NHL Player News

Yamamoto tallied a goal, picked up an assist, posted a plus-2 rating, put two shots on net and dished out two hits in Saturday's 4-1 win over Buffalo.

Yamamoto wasted no time in getting involved in his season debut Saturday, as he leveled the score at one apiece just over 10 minutes into the opening period. He later recorded a secondary helper on Anders Lee's tally late in the second period. The 28-year-old Yamamoto had a solid bounce-back season in 2025-26, where he compiled 13 goals and 23 points across 59 regular-season outings. He will likely continue to rotate roles throughout Utah's bottom six in the new season, where he should be in line for a decent chunk of scoring opportunities.

Ellis stopped 26 of 30 shots on net in Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Mammoth.

After anchoring the Sabres to a victory in his season debut Tuesday, Ellis took a step back in Saturday's loss. He didn't surrender the lead until late in the second period, where Utah's Nick Schmaltz buried a power-play goal for the eventual game-winning tally. Ellis now holds a 1-1-0 record, a 2.90 GAA and an .880 save percentage across 50 shots on net between two outings. With Alex Lyon (upper body) still recovering from injury, Ellis should continue to see work in the interim with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen struggling as the lead option. Ellis is best in fantasy as a streaming option in deep leagues when given a favorable matchup.

Vejmelka halted 23 of 24 shots on net in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Sabres.

Vejmelka continued his solid start to the 2026-27 season Saturday, where he yielded just one power-play goal early in the contest. Being able to halt Buffalo's offense is no easy task, making his performance Saturday even more impressive than the numbers imply. Overall, the 30-year-old netminder now has a 3-1-0 record, a 2.13 GAA, a .907 save percentage and a shutout across five appearances. After compiling 38 wins across 64 regular-season outings in 2025-26, Vejmelka appears poised to challenge for 30-plus wins once again in the new season. He's a low-end No. 1 goalie option between the pipes in fantasy moving forward.

Nelson scored a goal on four shots in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Maple Leafs.

Nelson has a point in each of his last two games and five (two goals, three assists) in five games this season. His four shots Saturday eclipsed the total number he fired to this point in the season (three). Nelson delivered one of the best seasons of his career in 2025-26 (33 goals, 32 assists and 186 shots; 81 games), and his roles as second-line pivot and cog on the second power-play unit should deliver another strong season. His power-play production may be slightly lower this season, though -- it may be hard for Nelson to put up 18 PPP from the second unit.

MacKinnon scored twice Saturday in a 6-3 loss to Toronto. He fired eight shots.

He ripped both goals in a 4:28 span of the first period to put the Avs up 2-1. MacKinnon has 10 points, including five goals, and 23 shots in five games. The pace is almost impossible to maintain, but Mack should easily top the century mark like he has the last four seasons. MacKinnon sits in a tie with Auston Matthews for fifth in NHL scoring, behind Connor McDavid (13), Evan Bouchard and Jack Eichel (12) and William Nylander (11).

Blackwood made 17 saves in a 6-3 loss to Toronto on Saturday.

He allowed five goals. Blackwood is being given every chance to earn the starter's role, and he's 2-2-0 with a 3.30 GAA and .867 save percentage in four starts. Colorado will need more from him, especially with Scott Wedgewood (1-0-0) sitting on the end of the bench. Blackwood's battery-mate went 31-6-6 with four shutouts, a 2.02 GAA and .921 save percentage in 2025-26. The Avs play back-to-back games with the Stars this coming week and again against the Flyers and Devils the next week. Blackwood will need to nail the crease down in his half of the contests to avoid a controversy.

Schenn scored a power-play goal on two shots, added four hits and blocked two shots in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Lightning.

Schenn continued his strong start to the year with this tally. The veteran forward has two goals, three assists, 10 shots on net, 14 hits, three blocked shots, nine PIM and a plus-1 rating over five appearances. Schenn is playing on the second line and first power-play unit, which gives him a reliable floor for fantasy production, especially in leagues that reward his physicality.

Pinchuk registered an assist in Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Senators.

Pinchuk made his NHL debut Saturday, logging 11:10 of ice time, including 2:12 on the power play. He filled in on the third line for Mavrik Bourque (upper body). Pinchuk isn't guaranteed to stick in the lineup once Bourque is healthy, but getting his first point in his debut is a good first impression. Expect most of Pinchuk's minutes to come in the bottom six this season.

Colton scored a goal, added two hits and blocked two shots in Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Senators.

Colton has filled a third-line role with the Predators to begin the season after he was dealt from the Avalanche in June. The 30-year-old forward has earned two points, six shots on net, 15 hits, five blocked shots, four PIM and an even plus-minus rating over five appearances. Colton has displayed decent depth offense in his career, but his primary fantasy value will come from hits, making him a roster target in banger leagues.

Bobrovsky made 30 saves Saturday in a 6-3 win over Colorado.

It was his first win as a member of the Maple Leafs. Bobrovsky is 1-2-1 with a 2.97 GAA and .907 save percentage in four starts. The two-time Vezina and Stanley Cup winner was brought into Toronto to help them win a Cup. Bob is doing his part. Now the team has to step up.