NHL Hockey Player News

Petersen, 22, was a fifth round pick in 2013 and signed with the Kings as a college free agent after three years at Notre Dame. Last season, Petersen was 23-12-5 with a 2.22 GAA and .926 SV% in 40 starts with the Fighting Irish and should report to Ontario (AHL) to start 2017-18.

Hartnell was bought out after three seasons in Columbus and now lands in Nashville on what might be the best value deal of the summer. Hartnell isn’t graceful, but he puts the puck in the net with regularity. He had a tougher time than normal on that front last year, but he should be expected to score 20 goals with 20-plus assists this season, with a good chunk of those numbers coming on the power play.

Nemeth, 25, has split his first few professional seasons between the NHL and AHL. In 2016-17 he appeared in the most NHL games to this point, suiting up for 40 contests, but only managed to record three assists. Nemeth has not posed strong offensive numbers at any level, so don’t expect him to start now.

McCollum was a first round pick of the Red Wings in 2008 and spent six years in the organization before being dealt to the Flames. A year ago he found himself in the AHL and ECHL, posting a 2.10 GAA and .926 SV% in 17 starts with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL). McCollum will likely share a crease with Jared Coreau after Eddie Pasquale walked in free agency.

After being a highly sought after college free agent, Folin struggled to find his way with the Wild, posting just 23 points (4G / 19A) in 118 games. Folin has good size (6-foot-3 / 214 lbs) and a strong two-way game, but won’t do a lot of damage offensively, which keeps him off of the fantasy radar.

Miller, 36, is getting up there in years, but should serve as a quality backup and mentor to the seemingly oft-injured John Gibson. Miller started 150 games in his three years with the Canucks, posting a 2.69 GAA and .914 SV%. Miller will play behind a much better defensive team, which makes him one of the better backup options/handcuffs available on draft day.

Flynn, 28, had six goals and four assists (10 points) in 51 games with Montreal last season. Flynn is a quality fourth line forward that excels on the penalty kill—averaged 1:37 SH/TOI per game last year. Flynn will attempt to help a Stars PK that ranked dead last in the NHL last season at 73.9%.

Dadonov, 28, was a third round pick of the Panthers in 2007 but has been in Russia since 2012-13. Dadonov had 20 points (10G / 10A) in 55 NHL games in his first go-around in North America. In his last three seasons in the KHL, Dadonov averaged 24 goals and 29 assists and comes back to the NHL where he is expected to play a top-6 role. Panthers’ GM Dale Tallon has said he expects Dadonov to play with Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau, which makes him a huge fantasy sleeper heading into 2017-18.

Ferraro, 25, had some strong years in Grand Rapids (AHL) as a part of the Red Wings organization, but has been less successful in the NHL since. In 2016-17, the winger had 15 points (7G / 8A) in 22 games with the Chicago Wolves (AHL) and should start this season in Iowa.

Murphy has had an interesting week. He was traded from Carolina to Calgary and then bought out before signing with the Wild on Saturday. The former No.12 overall pick is mobile and has a lot of offensive upside, but needs to polish his defensive game. Injuries have been a concern for the 24-year-old as well, but sticking in the NHL should be his main concern.

O’Reilly, 30, has been a strong producer at the AHL level, but hasn’t been able to do the same during his NHL stints. Cal isn’t as talented as his brother Ryan, but he can be a serviceable bottom-6 forward for the Wild, but he will likely spend more time in Iowa (AHL) than Minnesota.

Leighton, 36, has been a strong AHL netminder throughout his lengthy career, but has posted a 2.98 GAA and .900 SV% in 111 career NHL appearances. Leighton has posted a SV% above .918 in each of his last three AHL seasons and will help replace Kristers Gudlevskis, who was traded to the New York Islanders.