NHL Player News

Barzal (kneecap) said Monday that he feels ready to suit up for the start of the 2025-26 season, Jackson Weber of The Sporting News reports.

Barzal missed the second half of the 2024-25 campaign after undergoing surgery on his kneecap, and he also missed time earlier in the year due to an upper-body injury. In total, the 28-year-old was limited to 30 regular-season appearances, and he totaled six goals, 14 assists, 24 hits, 24 blocked shots and four PIM while averaging 20:21 of ice time. While he indicated Monday that he should be ready for the upcoming season, he indicated that he may never feel back to full health in his knee. "Injuries like this, you potentially never feel back at 100 percent. But mentally, I'm at a point now where it doesn't really matter," Barzal said. While it's slightly concerning that he may not feel 100 percent healthy moving forward, it's at least encouraging that he intends to be ready for the start of the 2025-26 season, and he should be in the mix to handle a top-six role for the Islanders this year.

Colton (groin) participated in Monday's informal skate, per Brennan Vogt of Hockey Mountain High.

Colton hasn't been limited during on-ice sessions ahead of training camp, indicating he is back to full health after missing Colorado's final six playoff games. He compiled 16 goals, 29 points, 125 shots on net, 42 blocked shots and 145 hits across 61 regular-season appearances in 2024-25. Colton will probably occupy a bottom-six role this campaign and could compete for power-play time on the second unit.

Pettersson (oblique) feels healthy and confident ahead of the 2025-26 season, Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650 reports Monday.

Pettersson struggled last year, in part due to injuries, managing just 15 goals and 45 points in 64 regular-season games. That marked the first time he failed to reach the 30-goal threshold since 2020-21, when he played in just 26 contests. If the 26-year-old center can maintain his health this time around, he should be well set to get back to that mark, as he'll fill both a first-line role and man the No. 1 power-play unit once again this year.

Shore signed a one-year contract with HC Sparta Praha of the Czech Extraliga on June 4.

Shore supplied one goal, four assists, 41 shots on net, 37 blocked shots and 76 hits across 55 regular-season games with Minnesota in 2024-25. He also collected two goals and eight helpers in 15 regular-season appearances for AHL Iowa last campaign.

Sgarbossa signed a two-year contract with HC Lugano of Switzerland's National League on May 23.

Sgarbossa had one goal, one assist, one shot on net, one hit and one blocked shot in three NHL appearances for Washington during the 2024-25 regular season. However, he spent most of the year with AHL Hershey, compiling seven tallies and 31 points in 35 regular-season games before adding two helpers in six playoff outings.

Gardner signed a two-year contract with CSKA Moscow in July, per AHL Insider Tony Androckitis.

Garnder notched just 18 points in 62 regular-season games for AHL Lehigh Valley last year, no doubt a factor in his not being called up from the minors by the Flyers. At this point, the 29-year-old center probably has played in his last NHL game, which would see him eventually retire having earned two points in 41 regular-season outings for the Stars and Flyers over parts of four campaigns.

Glendening signed a professional tryout agreement with the Devils on Friday.

Glendening was limited to seven points in 77 regular-season games with the Lightning last year. The 36-year-old hasn't found work in free agency yet, and he'll be competing with fellow tryout candidate Kevin Rooney for a chance to make the Devils' 2025-26 roster.

Rooney signed a professional tryout agreement with the Devils on Friday.

Rooney will compete for the fourth-line center job with the Devils during training camp. If he performs well, he'll be in contention for a full contract, likely a two-way deal. He played on a $1.3 million contract with the Flames last year but racked up just 10 points with 109 hits, 39 blocked shots and a minus-6 rating over 70 appearances.

Ryan ended his playing career Friday.

Ryan suited up in 606 regular-season games after going undrafted. He carved out a solid career as a defensive specialist and still managed to rack up 82 goals and 127 assists in the regular season, as well as 10 points in 60 playoff contests. Ryan played for the Hurricanes, Flames and Oilers during his time in the NHL.

Zary (knee) inked a three-year, $11.325 million contract with Calgary on Friday, per Eric Francis of Sportsnet.

Zary, who was a restricted free agent this summer, missed Calgary's final 11 games of 2024-25 due to his knee injury. He had 13 goals and 27 points in 54 appearances with the Flames as a sophomore last year, which represented a bit of a regression from his 34 points in 63 outings in 2023-24. Although his offensive numbers haven't stood out yet, the 23-year-old (24 on Sept. 25) does have the potential to improve meaningfully over the length of this contract. He should get a good opportunity to take a step forward in a top-six capacity this season.