NHL IN 60 SECONDS
The New York Rangers have lost Igor Shesterkin for the rest of the season, leaving Dylan Garand and Callum Tung as their available goaltenders while Joonas Korpisalo and Spencer Martin are injured. Possible trade options have been discussed, but the financial and asset costs are uncertain. Nashville acquired defenseman Jayden Struble from Montreal for a 2027 second-round pick. Chicago forward Frank Nazar received a two-game suspension, while Connor Bedard completed full-contact practice as he works back from shoulder surgery. Elsewhere, Detroit’s Simon Edvinsson and Dylan Larkin remain central figures in separate reported trade discussions.
THE BIG FIVE
Rangers weigh their goaltending options after Shesterkin injury
The New York Rangers announced that Igor Shesterkin will miss the remainder of the season after an injury sustained in the second period against the Washington Capitals. Dylan Garand entered that game, and the Rangers’ current situation leaves Garand as the No. 1 goaltender with Callum Tung backing him up. Joonas Korpisalo, acquired from the Boston Bruins, is expected to remain out for another four weeks with an injury, while Spencer Martin has also been injured but is nearing a return. Several potential external options have been raised. Connor Hellebuyck has five years remaining at an $8.5 million average annual value, alongside Shesterkin’s six remaining years at an $11.5 million average annual value. Jordan Binnington is in the final year of a contract carrying a $6 million average annual value, and Darcy Kuemper has also been mentioned.
IHM Signal: The Rangers’ immediate issue is depth: Garand and Tung are the available tandem while two other goaltenders are injured.
Coach Mark: A defensive structure that supports Garand could be especially important while the Rangers assess their available goaltending.
Predators acquire Jayden Struble from Canadiens
The Nashville Predators acquired Jayden Struble from the Montreal Canadiens on Friday in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. Predators president of hockey operations and general manager Chris MacFarland described Struble as a 25-year-old physical defender whose mobility and hard-to-play-against qualities will help Nashville’s blue line. Struble is in the second season of the two-year, $2.825 million contract he signed on July 28, 2025, which carries a $1.4125 million average annual value. In his fourth season with Montreal, he had no points in three games and was averaging a career-low 12:05 per game. The Canadiens selected him 46th overall in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft. He has 35 points, comprising seven goals and 28 assists, in 174 regular-season games, plus no points in 14 playoff games.
IHM Signal: Nashville added a 25-year-old defenseman while sending Montreal a 2027 second-round selection.
Coach Mark: Struble’s stated physicality and mobility give Nashville another defender with attributes suited to a demanding blue-line role.
Edvinsson, Nikishin and offer sheets remain in focus
Simon Edvinsson’s reported preference remains a trade, but the Detroit Red Wings still want to re-sign the restricted free-agent defenseman and have not abandoned that objective. Reportedly, Detroit is willing to consider different contract terms in an effort to change his position. In Carolina, there was said to be no immediate trade possibility involving Alexander Nikishin, prompting questions over whether he could sign with the Hurricanes instead; any contract would still need to be determined. Utah Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong said offer sheets are permitted under the Collective Bargaining Agreement and predicted teams will use them more often. He pointed to the need for clubs to prepare early when deals can be completed. The discussion followed a one-year, $4.775 million offer sheet from the New Jersey Devils to Utah forward Barrett Hayton.
IHM Signal: Detroit’s preference to sign Edvinsson and Edvinsson’s reported trade preference remain unresolved.
Coach Mark: For clubs managing restricted free agents, Armstrong’s comments underline the value of early contract planning before outside pressure develops.
READ FULL STORY: Edvinsson, Nikishin and Offer-Sheet Pressure
Frank Nazar receives two-game suspension
Chicago Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar has been suspended for two games without pay for an illegal check to the head of New York Islanders forward Bo Horvat. The incident took place at 18:25 of the third period in the game in New York on Thursday, Oct. 8. Nazar received a match penalty during the game. Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement and based on his average annual salary, he will forfeit $68,041.14. That money is directed to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. The suspension removes Nazar from Chicago’s lineup for two games, with the discipline stemming specifically from the check on Horvat rather than any additional incident detailed here.
IHM Signal: Nazar’s two-game suspension follows a match penalty for the illegal check to the head.
Coach Mark: Chicago will need to account for Nazar’s two-game absence after the match-penalty incident.
Connor Bedard takes full contact in Blackhawks practice
Connor Bedard participated fully in contact practice on Sunday for the first time this season, bringing the Chicago Blackhawks captain closer to a return from off-season shoulder surgery. Bedard said there was no official return date and that he would speak with doctors before identifying a game. A Tuesday home game against the Pittsburgh Penguins was not ruled out, though coach Jeff Blashill stressed that the situation remained fluid pending Bedard’s medical appointment. Bedard injured his left shoulder during an off-season training session in Vancouver on July 2 and had surgery a few days later. After skating in a black non-contact jersey, he wore red and completed every drill on Sunday. He said he felt good and expects to take face-offs immediately when cleared. In line rushes, he centred Roman Kantserov and Patrick Kane.
IHM Signal: Bedard has progressed to full-contact practice but has no official return date.
Coach Mark: Full-contact work and participation in every drill are meaningful practice steps, but Chicago is still awaiting medical clearance.
READ FULL STORY: Connor Bedard nears Blackhawks return after full-contact practice
IHM SHORT ICE
Blackhawks honour Mike Ditka before Hurricanes game
The Chicago Blackhawks held a moment of silence before their game against the Carolina Hurricanes to honour Mike Ditka, who died on Friday at the age of 86.
READ FULL STORY: Blackhawks honour Mike Ditka before Hurricanes game
Maple Leafs assess blue-line market
The Toronto Maple Leafs are reported to be seeking a top-four defenseman and checking what may become available, though the expected acquisition cost could be prohibitive.
Simon Edvinsson and Alexander Nikishin were discussed as possible calibre fits, while moving Easton Cowan was portrayed as a step that could create another roster hole.
READ FULL STORY: Maple Leafs Reportedly Exploring Top-Four Defence
Devin Cooley brings Tito to support animal shelter
Calgary Flames goaltender Devin Cooley arrived for the Anaheim Ducks game with his pet rabbit, Tito, to support the Calgary Humane Society.
Tito wore a custom Flames shirt, while Cooley’s teammates entered with dogs from the local shelter that were available for adoption.
READ FULL STORY: Devin Cooley and Tito support Calgary shelter
Wild remain linked with Dylan Larkin
Detroit Red Wings personnel have continued to scout the Minnesota Wild, while Dylan Larkin is reported to view Minnesota as his leading destination.
Detroit is said to want NHL players rather than futures in any return, with Danila Yurov and Charlie Stramel identified as young Minnesota players central to discussions.
IHM NHL PULSE
Detroit’s two reported personnel files remain unsettled
The Red Wings are reported to be pursuing a re-signing of Simon Edvinsson despite his trade preference, while Dylan Larkin remains linked with the Wild. Both situations turn on a gap between a reported player preference and Detroit’s stated or reported conditions: a contract for Edvinsson, and NHL-ready value rather than futures in a Larkin return.
Defensive additions feature across multiple discussions
Nashville completed a move for Jayden Struble, adding a defender described as physical and mobile. Toronto, meanwhile, is reported to be searching for a top-four defenseman, but discussion around Simon Edvinsson or Alexander Nikishin stressed the possible cost in prospects or other assets. The shared theme is blue-line improvement balanced against price.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING NEXT
- Connor Bedard is due to speak with doctors as Chicago awaits clarity on his return from shoulder surgery.
- Joonas Korpisalo is expected to remain out for another four weeks, while Spencer Martin is nearing a return for the Rangers.
- Detroit is expected to continue scouting Minnesota Wild games amid the reported Dylan Larkin discussions.
SHORT ICE Q&A
Why are the Rangers considering goaltending options?
Igor Shesterkin will miss the rest of the season. Dylan Garand and Callum Tung are the available tandem, while Joonas Korpisalo and Spencer Martin are injured.
What did Montreal receive for Jayden Struble?
The Canadiens received a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft from the Nashville Predators.
What was Frank Nazar suspended for?
Nazar received a two-game suspension without pay for an illegal check to the head of Islanders forward Bo Horvat.
Has Connor Bedard been cleared to return?
No official return date was given. Bedard took part in full-contact practice and said he would speak with doctors before finding a game.
FAN PULSE
Which reported roster situation will you follow most closely?
A) The Rangers’ search for goaltending depth after Igor Shesterkin’s injury.
B) Detroit’s reported contract and trade discussions involving key players.
C) Connor Bedard’s progress towards a Blackhawks return.