Hockey headlines for October 1, 2026

Thursday, October 1, 2026

The Penguins make a statement with a shutout rout of the Flyers in their season opener (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Nathan MacKinnon scores twice, fights in wild Avalanche season-opening win against Kings (Denver Post)
Anthony Stolarz and foot soldiers hang on for Leafs win (Toronto Sun)
Golden Knights sign William Karlsson to 2-year extension (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Stars sign backup goalie Casey DeSmith to two-year contract extension (Dallas Morning News)
Avalanche sign coach Jared Bednar to four-year contract extension (Denver Post)
Why the Flames named Zach Whitecloud and Jonathan Huberdeau alternate captains (Calgary Sun)
Red Wings' Simon Edvinsson returns to Sweden during contract stalemate (Detroit News)
Commissioner Gary Bettman explains NHL’s foray into the hockey romance space: ‘The data is overwhelming’ (Philadelphia Inquirer)
Reigning NHL rookie of the year tells Leafs’ McKenna to enjoy the ride (Globe & Mail)
Manny Malhotra's destiny was always behind the Canucks' bench (Vancouver Province)
Charlie Jacobs says Bruins’ games in Germany will be in December of 2027, and team may consider a Hall of Fame (Boston Globe)
Isles' season-opening loss to Leafs shows team is a work in progress (New York Newsday)
Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon on his opening-night fight: ‘He didn’t say a great word to me’ (Denver Post)
Islanders rookie Victor Eklund holds own versus Auston Matthews’ line (New York Post)
Porter Martone’s rough opener provided a worthwhile reminder that he’s still just 19 (Philadelphia Inquirer)
Lightning open season hoping to live up to their own lofty expectations (Tampa Bay Times)
The NHL’s recent one-hit wonders – and why the Sabres can’t become part of that group (Buffalo News)
Only way for Red Wings to bury 'weirdness' of offseason is by winning (Detroit Free Press)
Capitals brush off abbreviated training camp ahead of opener against Hurricanes (Washington Times)
Blues top line enters new season with potential to be among league's best (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Blackhawks need to be more decisive, make better reads to improve transition defense (Chicago Sun-Times)
Rangers have 'to clean up' things at both ends of ice before home opener (New York Newsday)
Columbus Blue Jackets opt for no captain this season (Columbus Dispatch)
New captain Thomas Chabot has full backing from Senators dressing room (Ottawa Sun)
Blues defenseman Tyler Tucker undergoes knee surgery (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Ottawa Senators still without Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub on defence as season opener nears (Ottawa Sun)
Netminder no stranger to heavy workload as Jets new No. 1 readies for regular-season start (Winnipeg Free Press)
‘It’s good to be back’: Markstrom shuts out Hurricanes in Florida Panthers return (Miami Herald)
‘Means the world’: Stevenson relishing opportunity with Jets (Winnipeg Sun)
Who is Kirill Kaprizov without Mats Zuccarello? Wild are about to find out. (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)
Matthew Knies gives Columbus Blue Jackets a 'moose' on the loose (Columbus Dispatch)
JJ Peterka announces arrival in Bruin debut with nifty goal (Boston Herald)
Wild captain Jared Spurgeon juggles high expectations, new D partner as season begins (St. Paul Pioneer Press)
Simon Nemec and Zayne Parekh hold key to Flames' power-play hopes (Calgary Sun)
With new partner (maybe), and renewed outlook, Cam Fowler eyes rebound season for Blues (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
When things get rough on the ice, Hurricanes’ Nicolas Deslauriers is ready (Raleigh News & Observer)
Ferraro gets call-up to the Jets (Winnipeg Free Press)
San Jose Sharks prepare to move into new downtown HQ (San Jose Mercury News)
Jessica Pegula says role with Bills may come after tennis career ends (Buffalo News)
LI's Nick Leopard among new group of investors to purchase ownership stake in Isles (New York Newsday)