McIlrath, 24, had two goals and two assists in 34 regular season games and appeared in one playoff game last year. With Dan Boyle moving on from New York, McIlrath will likely have a full-time spot on the Rangers’ blueline this season.
Since breaking into the NHL in 2011-12, Foligno has seen his point-production rise a little bit in each season, reaching 23 points (10G / 13A) in 75 games last year. Still not great production from the 24-year-old, but another one-year deal should motivate him for more in 2016-17.
After a solid 2014-15 season, the Jets were expecting Lowry to take a step forward, but instead he took a step in the other direction. Lowry had just 17 points (7G / 10A) in 74 games with Winnipeg and four assists in four games with Manitoba (AHL). Lowry will try and bounce-back with the Jets this year.
Armia, 23, split his 2015-16 season between the AHL and NHL. He appeared in 43 games with the Jets, collecting 10 points (4G / 6A). In his time with Manitoba, Armia picked up eight points (3G / 5A) in 18 games. He will likely play his first full NHL season in 2016-17.
Glendening, 27, is coming off of the best offensive year of his brief career, having picked up 21 points (8G / 13A) in 81 games. He has only missed one game over the last two years and led Red Wings forwards in face-off percentage and shorthanded time on ice last season. It appears Glendening will be the Red Wings’ fourth line centre for the next five seasons.
Rattie, 23, was the 32nd overall pick in 2011 and has posted great numbers in three seasons with Chicago (AHL), but has yet to have a big impact at the NHL level. He hasn’t been given a great chance yet, but should finally get that opportunity in 2016-17. Rattie has eight points (4G / 4A) in 26 career NHL games.
After playing 192 games over three seasons with Bridgeport (AHL), Quine finally made it the NHL at the end of the 2015-16 season. Quine appeared in two regular season games and 10 playoff games, collecting a combined two goals and four assists. He will try to hold onto that spot in training camp this Fall.
Miller, 23, was the 15th overall pick in 2011 and his breakout season was long awaited. Miller finally broke through in 2015-16 after posting just 33 points (15G / 18A) in 114 games over his first three seasons. Miller scored 22 goals with 21 assists (43 points) last season and figures to take steps forward as a member of the Rangers’ top-6 in 2016-17.
Pulkkinen, 24, shredded the AHL with 61 points (34G / 27A) in 46 games with Grand Rapids (AHL) in 2014-15 but has yet to land a full-time spot with the Red Wings since. Once he was called up, he has picked up 11 goals and nine assists (20 points) in a combined 67 games and will once again have to fight for playing time after the Red Wings added a number of veteran forwards this offseason.
Schultz, 26, was stuck on a bad Edmonton team for three and a half years, before being traded to Pittsburgh at last year’s trade deadline. He enjoyed success with the Penguins, picking up eight points (1G / 7A) in 18 regular season games and four assists in 15 playoff games, en route to winning the Stanley Cup. Schultz’s $1.4 million dollar contract is a pay-cut from his previous $3.9M AAV contract, but he wanted to stay in Pittsburgh.
Doan, 39, bounced back from a disappointing 2014-15 season, by scoring 28 goals (his most since 2008-09) with 19 assists (47 points) in 72 games. Entering his 21st year with the Coyotes, Doan sits 96th in NHL history with 945 points, just 55 points short of 1,000 for his career. He will take a shot at 1,000, but hasn’t registered 55-plus points since 2010-11.
Oleksiak, 23, was unable to land a full-time spot with the Stars in 2015-16, appearing in just 19 games and eight others with Texas (AHL). The 2011 14th overall pick is a huge body (6’7” / 260 lbs) but doesn’t possess a lot of offensive upside. Oleksiak will push for a regular role on the Stars’ blueline in training camp.
Rask, 23, is coming off of his second full NHL season and it was a good one. After a solid rookie campaign, Rask notched 21 goals and 27 assists for 48 points, which was tied for second on the team. Rask has settled in as the Hurricanes’ second-line centre behind Jordan Staal and should push for 50 points in 2016-17.
Dowd, 26, forced the Kings to give him a look this year, after collecting 48 points (14G / 34A) in 58 games with Ontario (AHL). In his brief, five-game stint with the Kings he failed to record a point. Dowd will try and crack the NHL roster in training camp, but there’s a good chance he starts the year back in the AHL.
Forbort, 24, was the 15th overall pick in 2010 and cracked the NHL roster in 2015-16. He spent the majority of the year with Ontario (AHL), collecting 10 points and 40 PIMS in 40 games, but he dressed in 14 contests with the Kings where he had one goal and one assist. Forbort will look to crack the Kings roster in training camp this Fall.
The Kings acquired Campbell from the Stars back in late June and have secured him for the net two seasons. Campbell was drafted 11th overall in 2010 but has failed to make it to the NHL and took a step back last year, splitting his time between the AHL and the ECHL. Look for him to start the 2016-17 with Ontario (AHL).
Ferraro, 24, appeared in a total of 68 NHL games last season with the Red Wings and the Bruins. He was originally drafted by the Red Wings, but they lost him on waivers to Boston, where he recorded 10 points (5G / 5A) in 58 games with the Bruins. Ferraro will look to crack the Blues roster in training camp this fall.
Kichton, 24, has yet to make it to the NHL, but is coming off of a strong year with Manitoba (AHL). The former seventh-round pick had 41 points (11G / 30A) in 68 games and will once again find himself in Manitoba to start the 2016-17 season.
Scheifele, 23, the former seventh overall pick (2011) is coming off of his best season as a professional, having collected 61 points (29G / 32A) in 71 games. The 6-foot-3 centre emerged as the Jets’ top-line centre and this extension will keep him in that role for many years to come. If Scheifele can stay healthy in 2016-17, he could approach the 70-point plateau.
MacKinnon, 20, was the first overall pick in 2013 and is coming off of three strong seasons to start his NHL career. In 2015-16, MacKinnon had 21 goals and 31 assists (52 points) in 72 games. He has missed 28 games over the three years, but has scored at a strong pace—22 goals, 35 assists per 82 games. Entering his age 21 season, expect MacKinnon to take another step forward.
