NHL Player News

Kiersted was recalled from AHL Iowa on Friday.

Kiersted inked a two-year, two-way contract in the offseason after spending parts of four seasons with Florida. He had one assist in two regular-season games with the Panthers in 2024-25 and had a plus-34 rating with AHL Charlotte last season, leading the AHL in the category.

Villeneuve was placed on waivers by the Maple Leafs on Friday, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

Villeneuve signed a two-way deal with the Maple Leafs in August, but he'll begin the 2025-26 regular season with AHL Toronto if he clears waivers. He recorded four goals, 36 assists and 42 PIM over 55 regular-season appearances with the Marlies last year.

Pesce (undisclosed) will skate on his own Friday and is questionable for Opening Night on Oct. 9, per Sam Kasan of the Devils' official site.

Pesce was injured Thursday and is continuing to be evaluated by doctors. The defenseman had three goals and 14 assists with 138 blocked shots in 72 regular-season appearances last season.

Casey (lower body) is not expected to resume skating in the near future, Sam Kasan of the Devils' official site reports Friday.

Casey is a lock for injured reserve at this point, considering the team didn't offer much in the way of details. With Casey on the shelf, Simon Nemec could be in for an expanded role early in the season, especially if Brett Pesce (undisclosed) is also unable to suit up for Opening Night against the Hurricanes on Thursday.

Solovyov was claimed off waivers by the Avalanche on Friday, Chris Johnston of The Athletic

Solovyov was waived by the Flames on Thursday, and he'll join a new organization a day later. He was expected to head to the AHL if he cleared waivers, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him still report to the minors despite being claimed.

Hunt was picked up off waivers by the Wild on Friday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

Hunt has appeared in 13 regular-season NHL games in his career, all for Minnesota, as he returns to the team that selected him in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft. The acquisition of Hunt from waivers doesn't bode well for Jack Johnson turning his professional tryout into a permanent NHL contract.

Callahan was placed on waivers Friday.

The defenseman will report to AHL Providence if he goes unclaimed through waivers. Callahan spent 17 games at the NHL level with Boston last season, picking up one goal and seven PIM.

Jensen (hip) said Friday that he'll play in Saturday's preseason finale against Montreal, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports.

Head coach Travis Green was hopeful that Jensen would be able to suit up in Saturday's preseason finale, and the defenseman will officially be able to make his return to the ice just before the start of the regular season. It seems likely that Jensen will also be available for Thursday's Opening Night matchup against the Lightning.

Hamara was sent to AHL Belleville on Friday.

Hamara spent last season with OHL Brantford, where the defenseman had eight goals and 47 assists in 58 regular-season games. He is expected to play most, if not all, of the season with AHL Belleville in 2025-26.

Head coach Lindy Ruff said Friday that Kesselring (undisclosed) is considered week-to-week, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.

Kesselring sustained an undisclosed injury during Wednesday's exhibition matchup against the Penguins and had already been ruled out for Friday's preseason finale against Pittsburgh. His return timetable suggests that he may not be ready for Opening Night, and he's slated to be re-evaluated in about a week.