NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: September 16, 2026, 10:04 PM ET

NHL Training Camp Injury Watch

Detroit's offseason took an unwelcome turn as the Red Wings confirmed that Dylan Larkin will not skate when camp opens Thursday after suffering an injury during off-ice training. The Sabres will also open the year shorthanded, with veteran winger Jason Zucker expected to miss the start of the season following sports hernia surgery. On Long Island, the concern is more acute: Mathew Barzal, the Islanders' leading scorer a season ago, aggravated an existing injury and is not expected to be ready for the season opener.

Burns Shaves, Barkov Returns

One of hockey's most recognizable looks is gone. Brent Burns, arrived at Avalanche camp having chopped off his trademark unkempt beard, prompting teammates to joke that he "looks like some rookie." In Florida, captain Aleksander Barkov said he is taking nothing for granted as he works back toward a Panthers return, with the two-time Selke winner framing the difficult part of his comeback as mental rather than physical.

Front Office and Bench Moves

New Jersey made history and headlines in the same week. The Devils are hiring Jessica Campbell, the first woman to coach full time in the NHL, as manager in player development, part of a broader staff overhaul that also includes McCabe. Minnesota locked up its bench boss, signing head coach John Hynes to a multiyear contract extension.

Signings and Extensions

Washington continued its busy offseason by committing to forward Justin Sourdif, on an eight-year contract; the Richmond, British Columbia native had 15 goals. The Devils, just weeks after acquiring him via trade, handed Luke Evangelista a five-year, $36.25M extension. Carolina rewarded its captain, signing 38-year-old Jordan Staal, a playoff MVP, through 2027-28. Anaheim, having cleared cap space by releasing Chris Kreider, signed Cutter Gauthier for six years at a $13.5M AAV, per a source.

Expansion Buzz Builds in Texas

The NHL's next franchise is edging closer to reality. A 33rd team could begin play in the coming seasons, with Austin or Houston emerging as the leading candidate markets for a Texas-based club. Players weighed in on the possibility, with a superstar panel at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour also discussing summer highlights, potential Texas expansion team names and fan culture.

Fantasy Hockey Prep

With drafts approaching, fantasy managers got two fresh guides. One breaks down the crease, ranking top-tier netminders alongside sleepers and timeshare situations to target in the midrounds. The other identifies breakout defensemen worth grabbing before their value spikes, giving managers a head start on the blue line.