NHL Player News

The Kraken announced Wednesday that Montour had a bursa removed from his ankle earlier in September and is expected to miss two weeks.

Montour will be sidelined for at least the first half of training camp, though he may still have the time to get into a game or two late in the preseason. With Montour out, look for Ryker Evans to get more power-play looks during exhibition games. If Montour's recovery takes longer, Josh Mahura would be a candidate to step into the lineup.

Kaiser signed a two-year, $3.4 million contract with the Blackhawks on Wednesday.

Kaiser and the Blackhawks were able to come to terms on the eve of training camp, getting the defenseman under contract after a prolonged negotiation. The 23-year-old will be in the mix for a bottom-four role this season, though the Blackhawks have a number of young defensemen that could see playing time, which may lead to Kaiser getting the occasional healthy scratch. He produced eight points, 66 shots on net, 54 hits and 93 blocked shots over 57 games in 2024-25.

Livingstone will attend the Penguins' training camp after signing a professional tryout prior to camp opening Thursday.

Livingstone has just five games of NHL experience under his belt from the 2022-23 season. The 26-year-old blueliner will likely have to settle for a two-way contract at best if he's able to impress the Penguins' brass during camp. He had just 16 points in 59 regular-season games with AHL Milwaukee last year.

Letang (chest) is not listed among the injured players on the Penguins' training camp roster released Wednesday.

Letang underwent a procedure in April to repair a small hole in his heart. The 38-year-old defenseman is set for his 20th campaign with the Penguins, and assuming he can get through camp healthy, he should be penciled in for time in a top-four role and on one of the power-play units.

Christiansen (upper body) is not listed with an injury on the Blue Jackets' training camp roster released Wednesday, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.

Christiansen's injury cost him four games at the end of 2024-25. The 26-year-old blueliner is poised to compete for a third-pairing spot in the lineup this season, but there's no guarantee he'll be able to carve out a regular role, as he'll have to prove himself over Denton Mateychuk (groin), who will be limited to start camp. Christiansen saw action in 68 games last year, earning eight points with 65 blocked shots and 50 hits despite averaging just 12:32 of ice time per game.

Schneider (shoulder) will not be ready for game action in early in training camp but is aiming to play in two of the final three preseason games, Jim Cerny of Forever Blueshirts reports Wednesday.

Schneider underwent shoulder surgery in April and will be brought along slowly during the first half of the preseason. The 23-year-old defenseman is still expected to be cleared prior to the start of the regular season. Given his expected workload in the preseason, Schneider's first chance to play will be in a road game versus the Islanders on Sept. 29.

Woo had surgery for an upper-body injury in the offseason and is considered month-to-month, Patrick Johnston of The Province reports Wednesday.

Woo likely wouldn't be an option for the NHL roster anyway, but the 25-year-old blueliner is on a two-way contract this year. He sustained the injury last season and played through it during AHL Abbotsford's playoff run. In the likely event Woo's recovery lasts into the regular season, he may begin 2025-26 on the Canucks' injured non-roster list until he is cleared to play.

Jensen (hip) should resume skating next week, but there's no guarantee he'll be ready for Ottawa's season opener versus Tampa Bay on Oct. 9, per Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia on Wednesday.

Jensen had three goals, 21 points, 77 shots, 55 hits and 95 blocks in 71 regular-season outings with Ottawa last year. Nikolas Matinpalo might draw into the lineup to begin the season if Jensen isn't an option. Jensen's absence would also likely result in Jordan Spence seeing an increase in his ice time after averaging 16:47 during the 2024-25 regular season.

Head coach Jared Bednar said Wednesday that Girard (lower body) is expected to miss time during camp but could be ready to return by Opening Night, Meghan Angley of Guerilla Sports reports.

Girard has been skating in a non-contact jersey recently due to his lower-body injury, and while he's expected to spend some time rehabbing during training camp, he could be back in time for the regular season. Girard logged three goals, 21 assists, 111 blocked shots and 62 hits while averaging 20:51 of ice time over 73 regular-season appearances last year.

Edvinsson (lower body) is expected to miss a couple of weeks, but he should be available "around the start of the regular season," general manager Steve Yzerman told Daniella Bruce of the Red Wings' official site Wednesday.

Edvinsson had seven goals, 31 points, 67 PIM, 86 hits and 144 blocks in 78 outings while averaging 21:07 of ice time with Detroit in 2024-25. He should continue to serve in a top-four capacity this year. If Edvinsson isn't ready for the opener against Montreal on Oct. 9, then that increases the chances of Travis Hamonic playing in that game.