NHL Player News

Stanley recorded two assists, two hits, three blocked shots, 10 PIM and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Blackhawks.

Stanley was left unsigned late into the preseason before inking a one-year deal with the Islanders. That signing looks to be beneficial for the team, who will be without Alexander Romanov for 6-8 months following a torn ACL that required surgery. Stanley slotted into Romanov's usual top-pairing slot alongside Matthew Schaefer for Thursday's contest. Through four games, Stanley has four assists, two shots on net, 11 hits, eight blocked shots, 12 PIM and a plus-4 rating. He had a career-high 26 points in 76 regular-season outings between Winnipeg and Buffalo last year, and if he continues to be a top-pairing option, he could get back in that neighborhood this year.

Duclair scored a goal on two shots and added four PIM in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Blackhawks.

Duclair has seen steady third-line usage to open the season. The 31-year-old winger battled a lower-body injury late in 2025-26, but he was often a healthy scratch after he moved past that issue, so it's a positive to see him consistently in the lineup. Through four outings in 2026-27, he has a goal, six shots, two hits, two blocked shots and four PIM.

Heineman scored a goal and added two hits in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Blackhawks.

Heineman has seen most his even-strength usage on the top line this season. He's produced two goals, three shots and 10 hits over four contests, though he's still seeing just traces of power-play time. Heineman had 22 goals, nine assists, 174 shots on net, 247 hits and a minus-13 rating over 82 regular-season appearances last year, and his shot is good enough to eventually help him see time with the man advantage.

Steel scored a goal and went plus-2 in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Sabres.

The Stars are still tinkering with line combinations, and the latest adjustment had Steel alongside Wyatt Johnston and Mikko Rantanen to begin Thursday's game. That's a great spot, but it's unclear if Steel will stay there in the long run. He's a versatile forward who can fit in all over the lineup. He has two points, seven shots on net, three hits and a plus-2 rating over four appearances.

Hintz scored a power-play goal on six shots in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Sabres.

Hintz had the last tally of the game. The center is starting to get going with three points over his last two outings. He's up to nine shots on net, seven hits and a plus-2 rating across four contests. Hintz should continue to see steady top-six usage and power-play time.

Jankowski scored a goal on two shots and added four hits in Thursday's 7-2 win over the Canucks.

Jankowski has three points this season, all coming over the last two games. He's added four shots on net, six hits, two blocked shots and a plus-1 rating across five appearances. Jankowski's place in the bottom six looks secure for now, as it's more likely for Jesperi Kotkaniemi or Nicolas Deslauriers to be out of the lineup as the healthy scratch.

Miller scored a goal and added two PIM in Thursday's 7-2 win over the Canucks.

Miller set the tone in this blowout win, scoring just 1:18 into the game. The 26-year-old defenseman has a goal, an assist, four shots on net, five hits, seven blocked shots, four PIM and a minus-2 rating over five appearances this season. He's in a top-four role at even strength, but his power-play usage has fluctuated as he competes with Sean Walker for a spot on the second unit.

Michkov scored a power-play goal and added two PIM in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Senators.

Michkov has done alright to start the year, scoring two of the Flyers' six goals so far. He's added six shots on net, three blocked shots, six PIM and a minus-3 rating through five contests. The talented winger is filling a middle-six role and maintaining a power-play spot, but the team around him will need to drastically improve to get his offense up to the expected level.

Cousins scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Flyers.

Cousins has opened the season in the bottom six. The 33-year-old forward has two points, three shots, 10 hits, three blocked shots, 12 PIM and a minus-1 rating. Cousins can be an effective agitator, and he's topped the 20-point mark in three of the previous five campaigns. That level of offense doesn't help in standard formats, but he could be a decent option for deep banger leagues.

Head coach Travis Green said Friday that Eklund will be out for an extended period due to an ankle injury, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports.

Eklund exited Thursday's game against the Flyers and was unable to put weight on his leg as he left the ice. A precise timetable for the 23-year-old's return hasn't yet been revealed, but he's considered out indefinitely and appears to at least be week-to-week at this point. Nick Cousins could see an increased role while Eklund is sidelined.