Kotkaniemi was cleared for contact and returned to team practice on Monday, but it's unclear if he will be ready for Carolina's season opener on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 25-year-old Kotkaniemi, the third-overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, scored 33 points (12G / 21A) in 78 games last season.
Miller suffered a lower-body injury earlier in training camp that kept him out of practice for over a week, but he returned to full-contact drills on Monday and has stated that he will be ready for New York's season opener on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old Miller is entering his 14th NHL season and eighth in New York after being reacquired by the Rangers at the mid-point of last season. The newly appointed Rangers captain scored 21 goals and 70 points in 72 games last season.
The Islanders signed Bear to a one-year contract in the offseason to provide some depth on their blueline, but he will need to wait to make his team debut as he will be sidelined for a few weeks on Injured Reserve. The 28-year-old Bear spent the entirety of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, tallying 46 points (10G / 36A) in 62 games with the Hershey Bears. He has 67 points (17G / 50A) in 275 career NHL games.
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.
