NHL Player News

Schneider (shoulder) will not be ready for game action in early in training camp but is aiming to play in two of the final three preseason games, Jim Cerny of Forever Blueshirts reports Wednesday.

Schneider underwent shoulder surgery in April and will be brought along slowly during the first half of the preseason. The 23-year-old defenseman is still expected to be cleared prior to the start of the regular season. Given his expected workload in the preseason, Schneider's first chance to play will be in a road game versus the Islanders on Sept. 29.

Woo had surgery for an upper-body injury in the offseason and is considered month-to-month, Patrick Johnston of The Province reports Wednesday.

Woo likely wouldn't be an option for the NHL roster anyway, but the 25-year-old blueliner is on a two-way contract this year. He sustained the injury last season and played through it during AHL Abbotsford's playoff run. In the likely event Woo's recovery lasts into the regular season, he may begin 2025-26 on the Canucks' injured non-roster list until he is cleared to play.

Jensen (hip) should resume skating next week, but there's no guarantee he'll be ready for Ottawa's season opener versus Tampa Bay on Oct. 9, per Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia on Wednesday.

Jensen had three goals, 21 points, 77 shots, 55 hits and 95 blocks in 71 regular-season outings with Ottawa last year. Nikolas Matinpalo might draw into the lineup to begin the season if Jensen isn't an option. Jensen's absence would also likely result in Jordan Spence seeing an increase in his ice time after averaging 16:47 during the 2024-25 regular season.

Head coach Jared Bednar said Wednesday that Girard (lower body) is expected to miss time during camp but could be ready to return by Opening Night, Meghan Angley of Guerilla Sports reports.

Girard has been skating in a non-contact jersey recently due to his lower-body injury, and while he's expected to spend some time rehabbing during training camp, he could be back in time for the regular season. Girard logged three goals, 21 assists, 111 blocked shots and 62 hits while averaging 20:51 of ice time over 73 regular-season appearances last year.

Edvinsson (lower body) is expected to miss a couple of weeks, but he should be available "around the start of the regular season," general manager Steve Yzerman told Daniella Bruce of the Red Wings' official site Wednesday.

Edvinsson had seven goals, 31 points, 67 PIM, 86 hits and 144 blocks in 78 outings while averaging 21:07 of ice time with Detroit in 2024-25. He should continue to serve in a top-four capacity this year. If Edvinsson isn't ready for the opener against Montreal on Oct. 9, then that increases the chances of Travis Hamonic playing in that game.

Bonk is contending with an upper-body injury, and it's unclear if he'll be cleared for contact by the start of training camp Thursday, according to Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia on Tuesday.

The Flyers are awaiting imaging results regarding Bonk's injury, but the 20-year-old has been able to skate despite missing rookie games. The 2023 first-round selection, No. 22 overall, has yet to make his NHL debut, though he'll probably begin his professional career in 2025-26, whether that's with the Flyers or AHL Lehigh Valley.

Ristolainen (right triceps tendon) is working his way back to full strength and will aim to join the team sometime during the first 1-2 months of the 2025-26 season, Charlie O'Connor of PHLY Sports reports Tuesday.

Ristolainen underwent surgery in late March for a second triceps tendon rupture. Considering the Flyers are unlikely to be contenders this season, they have no reason to rush the 30-year-old defenseman back into game action. While Ristolainen continues his recovery, Emil Andrae will likely receive consistent playing time on the third pairing to start the year.

Mateychuk will be limited at the start of training camp due to a groin injury, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports Monday.

Mateychuk saw action in 45 regular-season games for the Blue Jackets as a rookie last year in which he recorded four goals, nine helpers and 26 hits while averaging 18:02 of ice time. If the 21-year-old blueliner can overcome his injury before Opening Night against the Predators on Oct. 9, he should be a near lock to top the 20-point threshold this year and could even land in the 25-30 point range.

Girard (lower body) was seen skating gingerly in a non-contact jersey Friday after missing all of the Avalanche's previous informal skates, Brennan Vogt of Hockey Mountain High reports.

Girard appears to be working his way back from an injury of some sort, though no details were available. The 27-year-old could be limited in training camp but should be good for a top-four role on the blue line if he's healthy by the start of the regular season.

Walcott secured a professional tryout agreement with the Panthers, NHL insider Frank Seravalli reports Friday.

Walcott had announced his retirement from hockey Aug. 29, but apparently, he is not through with the game. The feisty 31-year-old played one game at the NHL level with Tampa Bay back in the 2020-21 campaign, picking up a five-minute fighting major and seven hits in 10:03 of action.