NHL Player News

Siegenthaler produced an assist, three hits, three blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Friday's 4-1 win over the Sabres in Prague.

Siegenthaler is not known for his offense, but he was able to get on the scoresheet in the season opener. The 27-year-old set up a Johnny Kovacevic tally in the first period. In 2023-24, Siegenthaler was limited to nine points, 97 blocked shots, 87 hits and a minus-7 rating over 57 appearances. With a career-high mark of 21 points from 2022-23, his fantasy value is limited to deeper formats where his lofty block totals are rewarded.

Bouchard scored a goal on three shots in Friday's 4-1 preseason loss to the Canucks.

Bouchard tallied in the second period, but the Oilers couldn't build on it. The defenseman had three points and 12 shots over four preseason appearances. He's a top-tier fantasy blueliner after breaking out to the tune of 18 goals, 82 points, 35 power-play points and a plus-34 rating in 81 regular-season outings last year. Bouchard added 32 points in 25 playoff appearances, and his spot on the Oilers' vaunted top power-play unit gives him an incredibly high ceiling for 2024-25.

Soucy scored a goal on three shots, added three hits and blocked two shots in Friday's 4-1 preseason win over the Oilers.

This was a good example of Soucy at his best. He got involved in the offense, with his tally being the game-winning goal, but he also chipped in with physicality as he often does. The 30-year-old is likely to be paired with Tyler Myers to begin 2024-25. Last season, Soucy was limited to six points in 40 games while adding 65 hits and 64 blocked shots in a similar second-pairing role.

Hughes scored a goal on three shots and added two PIM in Friday's 4-1 preseason win over the Oilers.

Hughes opened the scoring at 10:11 of the first period. The reigning Norris Trophy winner put up three points over two preseason appearances, not that he needs to do much to prove himself now. At 24 years old, Hughes is one of the top defensemen in the league, though even he may have trouble replicating the 17-goal, 92-point campaign he produced in 82 regular-season outings in 2023-24. Still, Hughes should be a threat for a point-per-game pace and significant power-play production even if he takes a small step back.

Thrun scored a goal on two shots in Friday's 3-2 preseason shootout loss to the Ducks.

Thrun's third-period tally tied the game at 2-2. It was his first point in three preseason outings. While Thrun hasn't made much of an impact on offense yet, he could get a chance to quarterback the Sharks' second power-play unit given the lack of scoring talent on the blue line. Jake Walman is likely to see time on the first unit, while Thrun may compete with Mario Ferraro throughout the campaign for the second unit.

Muller scored a goal on three shots, levied three hits, added two PIM and went plus-2 in Friday's 3-2 win over the Flames.

Miller strengthened his case to begin the year on the third pairing with a second-period goal Friday. He has five points over four preseason outings. Miller appears to have done enough to fend off fellow right-shot blueliner Dylan Coghlan, and the former's steady presence in all zones should help cover for the early absences of Logan Stanley (knee) and Ville Heinola (ankle). However, Miller typically won't produce enough offense to entice most fantasy managers.

Santini registered a secondary assist in Friday's 2-1 overtime preseason loss against Carolina.

Santini last appeared in the NHL during the 2022-23 campaign with St. Louis. The 29-year-old was a second-round selection by the Devils in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. The right-shot blueliner produced 20 points in 64 regular-season contests with AHL Ontario in 2023-24.

Jones scored a goal on three shots and added two hits in Friday's 6-1 preseason loss to the Wild.

Jones got the Blackhawks on the board late in the second period, but the Wild restored a two-goal advantage with Mats Zuccarello's power-play tally. Over three preseason games, Jones put up two points. The 30-year-old defenseman will open 2024-25 on the top pairing and see significant power-play usage, but he's missed the 40-point mark in four of the last five years and will likely also carry a horrendous plus-minus rating throughout the season.

Gostisbehere scored the game-winning goal in overtime of Friday's 2-1 exhibition win against Tampa Bay.

Gostisbehere produced 56 points in 81 regular-season games with Detroit in 2023-24, the second-best statistical season of his career. As a result, the 31-year-old was rewarded with a three-year contract from Carolina on July 1. Gostisbehere could push for a spot on the team's top power-play unit -- the left-shot blueliner racked up 29 points on the man advantage last season.

Faber scored a goal on four shots and added an assist in Friday's 6-1 preseason win over the Blackhawks.

Faber set up a Mats Zuccarello power-play goal late in the second period before scoring at even strength just 13 seconds into the third. With five points (three on the power play) over three preseason outings, Faber looks ready to turn the page to his second full NHL campaign. The 22-year-old defenseman had 47 points, including 16 on the power play, over 82 games last year, and he could show significant growth in 2024-25.