NHL Player News

O'Connor (lower body) won't play Wednesday in Winnipeg, but he might be an option Thursday in Calgary, per Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.

O'Connor is set to miss his third straight game Wednesday due to the injury. He'll likely serve in a bottom-six capacity once he's available, but the 30-year-old might also spend some time as a healthy scratch. O'Connor had two assists in 13 regular-season outings with the Avalanche in 2025-26.

Stastney was traded to the Penguins from the Oilers on Wednesday in exchange for Filip Hallander.

Stastney split time between Nashville and Edmonton during the 2025-26 campaign, recording two goals, eight assists, 63 blocked shots, 20 PIM and 13 hits while averaging 15:30 of ice time. He signed a one-year, $1.575 million contract with the Oilers during the offseason but didn't appear in any of the team's first three regular-season games. He'll now have the opportunity to attempt to carve out a role with the Penguins.

Kiviranta (lower body) will miss Dallas' upcoming two-game road trip, Mike Heika of the Stars' official site reports Wednesday.

Dallas will play in Buffalo on Thursday and Pittsburgh on Saturday without Kiviranta. However, the hope is that he's ready to go after the road trip, per Robert Tiffin of NHL.com, so Kiviranta might still be an option for Tuesday's home game against Colorado. The 30-year-old has a goal in two appearances with the Stars in 2025-26. Colin Blackwell will likely draw back into the lineup due to Kiviranta's absence.

Hallander was traded to the Oilers from the Penguins on Wednesday in exchange for Spencer Stastney.

Hallander began the 2026-27 campaign on a high note with his first career three-point game during the Penguins' Opening Night matchup against Philadelphia. Across his first two appearances of the year, he's recorded a goal, two assists, a hit and a blocked shot while averaging 10:17 of ice time. He'll attempt to carve out playing time with his new club as the season progresses.

Blackwood is set to start on the road against Winnipeg on Wednesday, per Conor McGahey of Altitude TV.

Blackwood won the Avalanche's opening two games while stopping a combined 52 of 57 shots (.912 save percentage). While Blackwood is set to start in three straight games, the Avalanche will also play in Calgary on Thursday, so Scott Wedgewood will likely start in the second half of the back-to-back. Winnipeg is 2-0-1 while averaging 3.00 goals per game to open the campaign.

Rust (upper body) is considered a game-time decision ahead of Wednesday's matchup with Washington, Josh Yohe of The Athletic reports.

In order to suit up, Rust will need to be officially taken off injured reserve, which should clear the way for him to return to action. For now, it looks like the veteran winger will slot into a third-line role alongside Ben Kindel once given the all-clear, though he is always a candidate to move to the top line alongside Sidney Crosby.

Kuzmenko (personal) was granted non-roster status Wednesday and won't participate in Pittsburgh's road trip, per Josh Yohe of The Athletic.

Kuzmenko will miss Wednesday's game in Washington and Friday's tilt in Columbus. His status for Saturday's home game against Dallas hasn't been announced yet. Kuzmenko's exit from the lineup might coincide with Bryan Rust's (upper body) return. Rust is currently viewed as a game-time decision after missing Pittsburgh's opening three contests.

Sorokin was the first goalie off at Wednesday's optional practice, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports, indicating that he's slated to start Thursday's home game against the Blackhawks.

Sorokin is set to start for the third time in the Islanders' first four regular-season games. Across his first two starts of the year, he went 1-1-0 with a 1.02 GAA and .968 save percentage.

Silovs is set to start on the road against Washington on Wednesday, per Josh Yohe of The Athletic.

Silovs posted a 19-save shutout win against Philadelphia in Pittsburgh's season opener last Wednesday. He followed that up by turning aside 20 of 25 shots en route to a 6-5 overtime victory over Montreal on Saturday. Washington has gone 1-1-0 while averaging 3.00 goals per game across that span.

Mangiapane (lower body) was put on injured reserve Wednesday.

Mangiapane's placement on IR is retroactive to Sept. 29, which is when he sustained the injury during a game against Vegas. He's considered week-to-week, so while the 30-year-old can be activated at any time, Mangiapane isn't viewed as being close to returning. Dominic Toninato was summoned from AHL Rockford in a corresponding move.