Injury and lineup notes ripple through the NHL, with Luukkonen re-aggravating a lower-body issue for Buffalo and Huberdeau among those being evaluated in Calgary. Kotkaniemi also sidelined by a stick-to-face incident but nearing return. Vlasic, Hart, Varlamov, and Lee provide goaltending and lineup updates shaping early-season depth charts. Namestnikov, Toews, Batherson, Eller, Jensen, Rust, and others surface in practice or status updates, signaling streaming and matchup considerations for fantasy managers this week.

Rumors swirl around Hutson, McLeod, Hart, and Markstrom, hinting at potential roster moves or extension talks that could alter upside in the near term. Namestnikov practicing with Winnipeg, Toews listed day-to-day, and Batherson skating keep watch on several teams’ depth and PP time as injuries create opportunities. Overall, the note pack emphasizes timing of returns and which players could emerge as fantasy differences if healthy.

Fantasy takeaway: monitor status updates and practice reports closely, as even minor timing shifts can open or close top-line and power-play opportunities. The mix of returns, evaluations, and rumours suggests flexible rostering and opportunistic adds over the next several days.

Montreal rolled to a 5-0 preseason win over Ottawa behind Patrik Laine and Alexandre Carrier scoring in the second period, with Oliver Kapanen, Lane Hutson and Kirby Dach also finding the net. Brendan Gallagher posted three assists as Jakub Dobes earned the shutout; Ottawa goalie Leevi Merilainen stopped 18 of 23. Montreal went 3-for-10 on the power play, while Ottawa was 0-for-2 despite a 102-minute penalty load.

In a separate NHL showcase, Minnesota edged Winnipeg 3-2. Marcus Foligno broke a 2-2 tie with a short-handed marker in the second, while Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov doubled the Wild’s lead on the power play. Kaprizov signed a historic $136 million, eight-year deal in the lead-up to the season. Connor Hellebuyck took the loss for Winnipeg, with Cole Koepke and Vladislav Namestnikov supplying the Jets’ goals.

Florida faces a brutal test to repeat as champions after losing captain Aleksander Barkov to a long-term knee injury and potentially watching Matthew Tkachuk miss early action. Still, the Panthers enter a season defined by resilience, with odds marking them as underdogs behind Edmonton, Vegas, and a handful of powerhouses. Olympic play adds a global spectacle before a brutal 403-game stretch resumes, testing every contender’s depth and fantasy upside.

Across the league, the sport remains rich with storyline: Crosby, McDavid, MacKinnon and Hedman headline a star-studded chase for gold and the Cup, while coaches shuffle and rookies rise. The schedule emphasizes endurance and the fantasy implications of injuries, breaks, and midseason pivots, setting up a season where depth, timing, and elite talent decide fantasy and betting outcomes.