Blackwell had two goals, eight assists, 53 SOG, six PIMs, and a -16 plus/minus through 53 games with Chicago in 2022-23 but will begin the 2023-24 season on the injured reserve due to a lower-body injury. The 30-year-old veteran forward is considered out indefinitely as he begins his sixth NHL season. He will be used as a key depth piece when he returns to the Blackhawks.
Faksa took a hard hit along the boards during last Tuesday's preseason game and had to get stitches on his face. He was not in concussion protocol, so there's a good chance that Dallas' fourth-line centre is available for opening night.
Johnston had a "little bit of a procedure," according to head coach Pete DeBoer. The Stars will be forced to shuffle their lineup around and Craig Smith will likely dress if Johnston isn't able to play on Thursday.
Hintz practiced with the team for the first two days of training camp but hasn't been with the team recently due to an upper-body injury. He's been skating on his own and head coach Pete DeBoer is still optimistic that Hintz will be ready for Game 1. His availability for practice this week will be a good indication of if he'll play vs. the Blues or not.
DeSmith was 15-16-4 with a .905 SV% and a 3.17 GAA in 38 games played with Pittsburgh in 2022-23 and has been traded to Vancouver for Tanner Pearson and a 2025 third-round pick. The 32-year-old has spent his entire five-year career in Pittsburgh after breaking into the NHL in 2017-18 and has a 58-44-15 record, with a .912 SV% and 2.81 GAA through 134 career games played. He carries a $1,800,000 cap hit into the 2023-24 season.
DeSmith was acquired by Montreal as part of a three-team deal with Pittsburgh and San Jose that include Erik Karlsson going to the Sharks. The 31-year-old goaltender will join only his second team after five season in PIttsburgh and has a career 58-44-15 record with a .912 SV% and a 2.81 GAA. He was 15-16-4 with a .905 SV% and a 3.17 GAA in 33 starts in 2022-23 with Pittsburgh.
Steel had 10 goals, 18 assists, 85 SOG, 18 PIMs and a +11 plus/minus through 65 games with Minnesota in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year contract worth $850,000 with Dallas. The 25-year-old centre was a first-round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft (30th overall) and has 34 goals, 93 points, and 311 SOG through 262 career games played with two different teams (ANA/MIN).
Duchene had 22 goals, 34 assists, 168 SOG, 32 PIMs and a +4 plus/minus through 71 games with Nashville in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year contract worth $3.0 million with Dallas. The 32-year-old centre joins his fifth NHL team and is one season off of a 43 goals, 86 point season in 2021-22. The veteran has 316 goals and 744 points through 976 career NHL games.
Burroughs had two goals, three assists, 47 SOG, 62 PIMs and a -4 plus/minus through 48 games with Vancouver in 2022-23 and has signed a three-year deal worth $3.3 million ($1.1M AAV) with San Jose. The 27-year-old defenseman has appeared in 95 career NHL games across three seasons; picking up three goals, eight assists, 89 SOG and 106 PIMs.
Duchene had 22 goals, 34 assists, 168 SOG, 32 PIMs and a +4 plus/minus through 71 games with Nashville in 2022-23 but has been placed on unconditional waivers with the purpose of a buyout Friday. The 32-year-old centre has been one of the Predators' best players for years, but was expected to carry a $8 million cap hit into 2023-24 for three more season and will therefore only cost the Predators $2.56 million next season. The veteran is just 24 games from reaching the 1000 game plateau, having picked up 316 goals and 744 points across his 14 year career.
Benn was ejected and received a match penalty after playing just 0:42 TOI for cross-check on Vegas' Mark Stone during Game 3 and will be suspended for the next two games. The 33-year-old Stars' captain had been enjoying a solid post season to date, with three goals, eight assists, 36 SOG, 51 PIMs and a +1 plus/minus through 16 games.
Oettinger was pulled after allowing three goals on five shots (.400 SV%) in seven minutes in a horrific Game 3 loss as Vegas took a 3-0 series lead with an easy victory over Dallas. The 24-year-old has struggled throughout the playoffs despite having a strong regular season, with his 8-8-0 record, 3.02 GAA and .895 SV%. He will hope to get things back on track and keep the Stars alive with a Victory in Game 4 vs Vegas, who closed out the regular season 14th in the NHL in goals per game (3.26).
Oettinger allowed three goals on 24 shots (.875 SV%) as Dallas fell to 0-2 in the Western Conference Final as Vegas beat the Stars 3-2 in overtime. The 24-year-old has had an up-and-down playoffs up to this point, proven by his 8-7-0 record, 2.84 GAA and .901 SV%. He will hope to get Dallas in the win column for the first time vs Vegas, who closed out the regular season 14th in the NHL in goals per game (3.26).
Oettinger allowed three goals on 24 shots (.875 SV%) as Dallas fell to 0-2 in the Western Conference Final as Vegas beat the Stars 3-2 in overtime. The 24-year-old has had an up-and-down playoffs up to this point, proven by his 8-7-0 record, 2.84 GAA and .901 SV%. He will hope to get Dallas in the win column for the first time vs Vegas, who closed out the regular season 14th in the NHL in goals per game (3.26).
