Washe appeared in two games for Anaheim last season directly after finishing his season with Western Michigan (NCAA), and earned himself a two-year contract worth $812,500 AAV ($1.625M total). The 23-year-old forward was a sought-after free agent after finishing his senior season with Western Michigan in 2024-25 with 16 goals and 38 points in 42 games played.

Dickinson was selected No.11 overall in this year's NHL Draft. The 19-year-old blueliner had an outstanding season with the London Knights in 2024-25, finishing with an impressive 91 points (29G/ 62A) in 55 games.

Wood was a healthy scratch for the Predators' first game of the season and will likely get some playing time in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals. The 20-year-old forward scored one point (0G / 1A) in his first six NHL games last season.

Jet Greaves was between the pipes for the Blue Jackets' 2-1 opening night loss to the Nashville Predators, but the team will turn to Merzlikins for their second game on Saturday against the Minnesota Wild. Minnesota had an impressive showing in its first game of the season, defeating the St. Louis Blues 5-0. The 31-year-old Merzlikins has struggled over the past few seasons, including posting a 3.18 GAA and .892 SV% in 53 games (26-21-5) in 2024-25, and now faces the pressure of Greaves looming in his shadow in 2025-26.

After a lengthy offseason, which included a change in agents, Jack Roslovic has signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract to provide the Edmonton Oilers with offensive depth. The 28-year-old is entering his ninth NHL season after tying his career high in goals in 2024-25 with 22 and 39 points across 81 games played with Carolina.

Drouin had an impressive start to his tenure with the Islanders, scoring a goal before being ejected from the game with a major penalty and a game misconduct. He will be eligible to return to the lineup on October 13th against the Winnipeg Jets.

Gustafsson will likely start his 2025-26 campaign with the Manitoba Moose after clearing waivers on Friday. The 25-year-old forward played 36 games with the Jets last season, recording six points (2G / 4A).

van Riemsdyk signed with the Red Wings during the offseason and could make his team debut on Saturday against his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 36-year-old American forward scored 36 points (16G / 20A) in 71 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season. He has 665 points (327G / 338A) in 1082 career games.

The Red Wings suffered an embarrassing 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens in their season-opening game with John Gibson between the pipes. They will turn to Talbot on Saturday, hoping for a better result against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 36-year-old Talbot is entering his second season with the Red Wings after posting a 2.93 GAA and .900 SV% in 47 appearances last season (21-19-5).

Toropchenko played 10:43 time-on-ice in Thursday's season-opening 5-0 blowout loss to the Minnesota Wild. The 26-year-old scored 18 points (4G / 14A) in 80 games last season. His status for Saturday's contest against the Calgary Flames is unclear.

Power has been absent from most of Buffalo's training camp due to an undisclosed injury and did not play in Thursday's season opener, but could be ready on Saturday against the Boston Bruins. The 22-year-old Power is coming off a career-best season in 2024-25, scoring 40 points (7G / 33A) in 79 games. With Rasmus Dahlin locked into Buffalo's top powerplay unit, Power will likely spend most of the season quarterbacking the second unit upon his return.