Exciting News for Canadiens Fans: Kirby Dach Returns!
Welcome to the latest NHL Status Report, where we bring you the most current updates on player lineups and injuries across the league.
Montreal Canadiens
In a thrilling development for the Montreal Canadiens, Kirby Dach is set to make his long-awaited return to the ice this Thursday, marking his first game since February. After undergoing knee surgery last season, Dach will be joining the second line alongside Patrik Laine and Ivan Demidov during the preseason matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Last season, Dach showcased his skills by accumulating 22 points, which included 10 goals and 12 assists over 57 games. His comeback is highly anticipated, and fans are eager to see how he performs after his recovery.
Nashville Predators
On a less positive note, the Nashville Predators will be without defenseman Nicolas Hague for the next 4 to 6 weeks due to an upper-body injury he sustained during a recent 5-3 preseason victory against the Florida Panthers. This season marks Hague's debut with Nashville after being traded from the Vegas Golden Knights on June 30, where he signed a lucrative four-year contract worth $22 million, averaging $5.5 million annually. The Predators are gearing up for their season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 9, and Hague's absence will be felt.
Utah Mammoth
In a surprising move, Connor Ingram has been placed on waivers by the Utah Mammoth. The team had previously announced that Ingram would not be participating in training camp as they sought to trade him. The 28-year-old goalie played 22 games for Utah last season, finishing with a record of 9 wins, 8 losses, and 4 overtime losses, along with a goals-against average of 3.27 and a save percentage of .882. He had entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program on March 9 but was cleared on August 20.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Andrei Vasilevskiy, the Lightning's star goalie, will not be participating in the preseason games this weekend. However, he is expected to be ready for the season opener against the Ottawa Senators on October 9. Vasilevskiy is anticipated to return to practice on Monday, which will be his first session at camp.
Buffalo Sabres
In Buffalo, goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has made his return to practice for the first time this camp, albeit with a lower-body issue. He participated in drills with the non-game group and will not be playing in the preseason game against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday. Nevertheless, Luukkonen expressed optimism, stating he "should be ready" for the regular season opener against the New York Rangers on October 9. Additionally, forward Jiri Kulich had to leave practice early due to a minor muscle tweak, but he is not expected to be sidelined for more than a couple of days.
Ottawa Senators
In a setback for the Ottawa Senators, Drake Batherson will be out for two weeks due to an upper-body injury, as confirmed by coach Travis Green on Wednesday. Batherson had to exit practice early on Tuesday and was a key player last season, finishing second on the team with 68 points, including 26 goals and 42 assists in 82 games. In his absence, Fabian Zetterlund has stepped in to take Batherson's place on the second line, joining center Dylan Cozens and left wing David Perron.
New York Islanders
The Islanders announced that their captain, Anders Lee, will be sidelined for 1 to 2 weeks due to an upper-body injury sustained during a recent shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Lee was absent from the lineup in a subsequent preseason game against the New Jersey Devils. He skated alone on Thursday as he begins his recovery. Additionally, forwards Maxim Tsyplakov and Anthony Duclair are both day-to-day, with Tsyplakov listed for maintenance and Duclair dealing with an upper-body issue.
Vancouver Canucks
Nils Hoglander is currently undergoing evaluation for a lower-body injury he sustained during the second period of a preseason victory over the Calgary Flames. Hoglander had opened the scoring for Vancouver with a power-play goal early in the game. Canucks coach Adam Foote mentioned, "We'll find out tomorrow or when the doctors see him. Hopefully, it's not going to be too much, but we'll see."
Philadelphia Flyers
Ethan Samson is expected to be out for 6 to 8 weeks due to an upper-body injury. The young defenseman has only participated in one preseason game for the Flyers. Other players, including defenseman Oliver Bonk and forwards Karsen Dorwart and Lane Pederson, are all day-to-day with upper-body injuries. Pederson was hurt during a recent shootout loss to the New York Islanders, while Bonk and Dorwart have yet to see action in the preseason.
Seattle Kraken
The Kraken are dealing with several day-to-day injuries, including forwards Chandler Stephenson and Jared McCann, as well as defenseman Brandon Montour. Coach Lane Lambert indicated that none of these players are expected to miss any regular-season games. However, forward Kaapo Kakko left a recent game against the Edmonton Oilers after suffering a hand injury and is currently consulting a specialist. His availability for the season opener against the Anaheim Ducks on October 9 is uncertain.
San Jose Sharks
Macklin Celebrini, the first overall pick from the 2024 NHL Draft, has returned to practice after missing time due to illness. Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky also reported that John Klingberg is day-to-day with an upper-body injury sustained during a preseason win against the Golden Knights. Klingberg skated alone on Wednesday as he works his way back.
Carolina Hurricanes
Jaccob Slavin has finally returned to practice with the team after dealing with soreness. He had been skating individually but was held out of team drills for precautionary reasons. Coach Rod Brind'Amour mentioned, "We could have had him out there from Day 1 of camp. That's basically how we're handling all the injuries." Meanwhile, goalie Pyotr Kochetkov missed practice due to a minor injury, as he is being kept out until he is fully recovered.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Joseph Woll is currently on a leave of absence from the Maple Leafs to address a personal family matter. The team has requested that his privacy be respected during this time.
New York Rangers
Artemi Panarin is skating on his own but remains day-to-day with a lower-body issue. He left practice early on September 19 for what was described by coach Mike Sullivan as "precautionary reasons."
St. Louis Blues
The Blues are facing some uncertainty with Jimmy Snuggerud and Milan Lucic, both of whom are day-to-day with undisclosed injuries. Snuggerud had to leave practice early after a hard crash into the boards, while Lucic, who is on a professional tryout agreement with St. Louis, also exited practice early.
Edmonton Oilers
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Vasily Podkolzin is taking a leave of absence to return to Russia following the passing of his father, Alexander. The Oilers announced this leave prior to their recent preseason loss to the Seattle Kraken. Podkolzin had just signed a three-year contract worth $8.85 million, which is set to begin in the 2026-27 season. Coach Kris Knoblauch expressed the team's condolences, stating, "We feel terribly for Vasily. Yesterday may have been the best day of his life signing that contract, and then today what happened unexpectedly. 'Pods' is a very popular guy in our room, and we feel terribly for his family."
Chicago Blackhawks
Joey Anderson is scheduled to undergo a procedure for a chronic issue that will keep him out of preseason games, as confirmed by Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill. Anderson logged over 11 minutes of ice time in a recent loss to the Detroit Red Wings, but the timeline for his return remains uncertain. Additionally, forwards Landon Slaggert and Brett Seney, who have been sidelined since Sunday with unspecified injuries, are expected to skate on their own this Friday.
