St. Louis locked up one of their key core pieces on Tuesday as they signed 29-year-old Pavel Buchnevic to a six-year, $48 million ($8,000,000 AAV) contract extension. The Russian left-winger just completed his eighth NHL season and had 27 goals, 63 points, 48 PIMs and 207 SOG in 80 games played in 2023-24.
Drouin will return to Colorado for a second season and his 11th NHL season after he signed a one-year, $2.5 million extension with the Avalanche. The 29-year-old resurrected his career in 2023-24 by signing a one-year, $825,000 contract and put up a career-high 56 points (19G/37A) in 79 games played.
McMichael took a massive step forward with his game in 2023-24 after Niklas Backstrom was ruled out for the season and earned himself a two-year contract extension worth $4.2 million ($2.1M AAV). The 23-year-old averaged 5:21 TOI/GP more than his previous career high last season which led to his 18 goals and 33 points in 80 games played.
Stancl is St.Louis' 2023 fourth-round pick (106th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blues on Thursday. The 19-year-old left-winger appeared in seven games for Vaxjo Lakers HC (SHL) and had a goal and zero assists at Sweden's top level.
Pekarcik is St. Louis 2023 third-round pick (76th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Wednesday. The 18-year-old forward spent the entire 2023-24 season with Dubuque of the USHL and had nine goals, and 59 points in 43 games played in his first season in North American hockey.
Broberg has yet to appear in any of Edmonton's 2023-24 playoff games so far but is expected to make his debut as he replaces Vincent Desharnais for Game 4 on Wednesday. The 22-year-old defenseman appeared in 12 regular season games and had two assists, six SOG and a -3 plus/minus.
Kaskimaki was St. Louis' 2022 third-round pick (73rd overall) and signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Tuesday with the Blues. The 20-year-old centre spent 2023-24 with HIFK of Liiga in Finland and had 10 goals, and 17 points in 48 games played.
Drouin missed all of Colorado's opening series win over Winnipeg due to a lower-body injury but travelled with the team to Dallas and took part in practice for the first time since his injury on Wednesday. The 29-year-old is one step closer to a return which is a great sign for Colorado after he posted career highs in points (56), and plus/minus (+12) across 79 games played during the regular season.
Carlo missed Monday's morning skate while with his wife to welcome the birth of their son, but he made it to Florida in time for Game 1 vs. the Panthers. Carlo had one goal, one assist, 11 shots on goal, 16 blocks and 16 hits in round 1 vs. the Maple Leafs.
Drouin missed Colorado's entire opening series vs. Winnipeg due to a lower-body injury but will travel with the Avalanche for their upcoming two opening games in Dallas and has a chance to return. The 29-year-old had a phenomenal first season in Colorado, with 19 goals, 56 points, 127 SOG, 28 PIMs and a +12 in 79 games played while mostly occupying a top-six role.
Carlo missed Boston's morning skate due to the birth of his second child but is expected to be a game-time decision for Game 1 on Monday in Florida as he attempts to get to the team for game time. If Carlo is unable to go, Derek Forbort is expected to replace him according to this morning's line rushes. The 27-year-old had a strong opening series vs. Toronto, with a goal, two points and a +2 plus/minus.
Stenberg was St. Louis' 2023 first-round pick (25th overall) and signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Wednesday. The 18-year-old left-winger just finished his second full season with Frolunda HC (SHL) and had three goals and six points in 31 games played during the 2023-24 season.
Robertsson was St. Louis' 2021 third-round pick (71st overall) and signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Wednesday starting in 2024-25. The 21-year-old just finished a split season between Skelleftea AIK (SHL) and Brynas IF (HA) where he played in 39 games played.
Johannesson was the 176th overall pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft but has played exclusively in the Swedish Hockey League. In 43 games with Orebrok HK (SweHL) this season, the 23-year-old defenseman scored 27 points (11G / 26A).
Broberg was originally recalled for some defensive depth to start the playoffs but has been loaned to Bakersfield (AHL) on Tuesday to help them with their playoff push. The 22-year-old third-year veteran appeared in a career-low 12 games this season with the OIlers and had only two assists, six PIMs and a -3 plus/minus.
The Oilers rested several of their regulars in their season finale on Thursday, allowing Broberg to draw into the lineup but he has been reassigned to the Bakersfield Condors. The 22-year-old Broberg scored 35 points (5G / 30A) in 48 games with Bakersfield this season.
Dean made his NHL debut this season but failed to score a point in nine games with the Blues. The 21-year-old has been reassigned to the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL), where he has 13 points (8G / 5A) in 47 games this season.
