NHL Status Report: Nugent-Hopkins to make season debut for Oilers

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

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 Sept. 28. He had 56 points (20 goals, 36 assists) in 72 games last season.

Florida Panthers

Cooper Black is expected to make his NHL debut for the Panthers against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; SN-PIT, SCRIPPS, SNP, SNO, SNE, TVAS). The goalie was recalled from Charlotte of the American Hockey League on Tuesday and backed up Akira Schmid in a 5-1 loss at the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday. It was announced Tuesday that goalie Jacob Markstrom will be out 1-2 weeks after sustaining an upper-body injury in practice. Florida's No. 1 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.

Carolina Hurricanes

Seth Jarvis was a full participant at Hurricanes practice Wednesday and could make his season debut at the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday (9 p.m. ET; TVAS, SNW, CARNHL, HHN). The forward had surgery in June to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff in his right shoulder. Jarvis led Carolina with 32 goals last season and had 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 19 games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, helping win its first championship since 2006. He skated on a line Wednesday with Jordan Martinook and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. "It's getting closer,” coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “We're trying to get him every (rep), like power-play time and stuff that he hasn't really been doing, in hopes that we get told he's good to go."

New York Islanders

There is still no timetable for Mathew Barzal (knee) to begin practicing with the Islanders, general manager Mathieu Darche said Wednesday. The forward has not played this season after he reaggravated his injury prior to training camp. "We feel the inflammation is down, but we're still working with him about getting his strength back and how comfortable he feels," Darche said. "He's skating. … We hope it's sooner, but at the end of the day, every day he's starting to skate a bit more, and we're hoping to at some point get him with the team, and then from there we go from there." Barzal led New York with 72 points (19 goals, 53 assists) in 81 games last season. The Islanders host the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET; Disney+, HULU, ESPN+, SN+).

Los Angeles Kings

Quinton Byfield (upper body) is day to day for the Kings and questionable to play against the Islanders on Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET; Disney+, HULU, ESPN+, SN+). The forward left a 5-2 win at Washington on Tuesday midway through the first period. Los Angeles recalled forward Jared Wright from Ontario of the AHL on Wednesday for "precautionary measures," coach Peter Laviolette said. Byfield has two points (one goal, one assist) in seven games this 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+).

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 GAA 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.

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.