NHL Status Report: Hyman nearing return for Oilers

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

Edmonton Oilers

Zach Hyman is nearing a return for the Oilers and could play as early as Nov. 1. The forward has not played since dislocating his wrist last season during Game 4 of the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars on May 27. Hyman participated in an optional practice on Wednesday and took part in the morning skate on Thursday ahead of Edmonton's game against the Montreal Canadiens at Rogers Place. "Zach's very upbeat and cheerful because he's joined the team and is part of our practices now," Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said Thursday. "We hope that he's back with us -- I believe we're playing Nov. 1 (against the Chicago Blackhawks) -- whether it's that day, but we hope it's early November." Hyman had 44 points (27 goals, 17 assists) in 73 games last season and 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 15 playoff games, prior to sustaining the injury. … Forward Kasperi Kapanen was placed on injured reserve Thursday. He sustained a knee injury in a 4-2 loss at the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday and is expected to be out weeks.

Vegas Golden Knights

Adin Hill is week to week for the Golden Knights because of a lower-body injury, coach Bruce Cassidy said Wednesday. The goalie will not travel for a three-game road trip that begins at the Florida Panthers on Saturday. Hill sustained the injury midway through the first period of a 4-1 win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday. It was the second time Hill left a game this season because of an injury; he missed the last two periods of a 4-2 win at the Calgary Flames on Oct. 14, also because of a lower-body injury. Hill, who is 1-0-2 with a 2.73 goals-against average and .888 save percentage in five games, was relieved Monday by Akira Schmid, who made 22 saves. With Hill unavailable, Vegas recalled goalie Carl Lindbom from Henderson of the American Hockey League; the 22-year-old could make his NHL debut either Saturday or at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday. “He’s a guy that deserves to be up [in the NHL],” Cassidy said of Lindbom. “With ‘Hilly’ out and our schedule the way it’s going to be, he’s going to get at least one, probably a few starts. We’ll see how it goes.” … Cassidy also said defenseman Noah Hanifin (undisclosed), who has missed six straight games, will not travel. He is on injured reserve.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Nikita Kucherov returned for the Lightning and had two assists in a 3-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday. The forward had skated on the second line with Brandon Hagel and Anthony Cirelli on Wednesday, his second straight day at practice, after missing two games because of an illness.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Chris Tanev was placed on injured reserve Thursday because of an upper-body injury and will not play at the Buffalo Sabres on Friday (7 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+, SNO, TVAS). The defenseman left a 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday 1:53 into the second period after an accidental hit to the head in a collision with Devils forward Dawson Mercer. Defenseman Dakota Mermis was recalled from Toronto of the AHL.

Vancouver Canucks

Brock Boeser returned to the lineup for the Canucks in a 2-1 loss to the Nashville Predators on Thursday. The forward had missed the past two games because of personal reasons. He has three goals in six games this season.

Carolina Hurricanes

Shayne Gostisbehere will be out at least the next two games because of a lower-body injury. The defenseman was injured during the first period of a 4-3 win against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday and did not play in a 4-1 loss at the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday. He has seven points (one goal, six assists) in five games this season. Carolina (5-1-0) visited the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday.

Washington Capitals

Pierre-Luc Dubois could return for the Capitals when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, MNMT2) after missing the past four games because of a lower-body injury, coach Spencer Carbery said. The center was cleared to practice with contact Thursday for the first time since he was injured against the New York Rangers on Oct. 12. … Rasmus Sandin did not practice Thursday and won’t play against the Blue Jackets on Friday because of an upper-body injury the defenseman sustained during the third period of a 4-1 win against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday. "He should be OK," Carbery said. "He's not traveling to Columbus, but we consider him day to day, so nothing long term."

Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres on Thursday recalled goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen from a conditioning assignment with Rochester of the American Hockey League that began Tuesday. He has yet to play in the NHL this season because of an upper-body injury sustained during his preseason debut Oct. 1. In his first start since then, Luukkonen made 21 saves on 23 shots in a 4-2 win against Syracuse on Wednesday. The Sabres (3-4-0) next play Friday, when they host the Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+, SN1, TVAS).

New York Islanders

Pierre Engvall is out for the season after having ankle surgery, Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche said Wednesday. The forward had been recovering from offseason hip surgery in September. Engvall had 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in 62 games with New York last season. ... Defenseman Alexander Romanov was placed on injured reserve on Thursday, retroactive to Oct. 16, because of an upper-body injury.

Detroit Red Wings

Patrick Kane (upper body) missed a 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday and did not play in a 7-2 loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday. The forward, who crashed hard into the boards during a 2-1 overtime win against the Lightning on Friday, also did not play in a 4-2 win against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday. Kane will be reevaluated ahead of Detroit's game against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.

St. Louis Blues

Oskar Sundqvist made his season debut for the Blues against the Utah Mammoth on Thursday after missing six games because of a lower-body injury. He replaced forward Alexandre Texier in the lineup. Sundqvist was injured during practice on Oct. 5 and was listed as week to week. The forward had 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in 67 games with St. Louis last season.