NHL Hockey Player News

Vecchione, 24, signed with the Flyers after posting 63 points (29G / 34A) in 38 games at Union College and should be a big part of the Flyers’ bottom-6 in 2017-18. He has shown the ability to score in college, but likely won’t be a big contributor in his first full NHL season.

Froese had 39 points (24G / 15A) in 48 games with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) before being traded to Tampa Bay for Brian Boyle last season. The 26-year-old added seven more points with the Lightning’s affiliate, but has managed to record just five points (2G / 3A) in 62 career NHL contests. Froese is an extremely hard worker and that just might be enough to land him a spot with the Canadiens out of training camp.

It was believed that Jones was capable of being a No.1 NHL netminder and he’s been excellent since being given that opportunity in San Jose. Jones has made 65 starts and won 37 and 35 games in each of his first two seasons with the Sharks and has posted a 2.33 GAA, .915 SV% and eight shutouts in the process. Jones is a solid No.1 fantasy option and should be one of the most trusted netminders in 2017-18.

Vlasic is viewed as one of the best two-way defensemen in the NHL, but failed to top 30 points in 2016-17 after setting a career-high with 39 points (8G / 31A) the year before. The 30-year-old will likely be a top-25 fantasy defenseman in 2017-18, but the length of this deal could hurt the Sharks’ cap situation down the line.

Hainsey posted strong offensive numbers early in his career, but has not topped 20 points in the last seven seasons. Hainsey is a mobile defenseman who is expected to play the right side in Toronto, but likely won’t be called upon to play heavy minutes.

Fowler has been a part of trade rumours for years but we can put those to bed after inking an eight-year pact with the Ducks. In 2016-17, Fowler set a career-high with 11 goals and 39 points in 80 games. Fowler has No.1 fantasy defenseman upside, but should be selected as a No.2.

Randell is a strong bottom-6 forward thanks to his tenaciousness on the forecheck. However, he doesn’t offer a lot in terms of offence having produced just 19 points (1G / 9A) in 59 games with Providence (AHL) a season ago.

Agostino was named the AHL MVP in 2016-17 after recording 24 goals and 59 assists (83 points) in 65 games with the Chicago Wolves (AHL). In three AHL seasons, Agostino averaged 21 goals and 40 assists (61 points) and his next step is to translate that into the NHL. The 25-year-old will get a shot to make the Bruins this fall and could have a fantasy impact depending on his role.

Rattie, 24, averaged 23 goals and 22 assists (45 points) in his first three AHL seasons, but had just five points (2G / 3A) in 22 games with Chicago (AHL) last year. The former No.32 overall pick has registered 10 points (4G / 6A) in 35 career NHL games, but posted elite numbers in junior and will be given a shot to make the Oilers out of training camp.

Bennett, 25, was the No.20 overall pick in 2010 but has yet to produce like a first rounder, largely thanks to injury issues. Bennett had 19 points (8G / 11A) in 65 games with the Devils last year and has just 64 points (24G / 40A) in 194 career NHL games. Bennett will likely serve as a bottom-6 forward in St. Louis.

The Kings have thinned out on the wing over the years and Cammalleri helps add some much needed scoring to their top-6. Even at 35-years-old, Cammalleri has posted consistent offensive numbers, but staying healthy has been a bugaboo for the veteran winger. During his three years in New Jersey, Cammalleri missed 75 games—or 30.5% of the games.

Postma posted elite numbers in juniors 10 years ago and has had great seasons in the AHL but that game has failed to translate into the NHL. Postma has a strong shot and should help infuse some offence into the Bruins bottom-pairing and help replace the loss of Colin Miller.

Wiercioch had 12 points (4G / 8A) in 57 games with the Avalanche last season and has never appeared in more then 56 games in any of his first five NHL seasons. Now in Vancouver, Wiercioch is expected to serve as their No.7 defenseman.

Pitlick has split his time between the AHL and NHL in his first three professional seasons. Last year he had 21 points (7G / 14A) in 37 games with Bakersfield and 11 points (8G / 3A) in 31 games with Edmonton. He is a capable scorer with good size (6-foot, 202 lbs) who brings some offence and some upside to the Stars bottom-6.

Niemi’s numbers have been slipping for the last few years, finally resulting in an .892 SV% and a buyout in 2016-17. Niemi is a value option to serve as Matt Murray’s backup with Marc-Andre Fleury being selected by the Vegas Golden Knights. A limited role is probably best for the 33-year-old and he will be playing behind a more defensively responsible team than he was in Dallas.

Hanzal, 30, had 20 goals and 29 assists (49 points) in 71 games with the Coyotes and Wild last year. Hanzal has always had a lot of offensive potential to go along with great size (6’6” / 226 lbs.) but has had a tough time with durability. Hanzal heads to Dallas where he will replace Cody Eakin, who was picked up by the Vegas Golden Knights. The Stars have arguably the best offence he has ever been a part of and that could unlock the offensive potential Hanzal has been teasing us with for years.

After two years in Calgary, Jooris split his 2016-17 season between the Rangers and Coyotes, where he had four goals and eight assists (12 points) in 54 games. Jooris is a hard-working forward that plays all three forward positions, but has posted limited offensive numbers in his brief three-year NHL career.

Berube was a part of a goaltending trio in Brooklyn for the last two seasons and will likely have to battle with Anton Forsberg for the backup job to Corey Crawford. The 25-year-old has posted a career 3.10 GAA and .900 SV% in 21 career NHL starts, but has amassed impressive numbers at the AHL level.

The Blues traded Ryan Reaves to the Penguins at the NHL Draft so bring in Chris Thorburn to replace the lost toughness. The 34-year-old had three goals, one assist and 95 PIMS in 64 games with the Jets a year ago.

After struggling offensively for years, Hunwick managed to post 19 points (1G / 18A) in in 72 games with the Maple Leafs a season ago. Hunwick will help replace Trevor Daley, who left for Detroit in free agency and should be third pairing defenseman.