Wild stay on top as Bedard nears return: Central Division roundup

The Minnesota Wild are setting the early pace in the Central Division. With a 4–2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, they move to 9 points in 6 games (4-1-1) and hold first place ahead of Utah (8 points) and Winnipeg (7 points).

Wild stay hot but lose Sturm during 4–2 win

Minnesota took down Vegas 4–2 on Monday, leaning on special teams yet again. According to Sportsnet, Max Shabanov scored on the power play during a three-goal first period for the Wild, who then locked things down to secure their fourth win of the year. Sportsnet also notes that Matt Boldy found the back of the net for Minnesota.

The win came with a concern up front. Centre Nico Sturm was injured after being struck in the head by a puck late in the first period, as reported by Daily Faceoff and Sportsnet. No further update was provided on his condition or potential timeline.

In Chicago, Bedard close; in Dallas, Duchene still out

In Chicago, all eyes are on Connor Bedard’s status. Daily Faceoff reports the young centre is a game-time decision against the Penguins as he works his way back from an off-season shoulder injury. Sportsnet adds that Bedard is closing in on a return to the Blackhawks’ lineup; Chicago sits last in the Central with just 2 points through 6 games (1-5-0).

As previously covered on our site, the Dallas Stars will be without Matt Duchene for roughly three months following core muscle surgery. The Hockey News and Daily Faceoff revisit how that absence factors into a Stars offence still searching for consistency, with Dallas currently sixth in the division at 5 points from 5 games.

Avalanche, Predators and Blues juggling early-season questions

In Colorado, Sportsnet reports Arizona State is close to hiring Avalanche assistant Dave Hakstol as its next head coach. A week-ahead piece from The Hockey Writers highlights Colorado’s focus on defensive depth and bottom-six competition as the team, fourth in the Central with 6 points, continues to tweak its lineup early on.

For the Nashville Predators, The Hockey Writers note that several prominent veterans could become trade options if the season unravels, a storyline to watch with Nashville sitting fifth at 6 points. In St. Louis, the same outlet points to early-season lineup instability for the Blues, a familiar October theme for a group still settling into its structure.