With Elvis Merzlinkins currently battling a stomach bug, Martin seems likely to get his first start as a member of the Blue Jackets. Martin was claimed off of waivers from the Vancouver Canucks, where he recorded a 3.99 GAA and .871 SV% in 29 games last season (11-15-1). He has appeared in net for the Blue Jackets once in relief this season, where he allowed two goals on 17 shots in 20 minutes of action. Martin and the Blue Jackets at +198 home underdogs tonight against a New York Rangers team that has scored eight goals in their first two games (1-1-0).

Hall missed one game with a shoulder injury that he suffered last Wednesday in Boston. He was initially considered week-to-week, so returning after one game is huge new for the Blackhawks. Hall had one assist and four shots on goal in two games to start the season.

Andersen allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Hurricanes' win over the Senators on Wednesday. It was a strong start to the season for Andersen, who figures to have a good chance at picking up a 'W' whenever he gets the nod. Tonight he'll start in Los Angeles--he struggled against the Pacific Division last year, going 3-4-0 with a 3.03 GAA and .861 SV%.

Andersen allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Hurricanes' win over the Senators on Wednesday. It was a strong start to the season for Andersen, who figures to have a good chance at picking up a 'W' whenever he gets the nod. Tonight he'll start in Los Angeles--he struggled against the Pacific Division last year, going 3-4-0 with a 3.03 GAA and .861 SV%.

Hall was caught by a blindside hit from Brandon Carlo during Wednesday's loss in Boston. Hall picked up an assist on Connor Bedard's first goal of the season before leaving the game. Andreas Athansiou was Hall's primary replacement on Bedard's wing, but head coach Luke Richardson said that Lukas Reichel is also a candidate to see some time there.

Andersen battled injuries last season, as he has for several seasons now, allowing him to suit up in only 34 games (21-11-1) where he posted a 2.48 GAA and .903 SV%. The Carolina Hurricanes opted to re-sign him and Antti Raanta in the offseason, indicating that there will probably be a similar goalie rotation in the Hurricane crease this season. In two appearances this preseason (1-0-0), Andersen posted a sparkling 1.30 GAA and .946 SV%. There are several high-caliber offensive threats on the Ottawa Senators roster but the defensive structure of Rod Brind'Amour and the Hurricanes should prove challenging for any team to penetrate. As a team last season, the Hurricanes allowed an average of only 2.56 goals per game, good for second in the NHL.

Carrier left Vegas' opening game vs. Seattle after just 5:09 TOI due to an undisclosed injury and will not travel with the Golden Knights on their upcoming road trip to San Jose. The 28-year-old is considered out indefinitely which is a big loss for Vegas after he had 16 goals, nine assists, 118 SOG, 30 PIMs and a +15 plus/minus through 56 games in 2022-23.

Andersen battled injuries last season, as he has for several seasons now, allowing him to suit up in only 34 games (21-11-1) where he posted a 2.48 GAA and .903 SV%. The Carolina Hurricanes opted to re-sign him and Antti Raanta in the offseason, indicating that there will probably be a similar goalie rotation in the Hurricane crease this season. In two appearances this preseason (1-0-0), Andersen posted a sparkling 1.30 GAA and .946 SV%. There are several high-caliber offensive threats on the Ottawa Senators roster but the defensive structure of Rod Brind'Amour and the Hurricanes should prove challenging for any team to penetrate. As a team last season, the Hurricanes allowed an average of only 2.56 goals per game, good for second in the NHL.

Svechnikov's return to the lineup remains uncertain but it appears he will likely miss at least the first six games of the season. Last season, Svechnikov scored 55 points (23G / 32A) in 64 games before having season-ending knee surgery. Teuvo Teravainen stands to be the biggest benefactor and will likely slide up to the left-wing position on the second line.

Despite having an impressive preseason, recording five points (2G / 3A) in six games, a logjam of offensive talent on the Dallas Stars' roster has prevented Stankoven from cracking the opening night roster. Stankoven will likely see some time in the NHL this year but as he awaits his callup, the Stars' top prospect should see top-line minutes playing with the Texas Stars of the AHL.

Head coach Rod Brind'Amour called it a "not serious shoulder injury," but it's still expected to sideline him for at least on week. The 2019 No.28 overall pick has yet to make his NHL debut, but had 32 points (13G / 19A) in 50 AHL games a season ago.

Svechnikov is still making his recovery after having knee surgery at the end of last season. Before his injury, Svechnikov had 55 points (23G / 32A) in 64 games for the Hurricanes. His status for opening night remains to be seen as he is yet to be a full participant at practice but his status should be confirmed in the coming days. If he is unable to suit up on opening night, look for Teuvo Teravainen to jump into the top-6.

Stepan played 13 NHL seasons for four franchises (NYR, ARI, CAR, OTT) and announced his retirement from professional hockey Tuesday. The 33-year-old had five goals, six assists, eight PIMs, 98 SOG, and a +8 plus/minus in 73 games played in 2022-23 with Carolina. He finished his NHL career with 182 goals, 515 points, and a +98 plus/minus through 890 games played.

On Thursday, Martin was placed on conditional waivers by Vancouver and claimed on Friday by the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 28-year-old goaltender struggled in 2022-23 with the Canucks, posting an 11-15-1 record, 3.99 GAA and .871 SV%. He will be joining his third NHL team (COL, VAN) and should provide goaltending depth behind the Blue Jackets' starter Elvis Merzlikins.

Aho reached 36+ goals for third time in the last four years in 2022-23 as he picked up 36 goals, 31 assists, 218 SOG, 42 PIMs and a +8 plus/minus through 75 games played and has now signed an eight-year, $78 million extension ($9,750,000 AAV). The 26-year-old centre has spent the first seven seasons of his career in Carolina after being drafted in the 2nd round of the 2015 NHL Draft (35th overall) and has 218 goals, 468 points and a +80 plus/minus through 520 career NHL games.

Smith had a goal, three assists, 27 SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through nine games with Pittsburgh in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year contract extension worth $775,000 AAV. The 23-year-old defensemen was originally acquired alongside a third-round pick from New Jersey in July of 2022 for John Marino. He has eight goals, 47 points and is a -32 plus/minus across 123 career NHL games played thus far.

Lemieux had two goals, seven assists, 44 SOG, 74 PIMs and a -3 plus/minus through 45 games between Los Angeles and Philadelphia in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with Carolina. The 27-year-old scrappy left-wing will be joining his fifth NHL team and has 33 goals, 69 points and 484 PIMs through 275 career games.

Dustin TokarskiTokaski spent most of the 2023 season in the AHL, going 12-16-7 with a 2.69 GAA and .910 SV% in 36 games. He spent some time with the Penguins, going 1-2-0 witha. 3.44 GAA and .897 SV%. He's been a reliable AHL option throughout his careeer and is serviceable (.902 career NHL SV%) at the NHL level if injuries hit teh Sabres crease.

Gostisbehere had 13 goals, 28 assists, 155 SOG, 32 PIMs and a -5 plus/minus through 75 games played with both Arizona and Carolina in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year deal worth $4.125 million with Detroit. The 30-year-old offensive defensemen will join his fourth NHL team and brings 87 goals, 311 points and 140 power play points across 538 career games played.

Orlov had seven goals, 29 assists, 124 SOG, 22 PIMs and a +12 plus/minus through 66 games played with both Washington and Boston in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year contract worth $15.5 million ($7.75M AAV) with Carolina. The 32-year-old defensemen took a massive offensive step forward in 2022-23 with his change of screnary to Boston which led to an impressive eight assists in seven playoff games. He brings 64 goals, 273 points and a +114 plus/minus through 709 career NHL games to the Hurricanes.