NHL Player News

Ersson is set to start on the road in Montreal for Saturday's preseason game, per the NHL media site.

Ersson had a 14-11-5 record, 3.12 GAA and .870 save percentage in 33 regular-season appearances with the Flyers in 2025-26. He's slated to start the upcoming campaign as Ottawa's No. 2 goaltender behind Linus Ullmark.

Mintyukov didn't play in Saturday's preseason tilt against Los Angeles because of an illness, per Derek Lee of The Hockey News.

Mintyukov had eight goals, 22 points, 39 hits and 112 blocks in 73 regular-season appearances in 2025-26. The Ducks don't have their regular-season opener until Friday in Vegas, so Mintyukov might still be fine for that game.

Dobes will guard the road goal against Ottawa in Saturday's preseason game, per the NHL media site.

Dobes stopped nine of 11 shots in a 4-3 preseason overtime win over Toronto. He played in half of that outing before Jacob Fowler entered the game. Dobes had a 29-10-4 record, 2.78 GAA and .901 save percentage in 43 regular-season appearances in 2025-26.

Daccord is set to start in Vancouver for Saturday's preseason outing, per the NHL media site.

Daccord stopped 14 shots across two periods in last Saturday's 4-2 exhibition win over the Canucks. He had a 20-20-6 record, 3.03 GAA and .896 save percentage in 47 regular-season appearances in 2025-26, which was down from a 2.75 GAA and a .906 save percentage across 57 outings in the 2024-25 regular season.

Lankinen is expected to start at home against Seattle in Saturday's preseason game, per Canucks play-by-play announcer Brendan Batchelor.

Lankinen turned aside 27 of 30 shots in a 3-1 preseason loss to Calgary on Tuesday. Thatcher Demko (hip) isn't likely to be ready for Opening Night, so Lankinen and Leevi Merilainen will probably be competing for starts at the beginning of the campaign.

Luukkonen left Saturday's 3-1 preseason loss against Pittsburgh because of an undisclosed injury, per Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News.

Luukkonen's issue was described as a "tweak" and the decision to pull him precautionary, so it's still possible that he'll be available for Buffalo's season opener in Columbus on Thursday. However, the timing is especially bad for the Sabres, who were already missing Alex Lyon (upper body). If Lyon and Luukkonen are both unavailable for the start of 2026-27, then Colten Ellis would likely be leaned on heavily at the beginning of the campaign.

Hildeby will defend the road net in Saturday's preseason finale against the Panthers, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Hildeby made 23 saves in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime exhibition loss to Nashville. He is slated to serve as Andrei Vasilevskiy's backup in the 2026-27 campaign, which could make Hildeby a decent spot-starter option.

Rust sustained an undisclosed injury during Saturday's preseason game and won't return to the tilt.

Rust had 29 goals and 65 points in 72 regular-season appearances in 2025-26. If he's not healthy for the start of the 2026-27 campaign, then that would increase the chances of Rutger McGroarty being part of the Opening Night roster.

Ullmark will patrol the home crease in Saturday's preseason game against Montreal, per Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia.

Ullmark posted a 28-12-8 record with three shutouts, a 2.73 GAA and an .891 save percentage in 49 regular-season appearances for Ottawa in 2025-26. He will likely receive the bulk of the starts for the Senators again during the 2026-27 campaign.

Sanderson (undisclosed) will be in the lineup for Saturday's home preseason game against the Canadiens, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports.

Sanderson has recovered from his minor issue and will get a final tune-up before the 2026-27 campaign begins. The 24-year-old blueliner generated 14 goals, 54 points, 147 shots on net and 128 blocked shots across 67 appearances during the 2025-26 regular season.