Welcome to the NHL Status Report. Here is the latest lineup/injury news around the NHL.
Carolina Hurricanes
Jaccob Slavin (soreness) wore a full-contact jersey Thursday, exactly one week after the Hurricanes defenseman practiced for the first time at training camp. Prior to that, Slavin had been skating on his own but was held out of practice for precautionary reasons. Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said Tuesday he expects Slavin to be available for the season opener on Oct. 9 against the New Jersey Devils. “I think so,” Brind’Amour told the Hurricanes website. “He looks good. He just had a little something that we definitely want to make sure is behind us.” Jesperi Kotkaniemi was not on the ice Thursday; the forward left a 6-5 preseason loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sept. 26 with 4:24 remaining in the third period after taking a stick to the face from Lightning forward Zemgus Girgensons, who was assessed a double minor for high-sticking.
Winnipeg Jets
Jonathan Toews (undisclosed) did not practice with the Jets on Thursday. The 37-year-old center, who missed the previous two seasons because of health issues, left a 3-2 preseason loss to the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. “He just tweaked something,” Winnipeg coach Scott Arniel said after the game.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Bryan Rust will miss at least two weeks because of a lower-body injury, the Penguins announced Thursday. That means the forward, who had 65 points (31 goals, 34 assists) in 71 games in 2024-25, will miss Pittsburgh’s season opener on Oct. 7 at the New York Rangers.
Seattle Kraken
Ryker Evans is expected to be out 6-8 weeks for the Kraken because of an upper-body injury. The defenseman had 25 points (five goals, 20 assists) in 73 games with Seattle last season. The Kraken open the regular season against the Anaheim Ducks on Oct. 9.
Philadelphia Flyers
Defenseman prospect Oliver Bonk will be out at least two weeks because of an upper-body injury. The 20-year-old, selected in the first round (No. 22) of the 2023 NHL Draft, has not taken part in training camp because of injury. The Flyers open the regular season Oct. 9 at the Florida Panthers.
