NHL Player News

General manager Jarmo Kekalainen said Wednesday that Zucker is recovering from sports hernia surgery and won't be ready for the start of the regular season, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

Zucker hasn't appeared in more than 73 regular-season games in any of the past three years. Kekalainen suggested that Zucker could miss a "couple of weeks" to begin the 2026-27 campaign, which might put the 34-year-old back on the ice in mid-October. Across 62 regular-season appearances last year, Zucker recorded 24 goals, 21 assists, 57 hits, 23 PIM and 21 blocked shots while averaging 15:37 of ice time per game.

Crevier underwent shoulder surgery over the offseason, but he might be ready for the start of training camp, according to Heather Engel of NHL.com on Wednesday.

Crevier had seven goals, 25 points, 63 PIM, 124 hits and 95 blocks in 78 regular-season appearances with the Blackhawks in 2025-26. The 25-year-old is likely to begin the campaign as a member of the third pairing if he's healthy. If Crevier ends up needing to miss time, then that could create an opportunity for Dennis Gilbert or Zach Metsa to dress in Buffalo's season opener.

Merzlikins (shoulder) failed his physical, and there's still no timetable for his return, per Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers on Wednesday.

Merzlikins is recovering from shoulder surgery. While general manager Don Waddell didn't offer a timetable, he did specify that "you're not going to see him in the near future, that's for sure." In other words, it's fair to consider the netminder out indefinitely. Merzlikins had a 14-11-3 record, 3.39 GAA and .883 save percentage over 30 regular-season appearances in 2025-26. After signing with the Blue Jackets on Monday, Cam Talbot is projected to serve as the backup goaltender to Jet Greaves until Merzlikins is available.

Barkov (knee) is available for the start of training camp, per David Dwork of The Hockey News on Wednesday.

Barkov didn't play at all during the 2025-26 campaign due to the injury, but he did log three goals and 11 points in 10 outings for Team Finland during the 2026 IIHF World Championship. Even without focusing on the lost season, Barkov has a lengthy injury history. The 31-year-old hasn't reached the 75-game mark in a regular season since 2018-19. However, Barkov is capable of producing a little over a point per game when healthy.

Iginla (undisclosed) is expected to be fine for training camp, Cole Bagley of KSL Sports reports Wednesday.

Iginla didn't participate in rookie camp games because of the injury, but the Mammoth are fully healthy going into their full training camp. The 20-year-old had 41 goals and 90 points in 48 regular-season appearances with WHL Kelowna in 2025-26. He should get into some preseason action, but Iginla is far from a sure thing to make Utah's 2026-27 roster.

Tanev (abdomen) has been given the all-clear ahead of the preseason, Mark Masters of TSN reports Wednesday.

It was a rough 2025-26 campaign for Tanev, who managed to be on the ice for only 11 regular-season contests. He picked up just two points while adding 15 blocked shots. Known more for his physicality, the 36-year-old defenseman has reached the 20-point mark three times in his career.

Hayton (upper body) is healthy ahead of the start of training camp, Cole Bagley of KSL Sports reports Wednesday.

Hayton was hampered by injuries last year, logging just 67 regular-season games and missing the bulk of the postseason. In those outings, the 26-year-old center notched 10 goals and 15 helpers, including six power-play points. With a full 84-game season, Hayton should be capable of challenging for both the 20-goal and 50-point thresholds.

General manager John Chayka said Wednesday that Villeneuve is recovering from knee surgery, Lance Hornby of The Toronto Sun reports.

It's not clear when Villeneuve underwent his procedure, but the procedure was described as an ACL "construction" that is expected to sideline the defenseman for a long-term period, Jonas Siegel and Joshua Kloke of The Athletic report. Villeneuve signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Maple Leafs in July after he generated 30 points across 61 regular-season appearances with AHL Toronto last year.

Rielly will be limited in camp due to a viral issue, but he is expected to be ready for Opening Night against the Canadiens, Luke Fox of Sportsnet reports Wednesday.

Rielly will have less than two weeks to recover before the Leafs open the campaign with a back-to-back. The 32-year-old blueliner logged just six power-play points over 78 regular-season appearances in 2025-26. He figures to be relegated to the second unit again this campaign following Toronto's acquisition of Darren Raddysh in the offseason. As such, Rielly could again be in danger of missing the 40-point threshold.

General manager John Chayka said Wednesday that Domi (back) failed his physical and will be out indefinitely, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reports.

Domi likely won't participate in training camp, and unconfirmed reports suggest that he could miss a significant chunk of the 2026-27 campaign. Domi made 80 regular-season appearances for Toronto in 2025-26, recording 12 goals, 24 assists, 95 PIM, 37 hits and 35 blocked shots while averaging 14:53 of ice time per game.