Strait, 28, served as the Islanders sixth/seventh defenseman for the four years, appearing in 170 games, collecting just six goals and 20 assists (26 points) along the way. He should have a better chance cracking the Jets’ blueline on a more regular basis.
The Islanders lost a bottom-6 forward in Matt Martin, so they’ve added 37-year-old Chimera to the fold, bringing some experience and speed to their third or fourth line. He is coming off of a strong season in Washington, having collected 20 goals and 20 assists (40 points) in 82 games.
Howden, 24, played in his first full NHL season in 2015-16, picking up 11 points (6G / 5A) in 58 games with the Panthers. He will battle for a spot with fellow young forwards to earn a spot in the Jets’ bottom-6. Howden has 17 points (10G / 7A) in 92 career NHL games.
Fraser spent all of 2015-16 in the AHL with Binghamton, where he had two goals, five assists and 136 PIMS in 60 games. He has 219 games of NHL experience with the Devils, Maple Leafs and Oilers. He returns to Edmonton, where he had one goal in 23 games back in 2013-14.
Eaves, 32, has had a difficult time staying healthy during his two-year tenure with the Stars, missing a total of 63 games over that span. Despite missing a tonne of time, he has been a versatile forward, moving up and down the Stars lineup and collecting 25 goals and 19 assists (44 points) in 101 games.
After spending the first four and a half years of his career in the Blackhawks organization, Morin has bounced around quite a bit. After Chicago he has gone from Columbus to Toronto to San Jose and now lands in Tampa Bay on a one-year deal. In 2015-16 he played for Rockford, Toronto and San Jose (AHL), totalling 16 goals and 26 assists (42 points) in 59 games.
Purcell, 30, broke into the NHL with the Kings, before moving onto the Lightning, Oilers and the Panthers at last year’s trade deadline. He finished the season with 14 goals, 29 assists (43 points) in 76 games with Edmonton and Florida, but now he heads back to the team that he made his NHL debut with in 2007-08.
After spending the first seven and a half years with the Coyotes, who drafted him eighth overall in 2008, Boedker was traded to the Avalanche at the trade deadline and has now signed with the Sharks. The 26-year-old is coming off of a 17-goal, 34 assist (51 points) season and now he joins a Sharks team that made it to the Stanley Cup Finals last season.
Trotman, 25, served as the Bruins’ seventh-defenseman in 2015-16, collecting seven points (2G / 5A) in 38 games. Trotman has offensive ability, but has not been given a chance through 67 career NHL games. He will likely start the season as the Kings’ seventh defenseman.
Martin, 27, has missed just 11 games in the last five years while averaging seven goals and seven assists per season. However, that’s not where his value lies. Since his first full NHL season in 2011-12, Martin leads the NHL in hits with 1714, which is 370 more than second (Cal Clutterbuck)—1714 hit equates to 4.7 hits per game.
Vanek, 32, is a former two-time 40-goal scorer, but has slowed down in recent years. After a 52-point (21G / 31A) year in his debut season with the Wild, Vanek posted just 18 goals and 23 assists (41 points) in 74 games last season, leading to a buyout this summer. Detroit adds Vanek on a one-year deal in hope he can rediscover his scoring touch—a low-risk/high reward signing for Detroit.
Ott, 33, isn’t known for his offensive contributions, but is a solid fourth-line forward. Ott can play all three forward positions, kill penalties and win face-offs, bringing some versatility to the Red Wings bottom-6. Ott, who played his junior career in Windsor (OHL) will enjoy a bit of a homecoming of sorts.
Stalberg, 30, collected 20 points (9G / 11A) in 75 games with the Rangers last season. The 6-foot-3 forward possesses great speed for his size and now moves to his fifth team in his NHL career. The Hurricanes are a thin group upfront, so expect him to play in their top-9.
Son of former NHLer Steve Thomas, Christian Thomas split the 2015-16 season between the Canadiens and Coyotes’ organizations. He had two assists in six NHL games and 10 goals, 11 assists (21 points) in 34 AHL games with St. John’s and Springfield (AHL). Expect him to start this year with Hershey.
Ruhwedel, 26, appeared in just one NHL game last year, spending the year with Rochester (AHL), collecting 26 points (10G / 16A) in 59 games. Ruhwedel has just two assists in 33 career NHL games. Expect him to start the 2016-17 season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).
Montoya, 31, was one of the better backups and spot-start options in the NHL last season. He was 12-7-2 with a 2.18 GAA and .919 SV% in 25 games with the Panthers and now he will battle with Mike Condon to be Carey Price’s backup in 2016-17. Montoya carries a career .909 SV% in 110 starts.
Smith-Pelly, 24, was acquired by the Devils from Montreal at the trade deadline and played really well for New Jersey. Smith-Pelly had just 12 points (6G / 6A) in 46 games with the Habs before the trade, but collected 13 points (8G / 5A) in only 18 games following the trade. D.S.P could find himself on a top-line with Adam Henrique and the newest Devil Taylor Hall.
Falk, 27, has been a fringe NHLer for his entire career. The 6-foot-5, 224 lbs. defenseman split his 2015-16 season between Columbus and Lake Erie (AHL). He had four assists in 24 games with the Blue Jackets and nine points (2G / 7A) in 32 games with the Monsters. He will likely once again start the year in the AHL, but will be the first or second defenseman to get the call-up to the Sabres.
Tyutin, 32, has had some strong offensive years during his 12-year career, but he is coming off of his worst season, having recorded just three points (1G / 2A) in 61 games with the Blue Jackets. He was bought out by Columbus, but brings a lot of experience to a relatively young Avalanche blueline.
Colborne, 26, is coming off of his best season as a professional, having collected 19 goals and 25 assists (44 points) in 73 games with the Flames. The 6-foot-5, 221 lbs. forward brings a bunch of size as well as some offensive punch to the Avalanche, where he could land a top-6 gig.
