NHL Player News

Wood, Kirill Marchenko and Elvis Merzlikins (shoulder) were traded to the Maple Leafs from the Blue Jackets on Monday in exchange for Matthew Knies, Steven Lorentz, Emil Andrae and a second-round pick, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Wood was waived by Columbus on Saturday and cleared waivers a day later, but he'll get a change of scenery ahead of the 2026-27 regular season. The 31-year-old appeared in 54 regular-season games with the Blue Jackets last year and recorded eight goals, six assists, 63 hits, 26 PIM and 19 blocked shots while averaging 11:51 of ice time.

Andrae, Matthew Knies, Steven Lorentz and a second-round pick were traded to the Blue Jackets from the Maple Leafs on Monday in exchange for Kirill Marchenko, Miles Wood and Elvis Merzlikins (shoulder), Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

After spending the last three seasons with the Flyers, Andrae signed a two-year, $3.1 million contract with the Maple Leafs in July, but he'll be on the move before ever suiting up for Toronto in a regular-season game. He made a career-high 61 regular-season appearances with Philadelphia last year, recording two goals, 11 assists, 68 hits, 58 blocked shots and 22 PIM while averaging 15:20 of ice time. The 24-year-old will likely serve as depth on Columbus' blue line early in the regular season.

Knies, alongside Emil Andrae, Steven Lorentz and a second-round pick, was traded to the Blue Jackets from the Maple Leafs in exchange for Kirill Marchenko, Elvis Merzlikins and Miles Wood, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Knies was the centerpiece of the package Columbus received in Monday's deal. The 23-year-old forward has a high ceiling as a developing two-way winger, which made him the ideal player to get in return if the Jackets were to trade away Kirill Marchenko. Across 79 regular-season outings in the 2025-26 campaign, Knies posted the best offensive numbers of his career, compiling 23 goals, 66 points, 140 shots on net, 152 hits and 32 blocked shots. While he'll no longer be skating on a line with Auston Matthews, Knies will have the opportunity to develop a connection with rising center Adam Fantilli, who will likely be the new focal point in the forward room with Marchenko's departure. Regardless, Knies still holds a high ceiling in fantasy leagues that value all-around play.

Huberdeau (hip) was placed on injured reserve Monday, per Pat Steinberg of QR Calgary 770 AM.

Huberdeau missed the final 26 games of the 2025-26 regular season. He won't be available at the beginning of the 2026-27 campaign, and it's unclear when he will be available to return.

Marchenko, Miles Wood and Elvis Merzlikins (shoulder) were traded to the Maple Leafs from the Blue Jackets on Monday in exchange for Matthew Knies, Emil Andrae, Steven Lorentz and a second-round pick, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Marchenko didn't plan to sign a long-term deal with Columbus, but he signed a six-year, $72.5 million contract extension with the Maple Leafs on Monday upon being traded, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reports. Marchenko handled a prominent role for the Blue Jackets in recent years, most recently recording 27 goals, 40 assists, 61 hits, 40 blocked shots and 32 PIM while averaging 18:57 of ice time across 76 regular-season appearances during the 2025-26 campaign. He could have an opportunity to play on a line alongside Auston Matthews in Toronto while continuing to see time on the power play.

Lamoureux will miss 4-6 months following surgery to repair a dislocated shoulder, the team announced Monday. Additionally, the blueliner was placed on injured reserve.

Lamoureux was a lock for injured reserve given his recovery timeline. Even if healthy, the 22-year-old blueliner faced an uphill battle to secure a spot on the Opening Night roster. Once given the all-clear, Lamoureux should be expected to head down to the minors before being on the shortlist of potential call-ups.

Rathbone was placed on injured reserve by the Sabres on Monday for an undisclosed reason.

The nature of Rathbone's injury isn't yet clear, but he'll be sidelined for the start of the regular season. Across 49 regular-season appearances with AHL Rochester last year, he recorded five goals, 13 assists and 26 PIM.

Grans (lower body) was put on the injured non-roster list Monday.

Grans sustained the injury in Thursday's 2-0 preseason win over Boston. It's unclear when he will be ready to return, but he will likely head to AHL Lehigh Valley once he's healthy.

Samuelsson (lower body) was moved to injured reserve by the Sabres on Monday.

Samuelsson should probably be expected to miss the first two games of the season, though it could still be longer. Even with these early injury concerns, the 26-year-old blueliner should be capable of reproducing the 40-plus points he did in 2025-26.

Barkey (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Monday.

Barkey is eligible to be activated whenever he is healthy, but he will likely miss the start of the 2026-27 campaign. He generated five goals, 17 points, 43 shots on net and 43 hits in 43 regular-season appearances for Philadelphia in 2025-26.