NHL IN 60 SECONDS
Minnesota defenseman Brock Faber is skating and practising again after a skull fracture, though his season debut remains without a timetable. Florida forward Brad Marchand is also progressing from a left knee injury and expects his return to come next month. Detroit remains at the centre of extensive reported trade discussion around Dylan Larkin and restricted free agent Simon Edvinsson, with interest, offers and frustration all short of completed deals. Elsewhere, Nick Suzuki is due back for Montreal, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has set Edmonton’s games-played record, and several clubs face notable injury, form and roster questions.
THE BIG FIVE
Faber resumes Wild practice after skull fracture
Brock Faber has practised with the Minnesota Wild for a second consecutive day as he works back from the skull fracture sustained in a pre-season game against the Dallas Stars on Sept. 25. The defenseman was struck around an area by his ear that was not protected by his helmet, and later underwent surgery after a CT scan identified the fracture. Faber has returned to skating and is rebuilding his conditioning and strength after about a month away from training. He has added plastic ear guards to his helmet. His season debut has no determined timetable, although coach John Hynes said Faber is expected to travel on Minnesota’s three-game road trip beginning at Montreal on Tuesday.
IHM Signal: Faber is back on the ice, but Minnesota is keeping the return process measured.
Coach Mark: The key is rebuilding game-ready conditioning and confidence before moving from practice to competition.
READ FULL STORY: Brock Faber Returns to Ice After Skull Fracture
Red Wings reportedly await movement on Larkin’s trade list
Reported discussions around Dylan Larkin have escalated, but Detroit is said to be waiting to see whether the forward expands his trade list. One reported Minnesota framework includes Danila Yurov, two first-round picks and roster players needed to make the money work. That reported offer is described as Minnesota’s best among the 10 teams on Larkin’s list, yet it reportedly does not meet Detroit’s asking price. Montreal, Buffalo, Boston, St. Louis and Los Angeles were also mentioned in discussion of possible interest, without any indication of a completed deal. The central reported question remains whether Larkin holds to his list or permits Detroit to consider additional destinations.
IHM Signal: The reported gap is not simply value; Larkin’s list is shaping Detroit’s options.
Coach Mark: Until the eligible market changes or an existing offer improves, Detroit’s leverage appears tied to patience rather than urgency.
READ FULL STORY: Red Wings Reportedly Await Larkin Trade-List Shift
Edvinsson and Larkin talks reportedly test patience
Teams that have expressed interest in Simon Edvinsson and Dylan Larkin are reportedly growing frustrated with Detroit’s stance on offers already tabled. Detroit is said to be searching for the ideal return, potentially from beyond Larkin’s approved list or beyond current interest in Edvinsson. The report characterises the waiting game as risky. A separate trade board placed Nikita Kucherov first, Larkin second and Edvinsson third among players who could be traded, while listing a range of clubs linked to each. Those links and rankings are reported speculation, not transactions.
IHM Signal: Detroit’s two major roster files remain unresolved as outside patience reportedly thins.
Coach Mark: A club seeking maximum return must weigh that aim against the cost of narrowing goodwill among interested teams.
Marchand targets return next month for Panthers
Brad Marchand has been skating for more than a week while recovering from a left knee injury but said he may not return to the Florida Panthers lineup until next month. The forward was injured against the Los Angeles Kings on Oct. 6 after being pulled down while driving to the net. Florida initially said he would miss six weeks, while Marchand said he was getting stronger every day and was relieved the injury was not worse. Aleksander Barkov, out since sustaining a left knee injury against the San Jose Sharks on Oct. 1, has also been skating with Marchand and Jonah Gadjovich. Coach Paul Maurice said the next step is reintegration into the main practice group.
IHM Signal: Florida’s two injured forwards are skating, but neither has an announced return date.
Coach Mark: The progression to full-team practice is the meaningful next stage before either player can be judged close to game action.
READ FULL STORY: Brad Marchand could return for Panthers in December
Suzuki returns as Heiskanen misses Stars game
Nick Suzuki was set to return for the Montreal Canadiens against the Utah Mammoth after missing six games with an upper-body injury. The Canadiens captain had played 546 consecutive games to begin his NHL career and has 12 points in nine games this season. Dallas defenseman Miro Heiskanen was ruled out against Columbus after leaving a game at Washington following contact with Justin Sourdif; coach Glen Gulutzan called him day to day. Carolina forward Taylor Hall could return against the New York Islanders after nine games out with two different upper-body injuries. St. Louis defenseman Colton Parayko was confirmed to return against New Jersey, while Detroit goalie John Gibson continued to be evaluated for a lower-body injury.
IHM Signal: A busy status update brings confirmed returns, possible returns and several unresolved absences.
Coach Mark: For the affected clubs, confirmed availability offers more certainty than day-to-day or evaluation designations.
IHM SHORT ICE
Kucherov move described as an off-season question
A reported Nikita Kucherov move is viewed as more likely to become an off-season discussion than an imminent transaction.
The forward has five assists in two games since the news emerged, while competing theories about Tampa Bay’s approach remain unverified speculation.
Blackhawks, Predators and Sharks feature in reports
Chicago has reportedly lost 12 of 16 and is looking for forward help, while Nashville is believed to hold interest in Simon Edvinsson.
San Jose is reportedly seeking a major addition, but Edvinsson discussions with Detroit are said to have stalled and Ryan Warsofsky is safe for now.
Penguins face reported decisions as January approaches
Pittsburgh’s difficult start has prompted discussion of possible roster decisions involving veterans including Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell.
Evgeni Malkin must submit a three-team trade list in January, and Minnesota is reportedly interested if the price is right and he is prepared to move.
Edvinsson deadline and Vasilevskiy preference noted
1 as an important contract date for Simon Edvinsson, adding pressure to his unresolved Detroit situation.
Andrei Vasilevskiy’s agent said the goalie is extremely happy in Tampa Bay and wishes to finish his career with the Lightning.
Price praised before Hall of Fame induction
P.K. Subban described Carey Price as a game-breaker, difference-maker and a player whose value drove Montreal’s success in his strongest years.
Price was due to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday, with Subban also praising his ability to connect with people on and off the ice.
READ FULL STORY: P.K. Subban salutes Carey Price before Hall honour
Danault extension backed in Montreal discussion
Commentators argued that Montreal should pursue a short-term extension for pending unrestricted free agent Phillip Danault, if the price is right.
They said talks had not started and suggested a two-year deal, citing centre depth, Danault’s intelligence and his combination with Jake Evans.
READ FULL STORY: Canadiens Urged to Consider Short Danault Extension
Nugent-Hopkins becomes Edmonton games leader
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins received a standing ovation after becoming the Edmonton Oilers’ all-time leader in games played with his 1,038th appearance.
The 2011 first overall pick passed Kevin Lowe and has 295 goals and 519 assists in 1,039 games with Edmonton.
Ovechkin hosts children at Capitals cancer skate
Alex Ovechkin welcomed children affected by cancer to the Capitals’ annual Hockey Fights Cancer skate, where they took turns shooting from his left-circle spot.
Washington’s Hockey Fights Cancer Night against Buffalo is scheduled for Nov. 19, when the team’s lavender-and-white jerseys will be auctioned.
Pride Cup set for New York All-Star Weekend
The fourth NHL Unites Pride Cup will bring the New York City Pride Hockey Alliance and Albany Pride Hockey Association together from Feb. 4-7, 2027.
The All-Star Weekend programme will include games, a Try Hockey For Free event and a public party, with further event details to be announced later.
READ FULL STORY: NHL Unites Pride Cup set for New York in 2027
Crosby chases Dionne as Hurricanes prepare trip
Sidney Crosby entered Pittsburgh’s game against Boston level with Marcel Dionne’s 1,771 regular-season points and able to move into sixth outright.
Carolina was scheduled to face Seattle in Helsinki on Nov. 12 and 14 after hosting Chicago, while Taylor Hall could return against the Islanders.
Kings-Pettersson idea remains speculative
Los Angeles is reportedly looking to add top-six offence and could revisit discussions with Vancouver about Elias Pettersson.
Quinton Byfield was raised only as a possible centrepiece in a wider discussion, with the report explicitly saying nothing was expected immediately.
READ FULL STORY: Kings Could Revisit Pettersson-Byfield Talks
Wild reportedly stand by Larkin offer
Minnesota is reported to believe it has made its best offer for Dylan Larkin and is unlikely to add more.
The reported futures-based proposal includes a young player, a contracted veteran and multiple first-round picks, while no deal is described as imminent.
IHM NHL PULSE
Detroit remains the centre of the trade conversation
Dylan Larkin and Simon Edvinsson recur throughout the day’s reporting. Detroit is described as holding out for stronger returns while Larkin’s trade list limits the market, and Edvinsson’s Dec. 1 contract date adds a separate time pressure. Interest from Minnesota, Nashville and San Jose is reported, but none of those references amounts to a completed transaction.
Return timelines require patience
Faber, Marchand and Barkov are all skating as they recover, but their situations carry different levels of certainty. Faber’s debut remains undetermined, Marchand has pointed to next month, and Barkov did not provide an updated timeline. Elsewhere, Suzuki and Parayko were confirmed to return, while Hall remained a possibility.
Veterans remain major reference points
Nugent-Hopkins has taken Edmonton’s games-played record, Crosby is pursuing a points milestone and Malkin’s January trade-list requirement has entered reported roster discussion. Their stories underline how established players can drive both celebration and future-facing speculation.
Hockey community events have dates ahead
Washington’s Hockey Fights Cancer Night is scheduled for Nov. 19, and the NHL Unites Pride Cup is scheduled for Feb. 4-7, 2027. Both stories centre on hockey activity beyond the regular game schedule.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING NEXT
- Dec. 1 is identified as an important contract date in Simon Edvinsson’s situation.
- Evgeni Malkin is required to submit a three-team trade list in January.
- The NHL Unites Pride Cup is scheduled for Feb. 4-7, 2027, during All-Star Weekend in New York.
SHORT ICE Q&A
What is the latest on Brock Faber’s return?
Faber has resumed practising and is expected to travel with Minnesota, but his season debut has no determined timetable as he rebuilds conditioning and strength.
Has Dylan Larkin been traded?
No completed trade is reported. Discussion centres on Detroit’s reported dissatisfaction with existing offers and whether Larkin will expand his trade list.
When could Brad Marchand return for Florida?
Marchand said he may not return until next month and estimated a timeframe of roughly five or six weeks, while continuing to skate in recovery.
Which Canadiens player is returning from injury?
Nick Suzuki was set to return against the Utah Mammoth after missing six games with an upper-body injury.
When is the NHL Unites Pride Cup?
It is scheduled for Feb. 4-7, 2027, during the 2027 NHL All-Star Weekend in New York.
What record did Ryan Nugent-Hopkins set?
He became the Edmonton Oilers’ all-time leader in games played, passing Kevin Lowe with his 1,038th appearance for the franchise.
FAN PULSE
Which developing story will you be watching most closely?
A) Brock Faber’s route back to the Minnesota Wild lineup.
B) Detroit’s reported Dylan Larkin and Simon Edvinsson trade situations.
C) Brad Marchand and Aleksander Barkov progressing toward Panthers returns.