Welcome to the 2021-22 NHL training camp buzz. With training camps opening for all 32 teams this week, NHL.com has you covered with all the latest news.
Dallas Stars
Ben Bishop will participate in training camp but the goalie is not cleared to play games, general manager Jim Nill said Thursday.
“He’s just going to continue to go through the process to see where he is,” Nill said. “He’s been skating all summer and now we’re going to ramp up the workload and see where he’s at.”
Bishop did not play last season after having surgery Oct. 21 to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. He was expected to need at least five months to recover. The Stars play their first preseason game at the St. Louis Blues on Sept. 27.
“It’s a good first day,” Bishop said. “It feels unbelievable to be back practicing with the guys. I think that was my first full practice … since pre-COVID, so it’s been a long time coming. It’s nice to be out there and it’s still a building process. We’re still trying to get better every day as far as myself and the knee, so just kind of take it day-by-day and see how it goes.”
The Stars signed goalie Braden Holtby to a one-year contract July 28. They also have Anton Khudobin and Jake Oettinger at the position.
“We’re encouraged but he still has a long ways to go yet,” Nill said. “It’s one thing when you’re skating in the summer, but now you get into game mode, game decisions. For me to sit here and say where he is at, it depends on how he feels.”
Forward Roope Hintz, who had surgery May 19 to repair an adductor muscle, is participating in training camp and is expected to be ready for the regular-season opener at the New York Rangers on Oct. 14, Nill said. — Taylor Baird
Montreal Canadiens
Mike Hoffman is doubtful to start the regular season for the Canadiens because of a lower-body injury.
Coach Dominique Ducharme said the injury occurred during a workout before Hoffman got to Montreal and that the forward will have an MRI to assess the severity of it.
Montreal opens the season at the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 13.
Goalie Carey Price, who had knee surgery July 22, began skating Sept. 16. He won’t take part in practices early in camp but Ducharme said Price is expected to be ready to start the season.
“We built a program for him to get back into playing shape,” Ducharme said. “He’s skating right now, though. He’s going to be on the ice next week with the goalie coach and athletic therapist. After that they’re going to pick it up, go harder and put him in different situations. Then he’s going to join the team practices with us and get ready for playing games. But we expect him to be ready to play on opening night.”
Ducharme also said the Canadiens will not have a captain this season. Defenseman Shea Weber, who was named to the role in 2018-19, won’t play this season, and might not be able to continue his NHL career, because of several injuries.
New York Islanders
Anders Lee participated in the Islanders’ first on-ice session of training camp Thursday and said he feels he’ll be ready for the season opener at the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 14.
“The restrictions are off, everything’s good,” the forward said. “It’s just making sure we take a look at everything and get ready for Game 1.”
Lee, who is Islanders captain, missed the final two months of the regular season and their second straight run to the third round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a knee injury sustained March 11. He scored 19 points (12 goals, seven assists) in 27 games.
He practiced on a line with forwards Mathew Barzal and Anatoli Golyshev.
“It felt really good to be on the ice with the boys,” Lee said. “Good Day One of camp here. It’s one of those days it’s just an absolute work day, so good to get out there and get that under our belt and start things off the right way.
“Kind of for me personally, it’s just continuing on with my rehab and my progress here. It’s great to have camp to be able to do that. We’re just taking it day by day and going at it like we always have been.”
Forward Matt Martin (ankle), goalie Semyon Varlamov (soreness) and defenseman prospect Samuel Bolduc (soreness) did not skate today. Coach Barry Trotz said each player is day to day. — Brian Compton
Seattle Kraken
Yanni Gourde skated in a red non-contact jersey when the Kraken held their first practice of training camp as the center continues to recover from shoulder surgery in July.
“I would say he’s definitely ahead of schedule,” general manager Ron Francis said. “As we’re finding out, he’s a guy that’s tough to hold back. But he’s really worked hard and rehabbed hard, so it’s exciting to see him on the ice Day One of camp.”
The Kraken selected Gourde from the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft on July 21.
“I think in the summertime I was thinking probably early December (for his return), so I’m expecting him earlier than that,” Francis said. — Nicholas J. Cotsonika
Columbus Blue Jackets
Joonas Korpisalo is day to day with a lower-body injury and the goalie will miss the start of on-ice training camp sessions.
“We’re just managing it,” coach Brad Larsen said. “He’ll be fine. He’s going to be OK. … At this point there’s no point rushing guys.”
Korpisalo is expected to split time with Elvis Merzlikins, who signed a five-year, $27 million contract extension ($5.4 million average annual value) Tuesday that begins next season. — Craig Merz
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