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NHL Projected Lineups 29 September 2026 | IHM

NHL PROJECTED LINEUPS: GAME DAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2026

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published: September 29, 2026, 21:48 CEST

Latest update: All available projected units for today have been added.

Tonight’s IHM projected-lineup report covers 5 NHL games. Each matchup includes the latest starting-goaltender confidence, Power Play 1, Power Play 2 and unavailable-player information captured before game time. Late scratches and warm-up decisions can still change the final lineup.

5Games

7Confirmed goalies

3High-confidence goalies

41Unavailable listings

MATCHUP

CAROLINA HURRICANES VS FLORIDA PANTHERS

Home

CAROLINA HURRICANES: PROJECTED UNITS

CAR

🟢

Starting goalieBrandon Bussi

Power Play 1

CS. Aho
LWA. Svechnikov
RWJ. Blake
LDN. Ehlers
RDS. Gostisbehere

Power Play 2

CM. Jankowski
LWTaylor Hall
RWL. Stankoven
LDK. Miller
RDJordan Staal

Unavailable

DA. NikishinOUT
RWSeth JarvisIR-NR

Away

FLORIDA PANTHERS: PROJECTED UNITS

FLA

🟡

Starting goalieJacob Markstrom

Power Play 1

CA. Barkov
LWM. Tkachuk
RWSam Reinhart
LDB. Tkachuk
RDSeth Jones

Power Play 2

CA. Lundell
LWE. Luostarinen
RWSam Bennett
LDC. Verhaeghe
RDAaron Ekblad

Unavailable

RWM. EntwistleIR-NR
LWJ. GadjovichIR
LWB. MarchandIR

IHM Match Readiness Snapshot

Starting-goaltender certainty: 1 of 2 confirmed at snapshot time.
Special-teams view: PP1 and PP2 units listed for both teams.
Unavailable-player watch: 5 total listings across the matchup.
Update risk: projected combinations can change during warm-ups or after a late scratch.

MATCHUP

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS VS MONTREAL CANADIENS

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TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS: PROJECTED UNITS

TOR

🟢

Starting goalieSergei Bobrovsky

Power Play 1

CA. Matthews
LWK. MarchenkoDTD
RWW. Nylander
LDD. Raddysh
RDJohn Tavares

Power Play 2

CNick PaulDTD
LWG. McKenna
RWEaston Cowan
LDJ. Roslovic
RDM. Rielly

Unavailable

LWK. MarchenkoDTD
LWNick PaulDTD
CMax DomiIR-NR
LWD. JoshuaIR-NR
GE. MerzlikinsIR-LT
DW. VilleneuveIR-NR
DCade WebberIR-NR

Away

MONTREAL CANADIENS: PROJECTED UNITS

MTL

🟢

Starting goalieJakub Dobes

Power Play 1

CNick Suzuki
LWC. Caufield
RWIvan DemidovDTD
LDJ. Slafkovsky
RDLane Hutson

Power Play 2

CZ. Bolduc
LWAlex Newhook
RWKirby Dach
LDC. Kreider
RDNoah Dobson

Unavailable

RWIvan DemidovDTD
CO. KapanenDTD
LWL. CondottaIR-NR
DKaiden GuhleIR
DB. PickfordIR-NR

IHM Match Readiness Snapshot

Starting-goaltender certainty: 2 of 2 confirmed at snapshot time.
Special-teams view: PP1 and PP2 units listed for both teams.
Unavailable-player watch: 12 total listings across the matchup.
Update risk: projected combinations can change during warm-ups or after a late scratch.

MATCHUP

BOSTON BRUINS VS NEW YORK RANGERS

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BOSTON BRUINS: PROJECTED UNITS

BOS

🟢

Starting goalieJeremy Swayman

Power Play 1

CPavel Zacha
LWE. Lindholm
RWD. Pastrnak
LDM. Geekie
RDMason Lohrei

Power Play 2

CF. Minten
LWC. Mittelstadt
RWJJ Peterka
LDH. Lindholm
RDM. Khusnutdinov

Unavailable

DC. McAvoyOUT
CM. PoitrasIR

Away

NEW YORK RANGERS: PROJECTED UNITS

NYR

🟡

Starting goalieIgor Shesterkin

Power Play 1

CM. Zibanejad
LWJ.T. Miller
RWA. Lafreniere
LDP. Dorofeyev
RDAdam Fox

Power Play 2

CWill Cuylle
LWE. Tolvanen
RWO. Bjorkstrand
LDG. Perreault
RDSean Durzi

Unavailable

LWAdam SykoraIR
CA. ThompsonIR-NR

IHM Match Readiness Snapshot

Starting-goaltender certainty: 1 of 2 confirmed at snapshot time.
Special-teams view: PP1 and PP2 units listed for both teams.
Unavailable-player watch: 4 total listings across the matchup.
Update risk: projected combinations can change during warm-ups or after a late scratch.

MATCHUP

EDMONTON OILERS VS VANCOUVER CANUCKS

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EDMONTON OILERS: PROJECTED UNITS

EDM

🟢

Starting goalieTristan Jarry

Power Play 1

CC. McDavid
LWL. Draisaitl
RWZach Hyman
LDV. Podkolzin
RDE. Bouchard

Power Play 2

CK. Kapanen
LWA. Formenton
RWIsaac Howard
LDRyan Shea
RDJake Walman

Unavailable

CR. Nugent-HopkinsOUT
GF. AndersenIR-NR
CJ. DickinsonIR-NR
CM. JanmarkIR
DA. LeppanenIR-NR
DAlec RegulaIR-NR
CMatt SavoieIR-NR
RWJames StefanIR-NR

Away

VANCOUVER CANUCKS: PROJECTED UNITS

VAN

🟡

Starting goalieKevin Lankinen

Power Play 1

CE. Pettersson
LWJake DeBrusk
RWBrock Boeser
LDMarco Rossi
RDFilip Hronek

Power Play 2

CL. Karlsson
LWLiam Ohgren
RWJ. Lekkerimaki
LDZeev Buium

Unavailable

CFilip ChytilIR
GT. DemkoIR
LWM. MacEachernIR-NR
CAkil ThomasIR-NR
DJ. ThompsonIR-NR

IHM Match Readiness Snapshot

Starting-goaltender certainty: 1 of 2 confirmed at snapshot time.
Special-teams view: PP1 and PP2 units listed for both teams.
Unavailable-player watch: 13 total listings across the matchup.
Update risk: projected combinations can change during warm-ups or after a late scratch.

MATCHUP

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS VS CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

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VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS: PROJECTED UNITS

VGK

🟢

Starting goalieCarter Hart

Power Play 1

CJack Eichel
LWTomas Hertl
RWMitch Marner
LDMark Stone
RDS. Theodore

Power Play 2

CW. Karlsson
LWT. Connelly
RWB. Bowman
LDR. Andersson
RDV. Olofsson

Unavailable

CR. LavoieDTD
DL. CormierIR-NR
CB. HemmerlingIR-NR
DA. PietrangeloIR-LT
CKai UchaczIR-NR

Away

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS: PROJECTED UNITS

CHI

🟢

Starting goalieSpencer Knight

Power Play 1

CA. Frondell
LWT. Bertuzzi
RWPatrick Kane
LDR. Kantserov
RDBowen Byram

Power Play 2

CRyan Donato
LWNick Lardis
RWFrank Nazar
LDOliver Moore
RDSam Rinzel

Unavailable

CC. BedardIR-NR
DRyan EllisIR

IHM Match Readiness Snapshot

Starting-goaltender certainty: 2 of 2 confirmed at snapshot time.
Special-teams view: PP1 and PP2 units listed for both teams.
Unavailable-player watch: 7 total listings across the matchup.
Update risk: projected combinations can change during warm-ups or after a late scratch.

Q&A: Projected Lineups and Starting Goalies

What are NHL projected lineups?

They are the latest expected player combinations, starting-goaltender decisions and special-teams units available before puck drop.

What does a green goalie marker mean?

Green means the starting goaltender was explicitly confirmed when IceHockeyMan captured the lineup snapshot.

What does a yellow goalie marker mean?

Yellow means High Confidence: the goaltender was listed as expected but can still change before the game.

Why are power-play units included?

PP1 and PP2 show the current special-teams hierarchy and the players expected to receive power-play usage.

Can the lineup change after publication?

Yes. Warm-ups, late scratches and coaching decisions can alter the final lineup before faceoff.

Why does IHM show unavailable players?

The list gives readers immediate context about absences that may affect projected units and special-teams roles.

IHM Status Guide

🟢Green – Confirmed: the starting goaltender was explicitly confirmed at the time of the IHM snapshot.

🟡Yellow – High Confidence: the starting goaltender was listed as expected and remains subject to a late change.

IHM NHL Short Ice: Opening Night and big decisions

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published: September 29, 2026, 09:27 CEST

NHL IN 60 SECONDS

The NHL season begins with Carolina raising its 2025-26 championship banner before facing Florida, while Pittsburgh and Sidney Crosby remain comfortable continuing contract discussions without a deadline. Toronto rookie Gavin McKenna is set to make his regular-season debut against Montreal before meeting fellow recent No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer and the Islanders on Wednesday. In Vegas, Mitch Marner enters his second Golden Knights season carrying the motivation of a six-game Stanley Cup Final loss. Minnesota has also announced the Jessi Pierce Media Beauty Award, honouring the late writer and her three children.

THE BIG FIVE

Crosby and Penguins remain patient over new contract

Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are comfortable beginning the regular season without a new contract in place, general manager Kyle Dubas said. Crosby, 39, is entering the final year of the two-year, $17.4 million contract carrying an $8.7 million average annual value that he signed on Sept. 16, 2024. Dubas said the Penguins and Crosby’s agent, Pat Brisson, will continue their discussions and that there is no real pressure to complete a deal by a particular date. Crosby also said he is comfortable allowing those conversations to continue while he concentrates on playing. He is due to play his 22nd NHL season after being selected No. 1 in the 2005 NHL Draft. Pittsburgh opens against the Philadelphia Flyers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Wednesday.

IHM Signal: Both Crosby and Pittsburgh have publicly framed the extension process as open-ended rather than deadline-driven.

Coach Mark: Crosby’s focus on managing a long season, rather than projecting how he will feel months ahead, underlines why patience is central to this conversation.

READ FULL STORY: Crosby, Penguins content to let extension talks run

Hurricanes ready to raise banner before Panthers test

The Carolina Hurricanes will raise a banner commemorating their 2025-26 championship season before opening the NHL season against the Florida Panthers at Lenovo Center on Tuesday. Captain Jordan Staal said the ceremony will bring mixed emotions, with the players able to celebrate in front of their supporters before immediately turning to a major game. Carolina retained 20 of the 22 players who dressed during the 2026 postseason. Goalie Frederik Andersen left for the Edmonton Oilers as an unrestricted free agent on July 1, while defenseman Alexander Nikishin remains an unsigned restricted free agent. The returning group received commemorative rings in a private ceremony on Sunday. Staal won the Conn Smythe Trophy after scoring eight goals in 19 playoff games, 17 years after winning his previous championship in 2009.

IHM Signal: Carolina’s core has stayed largely intact, with 20 of its 22 postseason players remaining.

Coach Mark: The banner ceremony creates an emotional opening, but the immediate meeting with Florida demands a quick shift from reflection to game focus.

READ FULL STORY: Hurricanes Raise Banner Before Panthers Opener

Wild launch Jessi Pierce Media Beauty Award

Pierce and her three children died in a house fire on March 21, 2026. The annual award will be voted on by Wild media and presented to the player who demonstrates professionalism, accessibility and respect in dealings with local reporters. Wild general manager Bill Guerin said the honour recognises Pierce’s impact on the hockey community and the warmth, kindness and generosity she brought to the rink. Monday would have been her 39th birthday.

IHM Signal: The annual award will preserve the standards of media engagement that colleagues associated with Pierce.

Coach Mark: By rewarding professionalism and accessibility, the award places lasting value on the trust required for thoughtful local coverage.

READ FULL STORY: Minnesota Wild create Jessi Pierce Media Beauty Award

McKenna and Schaefer set for early Toronto meeting

Gavin McKenna and Matthew Schaefer, the past two No. 1 picks in the NHL Draft, are scheduled to meet when the Toronto Maple Leafs host the New York Islanders at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday. McKenna is due to make his NHL regular-season debut for Toronto against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, one day before the matchup with Schaefer. The two teenagers have been teammates with Canadian national teams and developed a friendship through those experiences. Schaefer, from nearby Stoney Creek, said the Toronto game will make it easier for family and friends to attend his first game there, though he stressed the Islanders’ focus is on themselves. McKenna said he has played with Schaefer more often than against him and is looking forward to seeing what the Islanders defenseman brings.

IHM Signal: The Wednesday game places the 2025 and 2026 first overall picks on the same stage early in the season.

Coach Mark: Their familiarity from Canadian teams may add personal interest, but both players’ comments keep the emphasis on their respective clubs.

Marner carries Cup Final motivation into Vegas season

Mitch Marner enters his second season with the Vegas Golden Knights determined to use last season’s Stanley Cup Final defeat as motivation. Vegas lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games, leaving Marner focused on returning to that position and winning two more games. The Golden Knights begin their season by hosting the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. Marner had 80 points, including 24 goals and 56 assists, in 81 regular-season games during his first Vegas campaign after joining from Toronto. His season included shifts between wing and center, changing linemates and a coaching change when John Tortorella replaced Bruce Cassidy with eight games remaining. Marner then led the NHL playoffs with 29 points in 22 games, including 10 goals and 19 assists.

IHM Signal: Marner’s 29 postseason points led the NHL, even as Vegas fell two wins short of the Cup.

Coach Mark: The playoff chemistry Marner described with Brett Howden and, later, William Karlsson offers Vegas a clear reference point entering the new season.

READ FULL STORY: Mitch Marner carries Cup Final fire into Year 2

IHM SHORT ICE

Wednesday coverage adds English and French options

NHL on Prime’s Wednesday Night Hockey begins with Toronto hosting the New York Islanders on Wednesday, the first of 27 national regular-season games scheduled this season.

Each game will be offered in English and French, while the service will also carry two First Round playoff series and one Second Round series for Prime members.

READ FULL STORY: Prime unveils Home Ice Access for Wednesday Night Hockey

Capitals use Annapolis trip to bring roster together

Washington completed a team-building trip to Annapolis with practice at the U.S. Naval Academy after finalising its 23-player roster following training camp.

The Capitals open their regular season at the reigning champion Hurricanes on Friday, following a trip that gave new players time with teammates away from the rink.

Soucy contract possibility reported in Columbus

Carson Soucy remains in Columbus Blue Jackets camp on a professional tryout, and a contract signing was reported as a possibility after coach Rick Bowness praised his camp play.

Reportedly, Columbus could use defensemen with Dante Fabbro and Damon Severson injured, while a Kirill Marchenko trade to Toronto was also described as possible.

McKenna prepares for Maple Leafs regular-season debut

Gavin McKenna is scheduled to begin his NHL career when Toronto hosts Montreal on Tuesday, with 14 family members and friends expected to attend at Scotiabank Arena.

The 18-year-old No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft recorded one assist in two pre-season games while playing on a line with John Tavares and William Nylander.

READ FULL STORY: Gavin McKenna ready for Maple Leafs NHL debut

Canucks aim for Demko return before Christmas

Vancouver is aiming to have Thatcher Demko back before Christmas as he continues to recover from hip surgery in January, according to Henrik Sedin.

Sedin said there is no timeline for the goalie’s return and that the club wants Demko to be fully ready before he comes back.

IHM NHL PULSE

Opening week puts recent top picks in focus

Gavin McKenna’s scheduled Toronto debut against Montreal on Tuesday is followed by a Wednesday meeting with Matthew Schaefer and the Islanders. McKenna was the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, while Schaefer was selected first in 2025, giving the early schedule a direct matchup between consecutive top selections.

Championship memories meet immediate new-season demands

Carolina will raise its championship banner before facing Florida on Tuesday, while Vegas begins its season with Mitch Marner still drawing motivation from the Golden Knights’ six-game Cup Final loss to the Hurricanes. Both stories show how last season’s Final remains a live reference point as the new campaign begins.

Teams balance preparation with continuity

Washington used an Annapolis trip to bring its final roster together before its opener, while Carolina returns 20 of the 22 players who dressed in the 2026 postseason. The approaches differ, but both centre on strengthening a group before significant early games.

Player availability remains a key early-season theme

Vancouver is taking Demko’s recovery step by step without a firm return timeline, while Pittsburgh and Crosby are leaving extension timing open. In each case, the club has avoided attaching a hard deadline to an important decision.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING NEXT

Carolina is scheduled to raise its 2025-26 championship banner before hosting Florida on Tuesday.
Toronto is scheduled to host Montreal on Tuesday for Gavin McKenna’s NHL regular-season debut.
Toronto is scheduled to host the New York Islanders on Wednesday, when McKenna and Matthew Schaefer are due to face each other.

SHORT ICE Q&A

When does Sidney Crosby’s current contract expire?

Crosby is entering the final season of his two-year, $17.4 million contract, which has an $8.7 million average annual value.

How many Hurricanes who dressed in the 2026 postseason remain with the club?

Twenty of the 22 players who dressed in the 2026 postseason remain with Carolina.

What will the Jessi Pierce Media Beauty Award recognise?

It will be presented annually to the player who exemplifies professionalism, accessibility and respect in engagement with local media.

When are McKenna and Schaefer scheduled to meet?

They are scheduled to face each other on Wednesday when Toronto hosts the New York Islanders at Scotiabank Arena.

What was Mitch Marner’s playoff points total last season?

Marner led the NHL playoffs with 29 points, made up of 10 goals and 19 assists, in 22 games.

What is Vancouver’s stated goal for Thatcher Demko’s return?

Henrik Sedin said the Canucks are aiming to have Demko back before Christmas, while stressing there is no firm timeline.

FAN PULSE

Which opening-week storyline will you be watching most closely?
A) Carolina raising its championship banner before facing Florida.
B) Gavin McKenna making his NHL regular-season debut.
C) Sidney Crosby beginning the season without a new contract.

Gavin McKenna ready for Maple Leafs NHL debut

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published: September 29, 2026, 09:16 CEST

Story Summary

Gavin McKenna is set to make his NHL regular-season debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday, beginning a career that has carried the 18-year-old from Whitehorse, Yukon to one of hockey’s most intense markets.

Toronto selected McKenna No. 1 in the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, placing him in a notable organisational line with captain Auston Matthews, who was also the first overall pick in the same building a decade earlier. McKenna enters the opener having spent pre-season on a line with John Tavares and William Nylander, recording one assist in two games.

The occasion will have a strong personal dimension. Fourteen family members and friends are expected to attend, including McKenna’s parents, Krystal and Willy. For McKenna, the priority is not pursuing a particular statistical benchmark but playing effectively away from the puck as well as with it.

“I just want to go out there and play my game,”McKenna said. “And if I can contribute in ways like battling off the puck and things like that, I think that’ll lead to a good night.”

Key Facts

Gavin McKenna is set to make his NHL regular-season debut when the Maple Leafs face the Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday.
Toronto selected McKenna with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
The 18-year-old has been skating on a line with John Tavares and William Nylander and had one assist in two pre-season games.
Fourteen of McKenna’s family members and friends are expected to attend his debut, including his mother, Krystal, and father, Willy.
Auston Matthews was selected No. 1 in the same Buffalo arena a decade earlier and scored four goals in his first NHL game, a 5-4 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 12, 2016.
Coach Jim Hiller said McKenna has adjusted “really well” through his first 10 days and praised how he has adapted to the League overall.

IHM Discussion

McKenna’s debut arrives with the level of attention that follows a first overall pick in Toronto, but the early detail around his preparation is more useful than the inevitable comparison points. He has not been placed on the edge of the group for a ceremonial first appearance; he has worked alongside Tavares and Nylander in pre-season and enters the opener after contributing an assist across two games.

That does not establish how his NHL season will unfold, and Hiller was careful not to define exactly what McKenna’s role will look like. It does show that the teenager has been given meaningful company during his early days with the club. The public message from McKenna is similarly measured. Rather than focusing on an individual total, he spoke about winning battles away from the puck and allowing those details to create offence.

Matthews’ debut naturally provides a memorable comparison because of the shared draft position and Buffalo setting. But McKenna did not frame Tuesday as an attempt to reproduce a four-goal introduction. His emphasis was on playing his own game, while Matthews described the family support surrounding a first NHL night as a particularly special part of the experience.

Why It Matters

A season opener against Montreal gives McKenna an immediate introduction to the scale of an NHL rivalry and to the scrutiny attached to playing in Toronto. The significance is not limited to draft pedigree: this is his first regular-season test after a short pre-season sample alongside established linemates.

For the Maple Leafs, the immediate interest is how comfortably McKenna can apply the habits he identified himself, especially his work in puck battles, within a game that carries the speed and emotion of an opener. Hiller’s comments point to adaptation as the key early measure. The coach highlighted McKenna’s approach over his first 10 days rather than making any grand promise about the result of one night.

For McKenna, family presence adds another layer to a debut that follows his path from Whitehorse to Toronto. He said he had not previously been able to play in front of people from his hometown and family, making the occasion a personal milestone as well as a professional one.

Fan Pulse

The anticipation around McKenna is understandable: a No. 1 pick making his first NHL appearance in a Maple Leafs-Canadiens opener is a major moment before the puck is dropped. The human detail is equally compelling, with 14 relatives and friends travelling to see a player from Whitehorse take this step.

There will also be obvious curiosity about the Matthews parallel. McKenna addressed it with humour, saying he had been reminded many times of Matthews’ four-goal debut, while making clear that chasing that sort of stat line is not his focus. His own standard is a simpler one: contribute in the small-area work that can help generate a good performance.

Mini Q&A

When is Gavin McKenna set to make his NHL debut?

McKenna is set to make his NHL regular-season debut when Toronto plays Montreal at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday.

Who has McKenna played with in pre-season?

He has been skating on a line with John Tavares and William Nylander, recording one assist in two pre-season games.

How many family members and friends will attend?

McKenna said 14 family members and friends will be in attendance, including his parents, Krystal and Willy.

Coach Mark Comment

The most encouraging early sign is not the draft position or the attention around the debut; it is McKenna’s language about contributing away from the puck. A young forward playing with skilled veterans must stay connected to the play when possession changes, compete in tight areas and make the next shift reliable. Hiller’s praise for McKenna’s adjustment suggests that those day-to-day details have been visible in camp. Tuesday will be an important live test of those habits in an NHL game environment.

IHM Final View

McKenna’s first regular-season game is a significant occasion, but the strongest framing comes from the player himself. He is not presenting the night as a chase for a Matthews-like headline. He wants to play his game, compete away from the puck and contribute to the Maple Leafs’ performance.

That approach fits the early assessment from Hiller, who has been encouraged by how McKenna has adapted in his opening days with the club. With Tavares and Nylander alongside him in pre-season and a large family contingent in the building, McKenna’s NHL career begins with both substantial support and substantial attention.

Mitch Marner carries Cup Final fire into Year 2

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published: September 29, 2026, 08:30 CEST

Story Summary

Mitch Marner is entering his second season with the Vegas Golden Knights carrying the disappointment of a six-game loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2026 Stanley Cup Final and a stated determination to return to that stage.

The 29-year-old forward said the defeat has become motivation rather than something to dwell on. After joining Vegas from the Toronto Maple Leafs in a July 1, 2025 sign-and-trade, Marner experienced a season of adjustment that included shifts between wing and centre, changing linemates and a late coaching change from Bruce Cassidy to John Tortorella.

He still produced 80 points, including 24 goals and 56 assists, in 81 regular-season games. His impact rose again in the playoffs, where he led the NHL with 29 points in 22 games as Vegas reached the Final.

Ryan Craig has since replaced Tortorella behind the bench. Craig plans to begin the new campaign with Brett Howden, William Karlsson and Marner together, retaining the unit that found traction after Karlsson returned from a lower-body injury during the playoffs.

Key Facts

Mitch Marner and the Golden Knights lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games in the 2026 Stanley Cup Final.
Marner joined Vegas in a July 1, 2025 sign-and-trade after nine seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
His eight-year contract is worth $96 million and carries a $12 million average annual value.
Marner recorded 80 points, comprising 24 goals and 56 assists, in 81 regular-season games in his first Vegas season.
His 80-point season followed an NHL career high of 102 points, including 27 goals and 75 assists, in 81 games with Toronto the previous season.
Marner led the NHL in the postseason with 29 points, 10 goals and 19 assists, in 22 games.
John Tortorella replaced Bruce Cassidy with eight games remaining last season, and Ryan Craig has now replaced Tortorella as Vegas coach.
Craig intends to open with Howden, Karlsson and Marner on one line after the trio developed chemistry in the playoffs.

IHM Discussion

The headline number from Marner’s first Vegas season was not his regular-season total, although 80 points remains substantial. It was the way his game translated once the Golden Knights found a more settled combination in the playoffs.

Marner described an unsettled opening to the season, with position changes and different linemates making it difficult to establish a rhythm. Vegas asked him to move from wing to centre when injuries created the need, an adjustment that placed a premium on versatility rather than continuity. That context matters when considering the gap between his 80 points and the 102 he recorded in Toronto the season before.

The postseason supplied a clearer picture. Marner initially continued to move between roles, but developed chemistry with Brett Pesce before Karlsson returned to centre them. The resulting line became important at both ends of the rink. Marner highlighted its defensive-zone commitment and credited that work for helping create offence; Craig offered a similar assessment, pointing to three players capable of playing low, supporting one another and taking turns driving the middle lane.

Kelly McCrimmon’s appraisal also placed Marner’s value beyond production. The general manager pointed to his game understanding, hockey sense and ability to improve teammates, while calling his playoff performance exceptional. It is a useful reflection of the assignment Vegas has found for him: a skilled forward who can contribute across roles, but who may be most effective when there is enough continuity around him to turn his reads into a repeatable line identity.

A further coaching change means there is fresh structure to absorb, but Marner enters it far more familiar with the organisation, the city and his teammates than he was a year ago. He said he spent considerable time with Craig before training camp and expects a more stable role, while acknowledging that injuries can still require him to move around the lineup.

Why It Matters

Vegas have a player whose first season combined significant adaptation with elite playoff production. Marner’s 29 postseason points were the highest total in the NHL, and they came while the Golden Knights advanced to the Final.

The immediate importance is not simply whether Marner can add points. It is whether Vegas can preserve the conditions that allowed his line with Howden and Karlsson to become effective in all three zones. Craig has identified checking, support play and transition as the line’s foundations. If that group starts together, it gives the new coach an established reference point rather than asking Marner to begin another season in constant adjustment.

At the same time, Craig has made clear that Marner’s adaptability remains part of his value. A stable opening role and the capacity to cover different situations need not be competing ideas; both are central to how Vegas intend to use him.

Mini Q&A

How did Mitch Marner perform in his first Vegas regular season?

He had 80 points, with 24 goals and 56 assists, in 81 games while moving between wing and centre and playing with different linemates.

What did Marner do in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs?

He led the NHL with 29 points, including 10 goals and 19 assists, in 22 playoff games.

Who is expected to start alongside Marner?

Ryan Craig said Vegas plan to begin with Brett Howden, William Karlsson and Marner together.

What is Marner’s contract with Vegas?

The deal has a $12 million average annual value.

Coach Mark Comment

A settled linemate group can be especially valuable for a player who was asked to cover both wing and centre during an unsettled first season. The Karlsson-Howden-Marner unit has already shown an understanding of its defensive responsibilities, and Craig’s decision to begin there gives Vegas a practical base. The key coaching value is the line’s shared ability to play low, support the puck and rotate through the middle, rather than relying on Marner to solve every situation alone.

IHM Final View

Marner’s first year in Vegas ended one win short of the Stanley Cup, but it also established why the Golden Knights invested in him. He handled changing roles, delivered 80 regular-season points and then led the NHL in playoff scoring.

The new season begins with another coaching change, yet with more familiarity and a defined line combination available from the outset. Marner’s stated focus is simple: use the Final loss as fuel, concentrate on the daily work and help Vegas become the best team it can be.

Panthers Face Hurricanes Amid Banner Night Motivation

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published: September 29, 2026, 07:40 CEST

Story Summary

The Florida Panthers will open the 2026-27 NHL season against the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on Tuesday, with Carolina set to raise its 2025-26 Stanley Cup championship banner before face-off.

It will be a pointed setting for Florida, which won the Cup in 2024 and 2025 before an injury-ravaged 2025-26 campaign ended with a 40-38-4 record, seventh place in the Atlantic Division and no playoff berth. Matthew Tkachuk said the Panthers have “a little extra motivation” for the opener after seeing Carolina take the Cup they had held for two seasons.

Carolina sealed its championship with a 3-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final. The opening-night meeting brings together the past three Stanley Cup champions, while also presenting Florida with an immediate reminder of both its recent standard and the work required to return to it.

The Panthers enter the game healthier than they were for much of last season, although Brad Marchand is expected to miss the first month after off-season surgery. Captain Aleksander Barkov, who missed all of 2025-26 because of a knee injury suffered on the first day of training camp, is back, and Florida has reshaped key areas of its squad over the summer.

Key Facts

The Panthers open the 2026-27 NHL season against the Hurricanes at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on Tuesday, with face-off scheduled for 5 p.m. ET.
Carolina will raise its 2025-26 Stanley Cup championship banner before the game after defeating Vegas 3-0 in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final.
Florida won the Stanley Cup in 2024 and 2025, but finished 40-38-4 and seventh in the Atlantic Division last season, missing the playoffs.
Aleksander Barkov missed all of 2025-26 after suffering a knee injury on the first day of training camp.
Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Brad Marchand and Seth Jones also missed significant time last season.
Marchand is expected to miss the first month of this season following off-season surgery; Florida is otherwise healthy.
Florida acquired forward Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators on June 21, replaced Sergei Bobrovsky with Jacob Markstrom and brought back defenceman Radko Gudas, who previously spent three seasons with the Panthers from 2020 to 2023.
Paul Maurice coached Rod Brind’Amour during Maurice’s two stints in Carolina, from 1999 to 2003 and from 2008 to 2010. Brind’Amour is entering his ninth season as Hurricanes head coach.

IHM Discussion

There is no disguising the emotional contrast surrounding this opener. Carolina will be celebrating the completion of a championship season in front of its home supporters, while Florida arrives having watched its own two-year hold on the Cup end with a season outside the playoffs.

That contrast is precisely why the Panthers have framed the occasion as motivation rather than something to avoid. Matthew Tkachuk acknowledged the significance of Carolina’s moment, calling it an emotional night for the Hurricanes and their fans, but also made clear that Florida feels the competitive edge of seeing another club take possession of the Cup.

Barkov’s message was more practical. Florida’s captain stressed the need to play its game from the start and be “extra ready” for a Hurricanes side lifted by the banner ceremony. That focus matters after a year in which availability was a defining issue. Barkov’s absence ran through the entire campaign, while Tkachuk, Reinhart, Marchand and Jones all lost significant time.

Florida’s summer activity gives the opener added relevance. Brady Tkachuk joins the forward group, Markstrom replaces Bobrovsky in goal, and Gudas returns to a defensive corps he previously represented for three seasons. Those are meaningful changes, but the immediate story is the chance to begin with a healthier group and a clear emotional test against the reigning champions.

Why It Matters

Opening night will not determine either club’s season, but it offers Florida an unusually direct measure of its readiness. The Panthers are not simply beginning a new schedule; they are doing so in the building of the team that replaced them as champions, during a ceremony that underlines the league’s changing order.

For Florida, last season’s 40-38-4 finish followed a sequence of major injuries rather than a routine post-championship transition. A healthier Barkov gives the club back its captain after a full season away, even as Marchand’s expected absence leaves one established forward unavailable at the outset.

The game also carries personal and organisational familiarity. Maurice’s history in Carolina includes coaching Brind’Amour, and Florida’s coach has indicated that he would like his players to witness the banner raising if arrangements allow. His view is that players should appreciate the achievements of others, while recognising that Carolina may prefer the ceremony to remain private to its own group.

That balance captures the opening night neatly: respect for a champion, combined with a Panthers team determined to move on from a difficult season.

Mini Q&A

Why does Florida have added motivation for the opener?

The Panthers will watch Carolina raise its championship banner after the Hurricanes won the Cup that Florida had held for two seasons. Matthew Tkachuk said that creates extra motivation for Florida.

What happened to the Panthers last season?

Florida finished 40-38-4, placed seventh in the Atlantic Division and missed the playoffs. Barkov missed the entire season after a knee injury, while several other key players also missed significant time.

Which Panthers will be unavailable at the start of the season?

Brad Marchand is expected to miss the first month after off-season surgery. The Panthers are otherwise healthy.

Coach Mark Comment

The important coaching challenge is emotional discipline. A banner ceremony can raise the temperature before the puck is dropped, particularly for a Florida group with recent championship memories and a difficult previous season behind it. Barkov’s emphasis on being ready from the start is the right internal marker: acknowledge the occasion, then quickly settle into the details that allow a team to play its own game.

Maurice’s willingness to consider having his players present for Carolina’s celebration also reflects a useful standard. Respecting an opponent’s success need not dilute competitive intent; it can sharpen the awareness of what the Panthers are working to regain.

What Comes Next

Florida’s next checkpoint is Tuesday’s season opener against Carolina at Lenovo Center. The Panthers will learn before the ceremony whether they will be on the bench for the Hurricanes’ banner raising, with Maurice saying the club will check with Carolina.

IHM Final View

The Panthers begin the season in a setting designed to stir recent memories on both sides. Carolina gets its championship celebration; Florida gets an immediate chance to show that last season’s injury-hit result belongs in the past. With Barkov back, notable off-season changes in place and Marchand the principal early absence, the opener provides a meaningful first test without requiring either club to make it more than that.

Blue Jackets, Oilers and Larkin trade reports

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published: September 29, 2026, 07:40 CEST

Story Summary

Three separate market threads are in focus as the season approaches, with Carson Soucy’s Columbus Blue Jackets trial, reported Edmonton Oilers interest in Kirby Dach and Dylan Larkin’s Detroit Red Wings trade request all carrying different levels of certainty.

The most immediate situation is in Columbus. Soucy remains in camp on a professional tryout, and a contract is reportedly becoming more likely as the Blue Jackets deal with injuries to Dante Fabbro and Damon Severson. Head coach Rick Bowness praised the defenceman’s camp work, saying Soucy has played very well and is providing what the club needs.

Elsewhere, the Oilers have been linked with Canadiens forward Kirby Dach. Frank Seravalli described Edmonton’s interest as particularly strong, while also framing any potential move as a possibility for before the season, at the March 1 trade deadline or next summer. That remains a report rather than a completed transaction.

Larkin’s situation is more established: he requested a trade after last season and Shawn Horcoff is serving as Detroit’s interim general manager. The latest reporting suggests Larkin’s acceptable-trade list has grown to around eight clubs, although several teams outside that list have also registered interest. There is no indication that a deal has been completed.

Key Facts

Carson Soucy is in Columbus Blue Jackets camp on a professional tryout, with a contract reportedly becoming possible.
The Blue Jackets are dealing with injuries to defencemen Dante Fabbro and Damon Severson.
Rick Bowness said Columbus has been very happy with Soucy’s camp performance and described him as fitting a team need.
A possible Kirill Marchenko trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs was also mentioned, with a Blue Jackets defenceman potentially involved; this remains rumour.
Edmonton have reportedly shown substantial interest in Montréal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach.
The Dach report named three possible windows for any Oilers move: before the season, at the March 1 trade deadline or next summer.
Dylan Larkin requested a trade after last season, and Shawn Horcoff is Detroit’s interim general manager.
Larkin’s trade list has reportedly expanded to around eight teams.
Montréal, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston, Carolina and San Jose are reportedly among clubs that have shown interest despite not being on Larkin’s list.
Detroit have reportedly rejected proposals from Boston and Minnesota, while seeking a return that is not centred on futures.

IHM Discussion

These reports should not be treated as one market story with one shared conclusion. Soucy is a short-term roster decision built around a player already in a team’s camp. Dach is a reported target whose timing and availability are unconfirmed. Larkin is a known trade-request situation, but the eventual destination, return and timetable remain unresolved.

For Columbus, the case for Soucy is straightforward in practical terms. A professional tryout gives the club an in-person look at how he fits during camp, while the injuries to Fabbro and Severson create a stated need on the blue line. Bowness’ public assessment adds weight to the possibility of a deal, but it does not amount to a signing. Until a contract is announced, Soucy remains a tryout player.

The Marchenko element requires even more caution. The report raises the possibility that a Columbus defenceman could be part of a Toronto transaction, but gives no proposed package, no confirmed negotiation and no indication that a trade is close. It is a secondary rumour rather than evidence of an imminent move.

Edmonton’s reported interest in Dach is similarly specific in name but broad in timing. Dach remains a Canadiens player, and the one-year contract he signed for 2026-27 means any move would require the clubs to reach a deal.

Detroit’s Larkin file contains the most active transactional detail, but it is also constrained. The reported expansion of his list could increase the number of workable destinations, while interest from teams outside it does not automatically make those clubs viable options. Larkin’s list still matters, as does the reported need to balance money in and money out. Detroit’s reported preference against a futures-led return also explains why the search for a suitable deal may take time.

Why It Matters

The common thread is roster flexibility, but each club is approaching it from a different position.

Columbus may need immediate defensive cover. Soucy’s camp performance gives the Blue Jackets a low-risk evaluation route, and the injuries to Fabbro and Severson make that evaluation more relevant. A contract would be a direct response to a current depth concern; without one, Columbus would be relying on its existing options while it manages those absences.

For Edmonton, Dach represents a reported longer-range target rather than a confirmed pre-season addition. The timing matters because the report itself leaves open three very different paths: an early move, a deadline move or a discussion after the season. That uncertainty prevents any firm conclusion about Edmonton’s opening roster.

Larkin’s case has wider market consequences because a trade involving a player with an approved list, substantial contractual considerations and Detroit’s stated preference for a certain type of return is unlikely to be simple. Interested teams need both a fit for Larkin and a structure Detroit will accept. Reported interest alone does not resolve either issue.

IHM Market Outlook

Columbus is the clearest situation to monitor in the immediate term because Soucy is already in camp and Bowness has publicly endorsed his play. The key distinction is simple: encouragement from a coach can support the logic of a signing, but it is not confirmation that terms have been agreed.

The Oilers-Dach report is a watch-list item, not a transaction tracker. Edmonton’s interest has been described in strong language, but no deal mechanics have been reported. Montréal’s position, the Oilers’ potential offer and the point at which either club would consider a move are all unknown.

Larkin’s market is defined less by a lack of reported interest than by the limitations around a deal. The clubs reportedly interested but outside his list are not automatically destinations. Among teams on the list, cap constraints reportedly narrow the possibilities further. Detroit may prefer an established-player return, but the report also allows for the possibility that it ultimately accepts a futures-based package. Those are competing possibilities, not a settled direction.

Mini Q&A

Has Carson Soucy signed with the Blue Jackets?

No. Soucy is in Columbus camp on a professional tryout, and a contract has been reported as possible but has not been confirmed.

Are the Oilers acquiring Kirby Dach?

No deal has been confirmed. Edmonton’s interest in Dach has been reported, with possible timing discussed before the season, at the March 1 trade deadline or next summer.

Has Dylan Larkin been traded by Detroit?

No. Larkin requested a trade after last season, but no completed trade has been announced.

Which teams have reportedly shown interest in Larkin outside his list?

Montréal, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston, Carolina and San Jose were named as clubs that have shown interest despite not being on his reported list.

Coach Mark Comment

Soucy’s camp case is easiest to understand through defensive workload rather than reputation. With two Columbus defencemen reported injured, the coaching staff’s assessment that he is supplying a needed element matters because it relates directly to what can be trusted in the team environment. A tryout player who can handle the pace and structure of camp gives coaches an option; the remaining question is whether the club converts that option into a contract.

What Comes Next

The next formal league-wide checkpoint named in the Dach report is the March 1 trade deadline. That date does not establish that Edmonton and Montréal will make a deal, but it is one of the timelines specifically attached to the reported Oilers interest. In Columbus, the immediate checkpoint is whether the club turns Soucy’s professional tryout into a contract. Detroit’s next meaningful development would be a trade agreement or a further update on Larkin’s status; neither has been announced.

IHM Final View

The responsible reading of this market update is that only some of its foundations are confirmed. Soucy is in Columbus on a professional tryout, Larkin has requested a trade and Horcoff is Detroit’s interim general manager. Beyond that, the possible Soucy signing, the Marchenko scenario, Edmonton’s pursuit of Dach and the details of Larkin negotiations remain reported developments rather than completed NHL business.

That does not make the reports insignificant. Columbus have a clear reason to evaluate Soucy closely, Edmonton have been linked with a named Canadiens forward, and Detroit’s Larkin situation has a reported list, cap considerations and rejected offers behind it. But none should be advanced beyond the evidence currently available.

Capitals use Annapolis trip to unite new group

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published: September 29, 2026, 07:39 CEST

Story Summary

The Washington Capitals used a two-day team-building visit to Annapolis, Maryland, to bring their final 23-player roster together before opening the regular season at the reigning Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes on Friday.

The trip concluded with a practice at the U.S. Coach Spencer Carbery described the break as an opportunity for the final roster to spend time away from the usual training-camp environment after difficult decisions had been made.

It was an especially relevant gathering for a Washington group reshaped during the off-season. The Capitals added forwards Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou and Boone Jenner, plus defenceman Vincent Desharnais, while several players will be taking important first steps at NHL level this season.

Key Facts

Washington set its 23-player roster following final cuts after training camp.
The Capitals travelled to Annapolis for a two-day team-building trip before the regular-season opener at Carolina on Friday.
The visit ended with a practice on the campus of the U.S. Naval Academy.
Washington added Alex Tuch in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres after he signed an eight-year, $84 million contract, acquired Jordan Kyrou in a trade with the St. Louis Blues, signed Boone Jenner to a four-year, $23 million contract and signed Vincent Desharnais to a four-year, $16.8 million contract.
Twenty-year-old rookies Ilya Protas and defenceman Cole Hutson will begin their first full NHL seasons after each appeared late last season.
Ivan Miroshnichenko, 22, and Ethen Frank, 28, made an NHL opening-night roster for the first time, having previously played with Washington.
Wilson is beginning his 14th NHL season, all with the Capitals.
Wilson and captain Alex Ovechkin are the only remaining players from Washington’s 2018 Stanley Cup championship team.
Washington missed the playoffs last season despite a 43-30-9 record.

IHM Discussion

This was not simply a change of scenery at the end of camp. Washington has reached the point at which its final group can begin to establish working relationships away from selection meetings and daily roster decisions. The Annapolis programme gave returning players, off-season additions and first-time opening-night roster members shared time before the schedule begins.

The scale of the turnover makes that useful. Tuch, Kyrou, Jenner and Desharnais arrive with different experiences and responsibilities, while Protas, Hutson, Miroshnichenko and Frank are at different stages of establishing themselves in the League. Carbery’s emphasis on taking the group out of its normal environment matched the immediate task: allowing the 23 players who survived camp to connect before their first game together.

Washington also carries a link to its recent history through Ovechkin and Wilson, the two remaining members of the 2018 championship side. Their presence supplies continuity, but the season’s identity will belong to this newer version of the roster. Wilson’s description of a group that must stay connected reflects the balance Washington is trying to strike between established leadership and a significant influx of personnel.

Why It Matters

The Capitals have stated high expectations after missing the playoffs last season, and they open against the defending champions in Carolina. That creates an immediate competitive setting for a roster that has changed substantially since the previous campaign.

Team bonding does not determine results, but it can give a newly assembled group more familiarity before the first major test of the season. For Washington, the practical value is in giving newcomers and younger players time with the wider group before the opener rather than asking those relationships to form solely during the demands of the regular season.

Fan Pulse

For Capitals supporters, the Annapolis visit offered a visible early sign of a club trying to bring a new group together rather than treating its off-season additions as separate pieces. Wilson also pointed to Washington’s established following in the area and recalled previous team events in Annapolis, including the 2018 Stadium Series game nearby.

The stronger point for fans is the mix now on the roster: experienced additions, long-serving figures such as Ovechkin and Wilson, and players receiving their first opening-night opportunities. The first chance to see how that group carries itself in a meaningful game comes at Carolina.

Mini Q&A

Why did the Capitals travel to Annapolis?

Washington used the two-day visit as a team-building break after training camp and final roster decisions, finishing with a practice at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Who are Washington’s major off-season additions?

The Capitals added forwards Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou and Boone Jenner, along with defenceman Vincent Desharnais.

Which players made an NHL opening-night roster for the first time?

Ilya Protas, Cole Hutson, Ivan Miroshnichenko and Ethen Frank are entering that milestone, with Protas and Hutson beginning their first full NHL seasons.

When do the Capitals begin the regular season?

Washington opens at the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday at 7 p.m. ET.

Coach Mark Comment

A final roster benefits from time in which players can communicate without the pressure of drills, meetings and selection decisions. Washington’s trip appears well timed because the group includes several off-season arrivals and players entering a first full NHL season. The important coaching challenge now is to carry that connection into clear on-ice habits once the opener begins; the trip itself is a starting point, not a substitute for that work.

What Comes Next

Washington opens its regular season at the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday at 7 p.m. ET. The game will provide the first competitive outing for the Capitals’ final 23-player group following the Annapolis trip.

IHM Final View

Washington enters the season with a final roster, significant new personnel and an early visit to the defending Stanley Cup champions. The Annapolis trip gave the Capitals a brief chance to form connections before that challenge. From Friday, the focus shifts from building the group to showing how it functions together in NHL competition.

Crosby, Penguins content to let extension talks run

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published: September 29, 2026, 07:38 CEST

Story Summary

Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are comfortable beginning the regular season without a new contract in place, with general manager Kyle Dubas saying there is no pressure to reach an agreement by a particular date.

Crosby, 39, is entering the final season of the two-year, $17.4 million contract carrying an $8.7 million average annual value that he signed on September 16, 2024. Pittsburgh will continue talks with Pat Brisson, Crosby’s agent, while the captain concentrates on his 22nd NHL season.

The centre said he does not require a new agreement before Pittsburgh opens the regular season against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday. His position reflects the uncertainty that naturally accompanies a long-term decision at this stage of a career: Crosby said he cannot know in advance how his body will feel later in the season and intends to focus on preparation and playing.

That measured approach comes after another highly productive campaign. Crosby led Pittsburgh with 74 points, including 29 goals and 45 assists, in 68 games last season. He also extended his NHL record to 21 seasons averaging at least a point per game, helping the Penguins finish second in the Metropolitan Division and return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after a three-year absence.

The organisation’s wider decisions are not limited to Crosby. Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson are also approaching the ends of their respective contracts, although their situations are distinct. Malkin signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract in May, while Karlsson is in the final season of the eight-year, $92 million deal he signed with the San Jose Sharks in 2019. Dubas has described communication with each player as open, but has not offered public commitments on future contracts.

Key Facts

Sidney Crosby is entering the final season of his two-year, $17.4 million contract, which carries an $8.7 million average annual value.
Kyle Dubas said Pittsburgh and Crosby’s agent, Pat Brisson, will continue contract discussions without a deadline.
Crosby said he is comfortable allowing those discussions to continue while he focuses on playing.
The 39-year-old centre is set to play his 22nd NHL season after Pittsburgh selected him No. 1 in the 2005 NHL Draft.
Crosby led the Penguins with 74 points, made up of 29 goals and 45 assists, in 68 games last season.
His 21st season averaging at least a point per game extended his NHL record.
Evgeni Malkin is playing on a one-year, $5.5 million contract signed in May.
Erik Karlsson has one season left on the eight-year, $92 million contract he signed with San Jose in 2019; he said a new Pittsburgh contract has not been discussed.
Pittsburgh returned to the playoffs last season, finishing second in the Metropolitan Division before losing to Philadelphia in six games in the Eastern Conference First Round.

IHM Discussion

There is a significant difference between an unresolved contract and a strained negotiation, and Pittsburgh has presented this as the former. Dubas and Crosby are aligned publicly on the immediate priority: begin the season, maintain dialogue and avoid imposing an artificial timetable on a decision involving the franchise captain.

That is especially understandable in Crosby’s case. His recent production remains elite, but he has been clear that his physical response over a full season matters when considering the future. That is not a declaration about an outcome; it is a sensible acknowledgement that the player’s own assessment during the year will be important.

For Pittsburgh, the benefit of this approach is clarity of purpose in the short term. Crosby can lead the team without the daily attention that a self-imposed deadline can create, while the front office can continue its conversations privately. The challenge is that Crosby’s status sits alongside major decisions involving Malkin and Karlsson, two other accomplished veterans with contracts nearing their conclusions.

Dubas has also framed the club’s larger objective as moving decisively away from the middle of the League while developing young stars and becoming less reliant on ageing veterans. That context explains why individual discussions may require patience. The organisation is weighing the direction of the team alongside the preferences and form of players who have been central to its recent progress.

Why It Matters

Crosby remains Pittsburgh’s captain, leading scorer from last season and the player most closely linked to the club’s identity. His contract status therefore carries importance beyond a standard pending deal.

The lack of a deadline does not change his immediate role, but it allows both sides to evaluate the season as it develops. Crosby’s performance, physical comfort and view of the team’s direction are all factors Dubas identified as relevant for players at this stage of their careers.

Pittsburgh is also managing several veteran contract situations at once. Malkin’s one-year agreement and Karlsson’s expiring contract make clear communication important, particularly as the Penguins try to pair their experienced core with the development of younger players.

IHM Market Outlook

The Penguins have not announced a Crosby extension, and there is no indication that the current discussions have produced an agreement. The meaningful market fact is simply that both sides are willing to continue talking without setting a public deadline.

Malkin and Karlsson add to the number of major decisions facing Pittsburgh. Malkin avoided unrestricted free agency by signing his one-year deal in May, but Dubas declined to discuss publicly whether another short-term agreement could follow. Karlsson, meanwhile, said no new contract talks had taken place, despite open communication with the club.

Those parallel situations should not be treated as one negotiation. Crosby’s talks are active; Malkin’s longer-term future has not been publicly defined; and Karlsson has said a new contract has not been discussed. What connects them is the need for Pittsburgh to assess the club’s direction while respecting the preferences of veteran players.

Mini Q&A

Does Sidney Crosby have a new contract with Pittsburgh?

No. Crosby is entering the final season of his current two-year contract, and discussions with the Penguins are continuing.

What is Crosby’s current contract worth?

His current two-year contract is worth $17.4 million and carries an $8.7 million average annual value.

Why is there no deadline for a Crosby extension?

Dubas said Pittsburgh does not feel pressure to complete a deal by a particular date, while Crosby said he wants to focus on playing and cannot predict how he will feel later in the season.

Which other Penguins veterans have expiring contracts?

Evgeni Malkin is on a one-year contract, while Erik Karlsson is entering the final season of his existing eight-year contract.

Coach Mark Comment

The immediate coaching value is stability. Crosby has made clear that his focus is on playing, and Pittsburgh can begin the season with its captain’s attention directed towards the daily demands of the schedule rather than a public contract deadline. His 74 points in 68 games last season underline that the team is still relying heavily on his ability to drive offence.

The broader task is managing that reliance while young players develop. Dubas has stated that Pittsburgh wants to become less dependent on ageing veterans, so the season provides an important opportunity for the club to build support around its established leaders rather than asking them to carry every key moment.

What Comes Next

Pittsburgh is scheduled to open its regular season against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday. Crosby’s contract discussions with the Penguins and Pat Brisson are expected to continue, but no deadline for an agreement has been set.

IHM Final View

Pittsburgh and Crosby have chosen patience over urgency. There is no new deal to announce, but there is also no public indication of friction. The captain enters the final year of his contract after leading the Penguins in scoring, while the organisation balances his future against a wider effort to shape its next phase.

Prime unveils Home Ice Access for Wednesday Night Hockey

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published: September 29, 2026, 07:37 CEST

Story Summary

Prime will begin its new NHL on Prime Wednesday Night Hockey schedule in Canada with a 27-game national regular-season slate, adding French-language coverage for every game alongside its English broadcast.

The first Wednesday broadcast will see the Toronto Maple Leafs host the New York Islanders at Scotiabank Arena at 7:30 p.m. ET. Toronto forward Gavin McKenna, the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and New York defenceman Matthew Schaefer, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, are set to feature in the opener.

The move follows two seasons of Monday Night Hockey on Prime. Mark Shopiro, head of Prime Video Canada, said the service is entering a 12-year commitment around the NHL package and sees hockey as a central part of its offering for Canadian members.

A new feature, Home Ice Access, will begin 30 minutes before the traditional broadcast window and is intended to give viewers a closer look at the pre-game rink environment. Prime will also carry two First Round Stanley Cup Playoff series and one Second Round series at no additional cost to Prime members, with English and French coverage available.

Key Facts

Prime’s Wednesday Night Hockey schedule in Canada will include 27 national regular-season games this season.
The opening Wednesday broadcast is Toronto Maple Leafs versus New York Islanders at Scotiabank Arena, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Toronto forward Gavin McKenna was the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, while Islanders defenceman Matthew Schaefer was the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Prime is moving its NHL broadcast night to Wednesday after two seasons of Monday Night Hockey.
Each Wednesday Night Hockey game will be available in both English and French for the first time.
Prime will introduce Home Ice Access, beginning a half-hour before the traditional broadcast.
Prime will broadcast two First Round Stanley Cup Playoff series and one Second Round series at no additional cost to Prime members.
John Forslund returns as the English play-by-play voice, with Jody Shelley in the booth, Thomas Hickey between the benches and Andi Petrillo at rink side.
Alain Crete and Michael Roy will share French play-by-play duties, alongside analyst Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre.
Prime Video Canada head Mark Shopiro described the arrangement as a 12-year commitment.

IHM Discussion

The change from Monday to Wednesday is more than a switch in scheduling. Prime has established its NHL presentation over two seasons and is now expanding the shape of that offering: a full national regular-season schedule, bilingual broadcasts for every game and a defined pre-game feature intended to start the experience before puck drop.

The French-language addition is particularly significant within the announced format. Shopiro said serving viewers in English and French was an important part of the service’s plans for Canadian members, and said Prime would be the only national broadcaster offering both languages for these games. That is a concrete production commitment, rather than simply a different commentary option appearing occasionally on the schedule.

Home Ice Access is the other notable development. The feature will start 30 minutes before the customary broadcast and builds on production elements used late last season, including a segment that moved between Forslund and Shelley in the booth and Hickey between the benches. The stated objective is proximity: showing more of the arena setting and making use of the broadcast team before the game formally begins.

Prime has retained continuity in its English crew while adding a French team with substantial experience. Forslund brings more than 40 years in broadcasting, including 25 years as the voice of the Hartford Whalers and Carolina Hurricanes, before taking Seattle Kraken play-by-play duties in 2021. Crete recently retired from RDS after more than 40 years in broadcasting. That blend of established voices and a new language offering gives the Wednesday format a familiar on-air foundation while its presentation elements develop.

Why It Matters

For viewers, the announced package combines regular-season access and playoff coverage within a Prime membership. The two First Round series and one Second Round series are especially meaningful because they bring postseason games into the same English-and-French production structure as Wednesday Night Hockey.

For the NHL, the opening fixture also supplies a clear spotlight game. McKenna and Schaefer arrive as the most recent No. 1 picks in consecutive NHL Drafts, placing two highly visible young players in the first broadcast of the new Wednesday arrangement. The significance lies in the event’s presentation and exposure, not in any assumption about how either player will perform.

The broadcast plan also preserves the core elements of a conventional hockey telecast. Forslund said the aim is to evolve the presentation while maintaining the standard of a classic hockey broadcast. That balance will matter as Home Ice Access and other production ideas are added around, rather than in place of, the game itself.

Mini Q&A

What is Home Ice Access?

Home Ice Access is a new Prime feature that begins 30 minutes before the traditional broadcast and is designed to bring viewers closer to the pre-game rink setting.

Will every Wednesday Night Hockey game be available in French?

Yes. Prime will provide both English and French broadcast options for each Wednesday Night Hockey game.

Which playoff games will Prime carry?

Prime will broadcast two First Round Stanley Cup Playoff series and one Second Round series at no additional cost to Prime members.

Who is on the English broadcast team?

John Forslund will handle play-by-play, with Jody Shelley as analyst in the booth, Thomas Hickey between the benches and Andi Petrillo reporting from rink side.

Coach Mark Comment

The strongest on-ice production idea is not a tactical gimmick but a timing choice. Beginning coverage before the usual window can give viewers useful context: the rink atmosphere, the broadcast crew’s early observations and the build-up to a game. The key is discipline. Those extra 30 minutes should sharpen anticipation and help explain the night’s hockey, while leaving the game and its major moments as the centre of the broadcast.

What Comes Next

The first Wednesday Night Hockey broadcast is the Maple Leafs-Islanders game at Scotiabank Arena, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

IHM Final View

Prime’s next NHL phase is clearly defined: Wednesday national games, bilingual coverage, added playoff series and an earlier route into the arena through Home Ice Access. The immediate development is a broadcast expansion rather than a change to the hockey itself, but it gives Canadian viewers a broader way to follow the league through the regular season and into the opening rounds of the playoffs.

Suzuki brothers share special NHL faceoff moment

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published: September 29, 2026, 07:36 CEST

Story Summary

Ryan Suzuki and Nick Suzuki shared a family milestone when they took the opening faceoff against one another in an NHL pre-season meeting between the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens.

With parents Rob and Amanda Suzuki in attendance, the brothers lined up at centre ice for their first NHL head-to-head matchup. Ryan, the younger brother, won the draw after Nick added a playful shove before the puck was dropped.

“It was a cool moment there,”Ryan said during the first intermission. “Ever since I could skate, we were going at it, so it was kind of like a full circle moment.”

Key Facts

Ryan Suzuki and Nick Suzuki took the opening faceoff in the Senators’ pre-season game against the Canadiens.
It was the brothers’ first NHL head-to-head matchup.
Ryan won the faceoff and joked that Nick may have let him have it.
Rob and Amanda Suzuki attended to watch their sons face each other.
Ryan said the moment felt “full circle” after the brothers had competed since he first learned to skate.

IHM Discussion

pre-season hockey can often be defined by evaluation and preparation, but the opening draw gave this game a personal significance that reached beyond either club’s immediate agenda. The Suzukis were not simply sharing an NHL ice surface; they were placed directly opposite one another for the first puck drop.

Ryan’s comments captured why the sequence resonated. A faceoff is a brief, competitive detail of a game, yet it offered a visible link between childhood competition and an NHL meeting in front of their parents. His win supplied the younger brother with a light-hearted claim to family bragging rights.

Why It Matters

The moment underlined the human side of the pre-season schedule. Both teams still had a game to play, but the opening faceoff created a memorable occasion for the Suzuki family without overstating its competitive importance.

For Ryan, it was also an opportunity to describe a rare NHL experience in his own words: competing against Nick in a setting their family could witness together.

Mini Q&A

Who won the opening faceoff between the Suzuki brothers?

Ryan Suzuki won the opening draw against Nick Suzuki.

Was this the first NHL meeting between Ryan and Nick Suzuki?

Yes. It was the first time the brothers had faced one another in an NHL game.

Were the Suzuki brothers’ parents at the game?

Yes. Rob and Amanda Suzuki were in attendance to watch Ryan and Nick face off.

Coach Mark Comment

The draw itself was a small but well-chosen pre-season gesture. Faceoffs are naturally confrontational, so having the brothers begin the game opposite one another gave the occasion a clear competitive edge while keeping the spotlight on a simple family moment. Ryan winning it was an especially neat finishing touch.

What Comes Next

Montreal are scheduled to open their regular season against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday. Ottawa are scheduled to visit Toronto on Saturday to begin their regular-season schedule.

IHM Final View

Ryan Suzuki’s faceoff win will not decide either club’s season, but it gave a routine pre-season opening a lasting family meaning. For the Suzuki brothers and their parents, the first NHL meeting was a full-circle moment made memorable by one puck drop.