NHL Player News

Johansson is not expected to serve as the backup for the Lightning this season, with that role going to Dennis Hildeby, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports Wednesday.

According to general manager Julian Brisebois, the team is working with Johansson's agent to find him a better landing spot that would include playing time and could help the Lightning shed his $1.25 million cap hit. The 30-year-old backstop saw action in 25 regular-season games last year, going 11-10-2 with a 3.29 GAA and .884 save percentage.

Hildeby is expected to serve as the Lightning's No. 2 goaltender to begin the 2026-27 campaign, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports.

Tampa Bay acquired Hildeby from the Maple Leafs in early July. He's slated to be Andrei Vasilevskiy's primary backup, as the Lightning seek a trade for Jonas Johansson. Hildeby posted a 5-7-4 record with a 2.85 GAA and a .912 save percentage in 20 regular-season games with Toronto last year.

Holmberg (collarbone) is expected to be available for the start of the 2026-27 season, Lightning reporter Gabby Shirley reports Wednesday.

General manager Julien BriseBois listed several players Wednesday who aren't expected to be available to begin the campaign, and Holmberg wasn't mentioned after he missed the end of the 2025-26 campaign due to a fractured clavicle. Prior to his injury, Holmberg appeared in a career-high 70 regular-season games during his first year with the Lightning, and he recorded 11 goals, 11 assists, 66 hits, 31 blocked shots and 31 PIM while averaging 13:21 of ice time.

James has a broken hand and is expected to miss the first two weeks of the regular season, Lightning reporter Gabby Shirley reports Wednesday.

James had seven goals and 15 points in 43 regular-season appearances with the Lightning in 2025-26. His absence at the start of the campaign might create an opening for Jakob Pelletier, Scott Sabourin or Conor Geekie to begin the season as a member of the fourth line.

Gourde underwent offseason hip surgery and will not be available until December, Lightning reporter Gabby Shirley reports Wednesday.

Gourde played in all 82 regular-season games last year, generating nine goals and 19 helpers. He missed the 30-point threshold for the first time since 2016-17. With Dominic James (hand) also unavailable to start the season, the Bolts suddenly find themselves thin at center, which could create an opportunity for Jansen Harkins. Look for Gourde to start the year on long-term injured reserve, though the move may not become official immediately.

Vasilevskiy doesn't believe the shortened training camp will impact his readiness for the 2026-27 campaign, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports Wednesday.

The NHL has reduced the number of preseason games each team plays to four to accommodate the increase in regular-season tilts from 82 to 84. The Lightning will naturally lean heavily on Vasilevskiy as they always do when he's healthy, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him reach 60 regular-season starts for the fifth time in his career. He fell just short of that mark in the 2025-26 regular season, posting a 39-15-4 record, 2.31 GAA and .911 save percentage in 58 appearances.

The Canadiens announced Wednesday that Guhle is recovering from minor adductor muscle surgery that he underwent over the summer, and he's expected to return in 4-5 weeks.

Reports surfaced early in the week that Guhle would miss the start of the 2026-27 campaign following offseason surgery, and the nature of his procedure and a return timetable have now been revealed. The 24-year-old's timeline suggests that he could return as early as mid-October. However, the Canadiens could exercise caution with his recovery since he's slated to miss the entirety of training camp. Guhle recorded two goals, nine assists, 86 hits, 63 blocked shots and 41 PIM while averaging 19:28 of ice time per game across 39 regular-season appearances last year.

Blackwood arrived at training camp in the best shape of his life, according to head coach Jared Bednar, and will have the chance to earn the starting job, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports Wednesday.

When asked if he planned to rotate his goaltenders again, Bednar told reporters they'd enter the season with a clean slate. The 29-year-old Blackwood played in only 38 regular-season tilts, but he posted a solid 23-10-2 record with a 2.50 GAA and three shutouts. The door appears to be open for Blackwood to earn the No. 1 job back from Scott Wedgewood this year, and in an ideal scenario, Bednar seems to be looking for that result.

Miner is dealing with an undisclosed injury, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports Wednesday.

While the details of Miner's injury are unclear, it could cost him some preseason games. It's reasonable to believe the Avalanche won't push the matter for the sake of training camp, so even a minor injury he might have otherwise played through could keep him limited for now. The 25-year-old netminder is projected to start 2026-27 in the minors. Still, the Avalanche would likely call him up if Scott Wedgewood or Mackenzie Blackwood are unavailable at any stage of the campaign.

Poitras agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with Boston on Wednesday.

Poitras was limited to just three regular-season appearances for the Bruins last season, scoring one goal on eight shots while averaging 12:07 of ice time. While the 22-year-old center was significantly more productive in the minors, registering 44 points in 69 regular-season contests with AHL Providence, he hasn't been able to translate that scoring touch to the NHL level.