Grubauer was 17-14-4 with a 2.85 GAA and .895 SV% in 2022-23 with Seattle and is their likely starter for their opener Tuesday vs. Vegas after he was the first goalie off the ice at the team's morning skate. He will face the reigning Stanley Cup Champions in Vegas, who were 14th in the NHL in 2022-23 in goals for (267) and 15th in shots on goal per game (31.5).
Sourdif was sent to Charlotte (AHL) earlier this week but has been recalled Tuesday to provide forward depth. The 23-year-old had seven goals, 17 assists, 32 PIMs, and a -4 plus/minus through 48 games played with Charlotte (AHL) in 2022-23. He has yet to make his NHL debut after being draft in the third round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft (87th overall).
Fabbro had two goals, nine assists, 50 PIMs, 101 SOG, and a -4 plus/minus through 79 games with Nashville in 2022-23 but will be a healthy scratch for their first game of the season vs. Tampa Bay. The 25-year-old defenseman is entering his sixth NHL season and should find himself in the Predators' lineup more often than not this season.
Saros was 33-23-7 with a 2.69 GAA and a .919 SV% in 63 games started in 2022-23 and will take the crease for Nashville's season opener vs. Tampa Bay on Tuesday. He will face the Lightning, who finished last season eighth in the NHL in goals for (280) and 13th in shots per game (32.0).
Couture has missed the entire preseason with a lower-body injury and will be forced to miss the Sharks' season opener vs. Vegas as he is week-to-week with the ailment. The 34-year-old top-line centre is a massive loss for San Jose after he had 27 goals, 40 assists, 198 SOG, 19 PIMs, and a -30 plus/minus through 82 games in 2022-23.
Hill was awarded a two-year, $9.8 million contract extension by Vegas in the offseason and will take the crease in their opening matchup of the 2023-24 campaign. The 27-year-old was 16-7-1 with a .915 SV% and a 2.50 GAA in 27 games played in 2022-23 before leading the Golden Knights to a Stanley Cup. He draws the tough task of the Seattle Kraken who were fourth in the NHL in GF in 2022-23 (289) and 20th in SOG/GP (30.5).
Johnston was placed on waivers by the Islanders on Monday and claimed by Anaheim on Tuesday. The 29-year-old bruising left-winger carries an annual cap hit of $1.1 million and is expected to be an intimidating presence in the Ducks bottom-six. He had two assists, 37 PIMs, two SOG, and a -1 plus/minus in 16 games played with the Islanders in 2022-23. He leaves New York after seven seasons, nine goals, 15 assists, and 283 PIMs through 134 career games played.
Gregor was a full-time member of the San Jose Sharks the last two seasons, accumulating 40 points (18G / 22A) across 120 games. The 25-year-old centerman will provide some nice forward depth for the Maple Leafs roster.
The NHL journeyman suited up for 61 games last season between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators while tallying 12 points (4G / 8A). Brown could once again see semi-regular playing time at the NHL level this season due to the Bruins' lack of center depth.
The Oilers' second-round pick from the 2023 NHL Entry Draft is currently in his third season with the Barrie Colts of the OHL. The talented defenseman has three points (1G / 2A) in four games with the Colts this season.
After clearing waivers earlier this week, Jones has now been traded to the Avalanche in exchange for Cal Burke. The Texas native has 217 career games under his belt, tallying 50 points (14G / 36A) in that span. Jones will likely serve as a depth defenseman for the Avalanche this season.
Burke had 16 goals, 23 assists, 18 PIMs, and a +12 plus/minus in 70 games with Colorado (AHL) in 2022-23 and has been traded to Carolina for Caleb Jones. The 26-year-old forward originally joined Colorado as an undrafted free agent in 2020-21 and has played three AHL seasons for the Eagles. He made his NHL debut during the 2022-23 season with the Avalanche, playing in two games and failing to pick up a point.
Ristolainen skated with the Flyers this weekend in practice and is beginning the 2023-24 season on the injured reserve as he deals with an undisclosed injury but is a game-time decision for Philadelphia's opener Thursday vs. Columbus. If the 28-year-old defenseman is unable to go it will leave a large gap in the Flyers defensive pairings. In his first season in Philadelphia in 2022-23 he had three goals, 17 assists, 86 SOG, 32 PIMs, and a -4 plus/minus through 74 games played.
Svechnikov's return to the lineup remains uncertain but it appears he will likely miss at least the first six games of the season. Last season, Svechnikov scored 55 points (23G / 32A) in 64 games before having season-ending knee surgery. Teuvo Teravainen stands to be the biggest benefactor and will likely slide up to the left-wing position on the second line.
Vasilevskiy has officially been placed on LTIR after having back surgery and is expected to miss approximately two months to start the season. Jonas Johansson has been appointed the starting goalie position for the Lightning in the interim and had a very impressive preseason, posting a 3-0-0 record along with a 2.10 GAA and .932 SV%.
Tufte was the 25th overall pick of the Dallas Stars in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft but was never able to become a permanent fixture in their roster, playing only 13 total games and scoring one goal. He will look to have a more regular role this season on Colorado's fourth line.
Haula is battling an undisclosed injury and his status for the Devils' opening game is uncertain. Last season was Haula's first with the Devils, in which he scored 41 points (14G / 27A) in 80 games. Haula is projected to center a talented third line between Ondrej Palat and Alexander Holtz but if he is unable to play, Michael McLeod might temporarily fill his position.
Allen had an underwhelming preseason, posting a 4.00 GAA and .854 SV% in two games (1-0-0) but will still begin the 2023-24 campaign as the starting goalie for the Montreal Canadiens. In 42 games last season (15-24-3), Allen posted career worsts in GAA (3.55) and SV% (.891), mirroring the Canadiens' 29th-ranked team defence that allowed an average of 3.72 goals per game. However, in his career against the Maple Leafs, Allen sports a respectable 2.60 GAA and .917 SV% in 18 appearances (8-7-0).
