We're only a few days into 2026-27 and teams around the league are already making headlines of both a positive and negative nature. Alex Ovechkin is calling it a career! Dylan Larkin is actually playing! Connor Hellebuyck is nowhere to be found! So let's take our first dive into this freshly-chlorinated pool of NHL news, which is heavily peppered with injury and goaltending items, with our goggles focused on any potential fantasy fallout.
Note: We're excluding ever-evolving injury situations that involve players currently listed as day-to-day, including Jake Sanderson, Mikhail Sergachev, Victor Olofsson, Josh Morrissey etc. Keep a close eye on your player news feed for those pertinent updates.
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Florida Panthers
Aleksander Barkov (knee) isn't brutally hurt after all. First there was concern Barkov might miss most, if not all, of the regular season after doing just that because of a knee injury in 2025-26. No wonder hockey fans across North America exhaled when hearing one of the game's elite centers was then projected to return in 10 to 12 weeks, which was quickly reduced to eight-ish weeks, then more like six. At this rate, we'll see the Panther back on the ice next Tuesday (I'm being facetious). All considered, a positive report all around.
In less pleasant news, we're still awaiting an update on Brad Marchand after the winger slammed his knee hard into a goal post and left the ice without putting an ounce of weight on that leg. It looked bad. Fingers crossed Marchand isn't out long term, but I wouldn't heighten my hopes.
Advice: Place Barkov on IR and wait it out. I'd suggest picking up substitute top center Sam Bennett instead, but he's already largely spoken for in ESPN Fantasy leagues. As for Marchand, get ready to drop him outright if the news is as bad as all that. We should know in a day or two.
Colorado Avalanche
Mackenzie Blackwood is Jared Bednar's top choice in Colorado. We know this because the Avalanche's head coach has started the younger netminder instead of Scott Wedgewood in three straight games to open 2026-27. Which means we very well might not see much of Wedgewood outside of back-to-back situations, of which the Avs only have three this month. Of course, Blackwood can fall hurt or hit a rough patch, but we can't ignore Bednar's preferred approach from the onset.
Advice: Never mind his outstanding numbers from 2025-26, re-think relying on Wedgewood as a prominent No. 1 or No. 2 fantasy netminder this campaign. He might not play that much. Don't wait too long before swapping out the veteran for a more active goalie with perhaps a lesser team. Banking on Wedgewood eventually taking over once more could prove rather costly.
Winnipeg Jets
Connor who? While the former Hart/Vezina winner remains suspended, the Jets' active No. 1 is quickly enamoring himself to Winnipeg hockey fans. After a mediocre debut against the Bruins, Stuart Skinner is two-for-two, allowing just a pair of goals against the Red Wings and -- more impressively -- the mighty Avalanche. He looks sharp. It's worth remembering that, when at his best, this is a netminder capable of taking his team to consecutive Stanley Cup Finals.
Regardless of when Kevin Cheveldayoff trades Connor Hellebuyck, and to where, the Jets' general manager shouldn't feel as hard-pressed to get a top-notch goalie in return. Not when Skinner is performing this astutely behind a bunch of skaters who are producing themselves (see: Kyle Connor).
Advice: If at all unsatisfied with your fantasy goaltending, pick up Skinner while he's performing at the top of his game. As for Hellebuyck, keep him tucked on IR until as long as reasonably possible. Many oddsmakers still favor the suspended netminder to win the Vezina. Meaning there's a sense this standoff in Winnipeg might be resolved sooner rather than later.
Philadelphia Flyers
Michael Bunting is a Flyer. Not a jaw-dropping move, by any extent, but one that could pay out some short-term fantasy dividends. Frustrated with his club's start, and for good reason, Rick Tocchet can be counted on to jostle up his top six ahead of Thursday's contest in Ottawa. A group that might include the winger just signed to a one-year, $1.2-million deal. If only until Philly's more dynamite forwards get going. While Bunting isn't ever going to eclipse 60 points again, he has the wherewithal to put up a quick bunch in making a good first impression.
Advice: Add Bunting in deeper leagues in place of an injured skater expected back in the next two to three weeks. Edmonton's Zach Hyman, for example.
Edmonton Oilers
Devon Levi is the No. 1 netminder for the Oilers. Following a circus of a game in which he surrendered seven and still won in Vancouver, the 24-year-old has been better-than-solid in allowing three total goals through two victories against Seattle and Anaheim. Considering how poorly Tristan Jarry faired in the Oilers' opener, we can expect coach Mike Babcock to run with the younger netminder for the foreseeable future. At least until he struggles himself or Frederik Andersen (knee) is ready to return.
Advice: How desperate are you between the pipes? If more than less, and carry a fairly strong fantasy stomach, Levi could be worth a flier. Sure, Edmonton's defensive play consistently remains a work-in-progress, but this team is also going to score a ton. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard already have 32 points combined through only four contests. Levi will be offered ample opportunity to win plenty of games.
New York Islanders
According to coach Pete DeBoer, Mathew Barzal (knee inflammation) is expected to return to skating Thursday. If all goes well, we might anticipate the forward's return to competitive play Saturday against the Lightning, or next Tuesday versus the Canucks (Thursday's tilt with the Blackhawks feels premature). Once again projected to lead the Islanders in production -- heavy on the assists -- Barzal remains available in about a third of ESPN Fantasy leagues.
Advice: After missing most of 2024-25, the ongoing knee issue is a bother. Still, Barzal played all but one game this past season, accumulating 72 points. This early, he's worth the health gamble if you need to replace another injured, or unpromising, skater on your fantasy roster.
Ottawa Senators
Linus Ullmark is "fine". At least that's the latest word from head coach Travis Green after the goalie was recently tackled by Bruins forward JJ Peterka. Okay. So, until we receive further notice, it feels reasonable enough to expect Ottawa's No. 1 to start against the Flyers in the team's home opener Thursday. If, however, Green instead opts to go with Samuel Ersson for a second straight game, I assure you Ullmark isn't entirely fine at all.
Advice: Keep a grip on Ullmark if/until the situation seems more grim. No matter what, there are better fantasy options around the league than Ersson.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Bryan Rust is back in business. Wrapping up his recovery from an upper-body injury through the Penguins' first three games, Rust celebrated his 2026-27 debut with three shots, a goal, and nearly 20 minutes of ice time. Splitting minutes between the Penguins third unit, and top line with Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell, the consistent shooter is expected to, once again, settle into the latter role. When fit and active, Rust serves as a well-balanced -- the extra blocked shots never hurt -- and underrated fantasy performer.
Advice: Grab Rust in all but the shallowest of leagues while tempering your fantasy expectations of Hendrix Lapierre. Losing his spot on the top line to the veteran winger, the Pittsburgh newbie falls to the third unit alongside Ben Kindel and Ville Koivunen.
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