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'It was obviously a little bit of a shock. I was hoping I would get picked up. Luckily I ended up here and excited for this new opportunity.'

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Justin Barron didn’t foresee what was about to transpire with the Nashville Predators, but once the defenseman’s name hit the waiver wire and he was told about it, the 24-year-old was ready for a fresh start.

So when the St. Louis Blues plucked Barron and provided him with a fresh start, he packed up his belongings, hit the road up Interstate 24 towards St. Louis and arrived got in on Sunday.

“They told me Saturday morning and I just went back to my apartment in Nashville, kind of waited it out for 24 hours, then got the news yesterday as soon as it broke at 1 (p.m.) Central,” Barron said. “I immediately was excited, started packing and drove here last night.

“It was obviously a little bit of a shock. I was hoping I would get picked up. Luckily I ended up here and excited for this new opportunity.”

Barron, listed at 6-foot-2 and 198 pounds and who will wear Justin Faulk's old No. 72, was claimed by the Blues after news came down that defenseman Tyler Tucker (knee) would be getting a second opinion on his injured right knee and is listed as week-to-week, and when Logan Mailloux came down with a right hand injury in a 3-2 preseason loss to the Chicago Blackhawks this past Saturday that required surgery on Sunday that will sideline him at least eight weeks, there was a need for an experienced defenseman, and preferably one from the right side. And one the Blues liked.

“As a player, his mobility,” Blues general manager Alex Steen said. “Our scouts have liked his game when we watched him play. I think this is a fresh start for him. I think the timing is good for him also. We're going to have a few days here where he can get in with the group and learn our systems and get to know the guys he's going to be playing with. Also, for us, it addresses we brought Adam (Jiricek) up as well and we felt like organizationally we had depth on our left side and this helps create more depth on our right side.”

And not just create depth in the short term with Barron, a first-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft by the Colorado Avalanche, on a one-year, $1.575 million contract before he can become a restricted free agent next summer. The Blues feel they can invest in him for the near future.

"No absolutely, he's got 200 games in the league, he's a first-round pick, he's got a lot of tools, a lot of parts to him that we like," Steen said. "I think with our coaching staff working with him, he's going to get some time to get to know the staff, get to know the players and hopefully we're able to help him create an identity to his game that we see on a nightly basis and in practice."

Barron spent the past season-plus with the Predators after being acquired from the Montreal Canadiens for Alexandre Carrier; he had nine assists in 52 games past season and has 208 career games (52 points; 18 goals, 34 assists).

“Very smooth-skating defenseman, can skate, can pass,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “I’m excited to see what he can do for us and help us.”

The shock for Barron is that he felt like things were going nicely with the Predators but didn’t feel like there would be an opportunity to move up into the top four there.

“I wanted it to work out, but I felt like I was kind of in a little bit of a tough spot there in terms of moving up the lineup,” Barron said. “It feels like a bit of a fresh start here for me. I think it will be good. Obviously I’m here to show these guys what I can do, hopefully bring an aspect to my game and help this team win games.”

So what can Barron bring?

“I think some of the strengths of my game are skating, moving the puck,” he said. “Obviously we saw the Blues a lot in Nashville and just playing against the team here and how well they are at attacking off the rush, how much speed and pace they play with. I’m hoping I can kind of slide in and fit in with the way the team plays here.”

Barron isn’t coming into a situation completely foreign to him. He’s familiar and/or played with a number of his new teammates, including Mailloux, Joel Hofer, Jake Neighbours, and Dylan Holloway. And whatever guys he’s needing to get familiar with, there’s a team bonding trip currently underway in Austin, Texas ahead of the season-opener Friday against the Dallas Stars.

“There’s a few guys,” Barron said. “… there’s quite a few guys. So I think that makes the transition a lot easier coming in and seeing some familiar faces.

“I think (the team bonding trip is) great timing. Come in, get a trip away with the team, do some team bonding and do some quality time with the guys. I’m really looking forward to it.”

2026-27 St. Louis Blues Roster Is Officially Set2026-27 St. Louis Blues Roster Is Officially SetWith Mailloux, Tucker injured, Jiricek, Barron make opening night roster; Dean, Dube officially win extra forward positionsDisappointment Of Being Sent Down Quickly Turned To Elation For St. Louis Blues 2024 First-Round Pick Adam JiricekDisappointment Of Being Sent Down Quickly Turned To Elation For St. Louis Blues 2024 First-Round Pick Adam JiricekDefenseman was quickly recalled from Springfield following injuries to Mailloux, Tucker; could make NHL debut in season=opener on FridayLogan Mailloux's Injury Comes At A Tough Time After Strong Training Camp For St. Louis BluesLogan Mailloux's Injury Comes At A Tough Time After Strong Training Camp For St. Louis BluesDefenseman had surgery on right hand Sunday, will be re-evaluated in eight weeks
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Sidney Crosby knows he won’t play hockey forever. On the eve of his 22nd season, it’s hard to tell

PITTSBURGH — It is the next-to-last day of September on the eve of Sidney Crosby’s 22nd season. His team’s opener across the state in Philadelphia less than 36 hours away looms.

And there the longtime Pittsburgh Penguins captain is on a random early fall Tuesday, doing what he has always done: grinding through an hour-long practice with an intensity that shows no signs of waning as the player who arrived in the NHL as a teenage prodigy closes in on his 40th birthday.

Watch Crosby stand in front of the net and deftly deflect a point shot past rookie goaltender Sergei Murashov, who was still in diapers in his native Russia when Crosby made his NHL debut on Oct. 5, 2005. Watch Crosby fail to connect the dots on a pass on one end of the ice, then backcheck furiously before slapping his stick into the end boards in frustration.

Watch the NHL’s seventh all-time leading scorer (soon to be in the top five) glide from the half wall to the front of the net and back again during a power play drill, the instincts that have carried him from franchise savior to Olympic gold medalist to three-time Stanley Cup champion taking over as he searches for an opportunity.

Practice breaks up. Some of Crosby’s younger teammates head to the dressing room. Crosby does not. He remains on the ice for another 20-plus minutes with longtime teammates Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, chasing the finer points of a sport that has long doubled as an obsession.

Crosby’s approach to his job is uncommon

Penguins coach Dan Muse heard about the trio’s relentless drive when he took over in the summer of 2025. He wasn’t skeptical, exactly, but seeing it up close gave him a different perspective.

“Sometimes I (was) surprised last year,” Muse said. “Now I guess I’m not as surprised at how long they’re out there for. ... I think for everybody who’s seeing it too, like I said, it’s not necessarily the normal.”

No, it’s not.

And while Malkin and Letang have carved out their own unique places in NHL history during the trio’s two decades together, it is Crosby who has always shouldered the load of outsized expectations that have followed him from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia to Pittsburgh to, one day, the Hall of Fame.

It can be a lot. It already has been a lot. Yet Crosby has rarely let the burden show. Maybe because he’s used to it. Or maybe because he doesn’t really view it as a burden at all. Ask Crosby why he is still pushing himself at this pace, and he shrugs.

“I just love the game,” Crosby said.

And not just when the lights come on and thousands of fans — many of them usually wearing some iteration of Crosby’s jersey — come out to watch him do Sidney Crosby things. He is only player in NHL history to average a point a game for 21 straight seasons.

“I think, you know, there’s the journey or the preparation that goes into it,” he said.

It’s why Crosby arrived at the team’s practice facility weeks ahead of training camp. It’s why he still seeks opportunities to compete internationally. Sure, he could have taken the summer off after Pittsburgh’s surprising season ended with a loss to Philadelphia in the first round of the playoffs.

That’s just not the way Crosby is wired. A few weeks after the postseason exit, he served as an alternate captain to 19-year-old San Jose Sharks sensation Macklin Celebrini for Team Canada at the 2026 World Championships. This after his hope for a second Olympic gold ended with an injury at the 2026 Cortina Winter Games.

It’s a lot of hockey for anyone. Let alone someone who has been on “go” practically from the first time he pulled on skates.

Crosby wants to keep playing, but for how long he’s not sure

And yet Crosby remains as passionate about all that goes into it now as he did when he was flinging pucks into an empty dryer in the basement of his childhood home.

“Ultimately, you just, every night you step on the ice, you’re trying to win a hockey game,” he said. “That’s something that’s still there. I think it provides a lot of fire to everything for me.”

The flames show no signs of subsiding even while some of his contemporaries — Malkin and Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals chief among them — seem to have the number of games ahead of them dwindling to a precious few.

The mix of nerves and excitement that accompanies every season opener is still there. Until they’re not, expect Crosby to keep right on going.

While Crosby has stressed repeatedly that he wants to keep playing indefinitely, when the puck drops in Philadelphia on Wednesday night, it will mark the first time in his career that he will start a season in the final year of his contract. Crosby is in no hurry to sign anything; he learned a long time ago that he needs to listen to his body above all else.

“I don’t think you ever know until you get to that point,” Crosby told reporters when delivering season tickets to select fans earlier this month. “But I’m guessing it’s your level, it’s how your body feels, it’s a combination of all those things. Overall, I feel pretty good.”

Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas and Crosby’s agent Pat Brisson have been in talks, but Dubas stressed on Monday that there isn’t any “real pressure to have it done by a certain date or anything.”

Stats are nice, but winning is all that matters

Crosby, who begins the year with 1,761 career points, 38 shy of passing Ron Francis for fifth on the all-time list, has no plans to coast to whatever the finish line looks like in hopes of piling up stats and paychecks.

When it’s mentioned that 2,000 points — a plateau only Wayne Gretzky has reached — looks doable if he plays another handful of years, Crosby shakes his head. That’s never been what this is about.

“I didn’t even know how close I was until you just gave me that stat,” he said. “So no, when you talk about motivating factors to play, I wouldn’t say that’s one of them.”

The pathologically competitive Crosby remains intent on trying to help guide the Penguins back to the giddy heights of 2016 and 2017, when they became the first club in nearly 20 years to win back-to-back championships.

The going has grown increasingly tougher over the years. Pittsburgh hasn’t advanced past the first round since 2018, though their promising run to second place in the Metropolitan Division last spring provided some tangible momentum. While Dubas plainly stated the goal this time around is to make inroads on division rival and reigning Cup champion Carolina, Crosby has no plans on looking that far ahead.

There is only the familiar rhythm of the season, with its practices and morning skates and overnight plane rides and team meals and — 84 times over the next six months, then hopefully a bit more after that — the chance to hop over the boards and lean into the fire once more.

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Ex-Sabres Take Center Stage On NHL’s Opening Night

 

The 2026-27 NHL regular season begins on Tuesday with five games, with a former Buffalo Sabres player in a key role. The most prominent debut will be defenseman Bowen Byram, who will make his Chicago Blackhawks debut against former Sabres captain Jack Eichel and the Western Conference champion Vegas Golden Knights in Las Vegas. 

Byram was traded just before the NHL Draft in June to the Hawks for the fourth overall pick (Daxon Rudolph), a second-round pick (later flipped to Anaheim for Olen Zellweger) and defenseman Louis Crevier. The 26-year-old then signed a six-year, $75 million contract with Chicago, where he will serve as their #1 blueliner. 

Other Sabres Stories

Mrtka Looking To Take The Next Step Towards The NHL 

Noah Ostlund signs eight-year deal with Buffalo

Another former Sabre, winger JJ Peterka, makes his return to the Atlantic Division as a member of the Boston Bruins, as they host the New York Rangers at TD Garden. Peterka was traded by the Utah Mammoth to Boston exactly one year after he was dealt by the Sabres for Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring. 

The 24-year-old had 20 or more goals for the third year in a row in Salt Lake City, but went pointless in six playoff games, and was swapped to Beantown for a pair of first round picks. Other ex-Sabres playing tonight are Taylor Hall and the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes against Sam Reinhart and the Florida Panthers, former first rounder Matthew Savoie and the Edmonton Oilers taking on the Vancouver Canucks, and Jake McCabe and the Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the Montreal Canadiens.  

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo 

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Wild defenseman Brock Faber is out indefinitely after surgery to repair a fractured skull

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured skull.

The Wild said Tuesday that a timeframe for his recovery would be announced later.

The 24-year-old took a puck to the head off the stick of Dallas Stars forward Sam Steel during the final minute of the second period of each team’s preseason finale Friday night.

Faber skated the ninth most of any player in the NHL last season and is expected to have a significant role again alongside Quinn Hughes when he returns. He also was a key member of the U.S. Olympic team that won the country’s first men’s hockey gold medal since 1980.

Minnesota opens Thursday at Nashville.

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Blue Jackets trade Marchenko to Maple Leafs as part of major 7-player deal

COLUMBUS, Ohio — After saying that Kirill Marchenko would be with the Columbus Blue Jackets for the start of the season, general manager Don Waddell dealt the forward as part of a major seven-player deal to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday as NHL teams were finalizing their opening week rosters.

The Blue Jackets also dealt goaltender Elvis Merzlikins and left-winger Miles Wood to the Maple Leafs for left wing Matthew Knies, defenseman Emil Andrae, center Steven Lorentz and a conditional second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.

Marchenko was in the last year of his contract, but agreed to a six-year $75 million extension with the Maple Leafs. He relayed to Columbus’ front office before the draft in June that he didn’t intend to sign an extension with the Blue Jackets.

Waddell said the situation with Marchenko and star defenseman Zach Werenski were not the same. The Norris Trophy winner also said during the offseason he wasn’t ready to sign an extension, but also vetoed a trade to the Dallas Stars.

“I’ve had discussions with his agent, which we won’t discuss right now, but Marchenko’s going to be a Blue Jackets when the season starts,” Waddell said on July 2.

The 26-year old Russian was a second-round pick by the Blue Jackets in the 2018 draft. He didn’t make his NHL debut until 2022, but tied or led the team in scoring the past three seasons.

Marchenko had a team-high 27 goals last season and was second in points with 67. He had 102 goals and 208 points during his four seasons in Columbus.

In Knies, the Blue Jackets get a forward who battled injuries last season, but still finished with a career-best 66 points, including 23 goals. He is expected to be on one of the top two scoring lines.

The 23-year-old Knies was previously viewed as an important piece of Toronto’s future. He had a career-high 29 goals and 58 points in 2024-25 playing on a line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

“Matthew is a big, strong power forward who combines tough, hard-nosed physical play with outstanding offensive skills,” Waddell said in a statement after the trade was announced. “He is a young player with great character and work ethic and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to the Blue Jackets family.”

Merzlikins is currently on long-term injured reserve with a shoulder injury. He had a 14-11-3 record with a 3.40 goals-against average and .993 save percentage in 30 appearances last season as a backup to Blue Jackets starter Jet Greaves.

Wood, recently put on waivers, has 99 goals and 97 assists in 567 career games with New Jersey, Colorado and Columbus.

Lorentz, a Stanley Cup winner with the Florida Panthers in 2024, had 15 goals and 22 assists over two seasons in Toronto.

Andrae ended a very short tenure in Toronto. He was acquired in a June trade with Philadelphia. Andrae had three goals and 17 assists over 107 games with the Flyers, who selected him in the second round of the 2020 NHL draft.

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Avalanche Promote Andrew Cogliano To Assistant General Manager

It was one of the worst-kept secrets around the Colorado Avalanche.

Andrew Cogliano is officially moving up.

The Avalanche announced Tuesday that Cogliano has been promoted to assistant general manager, giving the former Colorado forward a bigger role in the organization just two years after he retired from a 17-year NHL career.

Avalanche forward T.J. Hughes training with Gabe Landeskog in late August.

Cogliano, 39, spent the last two seasons as special assistant to general manager Joe Sakic. His work included player development, professional and amateur scouting and spending time with the Colorado Eagles. He was also involved in evaluating T.J. Hughes, who impressed the Avalanche throughout training camp and earned a spot on the opening-night roster.

Now, Cogliano will work alongside Sakic across all areas of hockey operations.

There is plenty of history behind the promotion.

Cogliano joined the Avalanche at the 2022 trade deadline and became an important part of the team’s Stanley Cup run that spring. He played all 20 playoff games as Colorado defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games, finally getting his name on the Stanley Cup after years of chasing it.

He played 172 regular-season games for Colorado, recording 39 points, and added 11 points in 31 playoff games.

Before coming to Colorado, Cogliano built one of the more durable careers of his generation. He played 1,294 regular-season games with five NHL teams and opened his career with an 830-game ironman streak, which ranked fourth in NHL history at the time.

Cogliano retired on June 21, 2024, and quickly transitioned into the Avalanche front office.

“He’s been a key member of our staff since he decided to retire as a player,” Sakic said.

Cogliano was originally selected 25th overall by Edmonton in the 2005 NHL Draft after two seasons at Michigan. He also won gold with Canada at the 2006 and 2007 World Junior Championships.

The new title gives Cogliano more influence inside an organization he already knows well. It could also be another step toward a larger future role in Colorado, potentially putting him in position to eventually follow Sakic as the person overseeing the Avalanche’s hockey operations.

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BREAKING: Andrew Cogliano has been named Assistant GM in Colorado

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JUNE 26: Andrew Cogliano #11 of the Colorado Avalanche lifts the Stanley Cup after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game Six of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena on June 26, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

When we heard the news that former Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland would be heading to Nashville, many pointed to Andrew Cogliano as the replacement GM until Joe Sakic resumed his duties and took the title back this offseason. Well, fans and pundits weren’t too far off, as Cogliano was announced via Avalanche social media to take on the Assistant GM role for the Colorado Avalanche.

This is likely a step toward Cogliano becoming GM at some point in Colorado, which would make him the second former player to take on the role. We’ll see if that materializes.

Cogliano was, of course, a part of the 2022 Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche. The story goes that Andrew had strong words of inspiration ahead of game six of that final against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He’s widely respected in the league and among current Avalanche players and staff.

Joe Sakic had this to say in the NHL.com article announcing the promotion:

“Cogs is a great communicator, and that skill will be invaluable for our program. This is a well-deserved promotion.”

Let us know what you think of the promotion in the comments!

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ESPN's new NHL studio features tribute to the late Barry Melrose

ESPN started its coverage of the 2026-27 NHL season by paying tribute to the broadcaster who helped grow the game in the United States.

The network remembered longtime analyst Barry Melrose, who died on Sept. 9, three years after retiring from broadcasting because of a Parkinson's disease diagnosis.

Melrose, 70, a former NHL player, had coached the Los Angeles Kings, going to the Stanley Cup Final in 1993, before joining ESPN. He was known for his astute analysis, sense of humor, suits and mullet.

Steve Levy, who called games with Melrose, introduced the new ESPN hockey studio on Tuesday, Sept. 29. At the end, the camera panned to a caraciture of Melrose on the boards, featuring his mullet, goatee and trademark cigar.

"It's going to be a great season," Levy said as he kneeled. "Barry, we love you. We're going to miss you, pal."

After further video tributes to Melrose on "The Point," Levy said, "Hopefully, the NHL will do the right thing. Hopefully, a moment of silence in all those NHL buildings starting tonight to honor our pal and colleague."

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New Detroit Defenseman Andreas Englund Loves Swedish Red Wings History

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While the Detroit Red Wings continue working on a new contract for RFA defenseman Simon Edvinsson, they brought another Swedish blue liner into the fold.

Detroit claimed defenseman Andreas Englund off waivers from the Calgary Flames, adding a key depth piece to its blue line who is already familiar with head coach Todd McLellan from their time together with the Los Angeles Kings.

Englund practiced with the Red Wings for the first time Monday, wearing No. 24, a fitting number for him considering he has a penchant for dropping the gloves similar to that of the late former Detroit enforcer Bob Probert. 

Naturally, with so many iconic Swedish players having suited up for the Red Wings over the years, Englund is already familiar with several of them, including former captain Nicklas Lidstrom and assistant captain Niklas Kronwall; Englund has particularly modeled his own style of play after Kronwall.

"For sure, Lidstrom is one of the greatest defensemen of all time," Englund said. "He's a legend in Sweden; so is Kronwall. His game was a little more like mine; I liked watching him stepping up on people. Definitely, Kronwall was a big guy (for me) growing up."

As far as his own style of play, Englund prides himself on being a physical force on the ice. 

"I'm a defensive type of guy, I like to box out and keep the net clear, bring a presence on the ice, and bring a little physicality," he said. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

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Repeatedly, Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan has emphasized the need for the Red Wings to be harder to play against. 

"Good To Have Him On The Ice:" Red Wings Welcome Dylan Larkin's Presence In Practice "Good To Have Him On The Ice:" Red Wings Welcome Dylan Larkin's Presence In Practice Despite his status for their season opener yet to be decided, the Detroit Red Wings are happy that Dylan Larkin has been skating in practice.

As of right now, Englund has been designated immigration non-roster player while sorting out his visa situation.

However, the chances of him appearing with the club are higher right now thanks to the uncertainty surrounding defenseman Simon Edvinsson, who remains a restricted free agent and ineligible to play without a new contract. 

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Luukkonen Practices, Could Be Ready For Season Opener

The Buffalo Sabres practiced at Key Bank Center on Tuesday, and one surprising sight was goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen on the ice. The 27-year-old left the ice early in the third period of the Sabres preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, with what head coach Lindy Ruff described as a lower-body tweak.

On Tuesday, Luukkonen was in the starter’s net for most of the hour-long practice, which could be an indicator that he will be between the pipes for the club’s season opener in Columbus on Thursday. The veteran netminder indicated that he left the game just to make sure that the discomfort he felt was nothing serious. 

"I  don't think it was necessarily anything; it was just more  just precautionary," Luukkonen said. "I didn't want anything to get worse, kind of thing."

Noah Ostlund signs an eight-year deal with Buffalo

Other Sabres Stories

Mrtka Looking To Take The Next Step Towards The NHL 

The Sabres had the opportunity to place a claim on a number of goaltenders placed on waivers on Sunday, but injuries to Luukkonen and Alex Lyon appear to be not as severe as once feared, but it is still possible that third-stringer Colten Ellis could get the call on Thursday. 

"(Luukkone) had a good day,  and we'll see what tomorrow brings.  But he had a good day today," Ruff said. (Lyon 's)  doing good.  I  would  anticipate  within  days  that  he'll  be  back  up  there."

On other injury updates, defenseman Olen Zellweger is still considered day-to-day after suffering a concussion. Mattias Samuelsson may practice on Wednesday, but Ruff hinted that if he is not ready, the Sabres may make a roster move to have seven defensemen on the road. Conor Timmins is still be evaluated for a lower body injury,  

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo 

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Rangers open 2026 NHL season vs. Bruins — Here’s where to watch for free

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An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 10: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers and Charlie McAvoy #73 of the Boston Bruins on the power play during the game between the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers on January 10, 2026, at TD Garden in Boston, MA. (Photo by Summer Lamont/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The 2026-27 NHL season begins tonight and the New York Rangers have a blank slate in front of them with 84 chances to improve on the last two seasons.

The Blueshirts are set to open the season on the road against their Original Six rival, the Boston Bruins, tonight, Sept. 29.

Last season, the Rangers finished with a 34-39-9 record overall, missing the playoffs for the second season in a row. This year, the team is embarking on this new season with a retooled roster and new expectations.

“I think the expectation is more inward than results,” captain J.T. Miller told The Post during training camp. “I think if we have high expectations for each other on a daily basis, on and off the ice, we’re going to be a better hockey team, and we’ll just leave it at that.”

The team added Pavel Dorofeyev from the Vegas Golden Knights fresh off their Stanley Cup Final appearance, where Dorofeyev scored the most goals in the postseason (12), and subsequently signed him to a long-term extension. Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson were brought in to aid the defense and former Bruins goaltender Joonas Korpisalo is the Rangers’ new number-two guy behind Igor Shesterkin.

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18-year-old rookie Alberts Smits, who was selected fifth overall in the 2026 Draft, also made the Rangers’ opening night roster after an impressive first training camp.

Here’s how to watch the Rangers season-opener if you don’t have cable.

Rangers vs. Bruins start time

Puck drop at tonight’s (Sept. 29) Rangers vs. Bruins game is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

How to watch Rangers vs. Bruins for free

If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to tune in to tonight’s Rangers game.

DIRECTV is our favorite service for trying live TV for free. Right now, you can take advantage of a five-day free trial before saving $30 on your first month. We recommend the Choice plan, which includes ESPN as part of its 125+ channels.

TRY DIRECTV FOR FREE

If you aren’t ready to commit to a full-on subscription and just want to tune into today’s matches, you can try a Sling TV Orange Day Pass. Priced at $4.99, you’ll get 24 hours of access to all Sling TV Orange has to offer, including ESPN.

Rangers schedule 2026

The NHL has expanded the regular season to 84 games beginning this season. You can check out the full 84-game slate here, but below, we’ve listed out some key matchups, including the Blueshirts’ first game against each Metropolitan Division rival.

  • Home opener: Oct. 1 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m. ET (MSG) – get tickets
  • Oct. 6 vs. New York Islanders, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
  • Vincent Trocheck returns to MSG: Oct. 4 vs. Utah Mammoth, 6 p.m. ET (MSG)
  • Oct. 9 vs. Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. ET (MSG, NHL Network)
  • Oct. 15 vs. New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m. ET (MSG)
  • Oct. 17 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m. ET (MSG)
  • Nov. 5 vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m. ET (MSG)
  • Nov. 22 vs. Carolina Hurricanes, 12:30 p.m. ET (MSG)
  • Jan. 29 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m. ET (MSG)

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This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.

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Sabres Cut Down Roster, List Four Players On Injured Reserve, And Waive Conor Sheary

The Buffalo Sabres prepped for their 2026-27 regular season opener in Columbus later this week with an hour-long practice at Key Bank Center on Tuesday after a two-day, team bonding getaway. The club got down to 23 players on Monday by placing four players on injured reserve,

Aside from minor leaguers Jack Rathbone and Topias Leinonen (who was injured in offseason training), the club placed forwards Conor Sheary and Jason Zucker, along with defensemen Mattias Samuelsson, and Conor Timmins on IR. On Tuesday, Sheary was placed on waivers to be sent down to AHL Rochester.  

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The Sabres roster has 14 forwards, six defensemen, and three goalies. Timmins was injured in the preseason finale against Pittsburgh on Saturday and was not on the ice on Tuesday. Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff had hopes that Zellweger might be available for the opener against the Blue Jackets, but the blueliner also did not appear, but was optimistic about Samuelsson, who skated prior to practice. 

Sheary, 34, a veteran of 655 NHL games with Pittsburgh, Washington, Tampa Bay, the NY Rangers, and a 55-game stint with Buffalo in 2019-20, signed a one-year, $850,000 deal with the Sabres on July 1, and is expected to play most of the season in the AHL unless injuries hit the NHL club.  

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo 

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Brock Faber injury update as Wild defenseman has surgery on skull

Minnesota Wild and U.S. Olympic defenseman Brock Faber is out indefinitely after having surgery for a fracture to his skull.

Faber suffered the injury on Friday, Sept. 25 when he was hit in the head by a puck during the team's preseason game. He played the remainder of the period but didn't play in the third period.

Faber had surgery on Sunday, general manager Bill Guerin told reporters.

He said that Faber is resting at home. There's no timetable for his return.

“The biggest thing is he's doing well," Guerin said. "Sometimes, you just have to put the hockey aside and worry about the human being, and that’s kind of what we’re doing here now.”

Faber is entering his fifth season in the NHL, all with the Wild. He averaged a little less than 25 minutes per game last season and set career highs with 15 goals and 51 points.

He won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics and also played in the 2022 Olympics and the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brock Faber injury update as Wild defenseman has surgery on skull

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Which Former Sharks are Playing on the NHL's Opening Day?

We still have a couple of days before the San Jose Sharks take the ice for their season opener against the Florida Panthers on Thursday, but the NHL's regular season kicks off tonight with five games. For Sharks fans, it may be difficult to decide which game to watch, so let's see which teams have former members of Team Teal in their lineup.

Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes:

The Panthers have one former Shark on their roster, Jonah Gadjovich, but he's currently out indefinitely with an injury. As a result, there are no former Sharks participating in this game, but the Sharks open the season against Florida in two days, so could be a good scouting opportunity for Sharks fans. 

Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs:

No former Sharks.

New York Rangers vs Boston Bruins:

Vincent Iorio is technically a member of the Rangers organization, but he's currently on the injured reserve and was placed on waivers earlier this morning. The Bruins do have one former Shark as well though, Michael Eyssimont, who will likely be a healthy scratch. 

Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers:

There are three former Sharks on the Oilers blue line: Jake Walman, Ty Emberson, and the newly acquired Shakir Mukhamadullin. Walman and Mukhamadullin are expected to play against Vancouver, while Emberson is likely going to be a healthy scratch.

Chicago Blackhawks vs Vegas Golden Knights:

The final game of the night will feature the only battle of former Sharks. The Chicago Blackhawks have Ryan Donato, while the Vegas Golden Knights have Tomas Hertl and Adin Hill on their roster. Both of the former Sharks forwards are expected to play, while Hill likely won't be between the pipes for Vegas.

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Mammoth Lose Rising Defenseman For Up To Six Months After Shoulder Surgery

Utah’s plans for its blue line have taken a significant hit before the regular season even begins.

Maveric Lamoureux is expected to miss the next four to six months after undergoing surgery on his shoulder, the Utah Mammoth announced Monday.

The 22-year-old defenseman suffered a shoulder dislocation during training camp and underwent a procedure to repair the injury Monday, according to general manager Bill Armstrong. The recovery timeline puts Lamoureux on track to potentially return around the All-Star break.

Lamoureux had been competing for a full-time NHL role and was viewed as one of the young defensemen pushing for a spot on Utah’s opening-night roster. Instead, he’ll begin the season on injured reserve.

The 6-foot-6, 196-pound right-shot defenseman was originally selected No. 29 overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2022 NHL Draft. He was the third first-round selection made by Arizona that year, joining Logan Cooley and Conor Geekie.

Lamoureux turned professional shortly after the Coyotes relocated to Utah, making his NHL debut during the 2024-25 season. He has spent much of his development with the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners, where he appeared in 65 games last season and recorded five goals and 20 points.

He also appeared in five NHL games for Utah in 2025-26, registering one assist.

Through 107 career AHL games, Lamoureux has seven goals, 33 points and 123 penalty minutes. He has added four points — one goal and three assists — in 20 NHL appearances, along with 44 penalty minutes.

With Lamoureux now sidelined for a large portion of the season, Utah will have another opening to fill on defense.

Andrew Peeke and Nick DeSimone could see increased opportunities, while 2023 first-round pick Dmitri Simashev will have another chance to establish himself. Prospects Tomas Lavoie, Artem Duda and Gregor Biber are also looking to make the jump from Tucson to Salt Lake City.

The Mammoth open their 2026-27 season Oct. 1 against the Chicago Blackhawks.

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