It was believed that Helm’s time with the Red Wings had come to an end and he was going to hit free agency, but Detroit came in with a five-year deal in the final hour to lock the 29-year-old up through the 2020-21 season. Helm is coming off of a sub-par year, having posted just 13 goals and 13 assists (26 points) in 77 games.
Lucic, 28, spent the first nine seasons of his NHL career with the Bruins and the Kings, tallying a total of 159 goals and 238 assists (397 points) in 647 career games. He has been a reliable Fantasy asset, who has averaged around 20 goals and 30 assists per 82 games over the last eight years. He is a great source of hits and PIMS and with a new-found spot next to Connor McDavid, Lucic could be in for a huge 2016-17 fantasy season.
After scoring 21 goals in just 51 games in 2014-15, the Wild were hoping for big things out of Zucker last season, but he never seemed to gain any traction. The 24-year-old winger struggled with just 13 goals and 10 assists (23 points) in 71 games, but the Wild we able to secure him for two more years at a very reasonable cap-hit.
Hertl, 22, is coming off of his best year as a pro, having racked up 21 goals and 25 assists (46 points) in 81 games with the Sharks. The former 17th overall pick found a nice spot on the left wing with Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski and if he plays there for most of 2016-17, we could see Hertl’s first 25-goal and 50-point season.
Jones, 21, had 20 points (2G / 18A) in 41 games with the Blue Jackets after he was acquired from Nashville. Overall, he had 31 points (3G / 28A) in 2015-16, which was a new career-high for the 2013 4th overall pick. Jones has top-pairing upside and the Blue Jackets are hoping he takes a big step forward in 2016-17.
The Lightning cut it close, signing Stamkos two days before he hit the free agency market. There were a tonne of teams hoping Stamkos would become a free agent, but it looks like he will be with the Lightning through the 2023-24 NHL season. Stamkos missed games at the end of the season with a blood clot issue, but he finished with 36 goals and 28 assists (64 points) in 77 games.
Subban, 27, has become one of the top defensemen in the NHL since being drafted 43rd overall in 2007. He has turned in three straight 50-plus point seasons, but had a career-low six goals and 3.4% shooting percentage. Subban will likely slide onto the Predators’ top pair alongside Roman Josi, forming one of the NHL’s top offensive pairings.
Weber, 30, spent the first 10 years of his NHL career in Nashville after being picked 49th overall in 2003. He is a mammoth at 6-foot-4, 230 lbs. who excels at both ends of the rink. He is coming off of one his best seasons, having posted 20 goals and 31 assists (51 points) in 78 games. Acquiring Weber for Subban gives the Canadiens $1.143 million in cap relief.
Larsson, 23, was the fourth overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, but has yet to develop into the premiere two-way defenseman that he was expected to be. However, at just 23-years-old he still has a lot of years to become the top-pairing defenseman that the Oilers are hoping they just acquired. He had 18 points (3G / 15A) in 82 games with the Devils last season.
Hall spent the first six years of his NHL career in Edmonton after they selected him 1st overall in the 2010 NHL Draft. Hall is coming off of a 26-goal, 39-assist (65 points) season and has a career-high of 80 points (2013-14). The 24-year-old is one of the best young wingers in the NHL and should provide the Devils with a huge boost up front. He will be reunited with his former junior teammate Adam Henrique.
Tokarski, 26, appeared in just two games with San Diego (AHL) after being acquired from the Canadiens—he was 1-1-0 with a 2.35 GAA and .920 SV%. Tokarski is 10-12-5 with a 2.85 GAA and .904 SV% in 27 career NHL starts.
Pakarinen, 24, spent the majority of the year with the Oilers, where he scored five goals with eight assists (13 points) in 63 games. During his brief time in Bakersfield (AHL) he had three points (1G / 2A) in four games.
Brodziak, 32, had 11 points (7G / 4A) in 76 games with the Blues in 2015-16. It was his first season with St. Louis and he will be in a Blues uniform for the next two seasons after spending the first 10 years of his career with the Oilers and the Wild.
Domingue, 24, spent the majority of the 2015-16 season with the Coyotes, where he went 15-18-4 with a 2.75 GAA and .912 SV%. The former fifth round pick also appeared in 13 games with Springfield (AHL) where he was 6-6-1 with a 2.55 GAA and .919 SV%.
