NHL Player News

Hertl scored a power-play goal on five shots and blocked two shots in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Ducks.

While Hertl is centering the third line to begin the year, his spot on the first power-play unit should help his offense. The 32-year-old center has a goal, nine shots, three hits, two blocked and a plus-2 rating over two contests. Hertl fell short of the 60-point mark last year with 24 goals and 34 assists over 82 regular-season games, but he still does enough to be a quality fantasy forward.

Hart allowed four goals on 20 shots in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Ducks.

Hart gave up a goal late in the first period and then allowed three more in the middle stanza. The 28-year-old netminder didn't have much to do as Vegas controlled play in the third, but the comeback effort fell short. Hart has now allowed six goals on 46 shots over his two starts this season. The Golden Knights' tight defense will limit his shots faced, but that could also lead to a lower save percentage when he's not at his best. The Golden Knights are set for a two-game road trip up next, playing in Vancouver on Sunday and in Seattle on Tuesday.

Malott scored a goal and added five hits in Friday's 4-3 win over the Golden Knights.

Malott spent the last two seasons with the Kings, but he took his talents to Orange County in the offseason. The 30-year-old forward offers more upside in banger leagues -- he had 166 hits and 55 PIM over 58 regular-season games last year, compared to just nine points. With the Ducks, he's started in a fourth-line role, and it's unlikely he sees much more than that at any point in 2026-27.

Killorn scored a goal on two shots in Friday's 4-3 win over the Golden Knights.

Killorn opened the year in a second-line role, and he's expected to see ice time in all situations. The forward was limited to 33 points in 82 regular-season games last year, his lowest total in a campaign where he's made at least 60 appearances. At 37 years old, it'd be tough to expect a big bounce-back this year. Killorn can still chip in enough all-around production to help in deep fantasy formats, but he could be at risk of getting dropped down to the third line at some point in 2026-27.

Sennecke scored a goal, added two hits and went plus-2 in Friday's 4-3 win over the Golden Knights.

Sennecke's goal opened the scoring late in the first period. The 20-year-old winger burst onto the scene with 23 goals, 37 assists, 197 shots, 97 hits and 62 PIM over 82 regular-season outings last year. With a firm spot in the top six and a power-play role, Sennecke's evolution into a premier power forward is likely to continue this year. The only thing left to wonder is how high his ceiling will ultimately be.

Carlsson scored a goal and added an assist in Friday's 4-3 win over the Golden Knights.

The $90 million man was the only Duck with a multi-point effort Friday. Carlsson's new contract means expectations have skyrocketed, but after posting 29 goals and 38 assists over 70 regular-season games last year, he should be able to find another level on offense. Carlsson is likely to be unleashed in full as an all-situations forward this year, and while it may take some time for him to live up to the number on his paycheck, he's more than good enough to help a fantasy roster.

Dostal stopped 27 of 30 shots in Friday's 4-3 win over the Golden Knights.

Dostal kept Vegas off the board for two periods, but last year's runners-up didn't go down without a fight, scoring thrice in the third. That's likely a product of a very young blue line, and more generally an inexperienced roster. Dostal is capable of handling a starter's workload, and it'll be up to him to provide a calming presence in goal to build his defense's confidence. The Ducks' next game is Sunday at home versus the Panthers, which will provide another tough test early in the campaign.

Dvorsky scored a goal on two shots in Friday's 4-0 win over the Stars.

After showing some promise with 21 points over 71 games as a rookie last year, Dvorsky is poised to stay in the NHL on a full-time basis this year. The 21-year-old opened the season as the Blues' third-line center, and it's unclear if he'll be a candidate to move to the wing to unlock more offense. He's also on the second power-play unit. Dvorsky is a player to watch for now, but if he takes a meaningful step forward in 2026-27, he'll have appeal in deeper fantasy formats.

McTavish scored a goal on three shots and added two hits in Friday's 4-0 win over the Stars.

McTavish's first goal as a Blue came just 1:34 into his team debut. The 23-year-old was traded from the Ducks in June, and he'll have a fresh start on a team where there are fewer high-end prospects to block his path. McTavish has logged at least 40 points in all four of his full-length campaigns in the NHL, and with a second-line role in St. Louis, he's in a position where that level of production should be his floor this year.

Suter scored an empty-net goal on four shots, supplied an assist, went plus-2 and added four hits in Friday's 4-0 win over the Stars.

Suter opened the season on the fourth line, logging 14:25 of ice time. As a penalty-killing forward, he'll likely draw a bit more ice time than the usual fourth-liner, especially if he can chip in a bit of offense. The 30-year-old is also in a contract year, so he'll be motivated to get back to the 46-point form he showed in 2024-25 with the Canucks rather than last season's 29-point performance over 64 games. Suter can be left on the waiver wire in most fantasy formats, though that could change if he carves out middle-six minutes.