NHL Player News

Barkov delivered a goal and a power-play assist during Sunday's 6-3 preseason win over the Hurricanes.

Barkov skated on the top line between Brady Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart on Sunday, which is a trio that has the potential to be one of the best lines in the NHL this season if it sticks together. Barkov missed the entirety of the 2025-26 season, but if he stays healthy this year, he will be a high-end fantasy option at the center position. Don't forget about the Finnish playmaker on draft day.

Brindley notched a goal, an assist and a plus-1 rating in Sunday's 4-1 preseason win over the Mammoth.

Brindley has an opportunity to seize a more prominent role in 2026-27, as the departures of players such as Valeri Nichushkin and Ross Colton have opened up some ice time in the team's top nine. Furthermore, head coach Jared Bednar said in November of 2025 that he believes Brindley can be a top-six forward in the NHL, per Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette. As such, Brindley is a player to keep an eye on depending on where he plays in Colorado's lineup this year.

Miroshnichenko recorded a goal, an assist, six shots and three hits during Sunday's 3-2 preseason overtime loss to the Bruins.

Miroshnichenko is expected to push for regular playing time in the NHL during the 2026-27 regular season, and he made a strong impression during Sunday's preseason opener. He has made 52 regular-season appearances with the Capitals across the past three years, recording five goals, eight assists, 97 hits, 19 blocked shots and eight PIM while averaging 10:32 of ice time.

Avon registered a shorthanded empty-net goal and two power-play assists in Sunday's 4-2 preseason win over the Flames.

Avon had his best AHL season in 2025-26 -- he delivered 10 goals and 24 points over 45 regular-season contests with Coachella Valley. The undrafted forward has yet to make his NHL debut, and while Sunday's performance is encouraging, Avon doesn't need to be on fantasy managers' radars at this time.

Point recorded an assist and a shot during Sunday's 2-1 preseason win over the Predators.

Point saw a decrease in production during the 2025-26 campaign, recording 18 goals, 32 assists, 23 blocked shots, 14 PIM and eight hits while averaging 18:15 of ice time across 63 regular-season appearances. He dealt with a pair of injuries last year and will attempt to bounce back this season while maintaining a top-six role for Tampa Bay.

Tkachuk generated two goals, including one on the power play, an assist, and a plus-2 rating in Sunday's 6-3 preseason win over Carolina.

It was an eventful night for Tkachuk in his first action with his new club, as he had a Gordie Howe hat trick in a game between two teams that have combined to win the last three Stanley Cups. The 27-year-old Tkachuk fired a game-high seven shots on net during Sunday's win, so if his performance early in preseason is a sign of things to come, the power winger is going to be an excellent fantasy asset in a potent top six in 2026-27.

Vasilevskiy turned aside 12 of 13 shots during Sunday's preseason win over Nashville.

Vasilevskiy played the entire game during his start in Sunday's preseason opener. Although he didn't face many shots, he was sharp during his first preseason tune-up. The 32-year-old has established himself as one of the league's top netminders, most recently going 39-15-4 with a 2.31 GAA and .911 save percentage across 58 regular-season appearances last year. He should continue to serve as the Lightning's clear No. 1 option in the crease during the 2026-27 campaign.

Saros allowed two goals on 22 shots during Sunday's 2-1 preseason loss to the Lightning.

Saros has made at least 58 regular-season appearances with the Predators in each of the past five years, most recently going 28-22-8 with a 3.16 GAA and .894 save percentage across 59 regular-season outings during the 2025-26 campaign. He was relatively effective during Sunday's preseason opener while playing the entire game, and he'll likely see most of the playing time in the crease once again during the 2026-27 regular season.

Kochetkov conceded five goals on 33 shots in Sunday's 6-3 preseason loss to the Panthers. The sixth goal was an empty-netter.

The Panthers rolled out a much more experienced roster than the Hurricanes in Sunday's exhibition opener, so it's not much of a surprise that Kochetkov was on the losing end of this game. The deparature of Frederik Andersen in the offseason has opened the door for Kochetkov to play more regularly this season, but Brandon Bussi is in the fold as well for the reigning Stanley Cup champions.

DiPietro turned aside 30 of 32 shots during Sunday's 3-2 preseason overtime win over the Capitals.

DiPietro drew the start during Sunday's preseason opener and played the entire matchup. He faced plenty of shots and was productive en route to the overtime victory. DiPietro made just one regular-season appearance at the NHL level last year but will likely serve as Jeremy Swayman's backup to begin the 2026-27 season.