Pelletier is expected to be out long-term after undergoing shoulder surgery. Last season he made his NHL debut, recording seven points (3G / 4A) in 24 games for the Flames. In his absence, Dryden Hunt is expected to make the opening-night roster and center the 4th line for Calgary.
Guentzel was initially expected to miss the first month of the season, but then GM Kyle Dubas said he may only miss five games. Now, it looks like Guentzel may not be in danger of missing any games after being a full participant in Tuesday's practice. Guentzel had 36 goals and 37 assists (73 points) in 78 games a season ago.
Guentzel underwent offseason ankle surgery in early August and was expected 12 weeks. Penguins' GM Kyle Dubas later stated he would only miss about five games, so returning to the ice in training camp suggests he's on track for an early season debut.
Vasilevskiy enjoyed his longest off-season since 2018-19 due to the Lightning's first-round playoff exit in 2022-23 but has undergone successful back surgery and is now expected to miss 8-10 weeks as he recovers. The 29-year-old Vezina Winner failed to lead the NHL in wins for the first time in six seasons in 2022-23, as he went 34-22-4 with a .915 SV% and a 2.65 GAA in what was considered a down year by his standards. Jonas Johansson is currently lined up to take over the starting role while Vasilevskiy recovers.
Pelletier injured his left shoulder during a Flames pre-season game, and he will undergo surgery next week. Pelletier split his 2023 season between the AHL and NHL, picking up seven points (3G / 4A) in 24 games with the Flames. He was poised to fill a middle-6 role with the Flames this season, but that will no longer be the case.
Raddysh had a goal, two assists, 25 SOG, four PIMs and a -4 plus/minus through 17 games in 2022-23 with Tampa Bay and has signed a two-year, 1.95 million contract extension ($995,000 AAV). The 27-year-old defenseman had only played in four NHL games prior to last season after a strong AHL career which saw him collect 171 points in 339 career AHL games.
Hagel enjoyed a breakout season in 2022-23 with 30 goals, 34 assists, 178 SOG, a +23 plus/minus, with 54 PIMs through 81 games played with Tampa Bay and has signed an eight-year, $52 million contract extension ($6,500,000 AAV). The 24-year-old winger was acquired from Chicago the season before for two players and two conditional first-round picks and has 64 goals and 132 points across 211 career NHL games.
Guentzel had 36 goals, 37 assists, 244 SOG, 46 PIMs and a +2 plus/minus through 78 games with Pittsburgh in 2022-23 and will now miss the next three months and start of the season as he recovers from a successful Ankle surgery. The 28-year-old elite scoring left-winger is expected to be re-evaluated in 12 weeks which means he will miss at least the Penguins' first seven games. It is a massive loss for the Penguins early as Guentzel has scored 99 goals in the previous three seasons.
Abruzzese had two assists, two SOG, and a +1 plus/minus through a short two-game showing with Toronto in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year, two-way extension worth $1.55 million ($775,000 AAV). The 24-year-old centre was Toronto's 2019 4th round draft pick (124th overall) and has a goal, two assists, and two PIMs through 11 career NHL games.
Mitchell had a goal, seven assists, 25 SOG, eight PIMs and a -8 plus/minus through 35 games with Chicago in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, $775,000 AAV contract as a pre-arbitration agreement with Boston. The 24-year-old defenseman had his rights acquired by the Bruins as a part of the deal that saw Taylor Hall head to Chicago. He has four goals and 16 points across 82 career NHL games played.
Chaffee had five goals, two assists, eight PIMs and a +8 plus/minus in a short 10 games showing with Iowa (AHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 AAV with Tampa Bay. The 25-year-old right-winger made his NHL debut in 2021-22 with Minnesota, where he failed to pick up a point in two games.
Santini had an assist, two PIMs and five SOG through four games with St.Louis in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 AAV with Los Angeles. The 28-year-old defenseman was drafted by New Jersey in the second-round of the 2013 draft (42nd overall) and brings five goals, 23 points and 57 PIMs across 123 career NHL games played to the Kings.
Sabourin had 16 goals, 17 assists, 177 PIMs and a +7 plus/minus through 51 games played with Belleville (AHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 AAV with San Jose. The 30-year-old right-winger last played in the NHL in 2021-22 and has appeared in 43 career NHL games with two goals, eight points and 49 PIMs.
It was long rumoured that Jonas Johansson would be returning to Europe following a few disappointing seasons in the NHL but he signed a two-year contract worth $1.55 million ($775K AAV). The 27-year-old goaltender saw limited action with Colorado in 2022-23, posting an impressive 2-0-0 record with a 2.10 GAA and .932 SV%. He brings 35 games of NHL experience to the Lightning and should make a servicable third goaltender.
Perry's rights were traded to the Blackhawks' earlier Thursday for a seventh round draft pick from Tampa Bay and he has signed a one-year, $4 million contract with Chicago. The 38-year-old had 12 goals, 13 assists, 116 SOG, 95 PIMs and a -28 plus/minus through 81 games with Tampa Bay in 2022-23. The veteran right-winger will begin his 19th NHL season in 2023-24, representing his fifth team with the Blackhawks.
Chicago continues to acquire veteran leadership to help them through this transition period. Perry spent the last two seasons in Tampa, where he had 31 goals and 34 assists (65 points) in 163 games. Perry is a pending UFA, so the Blackhawks must get him under contract before Saturday.
Holmberg had five goals, 13 points, 27 SOG, and 18 PIMs through 37 games with Toronto in 2022-23 and has signed a wo-year, $1.6 Million extension ($800,000 AAV). The 24-year-old was Toronto's 2018 sixth round pick (156th overall) and made his NHL debut as a rookie last season.
Mitchell had a goal, seven assists, 25 SOG, eight PIMs and a -8 plus/minus through 35 games with Chicago in 2022-23 and has had his rights traded to Boston alongside Alec Regula for Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno. The 24-year-old has appeared in 82 games across three seasons with Chicago, collecting four goals and 16 points.
GIrgensons had 10 goals, eight assists, 114 SOG, 14 PIMs and a -5 plus/minus through 80 games in 2022-23 with the Sabres and has signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract extension through the 2023-24 season. The 29-year-old left-winger is entering his 10th NHL season with Buffalo, having picked up 174 points (81G/93A) across 625 games.
Martinsen-Lilleberg was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Draft by the Coyotes. He signed a two-year deal with the Lightning after recording 11 points (3G / 8A) in 46 games with Oskarshamn IK (SHL).
