Morning Briefing - September 24

Published 24 September 2026, 7:12 am ET

TL;DR

Nick Paul (TOR) left yesterday's preseason game with an undisclosed injury and did not return; monitor his status before Tuesday's season opener.
Jake Oettinger (DAL) was held out of Wednesday's preseason game as a lower-body precaution; his draft stock assumes full availability.
Adam Fantilli (CBJ) has missed eight days of training camp and half the preseason schedule while contract talks continue; his spot is in play.
A. Forsberg (LAK) posted a +1.9 goals-saved-above-expected performance in preseason action, signaling strong form heading into the season.

Oettinger kept out; lower-body injury clouds Dallas start

HOLD · DAL · G

Jake Oettinger was held out of Wednesday's preseason game as a precaution for a lower-body injury. No timeline has been disclosed, but he was healthy enough to avoid a formal absence designation as of yesterday. Managers who drafted him in round two or three should confirm his status before the season opens; do not panic-trade on rumor alone.

Paul exits Toronto game; undisclosed injury a concern

WATCH · TOR · C/LW

Nick Paul left yesterday's preseason game against Ottawa with an undisclosed injury and did not return. The club has not listed him day-to-day or out, but the sudden exit in a meaningless game raises caution. Check the injury report today; if he misses practice, his draft value is at risk.

Forsberg steals one; preseason gem could carry into season

BUY LOW · LAK · G

A. Forsberg posted +1.9 goals-saved-above-expected in preseason action, going 24-for-25. He out-performed his chances and delivered the kind of performance that signals confidence. If he is not already rostered, he is a pickup candidate; his preseason floor is genuine, not noise. He'll be competing all year with Darcy Kuemper for the 1A role in LA.

Fantilli contract stalled; eight days missed, half preseason lost

STASH · CBJ · C

Adam Fantilli, the Blue Jackets' 21-year-old centerpiece, has missed eight days of training camp and half the preseason schedule while his agent and the GM continue contract negotiations. No resolution has been reported.

Luneau and Vatrano lean into usage; injury question looms

WATCH · ANA · D/RW

T. Luneau played 28:08, a +14.9 over his usual 13.2. F. Vatrano played 20:25, a +8.6 over his usual 11.8. Both saw elevated workload in camp; the Ducks either leaned on them for evaluation or were covering for absent veterans.

Turcotte elevated in line rush; LA's camp minutes tell a story

WATCH · LAK · C

A. Turcotte played 18:01, a +7.2 over his usual 10.8. He appears in the first line of the latest LA line rush alongside Cole Guttman and Alex Laferriere. The elevated preseason role suggests he is in the mix for opening-night minutes; monitor his final status.

Gaudette may miss season start; San Jose injury sidelined

STASH · SJS · C

Adam Gaudette could start the season sidelined with an injury. No specifics or timeline have been disclosed. He does not belong in any active roster slot until the Sharks confirm he is fit to play; hold him in bench spots only.

Larkin day-to-day; Detroit core healthy before week one

WATCH · DET · C

Dylan Larkin is listed day-to-day with an upper-body injury. He was finally able to practice, though not certain if he was 100%. He'll slot into the top line and is likely becoming available for opening night.

Room undervaluing Sennecke, Laferriere, and three Pacific forwards

BUY LOW · ANA, LAK, SJS, EDM, VAN · RW/R/L

Beckett Sennecke (ANA) is 47th on our board but 125th in the draft room. Alex Laferriere (LAK) is 75th on ours, 174th in the room. Kiefer Sherwood (SJS) is 71st on ours, 191st in the room. Vasily Podkolzin (EDM) is 154th on ours, 266th in the room. Jake DeBrusk (VAN) is 115th on ours, 206th in the room. All are Pacific-division players the room is passing on; target them in middle rounds where available.