Nils Höglander Out Eight To Ten Weeks With Sprained Ankle
Sept. 30: Höglander will be missing quite a bit of time. The team announced that he has undergone successful lower-body surgery and will miss eight to ten weeks as a result. That would put him on track to return between late November and early December.
Sept. 26: Canucks winger Nils Höglander‘s availability for the beginning of the regular season is in doubt after the team announced Friday he’s been given a week-to-week designation with a lower-body injury, according to Jeff Paterson of Rink Wide: Vancouver. His injury is a sprained ankle, according to Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK.
Evidently, Höglander was banged up in Vancouver’s preseason win over the Flames on Wednesday. He scored the first goal of that 3-1 win, a power play marker. Shift and time on ice data for the game, which was played at the home of the Canucks’ AHL affiliate in Abbotsford, isn’t available. It’s unclear if he finished the contest or not.
Now entering his age-25 season, Höglander remains a bit of a unicorn. He’s undersized and flashy, but at 5’9″, he plays with a physical bend, recording 76 hits last year. The 2019 second-round pick has steadied his development and, over the past two seasons, has emerged as a consistent top-nine piece. He’s played in 152 out of 164 possible regular-season games during that frame and broke out in a big way in 2023-24, shooting at a 20% clip for a career high 24 goals while seeing a good chunk of time in the top six at even strength.
Like many other Canucks, last year wasn’t as fruitful for Höglander. His shooting percentage regressed to 9.6% and he finished the year with an 8-17–25 scoring line in 72 appearances. He was deployed as a Swiss army knife nonetheless, logging time seemingly everywhere in Vancouver’s top nine and not logging more than 90 total minutes with the same set of linemates.
His deployment in camp suggested he was ticketed for a middle-six role to start the campaign, perhaps on a third-line unit with Teddy Blueger and Conor Garland. He’s still got 13 days until Vancouver’s first regular-season game to recover. That’s unlikely but not impossible for a week-to-week timeline.
If he can’t go, the Canucks have some quality wing depth they can elevate. Drew O’Connor and Kiefer Sherwood combined for nearly 30 goals and 65 points last year. Either could seamlessly slot in next to Blueger and Garland, a combination that new head coach Adam Foote seems intent on keeping together. Former top-10 pick Vitali Kravtsov, whom the organization brought back over from Russia this offseason, could be the recipient of those minutes as well.
Mats Zuccarello Out “Minimum” Of Seven To Eight Weeks
While the Wild ensured one top-six winger will be staying with the club long-term earlier today, they’ve lost another in the short term. The team confirmed Mats Zuccarello will miss a “minimum” of seven to eight weeks with the lower-body injury that’s sidelined him for all of training camp so far.
There was concern Zuccarello would miss the start of the regular season back at the beginning of camp. This is a bit more significant than just the start of the season, though. A seven-to-eight-week timeline from today puts his most optimistic return date on Nov. 18, by which Minnesota will have already played a quarter of its season. In all likelihood, it could be Thanksgiving or even further down the calendar until he’s able to make his season debut.
Now 38 years old, the 5’8″ Zuccarello has kept up his reputation as a consistent top-six scorer in what should be his twilight years. The Norwegian forward ranked fourth on the team with a 19-39–54 scoring line in 69 appearances last year, his sixth in Minnesota after first signing there as a free agent in 2019. While injuries have remained a concern – he hasn’t hit the 70-game mark in the past two years – he’s clicked above expectations since signing with the Wild and has scored at a 70-point clip per 82 games during his time there.
That’s a sizable absence in the scoring department, especially considering he still averaged over 19:30 of ice time per game last year. While he’s spent a good portion of his tenure in St. Paul opposite Kirill Kaprizov on the top line, Matt Boldy ended up getting that job in the playoffs last year after Kaprizov returned from surgery. Zuccarello dropped down to a middle-six role with Marcus Johansson and Frédérick Gaudreau, the latter of whom has since been traded to the Kraken. Since he hasn’t been in camp, it’s hard to predict where the Wild planned on slotting him this season, but it likely would have been in second-line duties while keeping the top line loaded with Boldy.
Zuccarello’s top-six vacancy could mean increased opportunity for veteran Vladimir Tarasenko to start the year. The Wild picked him up from the Red Wings for future considerations over the summer after the four-time All-Star had just 11 goals and 33 points in 80 games for Detroit. The Wild are now his sixth team in the last four years, but he could get a shot at second-line duties with Joel Eriksson Ek as his centerman. There’s also a clear path for one of the Wild’s recent first-rounders, namely Liam Ohgren and Danila Yurov, to snag top-nine roles as they look to establish themselves as full-timers.
One player who won’t be getting an opportunity in the lineup is 220-game veteran Brett Leason. He was released from his PTO today, the club announced. He had a 5-12–17 scoring line in 62 games for the Ducks last year before being non-tendered.
Evening Notes: Chinakhov, Oilers, Golden Knights, Stevenson
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reported that Yegor Chinakhov has not been happy with his role of late. The tantalizing 24-year-old has been skating on the Jackets’ fourth line, with no attention on the power play either. When asked about the role, Chinakhov said, “No comment.”
Portzline also mentioned Head Coach Dean Evason’s thoughts on the situation. The Jackets’ bench boss complimented the Russian forward’s play, but emphasized the team’s forward depth.
The remark is interesting, considering that Chinakhov requested a trade over the summer, only to backtrack just 10 days ago, saying he had reached an understanding with Evason and was open to staying with the Blue Jackets.
Columbus’ first-round choice in 2020 (21st overall), Chinakhov has flashed his high skill, lighting up the AHL in short stints, but has yet to put everything together in the NHL. The emergence of other forwards such as Dmitri Voronkov and Kirill Marchenko has had Chinakhov on the outside looking in. It appears the former top prospect is at a crossroads that many have found themselves at: accepting a lesser role for the greater good to stick in the NHL, or finding a home elsewhere.
Elsewhere across the league:
- In Edmonton, Tony Brar of Oilers TV reported that Jake Walman, who has had rumblings of an extension lately, is day-to-day, but is expected to be ready for opening night. Vasily Podkolzin is expected to resume skating on Wednesday, after the tragic loss of his father.
- SinBin.vegas noted that two Golden Knights, Pavel Dorofeyev and Jeremy Lauzon, are both progressing, per Head Coach Bruce Cassidy. They will remain sidelined tomorrow and are questionable for the Knights’ remaining preseason games. Dorofeyev was an 82-game player last year, breaking out with an eye-popping 35 goals, while Lauzon only notched 28 games in Nashville due to injury, before an offseason trade to Vegas.
- Having been mentioned by Kevin Weekes last week, Elliotte Friedman echoed that the Capitals will likely lose goaltender Clay Stevenson on waivers, as reported by Russian Machine Never Breaks. The undrafted 26-year-old has yet to make a sizeable NHL impact (just one game played) but has caught the eye of many clubs, and could be the latest under-the-radar goaltender to burst onto the scene. Interestingly, Friedman noted the Rangers as a possible suitor, saying they pursued the Alberta native as a college free agent before the Capitals won out. Such a claim would especially be a blow to the marquee AHL franchise, the Hershey Bears. With Weekes pointing it out and Friedman following suit, Stevenson will be a name to watch closely.
Mammoth Notes: AHL Franchise, Peterka, Cooley, McBain
Cole Bagley of KSL Sports reports that Utah Mammoth owner Ryan Smith has discussed bringing an AHL team to Utah; however, it is likely years away. In the process, Smith said he and Smith Entertainment Group have considered the best locations in Utah for the franchise, and that somewhere “up north” stands out; perhaps Salt Lake City or St. George.
With the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies (West Valley City) reaching 20 years in the state, the prospect of Utah continuing to grow the game with an additional professional team is an exciting concept. Hypothetically, they would join an exclusive club (California, New York, and Pennsylvania) as the only states to hold a team in all three of the top North American hockey leagues.
Such news may raise a few eyebrows of those within the Tucson Roadrunners, the Mammoth’s current AHL affiliate, but only time will tell what the future may hold.
AHL or not, Smith has his eyes on growing the game in Utah, akin to markets such as Dallas, Nashville, and Vegas, which have become youth hockey hotbeds after the NHL came to town. Bagley added that Smith’s offer to help build more rinks in Utah has been well received, as he says he has heard from 20 different communities that have shown interest.
Finally, Bagley provided injury updates for the club as they wind up for their second season. Key offseason acquisition JJ Peterka returned to the ice today, per Bagley, having missed Saturday’s practice. The 23-year-old looks to build off a 68-point campaign in Buffalo last year and star for the Mammoth.
Logan Cooley and Jack McBain remain sidelined, Head Coach Andre Tourigny told Bagley. Neither is expected out long term, but they will not play tomorrow vs the Kings.
Goalie Notes: Dostal, Vasilevskiy, Hellebuyck
The Anaheim Ducks announced today that young starting netminder Lukáš Dostál will be day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
The 25-year-old is a major key for the Ducks this season, fresh off signing a five-year contract in July. Having made additional offseason moves that affirm the team is pushing for a step forward, much will ride on Dostál and his ability to fill the void left by stalwart John Gibson, who was finally dealt over the summer. Anaheim has steadily developed the talented goaltender, with a workload that has gradually increased year by year.
Now, with Gibson moving on, Dostal is the undisputed #1, with a fellow Czech, veteran Petr Mrázek in waiting. The Ducks have another notable former Red Wing in their goaltender room as well, in Ville Husso. Yet the 30-year-old, who once flashed serious potential, is likely set to hold things down for AHL San Diego, barring any setbacks from Dostál.
Additional goaltender notes:
- Elsewhere, Tampa Bay Head Coach Jon Cooper told Beat Writer Benjamin Pierce that star Andrei Vasilevskiy returned to the ice today and is expected to be with the main group tomorrow. Bleacher Report Open Ice added that the Russian netminder will likely be ready for the Lightning’s season opener on October 9th. As previously noted, the team has been mostly silent on Vasilevskiy’s status, calling it “player management”.
- Vasilevskiy is not the only superstar goaltender fighting to be ready for the season to begin. As reported by Murat Ates of The Athletic, Connor Hellebuyck left practice “not feeling right”. According to Head Coach Scott Arniel, there is uncertainty whether the two-time reigning Vezina winner plays tomorrow. With rosters being finalized, eyes will be on the status of each starter, as well as Husso, Eric Comrie, and Brandon Halverson, who each remain on their team’s respective rosters as third options in net.
Metro Notes: Miller, Ovechkin, Milano
A concerning story emerged out of New York today, as J.T. Miller left practice after an apparent leg injury. The new Rangers captain was seen lunging after a loose puck and came up favoring his leg, in a video posted by Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic.
Fortunately, Peter Baugh of The Athletic updated this evening that Miller is expected to be fine, a few days missed at worst. The 32-year-old will be relied on heavily in his second stint with the Rangers, as they seek a big turnaround this season, as outlined earlier today.
Meanwhile, the Capitals had a pair of key updates on their forward core today. Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post confirmed Alex Ovechkin has been fully cleared for contact and was a regular participant in practice. Head coach Spencer Carbery told Johnson that the legend had no setbacks and looked the part.
Carbery does not expect Ovechkin to appear in tomorrow’s preseason tilt against the Blue Jackets, but he could do so in the last two tune-up games for the Capitals.
Johnson also noted that Sonny Milano is sidelined with an upper-body injury, which is unrelated to the ailment that cost Milano almost the entirety of last season. It is unfortunate timing for the 29-year-old former top prospect as he looks to return to the Capitals lineup, having carved a role as a solid contributor in the last few seasons.
Buffalo Sabres Injury Updates
With 10 days remaining until their opening game of the 2025-26 season, the Buffalo Sabres are dealing with injuries on multiple fronts of their roster. Earlier today, the Sabres provided updates on several injured players, including Bowen Byram, Mattias Samuelsson, Jiri Kulich, Jordan Greenway, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
Fortunately, aside from Samuelsson, it doesn’t appear that any player is expected to miss opening night, though there is some cause for concern. Byram, who the team shares is dealing with an undisclosed injury, is expected to practice with the team tomorrow. However, he’ll miss their preseason contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Luukkonen, who is the de facto top netminder in Buffalo, has only recently returned to practice after suffering a lower-body injury toward the end of his offseason training. The Sabres expect Luukkonen to play in Buffalo’s contests on Wednesday and Thursday this week, and there’s no doubt in the organization that he’ll play opening night. It will be an important year for Luukkonen’s trajectory, as he followed up a promising 2023-24 campaign with a disappointing effort last season.
Kulich (undisclosed) and Greenway (middle body) are expected to return to practice either this week or next, though the latter has yet to practice with the team at all this preseason. Although Greenway, who signed a two-year, $8MM extension with the Sabres last season, may be healthy enough to play on opening night, Buffalo may wait a week or two to allow him time to ramp up after missing several weeks already.
Unfortunately, Samuelsson, who has dealt with injury concerns every season of his professional career, may not start the season on time due to an upper-body injury suffered last week. Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said that Samuelsson is expected to miss multiple weeks, which would take his recovery timeline beyond Buffalo’s opening night contest on October 9th. The update is becoming a theme with Samuelsson, who played in a career-high 62 games last season. He has five years and $21.43MM remaining on his contract.
Flyers’ Tyson Foerster To Make Preseason Debut
The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that top winger Tyson Foerster is set to make his preseason debut in Monday’s matchup against the Boston Bruins. This will mark a full recovery from an elbow injury and infection that required Foerster to undergo surgery over the summer. He sustained the injury while playing for Team Canada at the 2025 World Championship.
Foerster was originally feared to be set for a long-term absence when he sustained his infection in July. Instead, he’ll hit his target of reaching full health before the start of the regular season. Foerster told Kevin Kurz of The Athletic that, while trainers may be watching him closely, he’ll be “full go” from here on out.
Those are encouraging words the Flyers, who will be getting one of their top offensive drivers back with this news. Foerster posted career-highs across the board in his second NHL season last year – notching 25 goals, 43 points, and 49 penalty minutes in 81 games last season. His goal totals ranked second on the team, behind rookie Matvei Michkov‘s 26 goals. That’s impressive standing for the 23-year-old winger, and should set him up to only continue growing as Philadelphia’s team-wide offense continues to improve.
The Flyers reeled in flashy playmaker Trevor Zegras with an offseason trade. They also have emerging rookie Nikita Grebenkin, Alex Bump, and Jett Luchanko all vying for NHL minutes. While there may not be enough spots to go around, that list of additions will speak to the growing support Foerster will receive. Philadelphia seems ready to lean into the sentiment of strong depth this season – with Foerster lining up next to his usual linemates, Noah Cates and Bobby Brink, in his return on Monday. Should that line stick, the Flyers will be able to roll scoring threats Michkov, Foerster, and Travis Konecny – their top-three goal-scorers last season- on three separate lines to start the year.
Red Wings’ Nate Danielson Out Indefinitely Among Injury Updates
The race for an NHL roster spot has been cut short for one of the Detroit Red Wings’ top prospects. Centerman Nate Danielson sustained an injury during the team’s Saturday preseason loss to the Buffalo Sabres, head coach Todd McLellan relayed to Ansar Khan of Michigan Live. No specifics were provided on Danielson’s injury or timeline to return. McLellan also shared that defenseman Simon Edvinsson will continue to sit out of the next two preseason games, but is expected to be at full health for opening night. Edvinsson has missed the majority of training camp with a lower-body injury.
This news will come as a major blow for Danielson, who was making the Red Wings’ decisions tougher with his camp performances. He had averaged just over 11 minutes of ice time through three preseason games and was one of only seven Red Wings to score a goal. Now, the 2023 ninth-overall selection will be sidelined in a move that’s sure to default him to the AHL when he’s back to full health. Danielson played through his first professional season with the Grand Rapids Griffins last season. He emerged as one of the club’s top three centers by the end of the year, and notched a commendable 12 goals and 39 points in 71 games. Danielson was highly regarded through a four-year career in the WHL, where his shifty playmaking earned him 217 points in 199 career games. He’s expected to be main pillar in Detroit’s new era, but will need to overcome this new injury before he can solidify that standing with a strong sophomore season.
The Red Wings’ lineup will get some relief with positive news on Edvinsson’s recovery. He was a core piece of Detroit’s blue-line last season, averaging over 21 minutes of ice time through 78 games in his first full NHL season. Edvinsson made good work of the minutes, notching 31 points – second-most among Red Wings’ defenders behind Moritz Seider‘s 46 points. He’ll be in line for a premier role again this season, and could close the gap in scoring with Seider, assuming Edvinsson remains in line to take the ice on opening night.
Morning Notes: Noesen, Koppanen, Malott, Quenneville
The New Jersey Devils will have to wait a little while longer to see winger Stefan Noesen in action. Head coach Sheldon Keefe relayed that Noesen is continuing to progress in his return from a groin injury, but will need the entire preseason before he’s back to full health, to James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now. Noesen first sustained the injury last season, then re-aggravated it over the summer. That forced the 32-year-old to receive surgery, which he appears to still be recovering from.
The Devils will be adding a high-impact player back to the fold when Noesen returns to full health. He scored a career-high 22 goals and 41 points in 78 games last season, while rotating between New Jersey’s second and third lines. He was an important glue piece all year long, though played through this groin injury for much of the year. He’s paying for that with a delayed start to the season this year. In the meantime, New Jersey has elevated Dawson Mercer to Noesen’s vacant role next to Timo Meier and Nico Hischier at training camp.
Other notes from around the league:
- Pittsburgh Penguins depth forward Joona Koppanen will be out of action for the short-term. He has been designated as out day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports. Koopanen played more NHL games last season than in any prior year – appearing in 11 games and scoring one goal with the Penguins. The rest of his year was spent in a hardy role with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he scored 23 points in 56 games. He doesn’t appear to be headed for an NHL role out of camp, but will be looking to vindicate his spot on the call-up sheet when he comes back from injury.
- Little-known names break into the Los Angeles Kings roster seemingly every year. This season, it could be forward Jeff Malott who earns the honor this season, per Austin Stanovich of Mayor’s Manor. Malott was a core piece of the AHL’s Ontario Reign last season. He finished the year third on the team in scoring, with 51 points in 61 games. He also led the team with 80 penalty minutes. That mix of high-motor offense, and imposing physicality, could be a sneaky addition to a Kings lineup that elevated the feisty Alex Laferriere to a 42-point season last year.
- Former New Jersey Devils centerman John Quenneville has opted to pursue a coaching season this year. He has joined the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)’s Binghamton Black Bears, per a team release. Quenneville spent the last four seasons on tours around European pro leagues. He spent two seasons in the Switzerland National League, one season in Sweden’s SHL, and one season in Finland’s Liiga. He averaged about 0.5 points-per-game in every league. Should this turn to coaching mark the end of his career, Quenneville will move on from playing with five points in 42 NHL games and 158 points in 215 AHL games.