Around the Hockey World — Wednesday, September 23
The day's hockey news in one place — and somewhere to talk about it.
For more granular team coverage, check out the team pages.
37 items · updated 12:21 AM
Top stories
- ‘I am just horrified about the whole thing’: Mark Messier comments on Oilers’ hiring of Mike Babcock — Daily Faceoff (Frank Seravalli)
Excerpt
When the Edmonton Oilers hired Mike Babcock to be their 19th head coach in franchise history in June, the decision was met with plenty of opprobrium. After all, Babcock had resigned as the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023 after receiving allegations that he had invaded his players’ privacy by requesting to see and display personal photos from their cellphones. ... “I am absolutely…
- Red Wings’ Dylan Larkin could return Saturday — Sportsnet
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If things keep going in the right direction, Larkin could return to game action in Detroit's pre-season finale on Saturday against Columbus , Red Wings coach Todd McLellan told reporters, per Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press .
- ‘Tires have been kicked’: Friedman on potential Hellebuyck fit with Sharks — Sportsnet
- 34 NHL players placed on waivers for Sept. 23 — Daily Faceoff (Frank Seravalli)
Excerpt
On Wednesday, 34 players across the league were placed on waivers, making them available to the other 31 teams in the NHL. If they were to clear the wire on Thursday, they would be eligible to be assigned to their respective American Hockey League affiliates.
- Friedman: Expansion no longer a slam dunk after NHL pumped the brakes on it — Sportsnet
News
- ASU hockey coach says he is 'right guy' despite player's collapse — ESPN
Excerpt
Arizona State head hockey coach Greg Powers declined to answer questions Wednesday about a player's collapse during a team workout last month but says he still believes he is the right person to lead the team.
- Red Wings’ Dylan Larkin practices as McLellan provides an update — Ansar Khan of MLive
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The former captain won't play Thursday, but Saturday remains a possibility.
- 'NHL just gets better and better every year,' Messier says — NHL.com
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The reigning Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers will set the tone for the new season for the NHL and ESPN with a measuring-stick showdown that kicks off the network's opening night tripleheader on Sept. 29 (5 p.m. ET).
- Sabres defenceman Samuelsson listed as week to week with lower-body injury — TSN
Excerpt
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson is listed as week to week with a lower-body injury, leaving him in jeopardy of missing the start of the season. Coach Lindy Ruff provided the update on Wednesday, a day after the seventh-year player was hurt while blocking a shot in a preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets .
- ASU hockey coach says he is 'right guy' despite player collapse — ESPN
Excerpt
Arizona State head hockey coach Greg Powers declined Wednesday to answer questions about a player's collapse during a team workout last month but said he still believes he is the right person to lead the team.
- Former Canadiens owner George Gillett Jr. dead at 87 — Sportsnet
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Former Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett Jr. has died. He was 87. "On behalf of the entire Canadiens organization, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to George’s family," Canadiens owner, president and CEO Geoff Molson said in a statement. "George immersed himself in the Montreal community and was appreciated by everyone in the organization. We sincerely appreciate his contributi
- Thomas Chabot says Senators don’t hold ill will toward Brady Tkachuk — Daily Faceoff (Frank Seravalli)
Excerpt
The Ottawa Senators have a new outlook on their future with Brady Tkachuk out of the plans after his move to the Florida Panthers , but Thomas Chabot admitted Wednesday that the team has no hard feelings toward their former captain.
- NHL’s Central Division big three showing no signs of slipping heading into new season — TSN
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In a top-heavy Central Division headed by Colorado, Dallas and Minnesota, the prevailing belief entering this season is which of the five other teams can compete for one or both of the Western Conference’s wild-card playoff spots.
- NHL players soak in new record salaries — The Globe and Mail — Hockey
Excerpt
“I was surprised,” he said at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour in Las Vegas earlier this month. “A weird feeling, but it’s where the league is heading.” The Philadelphia Flyers were proposing an eye-popping five-year, US$90-million offer sheet in restricted free agency carrying a record-breaking – for a few weeks, at least – average annual value of US$18-million to pry Carlsson out of California
- Status Report: Seguin could play in preseason finale for Stars — NHL.com
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Welcome to the NHL Status Report. With training camp and preseason games underway, here is the latest lineup/injury news around the NHL. Tyler Seguin could make his preseason debut for the Stars against the Minnesota Wild on Friday (8 p.m. ET; TNT, truTV, HBO MAX).
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- CHL unveils first four 2027 NHL Draft prospects for CHL USA Prospects Challenge — Daily Faceoff (Frank Seravalli)
Excerpt
On Wednesday, the Canadian Hockey League announced the first four players named to Team CHL for the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge. Brock England (Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL), Dima Zhilkin (Saginaw Spirit, OHL), Alexis Joseph (Saint John Sea Dogs, QMJHL), and Carter Meyer (Quebec Remparts, QMJHL) are going to be playing for the league as they get set to face the U.S. National Under-18 Team.
- Hurricanes Stanley Cup championship film to debut on ESPN2 on Sept. 27 — NHL.com
Excerpt
NEW YORK – Fans can relive the Carolina Hurricanes’ historic victory with the 2026 Stanley Cup® Championship Film, premiering exclusively on ESPN2 on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 2 p.m. ET. The one-hour film will be available to fans in Canada on Sportsnet and the NHL’s YouTube channel on Sept. 28. The trailer for the 2026 Stanley Cup Championship Film is available to view here .
- Dylan Larkin joins Red Wings for practice for first time since injury — Ansar Khan of MLive
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Larkin did not skate on a regular line.
- Ice Chips: Ovechkin day-to-day with lower-body injury — TSN
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Keep updated on all the injury news and roster updates from around the NHL with daily Ice Chips. Captain Alex Ovechkin has a lower-body injury and is day-to-day, per Tom Gulitti of NHL.com.
- 'Didn't see that coming': NHLers reflect league's cash-infused off-season — TSN
Excerpt
The Anaheim Ducks centre’s agent was on the other end. Carlsson couldn’t believe the numbers being rattled off. “I was surprised,” he said at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour in Las Vegas earlier this month. “A weird feeling, (but it’s) where the league is heading.”
- NHL, Premier Sports renew partnership in Ireland, UK — NHL.com
Excerpt
Richard Sweeney, CEO of Premier Sports, said: "We're delighted to extend our rights agreement with the NHL. Premier Sports has proudly been a broadcaster of the NHL since 2011, and this renewal means we can continue to bring our viewers unmissable live action from the world's best hockey league. It's fantastic to add even more value for our long-term, loyal customers."
- ‘We will’: Leipold remains steadfast on Wild extending Hughes — TSN
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Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold remains confident that the team will extend Quinn Hughes even as he approaches Game 1 of the season as a pending unrestricted free agent. “We will sign him,” Leipold told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun in The Athletic as he rushed out of the NHL’s Board of Governors meeting to catch a flight.
- Insider Trading: The latest on NHL expansion — TSN
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The TSN Hockey Insiders have the latest on NHL expansion talks, commissioner Gary Bettman’s succession plan, Senators owner Michael Andlauer’s comments about the role Brady Tkachuk ’s family played in his departure, and more. Darren Dreger: Joined by fellow Hockey Insiders, Pierre LeBrun and Chris Johnston. Guys, it feels like forever that we keep speculating on expansion in the National Hockey L
- Ice Chips: Ovechkin (lower-body) on ice at Capitals skate — TSN
Excerpt
Alex Ovechkin (lower body, day to day) is on the ice for the Capitals practice today after not skating Sunday and Monday. (Yesterday was a day off for the whole team)
- Coach Pete DeBoer expects Matthew Schaefer to become future captain of Islanders — Daily Faceoff (Frank Seravalli)
Excerpt
According to New York Islanders head coach Pete DeBoer, the team already has its future captain. Speaking with reporters Wednesday, DeBoer said defenseman Matthew Schaefer will one day wear the “C” on Long Island.
- Capitals coach on Alex Ovechkin’s injury: ‘Not too serious’ — Sportsnet
Excerpt
Alex Ovechkin was back on the ice for practice Wednesday, but the Washington Capitals star skated off after a few twirls. While it may have not been an ideal scenario, the Capitals don't sound overly worried about Ovechkin heading into next week's season opener.
- Rangers’ Sykora out 4-5 months with lower-body injury — Daily Faceoff (Frank Seravalli)
Excerpt
On Wednesday, the New York Rangers revealed that forward Adam Sykora will be out 4-5 months with a lower-body injury. The injury occurred during the Rangers’ preseason matchup on Monday night against the rival New Jersey Devils . Near the halfway mark of the first period, Sykora was caught with a firm hit from Devils defenseman Mikael Diotte. The hit sent Sykora hard into the boards, with his rig
- NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest On Kirill Marchenko And The Avalanche's Efforts To Replace Valeri Nichushkin — The Hockey News
Excerpt
Trade rumors have swirled around Kirill Marchenko since June , when ESPN's Kevin Weekes reported the 26-year-old winger was unwilling to sign an extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets . Marchenko faced questions about his contract status when he reported to training camp last week. According to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic , his evasiveness did nothing to silence the speculation.
- NHL Rumor Mill – September 23, 2026 — Lyle Richardson of Spector's Hockey
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Could the Canadiens or Oilers acquire Connor Hellebuyck ? Where could Quinn Hughes end up next season? What’s the latest on the Blues? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill. TORONTO SUN : Steve Simmons recently dismissed the notion that Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck doesn’t want to play for Canadian teams, calling it “senseless.”
- Tonight's games — Wednesday, September 23 — NHL
Columns
- NHL Power Rankings: Setting The Stage For 2026-27 — The Hockey News
Excerpt
Welcome back to The Hockey News power rankings for the 2026-27 season. Every Wednesday, all 32 teams are ranked based on their weekly performance with the goal of figuring out which teams are trending up or down.
- Are the Sharks a good fit for Connor Hellebuyck? — Daily Faceoff (Frank Seravalli)
Excerpt
With one of the best goaltenders looking to move, would a young and rising team be the right fit? It has become clear that Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck wants out and refused to report to training camp as a result. While he sits around, suspended by the team , many wonder where he could end up.
- Top 23 NHL prospects under 23 in 2026 — Sportsnet
Excerpt
That’s what we set out to discover as we launched into another edition of our Top 23 NHL Prospects Under 23. Like our previous editions, this list was compiled and ranked by Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala and Sam Cosentino and includes only players already in an NHL system (so, you won’t find any standouts from the upcoming 2027 draft class in here). It’s important to note that every player on this lis
- How Daniel Alfredsson will help Maple Leafs against the Senators this season — the Toronto Sun
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With Toronto trying to recover lost ground against Ottawa after last season, the arrival of key Sens' resource should help intel.
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- The 10 best value contracts in the NHL for 2026-27 — Daily Faceoff (Frank Seravalli)
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So as the preseason begins, and teams are deciding on their rosters for the season while also trying to stay under the salary cap, let’s look around the league at some of the best-value contracts for this season.
- After Macklin Celebrini’s breakout season, is it Will Smith’s turn next? — Daily Faceoff (Frank Seravalli)
Excerpt
Macklin Celebrini firmly established himself as one of the best players in the world, registering 45 goals and 115 points. It was enough to keep him engaged in Hart Trophy conversations – and, eventually, become one of the highest-paid players in the NHL.
- NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 23, 2026 — Lyle Richardson of Spector's Hockey
Excerpt
Recaps of Tuesday’s preseason action, the Wild re-sign GM Bill Guerin, the Ducks have a new captain, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines. NHL.COM : Matthew Schaefer had a goal and two assists, and Matias Macelli scored twice and collected an assist as the New York Islanders nipped the New York Rangers 4-3. Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov stopped all 10 shots he faced in his firs
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