University Of Connecticut Huskies‘ junior left wing, Russian-born Vladislav Firstov(8) will leave a year of school on the table, as the Minnesota Wild 2nd round pick in the 2019 draft (#42 overall) is going to sign a 3-year entry level deal and get things started with affiliate Iowa Wild.
He put up almost identical numbers this past season as he did in his freshman year and was a point-per-game guy in a limited schedule as a sophomore.
The 6’1 181 lbs. forward had a similar run in one year of USHL for Waterloo Blackhawks.
His college team was able to make a deep run in Hockey East playoffs for a 1st time ever, and at only 20-years old he will likely be banging on the door for his shot at the NHL.
Chicago Blackhawks‘ 2nd round pick in the 2019 draft, Boston University Terriers‘ junior defenseman Alex Vlasic(43) signs a 3-year NHL entry level deal and foregoes his final year at college.
The very big 6’6″ 211 lbs. blue liner could potentially join them immediately.
He had a college career best 7 assists and tying 8 points in 2021/2022.
The sort of close to home Wilmette, IL native spent two years in the USNTDP program and twice had 20+ helpers.
At just 20-years old, he still could be ready to start shining in the show.
Buffalo Sabres‘ 4th round pick in the 2017 draft (#99 overall) defenseman Jacob Bryson(18) is making himself at home in his career high 48th NHL game, scoring an exact from his rookie campaign, one goal and 8 assists.
The small 5’9″ 179 lbs. blue liner is set to become a restricted free agent and should likely settle on a multi-year deal to stay.
He put up solid numbers as a rookie with affiliate Rochester Americans, scoring 4 goals and 23 assists in 61 AHL games with a +8 rating.
The former 3-year Providence College Friars was twice a 20+ assist guy.
From London, ON, he is listed as having done one year in the USHS-Prep before heading to a season of USHL.
There’s little doubt the 24-year old has a lot to smile about.
12th year defenseman Cody Goloubef(29) decides for the 1st time in his pro career life to reach out across the seas for some new kind of hockey, signing for the remainder of 2021/2022 with SC Bern.
He only ever played one full season, 2015-2016, the 6th and final season with draft club (round 2, 2008, #37 overall) Columbus Blue Jackets, when he skated 43 NHL games, scoring a goal and best 7 assists and 8 points.
The 6’1″ 195 lbs. blue liner has spent 3 full campaigns in the AHL, including most recently signed to Belleville Senators.
He is credited for appearing in 353 games with 39 goals and 90 assists with a +7 rating and a very decent 160 in the big league, scoring 3 goals and 22 assists with a -7.
The 32-year old, former 3-year University Of Wisconsin Badgers‘ d-man has basically worked pretty hard at his craft to earn what he’s earned, should do well and have fun playing in the NL, Switzerland’s top hockey.
10th year left wing Mike Hoeffel(11) decided to sit out last season, but returns for his 5th year in DEL, signing with his 3rd club, Krefeld Pinguine for the remainder of 2021/2022.
He originally came over and signed a deal with DEL2 club, Eispiraten Crimmitschau after a successful stint in Fjordkraftligaen for Stavenger Oilers, where the won the 2016 Norway Championship.
An undrafted free agent after completing four years at University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers, scoring quite well, he signed a 2-year entry level deal with New Jersey Devils, but skated only with their AHL affiliate Albany Devils.
The 32-year old probably is just happy folks want to pay him to lace up the skates.
University Of Denver Pioneers‘ senior, captain forward Cole Guttman(19) is one of 5 teammates in the top 20 NCAA Division 1 scoring.
The 5’11” 175 lbs. forward is just one point shy of tying his college scoring high mark as a sophomore (28), but does have a new best 16 assists and easily looks to surpass goals and points.
He’s a Tampa Bay Lightning 6th round 2017 draft pick (#180 overall), getting selected after a strong 1st year of juniors with Dubuque Fighting Saints, where he got 27 goals and 27 assists in 53 USHL games with a +21 rating.
The 22-year old, Los Angeles, CA native looks poised to join his pro team after the current session and an entry level contract is signed.
Anaheim Ducks‘ 10th year defenseman Greg Pateryn(2) keeps his streak of NHL games alive, appearing in 2 already this season.
He’s only not appeared in the upper league once on reassignment to affiliate as assistant captain for Hamilton Bulldogs from parent club Montreal Canadiens.
He was with them for his first 5 seasons after a trade sent him from draft club Toronto Maple Leafs, 5th round 2008, #128 overall.
The very sizable 6’2″ 224 lbs. d-man was dealt to Dallas Stars, where he produced his best (1 goal, 12 assists) in the 2nd year of his contract with the Habs.
He would next sign a three year deal with Minnesota Wild that had him mostly up in the big league but then was traded and kept bouncing in the pandemic year.
The 31-year old has to have a smile on his face and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him take off for some different kind of hockey to end his career.
6th year defenseman Ian McCoshen(22) signed his 1-year AHL deal to stick with Henderson Silver Knights after scoring 5 assists with a +3 in 24 games.
The big 6’3″ 218 lbs. Florida Panthers‘ 2nd round pick in 2013 (#31 overall) spent the 1st three years of his pro career in their system and played all of his NHL games, 60, 4 goals, 3 assists with the team before being traded to Chicago Blackhawks very early in his 4th year.
He was next signed late, just before the start of the 2020/2021 season to a new deal with Minnesota Wild and looks to have split time between the taxi squad and affiliate Iowa Wild.
This is the 26-year old from Anaheim, CA, former 3-year Boston College Eagles first minor league contract, but we don’t doubt he plays himself back up or take off for some overseas hockey.
Detroit Red Wings‘ re-signed big defenseman Luke Witkowski(28) to a new 2-year deal through 2023, as some back-up insurance.
The 6’2″ 210 lbs. blue liner has mostly been re-assigned to help affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins, but is easily on a short list for a big league game.
He was twice recently listed as captain of draft club, Tampa Bay Lightning (6th round, 2008, #160 overall) farm team, Syracuse Crunch and last played in the NHL, early 2019.
The former 4-year, senior captain at Western Michigan University Broncos d-man has skated 280 AHL games with a total +31 rating.
At 31-years old, he’s definitely always been in line for big contracts, but has always worked hard to maintain the level.
9th year defenseman Jon Merrill(4) signed just about one month into unrestricted free agency by Minnesota Wild after coming off a late trade that sent him to Montreal Canadiens, which resulted in an unexpected extended Cup run.
The New Jersey Devils‘ 2nd round pick in 2010 (#34 overall) spent 4 years until he was picked up by Vegas Golden Knights in their 1st season 2017 expansion draft.
He signed a 2-year deal to stay and wound up with his best overall stats in his 2nd season in Nevada, scoring highs of 3 goals, tying 12 assists and 15 points with a +16 rating.
The sizable 6’3″ 204 lbs. former 3-year University Of Michigan Wolverines‘ blue liner next signed, as 2020/2021 was starting, a 1-year deal with Detroit Red Wings.
He’s notched 3 goals and 8 assists in 33 NHL games this season with a +8 rating, so the 29-year old is off to a good run with his new club and maybe not easily, but he could reach new heights in all categories and was rewarded for his play with a new 3-year deal worth $1.2M AAV.
The Oklahoma City native must have a huge smile on his face.
