Condra had 11 points (6G / 5A) in 54 games in his first year with the Lightning, but finds himself on waivers, where he will likely clear and head to the AHL. If Condra is picked up by another team, he will be limited to a fourth line role.
Lander, 25, enjoyed a nice finish to the 2014-15 season, which led to high expectations last year. He was never able to live up to them, picking up an awful three points (1G / 2A) in 61 games with the Oilers. The former second round pick has been placed on waivers with the intention of sending him to Oklahoma City (AHL) and he should go unclaimed.
It was only a matter of time before Pavelec was placed on waivers. The veteran netminder is in the final year of a deal that carries a $3.9 million cap hit and he was badly outplayed by the future of the Jets’ crease, Connor Hellebuyck. They had to make room for the young netminder and Pavelec was the obvious casualty. There is little chance that he is claimed and there are rumblings that he may not report to Manitoba (AHL) if he does in fact clear.
Condon, 26, enjoyed a nice 2015-16 season while Carey Price was out, going 21-25-3 with a 2.71 GAA and .903 SV%. With Al Montoya coming over from Florida, Condon is either headed to the AHL or could be claimed by a team in need of short-term help in net because of injury, like the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Nakladal, 28, split his time between the AHL and NHL in 2015-16, totalling five points (2G / 3A) in 27 games with the Flames and 14 points (2G / 12A) in 35 games with the Stockton Heat. The 6-foot-2, 212 lbs. defenseman adds depth to the Hurricanes’ blueline but figures to start the year in the AHL.
Frk, 23, was a second round pick (49th overall) in 2012, but never cracked the Red Wings roster. The Czech winger appeared in 67 games with Grand Rapids (AHL) a season ago, collecting 27 goals and 17 assists (44 points). Frk will join his former teammate Andrej Nestrasil as waiver claims from Detroit in Carolina.
Malgin, 19, was a fourth round pick (102nd overall) in the 2015 draft and he is expected to make the Panthers after Nick Bjugstad suffered a hand injury in training camp. Malgin spent last season in his native country of Switzerland, where he registered 17 points (5G / 12A) in 38 games with Zurich SC.
After Jonathan Huberdeau left Saturday’s preseason game, Marchessault took reps with Aleksander Barkov and Jaromir Jagr. Marchessault had seven goals and 11 assists (18 points) in 45 games with the Lightning last year before signing with Florida this summer.
Huberdeau was coming into 2016-17 with massive expectations after a career-year last season. His injury will keep him out until at least January and opens the door for younger players like Jonathan Marchessault, who moved to the top line following Huberdeau's injury on Saturday.
Rantanen returned in a no-contact jersey, but it was his first practice session since he suffered an ankle injury in a rookie showcase back on September 17th. Rantanen is expected to have a secured spot with the Avalanche this season and is targeting a return for their season opener next Saturday.
Following the trade of Nail Yakupov, the Oilers signed Russell to a one-year, $3.1 million deal and he will solidify their second pairing with Sekera. Both are left-handed shots, but both are equally capable of playing the right-side, however Russell will start there. If used in the right capacity, Russell can be a solid second-pair defenseman, but his ugly possession numbers speak for themselves. His signing likely push righty Mark Fayne to the press box.
Wilson led the Penguins in preseason scoring, picking up two goals and three assists in five games. With Bryan Rust still sidelined with an undisclosed injury, Wilson is expected to start the season with a top six role on Malkin’s wing. The 24-year-old winger had 36 points (22G / 14A) in 34 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) last year and six points (5G / 1A) in 24 games with the Penguins.
Rust, 24, had a nice playoff run last year picking up nine points (6G / 3A) in 23 games on Evgeni Malkin’s wing. With Rust unlikely available for the start of the season, that leaves the door open for Scott Wilson to start the year with Malkin.
Motte, 21, was a standout at the University of Michigan last season, picking up 32 goals and 24 assists (56 points) in 38 games. His decision to leave Michigan to try and make the Blackhawks appears to have been a good one as it looks like the 21-year-old will not only start the season in Chicago, but start on a line with Artem Anisimov and Patrick Kane.
Hartman has the unenviable task of trying to replaced the beloved Andrew Shaw in Chicago. The former first round pick (30th overall in 2013) had 35 points (15G / 20A) in 61 games with Rockford (AHL) last season and one assist in three NHL games. He is expected to make the team and start on a hybrid checking/scoring line with Marcus Kruger and Marian Hossa.
Huberdeau was injured in Saturday’s preseason game against the Devils when the skate of Sergey Kalinin came down on Huberdeau’s ankle. Huberdeau had to be stitched up and is expected to undergo an MRI on Sunday. The 23-year-old winger was spotted in a walking boot and all signs point towards this being a serious injury. This would be a huge blow to the Panthers’ forward group, that is already missing Nick Bjugstad.
Connauton is dealing with what is believed to be a knee injury. He returned to practice recently, but no decision has been made on his availability for the season opener. Connauton is expected to play on the left side of the Coyotes’ third pairing.
Stone continues to work his way back from knee surgery on his left knee to repair his ACL and MCL and head coach Dave Tippett said that a return in time for Saturday’s opener may be “a little aggressive.” Stone is expected to slot in on the Coyotes’ second pair alongside Alex Goligoski, but look for Luke Schenn to play there if Stone misses the first few games.
Russell, 29, spent the last two and a half years with the Flames, before being dealt to the Stars at last year’s deadline. Russell finished the year with four goals and 15 assists (19 points) in 62 games. Russell’s possession numbers are awful and that has led to him leading the league in blocked shots (751—3.1 per game) over the last four seasons. He should help bolster the Oilers’ blueline if he is used properly.
Yakupov, 23, was the first overall pick in 2012 but has never been able to get back on track after a great rookie season. He broke into the NHL with 31 points (17G / 14A) in 48 games during the lockout shortened season, but picked up just 33 goals and 47 assists (80 points) in 204 games over the last three seasons combined. The Blues have depth on the wing, but Yakupov adds a little extra and will likely start in the bottom-6.
