NHL Player News

Hertl recorded three assists in Saturday's 6-5 preseason loss to the Sharks.

Facing his former team, Hertl showed off why the Golden Knights acquired him at last year's trade deadline. The 30-year-old helped out on goals by Alexander Holtz, Mark Stone and Pavel Dorofeyev. Hertl is poised to fill a middle-six role entering 2024-25. Last season, he produced 38 points over 54 regular-season contests, but he's shown 30-goal and 60-to-70-point potential in previous years when healthy. In addition to his key role at even strength, Hertl is likely to see significant power-play minutes as well.

Dorofeyev scored three goals and added an assist in Saturday's 6-5 preseason loss to the Sharks.

Dorofeyev scored once in each period and also assisted on an Alexander Holtz tally in the opening frame. Those two wingers were centered by Tomas Hertl and displayed some obvious chemistry in the preseason finale, even as the rest of the Vegas offense was rather quiet. Dorofeyev should be in the lineup to begin 2024-25 after producing 24 points over 47 regular-season contests last season, and he's looking like a breakout candidate.

Dellandrea registered two assists and blocked three shots in Saturday's 6-5 preseason win over the Golden Knights.

Dellandrea remains in competition for a depth role with the Sharks. He was limited to nine points in 42 regular-season games with the Stars in 2023-24, but he should receive more opportunities on a rebuilding team than he did with a contender. The 24-year-old can play center or wing, giving him additional paths to playing time.

Kunin scored twice on three shots and went plus-3 in Saturday's 6-5 preseason win over the Golden Knights.

Kunin scored twice over the final three minutes of the game, tying it at 5-5 before Ethan Cardwell netted the game-winner with 12 seconds to go. The 26-year-old Kunin saw 21:02 of ice time Saturday, with the Sharks dressing a number of AHL-level players. It's expected his role will be smaller in the regular season -- Kunin averaged 15:44 per game while producing 18 points over 77 contests in 2023-24.

Nazar scored a goal on four shots, added an assist and went plus-2 in Saturday's 6-2 preseason win over the Blues.

Nazar played in the preseason finale alongside most of his AHL Rockford teammates, though it was impressive that he stood out in this contest. The 20-year-old was cut from camp earlier in the week but has some of the highest potential among Blackhawks prospects. It would not be surprising to see him earn a call-up in 2024-25, and he's got the skills to stick in the NHL if everything goes right.

Donato scored a goal on four shots, added an assist, went plus-2 and logged two PIM in Saturday's 6-2 preseason win over the Blues.

Donato opened the scoring in the first period and set up a Frank Nazar tally midway through the second. Over three preseason contests, Donato put up three points. The 28-year-old is versatile enough to play center or wing, but with the Blackhawks' summer spending spree on wingers, Donato's best path to consistent playing time will be as the fourth-line center.

Matthews potted a power-play goal and added an assist on the man advantage in Saturday's 3-2 preseason win over Detroit.

Matthews had been nursing an upper-body injury since playing in Toronto's exhibition opener against Ottawa on Sept. 22, but he didn't skip a beat in Saturday's matchup. His slap shot tied the game in the second, and he found John Tavares in the slot for the winner early in the third. Matthews has put up at least 106 points in two of his last three campaigns, and he came within a goal of the 70-goal threshold in the 2023-24 regular season.

Kurashev scored a goal on two shots and added an assist in Saturday's 6-2 preseason win over the Blues.

Both of Kurashev's points came on the power play. He was alongside Connor Bedard in the contest, but that may not carry over into the regular season, as Kurashev has mostly played on the second line during the preseason. As a result, the 24-year-old Kurashev could take a step back offensively after racking up 18 goals and 54 points (19 on the power play) over 75 regular-season contests in 2023-24, primarily in a first-line role. The damage should be less noticeable if he keeps his spot on the top power-play unit.

Bedard racked up three assists, including two on the power play, in Saturday's 6-2 preseason win over the Blues.

Bedard has filled a playmaking role in the preseason with a goal, five assists and 16 shots on net over four contests. The 19-year-old center was dominant Saturday in a game that featured few bona fide NHLers, though Bedard's talent level can't be questioned. He'll be the centerpiece of Chicago's offense in 2024-25.

Ivan scored a goal on three shots and added two PIM in Saturday's 2-1 preseason loss to Utah.

Ivan made a good final audition for a fourth-line gig, scoring the Avalanche's lone goal in the loss. The 22-year-old forward put up 31 points in 67 regular-season contests with AHL Colorado last year. With opening rosters due Monday, Ivan might be with the Avalanche to begin the 2024-25 campaign because Artturi Lehkonen (shoulder) and Gabriel Landeskog (knee) are still recovering from injuries.