What We Know Halfway Through Preseason

TRENDINGDart is doneMLB playoff scenariosFantasy Football rankingsPresidents Cup primerNBA stars in new placesStory byStory byWhat We Know Halfway Through PreseasonCaprice St-PierreThu, September 24, 2026 at 2:39 PM UTC·4 min readAbout Our AdsRecommended StoriesOilers Bubble Players Impress In Tight Preseason Win Over JetsViljami Marjala’s overtime heroics and standout defensive performances from Atro Leppänen and Damien Carfagna force tough roster decisions as Edmonton’s youth depth shines against the Jets.The Hockey News - Edmonton OilersWhy You Shouldn't Take Preseason Too SeriouslyIsaac Howard played more than 17 minutes for the Edmonton Oilers against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night and finished the night with no shots in a 2-1 overtime win.The Hockey News - Edmonton OilersOilers coach Mike Babcock hands truth to ‘young guy’ Isaac Howard ahead of NHL seasonMike Babcock explains what Isaac Howard must improve.The Big LeadAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Mike Babcock Love: Why Are The Oilers "Laying It On So Thick"?Edmonton’s superstars are showering their polarizing new coach with praise, sparking theories that the public display of unity is a calculated smokescreen to avoid a bigger storyline.The Hockey News - Edmonton OilersWas the Mike Babcock Hire a Calculated Distraction?Mike Babcock's arrival in Edmonton may have more strategy behind it than just Xs and Os. According to TSN's Bryan Hayes, the Oilers' decision to bring in the veteran coach also serves as a deliberate effort to redirect attention away from questions the organization would rather not answer.The Hockey News - Edmonton OilersJets Fall to Oilers in a Tuesday Night Pre-season SnoozerWinnipeg veterans and roster hopefuls struggled to find momentum in a lackluster home finale, eventually falling in overtime after a controversial Oilers goal soured the opening frame.The Hockey News - Winnipeg Jets3 Observations Through Five Days of Golden Knights Training CampVegas Golden Knights head coach Ryan Craig has been saying for days that a shortened preseason means more urgency. Fringe players have less time to make their case for the few available spots. Veterans only play in two preseason games now, so they have less time to get their touches.The Hockey News - Las Vegas Golden KnightsThe Unexpected Way Babcock Is Helping McDavid’s Contract DramaTThe Edmonton Oilers’ decision to hire Mike Babcock as head coach may have been about more than just finding someone who knows how to push the right buttons. These days, that’s the dominant narrative in Edmonton — Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and others in the leadership group have been vocal in praising the polarizing bench […] The post The Unexpected Way Babcock Is Helping McDavid’s Contract Drama appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYSenators Defenceman Artem Zub Likely To Miss Start Of Regular SeasonThe NHL couldn't have picked a worse time for a short preseason as the Sens' defence runs into more injury trouble.The Hockey News - Ottawa SenatorsOilers President Jeff Jackson forced to make a statement on Mike BabcockThe Big Boss finally speaks up.HockeyFeedLine Combinations: Jets vs. OilersFresh prospects take center stage as Winnipeg swaps veterans for youth, featuring a top-line opportunity for Brad Lambert and a first look at top pick Brayden Yager.The Hockey News - Winnipeg JetsMidseason Form: 3 Observations as Golden Knights Top Sharks in Preseason ShootoutOn Tuesday, the Vegas Golden Knights eked out a 2-1 preseason victory over the San Jose Sharks in the shootout.The Hockey News - Las Vegas Golden KnightsJets Trim Roster by 12 Ahead of Final Preseason GameTop prospect Colby Barlow headlines a wave of cuts as Winnipeg shifts focus to the Manitoba Moose, narrowing the roster before Friday's preseason finale against the Avalanche.The Hockey News - Winnipeg JetsRed Wings Goalies Steal the Show in Columbus LossDetroit's goalies stopped all 25 shots before a shootout goal decided the preseason opener in Columbus. #RedWingsDetroit Sports NationPenguins’ lineup battle temperature checkA lot can change quickly for the picture of building the NHL roster. Take a look at the last 48 hours, where Blake Lizotte was announced as being out on a week-to-week basis, and Ben Kindel got injured during the preseason game with a day-to-day designation. Add in more injuries to Ville Koivunen and Justin […]SB NationTakeaways from the Ducks 2-1 Preseason Loss to the KingsTristan Luneau commands the ice and top prospect Jayden Kurtz makes his debut as Anaheim’s youth movement flashes high-end potential despite a gritty exhibition loss to Los Angeles.The Hockey News - Anaheim DucksMike Babcock Already Holding Oilers’ Feet to the FireThe Edmonton Oilers made a controversial decision during the summer upon the terminations of head coach Kris Knoblauch and assistant coach Mark Stuart.In Knoblauch’s place, GM Stan Bowman hired Mike Babcock, who had most recently been with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023 but resigned before having ever coached a game with the club due […] The post Mike Babcock Already Holding Oilers’ Feet to the Fire appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYCanadiens Caufield And Hutson Already In Mid-Season FormTwo Montreal Canadiens players are already in mid-season form and should be in the running for some hardware this season.The Hockey News - Montreal CanadiensSabres Youngsters Shine In Preseason Victory Over Blue JacketsRecently signed Noah Ostlund scores a pair in a 5-1 win over ColumbusThe Hockey News - Buffalo SabresIslanders Preseason Gameday News: The vets get a turnThe Islanders have more of that hot preseason action tonight, visiting the Worlds Most Self-Congratulatory Arena. After tonight vs. the Rangers, the preseason schedule will be half over (mercy!) and we will be just a week away from the actual season. Islanders News The expected combos tonight: Pete DeBoer on reading too much into any […]SB Nation