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Injury Notes: Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, Blackhawks, Sharks

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Carolina Head Coach Rod Brind’Amour told Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News that K’Andre Miller could be back shortly, however, Jaccob Slavin could be absent for “a while”. Miller has not played since October 20th, but has been off to a great start in his Carolina tenure with four points in six games. Meanwhile, Slavin was placed on IR last week with a lower-body injury, appearing in the Canes’ first two games before going back down. The ailment has bothered the star defenseman throughout October, and the team has been vague on further details. 

Carolina has been great so far despite missing both defensemen, with a 6-2-0 record. Based on Brind’Amour’s comments, it seems a real possibility Miller could be all set when his Hurricanes go to Madison Square Garden to take on the Rangers next week, after an offseason blockbuster sent the talented 25-year-old to Carolina. 

Elsewhere across the league:

  • Nick Barden of The Hockey News Toronto updated earlier today that William Nylander and Calle Jarnkrok could play versus Calgary tomorrow, as both are dealing with lower-body injuries. Additionally, veterans Scott Laughton and Chris Tanev could rejoin the team later in the week ahead of Saturday’s tilt in Philadelphia. Nylander, who missed just his second regular season game since 2020-21, has dazzled with 14 points in 8 games so far. Laughton was injured in the preseason and has yet to debut in 2025-26, as he looks to get more comfortable as a Leaf, having put up just 4 points in 20 regular season games after being traded to Toronto. 
  • Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times shared this morning that two Blackhawks veterans, Ilya Mikheyev and Tyler Bertuzzi, did not appear at practice. Mikheyev left Sunday’s game versus Los Angeles after crashing hard into the boards. Thankfully, he is considered day-to-day as it appears a more serious issue was avoided. Meanwhile, Bertuzzi missed yesterday’s game altogether, and is also thought to be day-to-day. Chicago hosts Ottawa tomorrow, and they will hope to have their wingers back before long, as they try to stay above the .500 mark. 
  • Sunday’s big shootout win for the Sharks at Minnesota came at a cost, as Adam Gaudette left due to an upper body injury and did not return, as per the team. His status is unknown as San Jose hosts their in-state rival the Kings tomorrow night. The 29-year-old center has 3 goals in 9 games. 

Islanders Notes: Romanov, Injuries, Waivers

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Stefen Rosner, New York Islanders beat reporter, shared several items on the team today. First, Rosner noted this morning that defenseman Alexander Romanov was seen in a red non-contact jersey in practice. Rosner went on to provide an update on several injuries affecting the club: Romanov will be out tomorrow but is expected to play at some point on the team’s road trip, perhaps Thursday in Carolina. Fellow defenseman Scott Mayfield, however, is expected to play tomorrow in Boston despite missing practice. 

Finally, per Rosner, the team will make a gameday decision on 24-year-old rookie defenseman Marshall Warren, who was a great story over the weekend, as the Long Island native made his debut for his hometown team, posting two helpers in what was eventually a shootout loss. Although Adam Boqvist could draw back into the lineup, given Warren’s impressive debut, it will be interesting to see which way Head Coach Patrick Roy goes. 

Elsewhere on the Islanders:

  • The Bridgeport Islanders shared this morning that top prospect Calum Ritchie is day-to-day with a lower body injury. The 20-year-old, acquired from Colorado in the Brock Nelson deal, has scored a goal and an assist in his first two AHL games in Bridgeport. The Islanders will hope Ritchie’s ailment is not serious, as he is a contender for a call-up at some point, and could especially push pending free agent Jean-Gabriel Pageau, as the team looks to the future. 
  • Rosner went on to make another interesting point this afternoon, that the Islanders could be interested in claiming forward Mitchell Chaffee, who was waived earlier today by Tampa Bay. Rosner mentioned that as the club is currently down to 12 forwards, Chaffee, who has connections from the Lightning with new GM Mathieu Darche, could bring some needed depth. At 27, Chaffee is not necessarily in the mold of younger, more intriguing reclamation projects that sometimes hit the waiver wire. However, he posted 12 goals as a regular on the Lightning’s bottom six in 2024-25, and possibly, New York could have interest. 

Robert Thomas, Jake Neighbours Out Tonight, Day-To-Day

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St. Louis Blues Head Coach Jim Montgomery told Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic that two key players will both be out in Pittsburgh tonight: Robert Thomas and Jake Neighbours. Both are thought to be day-to-day. 

Thomas was banged up Saturday against Detroit, leaving in the third period due to what the team designated as an upper-body injury. Meanwhile, Neighbours has been dealing with a lower-body injury. Both players were top line contributors before going down. 

St. Louis’ #1 center, Thomas, will be missed sorely, usually playing north of 20 minutes a night, with 6 points in 8 games so far. The Ontario native has broken out as a true star over the last two seasons, surpassing the 80-point mark in each. Neighbours is also a key absence, as he leads the Blues in goals with six in just 8 games. The 23-year-old was an 82 game player last year, with a career high 46 points. Once healthy, the Blues will count on him to be a key offensive driver, perhaps breaking the 30 goal mark for the first time in his career. 

Neighbours’ goal scoring aside, St. Louis will be particularly thin tonight in Pittsburgh down the middle. Pius Suter, added last July for the exact reason of center depth, will be called upon for a larger role. The Blues, of course, also have their mainstay captain Brayden Schenn, but the 34-year-old has just one point in his last 5 games, and could be on the path to regress offensively this year due to age. 

Although still early, the injuries are costly as St. Louis has not come out so hot, currently at the bottom of the Central Division, and among the fewest goals scored in the league by a team. However, it also must be mentioned that the club has played 1-2 fewer games than their counterparts. 

Going into a back-to-back, Pittsburgh tonight and Detroit again tomorrow, points will be much needed, as the group looks to hold down the fort until two of their top forwards can return. 

Penguins Place Rickard Rakell On IR, Recall Ville Koivunen

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10/27: Pittsburgh made Rakell’s move to injured reserve official on Monday evening.

10/26: The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced that Rickard Rakell underwent a successful procedure on his left hand this morning, and the forward is expected to miss 6-8 weeks recovering. Just last night Rakell took a puck to the hand vs Columbus, was clearly bothered, and did not return. 

It is a very tough blow for the team, who have come out of the gates looking much better in 2025-26, facing serious pressure to push for the postseason for the aging legends on their roster. Rakell in particular, who has been revitalized in Pittsburgh, headlined by a career high 70 points last year, has also been off to a great start with 8 in 9 games. 

In a corresponding move, the Penguins recalled Ville Koivunen, who has already bounced back and forth between the NHL and AHL so far. The skilled 22-year-old forward, acquired in the Jake Guentzel trade, did not appear on the scoresheet in 2 games so far with the Pens, but jumps out with 11 points in just 6 games so far with AHL Wilkes-Barre. Now he, along with 18-year-old Benjamin Kindel could be in order for a larger role with Rakell sidelined. Kindel however, is nearing his 10-game threshold as a rookie, and it will be interesting to see GM Kyle Dubas’ plan for their 11th-overall selection last summer. 

In particular for Rakell, the ailment is also especially unfortunate as it means he will miss the 2025 NHL Global Series in his home country of Sweden, as the Pens take on Nashville in mid-November. 

In a critical season for the Penguins as they continue to teeter between win-now for their iconic players, and turning toward the future, the club is already being tested. Yesterday it came out that Caleb Jones, who had been playing well early in his Pittsburgh tenure, will miss eight weeks. Now a star, in the form of Rakell, is set to be absent for a similar timeline.

Afternoon Notes: Pesce, Hintz, Finnie

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Amanda Stein, team reporter of the New Jersey Devils, shared mid-game that Brett Pesce did not return for the second period of the team’s matinee tilt vs Colorado. The defenseman notched 6 minutes in the first but missed his final shifts of the period and did not return. 

Especially given the Devils’ hot start, currently atop the league, and their consistent stream of injuries, it is certainly the hope that Pesce’s injury is not serious, and many will keep a watchful eye on further updates today. 

Elsewhere across the league:

  • Lia Assimakopoulos of the Dallas News wrote earlier today that Stars forward Roope Hintz will miss tonight’s game in Nashville. Given the club’s activation of Oskar Bäck earlier today, it appears the 6’4” center could appear tonight for his season debut. Meanwhile, Hintz was shaken up last night from a big hit into the boards from Taylor Hall, one which gave Hall a charging minor. Further details of Hintz’s injury have not been disclosed, but Dallas will cross their fingers that their star, currently at a point a game pace, is not out long-term. 
  • Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey Now shared earlier today a story on Red Wings rookie Emmitt Finnie, a former seventh-round-pick who has burst onto the scene. Finnie first earned a spot on the Wings’ roster which was impressive enough, but now he is featured on the team’s top line, with 8 points in 9 games. As mentioned by Allen, few seventh-rounders even make the NHL (20 since 2019) but zero have made an immediate impact like Finnie, who is right among the league’s best rookies so far in 2025-26. His contributions have helped Detroit to a great start as they aim to finally take a step back into the playoffs. Whatever may happen, Finnie’s all-around-game is showing to be an absolute steal from the Wings at 201st overall in the 2023 draft, a franchise no stranger to such throughout their history. 

 

Steven Stamkos Fueling Speculation Amidst Slow Start

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In an episode of the DMase, Vingan, & Daunic Podcast covering the Nashville Predators earlier this week, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet raised an intriguing situation. The insider voiced concerns with Steven Stamkos, wondering if at some point, he and the club could explore their options if things do not improve. 

While it is easy to pile on with criticism of GM Barry Trotz for his frivolous spending for Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, adding two Stanley-Cup-winning 40-goal-scorers is hard to pass up. Although both were on the wrong side of 30 at time of signing, the Predators had reeled off a season exceeding expectations. Ryan O’Reilly and Gustav Nyquist were amazing fits, so Trotz figured to add to the mix, going for one more push. Worse case, even if Stamkos and Marchessault did not maintain their scoring levels, they would be tremendous leaders. 

Unfortunately, for Stamkos especially, things have gone even worse than reasonably expected. His 2024-25 production, 27 goals, 53 points, was at a rate not seen since being a teenager rookie in 2008-09. Stamkos’ -36, a career worst by far, was highly indicative of his declining ability at 5-on-5. At times, the first overall pick in 2008 looked uncomfortable, which is reasonable considering his perhaps unexpected new digs, but things never really improved. 

And although it is still just October, Stamkos has not looked any better in 2025-26, with just one goal and two points in 9 games. He is no longer a center, playing along the likes of Fedor Svechkov and Luke Evangelista. Both are respectable young players, but it is such a far cry from Stamkos’ heyday in Tampa Bay. Stamkos is purely a power play specialist, and unfortunately, that has not even gone much to plan. The Predators have him teeing off in his regular spot, but are among the league’s worst on the man advantage. 

Fans may criticize the former superstar, but at 35, he is what he is, and Stamkos’ production seems to be more a result of the team around him. With an elite playmaker, it is likely he could still be a 30+ goal scorer, but there is just no such to offer on the Preds’ roster. Nashville has had a respectable start so far, but much is on the back of goaltender Juuse Saros. They have a key test tonight vs Dallas, and getting Stamkos going is becoming an urgent matter. 

While it remains pure speculation in terms of Stamkos at this point, his production is a major story for the Predators. If the team begins to fall in the standings again, it may become a serious conversation. With three more years at a $8MM cap hit, it would not be easy, but Stamkos is one of few players which have a level of respect where he could have ultimate say in his future; whether in Nashville, or beginning to seek an alternate destination, no matter how difficult such a move could be to execute. 

Sharks Maintaining Faith In Yaroslav Askarov

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As the Sharks work through a trying time in their history, one key story so far this season has been Yaroslav Askarov and his performance in net. Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now shared earlier today an article published by fellow member, William Espy, on how the organization holds strong faith in Askarov through ups and downs. 

Despite a 5.72 GAA and .838 SV% going into tonight, Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky emphasized that Askarov remains very young, raw, and has faced a lot of pressure. San Jose has more bright spots on the ice than previous years, but the job between the pipes in teal is still not exactly an easy one, as the team continues their hardcore rebuild. 

Last summer GM Mike Grier made improving his back-end a key point of emphasis. Although players such as Dmitry Orlov, John Klingberg, and Nick Leddy are no longer what they once were, it is a considerable improvement, even just by veteran presence alone. Askarov’s interests were likely a factor. 

Drafted 11th overall in 2020 by Nashville, Askarov was one of the most hyped up goaltender prospects in recent memory. Despite posting strong numbers in the AHL, the Predators, known for their keen ability to develop goalies, were not sold on the Russian and his electric yet sometimes polarizing style. They opted to lock up Juuse Saros long-term, and understandably, Askarov requested a trade.

San Jose, putting together a formidable young core, swooped in and added to it, dealing fellow goaltender Magnus Chrona, prospect David Edstrom, and a first round pick (originally owned by Vegas) for Askarov. While Nashville hopes Edstrom can become a top six forward, if Askarov can reach his potential, which is still absolutely possible, it does not feel like a lot to give up; goalies like him do not come along often. The Russian is the whole package: size, athleticism, and a bit of a unicorn catching right. 

Many netminders take time to develop, going through growing pains, especially in an environment such as San Jose. The biggest challenge for Warsofsky is making sure Askarov, along with many of his young skaters, are not overwhelmed and therefore hurting their development, along with simple patience. 

Sure enough, tonight, Askarov played much better in New Jersey, stopping 26 of 28 shots including several highlight reel saves. Despite the efforts, the Sharks took the loss, unfortunately a result he will probably have to face often for the foreseeable future. 

Sabres Notes: Kozak, Mrtka, Mogilny

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The Buffalo Sabres announced mid-game that center Tyson Kozak will not return due to a lower body injury, playing just 1:49 before exiting. Buffalo, winners of three out of their last four games, has seemed to find some momentum but now will have to hope Kozak’s injury is not serious. 

Originally drafted in the seventh round of the 2021 draft by Buffalo, the 22-year-old Kozak has impressively become a solid defensive center, appearing in 21 games for the Sabres last year, and six so far in 2025-26 where he has netted two goals. 

Elsewhere from Buffalo:

  • Earlier today in advance of tonight’s game vs Toronto, the Sabres announced that Radim Mrtka was reassigned to the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL. Drafted 9th overall by Buffalo in last summer’s draft, the defenseman did not appear for the big club but made his professional debut with AHL Rochester, skating in 4 games, posting one assist and mixing it up a bit with 7 penalty minutes. At just 18-years-old, the Czech and his 6’6” frame will be a welcome addition back for Seattle, as Buffalo looks to set their prospect up for success in 2025-26 before a potential pro return next year.
  • A former Sabre confirmed that he will not attend the 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony in person. Alexander Mogilny, finally being elected this year after 16 years of eligibility, will instead deliver an acceptance speech through video message, as confirmed by Kelly Masse, Director of Media Relations for the Hockey Hall of Fame. The legend, who scored an unreal 76 goals for Buffalo in 1992-93, also made tremendous impacts in Vancouver, New Jersey, and Toronto. Although known of having a fear of flying, Mogilny is President of the KHL’s Amur Khabarovsk club, their season in full swing on the other side of the globe. 

Alexander Kerfoot Undergoes Procedure, To Miss 8-10 Weeks

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The Utah Mammoth announced that center Alexander Kerfoot underwent a successful procedure stemming from his lower body injury, and will miss the next 8-10 weeks. 

Kerfoot’s ailment was first noted last month which kept him out of training camp. Now Utah, off to an impressive 6-2 start this season, knows the fate of the veteran and will look to keep up the momentum in his absence. As noted by the team, the medical procedure was to repair a core muscle injury.  

The Vancouver native was inked to another year in Utah last March, at a value of $3MM. Originally arriving to the organization after several years in Toronto on a two-year deal, Kerfoot was a valuable member of the Coyotes in their final season, posting 45 points, setting a career high in total ice time, and even receiving votes for the Selke (top defensive forward) as an honorable mention fringe candidate.

Since then in Utah, Kerfoot’s role fell slightly last year, due to the emergence of several young talented forwards in the organization. However, obviously as the team brought him back, the Mammoth value the 31-year-old’s leadership and two-way prowess. On such a new team with youth throughout, he is actually among the team’s oldest and most tenured NHL forwards. 

A highly durable player who had missed just one regular season game since 2020-21, the hope will certainly be that Utah can continue to excel without Kerfoot, and that he will join in mid-late December set to hit the ground running into 2026.

Evening Notes: Reichel, Sharangovich, Lightning

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Having been dealt today to Vancouver in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick, Pierre LeBrun of TSN had an interesting note on Lukas Reichel, that the former top prospect had asked for a trade out of Chicago. Lebrun added that according to Reichel’s agent, it had been a long-time discussion, but that things were amicable as both sides worked peacefully through the process. 

As has been discussed, a fourth-round pick may feel underwhelming for Chicago fans, but the German native has just not been able to establish himself, never surpassing the 22-point mark in a season. On the flip side though, Reichel, still just 23, seems like a very solid low-risk addition for Vancouver. Even if the change of scenery does not pan out into Reichel becoming a true top-six forward, his skating ability and effort level could be useful in any team’s bottom six. Many in his mold have evolved and simplified their games to stick in the NHL, and it will be interesting to see what comes of the former first-round pick. 

Elsewhere across the league:

  • Derek Wills, voice of the Calgary Flames, shared today that Yegor Sharangovich is expected to draw back into the lineup tonight in Winnipeg. The forward was scratched for the last two games, after putting up just one assist in 6 games. Given the brutal start for Calgary so far, currently last in the league, there is perhaps nothing to lose to try and get the skilled winger going, who broke out two years ago as a Flame, scoring 31 goals. Especially as Sharangovich seems set in Calgary for the foreseeable future, in year one of a five-year contract worth $5.75MM per year. 
  • The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-assigned Scott Sabourin to AHL Syracuse, and in a corresponding move, they welcomed back Zemgus Girgensons, who has been activated, as Head Coach Jon Cooper told Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times. Girgensons is expected to make his season debut tomorrow. Meanwhile Sabourin, 33, will bring a veteran presence and a physical edge to the Crunch. He did not appear in a game for the Bolts, but the undrafted grinder has 47 NHL games to his name. Off to a poor start, Tampa Bay will look to turn the corner and silence any early speculation that the club’s long sustained success may be on the downturn. 

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