NHL Status Report: Stenberg makes preseason debut for Sharks

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

San Jose Sharks

Ivar Stenberg had an assist in his preseason debut for the Sharks, a 2-1 shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday. The 18-year-old forward, who was the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, finished the game with four shots on goal in 22:17 of ice time. He also scored in the first round of the shootout. "It's just going to be super fun,” Stenberg said after the morning skate. “Just super fun to play a game. (It's a taste), but (the regular season is) close. Just (have to) work hard and have a good game."

San Jose plays its first game of the regular season against the Florida Panthers on Oct. 1.

"He's progressed really well through camp, and he's picking things up," coach Ryan Warsofsky said. "You can see the game slowed down for him. I know it's practice, but from the drills and the structure that we've put in place, he's picking it up pretty quickly."

Washington Capitals

Alex Ovechkin may not play in the preseason for the Capitals because of a lower-body injury. The 41-year-old left wing did not practice Monday for the second straight day and is day to day. Ovechkin, who is beginning his 22nd NHL season, has been practicing on a line with Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard in training camp. 

Washington coach Spencer Carbery wasn't ready to say if Ovechkin will play at all in the preseason. 

"Right now, we'll see how it goes this week," Carbery said. "We'll be off tomorrow and then we'll come back and have two practice days, so I'll be able to give you a more accurate update (after that) on when we see him play and how many games." The Capitals have two preseason games remaining, at home against the Boston Bruins on Friday and at Philadelphia on Saturday. They play their season opener at the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 2.

2026-27 NHL Preseason Stats

New York Islanders

Semyon Varlamov made his first NHL appearance since Nov. 29, 2024, when the Islanders defeated the New York Rangers 4-3 on Tuesday.

The 38-year-old goalie, who is coming off partial knee replacements, stopped all 10 shots he faced in the come-from-behind win after replacing Ilya Sorokin in the second period.

"It was a preseason game, but it’s exciting to win, even a preseason game," Varlamov said. "It’s nice to be out there with the teammates, battle, and yeah, I had fun today. Overall, it was a good game. I just tried to get used to the game speed, feel good and work on a few things.”

Varlamov played two games for Bridgeport of the American Hockey League at the end of last season.

"It's been quite a journey for him," Islanders coach Peter DeBoer said. "He got in those American league games at the end of last year, so it's not like it's his first game action, but first game action at the NHL level after a long rehab. I'm really excited for him."

Colorado Avalanche

Cale Makar is on track to play against the Winnipeg Jets on Friday (8:30 p.m. ET), Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. The defenseman missed the start of training camp with a lower-body injury but was a full participant at practice Tuesday. 

"Feeling really good. Just continue to build, hopefully feel good the rest of this week, and see what happens," Makar said. "It was a little bit of a grind over the summer to kind of get where I am now, especially with both of these (injuries). I'm in the best spot I've ever felt right now, so I'm feeling good."

Makar signed an eight-year, $163.2 million contract ($20.4 million average annual value) on Aug. 28 that begins next season. He had 79 points (20 goals, 59 assists) in 75 regular-season games last season and five points (four goals, one assist) in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Philadelphia Flyers

Denver Barkey is day to day after sustaining a lower-body injury during a 5-2 loss to the Washington Capitals on Monday. The Flyers forward had one shot on goal before leaving the game during the second period.

"I don't think it's that serious," coach Rick Tocchet said Tuesday. "I don't think it's a big deal. I don't want to put myself out here and he's out for four months, but I don't think he's going to be out four months. It's day to day, trust me."

Dallas Stars

Forwards Matt Duchene and Colin Blackwell are expected to skate with the Stars on Wednesday.

Dallas coach Glen Gulutzan said last week that Duchene is not injured but was provided maintenance days as a precaution. Duchene was limited to 57 games last season due to injuries.

Blackwell sustained a lower-body injury at practice Saturday and did not play in Dallas' 2-1 win against the St. Louis Blues on Monday.

"We're going to have a few guys skating tomorrow," Gulutzan said Tuesday. "... 'Dutchy' will be skating. 'Blackie (is) going to be skating tomorrow, so that’ll be good."

The Stars next preseason game is against the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday. Duchene and Blackwell won't play but could play against the Wild on Friday in the preseason finale for Dallas, Gulutzan said.

“Maybe on Friday, depending on how the skates go," he said. "Certainly not Wednesday."

Los Angeles Kings

Corey Perry will be away from the Kings for personal reasons for a few days, coach Peter Laviolette said Tuesday. The 41-year-old forward signed with Los Angeles on July 1. He had 28 points (11 goals, 17 assists) in 50 games with the Kings before being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 6.

Mats Zuccarello remains in a noncontact jersey after injuring his shoulder in a fall prior to training camp, and Laviolette does not know when the 39-year-old forward will play in a preseason game.

"At some point we'd like to see him out of that jersey, but I think erring on the side of caution, especially at this time of year, is a good thing," Laviolette said.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Forwards Justin Brazeau and Ben Kindel are each day to day with a lower-body injury sustained in a 4-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Monday.  Brazeau had two shots in 14:29 of ice time and Kindel had one shot on goal in 6:13 of ice time.

Ville Koivunen did not play against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. The forward is day to day with an upper-body injury.

St. Louis Blues

Tyler Tucker tweaked his knee in practice on Sunday and may not be ready for the season opener, Blues coach Jim Montgomery said Monday. The defenseman was working in a drill in the corner when the injury occurred and limped off the ice. Tucker did not skate Monday. 

"It's more than day to day, but we don't have a timeline yet because we think he'll be reevaluated in a couple days," Montgomery said.

St. Louis opens its regular season at Dallas on Oct. 2 (9 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, truTV, TNT). If Tucker isn't ready, it could create an opening for defenseman Adam Jiricek, a first-round pick (No. 16) in the 2024 NHL Draft.