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.

Brady Tkachuk arrives early again, pushing Ottawa’s camp tempo and signaling a drive beyond the playoffs as the Senators chase a deeper run. Jordan Spence’s homecoming move adds blueline depth and a potential surge in ice time behind a rising core that includes Batherson and Pinto. The Spence trade from Los Angeles and the Leafs playoff backdrop frame a push for chemistry and a quicker, more relentless start to 2025-26.

The Ottawa Senators finally returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2017, marking a significant milestone in their rebuilding effort. Despite a valiant playoff run that ended in a heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference Final, the Senators showcased their promising young core led by captain Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Thomas Chabot, and Jake Sanderson. General Manager Steve Staios made impactful offseason moves, bringing in veterans like Linus Ullmark and David Perron, along with Ottawa native Claude Giroux, who faces uncertainty as he enters free agency.

With the Senators holding $18.6 million in cap space, Giroux's future is a pressing concern. The team aims to strike a balance between veteran presence and youthful talent moving forward. Additionally, Adam Gaudette's successful season may have earned him a more lucrative contract elsewhere, potentially pricing him out of Ottawa. Drake Batherson's absence from media during the break-up day raises questions about his status with the team, especially after a solid 68-point season. Meanwhile, the acquisition of Fabian Zetterlund adds depth, but further negotiations loom as the Senators plan to solidify their roster for the upcoming season.