Bastian had six goals, nine assists, 62 SOG, 31 PIMs and a +7 plus/minus through an injury riddled 2022-23, and has signed a two-year contract extension worth $2.7 million ($1.35M AAV). The 25-year-old right-winger was New Jersey's 2016 second-round pick (41st overall) and has played all but 12 of his 163 career games with the Devils.
O'Reilly had 16 goals, 14 assists, 102 SOG, 16 PIMs and a -21 plus/minus through 53 games in 2022-23 with both St.Louis and Toronto and has signed a four-year contract worth $18.0 million ($4.5M AAV). The 32-year-old centre joins his fifth NHL team and is only nine games from the prestigious 1000 game mark with 256 goals and 702 points during that span.
Reaves is the most feared grinder in the NHL, who finished with 15 points (5G / 10A) with 43 PIMS and 196 hits in 73 games with the Rangers and Wild last season. Reaves will skate on the Maple Leafs fourth line and will skate under 10 minutes per game.
The Predators are trying to change their culture, and Schenn's work ethic will help do that. The veteran defenseman had 22 points (4G / 18A) and 318 hits in seven games with the Canucks and Maple Leafs last season.
Edmundson has one year left on a contract that carries a $3.5M cap hit. Edmundson will solidify the Capitals' third pair and could be a candidate to skate with John Carlson. Edmundson had 13 points (2G / 11A), 112 hits and 149 blocked shots in 61 games with Montreal last season.
Raanta has battled injuries over the last three seasons but has posted a strong 2.34 GAA and .911 SV% in 55 games. Raanta will pair with Pyotr Kochetkov as the Hurricanes' goaltending tandem and gives them and incredibly cheap duo in the crease.
Columbus selected Fantilli with the No.3 overall pick in this year's draft. Fantilli had an outstanding season at the University of Michigan, scoring 30 goals with 35 assists (65 points) in 36 games. He also added five points (2G / 3A) in seven games while representing Canada at the World Juniors. Fantilli is a candidate to make the Blue Jackets out of training camp and could play a huge role in his rookie campaign.
Fast doesn't provide a lot of offence but is a terrific two-way forward that has paired nicely with Jordan Staal during his time in Carolina. Fast scored 10 goals with 19 assists (29 points) in 80 games in 2023.
It looked as if Blackwood was going to hit the open market, but the Sharks were able get him under contract after acquiring his rights from the Devils. Blackwood has battled injuries over the last few seasons, most recently appearing in just 22 games in 2023, going 10-6-2 with a 3.20 GAA and .893 SV%.
Ekman-Larsson had two goals and 20 assists (22 points) in 54 games with the Canucks last season before being bought out this summer. With Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour expected to miss a portion of the early part of next season, Ekman-Larsson provides some veteran depth on the blueline.
Luff spent most of the 2023 season in the AHL, but had four points (2G / 2A) and 22 hits in 19 games with the Red Wings. Luff will be a bubble player heading into the 2024 and could start the season back in Grand Rapids, where he had 25 points (8G / 17A) in 28 games last season.
Bernard-Docker split his time between the NHL and AHL during the 2023 season. While in Ottawa, the 23-year-old defenseman had one assist, 22 shots and 23 hits in 19 games. He figures to be in the mix for regular playing time during the 2023-24 season.
The 2023 season was Brannstrom's first full NHL season, scoring two goals with 16 assists (18 points) in 74 games. Brannstrom is a quality offensive-defenseman but it will be hard for him to carve out a significant role with Thomas Chabot, Jakob Chychrun and Jake Sanderson ahead of him on the depth chart.
Tucker was a seventh-round pick in 2018 and made his NHL debut in 2023, appearing in 26 games for the Blues. He picked up one goal and three assists (four points). During his time in Springfield (AHL), the 23-year-old defenseman had 21 points (3G / 18A) in 41 games.
Swaney was a seventh-round pick in 2017 and made his NHL debut in 2023, but one game was all he got. He spent the rest of the season in the AHL, posting 18 goals and 12 assists (30 points) in 48 games.
Mermis spent most of the 2023 season in the AHL, but appeared in two NHL games with the Wild. The 29-year-old blue liner had 26 points (5G / 21A) in 63 AHL games and has four points (1G / 3A) in 27 career NHL games with the Coyotes, Devils and Wild.
McIntyre spent the entire 2023 season in the AHL, where he was 16-12-5 with a 2.87 GAA, .899 SV% and three shutouts. The 30-year-old netminder has not appeared in an NHL game since 2017 with the Bruins.
Rosburg spent all of 2023 with the Texas Stars (AHL), where he had just three assists in 12 games. The 27-year-old undrafted free agent has yet to appear in an NHL game, but has six goals and 20 assists (26 points) in 115 career AHL games since turning pro in 2020.
Kostin was acquired from the Oilers earlier in the week and signed a two-year deal with the Red Wings, where he'll bring some offence and grit to their bottom-6. After being traded from St. Louis to Edmonton early last season, Kostin tallied 21 points (11G / 10A) and 157 hits across 57 games with the Oilers.
Daccord was 2-1-1 with a 3.14 GAA and .900 SV% in 2022-23 with the Kraken and has signed a two-year, $2.4 million contract extension ($1.2 million AAV). The 26-year-old goaltender was Ottawa's 7th round draft pick in 2015 (199th overall) and has appeared in 19 NHL games over four season, posting a 3-9-2 record, 884 SV% and 3.64 GAA.
