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).
Guentzel was expected to miss most of the opening month of the season after undergoing off-season ankle surgery but has now been deemed fit to play on opening night. Lining up primarily alongside Sidney Crosby, Guentzel has been the picture of consistency over the last five seasons, tallying 333 points (159G / 174A) in 331 games. Expect Guentzel to continue his point-per-game pace lining up on the top line and top powerplay unit for the Penguins.
If MacEwen is unable to play in the season opener, the Senators will likely have to play with only 11 forwards. MacEwen recorded 10 points last season (4G / 6A) and 66 PIM across 56 games between the Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings last season.
Ristolainen skated with the Flyers this weekend in practice but will begin the 2023-24 season on the injured reserve as he deals with an undisclosed injury. The 28-year-old defensemen will miss an undisclosed amount of time leaving a large gap in the Flyers defensive unit. 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.
Stalock signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Ducks in the offseason to provide the team with goaltending depth but has been assigned to San Diego (AHL) to start the 2023-24 season. The 36-year-old netminder was one of the best comeback stories of 2022-23 as he posted a 9-15-2 record, .908 SV%, and 3.01 GAA with the Blackhawks. If he returns to the NHL it will mark his 12th season at the highest level.
Soucy left the Canucks' final preseason game vs. Calgary due to a leg injury and is now expected to be out week-to-week. The 28-year-old was signed to a three-year, $9.75 million contract in the offseason and was expected to be a key part of the Canucks' defensive unit. He had three goals, 13 assists, 87 SOG, 68 PIMs and a +18 plus/minus through 78 games with Seattle in 2022-23.
Annuen was expected to make the Avalanche's opening-day roster until they scooped up Ivan Prosvetov from Arizona on waivers Monday which has led to the netminder being assigned to Colorado (AHL) to start the 2023-24 season. The 23-year-old Finnish netminder appeared in two games for the Avalanche in 2022-23 and had a 1-1-0 record, .854 SV%, and 3.58 GAA.
Martinez will not be a part of Vegas' opening night roster after it was announced he would be out week-to-week with an upper-body injury but is not expected to be out long-term. The 36-year-old defenseman had three goals, 11 assists, 76 SOG, 29 PIMs, and a +30 plus/minus through 77 games with Vegas in 2022-23. He was a key part of their 2023 Stanley Cup championship run.
Hellebuyck led the NHL in games played in 2022-23 (64) to go along with his 37-25-2 record, .920 SV%, and 2.49 GAA and has now signed a seven-year, $59.5 million contract extension ($8,500,000) with Winnipeg. The 30-year-old workhorse goaltender is entering his ninth NHL season with Winnipeg and has a 238-154-37 record with a career .916 SV% and 2.66 GAA.
Scheifele had 42 goals, 26 assists, 43 PIMs, 206 SOG, and a -16 plus/minus through 81 games played in 2022-23 and has now signed a seven-year, $59.5 million contract extension ($8,500,000 AAV). The 30-year-old Jets captain is entering his 13th NHL season (all with Winnipeg) and has 272 goals and 645 points in 723 career games played.
Pacioretty will open the season on the injured reserve for the Washington Capitals as he continues to recover from his second Achilles surgery in one year. Over the last three seasons, Pacioretty has struggled vehemently with injuries, playing only 92 total games over that span. After recovering from his first Achilles surgery, he was only able to play five games last season before re-injuring his Achilles and forcing an abrupt end to his season. He scored three goals and registered 16 SOG in those five games. There is not yet a definitive timeline for his return, but he will poised to prove he can still be an effective goal scorer in the NHL.
Savoie was a longshot to make the Blackhawks' opening night roster but had a wrench thrown in those plans with a femur injury that has landed him on the injured reserve and out indefinitely. The 19-year-old forward was Chicago's 2022 3rd-round pick (81st overall). He had 26 goals, 33 assists, 90 PIMs, and a +30 plus/minus in 60 games with Gatineau (QMJHL) in 2022-23.
Philp had the potential to make the Blackhawks' opening night roster but has now been placed on the injured reserve indefinitely with an injured Achilles. The 27-year-old forward appeared in three games for Chicago in 2022-23 and picked up an assist and two PIMs. He played the majority of last season in Rockford, where he had 29 goals, 53 points and a +17 plus/minus in 60 games played.
Dach was Chicago's 2021 2nd-round selection (62nd overall) and was fighting for a spot on the Blackhawks' opening roster but has been unfortunately placed on the injured reserve to start the season with a right ankle injury. The 20-year-old forward has yet to make his NHL debut but had 12 goals, 15 assists, 31 PIMs, and a +11 plus/minus through 23 games played with both Kelowna (WHL) and Seattle (WHL) in 2022-23. He likely will be loaned to Rockford (AHL) when he is fully recovered.
Blackwell had two goals, eight assists, 53 SOG, six PIMs, and a -16 plus/minus through 53 games with Chicago in 2022-23 but will begin the 2023-24 season on the injured reserve due to a lower-body injury. The 30-year-old veteran forward is considered out indefinitely as he begins his sixth NHL season. He will be used as a key depth piece when he returns to the Blackhawks.
Kurashev was injured in the Blackhawks' preseason back on September 28th and has been placed on the injured reserve retroactive to that date with a left wrist injury. The 23-year-old forward is expected to be out indefinitely to start the season after collecting nine goals, 16 assists, 116 SOG, 14 PIMs, and a -32 plus/minus in 70 games with Chicago in 2022-23.
