NHL Player News

Head coach Todd McLellan said Friday that Bernard-Docker is considered day-to-day due to an upper-body injury, Max Bultman of The Athletic reports.

Bernard-Docker has appeared in two of the Red Wings' first three exhibition games ahead of the regular season, but he's dealing with an injury ahead of Saturday's preseason finale. It seems likely that he'll be held out for Saturday's exhibition against Columbus, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be available for the team's Opening Night matchup against the Rangers on Oct. 2. The 26-year-old made 63 regualr-season appearances during his first year with the Red Wings in the 2025-26 campaign, and he recorded a goal, four assists, 87 blocked shots, 66 this and 25 PIM while averaging 14:49 of ice time.

Larkin (upper body) has been ruled out for Saturday's preseason finale against the Blue Jackets, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Head coach Todd McLellan said Friday that Larkin is progressing in his recovery, but he'll ultimately be held out for the Red Wings' final preseason game. Larkin participated in Wednesday's practice session and will now shift his focus toward Detroit's Opening Night matchup against the Rangers on Oct. 2. It's not yet clear whether the 30-year-old will be able to suit up for the regular-season opener, but he's at least progressing in the right direction in his recovery process.

Shesterkin will defend the road crease during Friday's preseason game against the Islanders, Andrew Crane of the New York Post reports.

Shesterkin drew the home start against the Islanders during Tuesday's preseason matchup and turned aside 18 of 20 shots while playing the first two periods. He's slated to play the full game during Friday's rematch to close out the preseason as he prepares to serve as the Rangers' top netminder to begin the 2026-27 campaign.

Head coach Lindy Ruff that Zellweger (concussion) felt good after skating Friday and will likely be ready for Thursday's Opening Night matchup against Columbus, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

Zellweger sustained a concussion during Tuesday's preseason game against the Blue Jackets and entered the concussion protocol a day later. While he's slated to miss Saturday's preseason finale against Pittsburgh, the 23-year-old is making encouraging progress ahead of Opening Night. He made 76 regular-season appearances with the Ducks last year and generated seven goals, 15 assists, 85 blocked shots, 34 PIM and 33 hits while averaging 16:59 of ice time.

Delia was released from his professional tryout agreement with the Penguins on Friday.

Delia was only going to make the Opening Night roster if there was an injury among the organization's top three backstops. It wouldn't be surprising to see Delia sign a minor-league deal with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton if he can't land an NHL deal elsewhere.

Jones was placed on waivers by the Mammoth for the purpose of assignment to AHL Tucson on Friday.

Jones joined the Mammoth on a two-year, two-way contract during the offseason and will head to the minors to begin the regular season as long as he clears waivers. He made 60 regular-season appearances with AHL Rochester last year and logged 10 goals and 52 assists.

Roy was placed on waivers by the Mammoth on Friday for the purpose of assignment to AHL Tucson.

After signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Mammoth in late June, Roy is on track to begin the regular season in the minors if he clears waivers. He made 57 regular-season appearances for AHL Laval last year and racked up 23 goals, 22 assists and 32 PIM.

Tanev was placed on waivers by the Mammoth on Friday for the purpose of assignment to AHL Tucson.

Tanev appeared in 56 regular-season games with the Mammoth last year and recorded no goals, three assists, 155 hits, 50 PIM and 34 blocked shots while averaging 9:22 of ice time. The 34-year-old has plenty of NHL experience but is slated to begin the 2026-27 regular season in the minors if he clears waivers.

Blackwood will get the starting nod at home versus Winnipeg on Friday, Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports reports.

Blackwood appears to have the inside track for the No. 1 job in Colorado, though he will likely have to split the workload with Scott Wedgewood. With the 29-year-old Blackwood getting the nod Friday, it will likely be Wedgewood who starts versus Utah on the road Saturday.

Kochetkov signed a two-year, $7.9 million contract extension with the Hurricanes on Friday.

Kochetkov was limited to nine regular-season appearances during the 2025-26 campaign due to a hip injury, but he was effective when on the ice, going 6-2-0 with a 2.33 GAA and .899 save percentage. He's back to full health ahead of the 2026-27 regular season and will remain under contract with the Hurricanes through the 2028-29 campaign, but he'll likely begin the upcoming season as Brandon Bussi's backup after Bussi went 31-6-2 with a 2.47 GAA and .894 save percentage across 39 regular-season appearances last year.