NHL Player News

Samberg scored a goal on two shots and added 10 PIM in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Lightning.

Samberg's goal at 7:38 of the third period stood as his first career game-winner. The 25-year-old has three tallies, one assist, 17 shots on net, 16 PIM, 14 hits, 14 blocked shots and a plus-5 rating through 12 contests. Samberg probably won't score a lot over the rest of the campaign -- he's shooting 17.6 percent -- but he offers decent non-scoring production while filling a top-four role.

Carlson registered a power-play assist in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes.

Carlson picked up his third point in four games by setting up Alex Ovechkin on the man advantage in the opening frame. Carlson has been held off the scoresheet only three times through 11 contests, and he leads Washington's blueliners in points with nine. The 34-year-old generated 52 points while skating in all 82 regular-season games in 2023-24, and if he can stay healthy again, he's on pace to easily surpass that output. Carlson's 25:56 of ice time per game comfortably leads the team.

Hanley has been scratched for 10 of the Flames' first 12 games after sitting out Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Oilers.

Hanley is one of three left-shot defensemen on the Flames' roster, but they dressed five right-handed blueliners Sunday. At this point, Hanley looks to be at the bottom of the pecking order for playing time -- at 33 years old, he's a veteran who can check in when necessary. The team will likely prioritize getting looks at Brayden Pachal and Daniil Miromanov over the course of the season, so Hanley won't play often barring injuries.

Bahl notched an assist, three shots on goal and three blocked shots in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Oilers.

Bahl has earned a helper in each of the last two contests, the first time this year he's gotten on the scoresheet in consecutive games. He's off to a decent start to his Flames tenure, earning five assists over 12 contests. The 24-year-old shutdown defenseman has added 16 shots on net, a plus-5 rating, 17 hits and 21 blocked shots in a top-four role.

Barrie notched a power-play assist and two shots on goal in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Oilers.

Barrie had a shot attempt tipped in by Anthony Mantha in the second period. This was Barrie's third straight game in the lineup -- he appears to have at least temporarily surpassed Jake Bean on the depth chart. The helper was Barrie's first point to go with seven shots on net, two hits, two blocked shots, two PIM and a minus-1 rating over five appearances. He'll likely see power-play time when he plays, but with a third-pairing role at even strength, the 33-year-old has limited upside across all categories.

Stecher was scratched for the second game in a row Sunday versus the Flames.

Stecher had played in eight straight games before spending the last two contests in the press box. He's still in the mix for a third-pairing role, but he's competing with Ty Emberson and Travis Dermott for playing time. Stecher has no points, seven shots on net, 10 hits, 10 blocked shots, seven PIM and a minus-1 rating through eight appearances.

Emberson has not recorded a point through his first 10 games of the season.

Emberson has collected 14 shots on net, 16 hits, 11 blocked shots, seven PIM and a minus-4 rating while playing in a bottom-four role. His offseason move from San Jose to Edmonton has not helped his offense, and he's even been a healthy scratch twice so far. Emberson still looks to be the Oilers' preferred option over Troy Stecher, but the 24-year-old won't have much fantasy value outside of banger leagues if he can't generate some points.

Nurse notched an assist, four shots on goal, five hits and four blocked shots in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Flames.

A helper on Mattias Janmark's empty-netter was the cherry on top for a well-rounded effort from Nurse in this contest. This was Nurse's third straight game with an assist. The 29-year-old blueliner is up to five helpers, 33 shots on net, 22 hits, 25 blocked shots, 16 PIM and a minus-3 rating through 12 outings overall. He's shooting more than he has in the previous two years, which should help sustain his decent start on offense.

Orlov scored two goals in Sunday's 4-2 victory over the Capitals.

Orlov scored a goal in each of the first two periods Sunday, and his second marker stood as the game-winner. The left-shot blueliner added three shots, one takeaway and a plus-3 rating in 20:18 of ice time. Orlov has found the scoresheet in three of his last four outings, and he's up to three goals, three assists and a plus-8 rating through 10 contests.

Vaakanainen was scratched for the 10th time in 11 games when he sat out Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Blackhawks.

Vaakanainen signed a one-year deal to remain with the Ducks in July after he was not given a qualifying offer in June. The 25-year-old defenseman has served as a healthy scratch most of the time, though he's now the only spare blueliner in Anaheim after Tristan Luneau was reassigned to AHL San Diego on Friday. Vaakanainen may rotate into the lineup for one of the Ducks' younger defensemen at times, but it would likely take another player's injury for him to have a chance at steady playing time.