Welcome to the 2022-23 NHL training camp buzz. Training camp is underway for all 32 teams and NHL.com has you covered with all the latest news.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Timothy Liljegren will be out at least six weeks after having hernia surgery Friday.
“We’re looking at an early to mid-November return if all goes well,” Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas said Wednesday.
Liljegren, a defenseman, had NHL career highs in games (61), goals (five), assists (18) and points (23) last season.
Pierre Engvall will also be out for the start of training camp after he sustained a foot injury while training in Sweden this offseason. The forward will be reevaluated the week of October 3, Dubas said.
Engvall had NHL career highs in goals (15), assists (20) and points (35) in 78 games last season.
Dubas said he is hopeful that Engvall could be available for exhibition games.
“We have to do what is best for him long-term so we will wait for that update on October 3,” Dubas said.
Toronto begins the regular season at the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 12. — Dave McCarthy
Detroit Red Wings
Andrew Copp will be out for training camp and could miss the start of the regular season after the forward had abdominal surgery in the offseason, Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman said.
“We expect him to be, at the latest, back the first week of the regular season,” Yzerman said of Copp, who signed a five-year contract with Detroit on July 13. “I don’t anticipate him participating in the preseason. games, but I expect him to be ready roughly a week, if not sooner, into the regular season.”
The Red Wings begin the regular season against the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 14.
Yzerman provided a “cautious” estimate that forward Robby Fabbriwho had surgery after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on March 10, will be ready to play, “sometime after January 1, maybe January 15, in there.”
Defenseman Mark Pysykwho is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, is also expected to return in January, and defenseman Jake Wallmanwho is recovering from shoulder surgery, is expected back in mid-November, Yzerman said.
In addition, forward Chase Pearson will miss training camp and be out indefinitely for personal reasons. –Tom Gullitti
Edmonton Oilers
Mike Smith failed his physical and will be placed on long-term injured reserve, Oilers general manager Ken Holland said.
The goalie, who is in the final season of a two-year contract, was 21-6-2 with a 2.31 goals-against average and .923 save percentage in 32 regular-season games last season (30 starts) and helped the Oilers advance to the Western Conference Final last season.
Smith had previously said he hadn’t decided if he would play this season, and Mikko Koskinen, Edmonton’s other goalie last season, signed in Europe. The Oilers signed Jack Campbell to a five-year contract in free agency July 13.
Holland also said defenseman Cody Ceci has a hamstring injury that will keep him out of training camp for at least three days and defenseman Slater Koekkoek (personal) will be away from the team indefinitely.
Holland was also hopeful that forward Ryan McLeodwho is a restricted free agent, would have a new contract soon.
“He took physicals today, talked to his agent yesterday, we’re going to talk again this afternoon, so I’m hopeful we’re going to find a solution,” Holland said. “I’m hoping he is going to be on the ice tomorrow.”
McLeod had 22 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in 71 games last season.
Calgary Flames
Adam Ruzicka signed a two-year, $1.525 million contract ($762,500 average annual value) on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old forward had 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 28 games with the Flames last season and has 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 31 NHL games.
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