NHL Player News

Levi stopped 23 of 24 shots in Saturday's 4-1 preseason win over the Flames.

Levi kept Calgary scoreless through the first two periods, turning aside all 16 shots he faced while Edmonton built a 3-0 advantage. His shutout bid ended when Matthew Coronato scored in the third period, but the Oilers still found a way to close the game out. The 24-year-old finished Edmonton's preseason finale with a .958 save percentage but will open the season as the No. 2 goaltender behind Tristan Jarry.

Kasper pocketed two assists in Saturday's 4-2 preseason loss to the Blue Jackets.

Both helpers came in the third period as Kasper tried to spark a comeback from a 3-0 deficit. The 22-year-old center saw his numbers take a significant step backwards in 2025-26, as he managed just nine goals and 19 points in 81 games, but Kasper could be thrust into a top-six role this season if Dylan Larkin (upper body) gets his desired trade.

Gibson stopped 18 of 21 shots in Saturday's 4-2 preseason loss to the Blue Jackets. Columbus' final goal was scored into an empty net.

The Red Wings never led in the game, as the Jackets took a 3-0 lead into the third period before Gibson got any sort of offensive support. The long-time Anaheim netminder is coming off a solid first season with Detroit, going 29-22-4 in 57 appearances with a 2.72 GAA and .901 save percentage, and Gibson's spot at the top of the chart chart seems secure with the inconsistent Daniil Tarasov as his primary backup.

Coyle scored a power-play goal and added an even-strength assist in Saturday's 4-2 preseason win over Detroit.

Both points came in the first period as the Blue Jackets never trailed in the contest. Coyle was handsomely rewarded with a six-year contract extension this offseason after producing 20 goals and 58 points over 82 regular-season games in 2025-26, but his ability to repeat those numbers could depend on Sean Monahan's ability to stay healthy and be an effective No. 2 center behind young star Adam Fantilli.

Nichushkin produced a goal and an assist in Saturday's 4-2 preseason win over Detroit.

He gave the Blue Jackets a 2-0 lead late in the first period, going top shelf on John Gibson on a one-timer from the high slot, before helping to set up Cole Sillinger for an empty-netter late in the third. Nichushkin is expected to fill a top-six role and have a consistent spot on the power play in his first season with Columbus, giving the 31-year-old winger the opportunity to improve on the 17 goals and 49 points he recorded over 72 regular-season games for Colorado in 2025-26.

Greaves turned aside 31 shots in Saturday's 4-2 preseason win over the Red Wings.

The 25-year-old netminder took a shutout into the third period before getting beaten by Ben Chiarot and Michael Rasmussen, but the Blue Jackets never trailed in the contest. Greaves heads into 2026-27 with a firm hold on the No. 1 job in the Columbus crease after going 26-19-9 last season with a 2.60 GAA and .908 save percentage over 55 appearances.

Schmid stopped 20 shots in regulation and overtime and one of three shootout attempts in Saturday's 3-2 preseason loss to the Lightning.

The Panthers took a 2-1 lead into the third period, but a Benjamin Rautiainen power-play tally tied it up, and Schmid then couldn't deny Pontus Holmberg or Rautiainen again in the shootout. The former Devil and Golden Knight will open 2026-27 as Jacob Markstrom's backup in the new-look Florida crease, but the 26-year-old Schmid could push to make it more of a timeshare after going 16-10-6 with a 2.59 GAA and .893 save percentage over 34 regular-season appearances for Vegas last season.

Hildeby stopped 20 shots in regulation and overtime and two of three shootout attempts during Saturday's 3-2 preseason win over the Panthers.

It was a solid showing for the 25-year-old goalie, although neither team was icing its stars. Hildeby is set to open the 2026-27 campaign as the backup to Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning after producing a 2.85 GAA and .912 over 20 regular-season appearances for Toronto last season.

Drysdale scored a goal on four shots in Saturday's 5-1 preseason loss to the Capitals.

The 24-year-old blueliner snapped a shot from the top of the slot past Charlie Lindgren just 31 seconds into the second period to give the Flyers a 1-0 lead, but things quickly went south for Philly after that. Drysdale scored a career-high eight goals over 78 regular-season games in 2025-26 while tying his career high with 32 points, but he has the potential for more if he can establish himself on the top power-play unit and convince coach Rick Tocchet to stop mixing and matching on the point -- four different Flyers defensemen averaged more than a minute of PP time last season, although Drysdale led the way at 2:19.

Kolosov made 19 saves in Saturday's 5-1 preseason loss to the Capitals.

After a scoreless first period, Jamie Drysdale gave the Flyers a brief lead just 31 seconds into the second, but Kolosov couldn't make it hold up. The 24-year-old netminder has a shaky 3.64 GAA and .863 save percentage over 21 career NHL appearances, but he could open the season as the No. 2 netminder behind Joseph Woll if Dan Vladar (upper body) misses any time.