NHL Player News

Sanderson (undisclosed) will play against Toronto on Saturday, per Jackson Starr of the Senators' official site.

Sanderson had been dealing with an undisclosed injury, but he will be in the lineup for the start of the 2026-27 campaign. He registered 14 goals, 54 points, 147 shots on net and 128 blocked shots over 67 appearances for Ottawa during the 2025-26 regular season. Sanderson is expected to skate on the top pairing and work on the first power-play unit in Saturday's contest.

Hutson tallied a goal, placed three shots on net, recorded two blocked shots and served four PIM in Friday's 5-2 win over the Hurricanes.

Hutson carried his momentum from the end of the 2025-26 campaign into the new season, as he found the back of the net just 11 and a half minutes into the Capitals' Opening Night matchup. The 20-year-old blueliner was excellent at the end of the 2025-26 campaign following his call-up, where he posted three goals and 10 points across 14 regular-season outings. He holds a high offensive ceiling from the blue line, which should lead to increased power-play opportunities if he continues to post points like clockwork. Hutson projects as a solid fantasy option in standard leagues for the rest of his first full NHL season.

Chychrun scored a power-play goal, recorded an assist, placed three shots on net and served two PIM in Friday's 5-2 win over the Hurricanes.

Chychrun picked up right where he left off last season, as he found the back of the net on a second-period power play before he later tallied a secondary helper. The 28-year-old blueliner has become one of the league's most efficient goal-scoring defensemen over the last two seasons, even leading the league in the 2025-26 regular season with 26 twine finders. Fresh off his 60-point outburst across 80 regular-season games a year ago, he is a terrific fantasy option in all league formats due to his recent development offensively and his steady category-coverage numbers. With the Capitals improving their forward room in the offseason, they could potentially space the ice even more for Chychrun in 2026-27, which positions him well to repeat or exceed his offensive totals from last season.

Durzi scored a power-play goal while adding two shots on net and one blocked shot in Friday's 2-0 victory over the Red Wings.

The 27-year-old blueliner blasted a one-timer from the high slot past John Gibson early in the first period, and it turned out to be the game-winner. Durzi also added seven PIM after getting into a second-period scrap with Marco Kasper. Durzi is comfortably filling a spot in the Rangers' top four while handling second-unit power-play duties behind Adam Fox.

Ferraro scored a goal on three shots and blocked three shots in Friday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Bruins.

Ferraro opened his Winnipeg tenure on the third pairing, logging 17:58 of ice time. The goal was a nice touch, but the 28-year-old defenseman is primarily valued for his shutdown skills, not his offense. He is coming off a career-best 23-point campaign in 82 regular-season games with the Sharks in 2025-26. Ferraro has also topped 120 hits in all seven of his NHL seasons, and he's logged at least 150 blocks in three of the last five campaigns. That production will give him some value in banger leagues.

Zadorov notched two assists, two hits and two blocked shots in Friday's 4-3 overtime win over the Jets.

Zadorov is back in a top-four role this season, and he should stay there throughout the year. While he had a multi-point effort Friday, the bulk of his fantasy production comes from his high-end physicality. He's already racked up 10 hits and three blocked shots, and Zadorov is also a candidate to generate 100-plus PIM. He's at least been consistent over the last five years, generating between 20 and 22 points in each of those seasons, giving fantasy managers a reasonable expectation for what he's capable of doing.

Lindholm scored a goal on two shots and blocked two shots in Friday's 4-3 overtime win over the Jets.

Lindholm tied the game at 1-1 in the first period with his goal. The 32-year-old defenseman is seeing power-play time early in the campaign, though that could dry up once Charlie McAvoy (suspension) is set to play, which will happen Oct. 13. Through two contests, Lindholm has generated two points, three blocked shots and a plus-3 rating while playing on Boston's top-pairing.

Theodore scored a goal on four shots and blocked two shots in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Ducks.

Theodore started the comeback attempt for the Golden Knights with a third-period tally. The push came up short, but Theodore has now earned three points, five shots and three blocks over two contests this season. The 31-year-old defenseman continues to see top billing on the Vegas blue line, which will give him the potential to return to high-scoring form after an off year in 2025-26.

DeMelo scored a goal on one shot in Friday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Bruins.

DeMelo made his only shot count, giving Winnipeg a 1-0 advantage at 4:52 of the first period with a one-timer from the point that beat a screened Jeremy Swayman high on the stick side. DeMelo isn't known for his scoring prowess, however, as he's posted 19-point seasons in each of the last two regular-season campaigns. With 100-plus hits and blocks in each of his last five campaigns, DeMelo has more fantasy upside in fantasy leagues that reward physicality and defensive stats.

Mews (knee) is in the lineup for the University of Michigan's season opener versus Bowling Green State University on Friday, per Anna Liao of The Michigan Daily.

Mews sustained a season-ending knee injury last November, but he's now good to go for the 2026-27 campaign. He's entering his sophomore season for the Wolverines. It's unclear when the 20-year-old defenseman would consider signing an entry-level deal with the Flames.