NHL Player News

LaCombe recorded a goal and an assist on two shots during Sunday's 6-2 preseason win over San Jose.

LaCombe put the Ducks on the board with his goal 2:57 into the first period Sunday, and he also pitched in on Beckett Sennecke's second-period goal. LaCombe appeared in all 82 regular-season games last year and generated 10 goals, 48 assists, 128 blocked shots, 74 hits and 19 PIM while averaging 24:15 of ice time.

Sennecke recorded three goals, including one on the power play, on three shots and two PIM during Sunday's 6-2 preseason win over the Sharks.

Sennecke was a strong contributor during his first NHL regular season last year, posting 23 goals, 37 assists, 97 hits, 62 PIM and 24 blocked shots while averaging 17:27 of ice time. He was dominant to begin the preseason, potting two goals in the second period before completing the hat trick in the final frame. The 20-year-old should occupy a top-six role with the Ducks once again during the 2026-27 season.

Blackwood stopped all seven shots he faced in 29:30 of ice time during Sunday's 4-1 preseason win over Utah.

Blackwood didn't have to do much in Sunday's exhibition opener, but he was perfect nonetheless. It was a good start for Blackwood, who is competing with Scott Wedgewood for the starting job ahead of the 2026-27 season. Regardless of who sees more starts this year, both Blackwood and Wedgewood are great fantasy options on a Colorado team that is expected to be one of the best in the NHL once again.

Cooley made 19 saves on 22 shots in Sunday's 4-2 preseason loss to the Kraken. The fourth marker was an empty-netter.

Cooley conceded just one goal at even strength in this contest -- the other two markers came on the power play, so all things considered, the 29-year-old turned in a decent performance in the Flames' preseason opener. Cooley is entrenched as Dustin Wolf's backup heading into the 2026-27 campaign, so Cooley doesn't need to be rostered in most fantasy formats.

Brossoit turned aside 21 of 23 shots during Sunday's 6-2 preseason win over the Sharks.

Brossoit drew the start during Sunday's preseason victory and played the entire matchup. He conceded a goal in each of the first two periods but got plenty of offensive support during the victory. Brossoit made just one regular-season appearance with San Jose last year and is competing with Ville Husso for the backup goaltending job behind Lukas Dostal during training camp ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Comrie allowed two goals on 16 shots during Sunday's 6-2 preseason loss to the Ducks.

Comrie drew the road start during Sunday's preseason opener and played approximately half of the matchup before being replaced by Matthew Davis in the crease. Comrie made 25 regular-season appearances with the Jets last year and went 12-11-1 with a 3.13 GAA and .890 save percentage. He'll presumably continue to compete for a depth role with the Sharks as training camp continues.

Grubauer turned aside 15 of 16 shots in Sunday's 4-2 preseason win over the Flames.

Grubauer played the first two periods of Sunday's game before giving way to Nikke Kokko in the third. The 34-year-old Grubauer posted relatively solid numbers in 2025-26 (2.65 GAA, .909 save percentage), but unless the Kraken take a step forward this year, wins may be difficult to come by for Grubauer.

Rittich allowed one goal on 24 shots during Sunday's 2-1 preseason win over the Islanders.

Rittich defended the home crease against his former team during the Devils' preseason opener, and he performed admirably while playing the entire game. Across 30 regular-season appearances with the Islanders last year, he went 14-10-3 with a 2.76 GAA and .894 save percentage. He'll presumably compete with Jake Allen for work in the crease early in the 2026-27 regular season.

Vanecek turned aside 20 of 22 shots during Sunday's 2-1 preseason loss to New Jersey.

Vanecek got the starting nod during the Islanders' preseason opener and defended the road crease for the entire game. He put forth a decent performance and should compete with Semyon Varlamov for the No. 2 goaltending job behind Ilya Sorokin as the preseason rolls on. Vanecek made 22 regular-season appearances for Utah last year, going 5-13-3 with a 2.94 GAA and .883 save percentage.

Gustafsson-Nyberg (undisclosed) will be in the lineup for Monday's preseason game in Chicago.

Gustafsson-Nyberg didn't play in Saturday's preseason opener due to soreness, but he is seemingly no worse for wear ahead of Monday's rematch against the Blackhawks. The undrafted defenseman is a long shot to make Minnesota's Opening Night roster, and he should be expected to continue his development with AHL Iowa in 2026-27.