NHL Player News

Lankinen will protect the road goal in Tuesday's preseason game versus the Flames, Canucks play-by-play announcer Brendan Batchelor reports.

Lankinen will get his first start of the preseason. The 31-year-old netminder could be in line for No. 1 duties early in the season as Thatcher Demko (hip) continues to recover from his surgery. However, Lankinen has little fantasy appeal as the backstop for a rebuilding club.

Vladar (upper body) won't return to Tuesday's preseason game versus the Bruins.

Vladar appeared to injure his arm or shoulder on the Bruins' first goal of the game. The 29-year-old's status will be up in the air until the Flyers provide an additional update. Vladar is the presumptive starter in goal for Philadelphia this year, but if he misses time, Joseph Woll would see a larger share of playing time.

Hildeby will start Tuesday's road preseason matchup against Nashville, Lightning reporter Gabby Shirley reports.

Hildeby earned a 5-7-4 record with a 2.85 GAA and a .912 save percentage in 20 appearances for Toronto during the 2025-26 regular season. As a member of the Lightning, he will be Andrei Vasilevskiy's backup in the 2026-27 campaign.

Annunen will start Tuesday's home preseason game versus the Lightning, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.

Annunen will get in some preseason work as he prepares for another year as backup to Juuse Saros. In 2025-26, Annunen made some improvements with a 2.68 GAA and a .906 save percentage over 28 appearances. While he's unlikely to get a lot of work, Annunen will be a serviceable fantasy streaming option in low-scoring matchups.

Talbot will defend the road net in Tuesday's game against Buffalo and patrol the home crease in Thursday's matchup versus Pittsburgh, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.

Talbot posted a 12-9-6 record with a 3.19 GAA and an .883 save percentage over 34 appearances for Detroit in the 2025-26 regular season. Talbot will likely be Jet Greaves' backup to begin the 2026-27 campaign due to the absence of Elvis Merzlikins (shoulder).

Greaves will get the starting nod on the road versus the Red Wings on Saturday, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.

Greaves posted 16 saves without allowing a goal over two periods in Monday's preseason opener against Detroit. The 25-year-old netminder will get a bit of rest before a final tune-up in the last game of the exhibition slate. Greaves is projected to be the Blue Jackets' starter this year.

Markstrom will protect the road goal in Tuesday's preseason game versus the Hurricanes, Rob Darragh of the Panthers' official site reports.

Markstrom started Sunday and earned a win over the Hurricanes, stopping 21 of 24 shots. As a veteran player limited to two games of preseason action, this will presumably be Markstrom's last appearance until the regular season, which opens with another matchup against Carolina on Sept. 29.

Helleson (lower body) will be out for at least one week, but he could be available for the start of the regular season, Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune reports.

Helleson will miss the rest of the preseason after he logged only 9:08 of ice time in Sunday's 6-2 win over San Jose. He produced two goals, 15 points, 39 shots on net, 79 blocked shots and 63 hits in 60 appearances for the Ducks during the 2025-26 regular season.

Butler was placed on waivers by the Red Wings on Tuesday, per James Mirtle of The Athletic.

Butler was one of six players that were placed on waivers by Detroit on Tuesday. The 24-year-old winger appeared in 16 regular-season games with AHL Iowa last season, where he scored a goal and recorded 13 shots on net. If he clears waivers, he'll likely be optioned to AHL Grand Rapids ahead of his first season as a member of Detroit's organization.

Dries was placed on waivers by the Red Wings on Tuesday, per James Mirtle of The Athletic.

Dries was one of six players who were placed on waivers by Detroit on Tuesday. The 32-year-old forward had a solid season with AHL Grand Rapids in 2025-26, compiling 23 goals, 45 points and 149 shots on net across 57 regular-season appearances. If he goes unclaimed through 24 hours, he'll likely return Grand Rapids ahead of his third season with the AHL squad.