NHL News and Injuries: Oilers, Sens, Canucks, Blues, Ducks, Habs, Rangers, Pens, Sharks, and Leafs

The Edmonton Oilers released Mike Hoffman

Edmonton Oilers: The Oilers released forward Mike Hoffman from his PTO.

The Ottawa Senators released Nikolai Kulemin

Chris Johnston: The Ottawa Senators released forward Nikolai Kulemin from his PTO.

The Vancouver Canucks released Sammy Blais

The Vancouver Canucks: The Canucks released forward Sammy Blais from his PTO.

Should the NHL Consider Reducing the Number of NHL Preseason Games?

St. Louis Blues signed Nikita Alexandrov

Chris Johnston: St. Louis Blues signed forward Nikita Alexandrov to a one-year, $775,000 contract.

He will earn $775,000 in the NHL and $150,000 in the AHL.

NHL Injury Notes

Derek Lee: Anaheim Ducks forwards Beckett Sennecke and Nathan Gaucher, and defenseman Pavel Mintyukov all had lower back injuries and were working out on their own, but were on the ice with the rest of the team yesterday.

Derek Van Diest: Edmonton Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard is expected to be on the ice soon and ready for their season opener according to coach Kris Knoblauch.

“We expect him to be back on the ice in a few days. His neck is in a lot of pain and obviously we’re being careful, but he should be fine.”

Stu Cowan: I heard that Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine will be out for four to six months. That has not been confirmed by the Canadiens.

Patrik Laine en béquilles, but smiling malgré tout. pic.twitter.com/Fj064I65gX

— Anthony Martineau (@Antho_Martineau) September 30, 2024

Amanda Stein: New Jersey Devils defenseman Brett Pesce (recovering from a broken fibula from last year’s playoffs) did not travel with the team to Prague.

Vincent Z. Mercogliano: New York Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said forward Jimmy Vesey will be out for “a few weeks” with a lower-body injury. He was injured in training on Sunday.

Defenseman Ryan Lindgren will be out for several weeks with a groin injury. He was injured during a fight with Scott Mayfield of the Islanders last Tuesday.

If both/other players were placed on IR, they would still count against the cap, and would need to move/cut a player as they would be over the cap. If LTIR consumes one or both, they will have to miss 10 games and 24 days but can close the cap in the meantime.

Josh Getzoff: Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson was rehabbing on the ice yesterday and did not skate. The process continues for him.

Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic left in the first half and will have another injury that will be re-evaluated today according to coach Mike Sullivan.

Pens Inside the Scoop: Penguins forward Blake Lizotte met with doctors yesterday for evaluation after leaving Sunday’s game after taking a puck to the face.

Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now: San Jose Sharks defensemen Shakir Mukhamadullin (lower body), and Marc-Edouard Vlasic (upper-body), and goaltender Yaroslav Askarov (lower body) have started skating alone according to coach Ryan Warsofsky. It was the first time in the training camp that they did that.

NHL Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs, and Los Angeles Kings

Jonas Siegel: Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares did not practice yesterday and has not practiced since injuring his leg last week.

Forwards Calle Jarnkrok and Connor Dewar, and defenseman Jani Hakanpaa have been skating at a different rink and haven’t trained with the senior team yet.