Lyubushkin had four assists in 41 games with the Coyotes this season. The 25-year-old defenseman came to the NHL after spending six years in the KHL. Lyubushkin will likely serve as the Coyotes No.6/No.7 defenseman in 2019-20.
Ingram, who was selected in the third-round (No.88 overall) in 2016, split his 2018-19 season between the AHL and ECHL. The 22-year-old was 14-7-0 with a 2.26 GAA and .922 SV% with Syracuse (AHL) and 8-2-0 with a 2.81 GAA and .914 SV% with Orlando (ECHL). With Pekka Rinne entering his age-37 season, Ingram could serve as the Predators’ future No.2 behind Juuse Saros.
Olofsson was originally selected in the second-round in 2013 and ended up with Montreal after spending the first four years of his career the Wild’s organization. Olofsson had eight assists in 41 games with Minnesota last season and had one assist in just two games with Laval (AHL).
In his second season with the Islanders, Eberle struggled in the regular season, posting just 37 points (19G / 18A) in 78 games but cranked it up in the playoffs. Eberle got hot in the first two rounds of the postseason, leading the Islanders with nine points (4G / 5A) in eight games. Eberle joins Andrew Ladd and Nick Leddy as players earning $5.5 AAV from the Islanders.
Niskanen, who has a modified no-trade clause, has two years left on his seven-year deal that carries a $5.75M cap-hit. While with Washington, Niskanen never turned out the offensive production that he did in his final year in Pittsburgh, earning himself that huge deal. Since signing with the Capitals, Niskanen is tied for 38th among defensemen with 156 points (29G / 127A) in 390 games. He had eight goals and 17 assists (25 points) in 80 games a season ago.
Gudas is heading into the final year of his four-year deal that carries a $3.35 million cap-hit, versus Niskanen’s two remaining years at $5.75 million. Gudas is coming off of one of his best offensive seasons, scoring four goals with 16 assists (20 points) in 77 games. Gudas was second on the Flyers in hits (255) and tied for third in blocked shots (133). He will help bolster the Capitals penalty-kill, where he played 2:37 per game last year—second among Flyers skaters.
Gustafsson was picked in the second-round (No.60 overall) in 2018 and is coming off of his second season in the Swedish Elite League. Gustafsson had two goals and 10 assists (12 points) in 36 games with HV71 and also had three assists in five games while playing with Sweden at the U20 World Juniors.
The Flames drafted Tuulola in the sixth-round (No.156 overall) in 2016. The 21-year-old winger had 13 gaols and 23 assists (36 points( in 60 games with HPK Hameenlinna of the Finnish Elite League this season.
Klimchuk is a former first-round pick (No.28 overall in 2013) but bounced all over Canada last year. The 25-year-old spent the first three years of his career in Calgary before being moved to Toronto and eventually Ottawa last year. He played 17 games with the Flames AHL affiliate, 13 with Toronto’s and eight with Ottawa’s—overall he had nine goals and six assists (15 points) in 38 AHL games.
Bartkowski, 31, spent most of the 2018-19 season in the AHL, where he had 19 points (4G / 15A) in 70 games. The veteran defenseman had one goal in two games with Minnesota and has 48 points (8G / 40A) in 255 career NHL games.
Russell had a career-best 40 points (18G / 22A) in 51 games with Bakersfield (AHL) this season. Russell also appeared in the first six games of his NHL career with the Oilers but did not register a point.
O’Brien, 24, had 15 goals and 13 assists (28 points) in 74 games with the Hershey Bears (AHL) this season. The undrafted centre has just one goal and one assist in 17 career NHL games with Washington.
New Jersey selected Boqvist with the No.36 overall pick in 2017. The 20-year-old centre has been in the Swedish Elite League since 2016 and is coming off of a season where he had 35 points (13G / 22A) in 51 games with Brynas IF—good for second on the team.
Sodergran, 19, was selected in the sixth-round (No.165 overall) in 2018. The right winger had eight goals and five assists (13 points) while playing with Linkopings HC of the Swedish Elite League. Sodergran also represented Sweden at the U20 World Juniors, but failed to record a point in four games.
Ebert was originally a seventh-round pick of the Kings back in 2012 but never made it to the NHL, appearing in 157 AHL games across three seasons with the Kings and Stars organizations. Ebert left North America after the 2017 and played one season in the KHL and another in the Swedish Elite League, where he had 11 goals and 22 assists (33 points) in 49 games with Orebro HK last season.
There seemed to be some optimism that Grzelcyk would be able to return in Game 5 after being listed as a game-time decision, but the Bruins defenseman will be held out once again for Game 6.
Kampfer dressed as a seventh defenseman in Game 5 but will be replaced by Karson Kuhlman for Game 6. The Bruins will go back to 12 forwards and six defenseman, which means that David Backes remains scratched as well.
Kuhlman has not played since April 30th, which was Game 1 vs. the Blue Jackets, but will dress in a must-win Game 6 on Sunday. Kuhlman will replace Steven Kampfer, as the Bruins go back to the traditional 12 forwards and six defenseman look tonight. Kuhlman, who has one assist in six playoff games, will start on the second line with David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk.
Thomas has been out since Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals but is set to return in a potential Stanley Cup clinching Game 6 in St. Louis. Thomas, who has six points (1G / 5A) in the postseason, will replace Ivan Barbashev who was suspended for a hit to the head on Marcus Johansson in Game 5.
While Johansson was taking a shot, Barbashev caught him in the head with his shoulder and the NHL deemed it was worthy of a one-game suspension. Robert Thomas, if he’s healthy, will likely replace Barbashev in Game 6, but if he can’t play it will be Robby Fabbri.
