NHL Player News

McQueen signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Ducks on Saturday.

McQueen's contract will begin in 2026-27. In the meantime, he's been playing for Anaheim's AHL affiliate, San Diego, on an amateur tryout agreement that he inked April 1. McQueen had 11 goals, 27 points and 45 PIM across 36 appearances with Providence College in 2025-26. He's also collected a goal and three points in six regular-season outings with San Diego.

Oettinger will protect the home net in Game 1 against Minnesota on Saturday, Sam Nestler of DLLS Sports reports.

Oettinger posted a 35-12-6 record with four shutouts, a 2.59 GAA and an .899 save percentage across 54 games during the 2025-26 regular season. He has faced the Wild four times this campaign, going 2-1-1 while allowing 11 goals on 130 shots.

Koepke signed a two-year, $2.9 million contract extension with the Jets on Saturday.

Koepke was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this summer after completing his one-year, $1 million contract. He had eight goals, 17 points, 16 PIM, 86 shots and 186 hits in 66 appearances with the Jets this season. Koepke should be in the mix to continue to serve in a bottom-six capacity in the 2026-27 campaign.

Yager was assigned to AHL Manitoba on Saturday.

Yager made his NHL debut against Vegas on Monday. He didn't earn a point in three appearances with the Jets down the stretch, but he provided two shots on goal. Yager has 10 goals and 20 assists in 68 AHL contests this campaign.

Lambert was loaned to AHL Manitoba on Saturday.

Lambert had three goals, six points, 27 shots on net and 22 hits in 25 NHL appearances this season. He also has six goals and seven assists in 34 AHL outings during the 2025-26 campaign.

Hughes (illness) will play in Game 1 against the Stars, per Mark Lazerus of The Athletic.

Hughes is set to return to Minnesota's lineup after missing each of the team's final two regular-season games with an illness. The 26-year-old blueliner posted another elite season with 69 assists, 76 points, 187 shots on net and 87 blocked shots across 74 regular-season games between Vancouver and Minnesota this year. He'll likely jump back into the Wild's top defensive pairing alongside Brock Faber for the opening clash of the team's series against Dallas.

Heiskanen (lower body) will play in Game 1 against Minnesota on Saturday, according to Sam Nestler of DLLS Sports.

Following a three-game absence, Heiskanen will return to the top pairing and first power-play unit in Saturday's playoff opener. He wrapped up the 2025-26 regular season with nine goals, 63 points, 148 shots on net and 132 blocked shots across 77 appearances.

Kadri (finger) is expected to play in Game 1 against the Kings on Sunday, per DNVR Avalanche.

After missing five straight games because of a broken finger, Kadri skated on the third line and worked on the top power-play unit during Saturday's practice. He finished the 2025-26 regular season with 16 goals, 50 points, 213 shots on net and 50 hits in 77 games between Colorado and Calgary.

Dostal will defend the road net against Edmonton on Monday in Game 1, Eric Stephens of The Athletic reports.

Dostal posted a 30-20-4 record with a 3.10 GAA and an .888 save percentage in 56 appearances during the 2025-26 regular season. In two outings against the Oilers over that time, he allowed eight goals on 60 shots en route to a 1-1-0 record.

Guenther (undisclosed) will play in Sunday's road matchup against the Golden Knights, per Cole Bagley of KSL Sports.

After getting a game of rest in Utah's regular-season finale, Guenther will return to action for Game 1 of the team's first-round playoff series. Overall, the 23-year-old winger compiled 40 goals, 73 points, 242 shots on net, 66 hits and 28 blocked shots across 79 regular-season games this year. He'll likely reclaim his right-wing role inside Utah's top six for his playoff debut.