NHL Player News

Sorokin will start Sunday's road game against Dallas, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.

Sorokin got the night off Thursday against the Kings, but he'll return to the crease Sunday for the third time in the last four games. Across his first seven appearances of the regular season, he has gone 5-2-0 with a 1.72 GAA and .934 save percentage.

Xhekaj (lower body) was activated from injured reserve Sunday, per the NHL media site.

According to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports, Xhekaj will replace Owen Beck in Sunday's lineup against Winnipeg. The 22-year-old Xhekaj missed the last six games. He hasn't earned a point in two appearances this season, but he has recorded two shots on net, three hits and one blocked shot.

Nikishin (not injury related) signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Hurricanes on Sunday, which ends his time as an unsigned restricted free agent.

Nikishin missed Carolina's opening 13 games because of the contract dispute. Although he's eligible to play Tuesday versus Boston, he might need time to get up to speed during practices before he makes his season debut. When Nikishin is ready to play, it might be in a third-pairing capacity. He had 11 goals, 33 points, 33 PIM, 132 hits and 94 blocks in 81 regular-season appearances with Carolina in 2025-26.

Fowler will draw the start in Sunday's road game against Winnipeg, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

Fowler is in the midst of a four-game winning streak, and he'll draw the start in a second consecutive matchup Sunday. Across his five appearances to begin the regular season, the 21-year-old has gone 4-1-0 with a 1.94 GAA and .910 save percentage.

Faksa (lower body) won't be in the lineup against the Islanders on Sunday, according to Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News.

Faksa will miss at least one game after getting hurt in Thursday's 3-2 overtime win over Winnipeg. He has contributed one assist, nine shots on net, nine blocked shots and 12 hits in 10 appearances this season. With Faksa, Sam Steel (undisclosed) and David Perron unavailable, Matthew Seminoff and Dylan Hryckowian will play against the Islanders on Sunday.

Oettinger will protect the home net against the Islanders on Sunday, per Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News.

Oettinger has stopped 54 of 58 shots during his three-game winning streak. In eight appearances this campaign, he owns a 5-2-1 record and has allowed only 10 goals on 165 shots. The Islanders (5-3-2) rank 21st in the league with 2.90 goals per game this season.

Niederreiter (upper body) is expected to play against Montreal on Sunday.

Niederreiter logged only 9:52 of ice time against Dallas on Thursday. He left the game after taking a high stick, but he returned to the ice in Saturday's practice. The 34-year-old forward is poised to play on the fourth line and see time on the second power-play unit.

Forsling (upper body) will play against Chicago on Sunday, according to Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

Forsling appeared to be hit in the face by the puck late in Thursday's 4-0 loss to Pittsburgh, but he won't miss additional playing time. He has earned one goal, two points, 13 shots on net, seven blocked shots and five hits in 10 appearances this season.

Knight will patrol the home crease against Florida on Sunday, according to Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

Entering Sunday's matchup, Knight has surrendered seven goals on 59 shots in consecutive regulation-time losses. He has stopped 222 of 250 shots during his 3-5-0 start to the 2026-27 campaign. Florida (5-4-2) is tied for 22nd in the league this season with 2.82 goals per game.

Trouba notched two assists, including one on the power play, in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Bruins.

Trouba has a goal and four helpers, including three power-play assists, over his last three games. The defenseman's usage with the man advantage boosts his overall profile, especially if he can keep producing in that situation. He has two goals, six assists, 16 shots on net, 20 hits, 26 blocked shots, 11 PIM and a minus-4 rating over 12 outings this season. If that level of play holds, Trouba may end up being the top blueliner on the Sharks' roster by the end of the year.