Detroit’s 2025-26 plan centers on Gibson in net and veteran depth with van Riemsdyk, Appleton, and Hamonic, but scoring depth remains thin and goaltending unsettled. Bold chatter has the Wings potentially trading an important piece at the deadline and possibly finishing bottom-10, testing Yzerman’s rebuild as Lucas Raymond eyes a 100-point ceiling. Seider and Edvinsson anchor the blue line, while Raymond, Van Riemsdyk, and Appleton must lift the offense and PP usage to keep playoff hopes alive.

Gibson’s arrival changes the goaltending narrative, but the roster-wide gaps—especially on the right side and in depth scoring—keep fantasy upside murky. If Detroit succumbs to pressure and lottery luck tilts away, the draft class and depth moves will define the rebuild’s pace more than immediate wins. The Wings’ path blends risk with upside as youth meets veteran steadiness.

Travis Hamonic signed a one-year, $1 million contract with Detroit on Friday, adding a veteran two-way defenseman to a Wings blue line that already prizes depth and reliability. Last season with Ottawa, Hamonic posted seven points in 59 games while delivering 92 blocked shots and averaging 17:04 of ice time, underscoring his value as a physical, penalty-kill presence who can steady a young group.

Over a 15-year career spanning Islanders, Flames, Canucks and Senators, Hamonic logged 242 points in 900 regular-season contests and four playoff points in 22 games. His willingness to take on a steady, low-term role fits Detroit’s roster-building approach: a dependable veteran who can chip in defensively, soak up minutes, and help guide developing defenders. For fantasy managers, his impact is rooted in peripherals—blocks and hits—more than counting stats, with upside limited by role and age.

Jon Irvin breaks down the NHL daily fantasy sports slate for February 3, 2025, as the Nashville Predators take on the Ottawa Senators in a potentially defensive matchup. Recommended picks include Roman Josi, a dynamic player for Nashville, and Ottawa's Travis Hamonic, who has recently returned from injury and shown strong performance. Jake Sanderson is another solid pick from Ottawa, offering upside as a reliable defender. Filip Forsberg is highlighted as a must-have for his scoring ability, while Artem Zub serves as a valuable budget option. Irvin advises against goalie selections due to risk and emphasizes the importance of players logging significant ice time.

In the latest NHL updates, Buffalo Sabres forward Jiri Kulich exited a game with a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar confirmed that Valeri Nichushkin is projected to participate in the upcoming three-game road trip.

In Detroit, Red Wings defensemen Jeff Petry and Justin Holl missed practice, with Petry being assessed for an undisclosed injury, ruling him out for the next game. However, Holl is expected to play.

Florida Panthers' Aaron Ekblad participated in morning skate, while Niko Mikkola remains sidelined due to an upper-body issue. The Minnesota Wild reported that Mats Zuccarello and Kirill Kaprizov are nursing lower-body injuries, and Jared Spurgeon has been placed on the IR.

Montreal Canadiens forwards Patrik Laine and David Savard are also missing games, while Nashville Predators’ Jeremy Lauzon is on the IR. The New Jersey Devils will be without Erik Haula for several weeks due to a sprained ankle.

Ottawa Senators defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker left practice injured. The Senators' Travis Hamonic is out due to a knee injury, but Nick Jensen has returned to practice. San Jose Sharks' Logan Couture is still recovering and hasn't yet returned to the ice.

Toronto Maple Leafs placed defenseman Jake McCabe on the IR, and Vancouver Canucks’ Elias Pettersson participated in practice but isn’t ready to play. Quinn Hughes returned from an upper-body injury, and Dakota Joshua has been placed on the IR.

Finally, Vegas Golden Knights' Nicolas Roy returned to practice without contact as he recovers from an upper-body injury.

The Carolina Hurricanes have placed defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere on injured reserve. Meanwhile, forward William Carrier was sidelined during the previous game due to an undisclosed injury.

Colorado Avalanche's coach Jared Bednar provided an update on goaltender Scott Wedgewood, indicating that he does not have a high ankle sprain and is expected to return in about two weeks after consulting a specialist.

New York Islanders forward Hudson Fasching exited last night's game in the third period following a hit along the boards, raising concerns about his health. In Ottawa, Senators coach Travis Green reported progress for forward David Perron, who is recovering from a back injury, and Michael Amadio, who is back on the ice after a concussion.

On the New York Rangers front, Chris Kreider missed the last game due to an upper-body injury. Meanwhile, Seattle Kraken defenseman Adam Larsson was also absent from the previous match. The Toronto Maple Leafs faced a setback as defenseman Jake McCabe left the game early after sustaining an upper-body injury during a fight.

In Vancouver, the Canucks saw Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes participate in practice, with Hughes appearing to be ahead in his recovery, participating in power play drills while Pettersson took a more cautious approach.