Coming off offseason surgery, it's unclear when Varlamov will return to action, but he will start the 2025-26 campaign sidelined on the Injured Reserve. The 37-year-old netminder was limited to only 10 games last season (3-4-3), posting a 2.89 GAA and .889 SV%, due to various injuries.
McIlrath exited Saturday's preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets due to a lower-body injury and was absent from practice on Monday. The extent of his injury is unclear, but he was likely a long shot to make Washington's opening night roster on Thursday against the Boston Bruins. That said, the 33-year-old McIlrath was a solid depth blueliner for the Capitals last season, tallying two points (0G / 2A) in 17 games.
Roy exited Saturday's preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets due to an upper-body injury and was absent from practice on Monday. The 30-year-old Roy was slated to start the season on Washington's second defensive pair alongside Rasmus Sandin, but it's unclear whether his injury will keep him out of their season opener on Thursday against the Boston Bruins. Roy had 24 points (3G / 1A) in 69 games last season.
Dorofeyev missed the Golden Knights' preseason finale and is questionable for the season opener. Dorofeyev has missed a big portion of the preseason due to a lower-body injury but the Golden Knights haven't commented on whether they expect him to be in the opening night lineup or not. With Dorofeyev hurt, the Golden Knights haven't had a full lineup all camp, so there are still questions to be answered. As of Saturday, head coach Bruce Cassidy was still noncommittal on whether Shea Theodore would be on PP1 or if it would be Dorofeyev in a five-forward look.
Blueger missed practice on Sunday and is questionable for Vancouver's season opener on Thursday. The Canucks will see how he responds in the next couple of days, but rookie Braeden Cootes could be in the opening night lineup if Blueger is unavailable.
Engvall continues to recover from offseason hip surgery and is not expected to be ready for opening night, so expect him to start the season on IR. Once healthy, Engvall will likely once again be battling for playing time in the Islanders' bottom-6.
Noesen missed the entire preseason, and head coach Sheldon Keefe did not have an update on his status, but did say he's "not close to being ready to play." Expect Noesen to open the season on IR.
Casey is expected to start the year on IR, and head coach Sheldon Keefe said he's "not expecting to see him back on skates anytime in the near future." Casey will miss some time and will likely open his season in the AHL.
Pesce is skating on his own, but the Devils aren't sure what his availability will be for the season opener on Thursday. The Devils should have several practices early next week, so Pesce's status should be well established prior to their game vs. Carolina.
Bolduc missed Friday's practice and Saturday's preseason finale and is considered day-to-day as the regular season approaches. For now he's considered questionable to play in the season opener on Wednesday. Expect Joe Veleno to replace him in the lineup if Bolduc can't play.
Demidov left Tuesday's game with a wrist injury, but the Canadiens said he was pulled for "precautionary reasons." Demidov was also held out of the lineup for Saturday's preseason finale, but there's no concern for his availability for the season opener on Wednesday.
Dobson returned to the Canadiens' lineup in Saturday's preseason finale after suffering a groin injury vs. Toronto on September 25th. Dobson, who was acquired in a big trade with the Islanders this offseason, is expected to open the season on a pair with Mike Matheson.
Brodin, who had offseason surgery on an upper-body injury, is questionable for the Wild's season opener on Thursday. There was hope that he'd be ready, but he's "stagnated a little bit," according to head coach John Hynes. If Brodin is unavailable, David Jiriceck is expected to be in the opening night lineup.
Laferriere is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and his status for their season opener is up in the air. If Laferriere doesn't play on Tuesday, expect Joel Armia to move up the lineup to skate with Quinton Byfield and Kevin Fiala.
Girard missed almost all of the preseason, but made his debut in Colorado's finale on Saturday. This is a good sign that Girard will be available for their season opener, but Colorado also waived two defensemen on Sunday, furthering the belief that Girard is good-to-go for Tuesday.
Vlasic had his preseason cut short due to a lower-body injury, and his status for the season opener is up in the air. The Blackhawks are expected to take eight defensemen to Florida, and Ethan Del Mastro is expected to take his spot in the lineup if he's unable to go.
Janmark is expected to start the season on injured reserve, making room on the roster for couple of newcomers to make their Oilers debut on opening night. Depending how players like Ike Howard, David Tomasek, Matthew Savoie, and Noah Philp start the season, Janmark could have a difficult time cracking the Oilers lineup this season.
Walman hasn't officially been ruled out for the season opener, but Oilers' head coach Kris Knoblauch said it's unlikely. With Walman injured, Alec Regula may skate with Darnell Nurse in the season opener.
Samuelsson has been sidelined since September 26th, but is ahead of schedule in his recovery. Head coach Lindy Ruff expects Samuelsson to be ready for the Sabres' season opener on October 9th.
