NHL Player News

Crouse is looking to grow his game in 2026-27.

Crouse had 24 goals, 44 points, 46 PIM and 212 hits in 81 regular-season appearances with Utah in 2025-26. Those are good numbers by his standards, and while it's not surprising that Crouse wants to keep pushing himself, the 29-year-old is likely at roughly his peak. Expect similar results out of him this year.

General manager Don Sweeney said Wednesday that the team remains in communication with Zacha's representation regarding his future, Joe Haggerty of Boston Sports Journal reports.

Zacha, a potential unrestricted free agent next summer, has been speculated as a trade candidate. However, Sweeney spoke about the 29-year-old forward's importance to the club and indicated that the Bruins are interested in a contract extension. Zacha has made at least 78 regular-season appearances in each of his four years with the Bruins, most recently recording 30 goals, 35 assists, 64 hits, 28 PIM and 26 blocked shots across 78 regular-season appearances in 2025-26.

Weegar said Wednesday that he has high expectations for himself and the Mammoth during the 2026-27 campaign.

The Mammoth acquired Weegar from the Flames during the 2025-26 season. He seems hopeful going into his first full year in Utah. Across 79 regular-season appearances between the two teams last year, he generated four goals, 24 assists, 175 blocked shots, 167 hits and 88 PIM. His 28-point performance was his worst since he recorded 18 points over 45 regular-season appearances with the Panthers during the 2019-20 campaign, but he'll attempt to bounce back this year.

Cooley said Wednesday that he feels good heading into training camp, Cole Bagley of KSL Sports reports.

Cooley was limited to a career-low 54 regular-season appearances last year, and he recorded 24 goals, 19 assists, 54 hits, 28 PIM and 27 blocked shots while averaging 17:20 of ice time. He said during his press availability Wednesday that one of his main goals for the 2026-27 season is to stay healthy and play in all 84 regular-season games, and he seems encouraged by the work he put in over the summer.

Hinds (lower body) is listed as injured on the Ducks' training camp roster, Patrick Present of The Hockey News reports Wednesday.

Per Patrick Present of The Hockey News, Hinds is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, which suggests there isn't much concern yet. The 23-year-old blueliner made his NHL debut last year. He didn't earn a point, but he posted 10 blocked shots, six hits and two PIM across six regular-season appearances. If he returns to full health before the 2026-27 campaign begins, he could play a more regular role for Anaheim.

Janmark (undisclosed) will skate during training camp but won't appear in preseason games, per Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 Edmonton on Wednesday.

The Oilers indicated in late August that Janmark wouldn't participate in training camp while recovering from surgery that he underwent last March. While it's encouraging that he'll do some on-ice activity during camp, his absence from preseason action suggests that he could also be sidelined for at least some regular-season games.

Korpisalo will have to earn the backup job ahead of Opening Night against the Bruins, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports Wednesday.

Korpisalo should have the inside track to secure the No. 2 role, but he is far from a lock to beat out Dylan Garand. Even if Korpisalo wins the battle, he is unlikely to see many starts behind workhorse netminder Igor Shesterkin. As such, Korpisalo probably won't offer much more than middling fantasy value.

The Rangers are going to test different roles for Dorofeyev over training camp to determine his best fit, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports Wednesday.

Dorofeyev had 37 goals and 64 points in 82 regular-season appearances with Vegas in 2025-26. The Rangers acquired him from the Golden Knights over the summer, so Dorofeyev's place with the team still needs to be ironed out. He can play both wings, which gives the Rangers flexibility as they experiment over training camp. It's fair to believe that whatever his specific role is in 2026-27, it will be as part of the top six.

Head coach Mike Sullivan indicated Wednesday that Garand and Joonas Korpisalo will compete for the Rangers' backup goaltending job during training camp, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports.

Igor Shesterkin enters the 2026-27 campaign as the Rangers' No. 1 option in the crease, but Garand and Korpisalo will have a chance to compete for the No. 2 role. Both Garand and Korpisalo drew praise from Sullivan during Wednesday's press availability, with the bench boss emphasizing Garand's overall growth and development last season. Garand got his first taste of action in the NHL late last year, and he went 2-0-1 with a 1.62 GAA and .948 save percentage across three regular-season appearances with the Rangers.

Schmidt continues to deal with the flu and may not be ready for the start of camp, Sam Nestler of DLLS Sports reports.

Schmidt missed the Stars' rookie tournament last weekend, and it's unclear whether or not he'll be on the ice when training camp gets underway. However, even if the 19-year-old isn't available, it seems unlikely that he'll miss significant time. Assuming he recovers quickly, he could get a look in the preseason before potentially returning to the junior ranks.