NHL Player News

Soucy signed a professional tryout agreement with Columbus on Sunday.

Soucy compiled five goals, 12 points, 62 shots on net, 91 blocked shots and 105 hits across 76 games between the Rangers and Islanders in the 2025-26 regular season. He will compete for a depth role with Columbus during training camp.

Psenicka (undisclosed) left Saturday's prospects game versus the Golden Knights, and there was no update on his status after the contest.

Psenicka was injured early in the contest, but with it being the preseason, there is extra caution taken with every injury. The 19-year-old defenseman is coming off a 30-point effort over 53 regular-season games with WHL Portland last year. He could go back to junior in 2026-27, but he is also eligible to play in the AHL with Tucson this year since he is a European player.

Blankenburg signed a professional tryout offer with Toronto on Saturday, per Andre Leal of The Hockey News.

Blankenburg had eight goals and 24 points in 61 regular-season appearances with Nashville and Colorado in 2025-26. The 28-year-old might have a chance to win a third-pairing spot with the Maple Leafs, especially if Chris Tanev (abdomen) ends up needing to miss the start of the campaign.

Simashev said Friday that his main goal for training camp is to make the Mammoth's Opening Night roster.

Simashev was the sixth overall pick in 2023, and he got his first opportunity to contribute at the NHL level last year. Across 28 regular-season appearances with Utah, he recorded an assist, 28 blocked shots, 23 PIM and 14 hits while averaging 15:06 of ice time. The 21-year-old isn't guaranteed a spot on the Opening Night roster heading into the 2026-27 campaign, but he'll likely compete with Maveric Lamoureux during training camp for a spot on the team's blue line to begin the regular season.

Brunicke said Friday that he hopes to spend a whole season at the NHL level during the 2026-27 campaign, Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports reports.

Brunicke made the Penguins' Opening Night roster last year and recorded a goal, 13 blocked shots, six PIM and four hits while averaging 15:43 of ice time across nine regular-season appearances with Pittsburgh. However, the Penguins sent him down following his nine-game stint to avoid burning the first season of his three-year, entry-level contract. The 20-year-old made an impact with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the playoffs and is motivated to earn a more consistent role in the NHL this year, though the Penguins have several established defensemen who could limit Brunicke's opportunities to contribute at the top level.

AHL Hamilton head coach Jay McKee said Friday that he's "seeing more than [he] expected with [George]," Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.

Although George spent most of last season in the AHL, he did appear in four games with the Islanders, recording an assist and a hit while averaging 13:22 of ice time over that limited sample. It's encouraging that he's making an impression early in rookie camp, and he'll likely be in the mix for an Opening Night roster spot if he can continue to showcase his skill set at training camp.

Gonchar is dealing with an undisclosed injury and hasn't been cleared to be on the ice to begin rookie camp, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports Friday.

While the exact nature and severity of Gonchar's injury isn't yet clear, he's sidelined for the start of rookie camp despite being present with the team. The 19-year-old made 65 regular-season appearances with OHL Sudbury last year, and he recorded 15 goals, 36 assists and 31 PIM.

Reilly signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Hurricanes on Thursday.

Reilly spent last season with Carolina, and he generated a goal, eight assists, 37 blocked shots, 26 PIM and 18 hits while averaging 14:58 of ice time across 42 regular-season appearances. While his new contract is a two-way deal, he had an encouraging workload with the Hurricanes last year and should have the opportunity to compete for a role once again during the 2026-27 campaign.

Severson (shoulder) is projected to be ready for the start of the regular season, but he isn't expected to participate in exhibition games, Mark Scheig on The Hockey Writers reports Wednesday.

While Severson is "ready to roll," according to general manager Don Waddell, the plan is to take a cautious approach with the 32-year-old defenseman. Severson had eight goals, 32 points, 45 PIM, 39 hits and 86 blocks in 71 regular-season appearances with Columbus in 2025-26. He didn't play past March 26 and underwent shoulder surgery April 2.

Forsling (undisclosed) has been participating in informal skates ahead of training camp, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports Tuesday.

Forsling had two goals, 28 points, 112 shots on net, 98 blocked shots and 52 hits in 80 appearances during the 2025-26 regular season. He sat out Florida's final game of the campaign, but he should be fine for the beginning of camp.