NHL Hockey 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 9, 2026, 11:10 PM ET
Injury Report
The Islanders confirmed Wednesday that defenseman Alexander Romanov has suffered a torn ACL and will be sidelined six to eight months. In Florida, Brad Marchand is expected to miss a few weeks after injuring his left leg in Tuesday's win, a setback that comes just two days after his season debut. Carolina, meanwhile, got encouraging news as Seth Jarvis shed his no-contact jersey while continuing shoulder rehabilitation.
Season Openers and Milestones
No. 1 draft pick Gavin McKenna recorded his first NHL goal and assist for Toronto, a promising start for the top prospect. In Washington, Alex Ovechkin described his final NHL home opener as a family affair, with his sons introducing him before the game. The early season has also produced plenty of offense, as scoring has jumped considerably across the league during the first three days of the earliest season start in league history, following a shorter preseason. Detroit's Dylan Larkin turned boos into cheers by scoring in his season debut despite recent trade talk.
Transactions
Pittsburgh sent Spencer Stastney to Edmonton in exchange for defenseman Hallander, a move that reshapes both clubs' blue lines.
Fantasy Watch
Fantasy managers should consider adding Stuart Skinner, who has been red hot between the pipes and is worth a look as injuries reshuffle the goaltending landscape.
Heritage Classic and Schedule
The NHL Heritage Classic returns after a three-year break, and the Jets and Canadiens unveiled new sweaters for the event. Thursday's slate features ten games, including six 7 p.m. matchups and a Maple Leafs-Golden Knights meeting in the late window, with previews and betting odds available for every contest.
Player Rankings
ESPN's top 100 rankings for 2026-27 place Connor McDavid at No. 1, and league executives have weighed in on which placements were too high or too low in a separate survey of personnel and players.