NHL Player News

Kleven (undisclosed) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's preseason game against Montreal, per Stu Cowan of The Montreal Gazette.

Kleven hasn't played since exiting a preseason tilt against Toronto on Sept. 21, so it's not clear if he will be an option for Ottawa's regular-season opener against Tampa Bay on Thursday. If Kleven can't play, then Jordan Spence might land a spot on the third pairing.

Cernak (undisclosed) is set to miss Saturday's preseason game against Florida, per Lightning radio announcer Dave Mishkin.

Cernak had three goals, 21 points, 50 PIM, 157 hits and 99 blocks across 76 regular-season appearances with Tampa Bay last year. If he's not available for the Lightning's regular-season opener versus Ottawa on Thursday, then that would significantly increase the chances of Max Crozier being in the lineup.

Hedman (undisclosed) is not on the Lightning's game roster for Saturday's preseason finale versus the Panthers, Lightning radio announcer Dave Mishkin reports.

Hedman will miss his fourth straight preseason game. It's not clear if this is still a precautionary situation after his exit from a Sept. 26 preseason contest versus the Hurricanes. Hedman's next chance to play is the regular-season opener Thursday versus the Senators.

Burroughs (upper body) isn't expected to play in Saturday's preseason game versus Anaheim, per Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site.

Burroughs had three assists and 39 PIM in 33 regular-season outings with the Kings in 2024-25. The 30-year-old might spend the season with Los Angeles, but he's probably going to only occasionally be in the lineup, even if he's healthy.

Gilbert was put on waivers by Philadelphia on Saturday, according to PuckPedia.

Gilbert had six assists, 50 PIM, 63 hits and 36 blocks across 29 regular-season appearances with Buffalo and Ottawa in 2024-25. The 28-year-old could be claimed off waivers by another team. However, even in that scenario, Gilbert is unlikely to serve as more than a third-pairing option while potentially spending some time as a healthy scratch. If Gilbert clears waivers, he'll report to AHL Lehigh Valley.

Bjornfot was put on waivers by Florida on Saturday, per PuckPedia.

During the 2024-25 regular season, Bjornfot had three goals and 18 points in 50 outings with AHL Charlotte, while going without a point on 10 shots, 13 hits and 10 blocks across 14 appearances with Florida. The 24-year-old will be sent to the minors if he clears waivers, but he should be one of the Panthers' top call-up options.

White was put on waivers by New Jersey on Saturday.

White will report to AHL Utica if he goes unclaimed. He had four goals, 21 points and 47 PIM across 61 regular-season appearances with the Devils' top minor-league club last year. The 28-year-old defender will probably spend most, if not all, of the upcoming campaign in the AHL.

Bear is expected to be out for at least a few weeks due to his undisclosed injury, per PuckPedia on Saturday.

Bear would probably head to the minors to start the season, but because injured players are ineligible for reassignment, the 28-year-old might be placed on the Islanders' non-roster injured list instead. He had 10 goals and 46 points across 62 regular-season appearances with AHL Hershey last year.

Graves was put on waivers Saturday for the purpose of assigning him to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Graves still has four seasons remaining on his six-year, $27 million contract, making it highly unlikely that another team will claim him. He also had only one goal, three assists, 39 shots on net, 73 blocked shots and 75 hits across 61 regular-season appearances with Pittsburgh in 2024-25.

Alexeyev was placed on waivers Saturday to be assigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Alexeyev didn't record a point in eight regular-season appearances with Washington in 2024-25 while posting seven shots on goal, 14 blocked shots and nine hits. Assuming he clears waivers, he will begin the 2025-26 campaign with Pittsburgh's top minor-league affiliate.