Buffalo claimed two former Rangers off waivers, Zac Jones and Jake Leschyshyn, while Alex Belzile surfaced on waivers to Laval after signing with Montreal. Jones, a puck-moving defenseman, showed flashes last season but struggled for consistent ice time in New York. Leschyshyn, Curtis Leschyshyn’s son, posted 24 points in Hartford last year before landing with Buffalo. Other notable waivers included Hudson Fasching, Brendan Gaunce and Kole Lind, highlighting a broader churn at depth in the league.

Marc-Andre Fleury's ceremonial return to the Pittsburgh Penguins capped a 21-year NHL career, as the goalie stopped eight third-period shots in a 4-1 win over Columbus. The moment honored his Pittsburgh legacy—three Cups, record milestones, and a crowd-energizing embrace with Crosby, Malkin and Letang. The night reminded fantasy players why Fleury remains an iconic aura pick—leadership and occasional workload spikes—while opening-night goaltending will still be anchored by the Penguins' starter.

The crowd, signs, and yellow pads framed a bow on a career that began in Pittsburgh and chapters in Vegas, Chicago and Minnesota. For fantasy managers, Fleury's stature boosts team morale and locker-room impact, but expect the Penguins to ride their current starter and a prudent depth plan into the season's start. Occasional sparking performances in low-stakes games can’t be ignored as a potential Vezina-era influence on the Penguins’ net.

Injury updates across the NHL revealed multiple player statuses as teams prepare for upcoming games. Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy is sidelined for a third consecutive game due to an undisclosed injury. The Buffalo Sabres welcomed back forward Jiri Kulich, who returned after missing four games with a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, forward Ryan McLeod of the Buffalo Sabres was placed on injured reserve but is expected to return by week’s end. Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen may be back tonight following a collision with Evgeni Malkin.

Chicago Blackhawks forward Jason Dickinson left a recent game after blocking a shot, but coach Anders Sorensen expressed optimism about his recovery. In Columbus, the Blue Jackets activated forward Justin Danforth from IR. Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty practiced for the first time since his September ankle injury, though coach Jim Hiller couldn’t provide a timeline for his return. New York Islanders player Hudson Fasching participated in a morning skate, while defenseman Noah Dobson left a game early due to a hit.

The Toronto Maple Leafs had forwards Calle Jarnkrok and Anthony Stolarz back on the ice, with Jarnkrok aiming to return from a sports hernia. Max Pacioretty missed a game due to an upper-body injury sustained earlier. The Vancouver Canucks reported that Dakota Joshua is nearing a return, while Noah Juulsen remains day-to-day with an injury. Adam Lowry from the Winnipeg Jets left a game with an undisclosed injury, with updates pending.

Maxim Tsyplakov of the New York Islanders has received a three-game suspension due to an illegal check during a recent match against the Philadelphia Flyers. The incident involved a hit on Flyers forward Ryan Poehling, which drew scrutiny despite not receiving an immediate penalty from the officials.

Tsyplakov's suspension, announced by the NHL's Department of Player Safety, will prevent him from participating in practices or team activities as he appeals the decision. If the suspension is upheld, he will be eligible to return for a game against the Carolina Hurricanes.

In his rookie NHL season, Tsyplakov has contributed seven goals and 12 assists over 44 games, demonstrating promise as a forward. The Islanders are set to face the San Jose Sharks next, and they will likely rely on recent recall Marc Gatcomb to fill the void left by Tsyplakov.

In the latest updates from the NHL, several teams are dealing with injury concerns as they prepare for upcoming games. The Chicago Blackhawks will have forward Taylor Hall back in the lineup, while Craig Smith is listed as day-to-day due to a back injury.

The Colorado Avalanche welcomed Jonathan Drouin back from an upper-body injury, while the Montreal Canadiens reported that David Savard and Patrik Laine are not traveling with the team due to injuries and illness, respectively.

In Nashville, the Predators are missing Luke Evangelista for four weeks, alongside Jeremy Lauzon and Adam Wilsby, both on the IR. The New York Islanders are hopeful that Semyon Varlamov and Isaiah George will return to practice soon, but Hudson Fasching is sidelined for two weeks. The New York Rangers saw Igor Shesterkin return after an injury absence.

Further updates include Ottawa's Noah Gregor being out with a lower-body injury, Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin missing another game due to an upper-body injury, and San Jose's Fabian Zetterlund as a game-time decision. The Winnipeg Jets anticipate the return of Dylan Samberg and Josh Morrissey for their next matchup.