NHL Player News

Connauton was put on waivers by Utah on Friday, per Brogan Houston of Deseret News Sports.

Connauton had six goals, 17 points and 78 PIM across 56 regular-season appearances with AHL Tucson in 2024-25. He's expected to spend most, if not all, of the upcoming campaign in the minors.

Head coach Lindy Ruff said Friday that Samuelsson is being evaluated for an upper-body injury, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

Samuelsson was able to practice Thursday despite his injury, but he was held out of Friday's practice and is set to be re-evaluated. His status for Saturday's preseason game against Detroit appears to be in question, and it's not yet clear whether his injury will impact his status for the start of the regular season.

Reinbacher suffered a broken metacarpal bone and will be out for four weeks, the Habs announced Friday.

Reinbacher missed much of the 2024-25 campaign with a knee injury and now once again finds himself on the shelf for at least four weeks. It was unlikely that the 20-year-old blueliner was going to make the Opening Night roster to begin with, but this injury all but guarantees he will start the year in the minors with AHL Laval.

Reid was reassigned to OHL Kitchener on Friday.

Reid dealt with some injuries during training camp, so it shouldn't be a surprise to see him heading back to juniors for the upcoming 2025-26 campaign. The 18-year-old blueliner will get another shot at making the NHL roster ahead of the 2026-27 campaign when he has another year of experience under his belt.

Lauzon (undisclosed) will not be in the lineup versus San Jose on Friday, though he has begun skating, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Lauzon played in just 28 games last year due to a long-term lower-body issue. Even when healthy, the 28-year-old offered minimal offensive upside with zero goals, one assist and 25 shots. While Lauzon can offer decent coverage in the hits category, his offensive limitations make him a low-end fantasy target, at best.

Reinbacher is being evaluated for an undisclosed injury sustained in Thursday's preseason game versus the Maple Leafs, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.

Reinbacher left the game in the third period, and the Canadiens didn't have a specific update in postgame comments. The 20-year-old defenseman was already a long shot to make the NHL roster, and missing time in preseason won't help his cause. Expect him to be assigned to AHL Laval once healthy.

Guhle is day-to-day due to a groin injury, per Eric Engels of Sportsnet on Thursday.

Guhle didn't participate in Thursday's preseason game against Toronto, but he might still be fine for Montreal's season opener against the Maple Leafs on Oct. 8. He had six goals, 18 points, 47 PIM, 104 hits and 124 blocks across 55 regular-season appearances with the Canadiens in 2024-25.

Dobson is considered day-to-day with a groin injury after exiting Thursday's preseason game versus the Maple Leafs, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.

Dobson's day-to-day designation shouldn't raise too much concern during the preseason. The Canadiens have three exhibition games left before the regular season, and it's not yet clear if Dobson will get into any of them.

Lauzon (undisclosed) isn't in the lineup for Thursday's preseason game against Utah.

Lauzon's next opportunity to play in the preseason will come Friday versus San Jose. He had an assist, 37 PIM, 127 hits and 34 blocks across 28 appearances with Nashville in 2024-25.

Dobson (undisclosed) won't return to Thursday's preseason game versus the Maple Leafs.

Dobson exited the game prior to the third period. It's possible this is just a precautionary move, but the Canadiens did not provide additional details. It's unclear if he'll be able to play in Saturday's rematch with Toronto -- given that it's preseason, expect Montreal to be cautious with Dobson's recovery.