Pittsburgh will be in need of a backup goaltender to start the 2024-25 season after it was announced Alex Nedeljkovic sustained a lower-body injury on Wednesday and will be out week-to-week. The 28-year-old surprisingly took over Pittsburgh's crease for the Penguins end of season playoff run in 2023-24 due to his 18-7-7 record, 2.97 GAA and .902 SV% during his first season in Pennsylvania.
In some disappointing news, 22-year-old Shakir Mukhamadullin will not be ready for San Jose's training camp due to a lower-body injury. The 2020 1st-round pick (20th overall) was hoping to crack the Sharks' roster for a full season after making his NHL debut with a point in three games in 2023-24. There is no timetable for his return to camp.
San Jose fans will have to wait a little bit to get their first glimpse of their new goaltending prospect as Yaroslav Askarov has announced he will not be ready for training camp due to a lower-body injury. The 22-year-old was acquired from Nashville during the offseason after he requested a trade out due to his spot on the depth chart. In 44 games with Milwaukee (AHL) in 2023-24, he had an impressive 30-13-1 record, .911 SV% and 2.39 GAA and will be looking to make an impact in San Jose in his first season once healthy.
Nearly an hour after being acquired in a large trade with San Jose, Yaroslav Askarov has signed a two-year, $4 million contract ($2,000,000 AAV) that will kick in after the 2024-25 season once his $925,000 contract comes to an end. The 22-year-old goaltender was Nashville's 2020 1st-round pick (11th overall) and had a strong 30-13-1 record, 2.39 GAA and .911 SV% with Milwaukee (AHL) last season.
The Askarov trade sweepstakes finally ended on Friday as San Jose acquired the goaltender alongside Nolan Burke and a 2025 3rd-round pick from Nashville for David Edstrom, a 2025 1st-round pick (VGK- Top 10 protected) and Magnus Chrona. The 22-year-old goaltender was Nashville's 2020 1st-round pick (11th overall) and had an impressive 30-13-1 record, 2.39 GAA and .911 SV% with Milwaukee (AHL) last season.
Chernyshov was San Jose's 2024 2nd-round pick (33rd overall) and signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Thursday. The 18-year-old Russian left-winger spent 2023-24 between Dynamo Moskva (KHL) and MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL) and had 32 points in 56 games played between the two.
Coe was a fourth-round pick in 2020 and has spent his first few years as a pro in the AHL. Most recently, he had 12 goals and five assists (17 points) in 57 games for the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) in 2024. Expect him to start the 2024-25 season in the AHL.
Dickinson was selected No.11 overall in this year's NHL Draft. The 18-year-old blueliner had an outstanding season with the London Knights, finishing fourth among defensemen with 70 points (18G/ 52A) in 68 games.
Celebrini was the No.1 overall pick in this summer's NHL Draft after posting 32 goals and 32 assists (64 points) in 38 games at Boston University. The 18-year-old appears set to turn pro and join the Sharks after signing his entry-level deal after speculation he may return to college. The 18-year-old was only the fourth freshman in NCAA history to win the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s top player.
Regenda spent most of the 2024 season in the AHL but did appear in five NHL games with the Ducks. During his time in San Diego (AHL), he had 34 points (19G / 15A) in 54 games and should be poised to push for an NHL roster spot in training camp this fall.
Dellandrea's rights were acquired by San Jose last week in exchange for Winnipeg's 2025 4th round pick and has signed a two-year, $2.6 million contract extension ($1,300,000 AAV) with the Sharks on Thursday. The 23-year-old was Dallas' 2018 1st round pick (13th overall) and only appeared in 42 games in 2023-24, picking up two goals, nine points, 23 PIMs and a -10 plus/minus.
Gaudette spent the 2024 season in the Blues organization, where he played two NHL games and 67 AHL games. During his time with Springfield (AHL), he led the AHL with 44 goals and was third in points (71). He'll likely start the year in Belleville (AHL).
San Jose added to their defensive depth on Tuesday as they signed Lucas Carlsson to a two-year, two-way deal. The 26-year-old will likely begin the season with the Barracuda (AHL) after appearing in two NHL games for Florida in 2023-24. In 60 career NHL games, he has three goals, 11 points and 14 PIMs across four separate seasons.
After being bought out of his contract in Buffalo earlier this week, Jeff Skinner has signed a one-year, $3 million contract with Edmonton. The 32-year-old is entering his 15th NHL season and had 24 goals, 46 points, 211 SOG and 34 PIMs in 74 games played in 2023-24.
After two strong seasons in Edmonton, Vincent Desharnais has signed a two-year deal worth $4 million ($2,000,000 AAV) with cross-country rival Vancouver. The 6'7" defensemen will add to the Canucks already towering defensive unit ater scoring one goal and 11 points in 78 games played.
25-year-old Jimmy Huntington has signed a one-year, two-way contract with Pittsburgh on Monday as he attempts to crack the NHL for the first time in his career. The travelling centre won a Calder Cup with Hershey (AHL) in 2023-24 after putting up 16 goals and 33 points in 67 games played during the regular season.
San Jose continues key pieces during the offseason as they signed forward Alex Wennberg to a two-year deal worth $10.0 million ($5.0M AAV). The 30-year-old spent 2023-24 split between New York and Seattle and had 10 goals and 30 points in 79 games played.
Vancouver added to its offensive depth on Monday as it signed Kiefer Sherwood to a two-year deal worth $3.0 million ($1.5M AAV). The 29-year-old is coming off his best statistical season in the NHL as he finished 2023-24 with 10 goals, 27 points, 41 PIMs and a +17 plus/minus.
Chicago completed their goaltending tandem on Monday as Laurent Brossoit joined Petr Mrazek in the Blackhawks' goaltending room after signing a two-year deal worth $6.6 million ($3.3M AAV). The 31-year-old solidified himself as one of the NHL's best backups after an incredibly successful first season in Winnipeg, with his 15-5-2 record, 2.00 GAA, .927 SV% and three shutouts.
Toffoli will head to the West Coast to join the young talent out in San Jose as he signed a four-year deal worth $24.0 million ($6.0M AAV) with the Sharks on Monday. The 32-year-old was acquired at the trade deadline by Winnipeg from New Jersey and had 33 goals, 55 points and 229 SOG in 79 total games played in 2023-24.
