NHL News October 15, 2026: Maple Leafs Injury, Red Wings Trade Rumors and NHL Scores

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a fresh problem on their blue line, Detroit has sent a firm message to teams watching Simon Edvinsson, and Ottawa has received a serious injury update that could shape its next two months. That is the real story behind today’s NHL news and NHL rumors and NHL scores: early-season results are already forcing clubs to reconsider their depth, spending and trade options.

Chris Tanev is week to week, leaving Toronto without one of its most dependable defensive specialists. Detroit interim general manager Shawn Horcoff, meanwhile, says he has no interest in dealing Edvinsson, even as Dylan Larkin’s unresolved trade request hangs over the Red Wings. And William Eklund’s ankle surgery has created a major hole in Ottawa’s forward group.

There were also two NHL games Wednesday night: Washington survived Montreal 5-4, while Dallas edged Colorado 3-2 in a shootout. Below are the verified scores, the biggest developments and my take on what could happen next.

NHL News Today: Chris Tanev’s Injury Tests the Maple Leafs

Toronto confirmed Thursday that Tanev is week to week with an upper-body injury suffered against Colorado on October 10. He was placed on injured reserve retroactive to that date. The veteran has one assist in six games but is tied for Toronto’s team lead with 14 blocked shots.

That final number helps explain why this matters. Tanev’s contribution is not built around highlight-reel offense. It is about closing passing lanes, handling defensive-zone starts and making life easier for more attack-minded partners. The Leafs cannot replace those habits by simply adding another puck mover.

Coach Jim Hiller says the team has other capable defenders and must support them. In my view, Toronto’s first response should be internal: simplify breakout responsibilities, manage difficult matchups and see whether its current defense can absorb the loss. A trade conversation becomes more reasonable only if the absence stretches on or replacement minutes begin costing points.

That also puts the timing of the Edvinsson speculation in perspective. Toronto may need help, but a need is not the same thing as an available player.

Red Wings Trade Rumors: Detroit Closes the Door on Simon Edvinsson

One of the clearest updates to an earlier NHL trade rumor came directly from Detroit. Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff told NHL.com Wednesday, “I have zero interest in trading Simon Edvinsson.” He stressed that the organization wants to sign the restricted free agent rather than move him.

That matters because Edvinsson’s contract stalemate had produced speculation about a fresh start elsewhere. The 23-year-old defenseman has 60 points in 175 NHL games, stands 6-foot-6 and averaged 22:21 per game last season. Those are precisely the attributes that make him costly to replace.

My assessment is that Detroit should exhaust every reasonable contract structure before entertaining trade calls. Big, young defenders with substantial minutes have value beyond their point totals, particularly for a rebuilding club seeking a reliable long-term pair alongside Moritz Seider.

Rumor check: Reports that Edvinsson preferred a trade were real reporting, but Detroit’s latest publicly stated position is unambiguous: it is not shopping him. That does not guarantee an agreement, yet it substantially weakens claims that an Edvinsson trade is imminent.

Dylan Larkin’s Future and DeBrincat’s $91 Million Commitment

Detroit’s other unanswered question is Larkin. Horcoff described his situation as “status quo” after the center requested a trade following last season and supplied a limited list of destinations where he would waive his no-trade protection. No completed deal or new destination was announced.

At the same time, Detroit extended Alex DeBrincat for seven years and $91 million on October 14. The new contract carries a $13 million annual cap hit beginning in 2027-28, not this season. Larkin’s existing deal carries an $8.7 million annual average value.

DeBrincat’s agreement is a statement of belief in the current core, but it also sharpens Detroit’s cap decisions. Beginning next season, those two contracts alone would represent $21.7 million in annual commitments if Larkin remains. If Edvinsson eventually signs an expensive long-term deal, management will need to build adequate depth around that trio.

I would not confuse a player’s request with an automatic departure. A Larkin trade depends on approved destinations, a return that helps Detroit, and a buyer comfortable with the contract. None of those conditions has been publicly resolved.

Ottawa Senators Receive Major William Eklund Injury News

The Senators announced that William Eklund is expected to miss 10 to 12 weeks after surgery to repair a torn ankle tendon. The 23-year-old forward was hurt against Philadelphia on October 8 and had two points in four games.

This is a significant setback because Ottawa acquired Eklund from San Jose in June to add skill and pace to its forward group. It is not a one-week lineup shuffle; the absence could run deep into the winter schedule.

The most sensible short-term fix is to distribute his offensive opportunities across existing lines instead of asking one replacement to play exactly like him. Ottawa should also evaluate whether a less expensive depth addition could stabilize the middle six. A high-priced trade made days after an injury rarely comes from a position of leverage.

There is at least a useful roster development: defenseman Artem Zub is set to make his season debut Thursday. That cannot replace Eklund’s scoring, but healthier defensive depth may help Ottawa withstand tougher matchups.

Rangers Goaltending Rumors: Can Dylan Garand Cover for Shesterkin?

The Rangers’ goaltending question remains one of the biggest NHL storylines. Igor Shesterkin suffered a season-ending lower-body injury on October 9, forcing New York to lean on Dylan Garand.

Garand had a .932 save percentage across three games following Shesterkin’s exit, stopping 55 of 59 shots. His .958 high-danger save percentage is eye-catching, although that sample is far too small to establish a new long-term expectation.

Here is my takeaway: a goalie trade might eventually make sense, but New York gains nothing by negotiating as though it is desperate. Garand’s early results have earned him a longer evaluation period, particularly if the Rangers continue protecting the slot and clearing rebounds.

Any discussion of a major outside replacement should be labelled speculation until a credible report identifies concrete negotiations. Good early performances can change a team’s sense of urgency, even if they cannot erase a season-ending injury.

Hurricanes Injuries Could Reshape Carolina’s Forward Depth

Carolina has a different depth problem. Taylor Hall sustained an upper-body injury, and coach Rod Brind’Amour expressed concern about the outlook. Captain Jordan Staal is already expected to miss one to two months with a calf injury, and the Hurricanes recalled Bradly Nadeau from the American Hockey League.

Carolina can still play its pressure-heavy style, but losing experienced forwards reduces options when protecting leads or reshuffling special teams. I would watch the ice time given to younger replacements before projecting a major trade. If Carolina continues to control play, patience is affordable; if its depth begins to unravel, the search for a practical middle-six addition becomes more credible.

NHL Scores Yesterday: Wednesday, October 14, 2026

What to Watch Tonight: McDavid, Detroit and Toronto

Thursday features 11 NHL games. Connor McDavid enters Edmonton’s meeting with Utah holding 17 points in six games. He needs three more to reach 20, giving fans another early measure of his extraordinary offensive pace.

Detroit hosts Philadelphia with DeBrincat sitting at 298 career NHL goals, two shy of 300. Toronto hosts Buffalo while adjusting to Tanev’s absence, and Ottawa faces the Islanders with Eklund sidelined. These are more than schedule notes: they provide immediate tests of each team’s ability to respond to uncertainty.

The biggest trade-rumor lesson today is restraint. Toronto has a genuine defensive concern; Detroit has a genuine contract negotiation; New York has a genuine goaltending challenge. None automatically proves a blockbuster is coming. Follow the confirmed updates first, then measure the rumors against roster needs and salary-cap reality.

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