NHL Player News

Vanecek will not be in the lineup for Friday's preseason clash with the Rangers, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.

Despite earlier reports indicating that Vanecek would start Friday, it seems the Islanders will utilize Semyon Varlamov in the crease while Joshua Kotai serves as the No. 2 option. Barring any setbacks, it seems likely that Varlamov will take the backup role to open the season, which would leave Vanecek headed for waivers or the minors.

Dunne was placed on waivers by the Capitals for the purpose of reassignment to AHL Hershey on Friday.

Dunne made a career-high 34 regular-season appearances with the Sabres last year and recorded a goal, three assists, 40 hits, 38 PIM and 16 blocked shots while averaging 9:29 of ice time. After signing a one-year deal with the Capitals during the offseason, he'll head to the minors to begin the regular season, assuming he clears waivers.

Lindgren will start Saturday's preseason finale on the road against Philadelphia, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports.

Lindgren made his preseason debut Monday against the Flyers and turned aside 12 of 14 shots before being replaced by Clay Stevenson midway through the game. Lindgren will have another opportunity to face Philadelphia to close out the preseason, and the 32-year-old is expected to play the full game during his final tune-up ahead of the regular season.

Ovechkin (lower body) has been ruled out for Friday's preseason game against the Bruins and Saturday's preseason game against Philadelphia, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports.

Ovechkin fully participated in Thursday's practice session and appears to be trending in the right direction, but head coach Spencer Carbery said Thursday that it isn't essential for the 41-year-old to play in the preseason in order to be ready for Opening Night. The Capitals will exercise caution with Ovechkin as the preseason draws to a close, but Carbery said Friday that he expects Ovechkin to be available for the team's Opening Night matchup against Carolina on Oct. 2.

Trineyev was waived by the Capitals for the purpose of reassignment to AHL Hershey on Friday.

Trineyev got his first taste of NHL action last year with a pair of regular-season appearances for Washington. However, he's slated to begin the 2026-27 campaign and will likely spend most of the upcoming season with Hershey.

Vanecek was the first goalie off the ice during Friday's morning skate, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports, indicating that he'll draw the preseason start at home against the Rangers.

Vanecek started in the Islanders' preseason opener Sunday and turned aside 20 of 22 shots during a 2-1 loss to New Jersey. He'll defend the crease once again during the penultimate game of the preseason as he continues to compete with Semyon Varlamov for the No. 2 goaltending job behind Ilya Sorokin.

Grzelcyk signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Sabres on Friday.

Grzelcyk missed the end of the 2025-26 regular season due to an upper-body injury, and he became an unrestricted free agent during the offseason. He should be healthy ahead of the 2026-27 campaign and will land a contract with the Sabres just under a week before the team's Opening Night matchup against the Blue Jackets on Thursday. The 32-year-old blueliner recorded no goals, 12 assists, 54 blocked shots, 32 PIM and 28 hits while averaging 16:58 of ice time across 69 regular-season appearances with the Blackhawks last year.

Lundestrom (Achilles) was placed on non-roster injured reserve by the Blue Jackets on Friday.

Lundestrom underwent offseason Achilles surgery and had already been expected to be sidelined until at least early November. As a result, it isn't particularly surprising to see him placed on non-roster injured reserve just under a week before Opening Night. Once the 26-year-old is healthy, he'll likely handle a bottom-six role for Columbus.

Merzlikins (shoulder) was placed on non-roster injured reserve by the Blue Jackets on Friday.

Merzlikins underwent shoulder surgery in late August and failed his physical at the start of training camp. He's considered out indefinitely, so it isn't particularly surprising that he's been placed on non-roster injured reserve ahead of Opening Night. Jet Greaves should serve as the Blue Jackets' No. 1 netminder this year, while Cam Talbot will likely be the team's backup until Merzlikins is able to return.

Marchment scored twice on three shots in Thursday's 10-0 preseason win over the Ducks.

Marchment got a look alongside Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith for this game. If that trio holds into the regular season, Marchment will get a significant boost in fantasy value. It's still possible the 31-year-old winger is just a placeholder for Ivar Stenberg on the top line, but Marchment came to San Jose on a five-year, $33.75 million contract, so he is all but guaranteed to play a prominent role regardless of his linemates.