NHL Status Report: Sanderson to return for Senators against Panthers

Welcome to the NHL Status Report. Here is the latest lineup/injury news around the NHL.

Ottawa Senators

Jake Sanderson will return from a lower-body injury against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; Prime, SCRIPPS). The defenseman practiced with the Senators on Monday; he was injured during their season opener Oct. 3, missing eight straight games. He was paired with Artem Zub at the morning skate Wednesday. "I'm fired up," Sanderson said. "Long few weeks for me, frustrating for sure. But you know, I think seeing the guys play as good as they have kind of you know makes a little bit better. So, frustrating, like I said, but man, I'm just so excited to play." Sanderson led Ottawa defensemen last season in goals (14), assists (40), points (54) and time on ice per game (24:50). ... Thomas Chabot is out 1-2 weeks because of an upper-body injury, coach Travis Green said. The defenseman did not play in third period of a 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.

Buffalo Sabres

Rasmus Dahlin (upper body) and Jason Zucker (sports hernia) will be in the lineup for the Sabres against the Flyers on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, truTV, TNT). Dahlin, a defenseman and Buffalo’s captain, was back at practice Monday after missing three games; he was injured in the second period of a 5-3 win against Florida on Oct. 12. … Zucker will make his season debut; he had 45 points (24 goals, 21 assists) in 62 games for the Sabres in 2025-26. 

Washington Capitals

Logan Thompson (lower body) did not practice Wednesday and is day to day, the Capitals announced. The goalie made 21 saves in a 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday. Thompson is 4-3-0 with a 2.90 goals-against average and .901 save percentage in seven games this season. Washington hosts Buffalo on Saturday. … Forward Jonny Brodzinski was reassigned to Hershey of the American Hockey League, a sign center Pierre-Luc Dubois could return Saturday after missing five games with an illness. Brodzinski had one assist in two games after being recalled Oct. 17.

Florida Panthers

Jacob Markstrom will be out 1-2 weeks for the Panthers after sustaining an upper-body injury in practice. The goalie, who was acquired in a trade with the New Jersey Devils on June 30, is 3-1-1 with a 2.21 goals-against average and .897 save percentage in six games this season. Akira Schmid is expected to start against the Senators on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; Prime, SCRIPPS), with Cooper Black serving as the backup. Black, who was recalled from Charlotte of the AHL on Tuesday, will see playing time in Markstrom's absence, Florida coach Paul Maurice said.

Edmonton Oilers

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (lower body) will make his season debut against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday (9 p.m. ET; TVAS, SNW, CARNHL, HHN), Oilers coach Mike Babcock said after a 4-3 overtime win against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. The forward has yet to play because of an injury sustained at practice on Sept. 28. He had 56 points (20 goals, 36 assists) in 72 games last season. 

Calgary Flames

Mikael Backlund is day to day for the Flames with an upper-body injury. The forward was injured in a 3-2 win against the Hurricanes on Sunday. He has one goal and one assist in eight games this season. The Flames host the Wild on Thursday (9 p.m. ET; SN1, MINNHL, Wild+).

Dallas Stars

Esa Lindell will be out at least a week for the Stars because of a lower-body injury. The defenseman was injured blocking a shot in a 4-0 win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday. He is averaging 20:49 of ice time per game and leads Dallas with 18 blocked shots. The Stars host the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; KDFW 4, Prime Video, TSN3).

San Jose Sharks

Alexander Wennberg missed a 4-3 overtime win at the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday because of an upper-body injury. The Sharks forward is listed as day to day. Wennberg has three assists in nine games this season. San Jose visits Ottawa on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; RDS, TSN5, NBCSCA).

Colorado Avalanche

Logan O'Connor (lower body) is expected to make his season debut for the Avalanche against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday (9 p.m. ET; The Spot, ALT, SN360, TVAS). The forward was placed on long-term injured reserve Sept. 28 and had to miss at least 10 games. … Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said forwards Nicolas Roy (lower body) and Zachary L'Heureux (upper body) are considered week to week, but Roy could be closer to a return.

Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens loaned defenseman David Reinbacher and forward Owen Beck to Laval of the AHL on Wednesday, one day after each was scratched for a 4-3 overtime loss to the Sharks. Reinbacher, the No. 5 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, played 9:09 in his season debut, a 4-3 overtime loss to the Sabres on Saturday. Beck does not have a point in two games with Montreal this season.