NHL Player News

Binnington will patrol the home crease Opening Night versus Minnesota on Thursday, per Matthew DeFranks of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Binnington was stellar in preseason action, allowing only two goals on 73 shots (.973 save percentage). The 32-year-old netminder was 28-22-5 with a 2.69 GAA and a .900 save percentage across 56 regular-season appearances in 2024-25.

Ullmark will draw the road Opening Night assignment in goal against Tampa Bay on Thursday, Julian McKenzie of The Athletic reports.

Ullmark solidified Ottawa's netminding in 2024-25 after an offseason trade from Boston. He was 25-14-3 with four shutouts, a 2.72 GAA and a .909 save percentage. He will likely play 45-50 games this season, as the Senators are quite high on young goaltender Leevi Merilainen.

Wedgewood will get the starting nod at home against Utah on Thursday, Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports reports.

Wedgewood put up a fantastic performance in the season opener, stopping 24 of 25 shots in a road victory over the Kings. While Mackenzie Blackwood (lower body) has returned to practice, the crease will belong to Wedgewood for the time being. Eventually, the 33-year-old Wedgewood figures to be relegated to the backup role but could play himself into a more even split share if he continues to perform well.

Andersen will defend the home crease during Thursday's Opening Night matchup against the Devils, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

Andersen will draw the start in Thursday's regular-season opener, while Brandon Bussi will serve as the backup since Pyotr Kochetkov (undisclosed) is "nicked up." Andersen made 22 regular-season appearances for Carolina last year, going 13-8-1 with a 2.50 GAA and .899 save percentage. He's been effective over a limited sample across the past two seasons, and he'll likely split goaltending duties with Kochetkov this year.

Greaves will serve as the starting goaltender for Thursday's Opening Night matchup on the road against Nashville, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.

Although Greaves saw limited playing time for the Blue Jackets last year, he had a stellar late-season performance that nearly propelled the team to the playoffs. Overall, he went 7-2-2 with a 1.91 GAA and .938 save percentage over 11 regular-season appearances, and he'll be rewarded with the Opening Night start to begin the 2025-26 campaign. Elvis Merzlikins should still see his fair share of playing time this season, but it seems as though Greaves will have ample opportunities to make an impact.

Markstrom is slated to patrol the visiting crease on Opening Night in Carolina on Thursday, according to Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site.

Markstrom rebounded from a tough couple of seasons to post a 26-16-6 record with four shutouts, a 2.50 GAA and a .900 save percentage across 49 outings in 2024-25. He'll face a Carolina side that is expected to be at or near the top of the Metropolitan Division standings this season.

Hellebuyck will defend the home net Opening Night versus Dallas on Thursday, Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press reports.

Hellebuyck, the reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner, was outstanding in 2024-25, posting a 47-12-3 mark with eight shutouts, a 2.00 GAA and a .925 save percentage. He is currently the best goaltender in hockey, and he'll attempt to begin the 2025-26 campaign on a high note Thursday.

Vladar will start Thursday's Opening Night matchup on the road against Florida, Charlie O'Connor of PHLY Sports reports.

Vladar was the first goalie off following Thursday's morning skate, and head coach Rick Tocchet officially named him the Opening Night starter afterward. Vladar made 30 regular-season appearances for Calgary last year, going 11-6-2 with a 2.80 GAA and .898 save percentage. Samuel Ersson will likely see the majority of starts for the Flyers this year, but it wouldn't be surprising to see the two netminders in some sort of timeshare.

Jarry will patrol the home crease versus the Islanders on Thursday, per Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Jarry did not start Opening Night as Arturs Silovs shut out the Rangers in a 3-0 victory. Head coach Dan Muse said Thursday that he wanted both goaltenders to play early in the season, so Jarry will see some time in the net Thursday. Jarry was 16-12-6 with a 3.12 GAA and an .892 save percentage across 36 regular-season appearances for Pittsburgh in 2024-25.

Head coach Rod Brind'Amour said Thursday that Kochetkov (undisclosed) was "nicked up" and will not back up Frederik Andersen versus New Jersey on Thursday, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

Kochetkov missed practice Wednesday and Thursday with the injury. Andersen will get the Opening Night start, while Brandon Bussi serves as the backup. Kochetkov should tentatively be considered day-to-day as the regular season gets underway.