NHL Player News

Pettersson posted an assist, two blocked shots and a plus-3 rating in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Lightning.

Pettersson's helper Tuesday was his first point as a Ranger. He's filling the role he was acquired for -- a steady second-pairing shutdown defenseman. Through eight games, he's posted six shots on net, 11 hits, 14 blocked shots and a plus-5 rating while averaging 20:35 of ice time. Pettersson has displayed 30-point potential in the past, but offense is secondary to keeping opponents in check for the 30-year-old blueliner.

Mahura notched an assist in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout win over the Flyers.

Mahura has contributed two helpers, two shots on goal, four hits, six blocked shots and a plus-1 rating over four appearances. The Kraken have historically left their spare defensemen out of the lineup, but Mahura, Cale Fleury and Ville Ottavainen are all getting looks early in 2026-27. There's room for two of them on a nightly basis until Ryan Lindgren (upper body) returns in the latter half of November.

Holl scored a goal in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes.

Holl checked into the lineup following his Monday call-up from AHL Hershey. The 34-year-old scored in his season debut while logging 12:05 of ice time. Holl had just two points in nine appearances for the Blues in 2025-26, and he has minimal scoring upside. He'll compete with Dylan McIlrath for time in the lineup while the Capitals await the return of Matt Roy (lower body).

Orlov logged two assists, including one on the power play, and added three hits and a minus-2 rating in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Bruins.

Orlov was off to a slow start to the campaign prior to Tuesday, going without a point in his first five games. The veteran defenseman is filling a top-four role and seeing some inconsistent time on the power play. He's added three shots on net, 11 hits, eight blocked shots and a minus-5 rating through six outings. Orlov is unlikely to repeat his career year of 37 points in 82 games from last year, but he can be an effective all-around depth blueliner in fantasy.

Trouba scored a goal on three shots, added two PIM and logged two hits in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Bruins.

This was Trouba's first goal as a Shark. The 32-year-old defenseman has added two assists, 11 shots on net, 12 hits, 10 blocked shots, seven PIM and a minus-4 rating. He's firmly in a top-four role as one of the veterans on San Jose's blue line. Trouba's value remains highest in banger leagues, but his significant ice time with the Sharks' young forwards will help him attempt to repeat his 35-point effort over 81 regular-season games with the Ducks last year.

Borgen scored an empty-net goal, doled out five hits, blocked two shots and went plus-2 in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Sharks.

Borgen has been a stabilizing defensive presence in the Bruins' top four to start the campaign. He's chipped in a goal, two assists, three shots on net, 21 hits, 10 blocked shots, eight PIM and a plus-10 rating over seven appearances. With Charlie McAvoy making his season debut Tuesday, Borgen is likely set to see fewer minutes moving forward, but his strong start to the year should keep him in the lineup. He'll have some appeal in banger leagues, but he's never had more than 25 points over a full season, so there's not much offense to be found here.

McAvoy scored a goal on three shots and added four hits in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Sharks.

McAvoy is finally free of a carryover suspension for his playoff slash against Buffalo's Zach Benson. The 28-year-old looked good while leading the Bruins' blue line Tuesday, logging 24:41 of ice time in the win. When he doesn't cross the line, he has all-around appeal in fantasy with steady contributions across the board. He'll play on the top pairing and first power-play unit -- any fantasy manager who got him at a discount on draft day should keep him active moving forward.

Clarke scored a goal on six shots and added two PIM in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Oilers.

While the Kings have started the year poorly, Clarke's offense has been a bright spot. The goal was his first of the year to go with three assists and 15 shots on net. The 23-year-old defenseman hasn't been credited with a hit yet, but he has racked up 15 PIM and nine blocked shots, showing multiple ways to frustrate opponents. As long as the penalties don't become reckless, Clarke is a lock to handle top-four minutes.

Emberson notched an assist in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Kings.

This was Emberson's first point in four outings this season. The defenseman has added four hits, three blocked shots and no shots on net. The 26-year-old is playing regularly in the absence of Jake Walman (upper body), but the last spot on the blue line will likely come down to Emberson or Shakir Mukhamadullin once the Oilers' defense is back to full health. Emberson had 12 points, 107 hits and 106 blocked shots over 72 regular-season outings last year.

Nurse was unable to finish Tuesday's game versus the Bruins after getting injured in a fight, and there was no update on his status after the contest, Max Miller of NHL.com reports.

Nurse's third-period fight left him a bit worse for wear. He went down hard during the bout and may have hit his head in the process, but the Sharks didn't have any details available. Nurse's status for the start of the team's six-game road trip is undetermined, and it remains to be seen if he'll join the team when the trip begins in Nashville on Thursday. If Nurse is out, expect Nolan Allan to check back into the lineup.