Svechnikov's return to the lineup remains uncertain but it appears he will likely miss at least the first six games of the season. Last season, Svechnikov scored 55 points (23G / 32A) in 64 games before having season-ending knee surgery. Teuvo Teravainen stands to be the biggest benefactor and will likely slide up to the left-wing position on the second line.
Ehlers failed to participate in any preseason action for the Winnipeg Jets due to a neck injury but was a full participant in practice Monday and is expected to play in the Jets opener Wednesday. . The 27-year-old only participated in 45 games played in 2022-23 due to injuries but had a productive 12 goals, 26 assists, 11 PIMs, and -2 plus/minus. He is entering his ninth NHL season and will look to complete more than 71 games in a season for the first time since 2017-18.
Despite having an impressive preseason, recording five points (2G / 3A) in six games, a logjam of offensive talent on the Dallas Stars' roster has prevented Stankoven from cracking the opening night roster. Stankoven will likely see some time in the NHL this year but as he awaits his callup, the Stars' top prospect should see top-line minutes playing with the Texas Stars of the AHL.
Svechnikov is still making his recovery after having knee surgery at the end of last season. Before his injury, Svechnikov had 55 points (23G / 32A) in 64 games for the Hurricanes. His status for opening night remains to be seen as he is yet to be a full participant at practice but his status should be confirmed in the coming days. If he is unable to suit up on opening night, look for Teuvo Teravainen to jump into the top-6.
Aho reached 36+ goals for third time in the last four years in 2022-23 as he picked up 36 goals, 31 assists, 218 SOG, 42 PIMs and a +8 plus/minus through 75 games played and has now signed an eight-year, $78 million extension ($9,750,000 AAV). The 26-year-old centre has spent the first seven seasons of his career in Carolina after being drafted in the 2nd round of the 2015 NHL Draft (35th overall) and has 218 goals, 468 points and a +80 plus/minus through 520 career NHL games.
Smith had a goal, three assists, 27 SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through nine games with Pittsburgh in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year contract extension worth $775,000 AAV. The 23-year-old defensemen was originally acquired alongside a third-round pick from New Jersey in July of 2022 for John Marino. He has eight goals, 47 points and is a -32 plus/minus across 123 career NHL games played thus far.
Gostisbehere had 13 goals, 28 assists, 155 SOG, 32 PIMs and a -5 plus/minus through 75 games played with both Arizona and Carolina in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year deal worth $4.125 million with Detroit. The 30-year-old offensive defensemen will join his fourth NHL team and brings 87 goals, 311 points and 140 power play points across 538 career games played.
Reilly had an assist, 12 SOG, and two PIMs across 10 games with Boston in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, $1.0 million contract with the Florida Panthers. The 30-year-old veteran defensemen will be joining his fifth NHL team and has 12 goals and 98 points across 339 career NHL games.
Fast doesn't provide a lot of offence but is a terrific two-way forward that has paired nicely with Jordan Staal during his time in Carolina. Fast scored 10 goals with 19 assists (29 points) in 80 games in 2023.
Reilly had an assist, 12 SOG, and two PIMs across 10 games with the Bruins in 2022-23 and has been placed on unconditional waivers with purposes of a buyout. The 29-year-old was expected to carry a cap hit of $3 million heading into 2023-24 but will now only cost the Bruins $333,334 after the buyout. Reilly had spent the last three seasons in Boston and has 98 career points (12G/86A) through 339 NHL games.
Hall had 16 goals, 20 assists, 150 SOG, a +11 plus/minus and 24 PIMs through 61 games with Boston in 2022-23 and has been traded alongside the rights of Nick Foligno to Chicago for the rights to defensemen Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula. The 31-year-old will join his sixth NHL team since being drafted first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2010 and was the 2017-18 Hart Memorial Trophy winner. The veteran left-winger heads to Chicago with 693 points (264G/429A) across 822 NHL games played through 13 seasons.
Staal scored 17 goals, 17 assists, 124 SOG, 32 PIMs and +7 plus/minus through 81 games in 2022-23 and has re-signed a four-year contract extension ($2.9 Million AAV) to stay in Carolina. The Hurricane's 34-year-old captain will return for his 18th NHL season in 2023-24 having picked up 645 career NHL points (275G/370A) across 1173 games played.
Bussi posted an impressive 22-5-4 record, .924 SV% and 2.40 GAA across 32 games with the Providence Bruins (AHL) in 2022-23 after starting the season in the ECHL and has signed a one-way, two-way contract extension with the Boston Bruins through the 2023-24 season worth $775,000. The 24-year-old has yet to see any NHL action after signing from Western Michigan University (NCAA) after his 2021-22 season.
Robidas is the son of 15-year NHL veteran Stéphane Robidas. The Hurricanes selected him in the fifth round of the 2021 NHL draft, and he won the 2023 Memorial Cup with the Quebec Remparts. He was picked up via trade from Val d'Or Foreurs and led Quebec in points during the playoffs, with 27 points (11G / 16A) in 18 games.
Neuchev was selected by the Sabres in the third round (No.74 overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft. Neuchev spent the 2023 season in the KHL, picking up 12 points (4G / 8A) in 57 games with Yekaterinburg Automobilist.
