NHL Player News

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.

Hildeby stopped 20 shots in regulation and overtime and two of three shootout attempts during Saturday's 3-2 preseason win over the Panthers.

It was a solid showing for the 25-year-old goalie, although neither team was icing its stars. Hildeby is set to open the 2026-27 campaign as the backup to Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning after producing a 2.85 GAA and .912 over 20 regular-season appearances for Toronto last season.

Drysdale scored a goal on four shots in Saturday's 5-1 preseason loss to the Capitals.

The 24-year-old blueliner snapped a shot from the top of the slot past Charlie Lindgren just 31 seconds into the second period to give the Flyers a 1-0 lead, but things quickly went south for Philly after that. Drysdale scored a career-high eight goals over 78 regular-season games in 2025-26 while tying his career high with 32 points, but he has the potential for more if he can establish himself on the top power-play unit and convince coach Rick Tocchet to stop mixing and matching on the point -- four different Flyers defensemen averaged more than a minute of PP time last season, although Drysdale led the way at 2:19.

Kolosov made 19 saves in Saturday's 5-1 preseason loss to the Capitals.

After a scoreless first period, Jamie Drysdale gave the Flyers a brief lead just 31 seconds into the second, but Kolosov couldn't make it hold up. The 24-year-old netminder has a shaky 3.64 GAA and .863 save percentage over 21 career NHL appearances, but he could open the season as the No. 2 netminder behind Joseph Woll if Dan Vladar (upper body) misses any time.

Lindgren stopped 32 of 33 shots before being replaced by Cal Petersen to begin the third period of Saturday's 5-1 preseason win over the Flyers.

The Capitals iced a lineup with virtually no NHL experience, but Lindgren was outstanding for 40 minutes and gave his young teammates the confidence to roar into the lead. Logan Thompson is the No. 1 in the crease for Washington, but Lindgren should steady work as his backup. Over 21 appearances last season, Lindgren went 9-8-3 with a 3.52 GAA and .879 save percentage.

Cooley scored a power-play goal in Saturday's 2-0 preseason win over the Avalanche.

The 22-year-old center wrapped up the scoring midway through the first period by tucking the puck past Scott Wedgewood from in close. Cooley has scored at least 20 goals in all three of his NHL campaigns so far, but if he can stay healthy this time around he could be headed for a breakout after potting 24 in only 54 regular-season contests in 2025-26.