NHL Player News

Kochetkov is expected to start at home in Thursday's preseason game against Nashville, per Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site.

Kochetkov will look for a better result after allowing five goals on 33 shots in his previous exhibition outing Sunday. He's projected to enter the season as Carolina's No. 2 goaltender behind Brandon Bussi, but there should be an opportunity for Kochetkov to get a significant chunk of the workload if he plays well.

Annunen will start in goal on the road versus the Hurricanes in Thursday's preseason game, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.

Annunen stopped 25 of 27 shots in his preseason debut versus the Lightning on Tuesday, earning an overtime win. He'll get another chance to play Thursday as he prepares to serve in the backup role behind Juuse Saros throughout 2026-27.

Copley successfully cleared waivers Thursday, but he's still on Columbus' roster.

If Copley makes the Blue Jackets' Opening Night roster, it will likely be as the No. 3 netminder behind Cam Talbot and Jet Greaves. Columbus also has Elvis Merzlikins (shoulder), but there's no timetable for his return. Copley had a 2.59 GAA and a .901 save percentage in 33 regular-season appearances with AHL Ontario in 2025-26.

Jenik (undisclosed) was placed on non-roster injured reserve by Los Angeles on Thursday, per Zach Dooley of LA Kings Insider.

Jenik had nine goals, 17 points and 29 PIM in 43 AHL regular-season outings between Belleville and Ontario in 2025-26. He will probably be sent to the minors once he's recovered from his injury.

Murray was put on waivers by Nashville on Thursday, per Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports.

Murray had a 2.83 GAA and a .904 save percentage in 47 regular-season appearances with AHL Milwaukee in 2025-26. Murray might get a chance to play for the Predators at some point during the upcoming campaign if Juuse Saros or Justus Annunen ever have to spend time on the shelf.

Burroughs was waived by the Stars on Thursday, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

Burroughs is with the Stars on a one-year, two-way contract, and he'll begin the regular season with AHL Texas if he clears waivers. He made 18 regular-season appearances in the AHL with Ontario last year and recorded a goal and six assists, and he'll presumably spend most of the upcoming campaign in the minors once again.

Seminoff was placed on waivers by Dallas on Thursday, per Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports.

Seminoff had 24 goals and 50 points in 72 regular-season appearances with AHL Texas in 2025-26. He's expected to begin the upcoming campaign in the minors, but it wouldn't be shocking to see Dallas call him up at some point during the season.

Guttman was put on waivers by Los Angeles on Thursday, according to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports.

Guttman had 24 goals, 53 points and 52 PIM in 67 regular-season appearances with AHL Ontario in 2025-26. The 27-year-old hasn't played in the NHL since 2023-24 when he had four goals and eight points in 27 regular-season outings with the Blackhawks.

Pederson was placed on waivers by the Kings on Thursday, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

Pederson signed a two-year, two-way agreement with the Kings in early July, and he'll begin the 2026-27 campaign with AHL Ontario if he clears waivers. Across 63 minor-league appearances with Lehigh Valley last year, he recorded 23 goals, 25 assists and 44 PIM.

Fantilli agreed to terms on a six-year, $82.5 million contract with Columbus on Thursday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Fantilli has reached the 50-point threshold in each of the previous two seasons, including setting new personal bests last year in assists (35), points (59) and power-play points (13). The 21-year-old center will have to get up to speed quickly, but he should be a near lock for a top-six role Opening Night against the Sabres on Oct. 1.