We are three weeks away from the start of the 2021-22 season, so Hayes will miss at least the first three weeks of the new season. With Hayes out, Claude Giroux may have to shift back to the middle of the ice for a few weeks or Scott Laughton/Derick Brassard will play larger roles than originally expected.
Kolyachonok was a second-round pick (No.52 overall) in 2019and split his 2021 campaign between the KHL and AHL. He started the year with Minsk (KHL) and collected six points (1G / 5A) in 46 games before returning to Syracuse (AHL). He had two assists in 10 AHL games and will likely report to the Coyotes AHL affiliate to start the 2021-22 season.
Imama was originally a sixth-round pick of the Lightning in 2015 but was traded to the Kings before he turned pro. The 24-year-old winger spent all of 2021 in the AHL, where he had nine goals and five assists (14 points) in 31 games for Ontario (AHL). He'll likely report to Tucson (AHL) to start 2021.
The Red Wings acquired Nedeljkovic from the Hurricanes and immediately signed him to a two-year contract. Nedeljkovic led the NHL in GAA and SV% in 2020-21 and helps solidify the Red Wings' crease moving forward and gives them a young goalie to build around.
2020-21 was a bizarre season for Nedeljkovic. He started the season on waivers, went unclaimed, and then became the Hurricanes No.1 netminder after Petr Mrazek and James Reimer battled injuries. Nedeljkovic went on to lead the NHL in both GAA (1.90) and SV% (.932) in 23 games. The Hurricanes were concerned about going to arbitration with Nedeljkovic, so the Red Wings took advantage of that with their abundance of cap space.
Hallander was originally a second-round pick of the Penguins but was traded to the Maple Leafs as a part of the Kasperi Kapanen trade last summer. With the Expansion Draft looming, the Penguins were likely to lose Jared McCann for nothing, so this trade at least brings Hallander back to the organization. The 21-year-old had 13 goals and 11 assists (24 points) in 51 game with Lulea HF (SHL) in 2021.
Graves being dealt is a product of the Seattle Expansion Draft and New Jersey lands a solid top-4 defenseman that should fit in well with their emerging young blueline. Graves, who has two years left at $3.17M AAV, had two goals and 13 assists (15 points) in 54 games with the Avalanche in 2021.
