Back has not played yet in 2025-26 but appears to be nearing his return to the lineup after practicing on Tuesday. The 25-year-old Back made his NHL debut last season, scoring 16 points (4G / 12A) in 73 games in a fourth-line role with Dallas.

Girgensons suffered an undisclosed injury in Tampa Bay's preseason finale and has been sidelined since. The 31-year-old Girgensons played all 82 games in his first season with Tampa Bay in 2024-25, tallying six points (2G / 4A).

Kane got tripped up in overtime on Friday and crashed hard into the end boards. Kane suffered an upper-body injury in the collision and did not play on Sunday. He will miss at least one more game, beginning with Wednesday's contest against the Buffalo Sabres. Kane's next opportunity to return will be on Friday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard will likely play in Kane's usual second-line position on Wednesday.

Perry underwent knee surgery in September and has been sidelined for nearly six weeks. He’s been skating with the team over the past week and was a full participant in Monday’s practice, ready to make his season debut on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues. The Kings are struggling early in the 2025-26 season, off to a 1-3-2 start, and hope Perry's veteran presence can give them a boost.

Kapanen is battling an undisclosed injury and will be sidelined for the foreseeable future, beginning with Tuesday's contest against the Ottawa Senators. The 29-year-old Kapanen was averaging 12:17 time-on-ice and had two points (0G / 2A) in six games before his injury. David Tomasek will draw back into the lineup as Kapanen's replacement.

Duchene was on the receiving end of a hit from Minnesota's Jacob Middleton that made contact with his head in last Tuesday's 5-2 win. After missing one game, Duchene returned to the lineup on Saturday, but seemingly re-aggravated his injury and will be sidelined on Tuesday as he continues his recovery. The 34-year-old Duchene signed a four-year contract extension with the Stars in the offseason and has two points (1G / 1A) through four games in 2025-26.

Dach has not played in Montreal's previous two games, recovering from a lower-body injury, but is nearing a return and will travel with the team on their upcoming four-game road trip. The 24-year-old Dach is averaging 14:29 time-on-ice and has two points (1G / 1A) in five games this season.

Blueger scored a goal in Vancouver's 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals on Sunday, but also suffered an undisclosed injury and is unlikely to play on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 31-year-old Blueger had 26 points (8G / 18A) in 82 games last season.

Gaudette is battling an illness and his status for Tuesday's game against the New York Islanders is up in the air. The 29-year-old forward is averaging 10:38 time-on-ice and has two points (1G / 1A) through five games this season.

Romanov did not play in the Islanders' previous game, but he was back at practice on Monday and appears to be nearing a return. That said, he will miss at least one more game, starting with Tuesday's contest against the San Jose Sharks. The 25-year-old Romanov has 12 blocks and 15 hits through four games this season.

Perry underwent knee surgery in September and has been sidelined for nearly six weeks. His original recovery timeline was 6-to-8 weeks, and it appears he’s trending toward the shorter end. He’s been skating with the team over the past week and was a full participant in Monday’s practice. While it’s unclear if he’ll make his season debut on Tuesday, it looks like his return is right around the corner.

Kuemper suffered a lower-body injury last Monday and has missed the last two games. However, he returned to full practice on Monday and is expected to join the team as they head to St. Louis. While he may not be available for Tuesday’s game, it’s an encouraging sign that he could return to the crease at some point during the trip.

Kopitar suffered a foot injury last Monday and was initially listed as week-to-week. However, he's already back on the ice and will join the team as they head to St. Louis. While he’s unlikely to play on Tuesday, this is a positive development that suggests his absence may be shorter than originally expected.

Lindgren exited Saturday's 4-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third period after playing 17:17 time-on-ice. The 27-year-old defenseman is averaging 19:24 time-on-ice, recording one point (0G / 1A) and 14 blocks in five games this season.

Soucy has missed the previous four games for the Rangers due to an upper-body injury but appears set to return to the lineup on Monday. The 31-year-old defenseman has one goal in three games this season. Urho Vaakanainen will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Soucy's return.

Walman signed a seven-year contract worth $7 million AAV at the beginning of October but has not played a game yet in the 2025-26 season. He will make his debut on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators. The 29-year-old Walman had a goal, eight points and a +5 plus/minus in 15 games with the Oilers last season after being acquired at the Trade Deadline from San Jose.

Gostisbehere was limited to only 4:06 time-on-ice in Carolina's most recent outing, exiting the contest with a lower-body injury. The 32-year-old defenseman will not play on Monday against the Vegas Golden Knights, but he is not expect to miss significant time. He is off to a tremendous start in the 2025-26 season, scoring seven points (1G / 6A) in five games.

Stone was limited to only 13:12 time-on-ice in Saturday's 6-1 win over the Calgary Flames, exiting the contest due to a wrist injury. The 33-year-old Stone scored four points (2G / 2A) before departing the game, and has 13 points (2G / 11A) in six contests this season. He will be out week-to-week, beginning with Monday's contest against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Scott Wedgewood has started Colorado's first six games of the 2025-26 season, but Blackwood appears to be nearing a return from a lower-body injury after being sent to the Colorado Eagles (AHL) on a conditioning loan at the beginning of last week. Wedgewood has played well to start the season, but the team will be eager to have the services of Blackwood back in their lineup after posting a 22-12-3 record last season, alongside a 2.33 GAA and .913 SV% last season after being acquired from San Jose.