Kolyachonok, 18, was a second-round pick of the Panthers this summer. The 6-foot-1, 184 lbs. defenseman had four goals and 25 assists (29 points) in 53 games in his first season with the Flint Firebirds (OHL).
Erne was a second-round pick of the Lightning in 2013 and finished his first full NHL season with 20 points (7G / 13A) in 65 games. Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman is familiar with Erne from his time with Tampa Bay and added the 24-year-old to a team that has a ton of bottom-6 players. Erne will likely open 2020 on their third line.
Lyubushkin had four assists in 41 games with the Coyotes this season. The 25-year-old defenseman came to the NHL after spending six years in the KHL. Lyubushkin will likely serve as the Coyotes No.6/No.7 defenseman in 2019-20.
Lindell, 24, has become a fantastic shutdown defenseman for Dallas after being selected in the third-round in 2012. Lindell has some offensive flair to his game as well, scoring 11 goals and 21 assists (32 points) in 82 games during the regular season. The Finnish defenseman had a great postseason, leading all Stars’ players in ice-time (26:58 TOI/gm) with four points (1G / 3A) and 34 blocked shots in 13 games. Lindell, John Klingberg and Miro Heiskanen will be among the NHL’s best top-3 defensemen for the Stars for many years to come.
Hintz missed the morning skate before Game 7 because of a foot injury he suffered while blocking a shot late in Game 6. The Stars announced that he played through a broken foot in Game 7 but is expected to be ready for training camp for the 2019-20 season.
Hintz missed the morning skate but head coach Jim Montgomery said that Hintz will be available for Game 7 in St. Louis. Hintz will centre the second line with Jamie Benn and Alexander Radulov on his wings and comes in with three goals and two assists in six games in the series.
Rantanen missed the final seven games of the regular season but is ready to play in Game 1 in Calgary. Rantanen had four assists in six playoff games a year ago and had three points (1G / 2A) in three games vs. the Flames this year.
Benn will get the night off to make sure that he is 100 percent heading into the postseason. Justin Dowling will move into the Stars top-6 with Benn sitting out.
Erne missed Saturday’s game vs. the Red Wings but will play tonight in Toronto. Erne has one goal and two assists in his last three games, giving him 18 points (7G / 11A) in 53 games this season.
Erne is banged up with an upper-body injury and will be replaced by Ryan Callahan on Saturday.
Faksa was forced to leave Tuesday’s game against the Rangers with a neck injury and will not play Thursday vs. Colorado. Faksa is day-to-day.
Bastian will miss his second straight game with an undisclosed injury that he suffered against the Flyers on Tuesday. Bastian remains day-to-day.
