NHL Player News

Bonk is contending with an upper-body injury, and it's unclear if he'll be cleared for contact by the start of training camp Thursday, according to Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia on Tuesday.

The Flyers are awaiting imaging results regarding Bonk's injury, but the 20-year-old has been able to skate despite missing rookie games. The 2023 first-round selection, No. 22 overall, has yet to make his NHL debut, though he'll probably begin his professional career in 2025-26, whether that's with the Flyers or AHL Lehigh Valley.

Ristolainen (right triceps tendon) is working his way back to full strength and will aim to join the team sometime during the first 1-2 months of the 2025-26 season, Charlie O'Connor of PHLY Sports reports Tuesday.

Ristolainen underwent surgery in late March for a second triceps tendon rupture. Considering the Flyers are unlikely to be contenders this season, they have no reason to rush the 30-year-old defenseman back into game action. While Ristolainen continues his recovery, Emil Andrae will likely receive consistent playing time on the third pairing to start the year.

Mateychuk will be limited at the start of training camp due to a groin injury, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports Monday.

Mateychuk saw action in 45 regular-season games for the Blue Jackets as a rookie last year in which he recorded four goals, nine helpers and 26 hits while averaging 18:02 of ice time. If the 21-year-old blueliner can overcome his injury before Opening Night against the Predators on Oct. 9, he should be a near lock to top the 20-point threshold this year and could even land in the 25-30 point range.

Girard (lower body) was seen skating gingerly in a non-contact jersey Friday after missing all of the Avalanche's previous informal skates, Brennan Vogt of Hockey Mountain High reports.

Girard appears to be working his way back from an injury of some sort, though no details were available. The 27-year-old could be limited in training camp but should be good for a top-four role on the blue line if he's healthy by the start of the regular season.

Walcott secured a professional tryout agreement with the Panthers, NHL insider Frank Seravalli reports Friday.

Walcott had announced his retirement from hockey Aug. 29, but apparently, he is not through with the game. The feisty 31-year-old played one game at the NHL level with Tampa Bay back in the 2020-21 campaign, picking up a five-minute fighting major and seven hits in 10:03 of action.

Ristolainen (right triceps tendon) was on ice Thursday in a non-contact jersey, Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Ristolainen underwent surgery March 26, and the timetable for recovery at that time was at least six months. If he is on schedule, Ristolainen could be back for the start of the regular season, though the Flyers won't rush the process. Ristolainen had four goals, 15 assists, 97 hits and 94 blocked shots across 63 regular-season games with the Flyers in 2024-25.

Kettles is dealing with an undisclosed injury that will sideline him for the Penguins' Prospect Challenge, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports Wednesday.

Kettles was a long shot to make the Penguins' Opening Night roster even without this injury delaying his development. Still, the 2025 second-round pick should get a look during training camp if he is healthy enough in time to participate. After that, expect Kettles to return to WHL Swift Current for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign.

Harpur secured a professional tryout agreement with the Panthers, NHL Insider Frank Seravalli reports Wednesday.

Harpur last logged an NHL game back in 2022-23 when he was with the Rangers, making 42 regular-season appearances in which he garnered one goal, five helpers and 63 hits while averaging 14:04 of ice time. Securing a regular NHL deal is going to be an uphill battle for Harpur, as he'll need to edge out Uvis Balinskis or Tobias Bjornfot.

Power (lower body) is fully healthy ahead of the 2025-26 season, according to Justin Alpert of the Sabres' official site on Tuesday.

Power missed the last three games of 2024-25 after sustaining a lower-body injury April 12. The 22-year-old blueliner avoided surgery and is back in Buffalo participating in informal skates ahead of training camp. The 2021 No. 1 overall selection set career highs in goals (seven), assists (33) and points (40) last year, and he could take another step forward if he earns the majority of power-play time on the second unit over Bowen Byram this season.

Mukhamadullin (shoulder) skated during Monday's informal session, according to Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now.

Mukhamadullin had a procedure on his shoulder in April and is expected to be at full strength when San Jose's season opens versus the Golden Knights on Oct. 9. The 2020 first-round selection should be a lineup fixture on the blue line this season, with a chance to work his way into a larger role if any of the Sharks' veterans struggle or are dealt before the trade deadline in March.