NHL Player News

Lohrei (undisclosed) resumed skating at Thursday's practice, per Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald.

Head coach Marco Sturm stated that Lohrei was to underdog additional testing Wednesday for his undisclosed injury, and it seems that the 25-year-old defenseman passed them. Across 73 regular-season games in the 2025-26 campaign, he posted seven goals, 26 points, 72 shots on net and 93 blocked shots. Barring he stays healthy prior to puck drop on opening night, he could be in line for a heightened role during Charlie McAvoy's six-game suspension.

Kuzmenko is returning to Russia following the death of his father, the team announced Thursday.

Kuzmenko will be away from the team for an undetermined amount of time while attending to this personal matter. Once the 30-year-old winger is back with the club, he should step right back into a middle-six role for the club.

Korpisalo was the first goalie off during Thursday's morning skate, Colin Stephenson of Newsday reports, indicating that he'll draw the home preseason start against the Devils.

Korpisalo is competing for the Rangers' backup goaltending job ahead of the regular season and will draw his first preseason start Thursday. He made 31 regular-season appearances for Boston last year, going 14-9-6 with a 3.15 GAA and .894 save percentage. It seems likely that Korpisalo will win the No. 2 job over Dylan Garand, but a strong showing Thursday would help to further stake his claim on that role behind Igor Shesterkin.

Woll will defend the home goal in Thursday's preseason contest against the Bruins, per Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Head coach Rick Tocchet stated that Woll will likely play the entirety of Thursday's contest. Woll's appearance on Thursday will be his second of the preseason after he allowed three goals in a 5-2 loss to the Capitals. The 28-year-old netminder had an up-and-down campaign in 2025-26, where he posted a 15-16-7 record, a 3.34 GAA and an .898 save percentage across 39 regular-season outings. With Dan Vladar (lower body) leaving Tuesday's exhibition with an upper-body injury, Woll's chances of starting the Flyers' opening night contest have slightly increased. However, he will likely serve as the No. 2 option once Vladar is good to go.

Ovechkin (lower body) was a full participant in Thursday's practice and has a chance to play in Friday's preseason game against the Bruins, per Tom Gulitti of NHL.com.

Head coach Spencer Carbury mentioned that it's not essential for Ovechkin to play in the preseason in order for him to be ready for opening night. However, the 41-year-old star's presence at practice was a clear step in the right direction if he is to suit up for opening night. He's coming off a 32-goal, 64-point campaign across 82 regular-season outings in 2025-26, and with the upcoming campaign set to potentially be his last, he'll aim to extend his all-time goal record even further in 2026-27.

Vasilevskiy will start Thursday's home game against the Panthers, per Gabby Shirley.

Vasilevskiy started off the 2026-27 preseason on the right foot in an outing where he allowed just one goal on 13 shot attempts. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner was a force last season, compiling a 39-15-4 record, a 2.31 GAA and a .911 save percentage across 58 regular-season outings. Thursday's preseason outing will likely be Vasilevskiy's final or penultimate tune-up game before he looks to dominate once again in the regular season.

Lyon will defend the road crease during Thursday's preseason game against Detroit, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

Lyon was in the starter's net during Thursday's morning skate, and he'll officially draw the start in the Sabres' penultimate preseason game. Head coach Lindy Ruff said after morning skate that it's possible Lyon plays the entire game. During Lyon's preseason debut, he turned aside 16 of 19 shots during a road loss to the Penguins on Monday.

Demko (hip) has been designated for injured reserve, per the NHL media site Thursday.

Demko wasn't going to be ready for training camp and this latest shift would seem to indicate he won't be ready for the start of the 2026-27 campaign. With his continued injury problems, the Canucks will likely ease the veteran backstop into the lineup while relying on Kevin Lankinen.

Thompson will guard the home crease in Friday's preseason game against the Bruins, per Sammi Silber of The Hockey News.

Thompson had a solid outing in his lone appearance of the preseason, where he made 28 saves in a 3-2 overtime loss against Boston. The 29-year-old backstop has improved each of the past three seasons and is fresh off a campaign where he compiled a 31-21-6 record, a 2.44 GAA, a .912 save percentage and a career-high four shutouts across 58 regular-season outings. Even if Charlie Lindgren stays healthy this season, Thompson will likely see 50 or more appearances for the second straight year.

Black will draw the start during Thursday's road preseason game against the Lightning, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

Demko signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Panthers in early June, and he'll get a tune-up during the team's penultimate preseason game. He hasn't yet made his NHL regular-season debut, but he went 25-13-4 with a 2.47 GAA and .903 save percentage across 42 regular-season appearances with AHL Charlotte last year.