NHL Player News

Kovacevic scored a goal on one shot and registered an assist in Friday's 3-1 victory over the Sabres.

Kovacevic is already paying dividends for the Devils after they traded a fourth-round pick to Montreal for the defenseman back in June. While fantasy players probably shouldn't be expecting over a point per game out of the 27-year-old blueliner, he could challenge for the 20-point threshold this year after having previously topped out at 15 points back in 2022-23.

Gudbranson (lower body) skated with the non-game group during Friday's practice, Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch reports.

Gudbranson won't play in Friday's preseason game against Pittsburgh, but it's encouraging that he was on the ice Friday morning. He'll have several days to rest before Opening Night against the Wild on Thursday, and it seems as though he'll be in the mix to play against Minnesota.

Ludvig was placed on waivers by the Penguins on Friday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Ludvig featured in 33 NHL games for Pittsburgh last year and seemed to have a decent chance of making the Opening Night roster. Instead, the Czech blueliner will be headed for AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, assuming he goes unclaimed. Still, even with the demotion, Ludvig should be atop the team's list of potential call-ups should the need arise.

Bear was put on waivers by the Capitals on Friday, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Bear played 24 regular-season games with the Capitals in 2023-24, before he entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program on March 27. He was cleared from the Program on April 30 and spent the offseason getting ready for the 2024-25 campaign. Bear will likely be sent to AHL Hershey once he passes through waivers. He had a goal and three helpers last season.

Kral was designated for waivers by the Penguins on Friday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Kral's last NHL appearance came back in 2022-23 when he logged two games for the Maple Leafs. In those outings, the blueliner managed one shot, two hits and two PIM. Given the number of blueliners ahead of him on the depth chart, including John Ludvig, who was also waived Friday, Kral faces an uphill battle for minutes this season.

Oesterle was placed on waivers by the Bruins on Friday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Oesterle joined Boston on a two-year, two-way contract with the Bruins in early July. If he clears waivers, he'll head to AHL Providence, where he'll likely spend most of the season. The 32-year-old made 22 regular-season appearances for Calgary last year and recorded two assists, 18 shots and 33 blocked shots while averaging 13:31 of ice time.

Clurman was placed on waivers by Pittsburgh on Friday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Assuming he clears, Clurman will link up with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the upcoming 2024-25 campaign. Given his limited offensive upside -- he managed just five points in 37 games with AHL Colorado last year -- it's hard to see the 26-year-old defenseman breaking into the Penguins' lineup this season.

McCabe won't skate during Friday's practice session due to an upper-body injury, and he's considered day-to-day.

While the exact nature of McCabe's injury isn't clear, it's discouraging to see him held out of practice ahead of Saturday's preseason finale against the Red Wings. It's not yet clear whether he'll suit up against Detroit, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him held out to avoid risking his health ahead of Opening Night against Montreal on Wednesday.

Doughty, as previously announced, had surgery to repair his fractured ankle and is considered month-to-month, Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports Friday.

Doughty's status remains unchanged, but he at least has now had his procedure and should be on the road to recovery. At this point, it wouldn't be surprising to see Doughty out of action until the calendar turns to 2025, though the team hasn't provided a specific recovery timeline. Without Doughty on the blue line, Brandt Clarke should see increased minutes in addition to getting power-play opportunities. Doughty figures to be designated for long-term injured reserve once the season opens.

Johnson (lower body) was loaned to AHL Rochester on Friday.

Johnson was held out of Monday's preseason finale against Detroit, but he was considered day-to-day and will head to the minors now that he's healthy. He made 41 regular-season appearances for Buffalo last year, recording seven assists and 35 shots on goal while averaging 13:52 of ice time.