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Player Notes

  • Dealing with muscle tightness
    Verhaeghe is day-to-day due to muscle tightness, Panthers coach Paul Maurice told Colby Guy of Florida Hockey Now on Friday.

    Advice: Florida isn't too worried about Verhaeghe's injury, especially because the 28-year-old forward dealt with similar issues during the Panthers' 2022 training camp, and he still went on to score 42 goals and 73 points in 81 contests that season. Verhaeghe is expected to serve in a top-six capacity and have a role on the first power-play unit this year. Rotowire.com Today, 2:41 pm
  • Skating on line with Fiala
    Dubois has opened training camp practicing on a line with Kevin Fiala and Arthur Kaliyev, per Zach Dooley of LA Kings Insider.

    Advice: Dubois is gearing up for his first season with the Kings after being acquired from Winnipeg over the summer. He had 27 goals and 63 points in 73 contests with the Jets in 2022-23. While Anze Kopitar is expected to occupy the top center role in LA this year, getting to play alongside Fiala, who recorded 99 goals and 251 points in 265 appearances over his last four campaigns, has the potential to work out great for Dubois. Rotowire.com Today, 12:20 pm
  • Begins camp on top line
    Heineman skated on the top line during the first day of training camp Thursday, Arpon Basu of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Heineman may not wind up with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, but it's a sign the 21-year-old forward could wrangle a roster spot. "I think we played quite OK today, actually," Heineman said. "And for sure it was the first scrimmage too, still (should) not make any big statements out of that." As Basu points out, coaches tend to think of forwards more as duos than trios, with the third spot being interchangeable. The third member with Suzuki and Caufield is the most coveted spot in the Canadiens' lineup. Rotowire.com Today, 6:18 am
  • Meets media at training camp
    Nichushkin addressed the media after Colorado's first day of training camp Thursday, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: This was the first time Nichushkin was available for the media, but the Russian forward did not say much about the incident in Seattle that prompted him to leave the team during last season's NHL playoffs. "It was family reasons," he said. "I know you guys want to find something there but there's nothing really interesting. I think we should close it. It's a new season right now. We have to focus on that." The session lasted about two minutes. Many of his teammates expressed support for Nichushkin, who is expected to be a top-six forward this season. Rotowire.com Today, 5:40 am
  • Opens on top line
    Drouin skated on the top line during the first day of training camp Thursday, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now reports.

    Advice: Drouin began his Avalanche career in a prominent role, skating with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. He's given an opportunity to rekindle on-ice chemistry with MacKinnon, with whom he played a decade ago in Halifax of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The two were part of a team that won a Memorial Cup in 2013. "There's still stuff we've got to work on," Drouin said. "I know how Nate plays, but it's just the way Rantanen plays. Those two guys are very easy to play with. They're elite players in this league, and it's just fun to be on that line." Whether Drouin remains in that plush role with the two talented forwards is up to him. Rotowire.com Today, 5:22 am
  • Extension talks not happening
    Stamkos is "disappointed" that he hasn't heard from the Lightning about a contract extension, reports "

    Advice: Stammer made it clear at the end of last season that he wanted something done before camp started, and he's clearly disappointed that hasn't happened. "I guess that was something that I didn't see coming but it is what it is," said the 16-year career Bolt. Stamkos has one year left on an eight-year, $68 million deal that has a team-friendly cap hit of $8.5 million. He may be turning 34 in February, but he's still worth every penny. Stamkos is coming off a 34-goal, 84-point season and is the best player to ever don a jersey in Tampa Bay. Both sides want to get something done, but this may take some time. General manager Julien Brisebois says that while he and Stamkos share the common goal of winning another Cup, Brisebois "need(s) to see how this season plays out before I can make those decisions." Rotowire.com Yesterday, 6:55 pm
  • Opens camp with Marner and Matthews
    Bertuzzi has opened training camp on the Maple Leafs' top line with Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner, reports the Toronto Sun.

    Advice: It's early and things always change as camp progresses, but Bertuzzi's ability to dig the puck out and then crash the net to hammer in rebounds is the perfect style for his high-skill linemates. The trio has been skating at the practice facility over the past few weeks, but Thursday was the group's first public appearance together at camp. "I want to create space for those guys, bring energy," Bertuzzi said. "(Net front), that's where I'll be." Toronto media has already started calling the line the MAT Pack. The 6-foot-2, 200 pound winger's fantasy value will be the highest it has ever been if this gig sticks. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 6:11 pm
  • Active for training camp
    Robertson (shoulder) skated with the Maple Leafs' second group Thursday to begin training camp, David Alter of Sports Illustrated reports.

    Advice: Robertson was given a six-month timeline to return after undergoing shoulder surgery in January, so it's not a surprise to see him back in action. It doesn't appear he'll have any limitations, so the 22-year-old winger will have a chance to win a job in camp. Unfortunately for Robertson, the Maple Leafs boast one of the deepest forward groups in the league, so he'll likely start 2023-24 with AHL Toronto unless he puts forth a really impressive performance in camp. His main competition for playing time will likely be Noah Gregor. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 5:52 pm
  • Active to start camp
    Johnsson (lower body) skated on a line with Reilly Smith and Evgeni Malkin at Thursday's practice.

    Advice: Johnsson is not only healthy after missing time with a lower-body injury to end 2022-23, but he's getting a significant look to start camp. It may be a temporary gig with Jake Guentzel (ankle) still recovering from surgery, but it's encouraging to see Johnsson working at right wing with prominent forwards. If he can win that job in training camp, he may have some deep-league appeal in fantasy. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 4:45 pm