NHL Buzz: Holtby to make Stars debut, start opener against Rangers

Welcome to the NHL Buzz. Throughout the 2021-22 season, NHL.com will have you covered with the latest news.

Dallas Stars

Braden Holtby will make his debut with the Stars against the New York Rangers (7 p.m. ET; MSG, BSSW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
Holtby, who signed a one-year contract with the Stars on July 28 after his contract was bought out by the Vancouver Canucks, was competing with goalies Anton Khudobin and
Jake Oettinger
in training camp.
"We feel whoever had the best camp was going to play," Stars coach Rick Bowness said. "[Holtby] had a really solid camp, he knows this team he's played in this rink an awful lot over his career… actually a pretty easy decision."
Holtby was 1-0-0 with a 1.71 goals-against average and .938 save percentage in three preseason games. He is 13-10-1 with a 2.47 GAA, .917 save percentage and one shutout in 25 career games against the Rangers.

Ottawa Senators

Matt Murray won't play for the Senators in their season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; RDS2, TSN5, TSN4, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
The goalie took part in the morning skate after practicing Wednesday. He was not on the Tuesday because of an illness.
"I'm definitely still fighting something. Not COVID, though," Murray said Wednesday. "I tested negative three times so that's a positive. I'm still running less than 100 percent right now."
Murray was 10-13-1 with a 3.38 goals-against average, .893 save percentage and two shutouts in 27 games (25 starts) last season, his first with the Senators.
Anton Forsberg will start and
Filip Gustavsson
will be the backup against the Maple Leafs. Forsberg was 3-4-1 with a 3.21 GAA and .909 save percentage in eight games with the Senators last season.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Emil Bemstrom will be out 4-6 weeks for the Blue Jackets because of a left oblique strain.
The forward, who sustained the injury in practice Tuesday, scored five points (three goals, two assists) in 20 games last season. He has scored 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists) in 76 games with Columbus the past two seasons.
The Blue Jackets open the season against the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; BSOH, BSAZ, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).

Philadelphia Flyers

Rasmus Ristolainen is day to day with an upper-body injury and the defenseman is questionable for the season opener against the Vancouver Canucks on Friday (7 p.m. ET; SN1, NBCSP, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
Ristolainen was acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres for defenseman Robert Hagg and two draft picks July 23. He scored 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) and averaged 22:17 in ice time in 49 games last season.
Forward Patrick Brown was placed in NHL COVID-19 protocol. He was claimed on waivers from the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday.
Defenseman Nick Seeler and forwards Jackson Cates and Max Willman were recalled from Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League. -- Adam Kimelman

New Jersey Devils

Mackenzie Blackwood is doubtful to play for the Devils in their season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, TVAS, MSG+, NBCSCH, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
The goalie, who played in preseason games, had surgery on his heel in June.
"He's still rehabbing off ice, so it's unlikely that he'll be ready," coach Lindy Ruff said.
Blackwood, the only Devils player who has not been vaccinated for COVID-19, is one of eight NHL goalies to play at least 82 games the past two seasons. He was 14-17-4 with a 3.04 goals-against average, .902 save percentage and one shutout in 35 games (all starts) last season.
Jonathan Bernier, who has practiced the past two days after missing five days, signed a two-year contract July 28. He and Scott Wedgewood were the only goalies practicing Thursday.
"Bernier feels good, looks like he's ready to go," Ruff said. "We'll just confirm his status tomorrow and make a decision."
Ruff also said that forward Miles Wood (lower body) and defensemen Ty Smith (lower body) and Damon Severson (lower body) are unlikely to play Friday. -- Mike G. Morreale

New York Islanders

Semyon Varlamov won't be available when the Islanders play their season opener at the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, BSSO, MSG+, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
The goalie was placed on injured reserve and has been dealing with soreness, coach Barry Trotz said. Varlamov did not practice with the team during training camp.
Ilya Sorokin is expected to start against the Hurricanes, with Cory Schneider as the backup.
"I do not think it lingered any longer," Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello said Wednesday of Varlamov's injury. "We knew that we were going to give it as much possible time as necessary to be 100 percent, and that's what we're doing. But we're extremely comfortable that it won't be long."
Varlamov was 19-11-4 with a 2.04 goals-against average and .929 save percentage in 36 games (35 starts) last season and tied for the NHL lead with seven shutouts. He was 7-7 with a 2.56 GAA and .922 save percentage in 14 Stanley Cup Playoff starts.
Sorokin is entering his second NHL season. He was 13-6-3 with a 2.17 GAA, .918 save percentage and three shutouts in 22 games (21 starts) last season. -- Brian Compton