NHL Player News

Marchessault recorded two assists, six shots on goal and two PIM in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Stars.

Of the Predators' three big free-agent signings, Marchessault had the most successful team debut. He set up a power-play goal by Filip Forsberg in the second period and also found Ryan O'Reilly for an extra-attacker tally in the third. Marchessault produced 42 goals and 69 points over 82 regular-season games with Vegas last year, his third season above the 60-point mark. The 33-year-old winger is a lock for top-six minutes and time on the first power-play unit in his first year with Nashville, and he should be a productive option for goals, shots and hits in particular.

O'Reilly scored a goal in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Stars.

O'Reilly tallied with the extra attacker on the ice at 18:25 of the third period, but the Predators' comeback attempt fell short. Last season, O'Reilly had 26 goals and 43 assists in 82 regular-season contests, leading to his highest point total (69) since 2018-19. The 33-year-old is more of a playmaker typically, and he'll have strong fantasy value in formats that focus on offense and those that count faceoff wins.

Novak scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Stars.

Novak began the game on the second line, but his goal came early in the third period when he switched places with Colton Sissons. The 27-year-old Novak has the talent to be a top-six forward, but he'll have to be consistent to keep that role this season. He put up 45 points, 113 shots on net and a minus-3 rating in 71 regular-season outings last year, and his fantasy value relies exclusively on offense since he adds almost no physical play.

Malkin delivered two assists in a 6-3 victory over the Red Wings on Thursday.

Malkin now has 800 career assists and is within 31 of moving past Henrik Sedin into the fourth-most for players born outside North America. Overall, Geno sits 34th in assists and 37th in points in NHL history. At 38, Malkin is on the downside of his career, but he's coming off a 67-point season and should be able to mirror that - or close to it - this season.

Seguin notched an assist in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Predators.

Seguin set up linemate Mason Marchment on the game-winning goal, which was scored at 18:15 of the second period. Along with center Matt Duchene, Seguin and Marchment form a strong second line for a deep Dallas forward group. Last year was Seguin's most productive since 2018-19 -- he produced 52 points in just 68 regular-season contests. The 32-year-old is no longer an 80-point threat annually, but he's an effective depth forward with modest physicality for fantasy purposes.

Duchene notched a power-play assist in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Predators.

Duchene set up the first of Mason Marchment's two goals in the game. That duo, along with linemate Tyler Seguin, often found success in bunches last year while playing on the second line. They began 2024-25 together as well, which is good news for Duchene's production. He put up 65 points in 80 regular-season contests last season and should push for similar numbers despite being limited to the second power-play unit this year.

Johnston posted an assist and four shots on goal in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Predators.

Johnston led all Stars forwards with 21:09 of ice time despite playing in a third-line role at even strength. That was a common occurrence down the stretch and in the playoffs in 2023-24, as the line assignment typically doesn't define Johnston's usage too strictly. The 21-year-old put up 65 points (10 on the power play) and 216 shots on net in 82 regular-season contests last year, and he could still find another level in his game this season.

Stankoven recorded three assists and went plus-2 in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Predators.

Stankoven had a hand in the Stars' first three goals, including a power-play tally by Mason Marchment. The 21-year-old Stankoven got a chance on the top line Thursday, while Wyatt Johnston centered the third line in the absence of Mavrik Bourque (undisclosed). Those young players may frequently move around the lineup. Stankoven may be prone to ups and downs as most rookies are, but he's a must-have player in dynasty formats and will likely be productive enough on offense to draw interest in redraft leagues as well.

Texier (undisclosed) won't play Thursday versus the Sharks, Matthew DeFranks of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Texier took a maintenance day Wednesday, but he was in attendance for Thursday's morning skate. The 25-year-old produced an assist and blocked three shots in his Blues debut Tuesday versus the Kraken. In Texier's absence, Zachary Bolduc will draw into the lineup and could also absorb Texier's power-play time. The Blues' opening road trip concludes with a game Friday in Vegas.

Tavares scored his first goal of the season in Thursday's 4-2 win over New Jersey.

Tavares broke in on Jacob Markstrom and scored from the slot on a nice touch feed from Max Domi. The former captain has come into 2024-25 looking freer and lighter, perhaps because he's no longer carrying the weight of the C on his jersey. Tavares, who put up 65 points in 80 games last season, could rebound to the mid-70s with this reduced pressure.