Ward had nine goals, 17 assists, 46 PIMs and a -20 plus/minus through 71 games with Ontario in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way $775,000 contract extension. The 25-year-old undrafted right-winger has yet to make his NHL debut after joining the Reign from the University of Nebraska-Omaha (NCAA) in 2021-22.
Perry's rights were traded to the Blackhawks' earlier Thursday for a seventh round draft pick from Tampa Bay and he has signed a one-year, $4 million contract with Chicago. The 38-year-old had 12 goals, 13 assists, 116 SOG, 95 PIMs and a -28 plus/minus through 81 games with Tampa Bay in 2022-23. The veteran right-winger will begin his 19th NHL season in 2023-24, representing his fifth team with the Blackhawks.
Chicago continues to acquire veteran leadership to help them through this transition period. Perry spent the last two seasons in Tampa, where he had 31 goals and 34 assists (65 points) in 163 games. Perry is a pending UFA, so the Blackhawks must get him under contract before Saturday.
Bolduc made his NHL debut in 2022-23 with the New York Islanders picking up two goals, three points, 20 SOG, two PIMs and a +5 plus/minus through 17 games and has signed a two-year contract extension ($800,000 AAV). The 22-year-old defensemen was New York's 2019 second round pick (57th overall).
Fiala has missed the Kings' previous eight games due to a lower-body injury and will be out Friday for Game 3 as they take on the Edmonton Oilers. The 26-year-old is still considered day-to-day, which is a huge loss as he had 23 goals, 72 points, 208 SOG, 52 PIMs and a +2 plus/minus through 69 games before his injury.
Fiala has missed the Kings' previous six games due to a lower-body injury and will be out Monday as they take on the Edmonton Oilers. The 26-year-old is not expected back for the first few games of the series, which is a huge loss as he had 23 goals, 72 points, 208 SOG, 52 PIMs and a +2 plus/minus through 69 games before his injury.
Edler missed the final five games of the regular season but was a full participant in Sunday's practice, skating next to Sean Durzi on the third pairing. Expect Edler to play in Game 1 vs. the Oilers and for Sean Walker to be the healthy scratch.
Ceci missed the Oilers' previous two games for the birth of his child but will draw back into Edmonton's lineup Thursday vs. San Jose. The 29-year-old has a goal, 13 assists, 86 SOG, 24 PIMs and a +9 plus/minus through 79 games this season.
Kuemper allowed two goals on 40 shots (.950 SV%) in his previous start to snap a five-game losing drought as he beat the New York Islanders. The 32-year-old has had an up-and-down first season in Washington, with his 22-26-6 record, 2.83 GAA and .910 SV%. He will take on the New Jersey Devils, who have won three of their last four games and are fifth in the NHL in goals (3.51).
Anderson has missed the Kings' last five games due to an undisclosed injury but will return to the lineup Monday vs. Vancouver. The 23-year-old has five goals, 15 assists, 88 SOG, 40 PIMs and a +20 plus/minus through 75 games played prior to the injury setback.
Kuemper allowed five goals on 31 shots (.839 SV%) for his fifth-straight loss as he was handed the defeat by the Montreal Canadiens in his previous start. The 32-year-old has had a decent first season in Washington with little help around him, with his 21-26-6 record, 2.84 GAA and .909 SV%. He takes on the New York Islanders, who have won two straight games while in a battle for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Kuemper allowed five goals on 34 shots (.853 SV%) for his fourth-straight loss as he was pounded by the New York Rangers in his previous start. The 32-year-old has had a somewhat mediocre first season in Washington, producing a 21-25-6 record, 2.79 GAA and .910 SV%. He takes on the Montreal Canadiens, who are in the middle of a four-game losing skid and are 30th in the NHL in shots per game (27.3).
Copley stopped 25 of 26 shots (.962 SV%) for his fourth-straight win as he beat the Seattle Kraken in his previous start. The 31-year-old Alaskan native has won nearly nightly despite his average counting stats, with his 24-4-3 record, 2.67 GAA and .901 SV%. He takes on the Edmonton Oilers, who have won four straight and nine of their last 10 games.
Copley stopped 25 of 26 shots (.962 SV%) for his fourth-straight win as he beat the Seattle Kraken in his previous start. The 31-year-old Alaskan native has won nearly nightly despite his average counting stats, with his 24-4-3 record, 2.67 GAA and .901 SV%. He takes on the Edmonton Oilers, who have won four straight, and nine of their last 10 games.
