Sharks Recall Ethan Cardwell, Place Ryan Reaves On IR
The San Jose Sharks have placed winger Ryan Reaves on injured reserve and used the spot to recall winger Ethan Cardwell, per the NHL roster report and Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now. Reaves sustained a lower-body injury in Thursday’s game against the New Jersey Devils. He sat out of Saturday’s win over the Colorado Avalanche. Now, Reaves will also be forced to miss at least the next two games.
The Sharks have spent the season rotating 16-year-pro Reaves in-and-out of the lineup with reigning second-overall pick Michael Misa. Reaves has racked up two goals, two fights, and a minus-three through 10 games. He’s already matched the two points he scored in 35 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season. Reaves is a pure physical presence, and ranks sixth among all active players in career penalty minutes (1,110).
Cardwell will now step up to fill Reaves’ rotating role on the fourth line. He has managed two goals, four points, and 10 penalty minutes through seven AHL games this season. That production ranks Cardwell fifth on the San Jose Barracuda in scoring. Two players ranked above him have more NHL experience – Cameron Lund, who played in 11 NHL games last season, and Colin White, who has 323 NHL games to his name. The Sharks opt for Cardwell over either of those two, likely thanks to his persistence for making plays in the dirty areas of the ice. That drive, and a chippy style, would be welcome on San Jose’s fourth line.
But first, Cardwell will have to break into the lineup. Misa should keep his stake in the lineup with Reaves out. The rookie has generated three points and 11 shots on net over his last five games. He’s also posted an impressive 58.3 faceoff percentage on 24 draws. Should that production be enough to keep Misa in, Cardwell would be left sparring with Ty Dellandrea and Barclay Goodrow for bottom-line minutes.
Oilers Hire Andy Slaggert As Director Of North American Recruiting
The Edmonton Oilers have brought a prolific college hockey coach into the fold. Longtime University of Notre Dame assistant coach Andy Slaggert has joined the Oilers as their Director Of North American Recruiting. He leaves behind over 30 years with the Fighting Irish. The University held a ceremony for Slaggert before Friday night’s loss to longtime the rival University of Michigan.
Slaggert will leave behind a true legacy with Notre Dame. The Saginaw, Michigan native joined the Fighting Irish as a player in 1985. He was part of the men’s hockey team through four years at the school, then returned as an assistant coach in 1992 – just three years after graduating. He’s served on the team’s bench in the 32 years since, filling 19 seasons as an assistant coach and 12 as an associate head coach.
Over that time, all three of Slaggert’s sons earned a chance to play for their dad. Graham Slaggert spent four years at the University before signing with the Toronto Marlies for two seasons. He’s spent the last three years in a nightly role with the Rochester Americans. Middle-son Landon Slaggert was a third-round draft pick to the Chicago Blackhawks in the year before he attended Notre Dame. He turned pro with Chicago after four years in South Bend, and has since appeared in 53 NHL games. Youngest son Carter Slaggert is currently in his junior year at Notre Dame, and plays with the grit and heads-up IQ that’s become trademark to Slaggert hockey.
Through his decades at Notre Dame, Slaggert was often front-and-center in the recruiting process. He was involved early and often in player development, and worked to ensure players were just as comfortable off-ice and around campus. Former Irish head coach Jeff Jackson said about Slaggert:
He is the best recruiter for Notre Dame… [He] is also extremely important to our players, from the time they are introduced to Notre Dame to long after they become alumni. He is more than a hockey coach to our young men, he’s a life coach to them. Andy has been immensely loyal to Notre Dame and the Irish hockey family
Through Slaggert’s time with the club, Notre Dame has seen 25 players suit up for Team USA a the World Junior Championships and 70 have been drafted into the NHL. That includes first-rounders Ian Cole, Kyle Palmieri, and Riley Sheahan. Nine of those draft picks, including Landon, are in the NHL this year. Cole (919), Palmieri (911), and Anders Lee (852) lead Slaggert’s former players in NHL games played, while Palmieri (535), Lee (515), and Bryan Rust (447) lead in NHL points.
While the details of Slaggert’s role with the Oilers weren’t fully revealed, he’ll bring uniquely deep insight into the college hockey landscape to the Canadian club. Reeling in one of the strongest, and most experienced, collegiate recruiters will give Edmonton a strong hand as the junior hockey world approaches a new landscape, where CHL players can play collegiate hockey. That advantage could be shrewd ahead of additional changes to the CHL and USHL, and incoming upgrades in the talent of collegiate free agents.
Flyers Recall Emil Andrae
The Philadelphia Flyers have recalled defenseman Emil Andrae. He should step back into a role on the team’s third pair, after scoring three points in his last four AHL games. Andrae is tied for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms’ scoring lead with five assists in six games.
Andrae has once again found consistent scoring in the minor-leagues. Including his seven appearances in the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs, he has effectively recorded 11 assists in his last 13 games in the AHL. It’s a welcomed boost to his stat line, after he only recorded one assist through 14 AHL games in March of this year. The newfound confidence has directly impacted Andrae’s ability to recover loose pucks, and turn them into fastbreaks.
But Andrae hasn’t yet discovered that ability at the NHL level. He played through his rookie NHL season last year, but only managed seven points, 16 penalty minutes, and a minus-five through 42 games. The lack of production has earned Andrae a mere 17 minutes of ice time, on average, through 47 career appearances in the NHL. He’s an undersized, but strong, puck-mover who could stand to offer power-play upside one day, though that’d sit on the other side of an NHL breakout.
For now, Andrae will step into a rotation with Egor Zamula and Noah Juulsen for NHL minutes. Both players have recorded one assist on the season – Zamula through five games, and Juulsen through eight. Given his recent flash in the AHL, a measly one-assist standing should be surmountable for Andrae. A hot performance in his next NHL appearance could be enough to leapfrog Zamula on the depth chart – though repeated struggles could land him back in the AHL sooner rather than later.
Robert Thomas, Jake Neighbours Out Tonight, Day-To-Day
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
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.
Steven Stamkos Fueling Speculation Amidst Slow Start
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
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.
Maple Leafs Attempted Summer Trade Of Nicholas Robertson
Winger Nicholas Robertson will serve as a healthy scratch for the first time this season when the Toronto Maple Leafs visit the Buffalo Sabres on Friday. Robertson’s move out of the lineup comes after he recorded just one assist, and a minus-four, through the first four games of Toronto’s season. He’ll be replaced by rookie winger Easton Cowan, once again sparking concerns over Robertson’s ability to stick in the everyday lineup.
Those worries have led to plenty of trade rumors in the past. Now, it’s been revealed that the Leafs tried to bring those rumors to fruition this summer by offering Robertson to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for fellow trade-block winger Yegor Chinakhov, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman in the latest 32 Thoughts article.
The move was ultimately rejected – for good reason. Chinakhov is a former first-round selection, going 21st-overall to Columbus in a shocking move at the 2020 NHL Draft. He’s since racked up 34 goals and 72 points in 178 games in the NHL. His best year so far came in 2023-24, when he scored 16 goals and 29 points in 53 games. Those numbers trump Robertson in both longevity and peak. A former second-round pick, Robertson has since recorded 57 points in 163 NHL games, with a single-season high of 27 points in 56 games also recorded in 2023-24.
Looking beyond the stats still favors Chinakhov in a direct matchup. Both players are volume shooters who don’t rack up many hits, blocks, or takeaways – but Chinakhov’s 6-foo-1, 200-pound frame helps him win space more frequently than the 5-foot-9, 180-pound Robertson. That imbalance would likely force Toronto to include an added incentive to swap the two wingers, which could have been the barrier that ended trade talks. Chinakhov also walked back his requests for a trade after a conversation with first-year Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason.
While news of a rejected trade won’t help Toronto moving forward, it does make the vision around Robertson’s market a bit clearer. He isn’t tempting enough to sit at the same value as other struggling, young wingers – surely in part thanks to his struggles to hold a nightly role. As he heads back to the press box for the first time this season, the Maple Leafs will no doubt continue their search for a change of scenery for their depth shooter. Robertson has averaged 16 goals and 29 points per 82 games played – modest numbers should if he can maintain them through an 82-game season.
Marco Rossi, Zach Bogosian Out For The Wild
The Minnesota Wild will be without forward Marco Rossi and defenseman Zach Bogosian in Monday night’s game against the New York Rangers, head coach John Hynes told Peter Baugh of The Athletic. Both players suffered lower-body injuries as the result of blocked shots – Bogosian sustaining his on Friday, and Rossi getting hurt on Saturday.
This news will bring an end to Rossi’s team-leading iron-man streak. He has played in a consecutive 173 games, dating back to April 2023. That tally is the 30th-longest streak in the NHL, and the fourth-longest among players 24 or younger. With Rossi’s streak ending, Minnesota’s new team-leader will be Matt Boldy, who has played in 161 consecutive games – 33rd-most in the league and sixth among U24 players.
More than ending a team-leading streak, Minnesota will be losing one of their top forwards with Rossi’s absence. He has served as the team’s top-line center between star wingers Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov. That trio is one of only two Wild lines to score multiple even-strength goals this season – though they’ve still been outscored by opponents two-to-three, despite winning the expected-goals race with 2.1-to-1.7. Rossi himself has scored five points in six games, putting him on pace to exceed the career-high 60 points he potted in 82 games last year.
Joel Eriksson Ek will move to the top-line in Rossi’s place, while Ben Jones steps into a fourth-line center role. This swap will also promote rookie Danila Yurov into the top-nine, providing a stronger platform for him to find his first career point after going scoreless in his first four NHL games.
Minnesota will also lose the reliable Bogosian, who has served as a stout veteran presence on the team’s bottom-pair for the last three seasons. His ice time has dwindled every year in Minnesota, falling to just 14 minutes on average through five games this season. He’s posted a plus-three in the muted role, but otherwise has yet to manage any notable stat changes this season. David Jiříček will stick in the lineup in Bogosian’s absence. Jiříček recorded one shot on goal in a relief role on Saturday. It was his second NHL game of the season.
Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov Out With Illness
The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced that star winger Nikita Kucherov will be held out of Friday night’s game by an illness. Kucherov has three points, one penalty, and a minus-eight through four games this season. He is one of seven Lightning players with three points so far.
There is simply no replacing Kucherov in the lineup, even if his early season has been quiet. He is a three-time Hart Trophy finalist, and took home the MVP title in 2019. He’s led Tampa Bay in scoring in each of the last two seasons, with an incredible 144 and 121 points respectively. At the age of 32, Kucherov has already amassed the second-most points in Lightning history (997), only behind longtime captain Steven Stamkos (1,137).
Tampa Bay will undoubtedly be handicapped without Kucherov, who has averaged 20:29 in ice time on the season. They’ll have to bump each of their right-wingers up a line, likely leading to Gage Goncalves on the top line and Conor Geekie in the top-six. That movement appears to be offering opportunity for Jack Finley, who has only played one, scoreless, game to start the season. Tampa Bay also recalled Scott Sabourin earlier today, though he is set to serve a four-game suspension in the NHL for roughing Florida Panthers’ defender Aaron Ekblad in the preseason. He’ll serve his first game of that suspension on Friday.