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.
Ferlin, 24, appeared in just 23 games with the Providence Bruins (AHL) last year. He tallied 14 points (6G / 8A) during the year and is expected to start the 2016-17 season with Providence.
Boucher, 22, split the 2015-16 campaign between New Jersey and Albany (AHL). During his time in the NHL, Boucher recorded 19 points (8G / 11A) in 39 games and had 32 points (19G / 13A) in 34 AHL games. Boucher should spend the entire 2016-17 campaign with New Jersey.
Gagner, 27, split the 2015-16 season between the NHL and AHL. He finished the year with 16 points (8G / 8A) in 53 games with the Flyers and six points (1G / 5A) in nine games with Lehigh Valley. The former sixth overall pick has not been able to break his career-high of 49 points he set in his rookie season. Gagner will battle for a roster spot in training camp this fall.
Coming off of a career-high 53 points in 2014-15, Barrie approached 50 points again in 2015-16, registering 49 points (13G / 36A) in 78 games. His 49 points were good for 11th among defensemen. Barrie will be among the top-15 fantasy defensemen again in 2016-17.
Murphy, 23, scored six goals with 11 assists (17 points) in 78 games in 2015-16. In his first two NHL seasons Murphy has scored a combined 10 goals and 14 assists (24 points) in 151 games. He will be a key member of the Coyotes’ blueline in 2016-17.
Hrivik, 24, spent most of the 2015-16 season with Hartford (AHL), where he had 41 points (12G / 29A) in 68 games. He also appeared in his first five NHL games, where he had one assist. Hrivik will fight for a roster spot during training camp, but will likely start the year back in Hartford.
Carle, 31, had nine points (2G / 7A) in 64 games with the Lightning last season. After spending four years in Tampa Bay, Carle reunites with head coach Peter Laviolette, who he played for during time in Philadelphia (2008-2012). Carle has offensive ability, but has only picked up 27 points (6G / 21A) in 123 games over the last two seasons.
Jarnkrok, 24, appeared in 74 games with the Predators in 2015-16, scoring 16 goals with 14 assists (30 points). The young Swede has 57 points (25G / 32A) in 167 career NHL games and will likely start the 2016-17 season on the third line, but could work his way into the Predators’ top-6 as the season progresses.
The Red Wings and Mrazek were reportedly pretty far apart during their contract negotiations, but were able to come to terms on a two-year bridge deal. Mrazek became the Red Wings’ No. 1 goaltending option in 2015-16, starting 49 games (appearing in 54), posting a 27-16-6 record, 2.33 GAA, .921 SV% and four shutouts. He will have the same role in 2016-17, where he will likely start near 50 games again and should be a low-end No.1, high-end No. 2 fantasy option.
Hoffman, 26, enjoyed a breakout year in 2014-15 and followed it up with an even more impressive 2015-16 campaign, scoring 29 goals and 30 assists (59 points) in 78 games. Hoffman has led the Senators in goals in both of those seasons and will look to do the same in 2016-17 on their top line, likely alongside the usual suspects—Kyle Turris and Mark Stone.
Namestnikov, 23, appeared in 80 games in his first full NHL season, collecting a total of 14 goals and 21 assists (35 points). The 2011 27th overall pick has collected 51 career points (23G / 28A) in 127 NHL games and enters 2016-17 as a third line option for the Lightning.
Granberg, 23, spent the majority of the 2015-16 season as an extra defensman for the Predators, appearing in 27 games with Nashville and six games with Milwaukee (AHL). He picked up two assists during his time with the Predators and will likely fill the same role in 2016-17.
