Nate Schmidt did not take part in the Jets' practice Thursday as he is dealing with a lower-body injury and is considered day-to-day. The 32-year-old defenseman is in his third season with Winnipeg and had seven goals, 12 assists, 101 SOG, 19 PIMs and a +15 plus/minus through 71 games played in 2022-23. The Jets are expecting to have him back before their season opener in October.
McBain had 12 goals, 14 assists, 85 SOG, 64 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus through 82 games in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year, $3.2 million contract extension with Arizona. The 23-year-old centre was drafted by Minnesota in the third-round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft (63rd overall) and has 14 goals and 29 points across 92 games and two seasons with Arizona.
Cooley had originally committed to the University of Minnesota (NCAA) for the 2023-24 season but has decided against that decision as he signed a three-year, entry-level contract Thursday with Arizona. The 19-year-old centre was Arizona's 2022 1st round-pick (3rd overall) and had 22 goals, 38 assists, 42 PIMs and a +38 plus/minus through 39 games with the University of Minnesota in 2022-23.
Onyebuchi is an undrafted free agent out of the WHL, that played 81 games with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) over the last two seasons. The 6-foot-3, 210 lbs. defenseman has commonly been found among the team's PIMS leaders during his WHL and AHL stays.
Stenlund had six goals, three assists, 63 SOG, 20 PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through 54 games with Winnipeg in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, $1.0 million contract with Florida. The 26-year-old Centre was drafted in the second-round of the 2015 NHL Draft (58th overall) by Columbus and has 17 goals, 29 points and 168 SOG through 125 NHL games played in his career.
Yamamoto was dealt to the Red Wings alongside Klim Kostin for future considerations on Thursday and has now been placed on unconditional waivers with the purpose of a buyout. The 24-year-old right-winger had 10 goals, 15 assists, 97 SOG, 24 PIMs and a +12 plus/minus through 58 games with Edmonton in 2022-23 and will test the free agency on July 1st. The winger has played six NHL seasons, racking up 118 points (50G/68A) in 244 career NHL games.
Yamamoto has one year left on his deal that carries a $3.1M cap hit. The move provides the Oilers with some much-needed cap space and gives the Red Wings added depth on the wing. Yamamoto was the No.22 overall pick in 2017 and has 118 points (50G / 68A) in 244 career games with the Oilers. Most recently, he had 10 goals and 15 assists (25 points) in 58 games during the 2022-23 season.
Carcone had two goals, three points, 15 SOG, two PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through nine game with Arizona in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year, one-way contract ($775,000 AAV) through 2024-25. The 27-year-old left-winger has nine points (6G/3A) in 30 career NHL games played across two seasons since debuting in 2021-22.
Jones spent most of the 2023 season in the AHL, collecting 31 points (8G / 23A) in 54 games with Hartford. During his brief time with the Rangers, he had two points (1G / 1A) in 16 games, giving him a combined eight points (1G / 7A) in 38 career NHL games. The one-way deal suggests that Jones is a part of the Rangers' blueline plans for the 2023-24 season.
Stenlund was considered a game-time decision but is on the ice for warmups and will play in Game 1 in Vegas. Stenlund had just nine points (6G / 3A) in 54 games this season.
Stenlund left the Jets' final game of the season after just 8:36 TOI due to a lower-body injury and will be a game-time decision Tuesday vs. Vegas. The 26-year-old had six goals, nine points, 63 SOG, 20 PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through 54 games during the regular season.
Stenlund was not on the ice for Sunday's practice and is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. If Stenlund is not available for Game 1 on Tuesday, expect David Gustafsson to suit up as the Jets' fourth-line centre.
Schmidt had seven goals, 19 points, 101 SOG, eight PIMs and a +15 plus/minus through 71 games this season but is not expected to play Thursday due to rest-related reasons. The 31-year-old completed his second successful campaign in Winnipeg, hitting the seven-goal mark for the third time in his 10-year career.
Vejmelka allowed four goals on 30 shots (.867 SV%) for his fourth-straight loss as he was defeated by the Dallas Stars in his last game. The 26-year-old has been solid despite the team in front of him all season, with his 18-23-5 record, 3.38 GAA and .901 SV%. He takes on the Seattle Kraken, who have won two-straight and are fourth in the NHL in goals (3.53).
Vejmelka allowed five goals on 29 shots (.828 SV%) for his third-straight loss as he was beaten easily by the Edmonton Oilers in his last start. The 26-year-old has been solid this season considering the team around him, posting an 18-22-5 record, a 3.37 GAA and a .902 SV%. He takes on the Dallas Stars, who have won three of their last five games and are seventh in the NHL in goals per game (3.41).
