NHL Status Report: Kane makes Blackhawks preseason debut against Blues

Welcome to the NHL Status Report. With training camp and preseason games underway, here is the latest lineup/injury news around the NHL.

Chicago Blackhawks

Patrick Kane made his preseason debut for the Blackhawks at the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. It will likely will be his only appearance prior to the start of the regular season. When asked if the forward would be held out of the final preseason game against the Blues at United Center in Chicago on Saturday so he’d make his home debut Oct. 6 against St. Louis, coach Jeff Blashill said there "might be something like that." Kane is in his second stint with Chicago after signing a two-year, $16 million contract ($8 million average annual value) July 23. Selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2007 NHL Draft, he helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup three times (2010, 2013, 2015) during his 16 seasons with them (2007-23). Chicago plays its regular-season opener at the Vegas Golden Knights on Sept. 29.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Nick Paul did not practice with the Maple Leafs on Thursday and is questionable for their season opener against the Montreal Canadiens on Sept. 29. The forward left a 6-1 win against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Wednesday during the first period because of an undisclosed injury. He played 4:42 and had one shot on goal. "It's nothing we are overly concerned about, but we have to take it day by day," coach Jim Hiller said. "I can't say (Paul will be ready to start the regular season) with certainty." ... Forward Steven Lorentz was placed on waivers for the purpose of assignment to Toronto of the American Hockey League. He did not practice Thursday.

Dallas Stars

Tyler Seguin could make his preseason debut at the Minnesota Wild on Friday (8 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, truTV, TNT). The Stars forward did not practice Thursday as part of his continued recovery plan from surgery Dec. 16 for a torn ACL in his right knee. "He did some testing earlier to be clear at the end of the week," coach Glen Gulutzan said. "Planned day off. He'll be on the ice tomorrow morning. He's probably a game player (Friday)." ... Goalie Jake Oettinger and forward Matt Duchene will not play Friday. Oettinger was scratched from a scheduled start against the Wild on Wednesday because of lower-body tightness and did not practice Thursday, but his absence is not expected to be long. "He was looked at, and we only think it'll be a day or two, so that's good news," Gulutzan said. Duchene will take part in the morning skate but not play. He also did not practice Thursday. ... Forward Colin Blackwell, who sustained a lower-body injury during practice Saturday, is not expected to play Friday but is improving. "I don't know if we're there yet," Gulutzan said. "Probably another day or two, just talking to (head athletic trainer Dave) Zeis. But certainly practicing, and it's a little bit of pain management."

Pittsburgh Penguins

Ben Kindel is considered week to week because of a lower-body injury. The forward missed the final two periods of the Penguins' 4-1 win against the Buffalo Sabres on Monday and initially was considered day to day. "Looking more week to week at this point," director of minor league operations Amanda Kessel said Thursday. "We're waiting for more testing results today." Pittsburgh plays its season opener against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sept. 30. ...

Philadelphia Flyers

Denver Barkey remains a possibility to play against the Penguins in the season opener Sept. 30. The forward sustained a lower-body injury during a preseason game against the Washington Capitals on Monday but practiced in a noncontact jersey Thursday. Flyers Coach Rick Tocchet said Thursday that Barkey remains day to day but could play in their preseason finale against the Capitals on Saturday. If that happens, it makes Barkey's availability for the season opener that much more of a possibility. "I think if he plays Saturday, unless something else happens on the ice, you’d think he’d be ready to go for opening night," Tocchet said.