NHL Player News

Giroux recorded a goal and two assists in Saturday's 4-3 preseason win over the Canadiens.

Giroux did all of his damage on the power play, tying the game with a slap shot midway through the first period before picking up secondary assists on second-period goals by Drake Batherson and Carter Yakemchuk. Ottawa ultimately went 4-for-8 with the man advantage, with all four of its goals coming on the power play. Giroux will open the season as a middle-six forward and is slated to open the campaign skating in the third line next to Michael Amadio and Shane Pinto (undisclosed).

Wolf stopped 25 of 29 shots in Saturday's 4-1 preseason loss to the Oilers.

Wolf faced plenty of pressure early, stopping the first seven shots he saw before Zach Hyman beat him on Edmonton's first power play. Connor McDavid and Ryan Shea added second-period goals before Kasperi Kapanen converted a third-period breakaway to complete the scoring. Wolf made several strong saves throughout the game, including an early glove stop on Leon Draisaitl, but at the end of the day, Calgary struggled to contain an Edmonton lineup featuring most of its top offensive players. Wolf is slated to open the season as the Flames' No. 1 goaltender, so he should be between the pipes for the regular-season opener against Seattle on Thursday.

Kapanen recorded a goal and an assist in Saturday's 4-1 preseason win over the Flames.

Kapanen helped create Edmonton's third goal, working the puck around the offensive zone before finding Ryan Shea for a one-timer late in the second period. The 30-year-old then restored the Oilers' three-goal cushion in the third, scoring on a breakaway just 1:46 after Matt Coronato had cut Calgary's deficit to 3-1. Edmonton dressed a lineup close to its regular-season group, making the two-point performance an encouraging finish to Kapanen's preseason. He's expected to open the season as a middle-six forward.

Levi stopped 23 of 24 shots in Saturday's 4-1 preseason win over the Flames.

Levi kept Calgary scoreless through the first two periods, turning aside all 16 shots he faced while Edmonton built a 3-0 advantage. His shutout bid ended when Matthew Coronato scored in the third period, but the Oilers still found a way to close the game out. The 24-year-old finished Edmonton's preseason finale with a .958 save percentage but will open the season as the No. 2 goaltender behind Tristan Jarry.

Kasper pocketed two assists in Saturday's 4-2 preseason loss to the Blue Jackets.

Both helpers came in the third period as Kasper tried to spark a comeback from a 3-0 deficit. The 22-year-old center saw his numbers take a significant step backwards in 2025-26, as he managed just nine goals and 19 points in 81 games, but Kasper could be thrust into a top-six role this season if Dylan Larkin (upper body) gets his desired trade.

Gibson stopped 18 of 21 shots in Saturday's 4-2 preseason loss to the Blue Jackets. Columbus' final goal was scored into an empty net.

The Red Wings never led in the game, as the Jackets took a 3-0 lead into the third period before Gibson got any sort of offensive support. The long-time Anaheim netminder is coming off a solid first season with Detroit, going 29-22-4 in 57 appearances with a 2.72 GAA and .901 save percentage, and Gibson's spot at the top of the chart chart seems secure with the inconsistent Daniil Tarasov as his primary backup.

Coyle scored a power-play goal and added an even-strength assist in Saturday's 4-2 preseason win over Detroit.

Both points came in the first period as the Blue Jackets never trailed in the contest. Coyle was handsomely rewarded with a six-year contract extension this offseason after producing 20 goals and 58 points over 82 regular-season games in 2025-26, but his ability to repeat those numbers could depend on Sean Monahan's ability to stay healthy and be an effective No. 2 center behind young star Adam Fantilli.

Nichushkin produced a goal and an assist in Saturday's 4-2 preseason win over Detroit.

He gave the Blue Jackets a 2-0 lead late in the first period, going top shelf on John Gibson on a one-timer from the high slot, before helping to set up Cole Sillinger for an empty-netter late in the third. Nichushkin is expected to fill a top-six role and have a consistent spot on the power play in his first season with Columbus, giving the 31-year-old winger the opportunity to improve on the 17 goals and 49 points he recorded over 72 regular-season games for Colorado in 2025-26.

Greaves turned aside 31 shots in Saturday's 4-2 preseason win over the Red Wings.

The 25-year-old netminder took a shutout into the third period before getting beaten by Ben Chiarot and Michael Rasmussen, but the Blue Jackets never trailed in the contest. Greaves heads into 2026-27 with a firm hold on the No. 1 job in the Columbus crease after going 26-19-9 last season with a 2.60 GAA and .908 save percentage over 55 appearances.

Schmid stopped 20 shots in regulation and overtime and one of three shootout attempts in Saturday's 3-2 preseason loss to the Lightning.

The Panthers took a 2-1 lead into the third period, but a Benjamin Rautiainen power-play tally tied it up, and Schmid then couldn't deny Pontus Holmberg or Rautiainen again in the shootout. The former Devil and Golden Knight will open 2026-27 as Jacob Markstrom's backup in the new-look Florida crease, but the 26-year-old Schmid could push to make it more of a timeshare after going 16-10-6 with a 2.59 GAA and .893 save percentage over 34 regular-season appearances for Vegas last season.