NHL Player News

Thomas scored a goal on four shots and added an assist in AHL Ontario's 5-4 overtime loss to Tucson on Friday.

Thomas didn't get any games in the AHL last year, logging three points in 25 NHL regular-season outings with the Kings. He was waived to begin 2025-26, so he'll be motivated to earn his way back to the big club. Friday was a positive start for him, but he'll need to sustain his offense throughout the year to be in line for a call-up.

Gard scored a goal on three shots, dished an assist and added 17 PIM in WHL Red Deer's 6-4 loss to Moose Jaw on Friday.

Gard logged his first multi-point effort in five games this season. While he's trending a little better than his 36-point effort over 66 regular-season games last year, the 18-year-old has yet to display high-end offense. He'll likely evolve into a defensive forward if he's able to make it to the NHL.

Hopkins scored twice on eight shots and added two assists in OHL Kingston's 9-1 win over Peterborough on Friday.

Hopkins' offense isn't a big positive, but he's on track to take another step up in 2025-26. He had 51 points over 67 regular-season games last year before being a third-round pick for the Maple Leafs in June. His big effort Friday has him over a point per game early this year with eight points and 27 shots on net through seven contests.

Washe was reassigned to AHL San Diego on Friday.

Washe was recalled from San Diego on Wednesday, but he didn't end up playing in Thursday's 3-1 loss to Seattle. The 24-year-old had 16 goals and 38 points in 42 outings with Western Michigan University in 2024-25. He also got into two games with Anaheim last year, recording no points, two shots and four hits.

Laba has recorded three hits and two blocks across the Rangers' first two games of 2025-26.

Laba hasn't recorded a point yet, but offense isn't necessarily going to be the main factor the Rangers consider when determining if the 22-year-old rookie should remain on the squad. After all, Laba is serving in a bottom-six capacity and doesn't have a role with the man advantage. It wouldn't be surprising if Laba remains in the lineup for Saturday's tilt in Pittsburgh, though Juuso Parssinen is still waiting to make his season debut.

Kindel has been auditioning in a middle-six role over Pittsburgh's first two games.

Kindel has no points, two PIM, three shots, one hit and one block while averaging 14:09 of ice time, including 0:43 with the man advantage. While those numbers don't jump out, it's a fine start, and Pittsburgh isn't likely to change much for Saturday's clash against the Rangers after opening the season with back-to-back wins. The 18-year-old Kindel can play up to nine games with Pittsburgh before this season burns the first year of his three-year, entry-level deal. For that reason, Kindel probably has seven more chances to impress the Penguins before they decide whether to keep him in the NHL or return him to WHL Calgary.

Haight drew into his first NHL game for Thursday's 5-0 win over St. Louis.

Haight didn't get in on the offensive action, recording no points and no shots in 10:27 of ice time. However, the 21-year-old did record two hits, and that grit is particularly important in his current fourth-line role. He had 20 goals, 34 points and 30 PIM in 67 regular-season outings with AHL Iowa in 2024-25.

Finnie saw time on the first line in his NHL debut, but Detroit struggled en route to a 5-1 loss to Montreal on Thursday.

Most of Finnie's shifts were shared with Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin, but the reality is more mixed than that might sound. Finnie logged just 12:22 of ice time despite his first-line role, and he wasn't used at all with the man advantage. Finnie finished the game with no points, one shot and one hit. The 20-year-old slipped to the No. 201 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, but he's risen up the ranks quickly. He took a major step forward in 2024-25 by scoring 37 goals and 84 points across 55 regular-season outings with WHL Kamloops and followed that up with another five points in 13 regular-season and playoff appearances with AHL Grand Rapids.

Douglas made his NHL debut in Thursday's 5-4 loss to Ottawa.

Douglas tried to make his mark right away by fighting Ottawa's Kurtis MacDermid just 2:26 into the game. The 25-year-old Douglas finished the outing with no points, one shot and two hits across 5:09 of ice time in addition to the five PIM he accumulated from that fight. Tampa Bay claimed Douglas off waivers from Utah on Monday, and he'll likely rotate between serving on the fourth line and being a healthy scratch until at least one of Zemgus Girgensons (undisclosed) or Nick Paul (upper body) returns. If Tampa Bay gets to full strength, then Douglas might find himself back on waivers.

Cootes made his NHL debut in Thursday's 5-1 win over Calgary.

Cootes had an impressive 2:40 of power-play ice time, but he logged a modest 11:14 overall. He also finished the game with a hit and a minus-1 rating. The 18-year-old is probably in the midst of a nine-game audition with Vancouver. If he doesn't make a sufficient impression by the end of that stretch, then the Canucks will likely loan Cootes back to WHL Seattle for additional seasoning.