Blake Lizotte's Pittsburgh debut may have to wait after it was announced on Monday that the forward has been placed on Injured Reserve due to a concussion. The 28-year-old signed a two-year, $3.7 million contract in the offseason with Pittsburgh after five solid seasons in Los Angeles. In 62 games in 2023-24, Lizotte had seven goals, 15 points, 76 SOG and 20 PIMs while averaging just 11:49 TOI/GP.
Although his lower-body injury doesn't seem too concerning, Rust has been placed on IR. With this latest development, it appears the 32-year-old will not be ready for the Penguins' season opener on October 10th when they take on Columbus. He had 28 goals and 56 points in 62 games played in 2023-24.
Karlsson began skating with the team earlier this week but has stated that he fully expects to be ready for Pittsburgh's season opener on Wednesday vs. the New York Rangers. The 34-year-old has yet to appear in the preseason but will be looking to build off a subpar first season in PIttsburgh in 2023-24, with 11 goals, 56 PIMs and 213 SOG in 82 games played.
Robertson was absent from Toronto's practice on Friday and it was announced the 23-year-old left-winger is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Robertson is entering his second full season with Toronto and will hope to be healthy by their season opener on October 9th (Montreal) if he hopes to surpass the 56 games played he put up in 2023-24.
It doesn't sound too serious for Bryan Rust but he is day-to-day with a lower-body injury and Head Coach Mike Sullivan has stated that "He's trying to manage through it" after the forward missed practice on Friday. The 32-year-old will hope to be ready for the Penguins' season opener on October 10th as they take on Columbus. He had 28 goals and 56 points in 62 games played in 2023-24.
Gustafsson left Winnipeg's preseason matchup on Wednesday in the second period due to an undisclosed injury but returned to practice on Friday as a full participant. It is a sigh of relief for Winnipeg and the 24-year-old as he looks like he will not miss any of the regular season. He will be looking to build off his career year from 2023-24 which saw him pick up three goals and seven points in 39 games.
Karlsson had yet to join his teammates for training camp after dealing with an upper-body injury but joined the Penguins' practice in a full-contact jersey Friday. The 34-year-old is coming off a disappointing first season in Pittsburgh which saw him amass 11 goals, 56 points, 44 PIMs and 213 SOG in 82 games played in 2023-24.
Gustafsson left Winnipeg's preseason matchup on Wednesday in the second period due to an undisclosed injury and is not practicing on Thursday. The Jets are expected to provide an update from head coach Scott Arniel on Gustafsson's injury status later Thursday. In 39 games played in 2023-24, Gustafsson had three goals, seven points, and 27 SOG.
After a long training camp with limited news on Erik Karlsson's ailment, the 34-year-old defenseman returned to Pittsburgh's practice for the first time in a non-contact jersey. The 16-year-veteran is not expected to be ready for Pittsburgh's season opener on October 9th vs. New York with the latest news. Karlsson is coming off a disappointing first season with the Penguins in 2023-24, where he put up 11 goals, 56 points, 44 PIMs and 213 SOG in 82 games played.
Blake Lizotte's Pittsburgh debut may have to wait after it was announced on Wednesday that the forward is being further evaluated for a concussion and is without a timetable to return. The 28-year-old signed a two-year, $3.7 million contract in the offseason with Pittsburgh after five solid seasons in Los Angeles. In 62 games in 2023-24, Lizotte had seven goals, 15 points, 76 SOG and 20 PIMs while averaging just 11:49 TOI/GP.
Karlsson worked out off-ice on Monday and is "going through the process" according to head coach Mike Sullivan. The Penguins have said previously that they expect Erik Karlsson to be ready for the season opener, but he's running out of time to join his teammates fro practice.
Dewar will miss training camp after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery and could start the season on IR. With Dewar missing training camp, it seems unlikely that he'll be available for the first game of the regular season. This could potentially open the door for Easton Cowan to be on the opening night roster.
Toronto announced Wednesday that center Connor Dewar is not expected to be ready for the start of training camp due to a shoulder injury. The extent of Dewar's ailment has yet to be announced but the 25-year-old will hope to be ready when Toronto starts their season on October 9th vs. Montreal. Dewar was acquired by Toronto from Minnesota at last year's trade deadline and finished the season with a career-high 11 goals, 19 points, and 28 PIMs in 74 games played.
Crosby's lifelong connection to the number 87 continued on Monday as the 37-year-old signed a two-year extension worth $8.7 million with Pittsburgh. "Sid the Kid" will once again take a team-friendly contract after coming off one of his most impressive seasons in years in 2023-24, with 42 goals, 94 points and 278 SOG in 82 games played. Crosby is entering his 20th NHL season and is 10th all-time in career points (1596); only 45 points from Joe Sakic and the 9th slot.
Nick Robertson's offseason saga gained a new story on Tuesday after the winger signed a one-year, $850,000 contract extension amidst rumours circulating all summer of him wanting a trade out of Toronto. The 22-year-old is still expected to be traded despite the newest contract according to Frank Seravalli. The Maple Leafs' 2019 2nd-round pick (53rd overall) appeared in a career-high 56 games with Toronto in 2023-24, with 14 goals, 27 points and 96 SOG while averaging just 11:23 TOI/GP.
According to Latvian General Manager Rudolfs Kalvitis, Arturs Silovs has knee inflammation from overuse during last season and overtraining during the offseason but is expected to be ready to go for Vancouver's training camp. The 23-year-old netminder signed a two-year, $1.7 million contract in the offseason after posting 5-5-0 record in last year's playoffs to go along with his 2.91 GAA and .898 SV% after only appearing in four regular season games in the regular season.
Hours after being acquired from the Winnipeg Jets in a one-for-one deal for Brayden Yager, Rutger McGroarty has signed a three-year entry-level contract with Pittsburgh. The 20-year-old was Winnipeg's 2022 1st-round pick (14th overall) and had excelled at the NCAA level, with 16 goals and 52 points in only 36 games played in 2023-24 with the Michigan Wolverines.
McGroarty had announced in April that he was planning on returning to Michigan (NCAA) for the 2024-25 season but has been dealt from Winnipeg to Pittsburgh for Brayden Yager and is now expected to sign his entry-level contract. The 20-year-old was Winnipeg's 2022 1st-round pick (14th overall) and has excelled at the NCAA level, with 16 goals and 52 points in only 36 games played in 2023-24 with Michigan.
Murashov is Pittsburgh's 2022 4th round pick (118th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Penguins on Tuesday. The 20-year-old Russian netminder spent the majority of 2023-24 with Loko Yaroslavl (MHL) and had an impressive 2.03 GAA and .930 SV%. He is expected to start 2024-25 in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) as he adjusts to North American hockey.
Toronto and Connor Dewar have settled after arbitration on a one-year, $1.18 million contract on Tuesday. The 25-year-old forward was acquired by the Maple Leafs' at last year's trade deadline from Minnesota and had 11 goals, 19 points, 28 PIMs and 77 SOG in 74 games between the Maple Leafs and Wild.
