NHL Hockey 8-Hour Briefing

Last updated: October 23, 2026, 10:40 PM ET

Injuries & Roster Moves

The Capitals announced that veteran defenseman Vincent Desharnais will miss four to six weeks following an appendectomy. Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki is sidelined for two to four weeks with an upper-body injury, while Penguins forward Ben Kindel has returned to Pittsburgh to recover from a medical emergency.

Trades & Goaltending

The Devils acquired Connor Hellebuyck from the Jets on Friday, a deal that drew immediate scrutiny over which club came out ahead. In Florida, the 6-9 Cooper Black set a record in his Panthers debut, standing two inches taller than the goalies who previously held the mark.

League Notes

Fighting is on the rise this season, with 34 of the first 120 games featuring at least one bout. The Hurricanes hold the No. 1 spot in the latest power rankings, which also shuffled several teams further down the table.

Fantasy Hockey

Owners weighing roster moves can consult early-season fantasy calls on which slow starters to drop and which to hold.

Remembrance

Former NHL All-Star Ron Duguay died of cancer at, after a career spanning nearly 1,000 NHL games from the late 1970s onward.

Coming Up

Desharnais is expected back in four to six weeks, and Suzuki's return timeline runs two to four weeks.