NHL Player News

Beniers logged two assists and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 4-3 preseason shootout win over the Flames.

Beniers is poised to enter the season as the Kraken's top-line center once again. He reached the 50-point mark for the second time in four full seasons last year, but he's more of a steady two-way center rather than a true do-it-all leader. Beniers has some appeal in fantasy, particularly in formats that count blocked shots -- he had 69 of those last year, which is a good total for a forward.

Harkins scored two goals on four shots and added six hits in Thursday's 5-3 preseason loss to the Panthers.

Harkins was signed to fill a bottom-six spot for the Lightning. Any offense is a bonus, but he showed some spark plug capabilities in this preseason contest. Don't expect a lot of offense from the 29-year-old -- he's never had more than 13 points in a single NHL campaign, and that came over 77 games with the Jets in 2021-22.

Chytil's injury sustained Thursday versus the Oilers is to his shoulder, and he'll be examined further Friday, Thomas Drance of The Athletic reports.

While a head injury was initially a concern when he went hard into the boards in a collision with a referee, this is a slightly less concerning situation. Chytil's injury history remains troublesome and could lead to a cautious recovery, which makes him questionable for Opening Night against the Oilers on Tuesday.

Stankoven scored twice on seven shots and added an assist in Thursday's 6-5 preseason win over the Predators.

Stankoven looks ready for the regular season now. The 23-year-old had 44 points in 81 regular-season games in 2025-26, but it was his 16-point effort in 19 postseason contests that really turned heads. He won't be surprising anyone this year, as he's set to reprise the second-line role that he excelled in during the Hurricanes' run to the Stanley Cup championship last spring.

Kulich (undisclosed) left Thursday's preseason game versus the Red Wings for precautionary reasons, Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News reports.

Kulich left about halfway through the contest. The 22-year-old forward was believed to have a chance at a middle-six role in place of Jason Zucker (abdomen). Kulich's own injury concerns casts a little doubt on that now, but the precautionary nature of his removal Thursday suggests he isn't dealing with a major issue. The Sabres play the Penguins in their last preseason game Saturday before opening the season in Columbus next Thursday.

Chytil sustained an apparent upper-body injury and won't return to Thursday's game versus the Oilers.

Chytil went head first into the boards after a collision with a referee in the first period. The center's lengthy history of head injuries raises the level of concern in this situation. It wouldn't be surprising if this ends up being more than a day-to-day absence, though Chytil will need to be evaluated to determine the course of his recovery.

Lavoie (undisclosed) isn't in the lineup for Thursday's preseason game against Utah, per Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Lavoie suffered the injury during last Saturday's 4-2 preseason victory over Los Angeles. He's regarded as day-to-day, so there's a chance he'll draw into the lineup for Saturday's exhibition tilt against San Jose.

O'Brien (lower body) isn't in the lineup for Thursday's preseason game against Calgary, per Sound of Hockey.

O'Brien had 28 goals and 93 points in 53 regular-season appearances with OHL Brantford in 2025-26. Seattle's final preseason game will be played in Vancouver on Saturday. O'Brien isn't likely to make the Kraken's Opening Night roster if he's healthy, but the 19-year-old is a highly regarded prospect.

Guttman was put on waivers by Los Angeles on Thursday, according to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports.

Guttman had 24 goals, 53 points and 52 PIM in 67 regular-season appearances with AHL Ontario in 2025-26. The 27-year-old hasn't played in the NHL since 2023-24 when he had four goals and eight points in 27 regular-season outings with the Blackhawks.

Pederson was placed on waivers by the Kings on Thursday, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

Pederson signed a two-year, two-way agreement with the Kings in early July, and he'll begin the 2026-27 campaign with AHL Ontario if he clears waivers. Across 63 minor-league appearances with Lehigh Valley last year, he recorded 23 goals, 25 assists and 44 PIM.