Overview
- Teams opened on-ice sessions with oversized camp groups, including 73 players in Toronto and an Islanders list featuring 35 forwards, 18 defensemen and eight goalies.
- The Islanders expect No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer to stay with the NHL team as Patrick Roy accelerates special-teams work, while Semyon Varlamov’s first-day status remained uncertain as he skated on his own.
- In Toronto, Matias Maccelli received the initial look alongside Auston Matthews with Max Domi also under consideration as he sits day-to-day with a lower-body issue, and Matthews said he is feeling really good health-wise.
- Buffalo said Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will miss the start of camp with a lower-body injury and added Alexandar Georgiev on a one-year deal, as GM Kevyn Adams reiterated ongoing talks to keep Alex Tuch long term and Tuch called his own issue minor with a return to team skates expected soon.
- Elsewhere, Boston’s camp opened with competition at third-line center and a backup job behind Jeremy Swayman, while Calgary kept several familiar line and pairing combinations to start.