The Los Angeles Kings got a welcome sign on Kevin Fiala this morning.
Zach Dooley, the team’s Editorial Content Manager, reported that Fiala was on the ice and has been skating over the past few days. That lines up with the original recovery plan the Kings laid out before training camp, and for now, the winger appears to be tracking as expected.
Fiala’s road back has been a long one. In February, he suffered multiple fractures in his left leg while playing for Team Switzerland at the 2026 Winter Olympics. He had surgery right away, which ended his 2025-26 season before it ever really got going.
The 35-goal scorer did make it back onto the ice before training camp, but he didn’t feel right and was uncomfortable. That led to another follow-up surgery and pushed back his return to NHL games. If nothing changes, he’s still expected to be back in the Kings’ lineup on November 1st.
Elsewhere in the Western Conference, the Chicago Blackhawks are dealing with a short-term absence of their own. Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Andrew Mangiapane will be out for the next few weeks after picking up a lower-body injury in Chicago’s season opener against the Vegas Golden Knights. Mangiapane logged 5:23 before leaving the game.
The Blackhawks are thin up front because of it. With Mangiapane sidelined, Chicago has only 12 healthy forwards, which likely means an injured reserve placement and a call-up to add more depth.
In Minnesota, Danila Yurov is a question mark for the Wild’s next game against the Buffalo Sabres tomorrow night. Joe Smith of The Athletic said Yurov was pulled from practice this morning as a precaution after being “banged up” in Saturday’s win over the Boston Bruins. Yurov has one assist in two games to open the 2026-27 season.
In Other News...
Wild Let A 2-0 Lead Slip In A Brutal Road Loss
The Wild had the game where they wanted it for most of the night in Buffalo, carrying a two-goal lead into the stretch before the Sabres started to chip away. Minnesota could not close it out, and what looked like a solid road win instead turned into a frustrating defeat after Buffalos late push kept the pressure on until the end.
Buffalo finished the rally with third-period goals from Tage Thompson and Noah Ostlund to force overtime, while Colten Ellis held his own with 18 saves in his season debut. For a Minnesota team that had already done enough early to feel in control, the loss leaves the familiar sour aftertaste of letting a lead get away, especially with the Sabres finding just enough offense to turn the night around. [Read more 🡒]
Sabres Win Came With A Wild Injury Scare Fans Will Notice
Nick Folignos night ended early against the Sabres, adding an unwelcome injury note to a game Minnesota was already trying to manage. The veteran forward left with an upper-body injury and had already seen limited ice time before he was forced out, a reminder of how quickly a hard-working depth piece can become a concern for a team that leans on experience in the lineup.
Foligno, who scored the Wilds season-opening goal earlier in the year, has been part of the group since arriving last season and returning on a one-year deal. For Minnesota, any absence would be worth monitoring not just because of what he brings on the ice, but because he has fit as one of those dependable role players who can steady a lineup when things get choppy. [Read more 🡒]
Wild Forced Into Forward Shuffle Before Next Game
Minnesotas forward depth took a hit after Nick Foligno left the previous game early, leaving the Wild to adjust on the fly before a matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The veterans absence creates an opening in the lineup, and the timing matters for a team that has had to lean on its depth throughout the season.
Tyler Pitlick was recalled from Iowa to help fill the gap, giving the Wild another experienced option who has spent time in both the NHL and AHL. Now in his second year with Minnesota, Pitlick gives the coaching staff a familiar plug-in as it waits to see how long Foligno is unavailable. [Read more 🡒]