Tanev is a stable defenseman that can play the tough minutes but offers very little in the way of offence. Tanev struggled when he wasn't paired with Quinn Hughes in 2020 but this addresses a big need after the departure of TJ Brodie. Expect Brodie to be paired with Mark Giordano at the top of the Flames' blueline.
Brodzinski had a strong AHL season in 2020, finishing fifth on the San Jose Barracuda with 30 points (14G / 16A) in 44 games. The former fifth-round pick has had a tough time cracking the NHL and that won't change after signing with a deep Rangers team.
Appleton produced high-end numbers at Michigan State and in the AHL but has just 18 points (8G / 10A) in 82 career NHL games. Given the Jets' solid depth on the wing, Appleton will likely be a fourth liner for the duration of 2021, making it unlikely for his numbers to improve.
Davidson was one of a few depth defensemen that the Sabres added on Friday. The 29-year-old played 12 NHL games with the Flames and Sharks in 2020, failing to record a point. Look for him to play for the Rochester Americans (AHL) in 2021.
Krug is one of the league's best offensive-defensemen and will be a strong replacement for Alex Pietrangelo. Krug will likely skate on the top-pair with Colton Parayko and will quarterback the top power-play unit. His PP production has been elite but that's been on one of the best units in the NHL. It will be interesting to see how much of that carries over to St. Louis. Krug has registered at least 44 points in five straight seasons, averaging eight goals and 43 assists (51 points) per season.
Nosek scored eight goals with seven assists (15 points) in 67 games in 2020. He has been super consistent but unspectacular during his time in Vegas, recording 15, 17 and 15 points in three seasons. Look for Nosek to be the Golden Knights' fourth line centre with Will Carrier and Ryan Reaves on his wings.
Cousins will be on his fourth team in three years but has turned into a reliable third-line winger in recent years. Cousins has chipped in 27 and 25 points in each of the last two seasons and should have similar production in Nashville.
Brodie has tremendous mobility and is a quality puck-moving defenseman that can play both sides. Brodie is coming off of a down year, registering 19 points (4G / 15A) in 64 games. This comes after six years of at least 30 points, averaging seven goals and 30 assists (37 points) per season. Brodie replaces Tyson Barrie on the Leafs' blueline and his signing all but takes them out of the Alex Pietrangelo sweepstakes.
The Coyotes did not tender the RFA, letting him hit the open market and signing on with the Panthers. The former sixth-round pick had a great debut season in Arizona, posting 39 points (16G / 23A) but struggled to just 22 points (5G / 17A) last season. Hinostroza is a good bounce-back candidate in Florida, where he'll be a middle-6 winger.
Rinaldo split his 2020 campaign between the AHL and NHL, finishing the season in Calgary and playing in five playoff games. The pugilist could start 2021 on the Flames roster but likely won't be a regular player.
In his first two seasons with the Canadiens, Ouellet has appeared in a combined 31 NHL games and 86 AHL games. Most recently, he had nine goals and 15 assists (24 points) in 39 games with Laval (AHL). With the addition of Joel Edmundson, Noah Juulsen back at 100 percent and Alexander Romanov coming over from Russia, Ouellet is pushed down the depth chart.
Little has been dealing with concussion-like symptoms since taking a puck to the head last November and hasn't played since. Doctors have advised Little not to play in the 2021 season, so unfortunately this could be the end of the 32-year-old's career. Paul Stastny was acquired to serve as the Jets' No.2 centre, a role typically filled by Little.
Sbisa was part of the Jets' blueline rotation in 2020, tallying 10 points (2G / 8A) in 44 games. Sbisa is a big, physical defenseman, who ranked second among Jets' defensemen in Hits/60. Without adding any defensemen as of now, Sbisa will likely serve a similar role in 2021.
Noesen signed with the Penguins last December but was claimed off of waivers by the Sharks a few weeks later. He played out the rest of the season in San Jose, recording six goals and two assists (eight points) in 34 games. Noesen will likely serve as a 12th/13th forward for the Sharks in 2021.
Sherwood signed with the Ducks after three years at Miami (Ohio) University and spent the first three years of his career in their system. He had 23 points (16G / 7A) in 37 games with San Diego (AHL) a season ago and 13 points (6G / 7A) in 60 career NHL games.
Gillies went 14-10-4 with a 2.69 GAA and .907 SV% in 30 AHL games with the Stockton Heat in 2020. Gillies is still just 26-years-old but will be headed to Springfield (AHL) to start 2021.
Dries spent almost all of 2020 in the AHL, scoring 21 goals with 14 assists (35 points) in 50 games with the Colorado Eagles. The 26-year-old did appear in five game with the Avalanche and now has six points (3G / 3A) in 45 career NHL games. With the Avalanche having one of the deepest forward groups in the NHL, Dries is likely destined for the AHL in 2021.
Shaw spent a large portion of 2020 with the Jets, registering just five points (3G / 2A) in 35 games. Shaw has produced strong numbers at the AHL-level but has settled in as a fourth-liner in his NHL career. If he starts 2021 in the AHL, he'll likely be one of the first forwards called-up by Ottawa.
Peca has been a fringe NHLer for a few years now but only played 14 games with Montreal and Ottawa in 2020. He spent most of the season in Laval (AHL) where he had just 13 points (4G / 9A) in 34 games. The hard-working, industrious winger will likely start 2021 in the AHL but would be a candidate to get promoted to the Senators' fourth line when injuries hit.
Barber is a former sixth-round pick (2012) who has been a terrific point producer at the AHL-level. The 26-year-old had 16 goals and 21 assists (37 points) in 46 AHL games a season ago and will start 2021 with Grand Rapids (AHL).
