Orlov is a key member of the Capitals’ top-4 on the blueline and will still be a restricted free agent after his one-year contract is up. The 25-year-old is coming off of his best offensive season, having posted eight goals and 21 assists (29 points) in 82 games.
Strome, 23, was a restricted free agent who is coming off of a tough year. The 23-year-old had just 28 points (8G / 20A) in 71 games with the Islanders and was sent to Bridgeport (AHL) for a period of time. The former fifth overall pick (2011) had 17 goals and 33 assists (50 points) in 2014-15, showcasing his high-end offensive ability. He is an intriguing late-round pick for 2016-17.
Nichushkin was unhappy with his playing time in Dallas and the 21-year-old restricted free agent has decided to return to Russia for the 2016-17 season. Nichushkin was the 10th overall pick in 2013 but has yet to develop into the scoring power-forward that he was expected to become. He had just 29 points (9G / 20A) in 79 games last season and 64 points (23G / 41A) across 166 career NHL games.
Gaustad, 34, played 11 NHL seasons with the Sabres and Predators. Gaustad was mostly known for his face-off ability, having posted a career-high of just 36 points (10G / 26A) in 2007-08. The American-born centre had 89 goals and 142 assists (231 points) in 727 career NHL games.
Leighton, 35, spent the las two season with the Rockford IceHogs (AHL)—the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate—he went 28-8-8 with a 2.44 GAA and .918 SV%. The 15-year veteran also appeared in one game with Chicago and has 35 career NHL wins while posting a 2.96 GAA and .901 SV% in 106 games.
Huberdeau, 23, is coming off of a career-year, having posted 20 goals and 39 assists (59 points). The former third overall pick (2011) has turned in back-to-back 50-plus point seasons and appears to only be scratching the surface of what he might be able to accomplish on the Panthers’ top-line with Aleksander Barkov and Jaromir Jagr.
Pirri, 25, split his 2015-16 season with the Panthers and Ducks, totalling 14 goals and 15 assists (29 points) across 61 games. Pirri is a quality goal-scorer, who will bring some offensive punch to the Rangers’ bottom-6. He had 49 goals and 31 assists (80 points) in 166 career games.
Bolland was a part of this deal to free up cap space for the Panthers, cap space that the Coyotes have. Bolland will not be ready for the start of 2016-17 and may not play at all this season because of injury problems.
Crouse, 19, was drafted 11th overall in 2015 and is coming off of a season where he had 62 points (23G / 39A) in 49 games with the Kingston Frontenacs (OHL). Crouse is a big-boy (6’4” / 212 lbs.) who adds even more offensive upside to a youthful Coyotes organization. He will fight for a roster spot in training camp, but could start the year in the AHL.
Hudler had a career-year in 2014-15, picking up 31 goals and 45 assists (76 points), but struggled to come close to repeating those numbers last season. He had 35 points (10G / 25A) in 53 games with the Flames before being traded to the Panthers at the deadline—he added 11 points in 19 games with Florida. He now signs with Dallas, where he figures to battle with some of their young forwards for a top-6 role.
Ceci, 22, had his best offensive season of his young career in 2015-16, collecting 10 goals and 16 assists (26 points) in 75 games. The former 15th overall pick has 56 career points (18G / 38A) in his first 205 NHL games. Ceci will spend the 2016-17 season on the Senators’ second pairing behind Erik Karlsson.
Enroth, 28, spent the 2015-16 season with the Kings, where he started 13 games and appeared in three others. He finished the season with a 7-5-1 record, 2.17 GAA, .922 SV% and two shutouts. The former second round pick has a career .911 SV% with the Sabres, Stars and Kings. Enroth will serve as Frederik Andersen’s backup in Toronto.
Cullen, 39, appeared in all 82 games with the Penguins last season, scoring 16 goals with 16 assists (32 points). He also registered six points (4G / 2A) in 24 playoff games en route to winning the Stanley Cup. He will once again be a part of the Penguins bottom-6 in 2016-17.
Vesey, 23, opted not to sign with the Predators after finishing up his college career at Harvard and also decided not to sign with Buffalo after his rights were acquired in June. He became a free agent last Tuesday and his lengthy process finally ended with him signing with the Rangers. The reigning Hobey Baker award winner is coming off 24 goals and 22 assists (46 points) in 33 games with Harvard.
Monahan, 21, scored 27 goals with 36 assists for a career-high 63 points in 2015-16. The 2013 sixth overall pick has had an outstanding start to his NHL career—his 58 goals over the last two years is good for 16th in the NHL over that span. Monahan is easily a No.2 fantasy centre with No.1 upside.
One-year removed from a 31-goal, 63-point campaign, Vrbata posted just 13 goals and 14 assists (27 points) in 63 games last season. Vrbata joins a youthful Coyotes’ team and could crack their top-6 right out of the gate. He carries some sleeper potential if he can get back to his 20-goal, 50-point production from his last season with Arizona (2013-14).
Smith, 28, was with the Sharks and Maple Leafs last season, splitting time between both of their AHL and NHL squads. He finished the year with a total of six points (2G / 4A) in 22 NHL games and 16 points (12G / 4A) in 19 AHL contests. Smith will look to crack the Avs’ opening night roster in training camp.
Gibson, 23, spent the majority of the 2015-16 season with Bridgeport (AHL), where he went 19-11-6 with a 2.70 GAA and .909 SV% in 42 games. He also appeared in four games with the Islanders, going 1-1-1 with a 3.40 GAA and .882 SV%. Gibson will be fourth on the Islanders’ depth chart and start the 2016-17 season as the Sound Tigers’ starter.
Vermette, 34, was bought out by the Coyotes a few weeks ago but has caught on with the Ducks for the next two seasons. Vermette is a solid two-way centre, who had 38 points (17G / 21A) in 76 games with Arizona. He will likely skate on the Ducks’ third line throughout the 2016-17 season.
Wotherspoon, 23, spent the majority of last season with Stockton (AHL), where he had 10 points (2G / 8A) in 53 games, but also appeared in 11 games with Calgary. Wotherspoon will likely start the 2016-17 campaign with Stockton, but will be one of the first defensemen recalled.
