Smith was San Jose's top prospect and 2023 first-round pick (4th overall) and signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Tuesday worth $4.15 million ($950,000 AAV). The 19-year-old just finished up his Freshman season with Boston College (NCAA) and had 25 goals and 71 points in 41 games played.
Dellandrea has not played since Game 4 of the Stars' opening series vs. Vegas but will draw back into the lineup on Saturday for Radek Faksa. In four games so far in the 2023-24 playoffs, the 23-year-old left-winger has a goal, five SOG and two PIMs.
Cagnoni was San Jose's 2023 fourth-round pick (123rd overall) and signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Wednesday with the Sharks. The 19-year-old defenseman is looking like a draft-day steal after putting up 18 goals and 90 points in 65 games with Portland (WHL) in his fourth junior season in 2023-24.
Dellandrea has appeared in four games for Dallas in their opening series but will be a scratch for Game 7 vs. Vegas as Radek Faksa returns to the lineup. The 23-year-old had one goal, five SOG, and two PIMs while averaging 11:57 TOI/GP through his four games played.
Bowers was the 28th overall pick of the Ottawa Senators in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and has been limited to only nine career NHL games. He played eight games with the Devils this season but spent most of the 2023-24 campaign in the AHL, scoring 14 points (10G / 4A) in 43 games with the Utica Comets.
Wennberg missed practice on Thursday due to an undisclosed injury and was originally considered a game-time decision but has stated himself that he will play in Game 3 vs. Washington on Friday. The 28-year-old was acquired at the trade deadline from Seattle and has yet to pick up a point in the playoffs while averaging 16:17 TOI.
Wennberg has begun the playoffs playing on the Rangers' third line alongside Will Cuylle and Kaapo Kaako. The 29-year-old Wennberg is averaging 16:17 time-on-ice through two games and has zero points.
With the Jets locking in home-ice advantage in their impending first-round matchup against the Colorado Avalanche, they will give Connor Hellebuyck the night off in their final game of the season and turn to Brossoit. The 31-year-old Brossoit has had a terrific season as the Jets' backup, posting a 2.00 GAA and .928 SV% in 22 games (14-5-2).
After recording 11:02 time-on-ice in Ottawa's final game of the season, Ostapchuk has been reassigned to the Belleville Senators (AHL). The 20-year-old spent most of the season with Belleville, recording 28 points (17G / 11A) in 66 games.
The Penguins were eliminated from the playoffs yesterday but will continue to roll with Nedeljkovic between the pipes on Wednesday against the New York Islanders. Nedeljkovic has allowed three or more goals in four of his last five (3-1-1) but saved 28 of 30 (.933 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-2 win over the Nashville Predators. The Penguins enter action as -130 road favourites.
The Penguins were eliminated from the playoffs yesterday but will continue to roll with Nedeljkovic between the pipes on Wednesday against the New York Islanders. Nedeljkovic has allowed three or more goals in four of his last five (3-1-1) but saved 28 of 30 (.933 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-2 win over the Nashville Predators. The Penguins enter action as -130 road favourites.
Ostapchuk will make his first appearance since March 21st when the Senators travel to Boston for their regular season finale on Tuesday. The 20-year-old forward is yet to register a point in six NHL games this season.
Nedeljkovic will continue his reign over the Penguins crease as they continue their efforts towards making the final Wild-Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Nedeljkovic has allowed three or more goals in three straight (1-1-1), a skid that has potentially sealed the fate of the Penguins, highlighted by allowing three goals on 16 shots (.813 SV%) in an eventual 6-4 loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday. The Penguins enter action as -125 home favourites.
Mark Kastelic suffered an upper-body injury on Saturday, resulting in Ostapchuk being recalled from the Belleville Senators (AHL). The 20-year-old Ostapchuk played six games with the Senators earlier this season but has spent most of the 2023-24 campaign with Belleville, scoring 28 points (17G / 11A) in 66 games.
