The Dallas Stars are staring at a long stretch without Matt Duchene, and that absence ripples beyond one lineup spot. Dallas announced that Duchene underwent core muscle surgery and will miss three months, leaving a team that was already light up front with another big hole to fill.
That reality is why the Stars may have to get creative fast. Patrik Laine and Vladimir Tarasenko are two names to watch as possible outside help, and both would be inexpensive options. With Duchene out until the new year approaches, Dallas will need to dig up offense quickly or risk falling behind in the standings.
In Chicago, Connor Bedard is moving closer to a return. He skated again with the Blackhawks, and head coach Jeff Blashill said Bedard is trending toward being a “coach’s decision.” Blashill then paused, laughed and added, “We’ll see how that goes,” which points toward Bedard being in the lineup Tuesday against Pittsburgh.
Emily Kaplan reported that the signs remain encouraging. “As long as things stay on track through morning skate, Blackhawks captain Connor Bedard likely to make his season debut tomorrow night against Pittsburgh.
He’s been feeling good three months post-shoulder surgery, medical team has been monitoring. Will be huge boost for Chicago.”
Over in Anaheim, Cutter Gauthier also got back on the ice. He returned to practice in a regular jersey after missing the final 50 minutes of Saturday’s game against Calgary, though he was not part of the line rushes. That leaves his availability for the next game uncertain.
The Rangers’ goaltending situation is still unsettled after Igor Shesterkin was ruled out for the season, but one rumored fix is off the board. Elliotte Friedman said on Sportsnet, “Don’t expect it,” when asked about Connor Hellebuyck, and added that he doesn’t believe the fit works.
Cost is a huge part of that. Hellebuyck carries an $8.5 million cap hit through 2031, while Shesterkin makes $11.567 million annually through 2033. Holding both contracts would leave nearly $20 million tied up in two goalies once Shesterkin returns.
Jonathan Quick could be another name in the mix. Kaplan reported that the retired veteran might be an option if the Rangers ask him to come back, though that remains speculation and New York could look at other choices first.
In Toronto, Chris Tanev is headed to injured reserve after leaving Saturday’s 6-3 win over Colorado with an upper-body injury. The Maple Leafs said he’ll be out at least three games, including Tuesday in Utah, Thursday against Buffalo and Saturday against the Islanders.
The Leafs also issued this update: “D Chris Tanev has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to October 10. D Marshall Rifai has been recalled from the Toronto Marlies (AHL). D Oliver Ekman-Larsson (maintenance) will not participate in today’s practice.”
There’s always extra concern when Tanev is involved. The 36-year-old played just 11 games in 2025-26 after dealing with concussion, spine and groin injuries, and while he doesn’t bring offense, he eats tough minutes against top competition and is a key piece of the penalty kill.
In Other News...
Wolf Pack Keep Making The Same Costly Mistake In Losses
Hartfords first meeting with Laval this season started the way the Wolf Pack would have hoped, with Anton Blidh getting them on the board on the power play. But the Rocket steadily turned the game in their favor and pulled away for a 5-2 win, a result that reinforced how quickly one mistake can shift a matchup in the AHL, especially against a team the Wolf Pack will see several more times over the course of the season.
For Hartford, the loss fit a frustrating pattern of games where early positives have not been enough to hold up over 60 minutes. Jay Leach pointed to a roster that is working through injuries and fatigue while younger players continue adjusting to the demands of pro hockey, a process that can show up most when discipline slips and the margin for error shrinks. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Young Core Delivered The Response Fans Needed After Shesterkin Shock
The night after losing Igor Shesterkin for the season, the Rangers needed something resembling a reset, and they got it in a hurry against Vancouver. New Yorks young group supplied the energy and the finishing touch, piling up offense in a way that had been hard to find at times this season, with Tye Kartye and Will Cuylle each scoring twice and Alexis Lafreniere adding another goal in the 6-2 win.
Gabe Perreault was part of that response, too, setting up Lafreniere on the power play before scoring later himself. For a team suddenly trying to recalibrate without its No. 1 goalie, that kind of contribution from the next wave matters as much as the result, because the Rangers are going to need more nights like this if they want to steady things from here. [Read more 🡒]
Oilers Start Is Raising One Big Lineup Question
The early part of the Oilers season has already produced one of those small-sample shifts that gets people talking, with Auston Matthews piling up two four-point games in six outings under Jim Hiller after managing only one over two full seasons for Craig Berube. Edmontons own momentum has only added to the noise, as the club moved to 4-0-1 with a win over San Jose and now looks close to getting Zach Hyman back while rookie Owen Michaels could be in line for a larger role.
For the Rangers, the interest around all of it is tied to a different kind of uncertainty. New York is still sorting through its goaltending picture, and the chatter has naturally drifted toward possible external help as the team waits on Igor Shesterkins status and continues without Joonas Korpisalo, but the cap realities make the market tricky to navigate. However that search develops, the sense around the league is that the Rangers are not looking at a splashy long-term answer, which keeps the focus on a more immediate, stopgap solution. [Read more 🡒]