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Connor who? Add the red-hot Stuart Skinner to your fantasy hockey lineup now

Fantasy hockey guide to the headlines around the NHL, including injuries to monitor and players to add.

Published: Thursday, 8 October 2026 at 8:40 PM
Connor who? Add the red-hot Stuart Skinner to your fantasy hockey lineup now
Key Things to Know
  • Key NHL injuries and shifting goaltender rotations are shaping fantasy hockey decisions early in the 2026-27 season.
  • Aleksander Barkov is projected to miss around six weeks with a knee injury rather than the full season.
  • Stuart Skinner and Devon Levi have emerged as primary starting goaltenders for Winnipeg and Edmonton respectively.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Early-season NHL developments are creating major fantasy hockey impacts across the league due to key injuries, goaltending shifts, and recent roster adjustments. Aleksander Barkov's expected recovery timeline from a knee injury has shortened to approximately six weeks, while Brad Marchand's status remains uncertain following a knee collision. Additionally, Mathew Barzal is scheduled to resume skating on Thursday from knee inflammation, and Bryan Rust has returned to the Penguins' lineup after an upper-body injury.

Goaltending rotations are also evolving rapidly as Mackenzie Blackwood has started three consecutive games over Scott Wedgewood in Colorado. With Connor Hellebuyck suspended, Stuart Skinner has excelled in Winnipeg, and Devon Levi has taken over the starting duties in Edmonton. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers signed Michael Bunting to a one-year, $1.2 million deal to bolster their forward options.

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