NHL Player News

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.

Ristolainen (right triceps tendon) was on ice Thursday in a non-contact jersey, Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Ristolainen underwent surgery March 26, and the timetable for recovery at that time was at least six months. If he is on schedule, Ristolainen could be back for the start of the regular season, though the Flyers won't rush the process. Ristolainen had four goals, 15 assists, 97 hits and 94 blocked shots across 63 regular-season games with the Flyers in 2024-25.

Kettles is dealing with an undisclosed injury that will sideline him for the Penguins' Prospect Challenge, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports Wednesday.

Kettles was a long shot to make the Penguins' Opening Night roster even without this injury delaying his development. Still, the 2025 second-round pick should get a look during training camp if he is healthy enough in time to participate. After that, expect Kettles to return to WHL Swift Current for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign.

Harpur secured a professional tryout agreement with the Panthers, NHL Insider Frank Seravalli reports Wednesday.

Harpur last logged an NHL game back in 2022-23 when he was with the Rangers, making 42 regular-season appearances in which he garnered one goal, five helpers and 63 hits while averaging 14:04 of ice time. Securing a regular NHL deal is going to be an uphill battle for Harpur, as he'll need to edge out Uvis Balinskis or Tobias Bjornfot.

Power (lower body) is fully healthy ahead of the 2025-26 season, according to Justin Alpert of the Sabres' official site on Tuesday.

Power missed the last three games of 2024-25 after sustaining a lower-body injury April 12. The 22-year-old blueliner avoided surgery and is back in Buffalo participating in informal skates ahead of training camp. The 2021 No. 1 overall selection set career highs in goals (seven), assists (33) and points (40) last year, and he could take another step forward if he earns the majority of power-play time on the second unit over Bowen Byram this season.

Mukhamadullin (shoulder) skated during Monday's informal session, according to Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now.

Mukhamadullin had a procedure on his shoulder in April and is expected to be at full strength when San Jose's season opens versus the Golden Knights on Oct. 9. The 2020 first-round selection should be a lineup fixture on the blue line this season, with a chance to work his way into a larger role if any of the Sharks' veterans struggle or are dealt before the trade deadline in March.

Bischoff agreed to a one-year contract with the Shanghai Dragons of the KHL on Aug. 15.

Bischoff earned three goals and 21 points in 59 regular-season games with AHL Henderson in 2024-25. He already has one assist through one KHL outing this campaign.

Rafferty signed a two-year contract with the Vaxjo Lakers HC of the SHL on Saturday.

Rafferty notched six goals and 19 points in 52 regular-season outings for AHL Grand Rapids in 2024-25. The 30-year-old blueliner has one assist in three career NHL games but hasn't played at the top level since 2020-21, when he earned his first point in one appearance with Vancouver.

Ekholm played the entire 2025 Stanley Cup Finals with a torn adductor muscle, Jim Matheson of The Edmonton Journal reported Friday.

Ekholm is healthy heading into training camp. The injury hindered the 35-year-old during Edmonton's six-game series versus Florida, as he was unable to skate to his full capacity. Ekholm is entering the final season of a four-year, $21 million contract he signed in October of 2021 with Nashville. He had nine goals, 24 assists, 143 shots on goal and 95 blocked shots across 65 regular-season appearances in 2024-25.

MacDonald underwent successful hip surgery Tuesday and is expected to miss 5-6 months.

MacDonald didn't appear in the NHL last year but had a stellar season with AHL Colorado, racking up 31 goals, 24 assists, 46 PIM and a plus-24 rating over 63 appearances with the Eagles. However, the 32-year-old is expected to miss most of the 2025-26 campaign following his procedure.