NHL Player News

Helleson (lower body) hopes to return at the end of Anaheim's upcoming road trip, per Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune on Wednesday.

Helleson isn't expected to play Wednesday versus Edmonton or Friday in Winnipeg, but it sounds like he might be an option for Saturday's game in Calgary. Helleson hasn't played this campaign due to the injury. The 25-year-old is likely to serve on the third pairing once he's healthy, possibly at the expense of Noah Warren.

Romanov will miss the next six-to-eight months and undergo surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee, the team announced Wednesday.

Romanov's timetable doesn't completely rule him out for the remainder of the 2026-27 campaign, but even in a best-case scenario, he would be returning for only the Islanders' final few games. He has no points, a plus-2 rating, three shots, five hits and seven blocks in three outings this year. Romanov's long-term absence creates an opportunity for Scott Mayfield or Matt Kessel to play far more often this campaign than they might have otherwise.

Wallinder logged an assist and went plus-2 in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Senators.

Wallinder dressed as a seventh defensemen Tuesday, which could happen on occasion since the Red Wings' forward group has sustained some injuries. The 24-year-old blueliner logged 9:07 of ice time in his NHL debut. Wallinder will likely be limited to third-pairing minutes at best as he adjusts to the NHL.

Stastney was traded to the Penguins from the Oilers on Wednesday in exchange for Filip Hallander.

Stastney split time between Nashville and Edmonton during the 2025-26 campaign, recording two goals, eight assists, 63 blocked shots, 20 PIM and 13 hits while averaging 15:30 of ice time. He signed a one-year, $1.575 million contract with the Oilers during the offseason but didn't appear in any of the team's first three regular-season games. He'll now have the opportunity to attempt to carve out a role with the Penguins.

Faulk scored the game-winning goal and added an assist in Tuesday's 5-3 win over Ottawa.

The veteran blueliner gave the Red Wings a 4-1 lead early in the second period on a strong individual effort that saw him begin a rush from center ice and crash through the Ottawa defense before wiring the puck past Samuel Ersson. Faulk then had a hand in Alex DeBrincat's empty-netter late in the third. The points were Faulk's first of the season in three games as the 34-year-old begins his first full campaign with Detroit, and looks to follow up a 16-goal, 40-point season in 2025-26 split between the Blues and Wings.

Roy (lower body) will not be available versus the Penguins on Wednesday, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports.

Roy has yet to get his name on the scoresheet through the Capitals' first two games and will now have to wait a little while longer. The veteran blueliner has been labeled day-to-day, so he could return at any point, perhaps even Friday versus the Rangers. In his stead, Dylan McIlrath will slot into the third pairing for Washington.

Dravecky agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract with the Islanders on Wednesday.

Dravecky is putting together a strong start to the 2026-27 campaign, generating one goal and three assists through the opening four games with OHL Guelph. Selected by the club in the fifth round of the 2026 NHL Draft, the 18-year-old blueliner could be called up to join the NHL club at the end of the year, especially if he continues to rack up offensive numbers.

Slavin notched two assists while adding a shot on net, three blocked shots, a hit and a plus-2 rating in Tuesday's 6-4 win over Montreal.

The veteran blueliner picked up both his helpers in the third period on Taylor Hall's game-winner and an empty-net tally by Andrei Svechnikov. The points were the first of the season in four games for Slavin, but he's been a force in his own zone with 11 blocked shots already.

Weegar scored a goal, picked up six PIM and blocked six shots in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Devils.

The goal was his first of the year. Weegar is looking for redemption this season after tallying just 28 points, including four goals, in 60 games last season. He did have 175 blocks in 2025-26, and he's already delivered in that category -- Weegar has 16 in four games this season. Mikhail Sergachev left Tuesday's game with an undisclosed injury, and Weegar may be called on to pick up the slack if the absence is prolonged.

Jones scored a goal on two shots and added two hits in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Kings.

Jones picked up his first point of the season with the game-tying goal in the second period Tuesday. The defenseman has seen heavy minutes in a top-four role -- his 25:33 of ice time Tuesday was his lowest mark in a game this season. He's added nine shots on net, three blocked shots, three hits and a minus-1 rating. Jones has featured heavily on the power play so far, and that's unlikely to change when Aaron Ekblad (personal) rejoins the team.