Hartman has the unenviable task of trying to replaced the beloved Andrew Shaw in Chicago. The former first round pick (30th overall in 2013) had 35 points (15G / 20A) in 61 games with Rockford (AHL) last season and one assist in three NHL games. He is expected to make the team and start on a hybrid checking/scoring line with Marcus Kruger and Marian Hossa.
Huberdeau was injured in Saturday’s preseason game against the Devils when the skate of Sergey Kalinin came down on Huberdeau’s ankle. Huberdeau had to be stitched up and is expected to undergo an MRI on Sunday. The 23-year-old winger was spotted in a walking boot and all signs point towards this being a serious injury. This would be a huge blow to the Panthers’ forward group, that is already missing Nick Bjugstad.
Connauton is dealing with what is believed to be a knee injury. He returned to practice recently, but no decision has been made on his availability for the season opener. Connauton is expected to play on the left side of the Coyotes’ third pairing.
Stone continues to work his way back from knee surgery on his left knee to repair his ACL and MCL and head coach Dave Tippett said that a return in time for Saturday’s opener may be “a little aggressive.” Stone is expected to slot in on the Coyotes’ second pair alongside Alex Goligoski, but look for Luke Schenn to play there if Stone misses the first few games.
Russell, 29, spent the last two and a half years with the Flames, before being dealt to the Stars at last year’s deadline. Russell finished the year with four goals and 15 assists (19 points) in 62 games. Russell’s possession numbers are awful and that has led to him leading the league in blocked shots (751—3.1 per game) over the last four seasons. He should help bolster the Oilers’ blueline if he is used properly.
Yakupov, 23, was the first overall pick in 2012 but has never been able to get back on track after a great rookie season. He broke into the NHL with 31 points (17G / 14A) in 48 games during the lockout shortened season, but picked up just 33 goals and 47 assists (80 points) in 204 games over the last three seasons combined. The Blues have depth on the wing, but Yakupov adds a little extra and will likely start in the bottom-6.
It appears as if keeping Ward out of the final two preseason games is just a precaution so that he is ready for the start of the regular season. Ward is coming off of a 43-point (21G / 22A) year in his debut season with the Sharks.
Hemsky has been battling a groin injury throughout training camp, but he was expected to return to the ice on Thursday. His setback held him off of the ice and could keep him out of the season opener. With Hemsky battling injury, the Stars signed Justin Fontaine to a professional tryout.
Murphy signed a new contract in the offseason but will start the season injury. His injury opens the door for Haydn Fleury, Roland McKeon or Trevor Carrick to crack the opening night roster.
Reinhart, 22, was the fourth overall pick in 2012 but has struggled to develop into the the top-4 defenseman he was expected to become. He has only appeared in 37 career NHL games and will start the 2016-17 season with Bakersfield, where he had 10 points (2G / 8A) in 30 games last year.
Rinaldo, who still owes the NHL time yet served on a five-game suspension from last season. If Rinaldo clears waivers he will head to Providence (AHL).
Vey, 25, spent all of last year with the Canucks organization, picking up just 15 points (4G / 11A) in 41 games at the NHL level. He was unable to crack the Flames opening night roster so if he clears waivers he will head to Stockton (AHL).
A day after losing Brandon Manning to injury, Del Zotto suffered a lower-body injury in Thursday’s preseason games against the Rangers. With Del Zotto out, Ivan Provorov is all but guaranteed to not only make the Flyers’ opening night roster but play major minutes as well.
Tkachuk was selected sixth overall this summer after picking up 107 points (30G / 77A) in 57 games with the London Knights. Tkachuk has impressed in his first NHL training camp and will break camp with the Flames. He is expected to start on a line with Sam Bennett and Troy Brouwer, which gives him an excellent chance to produce right away.
Bjugstad broke his hand during Tuesday’s preseason game against the Stars. The 24-year-old is a key face-off man and third line centre for the Panthers, but will miss at least the first month of the season.
Manning will miss multiple weeks with an upper-body injury and his absence means that rookie Ivan Provorov will make the Flyers opening night roster.
Laughton reportedly suffered the injury when he lost an edge in practice on Wednesday. Laughton was on-pace to make the Flyers’ opening night roster, but this injury leaves the door open for Travis Konecny to make the team after a tremendous training camp.
Fontaine spent the first three years of his NHL career with the Minnesota Wild. The 28-year-old was a quality point-producer in the AHL but failed to translate that into his NHL game, picking up just 68 points (27G / 41A) in 197 career games with the Wild.
Mayfield, 23, was the 34th overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, but has yet to make a big impact at the NHL level. The 6-foot-4, 225 lbs. blueliner has appeared in just 11 NHL games, tallying just one goal. There may be a team out there that lacks depth on the blueline that claims the St. Louis native.
Stoner has two seasons left on his contract that carries a $3.25M cap-hit. Waiving Stoner means that Shea Theodore may have earned himself a spot on the Ducks’ opening night roster or that they feel Josh Manson or Korbinian Holzer are just as good of options as Stoner for a significantly lesser cap-hit.
