game after a collision in the third period. On the bright side, Kleven's departure from the contest was precautionary, according to Claire Hanna of TSN. An update on the 23-year-old's health should be available in the coming days. Ottawa's next preseason game is Tuesday in Toronto.

Chatfield (undisclosed) may not see any game action during the preseason as a precaution, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports Sunday.

Chatfield didn't participate in Saturday's practice due to a minor injury, and the Hurricanes won't push him before the start of the 2025-26 campaign. Still, he will probably be ready for Opening Night against New Jersey on Oct. 9. In 2024-25, he registered seven goals, 18 points, 114 shots on net, 64 blocked shots and 64 hits across 79 regular-season outings.

Slavin (undisclosed) is unlikely to play in any preseason games, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports Sunday.

Slavin didn't participate in a team practice earlier this week due to soreness, and now the Hurricanes likely will hold him out of the entire preseason as a precaution. However, he still might be fine for Carolina's season opener versus New Jersey on Oct. 9. The 31-year-old plays a key shutdown role and had 21 points in 80 regular-season games last year.

Hanifin (undisclosed) didn't participate in Saturday's practice for precautionary reasons, according to Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Hanifin's injury isn't believed to be serious, but there's no reason to push him early in training camp. He had 10 goals and 39 points in 80 regular-season appearances with Vegas last year.