NHL Player News

Ristolainen scored a goal Thursday in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Devils. He led the Flyers with four shots on goal.

Ristolainen and partner Travis Sanheim were the only goal scorers for the Flyers. He's many years removed from his offensive days with the Sabres -- he's played steady, stay-at-home hockey for the Flyers. But Ristolainen did have four consecutive seasons of at least 41 points starting in 2015-16, so the potential is there in the right situation. This goal equaled his goal output from last season (one goal, 13 assists; 44 games).

Sanheim had a goal and an assist in Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss to New Jersey. He also blocked three shots.

The 30-year-old defender is best known for his smart, structured play in his own zone, but Sanheim has also put up seasons of 44 and 37 points within the last three years. And mostly at even strength. He can help in deep formats, especially those that count blocks. Sanheim has averaged 157 for the last three seasons and has put up at least 137 in each of his last five.

Forsling (upper body) won't play Thursday versus the Sharks.

Forsling was a late scratch after reportedly participating in warmups. The defenseman didn't skate in practice Wednesday, but there was no other indication that he was dealing with an injury. Uvis Balinskis will play Thursday in place of Forsling, who can be considered day-to-day until more information is made available.

Luneau agreed to a six-year, $43.2 million contract extension with the Ducks on Thursday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Luneau has made just 14 regular-season appearances at the NHL level, recording two goals, two assists, 15 hits, 14 blocked shots and six PIM while averaging 16:51 of ice time. He spent most of last year at AHL San Diego, where he generated 10 goals, 31 assists and 29 PIM across 70 regular-season appearances. The 22-year-old should see a more regular role with Anaheim during the 2026-27 campaign and will have long-term stability with the organization.

Girard logged two assists, two shots on goal and a plus-3 rating in Wednesday's 7-0 win over the Flyers.

Girard had mixed results at times in 2025-26, logging a total of 19 points over 60 regular-season contests between the Avalanche and the Penguins. The defenseman's first full year with Pittsburgh is off to a positive start. Notably, he was on the second pairing alongside Kaedan Korczak, while Kris Letang worked alongside Trevor van Riemsdyk on the third pairing. Girard also featured with the second power-play unit, and if that role sticks, his offense is poised to get back over the 20-point mark. He hasn't averaged more than a minute per game with the man advantage since the 2022-23 campaign, which was also the last year he got above the 30-point threshold.

Samuelsson (lower body) will be in the lineup against the Blue Jackets on Thursday, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

Samuelsson racked up 13 goals and 28 assists in 78 regular-season games last year, blowing his previous career-best numbers out of the water. While the 26-year-old has found a way to offer offensive upside, it comes without a power-play role, which will likely prevent him from offering elite-level fantasy value.

Crevier signed a four-year, $16 million contract extension with the Sabres on Thursday.

After being shipped to Buffalo as a part of the deal that sent Bowen Byram to Chicago, Crevier secured his future by signing an extension with the Sabres before suiting up for a regular-season game. The 25-year-old blueliner had a breakout campaign in 2025-26, where he compiled seven goals, 25 points, 114 shots on net, 124 hits and 95 blocked shots across 78 regular-season outings. The young blueliner is projected to open the year on the team's second defensive pairing. If he can stay healthy after undergoing a shoulder procedure in the offseason, Crevier could be the next blueliner in Buffalo to benefit from the team's high-powered offense, making him worthy of being a fantasy stash in deep leagues.

Head coach Rick Bowness said Thursday that Severson (shoulder) is considered week-to-week, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.

Severson had already been ruled out for the Blue Jackets' first two regular-season games, and he was placed on non-roster injured reserve Thursday. Given his initial return timetable, the earliest the 32-year-old would be able to return would be Oct. 9 against Pittsburgh, but Thursday's update suggests that the Blue Jackets aren't yet certain about when Severson could be back in action. Severson recorded eight goals, 24 assists, 86 blocked shots, 45 PIM and 39 hits while averaging 21:04 of ice time across 71 regular-season appearances last year.

Provorov (lower body) was placed on injured reserve by the Blue Jackets on Thursday, per the NHL media site.

Head coach Rick Bowness said Thursday that Provorov is considered week-to-week, and the 29-year-old will officially be sidelined for at least the first week of the regular season. Provorov had appeared in all 82 regular-season games in each of the last four years, most recently generating nine goals, 22 assists, 134 blocked shots, 34 PIM and 28 hits while averaging 24:49 of ice time last season.

Korczak recorded two assists, posted a plus-three rating, placed three shots on net and had two blocked shots in Wednesday's 7-0 Opening Night victory over Philadelphia.

Korczak's debut with Pittsburgh exceeded expectations, as he had an all-around showing highlighted by a pair of helpers. He dished out the secondary assist on Ville Koivunen's goal in the first period before recording his second helper of the game on Filip Hallander's tally in the second. The 25-year-old Korczak was a solid defenseman with Vegas in 2025-26, where he posted three goals, 16 points, 60 shots on net, 102 hits and 95 blocked shots across 78 regular-season outings. If he can post a higher level of offensive production with Pittsburgh, as well as maintain his stats without the puck, Korczak could work his way into fantasy relevance in the 2026-27 campaign.