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Hurricanes still seeking Nikishin contract resolution

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published: September 29, 2026, 21:59 CEST

Story Summary

The Carolina Hurricanes are still attempting to resolve the contract situation involving restricted free agent defenceman Alexander Nikishin.

General manager Eric Tulsky said both sides are working towards a way forward, while declining to discuss the substance of private conversations. Nikishin has reportedly requested a trade and recently changed agents, hiring Paul Theofanous.

The immediate fact is clear: no agreement has been reached. Nikishin is unsigned and will not be with Carolina for its 2026-27 season opener against the Florida Panthers. That leaves a significant contractual and roster question unresolved at the point the Hurricanes begin their Stanley Cup title defence.

Nikishin, 24, made a substantial contribution as a rookie last season, recording 33 points, including 11 goals, in 18:11 of average ice time. He also appeared in 17 playoff games during Carolina’s championship run.

Key Facts

Alexander Nikishin remains an unsigned restricted free agent for the Carolina Hurricanes.
Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky said the club and Nikishin are trying to find a resolution and determine how to move forward.
Nikishin has reportedly asked for a trade and recently hired agent Paul Theofanous.
Nikishin did not attend Carolina’s training camp and will not be available for the season opener against the Florida Panthers.
Nikishin had 11 goals and 33 points in his rookie regular season, averaging 18:11 of ice time, before playing 17 postseason games in Carolina’s run to the Stanley Cup.
Carolina issued Nikishin a qualifying offer before 29 June, retaining his rights.

IHM Discussion

This is no longer merely an off-season administrative loose end. The Hurricanes have reached opening night without one of last season’s regular contributors under contract, and the public position from Tulsky is measured rather than definitive.

That restraint matters. Tulsky has not confirmed a trade request, a preferred destination, a negotiating impasse or any timetable for an agreement. The reported request and agent change should therefore be treated as context, not proof that a move is imminent. Carolina’s stated position is that both sides continue to seek a resolution.

The club’s leverage and its need are not identical questions. Carolina has retained Nikishin’s rights through the qualifying offer process, but it is also beginning its season without a 24-year-old defenceman who handled meaningful minutes as a rookie and contributed during the playoffs. The absence is practical as well as contractual.

A new representative can alter the tone and structure of discussions without determining the outcome. It does not itself confirm that negotiations will end in a addition or a trade. For now, the most responsible reading is that Carolina have an unresolved restricted-free-agent file involving a player who has already established a role in their recent success.

Why It Matters

Nikishin’s absence removes a known option from Carolina’s defence at the start of a season in which the club is defending the Stanley Cup.

The Hurricanes have five returning defencemen in Jalen Chatfield, Shayne Gostisbehere, K’Andre Miller, Jaccob Slavin and Sean Walker. Reportedly, Charles Alexis Legault and Mike Reilly appeared to be competing to fill the open place created by Nikishin’s absence.

That does not mean Nikishin has been replaced on a like-for-like basis. He delivered 33 regular-season points last season and played in every stage of Carolina’s championship campaign. Until his situation is settled, the Hurricanes must manage both the immediate lineup vacancy and the longer-term question of where he fits in the organisation.

IHM Market Outlook

The market signal is not a completed trade but a stalled resolution around a young restricted free agent with recent NHL production.

Nikishin’s reported trade request naturally creates outside interest, but no destination, return package or active negotiation has been confirmed. It would be wrong to treat the agent change as evidence that a transaction is close.

For Carolina, the available outcomes remain broad: a contract agreement, a trade, or a continued unresolved situation. Only the first two would materially change the roster picture, and neither has been announced. The next meaningful market development will be a confirmed agreement or a specific team action, not further inference from the current impasse.

Mini Q&A

Is Alexander Nikishin under contract with Carolina?

No. Nikishin remains an unsigned restricted free agent, although Carolina retained his rights by issuing a qualifying offer before 29 June.

Has Nikishin been traded?

No trade has been confirmed. He has reportedly requested one, but Carolina’s stated position is that both sides are still seeking a resolution.

Will Nikishin play in Carolina’s season opener?

No. He will not be with the Hurricanes for the opener against the Florida Panthers because he remains without a contract.

What did Nikishin produce last season?

He had 11 goals and 33 points as a rookie, averaged 18:11 of ice time, and played 17 postseason games during Carolina’s run to the Stanley Cup.

Coach Mark Comment

The immediate coaching task is less about replicating Nikishin’s production than maintaining reliable pairings and clear responsibilities while the available group adjusts.

Carolina can use experienced options, but continuity matters most early in a season. The longer Nikishin remains unavailable, the more valuable repeated game reps become for whichever defencemen are asked to cover the opening.

IHM Final View

Carolina have not closed the door on Alexander Nikishin. Tulsky’s comments make that plain. But the club have also entered the season without a contract resolution for a 24-year-old defenceman who was part of their championship team.

The trade request remains reported rather than confirmed, and no deal has been announced. Until one arrives, this is best viewed as an unresolved negotiation with clear on-ice consequences, rather than a completed exit from Carolina.

Maple Leafs land Marchenko in six-player trade

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published: September 29, 2026, 21:58 CEST

Story Summary

The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired forward Kirill Marchenko from the Columbus Blue Jackets in a six-player trade and immediately agreed a six-year, $75 million contract with the 26-year-old.

Marchenko, who could have become a restricted free agent after this season, will carry a $12.5 million average annual value on the new deal, which begins next season. Toronto also received forward Miles Wood and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins.

Matthew Knies is the centrepiece of the return for Columbus. The Blue Jackets also acquired forward Steven Lorentz, defenceman Emil Andrae and a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.

Toronto general manager John Chayka described Marchenko as a player capable of influencing games at the highest level and said the club regarded the chance to acquire and retain a prime-age scorer as a special opportunity. Chayka is hopeful that Marchenko can make his Maple Leafs debut against the Montreal Canadiens, provided his immigration paperwork is completed.

Key Facts

Kirill Marchenko was traded from Columbus to Toronto as part of a six-player deal.
Marchenko signed a six-year, $75 million contract with the Maple Leafs, carrying a $12.5 million average annual value and beginning next season.
Toronto also acquired forward Miles Wood and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins.
Columbus received Matthew Knies, Steven Lorentz, Emil Andrae and a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
Marchenko had 67 points, including 27 goals and 40 assists, in 76 games in 2025-26. He led Columbus in goals and was second on the team in points.
Marchenko has led the Blue Jackets in goals in each of the past three seasons and owns 208 points, with 102 goals and 106 assists, in 292 NHL games.
Knies set an NHL career high with 66 points, including 23 goals and 43 assists, in 79 games for Toronto last season.
Merzlikins went 14-11-3 with a 3.40 goals-against average and .883 save percentage for Columbus last season.
Wood recorded eight goals and six assists in 54 games last season, while Lorentz had 18 points in 71 games for Toronto.
Andrae had two goals and 11 assists for the Philadelphia Flyers last season and had joined Toronto in the Joseph Woll trade.

IHM Discussion

This is a major exchange built around Toronto’s decision to turn a prominent young forward into an established scorer with a sustained record of producing goals. Marchenko arrives after a 27-goal, 67-point season and with three consecutive seasons as Columbus’s leading goal scorer. His 102 goals in 292 NHL games provide the larger body of evidence behind Toronto’s investment.

The Maple Leafs have not merely acquired Marchenko’s final season under his existing contract. They have committed to six further seasons at $12.5 million per year from next season, removing the possibility that he could have reached restricted free agency after this campaign. Chayka’s comments made clear that Toronto viewed both the player’s scoring profile and the ability to retain him through his prime years as central to the move.

For Columbus, Knies is the headline acquisition. The 23-year-old produced a career-best 66 points last season and already has 160 regular-season points in 240 NHL games, alongside 14 points in 27 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He remains under contract for six years at a $7.75 million average annual value after signing that deal in July 2025.

The wider package matters. Columbus adds Lorentz, Andrae and a 2027 second-round selection around Knies, while Toronto receives Wood and Merzlikins alongside Marchenko. Each club has therefore changed several areas of its roster rather than making a straightforward one-for-one forward swap.

Why It Matters

Marchenko gives Toronto a right-shot forward who has been productive as both a scorer and playmaker. Chayka specifically pointed to his shot, his ability to make plays and the different options he can offer on the power play and across the offensive zone. Those are concrete elements of the appeal, rather than an assumption about where he will play in the lineup.

The contract is equally significant. At $75 million over six years, Marchenko becomes a long-term Maple Leafs commitment beginning next season. Toronto has exchanged Knies, whose own six-year contract is already in place, for a player with a stronger existing NHL goal total and then attached a notably larger annual value to keep him.

For Columbus, the deal brings in a 23-year-old Knies coming off his most productive NHL season, as well as three additional assets.

IHM Market Outlook

The market-defining part of the transaction is Marchenko’s new contract: six years and $75 million, equating to a $12.5 million average annual value. It starts next season, while he had one year remaining on his previous three-year, $11.55 million Columbus contract, which carried a $3.85 million average annual value.

Toronto has placed a premium on Marchenko’s age, scoring record and right-handed shot. Chayka said the club believed it had secured a top scorer in his prime at a number it considered effective. That view is the organisation’s stated rationale, not a guarantee of future production.

Knies is also moving with meaningful contract certainty. His six-year, $46.5 million Toronto agreement, signed in July 2025, has a $7.75 million average annual value. The trade therefore swaps one long-term forward commitment for another, while adding Wood and Merzlikins to Toronto’s side of the transaction.

Mini Q&A

What did Toronto receive in the trade?

The Maple Leafs acquired Kirill Marchenko, Miles Wood and Elvis Merzlikins from the Blue Jackets.

What did Columbus receive?

The Blue Jackets received Matthew Knies, Steven Lorentz, Emil Andrae and a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.

What is Marchenko’s new contract?

Marchenko signed a six-year, $75 million deal with a $12.5 million average annual value. It starts next season.

Could Marchenko play in Toronto’s opener?

Chayka said he was hopeful Marchenko could debut against Montreal on Tuesday, provided his immigration paperwork is completed.

Coach Mark Comment

Marchenko’s recent scoring record and right-handed release are the clearest on-ice attractions. A forward who has led his club in goals for three straight seasons gives coaches another established finishing threat, while Chayka also identified power-play and offensive-zone flexibility. The important practical point is to let those strengths show without assuming a specific line, unit or role before the club has actually used him.

What Comes Next

Marchenko’s immediate availability depends on the completion of his immigration paperwork. Chayka said he was hopeful the forward could make his Toronto debut against Montreal on Tuesday.

Columbus is scheduled to open its season at home against Buffalo on Thursday.

IHM Final View

Toronto has made an aggressive commitment to Marchenko, acquiring a 26-year-old coming off 67 points and then securing him for six years at $12.5 million annually from next season. Columbus has received a substantial return led by Knies, who arrives after a 66-point season and remains under long-term contract. The size of the exchange, and the contract attached to Marchenko, make this far more than a short-term change of scenery.

Hellebuyck trade wait and Edvinsson talks persist

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published: September 29, 2026, 21:55 CEST

Story Summary

Connor Hellebuyck’s future with the Winnipeg Jets remains unresolved, with Craig Button arguing that general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff should wait for a return that serves the club’s immediate ambitions rather than accept a deal simply to end the situation. Hellebuyck’s trade request and Jets suspension are confirmed, meaning this is not merely an external-market rumour, but there is no reported completed trade or identified destination.

The Jets have added goaltender Clay Stevenson on waivers from the Washington Capitals, but that move does not settle the larger Hellebuyck question. Winnipeg announced the claim on September 28, with Stevenson arriving after four NHL appearances for Washington in 2025-26.

In Detroit, restricted free-agent defenceman Simon Edvinsson is no longer practising with the Red Wings and no longer has a locker in the dressing room, according to the information available. Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff said the organisation would continue its conversations with Edvinsson and his representatives. No agreement, contract term or salary has been announced.

The two situations are different in scale and mechanism, but each concerns a significant player whose status has become a live roster issue as the season begins.

Key Facts

Connor Hellebuyck requested a trade from the Winnipeg Jets during the off-season and was suspended after failing to report to training camp.
Craig Button said Kevin Cheveldayoff should wait for a deal that delivers a strong return rather than make a trade simply to conclude the process.
Button framed the potential return as one that should help Winnipeg compete now, rather than focus on prospects or draft picks that may contribute years later.
The Jets claimed goaltender Clay Stevenson off waivers from the Washington Capitals on September 28.
Simon Edvinsson is a restricted free-agent defenceman and is not practising with the Detroit Red Wings while contract conversations continue.
Shawn Horcoff said Detroit would continue discussions with Edvinsson and his representatives.
A suggested November contract scenario involving a five-year deal at $9 million annually was presented as a hypothetical cap example, not as a reported offer or agreement.

IHM Discussion

Button’s assessment centres on leverage and standards rather than a timetable. His argument is that Cheveldayoff’s responsibility is not to force resolution at the first available opportunity, but to secure a return consistent with the value of a player of Hellebuyck’s stature and with Winnipeg’s stated desire to compete.

That does not establish that a suitable trade is close. It does, however, make clear why the Jets’ position may remain patient even as the season opens. Button specifically connected the handling of Hellebuyck to the message received by core players including Mark Scheifele, Josh Morrissey, Adam Lowry and Kyle Connor. In that framing, the return matters not only as an asset transaction, but as evidence of how the organisation intends to operate around its established group.

Stevenson’s arrival is a concrete move at goaltender, but it should not be presented as confirmation of an impending Hellebuyck trade. The waiver claim adds another goalie to the organisation; it does not disclose Winnipeg’s trade terms, name a club in negotiations or confirm a deadline for a deal.

Edvinsson’s case is a more conventional, though still meaningful, contract impasse. Detroit had previously had the 23-year-old at camp while he remained unsigned, with Horcoff describing a new deal as a priority.

Why It Matters

For Winnipeg, Hellebuyck’s status affects a premium position. Button’s view is that accepting a weaker future-focused package would run against a win-now message to the club’s key players. That is an interpretation of the Jets’ trade posture, not confirmation of what another team has offered.

For Detroit, the immediate issue is access to Edvinsson’s services while he remains unsigned. The Red Wings have not announced a new contract, and the absence from practice means the situation cannot be treated as routine camp business. Detroit’s earlier public comments underlined Edvinsson’s importance to the group, while his current status makes a completed agreement the only clear resolution point.

IHM Market Outlook

His trade request is public, but no completed trade has been announced and no club has been identified as having met Winnipeg’s price. The key reported position is Button’s belief that Cheveldayoff will wait rather than lower that standard.

The only dollar figure raised is part of a hypothetical example about cap accounting if a deal were signed on November 1. It is not evidence of Detroit’s offer, Edvinsson’s asking price or a five-year agreement under discussion. The responsible reading is simply that the sides remain in contact without publicly disclosed financial terms.

Mini Q&A

Has Connor Hellebuyck been traded?

No. Hellebuyck has requested a trade and has been suspended by the Jets, but no completed transaction or destination has been announced.

Is Simon Edvinsson expected to sign for $9 million per season?

There is no announced agreement at that figure. The $9 million over five years example was hypothetical and should not be treated as a reported contract proposal.

Coach Mark Comment

The central hockey lesson in both files is the cost of uncertainty at positions that shape a team’s structure. Winnipeg must manage its goaltending group while Hellebuyck’s status remains unsettled, whereas Detroit cannot fully build continuity on its blue line without clarity on Edvinsson. Neither situation allows for useful assumptions about a player’s next game or final destination; the practical focus is on the players available to each coaching staff now.

IHM Final View

There is confirmed substance behind both stories, but neither warrants a stronger conclusion than the facts allow. Hellebuyck has requested a trade, is suspended by Winnipeg and remains without an announced destination. Edvinsson is not practising as Detroit continues contract discussions, with no signed deal made public.

Button’s comments explain a possible Jets approach: patience until a return matches the club’s competitive aims. The Jets’ claim of Stevenson is official, but it is not proof that a Hellebuyck transaction is imminent. In Detroit, the next meaningful development is an agreement or a further official update on Edvinsson’s status, not a projected cap figure presented as a hypothetical.

Thomas Chabot named Senators captain for 2026-27

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published: September 29, 2026, 21:54 CEST

Story Summary

Thomas Chabot has been named captain of the Ottawa Senators ahead of the club’s first game of the 2026-27 season.

The 29-year-old defenceman becomes the successor to Brady Tkachuk, who had worn the C for the previous five seasons before being traded to the Florida Panthers on June 21. Chabot is Ottawa’s longest-tenured player, having spent all nine of his NHL seasons with the Senators since they selected him 18th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft.

Claude Giroux and Tim Stutzle will serve as alternate captains at forward, with Jake Sanderson named an alternate from the blue line. The announcement formalises a new leadership group around a player whose tenure, workload and standing within the organisation have made him a central figure in Ottawa.

Chabot said the appointment was a “huge honour”, adding that he believes the Senators have a close group entering the season. General manager Steve Staios praised Chabot’s commitment to the city and organisation, as well as his team-first approach.

Key Facts

Thomas Chabot has been named captain of the Ottawa Senators ahead of their first game of the 2026-27 regular season.
Chabot, 29, is Ottawa’s longest-tenured player and has played all nine of his NHL seasons with the club.
The Senators selected Chabot in the first round, 18th overall, of the 2015 NHL Draft.
He replaces Brady Tkachuk, who captained Ottawa for five seasons before being traded to the Florida Panthers on June 21.
Claude Giroux, Tim Stutzle and Jake Sanderson have been named alternate captains.
Chabot recorded 31 points, including seven goals and 24 assists, in 57 games last season while averaging 22:35 of ice time per game.
In Ottawa’s four-game playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes, Chabot led the Stanley Cup Playoffs in average ice time at 31:07 per game.
Across 569 regular-season games, Chabot has 78 goals, 257 assists and 335 points. He has added four points in 10 postseason games.

IHM Discussion

The captaincy recognises both Chabot’s longevity and the scale of his responsibilities on Ottawa’s blue line. He has remained with the Senators throughout his NHL career, and last season he was second on the club in average ice time, behind only Sanderson. In the playoffs, his 31:07 average over four games underlined how heavily Ottawa relied on him in demanding minutes.

That workload does not by itself define leadership, but it gives Chabot a prominent daily role from which to set standards. A captain on the blue line is often closely connected to the rhythm of a game: managing shifts, responding after momentum swings and communicating through defensive situations. Chabot’s appointment places the C with a player who already occupies those high-leverage stretches.

The alternate group also gives Ottawa a spread of experience and roles. Giroux brings a forward’s perspective, Stutzle is part of the club’s attacking core, and Sanderson joins Chabot as a leadership presence on defence. The important detail is not a wholesale remaking of the dressing room, but a clarified structure after Tkachuk’s departure.

Chabot’s public reaction was notably emotional, describing the role as a major honour. That response fits the significance of the appointment for a player drafted and developed by Ottawa, and for a club beginning its season with a new captain in place.

Why It Matters

Ottawa’s captaincy had to be addressed following Tkachuk’s trade, and the Senators have turned to the player with the longest uninterrupted connection to the club. Chabot’s selection provides a clear leadership reference point before the regular season begins.

It also aligns the captaincy with a player who handles major minutes. Last season, he averaged 22:35 per game, then carried an even greater load in the postseason. His on-ice role and formal leadership role will now sit together, while Giroux, Stutzle and Sanderson provide support as alternates.

For the Senators, the immediate significance is organisational clarity rather than a change to the hockey calendar: the leadership group is set before the opener in Toronto.

Fan Pulse

For Ottawa supporters, Chabot’s appointment offers continuity at a moment of change. Tkachuk’s exit removed the previous captain, but the Senators have promoted a player who has spent his entire NHL career with the club. The announcement also gives fans a defined leadership group to follow into the season, with Giroux, Stutzle and Sanderson alongside Chabot.

Mini Q&A

Who is the new Ottawa Senators captain?

Thomas Chabot has been named captain of the Ottawa Senators ahead of the 2026-27 season opener.

Who did Thomas Chabot replace as Senators captain?

Chabot replaces Brady Tkachuk, who had been Ottawa’s captain for the previous five seasons before his trade to the Florida Panthers on June 21.

Who are Ottawa’s alternate captains?

Claude Giroux, Tim Stutzle and Jake Sanderson have been named alternate captains.

What did Chabot produce last season?

Chabot had seven goals and 24 assists for 31 points in 57 games, averaging 22:35 of ice time per game.

Coach Mark Comment

Naming a captain from the blue line places added emphasis on composed communication during the busiest parts of a game. Chabot already carries substantial minutes, and his playoff average showed Ottawa trusted him in extended situations. The key value of this appointment is that the formal leadership role matches an established on-ice responsibility, while the alternate captains give the group voices across both forward and defence.

What Comes Next

The Senators open their regular season at the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. It will be Chabot’s first game as Ottawa captain.

IHM Final View

Chabot’s promotion is a straightforward statement of trust in a long-serving Senator who has handled significant responsibility on the ice. With Tkachuk no longer in Ottawa, the club has chosen continuity through Chabot’s tenure while establishing a wider leadership group around him ahead of the new season.

Brock Faber out indefinitely after skull surgery

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published: September 29, 2026, 21:54 CEST

Story Summary

Brock Faber is out indefinitely for the Minnesota Wild after undergoing surgery for a skull fracture sustained during a pre-season game against the Dallas Stars.

The 24-year-old defenceman was struck in the head by a shot from Dallas defenceman Miro Heiskanen at 10:24 of the second period of Minnesota’s 2-1 loss. Faber was briefly down on the ice, skated to the bench under his own power and returned for the next shift, completing the second period before not returning for the third.

Wild general manager Bill Guerin said the club will follow medical guidance on a timetable and stressed that Faber’s well-being is the immediate priority.

Key Facts

Brock Faber underwent surgery Sunday for a skull fracture and is out indefinitely.
Faber was hit in the head by a shot from Stars defenceman Miro Heiskanen during the second period of Minnesota’s 2-1 pre-season loss to Dallas.
He returned for the next shift after the incident and played out the second period, but did not return for the third.
Bill Guerin said the Wild will follow the doctors’ guidance on Faber’s timeline.
Faber is entering his fourth full season with Minnesota after recording 51 points, including 15 goals and 36 assists, in 80 games last season.
He has 127 points in 242 NHL regular-season games and won Olympic gold with Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

IHM Discussion

The immediate hockey concern is secondary to Faber’s health, as Guerin made clear, but the absence is still significant for Minnesota. Faber had been due to begin the season alongside Quinn Hughes on a defence pairing described as one of the League’s most dynamic.

His indefinite status means there is no stated timetable to frame his return. Minnesota will instead be guided by the medical advice following his surgery, rather than attaching a target date to his availability.

Faber’s production last season underlines his importance. His 51 points in 80 games came as the Wild reached the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, while his wider NHL record shows the body of work he has built over 242 regular-season appearances.

Why It Matters

Faber is a major part of Minnesota’s blue line and was expected to open the campaign with Hughes. His injury removes a defenceman who supplied 15 goals and 36 assists last season, but the club’s stated focus is appropriately on his recovery and medical direction rather than hockey timelines.

Mini Q&A

What injury did Brock Faber sustain?

Faber sustained a skull fracture after being hit in the head by a shot during a pre-season game against Dallas.

How long will Faber be out?

He is out indefinitely. Bill Guerin said Minnesota will follow the doctors’ guidance on his timeline.

What happened after Faber was hit?

He was briefly down on the ice, reached the bench under his own power, returned for the next shift and finished the second period before sitting out the third.

Coach Mark Comment

The key coaching reality is restraint. Faber’s status is indefinite following surgery, so any planning must begin with the medical process rather than an assumed return point. Minnesota had intended to use him beside Quinn Hughes, making the loss notable, but the first responsibility is ensuring that Faber is given the time and care required.

What Comes Next

The Wild open their season at the Nashville Predators on Thursday. Faber’s availability remains indefinite, with Guerin saying the club will follow the doctors’ guidance on a timeline.

IHM Final View

Faber’s injury is a serious setback for Minnesota, particularly with the season about to begin and a planned pairing with Hughes in place. Yet the only responsible timeline is the one set by his medical team. For now, Faber’s health comes before any discussion of his return to the Wild lineup.

Canadiens’ patience and Pettersson’s Canucks future

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published: September 29, 2026, 21:51 CEST

Story Summary

Two prominent Canadian-market questions have been addressed with caution rather than a definitive prediction. Craig Button believes the Montreal Canadiens should not force a move simply to fill the widely discussed need at second-line centre, arguing that Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton have shown a willingness to wait for additions that fit their plan.

Button pointed to Montreal’s previous pursuit of Phillip Danault and to the acquisition of Chris Kreider as examples of the club strengthening itself when an appropriate opportunity emerged. The discussion also referenced Kreider’s previous connection with Marty St. Louis in New York and Gorton’s familiarity with the forward.

In Vancouver, Button shifted the focus away from whether Elias Pettersson will complete the season with the Canucks. His view was that Pettersson first needs to show more than he has over the past two years. Button said a changed environment could help the centre, while leaving open the possibility that improved form could create interest if his longer-term future in Vancouver changes.

Key Facts

Craig Button said Montreal do not need to act quickly on a second-line centre and should make the right move when it makes sense for the team.
The Canadiens’ management group discussed was Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton.
Button cited Phillip Danault as a previous example of Montreal identifying a need for a player of that type.
Chris Kreider was presented as an addition who strengthens Montreal in other areas, with prior experience of playing under Marty St. Louis in New York.
Button said Elias Pettersson’s immediate priority should be improving on his performances across the last two years.
Button described Vancouver as having a new coach and new management, with Daniel and Henrik Sedin involved in creating a different environment.
Button said Pettersson has the skill level to benefit from change and that a return to his earlier standard could generate interest from other clubs.
The NHL trade deadline is listed for 1 March.

IHM Discussion

This is not a report of an imminent Canadiens transaction or a confirmed Pettersson trade discussion. It is an assessment of two situations where pressure outside a club can be louder than the evidence of a deal.

For Montreal, the important distinction is between identifying a roster need and accepting any available answer. The second-line centre question has clearly been raised, including alongside the wider desire to bolster the top six. Button’s argument is that Hughes and Gorton have earned the benefit of that distinction: a move should improve the group rather than merely satisfy a timetable. His examples were Danault and Kreider, both used to illustrate targeted roster-building rather than a rush to act.

The Pettersson conversation is similarly conditional. Button did not state that a move is arranged, or even that it is inevitable. He suggested that Pettersson’s own level is the central issue. That matters because a player rediscovering his previous form would alter the conversation around Vancouver, whether he remains with the club or attracts outside interest.

The common thread is patience, but the situations are not identical. Montreal are weighing a possible addition to a developing forward group. Vancouver’s question concerns a highly skilled centre whose form, within a changed setting, is being treated as the first variable to watch.

Why It Matters

Montreal’s approach could affect how it allocates assets and opportunity in its forward group. A second-line centre may be a clear need, but Button’s view is that urgency should not override fit. The Kreider example also suggests the Canadiens can address their overall attack in more than one way.

For the Canucks, Pettersson’s response to the new environment is significant because Button tied his future interest from elsewhere to a possible return to his earlier level. That is not a forecast of a trade. It is a reminder that performance can shape both a player’s role in his current club and the level of attention he receives elsewhere.

IHM Market Outlook

There is no confirmed market action in either case. Montreal have been linked in discussion to the need for a second-line centre, but Button’s position was explicitly that the club do not need to make a move soon. The named examples of Kirill Marchenko and Dylan Larkin arose in the wider discussion of options Montreal did not get, not as confirmation of active negotiations.

Pettersson’s market status is equally unresolved. Button said there could be considerable interest if the centre finds his game again, while also stressing that the immediate objective is improvement in Vancouver. Any claim beyond that, including the timing or terms of a possible move, would go beyond the available information.

Mini Q&A

Do the Canadiens need to trade for a second-line centre immediately?

Button said no. He believes Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton should make a move only when it makes sense for Montreal and improves the team.

Has Elias Pettersson been confirmed to be leaving Vancouver?

No. Button said the priority is for Pettersson to improve on the past two years, while acknowledging that renewed form could create interest if his future changes.

Coach Mark Comment

Montreal’s stated need at centre should be judged by whether an addition changes the club’s ability to run productive match-ups, not simply by the label attached to the player. Waiting for the right fit can be sound roster management when the alternative is adding a player who does not improve the team’s puck support through the middle.

For Pettersson, the coaching focus is simpler: establish repeatable impact before allowing external trade noise to dominate the conversation. A positive environment can help, but the player still has to turn skill into consistent influence within the team’s structure.

What Comes Next

The next clear league-wide market checkpoint listed is the NHL trade deadline on 1 March. Until then, the key developments are whether Montreal identify an addition that meets their standards and whether Pettersson’s play under Vancouver’s changed environment moves forward as Button suggested.

IHM Final View

Button’s comments offer restraint rather than resolution. Montreal’s search at centre remains a real roster question, but not one that must be answered immediately. Pettersson’s future remains open, yet the available assessment places his performance ahead of any transaction narrative. Neither situation should be mistaken for a completed move or an active deal.

Blue Jackets Welcome Closure in Marchenko Trade

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published: September 29, 2026, 21:50 CEST

Story Summary

The Columbus Blue Jackets believe the departure of Kirill Marchenko has brought clarity before the season begins, with players and coaches welcoming the end of uncertainty around the forward’s future.

Marchenko was sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a six-player trade, with 23-year-old forward Matthew Knies the central acquisition for Columbus. The move followed indications from Marchenko’s agent, Dan Milstein, in June that the forward would not re-sign with the Blue Jackets, and Marchenko’s subsequent refusal to commit publicly to staying in Columbus.

Zach Werenski said the situation had become an unnecessary issue ahead of the new campaign. The Blue Jackets defenceman praised Marchenko as a teammate but said it was apparent that the 26-year-old did not want to remain in Columbus. Werenski said he was pleased the matter had been resolved before the season.

Marchenko leaves after producing 208 points, including 102 goals and 106 assists, in 292 NHL games, all for the Blue Jackets. His scoring record made him a valuable player, but Columbus has now exchanged that proven production for a player it sees as fitting its preferred style and direction.

Knies arrives with 160 points, made up of 67 goals and 93 assists, in 240 regular-season games for Toronto. He also recorded 14 points, eight goals and six assists, in 27 Stanley Cup Playoff games. At 6-foot-3 and 227 pounds, he gives Columbus another sizeable power forward as it prepares to open at home against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.

Key Facts

Kirill Marchenko was traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a six-player deal.
Matthew Knies, 23, was the key acquisition for Columbus in the trade.
Marchenko, 26, recorded 208 points, with 102 goals and 106 assists, in 292 NHL games for the Blue Jackets.
Dan Milstein indicated in June that Marchenko would not re-sign with Columbus, and Marchenko did not commit to staying with the club when asked by the media on Sept. 18.
Knies produced 160 points, including 67 goals and 93 assists, in 240 regular-season games with Toronto, plus 14 points in 27 playoff games.
Columbus opens its season at home against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.

IHM Discussion

This was not presented inside the Blue Jackets dressing room as a simple exchange of talented forwards. The recurring message from Columbus was commitment. Marchenko’s offensive output is substantial, and Adam Fantilli described him as smart, skilled and enjoyable to play with. Yet Fantilli also said the club had been left with no choice once it became clear Marchenko did not want to stay.

That distinction matters. Columbus did not question Marchenko’s ability; its players and coach spoke instead about the difficulty of beginning a season with an unresolved future hanging over a prominent scorer. Mathieu Olivier said the group wanted players who wanted to be there, while Rick Bowness framed the issue in terms of full commitment to a collective solution.

Bowness also called the transaction a good deal for both teams. From Columbus’s standpoint, that assessment rests on the arrival of a physically imposing forward who has already delivered in regular-season and playoff competition, rather than on any claim that Knies can immediately replicate Marchenko’s scoring totals. The immediate gain is a player whom the Blue Jackets believe embraces the identity they are trying to establish.

Knies himself offered a clear reading of that identity. Having faced Columbus with Toronto, he described the Blue Jackets as strong, fast and difficult to play against, a team able to outmuscle, outstrength and outskate opponents. He said those elements suit his own game. Those comments align with the club’s description of him as a power forward who can add physicality to an already heavy lineup.

Why It Matters

The trade changes more than one forward spot. Marchenko had been a productive NHL scorer for Columbus and had been expected to play on Fantilli’s line, so his exit removes an established offensive option from the group. It also ends the uncertainty surrounding a player who was eligible to become a restricted free agent after this season.

For Columbus, the central question is therefore not whether Marchenko had value. His numbers establish that he did. The issue is whether the Blue Jackets can turn the greater certainty around their group and Knies’s physical profile into a more cohesive start to the season. Bowness and the players have made clear that buy-in is the standard they want attached to the roster.

For Knies, the move provides an opportunity to join a side whose preferred style he says fits him. His size, regular-season experience and playoff record are tangible credentials, but the immediate importance is how quickly he becomes part of the team’s shared approach. Columbus opens against Buffalo with that transition already under way.

Fan Pulse

For Blue Jackets supporters, the trade supplies a clear resolution to a storyline that had lingered into the final stages before the season. Marchenko’s departure means the loss of a 102-goal scorer, so there is no reason to minimise the production leaving the club. At the same time, the organisation’s public response has been consistent: it wants a group fully invested in Columbus.

The early focus will naturally be on Knies rather than on revisiting the dispute around Marchenko’s future. His blend of size and physical play fits the attributes Columbus players have highlighted, while his 240 regular-season games with Toronto show that he is not arriving without NHL experience. The home opener against Buffalo is the first public checkpoint for a team eager to move on.

Mini Q&A

Why did the Blue Jackets trade Kirill Marchenko?

Marchenko’s agent indicated in June that he would not re-sign with Columbus, and Marchenko later declined to commit to staying. Blue Jackets players and coaches said the situation had become a distraction ahead of the season.

What did Columbus receive in the trade?

Columbus acquired forward Matthew Knies as the key return in the six-player deal with Toronto.

What has Matthew Knies produced in the NHL?

Knies had 67 goals and 93 assists for 160 points in 240 regular-season games with Toronto. He also had eight goals and six assists in 27 playoff games.

Coach Mark Comment

The practical coaching benefit is clarity. A winger with Marchenko’s scoring history is difficult to replace on a line, particularly when Fantilli had expected to play alongside him. But a coach can set roles and build combinations more cleanly once the uncertainty has ended.

Knies brings a defined profile: a large power forward who says he is comfortable with the physical, fast game Columbus wants to play. The important next step is not to ask him to be Marchenko in a different uniform. It is to put him in situations where his strength, skating and willingness to engage can support the Blue Jackets’ established style while new line chemistry develops.

What Comes Next

Columbus opens its season at home against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday. The game is the next stated checkpoint after the trade, with attention on how Knies begins his Blue Jackets tenure and how Columbus lines up following Marchenko’s departure.

IHM Final View

Columbus has traded away a proven scorer, but its response makes the organisation’s priority unmistakable. The Blue Jackets wanted the uncertainty around Marchenko’s future resolved before the season, and they now turn to Knies as a substantial, physical addition who says he fits their style. The first task is no longer managing an unresolved situation; it is integrating a new forward into the group Columbus wants to become.

NHL opening rosters underline generational change

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published: September 29, 2026, 21:50 CEST

Story Summary

The NHL’s official opening-day rosters for 2026-27 contain 723 players and offer a clear snapshot of a league balancing a substantial youth movement with enduring veteran experience.

A total of 433 players, or 59.9 per cent of the opening-day group, are from Generation Z. There are 283 players born in the 2000s, up from 232 at the equivalent point last season, and every club has at least three such players on its roster.

At the other end of the scale, Colorado’s Brent Burns is listed as the oldest player on an opening-day roster at 41. Los Angeles forward Corey Perry and Washington captain Alex Ovechkin are also 41, while Pittsburgh centre Evgeni Malkin is the only other 40-year-old expected to play this season.

Canada supplies the largest national contingent with 306 players, or 42.3 per cent of the total. There are 192 American players, 26.6 per cent of all rostered players, while 227 players were born outside North America. Sweden leads that latter group with 75 players.

The opening-day figures also include 20 players seeking their first NHL appearance in either the regular season or playoffs, 12 teenagers and five members of the 2026 NHL Draft class.

Key Facts

723 players are on official NHL opening-day rosters for 2026-27.
433 players are from Generation Z, representing 59.9 per cent of the opening-day total; the comparable figure last season was 61 per cent.
283 rostered players were born in the 2000s, up from 232 last year, and each NHL team carries at least three.
Canada has 306 players on opening-day rosters, the largest total of any country.
There are 192 American players, or 26.6 per cent of the 723-player group.
227 players, 31 per cent of the total, were born outside North America; Sweden leads those countries with 75 players.
Brent Burns of Colorado is 41 and is listed as the oldest player on an opening-day roster. Corey Perry of Los Angeles and Alex Ovechkin of Washington are also 41.
Twenty players are seeking their NHL debut in either the regular season or playoffs, including Anaheim forward Judd Caulfield and Dallas goaltender Remi Poirier as the two oldest on that list.
Twelve teenagers are on opening-day rosters, including five 18-year-olds who were all first-round selections in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Five members of the 2026 draft class are on opening-day rosters: Toronto’s Gavin McKenna, San Jose’s Ivar Stenberg, the New York Rangers‘ Alberts Smits, Winnipeg’s Viggo Bjorck and Anaheim’s Nikita Klepov.
Chicago has the NHL’s youngest opening-day roster, with an average age of 26.4.
Twenty-two reigning Stanley Cup champions remain with Carolina. Goaltender Frederik Andersen is the only departure, while defenceman Alexander Nikishin remains a restricted free agent.

IHM Discussion

The most striking number is not simply the 433 Generation Z players, but the scale of the increase among players born in the 2000s. The total has risen by 51 from last season’s 232 to 283, reaching 39 per cent of the League’s opening-day population.

That shift is visible in several different measures. Nearly a third of rostered players are 25 or younger, with 243 in that bracket, and 90 were born on or after 8 October 2003, the date Burns made his NHL debut. A further 28 were born on or after 5 October 2005, when Crosby and Ovechkin made their NHL debuts. Detroit forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, born in Oslo on that latter date, is among them.

The influx has not removed the League’s established figures. Burns, Perry, Ovechkin and Malkin give the 2026-27 player pool four active 40-year-olds expected to feature, while Burns has the chance to set the NHL Ironman record this season. The same opening-day landscape therefore contains long-serving stars and five players from the newest draft class.

Those five 2026 draftees are led by first overall pick Gavin McKenna with Toronto and second pick Ivar Stenberg with San Jose. Alberts Smits, selected fifth by the Rangers, Viggo Bjorck, selected eighth by Winnipeg, and Anaheim’s 15th pick Nikita Klepov complete the group. Their presence means at least five members of a draft class are set to skate in the ensuing season opener for the first time since 2016-17.

The figures also show a broad international footprint. Sixteen birth countries are represented, with seven players from Germany as the League prepares to stage regular-season games there for the first time in 2026-27 and beyond. Toronto is the most common listed birth city, represented by 24 players, while 29 US birth states are represented.

Why It Matters

Opening-day rosters are a useful fixed point because they show who has made the initial NHL group across all 32 clubs. The 2026-27 numbers place the League’s younger cohort in clear view: 34 per cent of players are 25 or younger, 12 are teenagers and 20 are still waiting for their first NHL appearance.

That does not make experience any less visible. The four expected 40-year-olds remain part of the same roster picture, and Carolina retains 22 members of its reigning Stanley Cup-winning group. The opening slate therefore contains both immediate opportunities for new players and a substantial number of established NHL contributors.

The nationality and birthplace totals matter as well. Canada remains the largest single contributor, while American players account for more than a quarter of all opening-day roster spots. Meanwhile, players born outside North America account for 31 per cent of the total, with Sweden again the leading country in that group.

Mini Q&A

How many players are on NHL opening-day rosters for 2026-27?

There are 723 players on official opening-day rosters.

Who is the oldest player on an opening-day roster?

Colorado’s Brent Burns is listed as the oldest at 41. Los Angeles’ Corey Perry and Washington’s Alex Ovechkin are also 41.

How many 2026 NHL Draft picks made opening-day rosters?

Five members of the 2026 draft class are on opening-day rosters: Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg, Alberts Smits, Viggo Bjorck and Nikita Klepov.

Coach Mark Comment

The roster numbers point to a League-wide selection picture with little room for separating youth from experience into neat categories. Clubs have carried a large number of players born in the 2000s, but the opening-day pool still includes experienced players at the very top of the age range. For coaching staffs, the immediate task is to establish combinations and responsibilities from the players available rather than treat age alone as a guide to readiness or influence.

What Comes Next

The 2026-27 schedule will include NHL regular-season games in Germany for the first time. Later in the season, the 2027 NHL All-Star Skills event is set to feature 10 players aged 25 or younger across eight events. Burns can also pursue the NHL Ironman record during the season.

IHM Final View

The 2026-27 opening-day rosters provide a numerical marker of the NHL’s changing player base. Young players, including five from the 2026 draft, occupy a growing share of the League, while Burns, Perry, Ovechkin and Malkin remain prominent veteran reference points. Canada continues to lead the national totals, and the international player pool remains wide-ranging.

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

Home

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

Home

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

Home

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

Home

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.