Tag: NHL

IHM NHL projected lineups for tonight

NHL Projected Lineups 7 October 2026 | IHM

NHL PROJECTED LINEUPS: GAME DAY 7 OCTOBER 2026

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

Tonight’s IHM projected-lineup report covers 3 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.

3Games
5Confirmed goalies
1High-confidence goalies
25Unavailable listings
MATCHUP

WASHINGTON CAPITALS VS PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

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WASHINGTON CAPITALS: PROJECTED UNITS

WSH

🟢

Starting goalieLogan Thompson

Power Play 1

  • CP. Dubois
  • LWA. Ovechkin
  • RWTom Wilson
  • LDJ. Chychrun
  • RDDylan Strome

Power Play 2

  • CIlya Protas
  • LWAlex Tuch
  • RWJordan Kyrou
  • LDCole Hutson
  • RDRyan Leonard

Unavailable

  • DMatt RoyOUT
  • DR. SandinIR-NR
  • CP. ThomasIR-NR
Away

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS: PROJECTED UNITS

PIT

🟢

Starting goalieArturs Silovs

Power Play 1

  • CS. Crosby
  • LWBen Kindel
  • RWR. Rakell
  • LDThomas Novak
  • RDE. Karlsson

Power Play 2

  • CH. Lapierre
  • LWE. Chinakhov
  • RWE. Malkin
  • LDBryan RustIR
  • RDKris Letang

Unavailable

  • LWJ. BrazeauIR
  • DRyan GravesIR
  • LWA. KuzmenkoIR-NR
  • RWBryan RustIR

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.
MATCHUP

WINNIPEG JETS VS COLORADO AVALANCHE

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WINNIPEG JETS: PROJECTED UNITS

WPG

🟡

Starting goalieStuart Skinner

Power Play 1

  • CM. Scheifele
  • LWKyle Connor
  • RWG. Vilardi
  • LDJ. Morrissey
  • RDC. Perfetti

Power Play 2

  • CV. Namestnikov
  • LWIsak Rosen
  • RWAlex Iafallo
  • LDViggo Bjorck
  • RDNeal Pionk

Unavailable

  • DG. BrownIR-NR
  • RWWalker DuehrIR-NR
  • GC. HellebuyckIR-NR
  • DE. SalomonssonIR-NR
Away

COLORADO AVALANCHE: PROJECTED UNITS

COL

🟢

Starting goalieM. Blackwood

Power Play 1

  • CN. MacKinnon
  • LWNazem Kadri
  • RWMartin Necas
  • LDT.J. Hughes
  • RDCale Makar

Power Play 2

  • CBrock Nelson
  • LWG. Landeskog
  • RWJ. Schwartz
  • LDDevon Toews
  • RDA. Lehkonen

Unavailable

  • LWG. MerkulovIR-NR
  • GTrent MinerIR-NR
  • RWL. O'ConnorIR

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: 7 total listings across the matchup.
  • Update risk: projected combinations can change during warm-ups or after a late scratch.
MATCHUP

ANAHEIM DUCKS VS EDMONTON OILERS

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ANAHEIM DUCKS: PROJECTED UNITS

ANA

🟢

Starting goalieLukas Dostal

Power Play 1

  • CM. Granlund
  • LWB. Sennecke
  • RWC. Gauthier
  • LDJ. LaCombe
  • RDLeo Carlsson

Power Play 2

  • CR. Poehling
  • LWN. Klepov
  • RWAlex Killorn
  • LDP. Mintyukov
  • RDT. Luneau

Unavailable

  • DD. HellesonIR
  • DIan MooreIR
  • RWTroy TerryIR-LT
Away

EDMONTON OILERS: PROJECTED UNITS

EDM

🟢

Starting goalieDevon Levi

Power Play 1

  • CC. McDavid
  • LWV. Podkolzin
  • RWL. Draisaitl
  • LDK. Kapanen
  • RDE. Bouchard

Power Play 2

  • CColton Dach
  • LWIsaac Howard
  • RWT. Frederic
  • LDJake Walman
  • RDRyan Shea

Unavailable

  • RWZach HymanOUT
  • GF. AndersenIR-NR
  • CM. JanmarkIR
  • DA. LeppanenIR-NR
  • CR. Nugent-HopkinsIR
  • DAlec RegulaIR-LT
  • CMatt SavoieIR-LT
  • RWJames StefanIR-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: 11 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 Rumors: Red Wings face Edvinsson decision amid Larkin talks

Red Wings face Edvinsson decision amid Larkin talks

Story Summary

The Detroit Red Wings are reportedly continuing discussions with restricted free-agent defenceman Simon Edvinsson’s representative, J.P. Barry, but Darren Dreger has indicated that no progress has been made.

Edvinsson is viewed within the organisation as a potential foundational player, yet Detroit are said to be listening to other clubs while comparing possible trade interest with the cost of keeping him.

Larkin’s trade request after last season has been confirmed, but no completed transaction has been announced. The immediate reporting concerns Detroit’s evaluation of its options rather than an agreed deal for Larkin or Edvinsson.

Key Facts

  • Darren Dreger reported that the Red Wings and Simon Edvinsson’s agent, J.P. Barry, remain in contact but have made no progress on a new agreement.
  • Edvinsson is a restricted free agent and is regarded as a possible foundational piece for Detroit.
  • Detroit are reportedly listening to other teams’ views on Edvinsson while weighing that interest against the cost of moving him.
  • Dylan Larkin’s situation was described as fluid and extending into the early part of the season.
  • Larkin requested a trade after last season, though he reported to Red Wings training camp.
  • Kris Draper has moved into Detroit’s pro scouting department and is the club’s director of pro scouting.
  • Shawn Horcoff is identified as Detroit’s interim general manager.
  • There is no report of an agreed trade involving either Larkin or Edvinsson.

IHM Discussion

This is not simply a contract file. Edvinsson’s negotiation is being discussed against a wider question of how Detroit wishes to build its next version of the roster.

The central confirmed fact is that the club continues to speak with Barry. The central reported complication is the absence of progress. That does not establish that a trade is imminent, or even that one will happen. It does, however, leave Detroit with two paths that need careful separation: finding terms that keep Edvinsson in the organisation, or determining whether any outside offer is compelling enough to alter that plan.

Larkin’s position adds weight to the discussion without making the two cases identical. His requested trade is a separate roster issue, while the reporting around Edvinsson concerns an unsigned restricted free agent whom Detroit want to retain. Treating both players as automatically available would go beyond what has been reported. The more accurate reading is that Detroit are managing uncertainty around two important players at once.

Draper’s pro-scouting role is relevant because it gives the club a defined mechanism for assessing professional players who could feature in any future trade conversation. That is preparation, not proof that an exchange is close. Horcoff’s task is to establish what alternatives exist while continuing to judge the value of keeping players already central to the club’s plans.

Why It Matters

Edvinsson’s case matters because Detroit reportedly see him as a player around whom the organisation can build. A prolonged lack of movement therefore carries more significance than an ordinary depth-contract negotiation: it creates uncertainty around a player the club would prefer to keep.

Larkin’s requested trade compounds that uncertainty. If Detroit were to make major decisions on both players, it would reshape the discussion around the club’s immediate personnel base. But the present information does not support declaring that outcome likely. The important hockey issue is the breadth of the evaluation now taking place, not a prediction about where either player will play.

For Detroit, keeping the distinction between leverage and intent will be crucial. Listening to interest can be part of responsible roster management. Keeping Edvinsson remains the stated preference., while Larkin’s unresolved circumstances remain a separate matter that has yet to produce a completed move.

IHM Market Outlook

The reported market position is clear but limited: Detroit are said to be hearing from teams on Edvinsson while remaining in negotiations with Barry. That creates information for the Red Wings, but it does not establish an asking price, a specific suitor, a trade package or a deadline for a decision.

Larkin’s circumstances make Detroit’s broader market work more consequential. The club can use pro scouting to identify players who fit possible scenarios, yet there is no basis to say that any particular player has been targeted or that negotiations have advanced. Until a contract agreement or transaction is announced, both situations should be treated as unresolved.

Mini Q&A

Have the Red Wings traded Simon Edvinsson?

No. Detroit are reportedly listening to other clubs, but no trade has been agreed or announced.

What is the latest reported position in Edvinsson’s contract talks?

Detroit and J.P. Barry are reportedly still talking, but no progress has been reported.

Is Dylan Larkin confirmed to be leaving Detroit?

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

Why is Kris Draper’s role relevant?

As Detroit’s director of pro scouting, Draper is positioned to assess professional players who could be relevant if trade scenarios emerge.

Coach Mark Comment

Detroit’s immediate challenge is organisational clarity rather than a tactical adjustment. If Edvinsson is regarded as a foundational player, the club must be precise about whether the negotiation remains its preferred route or whether the return available elsewhere would genuinely support its longer-term structure. Larkin’s separate trade request makes that clarity more important, because simultaneous uncertainty around two major players can complicate every roster conversation.

IHM Final View

The Red Wings reportedly want to re-sign Simon Edvinsson despite the lack of progress, while Dylan Larkin’s previously confirmed trade request remains unresolved.

There is no completed deal to report for either player. The responsible conclusion is that Detroit are still gathering options, continuing discussions and assessing how much change the organisation is willing to contemplate.

IHM NHL Rumors: Malkin’s Penguins Future Set for Year-by-Year Call

Malkin’s Penguins Future Set for Year-by-Year Call

Story Summary

Evgeni Malkin’s future with the Pittsburgh Penguins is expected to be assessed one season at a time, according to Dave Pagnotta, who said the veteran wants to remain in Pittsburgh if he chooses to continue playing in the NHL.

Pagnotta said Malkin had made clear as the previous season wound down that he wanted to play another year and believed he still had plenty to offer. Beyond that, however, there is no reported decision. The assessment is expected to centre on Malkin’s performance, how he feels physically and personally, and whether he believes he can continue to contribute at the level he demands of himself.

Pagnotta’s view was that, should Malkin decide he wants another NHL season, Pittsburgh would be his destination. That is a reported expectation rather than a confirmed agreement or contract announcement.

Key Facts

  • Dave Pagnotta said Evgeni Malkin’s future is likely to be handled on a case-by-case, year-by-year basis.
  • Pagnotta said Malkin wanted to play another season as the previous campaign came to an end because he felt he still had more to give.
  • Malkin has reportedly made clear on several occasions that he does not want to leave Pittsburgh.
  • Pagnotta said Malkin, Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang want to retire as Penguins and play their entire careers in Pittsburgh.
  • According to Pagnotta, Malkin’s agent and Penguins executive Kyle Dubas are expected to evaluate the situation when the time comes.
  • Pagnotta said the eventual decision will depend on Malkin’s play and how he feels.
  • Pagnotta’s view was that Malkin would remain with Pittsburgh if he decides to play another NHL season.

IHM Discussion

This is not a report of an imminent departure, nor is it confirmation that Malkin will extend his career beyond the current season. It is a clearer indication of the framework around the decision: Malkin’s preference is reportedly to stay with the Penguins, while the club’s evaluation would be tied to the player’s own standards, his condition and his on-ice contribution.

That distinction matters. A desire to finish in one place does not settle the timing of retirement, and it does not establish the terms of any future arrangement. Pagnotta described several possible outcomes. Malkin could decide that a strong season represents the right moment to finish on a high, or he could conclude that he remains capable of contributing and seek to carry on. Neither outcome has been decided.

The Crosby-Malkin-Letang connection gives the story additional weight because it concerns the continuity of a long-standing core in Pittsburgh. Each player’s future must be treated separately unless a specific decision is announced.

For now, the most meaningful reported point is Malkin’s stated preference. There is no suggestion in Pagnotta’s comments that he is seeking a move elsewhere. Equally, there is no basis to present another Penguins season as guaranteed. The relevant question is not simply whether Malkin wants to remain attached to the organisation; it is whether he and Pittsburgh reach the same conclusion after evaluating the season.

Why It Matters

Malkin’s decision would carry significance beyond a routine veteran roster call. He is closely associated with Pittsburgh’s identity alongside Crosby and Letang, and the prospect of those players retiring as Penguins is central to the report’s context.

For the club, a year-by-year approach would preserve flexibility while allowing Malkin’s own performance and comfort with continuing to set the timetable. For Malkin, remaining in Pittsburgh would satisfy his reported wish not to leave the organisation if he continues in the NHL.

The immediate hockey consequence is therefore clarity of process rather than clarity of outcome. Pittsburgh can evaluate the season as it unfolds, and Malkin can decide whether his level of play still matches his appetite to continue. Until those assessments take place, any claim that this is definitely his final NHL season, or definitely not, would go beyond what has been reported.

IHM Market Outlook

There is no broader free-agent market development. The relevant market signal is internal: Pagnotta linked Malkin’s possible continuation to Pittsburgh and said the process would involve an evaluation with his agent and Kyle Dubas.

That makes this less a story about outside interest than about whether player and club remain aligned after the season has been assessed. No contract term, salary, cap figure, negotiation timetable or rival-club interest was reported. It would therefore be premature to characterise this as an active bidding situation or a confirmed extension process.

The reported preference to stay in Pittsburgh narrows the discussion conceptually, but it does not replace a decision. Malkin’s next contractual or retirement step remains unresolved.

Mini Q&A

Has Evgeni Malkin decided whether to play beyond this season?

No. Pagnotta said the decision is expected to depend on Malkin’s performance, how he feels and an eventual evaluation with his agent and Kyle Dubas.

Would Malkin consider playing for another NHL team?

Pagnotta said Malkin has made clear that he does not want to leave Pittsburgh and that, if he wants to continue in the NHL, he would be with the Penguins. That remains a reported expectation, not a completed agreement.

Are Malkin, Crosby and Letang all confirmed to retire as Penguins?

No. Pagnotta said that is what the three players want, but the report confirms no final retirement timetable or future contract arrangement.

Coach Mark Comment

The useful coaching lesson is the discipline of separating legacy from current evaluation. Malkin’s connection to Pittsburgh is clearly important in the reported discussion, but a season-by-season decision still has to come back to what the player can provide and how he feels. That is a sound framework for an experienced player: respect the history, then make the next call on present contribution rather than sentiment alone.

What Comes Next

The next stated checkpoint is a future discussion between Malkin’s agent and Kyle Dubas, when they evaluate where Malkin stands. Pagnotta said that assessment is expected to consider both his performance and how he feels before any decision on continuing is made.

IHM Final View

It points to a familiar but consequential decision process for Evgeni Malkin: he reportedly wants Pittsburgh to remain his NHL home, but any further season will depend on his own evaluation and the Penguins’ assessment. Until that conversation produces a decision, Malkin’s longer-term future should remain framed as unresolved.

IHM NHL News: Ovechkin and Crosby begin rivalry’s final chapter

Ovechkin and Crosby begin rivalry’s final chapter

Story Summary

Alex Ovechkin’s final NHL season will add a new layer to one of the defining rivalries of the modern era when the Washington Capitals host Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday.

The game at Capital One Arena, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, is set to be the 101st meeting between Ovechkin and Crosby, including the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It will be Ovechkin’s final home opener after he announced that this season will be his last in the NHL.

Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said Ovechkin has to begin the game at left wing. Penguins coach Dan Muse could choose to start Crosby at centre for the opening face-off, creating an immediate focal point for a fixture that has carried significance for more than two decades.

Ovechkin and Crosby arrived as successive No. 1 overall picks, Ovechkin in 2004 and Crosby in 2005, and have remained with Washington and Pittsburgh respectively throughout their NHL careers. Their relationship has moved from a fiercely competitive on-ice rivalry to one marked by mutual respect, but their meetings remain a notable event on the schedule.

“It’s all about lots of respect for each other, what we’ve done for the League and the game of hockey,”Ovechkin said. “It’s tremendous.”

Key Facts

  • Alex Ovechkin announced that 2026-27 will be his final NHL season.
  • Washington host Pittsburgh at Capital One Arena on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
  • The fixture is described as the 101st meeting between Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, including the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
  • Ovechkin, 41, was the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NHL Draft and has an NHL-record 929 career goals.
  • Ovechkin is 10th in NHL history with 1,688 points in 1,575 games.
  • Crosby, 39, was the No. 1 pick in the 2005 NHL Draft and ranks seventh in NHL history with 1,763 points, made up of 654 goals and 1,109 assists, in 1,423 games.
  • Crosby has 97 points, including 35 goals, in 75 regular-season meetings with Ovechkin; Ovechkin has 71 points, including 38 goals, in those games.
  • Ovechkin has 33 points in 25 playoff games against Crosby, while Crosby has 30.
  • Pittsburgh won three of their four playoff series, in 2009, 2016 and 2017; Washington won in 2018. The winner of each series went on to win the Stanley Cup.
  • Ovechkin signed a one-year contract on July 2 after completing the final season of his previous contract.
  • Washington defeated Pittsburgh 3-0 in its final home game last season, when Ovechkin declined a post-game handshake line because he felt any farewell gesture would have been premature.
  • After Wednesday, the remaining scheduled regular-season meetings are in Pittsburgh on Jan. 18 and March 13, followed by Washington’s final home game on April 4.

IHM Discussion

The Crosby-Ovechkin story has always been larger than a statistical comparison, although the numbers underline its scale. They entered the League in consecutive drafts, played in the same division for their entire NHL careers and repeatedly met when games carried the pressure of the postseason.

Their regular-season record reflects Pittsburgh’s historical edge in the head-to-head meetings: the Penguins are 43-28-4 in those encounters. The playoff record gives the rivalry its sharper contours. Four series produced close contests, each lasting at least six games, with the winner going on to lift the Stanley Cup on every occasion.

Crosby said the longevity of the divisional rivalry made their circumstances unusual. Players can be compared from afar, he noted, but Crosby and Ovechkin were afforded frequent direct matchups in both the regular season and the playoffs. That sustained exposure made the individual contest inseparable from the wider Washington-Pittsburgh rivalry.

There is also a clear change in tone from the early years. Crosby acknowledged that, given the competition and playoff history, it would have been difficult for the pair to be close when they first entered the League. Over time, he said, a friendship developed alongside his respect for Ovechkin.

Both players’ wider records explain why their meetings have retained attention. Between them, they have won the Hart Trophy five times, the Art Ross Trophy five times, the Rocket Richard Trophy 11 times, the Ted Lindsay Award six times and the Conn Smythe Trophy three times. Those honours do not erase the team stakes of Wednesday’s fixture, but they place another Capitals-Penguins meeting in a rare individual context.

Why It Matters

Ovechkin’s declaration turns every remaining game against Crosby into a finite occasion. Washington and Pittsburgh still have four scheduled regular-season meetings this season, beginning with Wednesday’s game, but there will be no assumption that another campaign will renew the matchup.

That gives particular meaning to the setting. This is Washington’s home opener, and Carbery has made clear that Ovechkin will start at left wing. The opportunity for Crosby to take the opening face-off would offer a straightforward acknowledgement of the players’ shared history without changing the competitive purpose of the game.

The significance extends beyond nostalgia. Ovechkin and Crosby have provided a consistent individual thread through a rivalry that has included four playoff series and four eventual Stanley Cup winners. Their careers have also been notable for continuity: each has represented only one NHL club. In a League where long-running player-versus-player matchups can be interrupted by movement between teams and conferences, that stability has made this rivalry unusually durable.

Mini Q&A

Why is Wednesday’s Capitals-Penguins game significant?

It is set to be the 101st meeting between Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, including the playoffs, and comes after Ovechkin announced this will be his final NHL season.

How many games remain between Ovechkin and Crosby this season?

After Wednesday, Washington and Pittsburgh are scheduled to meet three more times: Jan. 18 and March 13 in Pittsburgh, and April 4 in Washington.

What is the playoff history between the two stars?

They have met in four playoff series. Pittsburgh won in 2009, 2016 and 2017, while Washington won in 2018; the winner of each series went on to win the Stanley Cup.

Coach Mark Comment

The opening shift is likely to carry unusual emotional weight, but the practical coaching task is to keep it simple. Starting Ovechkin at left wing recognises the occasion while placing him in the role Washington expect him to play. If Crosby takes the draw, the moment will be clear without requiring either side to manufacture anything beyond its normal game structure.

The enduring appeal of this matchup has been that the star power never removed the competitive edge. The best acknowledgement of its history is a properly contested opening sequence, followed by disciplined team hockey.

What Comes Next

Washington and Pittsburgh meet on Wednesday at Capital One Arena. Their remaining scheduled regular-season games are in Pittsburgh on Jan. 18 and March 13, before Washington hosts Pittsburgh again in its final home game on April 4.

IHM Final View

Ovechkin and Crosby have already established a rivalry with few parallels in NHL history: successive No. 1 picks, one-club careers, major individual honours and repeated postseason collisions. Ovechkin’s final season does not alter what they have achieved, but it gives the remaining meetings a defined closing chapter. Wednesday is the first of those occasions.

IHM NHL Rumors: DeBrincat price report as Stars plot Robertson talks

DeBrincat price report as Stars plot Robertson talks

Story Summary

Three separate NHL market threads have emerged around Alex DeBrincat, Jason Robertson and Matthew Knies, although only two concern active contract business.

David Pagnotta reported that Detroit Red Wings pending unrestricted free agent DeBrincat is believed to be seeking between $12 million and $14 million, depending on contract term. That remains a reported asking range rather than a completed deal, formal offer or confirmed negotiation outcome.

In Dallas, Stars general manager Jim Nill said the club will begin “more serious discussions” with Robertson’s agent about a contract extension on 1 December. Nill said Robertson wants to remain with the Stars and that the organisation wants him back, while stressing that both sides must find a contract that fits.

The third item is historical rather than a current transaction. Brian Burke said Pittsburgh intended to select Knies with the 58th pick of the 2021 draft, only for Toronto to take the forward at No. 57. Pittsburgh then selected Tristan Broz.

Key Facts

  • David Pagnotta reported that Alex DeBrincat is believed to be seeking $12 million to $14 million, with the figure depending on term.
  • DeBrincat was identified as a Detroit Red Wings pending unrestricted free agent.
  • Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill said more serious extension discussions with Jason Robertson’s agent are scheduled to begin on 1 December.
  • Nill said Robertson wants to stay in Dallas and the Stars want him to return, but that the sides need to find a contract that fits.
  • Brian Burke said Pittsburgh planned to draft Matthew Knies at No. 58 in the 2021 draft before Toronto selected him at No. 57.
  • Pittsburgh selected Tristan Broz after Knies was taken by Toronto.

IHM Discussion

The DeBrincat item is the most significant immediate market report because the stated range is substantial and explicitly linked to term. It should nevertheless be handled carefully. An indicated target is not a signed contract, and there is no reported offer, contract length, negotiating timetable or agreement in place. The useful takeaway is simply that the player’s reported financial expectations sit in a $12 million to $14 million range.

Robertson’s situation carries a firmer organisational checkpoint. Nill has publicly set 1 December as the point for more serious conversations with the player’s agent, and his comments establish mutual interest in continuing the relationship. That does not settle the contract itself. The general manager’s wording leaves the central issue open: finding terms that work for both the player and club.

The Knies draft anecdote has no direct bearing on an active deal, but it offers a revealing piece of scouting history. Burke described Pittsburgh’s internal plan as Knies came off the board immediately before its selection. Toronto’s decision at No. 57 ended that possibility, and Pittsburgh moved to Broz instead. It is a reminder that draft outcomes can turn on a single selection without proving anything about later transactions or player movement.

Why It Matters

DeBrincat’s reported range matters because it provides a clear, if unverified, reference point for a pending unrestricted free agent. The eventual importance will depend on whether the reported expectations are reflected in actual talks, but no conclusion can yet be drawn about Detroit’s position or a future destination.

For Dallas, Nill’s comments offer more than general optimism. They provide a stated date for the next meaningful stage of the Robertson extension process and confirm that the club and player share an expressed desire to continue together. The remaining work is contractual rather than rhetorical.

Knies’ case is different. The story is not that Pittsburgh is pursuing him now; it is that the Penguins once viewed him as their intended second-round pick. That distinction keeps a retrospective draft story from being mistaken for present-day trade or free-agency news.

IHM Market Outlook

The three items should not be treated as one market race. DeBrincat’s reported request is a free-agent valuation signal, Robertson’s case is an announced extension-discussion timetable, and the Knies account concerns a past draft decision.

DeBrincat’s reported $12 million to $14 million range is conditional on term, which is important. The figure cannot responsibly be reduced to a single annual value because the reported information does not identify a specific contract structure. Nor does it establish that Detroit has accepted the range, that another club has made an offer, or that an agreement is close.

Dallas have supplied a more concrete procedural marker. Nill said serious talks with Robertson’s agent will start on 1 December, while also describing a shared wish for Robertson to remain. That is evidence of an intended conversation, not evidence of a finished extension. Until contractual terms are reported or announced, the market status remains unresolved.

The Knies story carries no active market claim. Burke’s recollection is notable because it identifies how narrowly Pittsburgh missed a player it liked in 2021, but it does not indicate that the Penguins are discussing a trade, have renewed contact, or possess any current pathway to acquire him.

Mini Q&A

What is Alex DeBrincat reportedly seeking?

David Pagnotta reported that DeBrincat is believed to be seeking between $12 million and $14 million, depending on contract term.

When will Dallas hold more serious talks with Jason Robertson’s agent?

Jim Nill said the Stars will begin more serious extension discussions with Robertson’s agent on 1 December.

Did Pittsburgh draft Matthew Knies in 2021?

No. Brian Burke said Pittsburgh planned to take Knies at No. 58, but Toronto selected him one pick earlier at No. 57. Pittsburgh then drafted Tristan Broz.

Coach Mark Comment

Knies was described as a power forward who brings net-front presence and physicality alongside skilled linemates. Those are complementary traits in principle: a line with puck skill benefits from a player willing to work around the crease and make the hard, direct play. The draft anecdote also underlines that Pittsburgh’s interest was rooted in that player profile at the time, not in a current roster move.

What Comes Next

The next stated checkpoint is 1 December, when Dallas plan to begin more serious contract-extension discussions with Robertson’s agent. There is no source-stated timetable for DeBrincat’s negotiations, and the Knies draft account does not contain a future transaction step.

IHM Final View

The central contract developments remain reports and early process, not completed business. DeBrincat’s reported asking range sets a notable benchmark without confirming a deal, while Dallas have publicly identified 1 December for deeper talks with Robertson’s agent. Pittsburgh’s missed opportunity on Knies is an instructive draft footnote, but not evidence of present market activity.

IHM NHL News: Doughty Shares Childhood Letter to Kings Icon Gretzky

Doughty Shares Childhood Letter to Kings Icon Gretzky

Story Summary

Los Angeles Kings captain Drew Doughty has shared a childhood letter he wrote to Wayne Gretzky, the club’s former captain, when Doughty was five years old.

The two-page note offers an unusually personal glimpse of Doughty’s early attachment to hockey and the Kings. He told Gretzky that the Kings were his favourite team, recalled trying to stay awake to watch hockey as a two-year-old, and asked the NHL great for an autograph.

Doughty also wrote about his youth hockey experience, saying: “We don’t keep score, and the coaches always tell us we tied.” The letter included a request for Gretzky to say hello to former Kings goaltender Kelly Hrudey, while a postscript congratulated Gretzky on reaching 2,500 NHL points.

Key Facts

  • Drew Doughty, the current Los Angeles Kings captain, shared a letter he sent to former Kings captain Wayne Gretzky when he was five years old.
  • Doughty wrote that Gretzky was his favourite hockey player and that the Los Angeles Kings were his favourite team.
  • The letter said Doughty’s mother had told him he used to cry in an effort to stay up late and watch hockey when he was two.
  • Doughty asked Gretzky for an autograph and requested that he say hello to former Kings goaltender Kelly Hrudey.
  • In the postscript, Doughty congratulated Gretzky on his 2,500th NHL point and mentioned that his grandmother had been at Parkwood Hospital in London, Ontario.

IHM Discussion

The letter is a small but telling connection between two Kings captains from different eras. Its appeal lies not in a new hockey development, but in the unfiltered voice of a five-year-old who already cared deeply about watching the game, collecting autographs and following the club.

Doughty’s note is especially striking because it is so specific. He did not simply identify Gretzky as a favourite player; he raised youth hockey, named Hrudey and passed along a family anecdote. The details make it feel like genuine correspondence rather than a polished keepsake created years later.

For Doughty, now a veteran defenceman and Kings captain, sharing the letter places his present role alongside an early memory of the franchise he supported as a child. It also preserves the straightforward enthusiasm of a young fan writing to one of hockey’s defining figures.

Why It Matters

The letter gives Kings followers a rare personal thread between the club’s past and present leadership. Gretzky’s time as captain remains part of the organisation’s history, while Doughty now carries that responsibility for Los Angeles.

It also underlines the human side of a long NHL career without overstating what the note means. Doughty’s childhood affection for the Kings is documented in his own words, and the letter shows how closely he was already following hockey before becoming a prominent figure within the organisation.

Fan Pulse

For Kings supporters, the strongest detail may be the lack of polish. Doughty’s five-year-old voice moves from youth hockey frustrations to autograph collecting, Hrudey and a family connection in London, Ontario. That range gives the letter its charm and makes the captain’s link to the club feel personal rather than ceremonial.

Mini Q&A

Who did Drew Doughty write to as a child?

Doughty wrote to Wayne Gretzky, the former Los Angeles Kings captain.

What did Doughty say about the Kings in the letter?

He wrote that the Los Angeles Kings were his favourite team.

What milestone did Doughty congratulate Gretzky on?

He congratulated Gretzky on reaching 2,500 NHL points.

Coach Mark Comment

The note shows an early fascination with the sport beyond simply watching it. Doughty was paying attention to games, players and his own youth-hockey environment, which is the kind of curiosity that often keeps young players engaged. The important point is not to draw a straight line from a childhood letter to an NHL career, but to recognise the genuine enthusiasm captured in it.

IHM Final View

Doughty’s letter to Gretzky is a warm piece of Kings history: a future club captain writing openly to a former one. Its value is in the details, from his favourite-team declaration to the request for a greeting for Hrudey, and in the reminder that even established NHL figures began as young fans of the game.

IHM NHL Rumors: Schaefer Contract Talk and Devils’ Hughes Noise

Schaefer Contract Talk and Devils’ Hughes Noise

Story Summary

Two separate NHL talking points have emerged around Matthew Schaefer and the New Jersey Devils, but neither amounts to a completed transaction.

Matthew Schaefer has reportedly been discussed as a player whose next contract could reach figures above $20 million. The discussion centred on the New York Islanders defenceman’s potential value on a future agreement, with a five-year structure raised as one possible scenario. No negotiation, offer, contract term or agreement was reported as completed.

Schaefer is already under contract with the Islanders on a three-year entry-level deal, having been selected first overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. That established status matters: the current discussion is about a possible future valuation, rather than a fresh signing.

In New Jersey, Devils general manager Sunny Mehta was asked about continuing speculation linking Quinn Hughes to the possibility of joining his brothers with the Devils. Mehta did not address Hughes as a player or suggest that a move was being pursued. Instead, he said the surrounding discussion did not bother him and pointed to the entertainment value that supporters find in such conversation.

The common thread is attention rather than action. Schaefer’s name is being attached to an exceptionally large future number, while the Hughes conversation remains a prominent piece of speculation around the Devils. At present, the tangible facts are Schaefer’s existing Islanders contract and Mehta’s refusal to add substance to the Hughes rumours.

Key Facts

  • Matthew Schaefer was selected first overall by the New York Islanders in the 2025 NHL Draft.
  • Schaefer signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Islanders.
  • A reported discussion suggested Schaefer’s next deal could be valued above $20 million, with a five-year arrangement mentioned as a possibility.
  • No completed extension, formal offer or active negotiation involving Schaefer was reported.
  • Sunny Mehta is the New Jersey Devils’ general manager.
  • Mehta was asked about speculation involving Quinn Hughes and the prospect of playing alongside his brothers in New Jersey.
  • Mehta said the speculation was not annoying and declined to comment on another team’s player.
  • No trade, acquisition or negotiation involving Quinn Hughes and the Devils was confirmed.

IHM Discussion

The Schaefer discussion is significant because it places a future contract conversation around a young defenceman who entered the League with first-overall-pick expectations. Yet the reported figures should be handled carefully. A number mentioned in broad discussion is not a contract proposal, and the reference to a five-year arrangement does not establish either Schaefer’s preferred term or the Islanders’ position.

There is also an important distinction between paying for present performance and paying for anticipated growth. That was the idea behind the reported discussion of a major future figure: Schaefer’s value would not be assessed only through his current level, but through what he might become during the life of another deal. It is a familiar contract principle, but it remains only a line of reported debate here, not evidence that the Islanders have reached that stage of business.

For the Devils, Mehta’s answer was measured. He neither fed the Quinn Hughes storyline nor objected to it. By saying that fans are entitled to enjoy the conversation, he separated public speculation from the work of an NHL front office. His inability to comment on a player with another club is also a firm boundary, not a hint of movement.

That distinction is crucial. Family connections make a Hughes-to-New Jersey idea easy to discuss, particularly with Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes already linked to the Devils. But a compelling narrative is not a transaction file. Mehta’s comments did not identify contact, interest, trade terms or a route to a deal.

Why It Matters

For the Islanders, the Schaefer conversation illustrates the scale of scrutiny that can follow a first-overall pick quickly. Any future decision on his next agreement would carry long-term roster and financial implications, particularly if his development supports the kind of valuation now being discussed. Nothing in the current report, however, establishes that the club has begun a negotiation or settled on a contract model.

For New Jersey, the Hughes speculation will continue to attract attention because it connects a high-profile player with an obvious family storyline. Mehta’s response matters chiefly because it offers no confirmation. The Devils’ general manager has made clear that he will not publicly engage with discussion about a player on another team, leaving the matter where it remains: speculation.

IHM Market Outlook

The Schaefer element is a long-range market conversation rather than an immediate contract market development. His three-year entry-level agreement is the concrete reference point, while the reported $20 million-plus discussion reflects how highly a future deal could be framed if his trajectory continues to justify it.

The Hughes element is not a market report with defined terms. There was no reported package, no stated negotiation and no indication from Mehta that New Jersey is pursuing a transaction. The only direct message from the Devils’ side was that the general manager is comfortable allowing public discussion to continue without contributing to it.

Mini Q&A

Has Matthew Schaefer signed a new contract with the Islanders?

No. Schaefer is on a three-year entry-level contract with the Islanders, and no new extension or agreement was reported.

What was reported about Schaefer’s possible next deal?

A discussion suggested that a future contract could exceed $20 million, with a five-year term mentioned as one possible structure. It was not presented as an offer or completed negotiation.

Did Sunny Mehta confirm Devils interest in Quinn Hughes?

No. Mehta said the speculation did not bother him but declined to comment on a player with another team.

Coach Mark Comment

Elite young defencemen can change how an organisation sequences its roster planning, because their influence reaches puck retrievals, transition and the ability to move play quickly out of pressure. That is why future contract talk around Schaefer is understandable. Still, sound planning begins with the player’s current stage of development and existing contract, not with an assumed future number.

IHM Final View

This is a two-part rumour story with clear limits. Schaefer has been linked in discussion to a very large future contract figure, but he remains on his three-year entry-level deal with the Islanders and no new agreement has been reported. Mehta has acknowledged the noise around Quinn Hughes without validating it, and no Devils transaction is in evidence.

Both subjects will remain attractive conversation points. Neither should be mistaken for completed NHL business.

IHM NHL News: Michael Bunting Joins Flyers on One-Year Deal

Michael Bunting Joins Flyers on One-Year Deal

Story Summary

Michael Bunting has signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. The 31-year-old forward became an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after splitting last season between the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars.

Bunting recorded 33 points, including 14 goals and 19 assists, in 74 regular-season games last season. Dallas acquired him in a trade on March 5, and he had one goal and one assist in 13 games with the Stars. He also registered one assist in one Stanley Cup Playoff appearance.

Key Facts

  • Michael Bunting signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers.
  • The 31-year-old forward was an unrestricted free agent from July 1.
  • Bunting had 33 points, comprising 14 goals and 19 assists, in 74 regular-season games for Nashville and Dallas last season.
  • After Dallas acquired him on March 5, Bunting recorded one goal and one assist in 13 regular-season games with the Stars.
  • Bunting has 252 points, including 109 goals and 143 assists, in 418 NHL regular-season games.
  • He was selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the fourth round, No. 117 overall, of the 2014 NHL Draft.
  • Philadelphia has opened the season 0-2-2 and has been outscored 17-5.

IHM Discussion

The Flyers have added an experienced NHL forward with a substantial body of regular-season work. Bunting’s 252 career points have come across spells with the Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Predators and Stars.

His most recent season produced 33 points across 74 games, although his Dallas sample after the March trade was limited to 13 regular-season appearances. The one-year term gives Philadelphia a defined short-term commitment while bringing in a player who has appeared in both regular-season and playoff games.

Why It Matters

Philadelphia’s move comes as the club seeks its first win after four games. Bunting adds another NHL-experienced forward to an organisation that has scored five goals during its 0-2-2 start, but the signing itself does not establish how he will be used in the lineup.

Mini Q&A

What contract did Michael Bunting sign with Philadelphia?

Bunting signed a one-year contract worth $1.2 million with the Flyers.

How did Bunting perform last season?

He had 14 goals and 19 assists for 33 points in 74 regular-season games with the Predators and Stars.

When do the Flyers play next?

Philadelphia is scheduled to visit the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.

Coach Mark Comment

Bunting’s recent production provides a useful reference point, but his 13-game spell in Dallas was too small to draw broad conclusions about his role there. For Philadelphia, the immediate value is the addition of a forward with experience across several NHL environments and a recent 33-point season.

What Comes Next

The Flyers are scheduled to visit the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.

IHM NHL projected lineups for tonight

NHL Projected Lineups 6 October 2026 | IHM

NHL PROJECTED LINEUPS: GAME DAY 6 OCTOBER 2026

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

Tonight’s IHM projected-lineup report covers 9 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.

9Games
15Confirmed goalies
3High-confidence goalies
67Unavailable listings
MATCHUP

MONTREAL CANADIENS VS CAROLINA HURRICANES

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MONTREAL CANADIENS: PROJECTED UNITS

MTL

🟢

Starting goalieJakub Dobes

Power Play 1

  • CNick Suzuki
  • LWJ. Slafkovsky
  • RWC. Kreider
  • LDLane Hutson
  • RDC. Caufield

Power Play 2

  • CAlex Newhook
  • LWZ. Bolduc
  • RWKirby Dach
  • LDA. Texier
  • RDNoah Dobson

Unavailable

  • RWIvan DemidovOUT
  • CO. KapanenOUT
  • LWL. CondottaIR-NR
  • DKaiden GuhleIR
  • DB. PickfordIR-NR
Away

CAROLINA HURRICANES: PROJECTED UNITS

CAR

🟢

Starting goalieBrandon Bussi

Power Play 1

  • CS. Aho
  • LWN. Ehlers
  • RWJ. Blake
  • LDS. Gostisbehere
  • RDA. Svechnikov

Power Play 2

  • CJordan Staal
  • LWTaylor Hall
  • RWL. Stankoven
  • LDK. Miller
  • RDSean Walker

Unavailable

  • DA. NikishinOUT
  • RWSeth JarvisIR-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: 7 total listings across the matchup.
  • Update risk: projected combinations can change during warm-ups or after a late scratch.
MATCHUP

NEW JERSEY DEVILS VS UTAH MAMMOTH

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NEW JERSEY DEVILS: PROJECTED UNITS

NJD

🟢

Starting goalieJake Allen

Power Play 1

  • CJack Hughes
  • LWJesper Bratt
  • RWL. Evangelista
  • LDLuke Hughes
  • RDN. Hischier

Power Play 2

  • CE. Rodrigues
  • LWTimo Meier
  • RWA. Gritsyuk
  • LDA. Mantha
  • RDD. Hamilton

Unavailable

  • RWConnor BrownOUT
  • CN. BjugstadIR-NR
  • DSeamus CaseyIR-NR
  • DJ. KovacevicIR-NR
Away

UTAH MAMMOTH: PROJECTED UNITS

UTA

🟢

Starting goalieKarel Vejmelka

Power Play 1

  • CN. Schmaltz
  • LWC. Keller
  • RWD. Guenther
  • LDLogan Cooley
  • RDJohn Marino

Power Play 2

  • CV. Trocheck
  • LWAnders Lee
  • RWDaniil But
  • LDM. Sergachev
  • RDM. Carcone

Unavailable

  • DM. LamoureuxIR

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: 5 total listings across the matchup.
  • Update risk: projected combinations can change during warm-ups or after a late scratch.
MATCHUP

BUFFALO SABRES VS MINNESOTA WILD

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BUFFALO SABRES: PROJECTED UNITS

BUF

🟢

Starting goalieColten Ellis

Power Play 1

  • CT. Thompson
  • LWZach Benson
  • RWJack Quinn
  • LDNoah Ostlund
  • RDR. Dahlin

Power Play 2

  • CRyan McLeod
  • LWJosh Norris
  • RWK. Helenius
  • LDJosh Doan
  • RDOwen Power

Unavailable

  • GT. LeinonenIR-NR
  • GAlex LyonIR
  • DJ. RathboneIR-NR
  • DC. TimminsIR
  • LWJason ZuckerIR
Away

MINNESOTA WILD: PROJECTED UNITS

MIN

🟢

Starting goalieJesper Wallstedt

Power Play 1

  • CJ. Eriksson Ek
  • LWK. Kaprizov
  • RWMatt Boldy
  • LDQuinn Hughes
  • RDMax Shabanov

Power Play 2

  • CRyan Hartman
  • LWB. Coleman
  • RWBobby Brink
  • LDM. Foligno
  • RDJ. Spurgeon

Unavailable

  • RWDanila YurovDTD
  • DBrock FaberIR
  • GF. GustavssonIR

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: 8 total listings across the matchup.
  • Update risk: projected combinations can change during warm-ups or after a late scratch.
MATCHUP

DETROIT RED WINGS VS OTTAWA SENATORS

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DETROIT RED WINGS: PROJECTED UNITS

DET

🟢

Starting goalieJohn Gibson

Power Play 1

  • CDylan Larkin
  • LWA. DeBrincat
  • RWL. Raymond
  • LDV. Arvidsson
  • RDM. Seider

Power Play 2

  • CAndrew Copp
  • LWM. Rasmussen
  • RWE. Finnie
  • LDA. Sandin-Pellikka
  • RDJustin Faulk

Unavailable

  • CM. AppletonOUT
  • CJ.T. CompherOUT
  • DS. EdvinssonOUT
  • LWCarter BearIR-NR
  • DJ. Bernard-DockerIR
  • CMarco KasperIR
  • RWC. StillmanIR-NR
Away

OTTAWA SENATORS: PROJECTED UNITS

OTT

🟡

Starting goalieSamuel Ersson

Power Play 1

  • CTim Stutzle
  • LWDylan Cozens
  • RWD. Batherson
  • LDC. Giroux
  • RDC. Yakemchuk

Power Play 2

  • CShane Pinto
  • LWNick Cousins
  • RWH. Hodgson
  • LDT. Chabot
  • RDJ. Spence

Unavailable

  • GL. UllmarkDTD
  • DJ. SandersonOUT
  • LWA. BurakovskyIR
  • LWK. MacDermidIR-NR
  • LWB. MontgomeryIR-NR
  • DArtem ZubIR-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

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS VS NASHVILLE PREDATORS

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TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS: PROJECTED UNITS

TOR

🟢

Starting goalieAnthony Stolarz

Power Play 1

  • CA. Matthews
  • LWK. Marchenko
  • RWW. Nylander
  • LDJohn Tavares
  • RDD. Raddysh

Power Play 2

  • CNick Paul
  • LWG. McKenna
  • RWJ. Roslovic
  • LDM. Rielly
  • RDEaston Cowan

Unavailable

  • CMax DomiIR-LT
  • LWD. JoshuaIR-LT
  • GE. MerzlikinsIR-LT
  • DW. VilleneuveIR-NR
  • DCade WebberIR-NR
Away

NASHVILLE PREDATORS: PROJECTED UNITS

NSH

🟢

Starting goalieJuuse Saros

Power Play 1

  • CMatthew Wood
  • LWF. Forsberg
  • RWR. O'Reilly
  • LDS. Stamkos
  • RDRoman Josi

Power Play 2

  • CM. Bourque
  • LWN. Hoglander
  • RWJ. Marchessault
  • LDAlex Kerfoot

Unavailable

  • GJ. AnnunenIR

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: 6 total listings across the matchup.
  • Update risk: projected combinations can change during warm-ups or after a late scratch.
MATCHUP

NEW YORK RANGERS VS NEW YORK ISLANDERS

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NEW YORK RANGERS: PROJECTED UNITS

NYR

🟢

Starting goalieIgor Shesterkin

Power Play 1

  • CM. Zibanejad
  • LWJ.T. Miller
  • RWP. Dorofeyev
  • LDA. Lafreniere
  • RDAdam Fox

Power Play 2

  • CO. Bjorkstrand
  • LWWill Cuylle
  • RWE. Tolvanen
  • LDG. Perreault
  • RDSean Durzi

Unavailable

  • GJ. KorpisaloIR
  • LWAdam SykoraIR
  • CA. ThompsonIR-NR
  • CJoe VelenoIR
Away

NEW YORK ISLANDERS: PROJECTED UNITS

NYI

🟢

Starting goalieSemyon Varlamov

Power Play 1

  • CBo Horvat
  • LWB. Schenn
  • RWK. Palmieri
  • LDM. Maccelli
  • RDM. Schaefer

Power Play 2

  • CC. Ritchie
  • LWS. Holmstrom
  • RWV. Eklund
  • LDA. Duclair
  • RDT. DeAngelo

Unavailable

  • CM. BarzalIR-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: 5 total listings across the matchup.
  • Update risk: projected combinations can change during warm-ups or after a late scratch.
MATCHUP

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS VS ST. LOUIS BLUES

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CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS: PROJECTED UNITS

CHI

🟢

Starting goalieSpencer Knight

Power Play 1

  • CFrank Nazar
  • LWT. Bertuzzi
  • RWPatrick Kane
  • LDR. Kantserov
  • RDBowen Byram

Power Play 2

  • CA. Frondell
  • LWRyan Donato
  • RWNick Lardis
  • LDA. Levshunov
  • RDOliver Moore

Unavailable

  • LWA. MangiapaneOUT
  • CC. BedardIR-NR
  • DRyan EllisIR
Away

ST. LOUIS BLUES: PROJECTED UNITS

STL

🟢

Starting goalieJoel Hofer

Power Play 1

  • CM. McTavish
  • LWD. Holloway
  • RWJ. Snuggerud
  • LDCam Fowler
  • RDR. Thomas

Power Play 2

  • CD. Dvorsky
  • LWP. Buchnevich
  • RWC. McMichael
  • LDJ. Neighbours
  • RDAdam Jiricek

Unavailable

  • RWAdam JechoIR-NR
  • DTorey KrugIR
  • DL. MaillouxIR
  • RWA. ToropchenkoIR
  • LWF. TrudeauIR-NR
  • DTyler TuckerIR

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: 9 total listings across the matchup.
  • Update risk: projected combinations can change during warm-ups or after a late scratch.
MATCHUP

SEATTLE KRAKEN VS VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

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SEATTLE KRAKEN: PROJECTED UNITS

SEA

🟡

Starting goalieJoey Daccord

Power Play 1

  • CB. Catton
  • LWJared McCann
  • RWJ. Eberle
  • LDM. Beniers
  • RDB. Montour

Power Play 2

  • CC. Stephenson
  • LWBobby McMann
  • RWKaapo Kakko
  • LDVince Dunn
  • RDShane Wright

Unavailable

  • RWJ. MelansonIR
  • CJake O'BrienIR-NR
Away

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS: PROJECTED UNITS

VGK

🟡

Starting goalieCarter Hart

Power Play 1

  • CJack Eichel
  • LWTomas Hertl
  • RWMark Stone
  • LDMitch Marner
  • RDS. Theodore

Power Play 2

  • CW. Karlsson
  • LWB. Bowman
  • RWV. Olofsson
  • LDT. Connelly
  • RDR. Andersson

Unavailable

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

IHM Match Readiness Snapshot

  • Starting-goaltender certainty: 0 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.
MATCHUP

LOS ANGELES KINGS VS FLORIDA PANTHERS

Home

LOS ANGELES KINGS: PROJECTED UNITS

LAK

🟢

Starting goalieDarcy Kuemper

Power Play 1

  • CQ. Byfield
  • LWA. Panarin
  • RWAdrian Kempe
  • LDM. Zuccarello
  • RDB. Clarke

Power Play 2

  • CA. Turcotte
  • LWA. Laferriere
  • RWErik Haula
  • LDE. Gustafsson
  • RDDrew Doughty

Unavailable

  • DJakub DvorakIR-NR
  • LWKevin FialaIR
  • CJan JenikIR-NR
Away

FLORIDA PANTHERS: PROJECTED UNITS

FLA

🟢

Starting goalieJacob Markstrom

Power Play 1

  • CSam Reinhart
  • LWB. Tkachuk
  • RWM. Tkachuk
  • LDSam Bennett
  • RDSeth Jones

Power Play 2

  • CA. Lundell
  • LWC. Verhaeghe
  • RWB. Marchand
  • LDU. Balinskis
  • RDE. Luostarinen

Unavailable

  • DAaron EkbladDTD
  • CA. BarkovIR-LT
  • RWM. EntwistleIR-NR
  • LWJ. GadjovichIR-LT

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 Rumors: Red Wings’ Edvinsson Offer Reportedly Falls Short

Red Wings’ Edvinsson Offer Reportedly Falls Short

Story Summary

The Detroit Red Wings have reportedly raised their contract offer to restricted free-agent defenceman Simon Edvinsson, but the proposed terms have not been enough to bring an agreement into reach.

Detroit are said to have offered Edvinsson a six-year deal worth around $8.5 million per season, broadly in the range of Moritz Seider’s $8.55 million figure. The reported proposal represents movement from the club’s earlier preference for a bridge arrangement, yet it has not resolved a dispute that has left Edvinsson frustrated and away from the team while he is back in Sweden.

The central issue is not whether Detroit value the 23-year-old. The club’s messaging has continued to indicate that addition Edvinsson remains its preferred outcome. The reported difficulty is the price of the longer commitment. If the parties are discussing six or seven years, the player’s side is reportedly seeking a figure much closer to $11 million annually than Detroit’s current range.

That leaves a significant distance between the two positions. A trade has been discussed as a possibility, with Seattle and Philadelphia among the clubs said to have shown interest, but Detroit are reportedly not keen to explore that route at present. For now, the negotiation remains open, even if the relationship has clearly been tested.

Key Facts

  • Simon Edvinsson remains without a new contract with the Detroit Red Wings.
  • Detroit have reportedly offered Edvinsson a six-year contract worth around $8.5 million per season.
  • The reported offer is in the range of Moritz Seider’s $8.55 million annual figure.
  • Detroit’s move to six years reportedly marked a shift from an initial preference for a bridge deal.
  • Edvinsson is reportedly seeking substantially more money on a six- or seven-year agreement, with discussion around a figure near $11 million annually.
  • Edvinsson has returned to Sweden amid the unresolved negotiations and is reportedly frustrated by how the situation has unfolded.
  • Detroit are still said to prefer addition Edvinsson rather than pursuing a trade.
  • Seattle and Philadelphia are among the teams reportedly monitoring the situation, though no trade talks or package have been confirmed.

IHM Discussion

This is now a negotiation defined by term as much as salary. Detroit’s reported six-year proposal is meaningful because it shows willingness to provide cost certainty rather than insisting on a short bridge. But term alone does not close a deal when the annual valuation remains far apart.

For Edvinsson, a long agreement would cover years in which he expects to carry major responsibility on Detroit’s blue line. The reported comparison with Seider is therefore understandable from the club’s side, but it does not automatically settle the player’s own valuation. A comparable contract can frame a conversation; it cannot end it when each negotiation has its own timing, leverage and appetite for risk.

The immediate language around a trade should also be handled carefully. Interest from other teams is not a completed market, and there is no confirmed indication that Detroit have invited bids or negotiated a return. That keeps the focus on whether the parties can find a number and structure both can accept, rather than treating a departure as inevitable.

The tension is nevertheless real. Edvinsson stayed around the club during camp in the expectation that an agreement could be reached. With no deal completed and the season under way, the absence is no longer merely an off-season administrative issue. It has become a live roster problem and a test of how quickly both sides can reset the discussion.

Why It Matters

Edvinsson is not a peripheral restricted free agent. He is a young left-shot defenceman whom Detroit regard as an important part of their group, and the organisation have publicly treated his contract as a priority.

His absence removes a sizeable option from the blue line while the club work through the opening stage of the season. It also complicates the wider roster picture because an eventual agreement will establish a major long-term financial commitment. Detroit must weigh the value of securing a key defender for multiple years against the cost of moving materially beyond their reported offer.

For Edvinsson, the decision is similarly consequential. A six- or seven-year deal would provide security, but would also set the terms of his value through a substantial portion of his prime. The reported difference between roughly $8.5 million and a figure nearer $11 million is not a small final detail; it is the core of the disagreement.

IHM Market Outlook

The reported market signal is clear: other clubs are paying attention, but Detroit have not publicly shifted from their preference to retain Edvinsson. Seattle and Philadelphia being linked to the situation should therefore be viewed as monitoring interest rather than evidence of an active bidding process.

Detroit’s six-year proposal may have narrowed the structural divide by moving away from a bridge preference. The financial divide, however, remains substantial on the reported figures. Until either side changes its position, the key market development is not outside interest but whether Detroit and Edvinsson can reopen the conversation on a long-term valuation.

No trade destination, trade package or timetable has been confirmed. The responsible reading of the situation is that a deal remains possible, while a move elsewhere remains only a reported contingency.

Mini Q&A

What have the Red Wings reportedly offered Simon Edvinsson?

Detroit have reportedly offered a six-year contract worth around $8.5 million per season.

Is Simon Edvinsson expected to be traded?

No trade has been confirmed. Detroit are reportedly still prioritising a new contract, although Seattle, Philadelphia and other clubs are said to be monitoring the situation.

Why has the negotiation stalled?

The reported gap is primarily financial: Detroit’s proposed annual value is around $8.5 million, while discussion around a six- or seven-year deal has placed Edvinsson’s desired figure much closer to $11 million.

Coach Mark Comment

The hockey issue is the lost continuity rather than a tactical mystery. A young defenceman’s value grows quickly when he is trusted with regular minutes and difficult situations, and a prolonged absence interrupts the work of building stable pairings and shared defensive habits. Detroit’s preference to sign Simon Edvinsson makes sense because keeping an important defenceman in the programme is more straightforward than trying to replace that role during the season.

IHM Final View

Detroit have reportedly made a serious move by putting a six-year offer in the $8.5 million range on the table, but the available information suggests it has not reached Edvinsson’s valuation. The next meaningful development will be an actual agreement or a confirmed change in Detroit’s willingness to consider a trade. Until then, this remains an unresolved contract dispute, not a completed departure.