This is a busy time, with rookies looking to make a name for themselves and veterans looking to lock down roster spots. Each day, we will have all the updates of note right here.

Welcome to the 2017 preseason! Several rookie camps opened across North America last Friday. Veterans report Thursday, for the most part hitting the ice Friday.

Karlsson hopes to begin skating within 2-3 weeks

Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson, who is recovering from foot surgery, hopes to start skating within 2-3 weeks.

Karlsson, who had surgery to repair four torn tendons in his left foot June 14, finished the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 18 points (two goals, 16 assists) in 19 games despite playing with two hairline fractures in his left heel and muscle damage in his ankle.

"It's progressing," Karlsson told TSN during the Senators' charity golf tournament Monday. "It's been the appropriate amount of time for me to start using it. Obviously, I haven't started skating yet. I don't know when that will be, probably in the next 2-3 weeks depending on how things go. Overall, not too worried about where I'm at or how it's looking right now. I think that everything is pretty much going as expected."

Karlsson will not return until he's 100 percent, meaning he could miss opening night, something he told NHL.com last week during the NHL Player Media Tour in New York. The Senators host the Washington Capitals at Canadian Tire Centre on Oct. 5.

"Whenever I'm actually 100 percent, I'm going to come back and play, whether that's in October or November," Karlsson told TSN. "For me personally, it's not going to make a difference. When I do decide to come back, it's going to be 100 percent and I'm going to be ready to play, and not make sure that it's going to be an injury I'm going to battle with for the next 2-3 years.

"I think I'm going to need at least two weeks probably to get into skating shape. Whether I feel good after those two weeks will be a determination that's going to have to be made at the time. I don't know. You never know how's it's going to react when I start skating. As of right now we're not looking like it's going to be an issue once the time starts for me to start skating."

Nylander not focused on contract, Bozak not talking extension with Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander said there have been some discussions about a contract extension, but that it is not his focus heading into the season.

"There was a little bit [of discussions] in the summer, but now I'm just focused on the season," Nylander said at the Maple Leafs' annual golf tournament at Rattle Snake Point Golf Club in Milton, Ontario, on Monday. "I just want to play really well here, and that's where my focus is now."

Nylander, 21, is entering the final season of his three-year, entry-level contract this season and has been eligible to re-sign since July 1. He finished tied for third on the Maple Leafs last season with 61 points (22 goals, 39 assists). He led the Maple Leafs with 26 power-play points.

"I'll let my agent and (Maple Leafs general manager) Lou (Lamoriello) deal with that," Nylander said when asked if he would be open to negotiating during the season. "I'm not so focused on that. I just want to play well and do even better than last year."

Veteran forward Tyler Bozak is entering the final season of a five-year, $21 million contract and will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1. So far, there have been no discussions about an extension.

"No, I haven't been talking about any of that. That's a long ways away," Bozak said. "I'm just kind of focused on the season at hand. I just want to play well and do what's best for the team."

Bozak, 31, played predominantly on a line centering James van Riemsdyk and Mitchell Marner last season. He had an NHL career-high 55 points and 37 assists. He had four points (two goals, two assists) in six Stanley Cup Playoff games, including an overtime goal against the Washington Capitals in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference First Round.

Sharp expected to be ready for Blackhawks training camp: report

Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp is expected to be ready for training camp after having hip surgery in March, according to the Sun-Times.

Sharp, 35, had 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 48 games with the Dallas Stars last season. He became an unrestricted free agent on July 1 when the Blackhawks signed him to a one-year contract.

Sharp, an eight-time 20-goal scorer, has won the Stanley Cup three times with the Blackhawks (2010, 2012, 2015).

Foligno, Wild could reach contract this week

Restricted free agent forward Marcus Foligno is expected to agree to a contract with the Minnesota Wild by the start of training camp on Thursday.

"We're close now," general manager Chuck Fletcher said on Monday. "I can't imagine he won't be in camp. It's a fresh start for him, and I think he's excited about the opportunity to play in Minnesota. This is an opportunity for him to make a first impression, not only on the coaches and the fans, but also his teammates so I can't imagine he'll miss camp. ... We've made progress so I expect to get it done this week"

Foligno, 26, who was traded to the Wild from the Buffalo Sabres with forward Tyler Ennis for forward Jason Pominville and defenseman Marco Scandella on June 30, had 23 points (13 goals, 10 assists) last season and has increased his goal total in each of the past four seasons. Foligno made $2.25 million last season.

The Wild have $2.14 million in cap space with 22 of 23 roster players under contract, according to CapFriendly.com. Forwards Nino Niederreiter (five years, $26.25 million; $5.25 million average annual value) and center Mikael Granlund (three years, $17.25 million; $5.75 million AAV) signed as restricted free agents earlier this offseason.

"Marcus Foligno is a young man that scored 13 goals last season and is amongst the leader in hits, he's a big physical presence," Fletcher said. "He can kill penalties, he's strong on the wall and can battle against the bigger defenseman in our division and our league."

-Sean Sharpiro, NHL.com correspondent

Sharks sign Mashinter to one-year contract

The San Jose Sharks signed forward Brandon Mashinter to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not released.

Mashinter, 28, had 30 points (15 goals, 15 assists) in 61 games with Rockford of the American Hockey League last season.

"Brandon brings a veteran presence to our group and his power forward style of play and leadership qualities will be nice complements to our organization's depth," Sharks assistant general manager Joe Will said. "We are obviously familiar with him both on and off the ice and are excited to welcome him back to San Jose."

In 64 games, Mashinter, who made his NHL debut with the Sharks in 2010, has four goals, one assist and 50 penalty minutes with San Jose, the Chicago Blackhawks and the New York Rangers.

VandeVelde gets PTO with Senators

Center Chris VandeVelde signed a professional tryout agreement with the Ottawa Senators.

VandeVelde, 30, received an invitation to Senators training camp, which begins Thursday. He had 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in 81 games with the Philadelphia Flyers last season and could earn a bottom-six role with the Senators.

VandeVelde has 48 points (18 goals, 30 assists) in 278 NHL games with the Edmonton Oilers and Flyers.

Oilers invite Kelly to camp

Center Chris Kelly signed a PTO with the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday and received an invitation to camp.

Kelly, 36, has 289 points (123 goals, 166 assists) in 833 NHL games with the Senators and Boston Bruins. He was an alternate captain for five seasons in Boston, where he won the Stanley Cup in 2011. Oilers GM Paul Chiarelli was general manager of the Bruins at the time.

Last season, Kelly had 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 82 games with the Senators.