NHL Player News

Brzustewicz scored twice in AHL Calgary's 4-3 win over Coachella Valley on Saturday.

Brzustewicz is showing plenty of offense early in the AHL campaign, logging three goals and three helpers over six contests. The 20-year-old defenseman still needs some time in the AHL, but if the struggling Flames start selling early this year, he could be in line for a call-up, especially if Rasmus Andersson is one of the players on the move. Like Andersson, Brzustewicz is a right-shot defenseman.

Zub notched two assists, two blocked shots and a plus-4 rating in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Capitals.

Zub has two multi-point efforts this season, which is solid work from a defenseman who isn't known for lighting up the scoresheet. The 30-year-old has a goal, five helpers, 17 shots on net, 13 hits, 14 blocked shots, six PIM and a plus-3 rating through nine outings. The offense won't last, but his all-around play could make him worth a look in deeper fantasy formats. As long as he can stay healthy -- a big if considering he's missed at least 13 games in three straight years -- he's a lock for a top-four role.

Fowler logged a power-play assist, two shots on goal, two PIM and a minus-3 rating in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Red Wings.

Fowler has not started 2025-26 very well, earning just two assists over eight games. He's also recorded a minus-5 rating, 15 shots on net and five blocked shots. Fowler is still on the top power-play unit for now, but Justin Faulk could take over that spot if Fowler's offense doesn't improve. Among the St. Louis blueliners, Faulk and Colton Parayko offer more all-around production than Fowler, though none of the three is a must-have option in fantasy.

Faulk registered two assists, including one on the power play, and added two blocked shots in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Red Wings.

Faulk's first multi-point effort helped the Blues to a hot start in this game, but it didn't last. The 33-year-old blueliner is up to four points, 14 shots on net, 16 blocked shots, nine hits and a plus-1 rating over eight appearances. While he's on the second power-play unit, he's earned three of his points with the man advantage and could eventually supplant the struggling Cam Fowler on the top unit.

Hamonic logged an assist, two shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Blues.

Hamonic played Opening Night versus the Canadiens, but he was scratched for seven straight games before entering the lineup as a seventh defenseman Saturday. The 35-year-old is likely near the tail end of his career, and the Red Wings have more interest in giving minutes to younger options like Axel Sandin-Pellikka and Albert Johansson. Hamonic is likely to remain in a part-time role until injuries pile up on the blue line.

Schmidt notched an assist, three hits and a plus-4 rating in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Wild.

The assist on Nick Schmaltz's first goal was Schmidt's first point with the Mammoth. The absence of Sean Durzi (shoulder) has opened up some power-play time on the second unit for Schmidt, though his lack of offense could cost him that role. He should remain a regular in the lineup as a reliable veteran defenseman. The 34-year-old has added 12 shots on net, 12 hits, eight blocked shots and a plus-6 rating this season, giving him modest appeal for category coverage if he can get his offense going in the right direction.

Nurse scored a goal on three shots in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Kraken.

Nurse got the Oilers within a goal with 5:25 left in the contest, but they couldn't tie it up. The 30-year-old defenseman has three points over his last two games and continues to be a top-four regular for Edmonton. He's at five points, 20 shots on net, 29 blocked shots, 17 hits, six PIM and a minus-2 rating over nine appearances. Nurse's all-around production remains his top selling point in fantasy.

Bouchard scored a power-play goal on three shots, added two PIM and went minus-3 in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Kraken.

Bouchard extended his point streak to three games when he tallied his first goal of the season at 15:39 of the second period. However, it was another game to forget in his own zone, as he was on the ice for all three of Seattle's goals. Bouchard is at three points, 30 shots on net, 15 blocked shots and a minus-10 rating through nine contests. The Oilers' 5-on-5 struggles are part of the problem here, but Bouchard typically can generate enough offense to make up for his defensive lapses -- that just hasn't been the case early in 2025-26.

Clarke logged a pair of assists, three shots on goal, three blocked shots and a plus-3 rating in Saturday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Predators.

Clarke easily had his best performance of the season. He set up goals by Adrian Kempe and Trevor Moore, and played well in his own zone, too. The 22-year-old Clarke has a goal, three assists, 15 shots on net, 15 blocked shots, five hits and a plus-3 rating over nine appearances this season. While he's been a regular in the lineup to begin 2025-26, he needs to have more outings like this one to earn widespread fantasy appeal.

Dahlin put up an assist in Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs.

The four-time double-digit goal scorer is still waiting for his first this year, but he has compiled seven assists through nine games. Dahlin is a force on the blue line, compiling 23 shots on net, eight blocked shots and nine hits. His goal production should come eventually.