Ice hockey: the main stories of 24.09.2026

The death of Alexander Kuzmenko, head coach of the National Hockey Centre and father of Andrei Kuzmenko, is confirmed by six sources. He died after a bear attack in Tuva. The news arrives with the weight of finality. No tragedy is a fixture update, but this is a heavy start to the window. The full report.

On the ice, things are tighter. Metallurg applied a disciplinary sanction to coach Andrei Razin for remarks deemed unprofessional. The club insists on corporate ethics. Details here. In the KHL, Avangard are short-handed; goalkeeper Nikita Serebryakov misses the Spartak game after a head injury. More on the injury. Meanwhile, Toronto beat Ottawa twice in pre-season, with Sergey Bobrovsky making 13 saves. Pre-season recap.

Elsewhere, the wire is quiet on confirmed outcomes. Torpedo beat Sochi 3:0, though this rests on one source. Avtomobilist lost 2:5 to Severstal, also unconfirmed. Chicago signed Oliver Moore to a five-year deal worth $4.25 million annually. Contract details. In Vancouver, Ilya Safonov was sent down to the AHL, a move the agent says is within expectations. Safonov update.

• Adam Fantilli is ready to sign with Columbus on a 4-5 year term, though the club wants six. Fantilli talks.
• Dylan Larkin returned to Detroit training after a body injury. Larkin returns.
• Mark Messier said he was in shock at Mike Babcock’s hiring by Edmonton. Messier reacts.
• San Jose and Winnipeg discussed a trade for goalie Connor Hellebuyck. Hellebuyck talks.
• Vladimir Tarasenko could return to Florida. Tarasenko future.

Pre-season league: Tampa plays Florida, Columbus meets Pittsburgh, Rangers face New Jersey, Vegas hosts Utah. All times local.