NHL Hockey Player News

The Avalanche and O'Reilly have been working on a deal for awhile, and while it wasn't the long-term deal that O'Reilly was seeking, but the $6 million per year, is a huge raise for the 23-year-old. He had a great 2013-14 season, posting 28 goals and 36 assists (54 points) in 80 games. The most impressive thing for O'Reilly was he only took one minor penalty in the entire season. He will play a big role in the Avs' top-6 this season, where he will shoot for his first 30-goal season.

Benoit, 30, had seven goals and 21 assists (28 points) in 79 games in his first full NHL season with the Avalanche last season. He joins a crowded, young D corp in Buffalo where he will serve as their sixth or seventh defenseman.

With John Tortorella out, Kreider, 23 got a real shot to make an impact last season. The speedy winger registered 17 goals and 20 assists (37 points) and a plus-14 rating in 66 games in his first full NHL season. He will likely play on the top line with Derek Stepan and Rick Nash again this season, which makes him a 25-goal candidate this season.

Despres, 22, split his time between the NHL and AHL in 2013-14. He had five assists in 34 games with the Penguins and 23 points (6G / 17A) in 36 contests with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Despres will battle Robert Bortuzzo for the Penguins sixth D slot in 2014-15.

Zuccarello, 26, showed that he is more than just a shootout specialist in 2013-14. He recorded 19 goals and 40 assists (59 points) in 77 games--which led the Rangers. He was a part of New York's best line last season, playing most of the year with Derick Brassard and Benoit Pouliot, but now Pouliot wears Blue and Orange, so Zuccarello will have to get acclimated with at least one new linemate this season.

Booth, 29, recorded nine goals and 10 assists (19 points) in 66 games with the Canucks last season. Booth has had a difficult time staying healthy in recent years. Over the last three season Booth has missed 72 of 212 games (34%). At $1.1 million for one season, Booth is a low-risk signing for the Maple Leafs.

Roussel, 24, had 14 goals and 15 assists while averaging 13:20 TOI in 81 games for the Stars last season. Roussel is an interesting fantasy asset because he has skill but an in your face attitude which helped him compile 209 penalty minutes last year. He is worth a late-round flier (in PIMS leagues) because of his 20-goal, 200 PIMS potential.

Stempniak, 31, had 12 goals and 22 assists (34 points) in 73 games between the Flames and Penguins last season. He provides the Rangers with depth at right wing, but likely won't play a big enough role to have a fantasy impact in 2014-15.

Franson, 26, played 79 games for the Maple Leafs in 2013-14, collecting 33 points (five goals, 28 assists) with 30 penalty minutes. The 6-5, 213-pound defenceman ranked second in NHL hits (282) and was third on the Leafs in blocked shots (111). He established single-season career highs in assists and points last season.

Kulikov, 23, had a career-high eight goals (19 points) but a career-worst minus-26 rating in 81 games with the Panthers in 2013-14. Kulikov did have solid possession numbers (51.2 CF%) for the second straight year and he'll be just 24-years-old in October so he should continue to improve his NHL game this season.

Curry, 30, played in the ECHL, AHL and NHL in 2013-14. After going 10-2-0 with the Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL), Curry went 7-9-2 with a 2.62 GAA and .920 SV% in Iowa (AHL). He only played two games with the Wild and will be back in the AHL again this season.

Josefson, 23, was the 20th overall pick in the 2009 NHL Draft. He recorded one goal and two assists (3 points) in 27 games with the Devils last season.

It is unclear at this point whether or not Hiller will need to undergo surgery to remove his appendix. Hiller was the Flames big offseason addition and this attack should not linger into the season.

After being acquired from the Blackhawks in March, Pirri, 23, recorded seven goals and seven assists (14 points) in 21 games with the Panthers. Florida added a number of forwards this offseason, so it remains to be seen where Pirri will fall in their lineup.

Ennis, 24, had 21 goals and 22 assists (43 points) in 80 games with the Sabres last season. His 43 points were good for second on the team, but was somewhat of a down year after a strong season in lockout shortened year. The Sabres have beefed up their lineup this offseason, which should help the likes of Ennis and Cody Hodgson in 2014-15.

The deal means that both sides will avoid an arbitration hearing for the 26-year-old blueliner, who was a restricted free agent. Last season, Demers had a career-high 34 points (5G / 29A) in 75 games. Demers was fourth amongst Sharks D-men in power-play time per game and with Dan Boyle new in New York, Demers should move up one spot in the pecking order.

Holland, 23, had five goals and five assists (10 points) in 14 games with the Maple Leafs. He also recorded on goal in four games with the Ducks, before being traded. The former first round pick will almost certainly make the Leafs roster this season.

Klingberg, 23, had one goal in three games with the Jets this season. He spent most of the season with St. John's (AHL) where he had 43 points (22G / 21A) in 65 games.

Ashton, 23, split his time between the NHL and AHL last season. He had three assists in 32 games with the Maple Leafs and 23 points (16G / 7A) in 24 games with the Marlies. Next season will likely be much like 2013-14 for Ashton.

After spending nine seasons in the NHL, the 32-year-old Lombardi played with Geneve of National League A (Switzerland) league last year. He had 20 goals and 30 assists (50 points) in 46 games, but has had just 12 goals and 14 assists in his last 90 NHL games.