NHL Player News

Talbot turned aside 23 of 26 shots during Tuesday's 5-1 preseason loss to Buffalo.

Talbot made his preseason debut Tuesday and played the first two periods before being replaced by Evan Gardner. Talbot was perfect during the first frame but allowed three goals in the second period and didn't get much offensive support. Talbot is also slated to defend the home crease against the Penguins in Thursday's preseason matchup and will likely serve as Jet Greaves' backup to begin the regular season since Elvis Merzlikins (shoulder) doesn't have a timetable to return.

Vladar is day-to-day because of an upper-body injury, Jackie Spiegel of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports Wednesday.

Vladar left Tuesday's preseason game due to the injury. While that's obviously less than ideal, his status isn't nearly as bleak as it could have been. "I think we dodged a bullet," head coach Rick Tocchet said. Vladar is set to be the Flyers' No. 1 goaltender this campaign, while Joseph Woll is penciled in to serve as his understudy.

Lohrei continues to be evaluated for an undisclosed injury suffered during practice Wednesday, Conor Ryan of The Boston Globe reports.

Lohrei had a chance to start the 2026-27 campaign with the No. 1 power-play unit due to Charlie McAvoy's six-game suspension. However, Lohrei's role could be impacted if this injury lingers into the regular season. In 73 regular-season games last year, the 25-year-old blueliner notched seven goals and 19 assists, failing to reach the 30-point mark.

Poitras is day-to-day due to a lower-body injury, Conor Ryan of The Boston Globe reports Wednesday.

Poitras sustained the injury during Tuesday's practice, and he missed Wednesday's morning skate. The 22-year-old had 13 goals, 44 points and 48 PIM in 69 regular-season appearances with AHL Providence in 2025-26. He also had a goal in three regular-season outings with Boston last year. Poitras is likely to spend the majority of the upcoming campaign in the minors.

Brandsegg-Nygard recorded two goals, including one on the power play, on three shots while also generating eight hits during Tuesday's 7-4 preseason win over the Penguins.

Brandsegg-Nygard has displayed plenty of physicality to begin the preseason, racking up 12 hits over his two appearances. The 20-year-old was also stellar offensively, putting the Red Wings on the board with a first-period goal before scoring again with the man advantage in the third frame. Brandsegg-Nygard made just 14 regular-season appearances in the NHL last season but will likely be in the mix for a more consistent role with Detroit during the 2026-27 campaign.

Rakell scored a goal on two shots during Tuesday's 7-4 preseason loss to Detroit.

Rakell has been inconsistent over his four full seasons in Pittsburgh, and he's coming off a season in which he recorded 24 goals, 24 assists, 71 hits and 43 blocked shots while averaging 18:57 ice time over 60 regular-season games after racking up a career-high 70 points the year before. The 33-year-old will presumably continue to see plenty of work during the 2026-27 campaign, and he had an encouraging showing during his preseason debut Tuesday.

Gauthier was placed on waivers by the Penguins on Wednesday for the purpose of reassignment to the minors.

Gauthier wasn't going to make the Penguins' Opening Night roster considering the depth ahead of him between the pipes. The 25-year-old backstop could spend most of the year with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, though he might also get a look with ECHL Florida for a larger role.

Foegele (undisclosed) won't appear in either of the Senators' split-squad preseason games against Toronto on Wednesday, Claire Hanna of TSN reports.

Foegele has dealt with an undisclosed injury for at least a week, and he isn't yet ready to return. Although he's been ruled out for Wednesday's split-squad action, head coach Travis Green said that he isn't yet sure whether Foegele will be able to suit up in Saturday's split-squad matchups against Montreal to close out the preseason. Regardless of whether he's available Saturday, Foegele appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of the Senators' Opening Night matchup against Toronto on Oct. 3.

Zub (knee) isn't expected to be ready for Ottawa's season opener in Toronto on Oct. 3, per TSN 1200 Ottawa on Wednesday.

Zub had five goals, 30 points, 57 PIM, 66 hits and 120 blocks in 81 regular-season appearances with Ottawa in 2025-26. It remains to be seen how long he will be on the shelf for, but he has been out since April 18. He missed Ottawa's final three playoff games because of the injury.

Sanderson didn't skate Wednesday due to a minor undisclosed issue, Claire Hanna of TSN reports.

Head coach Travis Green hesitated to label the reason for Sanderson's absence as an injury, so fantasy managers likely shouldn't worry. Sanderson isn't expected to play in either of Wednesday's split-squad preseason games against Toronto. Still, it wouldn't be surprising if he was fine for the start of the 2026-27 campaign.