Lauko split the 2022-23 season between the NHL and AHL, tallying seven points (4G / 3A) in 23 NHL games. Given some of the holes in the Bruins roster, Lauko will have a shot to make the team out of training camp this season.
Coghlan appeared in just 17 games for the Hurricanes last season, picking up three assists, 29 SOG and 11 hits. The 25-year-old will likely fill a similar role as the Hurricanes' No.7 defenseman in 2024 and will only see playing time when a member of the core blueline gets hurt.
Asplund was the No.33 overall pick in the 2016 NHL draft and spent the first three and a half seasons with the Sabres before being traded to the Predators last March. He was not retained by Nashville and lands in Florida where he'll provide some bottom-6 depth. The 25-year-old had just eight points (2G / 6A) in 46 games between Buffalo and Nashville last season.
Samberg had two goals, six assists, 49 SOG, 25 PIMs and a +10 plus/minus through 63 games played with Winnipeg in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year, $2.8 million contract extension ($1,400,000 AAV). The 24-year-old defenseman was Winnipeg's 2017 second round pick (43rd overall) and has 11 points (2G/9A) in 78 career games played.
Gawanke was acquired in a trade for Artemi Kniazev late last week and has now signed a one-year, two-way contract extension worth $775,000 with San Jose. The 24-year-old is coming off an incredibly strong season in Manitoba (AHL) where he had 20 goals, 25 assists, 51 PIMs and a -6 plus/minus through 68 games played in 2022-23.
Attard had 12 goals, 20 assists, 41 PIMs and a +10 plus/minus with Lehigh Valley (AHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year, $1.7 million contract extension ($850,000 AAV) with Philadelphia. The 24-year-old defenseman appeared in two games for the Flyers last season but failed to pick up a point in his brief showing.
Mete had two assists, seven SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through 11 games with Toronto in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 with Philadelphia. The 25-year-old defenseman was Montreal's 2016 fourth-round pick (100th overall) and brings five goals and 40 assists across 247 career games to the Flyers.
Koppanen had an assist, two SOG, and four PIMs through five games with Boston in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year, two-way contract worth $1.55 million ($775,000 AAV) with Pittsburgh. The 25-year-old left-winger was Boston's 2016 fifth-round pick (135th overall) and made his NHL debut in 2022-23.
Shea had seven goals, 21 assists, 36 PIMs and a +37 plus/minus through 70 games with the Texas Stars (AHL) and has signed a one-year, one-way $775,00 contract with Pittsburgh. The 26-year-old was drafted by Chicago in 2015 in the fourth-round (121st overall) and has yet to make his NHL debut despite his constant success at the AHL level.
Graves had eight goals, 18 assists, 141 SOG, 28 PIMs and a +34 plus/minus through 78 games played with New Jersey in 2022-23 and has signed a six-year, $27 million contract ($4,500,000 AAV) with Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old led the NHL in plus/minus in 2019-20 with Colorado (+40) and has racked up 28 goals and 100 points across 302 NHL games in his career thus far.
Priskie had 11 goals, 11 assists, 20 PIMs and a -9 plus/minus through 58 games with both Rochester (AHL) and San Diego (AHL) and has signed a one-year, two-way extension with Washington ($775,000/$335,000 AAV). The 27-year-old defenseman has played in four NHL games throughout his career, failing to pick up a point while adding two PIMs and a +2 plus/minus.
Pinho had 10 goals, 18 assists, 14 PIMs and a -7 plus/minus through 53 games played with Utica (AHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 AAV with the New York Islanders. The 28-year-old centre last appeared in the NHL in 2020-21, where he played his only two career games and failed to pick up a point.
Kuhlman had three goals, four assists, 48 SOG, eight PIMs and a -4 plus/minus through 47 games with both Seattle and Winnipeg in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract ($775,000 AAV) with the New York Islanders. The 27-year-old centre is joining his fourth NHL team, picking up 12 goals and 30 points across 147 career games played.
Gauthier had nine goals, five assists, six PIMs and a -6 plus/minus through 57 games with both Ottawa and the New York Rangers in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year, $1.575 million contract ($787,500 AAV) with the New York Islanders. The 25-year-old was Carolina's 2016 first-round pick (21st overall) and has picked up 14 goals and 18 assists across 153 games played in his career.
Schuldt had eight goals, 24 assists, 31 PIMs and a +22 plus/minus through 71 games with Coachella Valley (AHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 with Seattle. The 28-year-old defenseman has appeared in one NHL game throughout his career, picking up a point and a -1 plus/minus back in 2018-19.
Dumoulin had a goal, 24 assists, 82 SOG, 16 PIMs and a -4 plus/minus through 82 games with Pittsburgh in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year, $6.3 million contract ($3,150,000 AAV) with the Seattle Kraken. The 31-year-old defenseman has spent his entire 10-year NHL career in Pittsburgh; picking up 19 goals, 120 assists, and a +93 plus/minus through 546 games played.
Hayden had two goals, seven PIMs, and a +2 plus/minus through seven games with Seattle in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way deal worth $775,000 AAV. The 28-year-old centre has played for five NHL teams across his seven year career, picking up 17 goals, 37 points to go along with 290 PIMS in 247 games played.
Chaffee had five goals, two assists, eight PIMs and a +8 plus/minus in a short 10 games showing with Iowa (AHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 AAV with Tampa Bay. The 25-year-old right-winger made his NHL debut in 2021-22 with Minnesota, where he failed to pick up a point in two games.
DiVeincentiis was 36-9-2 with a .919 SV% and 2.33 GAA with Brampton (OHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract Wednesday with Winnipeg. The 19-year-old goaltender was Winnipeg's 2022 seventh-round pick (#207 overall) and is expected to return to Brampton for his third OHL season in 2023-24.
Stephens spent the 2023 season in Laval (AHL), posting 41 points (20G / 21A) in 68 games. He will most likely open the 2024 season in the AHL but could be a call-up option for the Canadiens when injuries hit during the season.
