NHL Hockey Player News

Cracknell had two assists in 19 games with the Blues last season. He spent half of the season with Chicago (AHL) where he scored 12 goals with 13 assists (25 points) in 28 games. He is physical player who should fit right in with the Kings.

Hunwick, 29, only appeared in one game with the Avalanche last season. In 52 games with Lake Erie (AHL), he posted 10 goals and 21 assists (33 points) with a plus-4 rating.

After the Red Wings lost out on many free-agent defensemen earlier in the day, the Red Wings elected to bring back Quincey to shore up their blueline. The Red Wings D was ravaged by injuries last season, but Quincey was able to suit up in all 82 games, posting 13 points (4G / 9A) and a minus-5 rating.

Nabokov was 15-14-8 with a 2.74 GAA and .905 SV% with the Islanders last season. Towards the end of the season he was splitting time with Anders Nilsson, but he is more likely to be in a back-up role in Tampa Bay.

Goc was limited to just 12 games because of a foot injury, but his two-way game and ability in the face-off circle has the Penguins bringing him back for a full season. Goc finished last season with 25 points (11G / 14A) in 74 games.

Boyle gets a nice payday after a strong season and postseason where he had three goals and five assists (eight points) in 25 games. Boyle is a giant at 6-foot-7, 244 lbs. and brings a mix of size and skill to the Lightning.

Mitchell had a strong year, scoring 12 points (1G / 11A) in 76 regular season games, but it was his postseason that drew a lot of attention. He was sensational en route to winning the Stanley Cup and has been rewarded with $4.25 million per year. He is reunited with Roberto Luongo, who he played with during his time in Vancouver.

Niskanen had a great year in Pittsburgh in 2013-14. Niskanen had 10 goals and 36 assists (46 points) with a plus-33 rating in 81 games. A huge season and a lack of defensemen depth in free agency leads to massive money for the 27-year-old. Niskanen will likely anchor the Capitals top power-play unit for the next number of seasons.

Richards was bought out by the Rangers after he scored 20 goals with 31 assists (51 points) in 82 regular season games. Richards has 12 points (5G / 7A) in 25 postseason games and he heads to a Chicago team with a ton of talent. He will likely centre the second line which will have playing with Patrick Kane. Should that be the case, his fantasy value should rise and another 50-plus point season seems very attainable.

Dubnyk spent last season between the Oilers, Predators and Canadiens and finished 11-18-3 with a 3.43 GAA and .891 SV%. The Coyotes lost Thomas Greiss to the Penguins, so Dubnyk should step in as Mike Smith's backup in 2014-15.

Emery will return as Steve Mason's backup for the 2014-15 season. He finished last season at 9-12-2 with a 2.96 GAA and .904 SV%.

Meszaros had seven goals and 15 assists (22 points) in 52 games with the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins last season. Meszaros should slide in and replace some of the offence the Sabres are losing with the departure of Christian Ehrhoff.

Engelland had 12 points (6G / 6A) and 58 penalty minutes in 56 games with the Penguins last season. Engelland is a hard-nosed player who can play forward or defence. He is being overpaid, but the Flames had money to spend and now have some more grit in their lineup.

Foligno signs a very cap-managable contract to stay in Buffalo a year after scoring seven goals with 12 assists (19 points) in 74 games last year. The 22-year-old has all the tools to be a good NHL player and the additions the Sabres made yesterday should help Foligno continue to grow.

Stralman had 13 points (1G / 12A) in 81 games with the Rangers this season. The Lightning freed up a lot of cap-space ahead of July 1st, and they gave Stralman a nice contract. The 27-year-old Swede had a strong postseason and will be a reliable defenseman on the Lightning blueline for the next few years.

Regin had four points (2G / 2A) in 17 games with the Blackhawks after being acquired from the Islanders. He suited up in just five postseason games, recording no points. The Hawks have signed him to a cheap contract that will provide them with some depth down the middle.

After a great 2012-13 season, Tlusty took a step back last season posting 16 goals and 14 assists (30 points) in 68 games. A lot of Hurricanes had a tough season, so they are going to take a chance on Tlusty for one more season. His fantasy value is higher when he is playing with Eric Staal, but that is not a guarantee heading into 2014-15.

Komarov, 27, had four goals and five assists in 42 games in his first stint with the Leafs (2012-13). He tallied 12 goals with 22 assists (34 points) in 52 games with Moscow (KHL) last season, but has brought his physical play back to Toronto for the next four-years.

Iginla had 30 goals and 31 assists (61 points) with a plus-34 rating with the Bruins last season. It was Iginla's 12th 30-plus goal season and I'm sure the Bruins would have loved to bring him back, but were unable to because of cap issues. The Avs have locked him up until he is 40-years-old and they are hoping he has a few more 30 goal years left in him.

Glass had 13 points (4G / 9A) in 67 games with the Penguins last season. He brings a physical presence to the Rangers fourth line. He will likely slide in for Derek Dorsett who was traded recently.