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Evening Notes: Chinakhov, Douglas, Canucks

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The Columbus Blue Jackets won’t begin their season until Thursday, but Yegor Chinakhov is already officially out of the lineup, as Aaron Portzline of The Athletic confirmed from Head Coach Dean Evason.

It has been a tumultuous last few months for the once-heralded Columbus prospect. After requesting a trade back in July, the Russian apparently changed his mind in September, saying he was open to staying with the Jackets, having seemingly worked through his differences with Evason. 

Then, recently, Chinakhov voiced his displeasure with his role in camp, and finally, he fired his agent last Sunday. With all of those affairs out of the way, the latest development is that the 24-year-old will not appear on Thursday in the team’s opener vs. Nashville. Portzline noted that Evason apparently met with his player to make sure they were in agreement on the role, but given all the back and forth, it is not a good sign for Chinakhov’s future in Columbus. 

Elsewhere across the league:

  • Benjamin Pierce, Tampa Bay’s beat writer, shared the unlikely story of Curtis Douglas as he finds himself, somewhat surprisingly, on the Bolts’ roster to start 2025-26. Originally drafted by Dallas 106th overall in 2018, Douglas has spent the past 5 seasons grinding away in the AHL, not exactly filling the nets, but standing out at 6’9”, 242 lbs. As the game has evolved into the 2020s, gone are the days of pure enforcers running around, however, many teams feature such hulk-sized forwards in their bottom six to drive to the net and mix it up when needed. Tampa figures to have their own version in Douglas, who was claimed on waivers two days ago. The 25-year-old Ontario native will hope to make his long-awaited NHL debut tomorrow against Ottawa. 
  • As the Vancouver Canucks open their season tomorrow against Calgary, Ben Kuzma of The Province wrote today of the team’s optimism as a playoff team in 2025-26. The Canucks are one of several promising teams who underachieved last season, and are now looking to turn the page. Given the issues behind the scenes seemingly behind with the departure of star J.T. Miller, and a fresh voice with Adam Foote moving up to Head Coach, the table is set for the Canucks to reach their potential. As outlined by Kuzma, they returned a largely similar roster, bringing in standout Evander Kane to boot, as well as youngster Jonathan Lekkerimaki facing pressure to make a larger impact. The Canucks’ disappointment last year was rewarded with the freshly-drafted Braeden Cootes, who has made a strong impression to make the team. Somewhat surprisingly given their roster, Vancouver struggled offensively last season, but Foote will look to revitalize the group as they set their sights on a return to the playoffs next spring. 

Ducks Recall Tim Washe From AHL

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The Anaheim Ducks announced tonight that they have recalled Tim Washe from AHL San Diego. The 24-year-old will join the club in advance of the Ducks season opener in Seattle tomorrow. 

Washe, undrafted, has made a nice impression with the organization in a short time. Signed as an NCAA free agent after leading Western Michigan University to their first National Championship, Washe broke out offensively last season, notching 38 points as the Broncos’ captain. Although the Detroit native has just two NHL games under his belt, and no other professional experience, Washe is certainly battle tested. Impressively, his Broncos appeared in the Frozen Four four straight seasons, finally breaking through as champions last year. 

Given Ryan Strome’s absence due to a lower-body injury, which came out earlier today, Washe, 6’3”, likely slots into the Ducks’ bottom-six in a heavy forechecking role. Like many NCAA undrafted-to-NHL forwards before him, Washe thrives on a physical two-way game, and clearly, accomplished Ducks Head Coach Joel Quenneville likes Washe’s abilities, quickly pulling him back from the AHL. 

Washe did not have to pass through waivers to reach San Diego, having been assigned just two days ago. Now, it will be interesting to see if the forward, who has quickly found a spot in the NHL, will get a real look at sneaking into the Ducks lineup for good this season.

Injury Notes: Girgensons, Vlasic, Strome

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Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper was asked by Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times if Zemgus Girgensons could be considered week-to-week, and Cooper confirmed Encina’s suspicions, saying it is “probably a semi-safe assessment of where he’s at right now”. 

The 31-year-old Latvian forward was injured in Saturday’s preseason tilt vs Florida, a game which caught the league’s attention with over 300 penalty minutes combined between the rivals. The Lightning actually faced fines and a hearing with the Department of Player Safety for the festivities that occurred throughout the game. 

Girgensons will miss his first regular season game as a Bolt, having appeared in all 82 games last season, netting 6 points in a largely shutdown role. 

Elsewhere across the league:

  • Chicago Head Coach Jeff Blashill says Alex Vlasic is all set to play tomorrow, as confirmed by Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times. Vlasic was absent in the 2025-26 NHL season opener due to a lower-body injury, as the Blackhawks fell to Florida. Having broken out last season with 30 points, the Blackhawks will be glad to welcome the young Illinois native back to the lineup.
  • The Anaheim Ducks announced today that dependable center Ryan Strome will miss the team’s upcoming road trip due to an upper-body injury, which was previously under wraps. The 32-year-old veteran has only missed three regular season games in his first three seasons with the Ducks, twice being an all-82-game player. Strome has flashed remarkable consistency, netting 41 points exactly in each campaign. Based on the Ducks’ statement, he is set to miss games in Seattle and San Jose, but perhaps could return for the home opener against Pittsburgh next Tuesday.

Cole Perfetti Out Week-To-Week With Ankle Sprain

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10/5/25: Jets head coach Arniel told the media, including team reporter Mitchell Clinton, that Perfetti has an ankle sprain and will be out on a week-to-week basis.

10/4/25: Last night’s preseason shootout victory proved costly for the Winnipeg Jets, as young standout forward Cole Perfetti left with a lower-body issue. As noted by Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press, Head Coach Scott Arniel said that the “first glance doesn’t look great”.

In the closing seconds of the second period, Perfetti came in on the forecheck and finished a routine check on Kevin Bahl, but landed awkwardly and came up gingerly, possibly favoring his right leg. The 23-year-old did not return to the game. 

Further details on the injury have not yet come out, but if Perfetti is set to miss time, it would be a tough blow to the Jets as they look to maintain high expectations, given last season’s Presidents’ Trophy, albeit without longtime star Nikolaj Ehlers, who left in free agency. With captain Adam Lowry out for the start of the season, along with Dylan Samberg, who will miss several weeks with a broken wrist, the injury bug has bitten the Jets already, and hopefully, Perfetti will not be sidelined for long. 

Perfetti, drafted tenth overall in 2020, took a few years to establish himself, but after a 2024-25 season where he appeared in all 82 games and broke the 50-point mark, many expect another step forward this season. 

With final rosters being finalized in the next two days, it will be interesting to monitor Winnipeg’s corresponding moves as the team still has several extra forwards. Fans will certainly also watch urgently for updates on Perfetti.

Jets Sign Nikita Chibrikov To Two-Year Extension

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The Winnipeg Jets have locked up a talented young forward, Nikita Chibrikov, per agent Dan Milstein. The deal is a two-year, one-way extension, worth $850k and $900k at the NHL level. 

Despite the Jets’ consistent presence as a playoff contender across the last decade, and the subsequent lack of high draft picks, the organization has managed to assemble a formidable group of forward prospects, including Chibrikov. The youngster’s high skill and effort projects himself as a future middle-six scorer for Winnipeg, with the potential for more, especially if he cleans up his defensive game. Having lost stalwart Nikolaj Ehlers in free agency, and Kyle Connor a soon-to-be free agent with an uncertain future, Winnipeg will turn to their youth to help keep their window open.  

Selected by Winnipeg 50th overall in 2021, Chibrikov never made a significant impact in the KHL as a young NHL-draftee, but he was an immediate standout in North America, posting 47 points as an AHL rookie in 2023-24, and lighting the lamp in his NHL debut as well. 

Last season the Russian forward continued his progression with the Manitoba Moose, and earned a four game stint with the Presidents’ Trophy Jets in December, where he notched two goals and an assist. 

With forwards such as Cole Perfetti, Jonathan Toews, and Adam Lowry currently banged up, the Jets could turn to Chibrikov to start the season. If not, and he is sent back down, expect the 22-year-old to be a key member of the Manitoba Moose again as an eventual fixture of Winnipeg’s lineup.

Predators Place Nicolas Hague, Matthew Wood On IR

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Having already been absent due to noted injuries, the Nashville Predators have confirmed the fate of two. As confirmed by Brooks Bratten, Nashville’s beat reporter, Nic Hague is expected to miss 2-3 weeks due to an upper-body injury, while Matthew Wood is week-to-week.

Hague was hardly able to debut with the Predators, going down early in the team’s preseason opener against Florida on September 21st. Having been acquired in the offseason from Vegas and promptly signed to a four-year deal worth $5.5MM per season, Hague’s absence solidified two smooth puck-moving defenders on the team, Nick Blankenburg and Spencer Stastney. Nashville already has a glut of left-handed defenders, and while they will miss Hague’s size, there are plenty of names to fill the void. It had been thought he could be out longer, so perhaps there is some relief for GM Barry Trotz, who made an effort to overhaul his defensive core and add more size this summer. 

Nashville’s top defense prospect, the electric Tanner Molendyk, made a strong case to make the team, but was sent down yesterday and will begin his pro career with AHL Milwaukee. 

Meanwhile, Wood suffered a lower-body injury in the Preds’ Gold Star Showcase scrimmage. It was especially unfortunate, as the top prospect was rolling in camp and making a strong case to remain with the club, having bypassed the AHL last season after coming out of college on a six-game NHL audition. 

With Luke Evangelista finally signed today, two youngsters, Joakim Kemell and Ozzy Wiesblatt, seem to have made the cut due to Wood’s ailment. Kemell, a right-handed sniper, plays a role relatively similar to Wood with real top-six potential, while Wiesblatt, despite being a former first-round pick (2020, San Jose), projects as a likely bottom-six energy forward.

Flyers Open To Trading Emil Andrae

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As the deadline for final rosters looms, many teams have final decisions to make, including Philadelphia, with one seat remaining at their table. Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff writes that Emil Andrae is on the outside looking in and may find himself with a new club soon. 

Andrae, originally drafted by Philadelphia in 2020 (54th overall), has flashed legitimate potential over the last three seasons with AHL Lehigh Valley, but seemingly has not made enough of an impression on new Head Coach Rick Tocchet, as well as being surpassed on the organizational depth chart. As is usually a point of emphasis for the black and orange, Andrae’s stature is a downside, at 5’9”, as the Flyers look for more size on their blueline’s bottom half, given Jamie Drysdale and Cam York’s presence. 

Di Marco noted that the Flyers’ third pairing was open coming into the season, and especially with Rasmus Ristolainen’s injury, opportunities were plentiful. One by one, certain candidates have fallen out of favor. It is thought that Dennis Gilbert and Noah Juulsen will round out the Flyers’ defense corps, beating out once-promising youngsters Helge Grans and Andrae. 

Neither Gilbert nor Juulsen are names that jump out on the page at this point, both in their late-twenties, but both bring over 100 NHL games of experience to the table. Juulsen also comes in from Vancouver, having played for Tocchet for the last three seasons. 

Adam Ginning also remains firmly in the mix for Philadelphia, despite just 11 NHL games under his belt so far, but at 6’2”, he may have the upper hand over Andrae, and makes an imposing pair with fellow sizable lefty Egor Zamula. 

Di Marco says that although there is no clear market for Andrae, and the Flyers are just “open” to making such a move, they would be likely seeking a third-round pick or a similar defensive prospect. Players in Andrae’s mold appear in the waiver wire often, especially at this time of year. Yet still being just 23, it will be interesting to see if the Flyers can recoup value for their 2020 second-round selection, or if the Sweden native will return to Lehigh Valley as a key contributor and push for another call-up.

Jansen Harkins Placed On IR, Set To Miss Approximately Eight Weeks

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10/2: Anaheim has officially placed Harkins on injured reserve, following their last round of training camp cuts.

9/27: Having just locked up Mason McTavish earlier today, the Anaheim Ducks have more news affecting their forward core; Jansen Harkins is set to miss approximately eight weeks with an upper body injury, per the team’s announcement. 

Harkins was injured last Sunday against the Kings after a hit into the side boards, and was seen leaving the arena in a sling. 

The 28-year-old is entering the final year of his two-year, $1.575MM deal with Anaheim. Despite being waived out of camp last fall, Harkins ended up playing in 62 games for the Ducks, notching 6 points, and making most of his impact defensively. 

Originally drafted 47th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in 2015, having shown high playmaking ability in the WHL, the Cleveland native spent the next four seasons in the Jets’ system, before finally earning his role in the NHL and becoming a key depth forward. After eight total seasons contributing in the Jets’ organization, Harkins was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he spent 2023-24 between the big club, and the AHL, in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

With the veteran set to miss time, perhaps eyes now turn toward young centers Nikita Nesterenko and Tim Washe, who both have the right skillset for Anaheim’s bottom six. 

Nesterenko was originally drafted in the sixth round of the 2019 draft by the Minnesota Wild. The 24-year-old became a key player for Boston College and legitimate NHL prospect, whose rights were acquired by the Ducks in the 2023 John Klingberg deal. Since then, Nesterenko has spent most time with the San Diego Gulls, showcasing a strong two-way game based around defensive responsibility. The Brooklyn, New York native has appeared in 32 games with the Ducks over the last two seasons, netting 6 goals. 

Washe, a 24-year-old with imposing size at 6’3”, is a more recent pickup for the Ducks, coming in last season as an undrafted free agent from Western Michigan University. Washe jumped out of college to the pros last season, skating in two games for the Ducks, having yet to play in the AHL. However, with five collegiate seasons under his belt, including winning the 2025 National Championship as captain of the Broncos, Washe could make a case to slot into the bottom six for Harkins.

With key roster cuts to be made across the league in the next week, eyes will be on the Ducks as they enter the Joel Quenneville era, with several young players vying for spots.

Los Angeles Kings Finalize 2025-26 Roster

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Zach Dooley, Manager of Editorial Content for the Kings, noted today that Los Angeles’ roster is all set, currently at 23 players, barring any unexpected injuries. Dooley says that fans can expect the full regular group to wrap up the Kings’ remaining preseason games tomorrow and Saturday. 

A well-balanced squad of 13 forwards, 8 defensemen, and 2 goaltenders, the Kings look to climb further than last year’s first round defeat at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers. 

Anze Kopitar will begin his 20th and final season in Los Angeles surrounded by a core forward group mostly the same as last year’s, besides key additions in Corey Perry (currently injured) and Joel Armia. The veteran Perry’s absence likely opened the door for Jeff Malott, a 29-year-old later-bloomer who posted an impressive 51 points for AHL Ontario last year. Otherwise, stars like Kevin Fiala and Adrian Kempe are expected to put up big numbers again. 

Something many franchises struggle with, the Kings have done a great job of supplementing their aging core with young talent in order to give Kopitar and Doughty another window. Many eyes will be on Quinton Byfield, a candidate for a large breakout, and Alex Turcotte, who is starting to face real pressure to live up to his high potential. 

Two veterans will join Los Angeles’ defense corps led by Doughty, in the form of Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin. Ceci, signed to a somewhat questionable four-year deal at $4.5MM per season, will look to slot into a role similar to the one he had in Dallas to wrap up last year. Kings fans will be eager to watch electric youngster Brandt Clarke, as he looks to build off a strong 33-point campaign last year. 

Finally, the Kings bring back veteran Darcy Kuemper in net, paired with newcomer Anton Forsberg, who comes over after four respectable seasons in Ottawa. 

Without a doubt, the group will be motivated to have a strong swan song season for their franchise icon Kopitar. The Kings eagerly await Perry’s return as well, and while it will be a bit strange to see the 40-year-old in the black and silver, his presence is undeniable, as the Kings set their sights on a run next spring. The journey will begin in Colorado on October 7th.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Leaves Game Due To Injury

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Tough news came out of Buffalo tonight, as #1 goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has left tonight’s preseason game due to a lower-body injury, confirmed by the team. The 26-year-old appears to have reaggravated the ailment which has limited his participation in camp so far. 

Luukkonen allowed one goal on 12 shots before coming out, however, he played the entire first period, perhaps encouraging for Buffalo. Likely with the ongoing injury in mind, the Sabres picked up Alexander Georgiev earlier this month on a one-year deal, to go with Alex Lyon, who was signed to a two-year contract after establishing himself as a legit NHLer with the Red Wings. 

Even with top prospect Devon Levi having been sent back to AHL Rochester, the Sabres seem to have things covered between the pipes, if Luukkonen is set to miss time. However, a goaltender tandem of Lyon/Georgiev is a bit concerning for a team trying to, finally, take a leap forward in 2025-26. Potentially, Levi could be back on the big club sometime this fall, sooner than later. 

Luukkonen’s status in the coming days will be worth monitoring as Buffalo finalizes their roster, and tries to start October on the right foot.

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