Brown did not do much in his first regular season with the Oilers, posting just four goals and eight assists (12 points) in 71 games. However, he was much more noticeable during their run to the Stanley Cup Final, posting two goals and four assists (six points) in 19 playoff games. Expect him to be used in the bottom-6 and on the PK again in 2024-25.
Guentzel put up outstanding numbers next to Sidney Crosby since 2019 but also excelled following his trade to Carolina last year, posting 25 points (8G / 17A) in 17 games. With Guentzel now in Tampa Bay, he could find himself on one of the most prolific lines in hockey, next to Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point. He's averaged 39 goals and 46 assists (85 points) per 82 games over the last six seasons.
Carrick is a fourth-line penalty killing centre who will help replace Barclay Goodrow in New York. He won't provide a lot of offence but scored double-digit goals for the second time in his career this past season.
Bertuzzi had a very slow start in Toronto but finished the season with 43 points (21G / 22A) in 80 games. In Chicago, he'll be a candidate to skate with Connor Bedard and comes in with four career 20-plus goal and 20-plus assist seasons ('19, '20, '22, '24).
After not receiving a qualifying offer, the Stars signed Steel to a one-year deal to return to the bottom-6. The 25-year-old forward had a productive season for a fourth liner, scoring nine goals with 15 assists (24 points) in 77 games. Look for him to play a similar depth role and serve as a primary penalty killer in 2024-25.
Reinhart absolutely exploded in his contract year, scoring 57 goals, 24 more than his previous career high. He also added 37 assists, to give him 94 points, 12 more than his previous career high. Reinhart was also very strong during the Panthers run to the Stanley Cup, posting 16 points (10G / 6A) in 24 games and scored the Stanley Cup winning goal. Look for him to remain on a line with Aleksander Barkov for the foreseeable future.
Kane can reportedly earn an additional $2.5M in performance bonuses. After joining the Red Wings in mid-December, Kane posted 47 points (20G / 27A) and the Red Wings were 23-22-5 in 50 games. Kane bounced between the first and second line last year and could do the same in 2024-25, especially if the Red Wings add another winger in Free Agency on Monday.
Asplund spent the entire 2023-24 season in the AHL, where he led the team in assists (35) and was second in points (44) in 67 games. Asplund should once again be a fringe NHLer for the Panthers and one of the first depth call-ups if he doesn't make the team out of training camp.
Durzi made a strong first impression in his first season in Arizona and has earned a four-year, $24 million ($6,000,000 AAV) contract extension with Utah. The 25-year-old offensive defensemen took a massive step forward in 2023-24, with nine goals, 41 points, 142 SOG, 63 PIMs and a -1 plus/minus in 76 games played.
Lundstrom had five goals and 11 points in 46 games played in 2023-24 and has earned himself a one-year, $1.5 million contract extension with Anaheim. the 24-year-old was the Ducks' 2018 1st-round pick (23rd overall) and had 31 goals and 69 points in 258 games played across six seasons with Anaheim.
Liljegren completed his third full season with the Maple Leafs in 2023-24 and earned himself a two-year, $6 million contract extension ($3,000,000 AAV) on Monday. The 25-year-old tied his career high in points last season with his three goals, 23 points, 62 SOG and 16 PIMs in 55 games played.
Woo has been a staple of the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) for the last four seasons and will remain in Vancouver's organization after signing a one-year, two-way contract on Monday. The 23-year-old was the Canucks 2018 2nd-round pick (37th overall) and had seven goals and 31 points in 62 games with Abbotsford last season.
Domi's first season in Toronto went down as a success after he signed a four-year, $15 million ($3,750,000 AAV) contract extension on Sunday. The 29-year-old left-winger completed his ninth NHL season in 2023-24, picking up nine goals, 47 points and 118 PIMs in 80 games played.
Kunin completed a second successful full season with San Jose in 2023-24 and earned himself a one-year contract extension worth $2.75M on Sunday. The 26-year-old centre surpassed 10+ goals for the fourth time in his seven-year career in 2023-24 as he ended with 11 goals, 18 points, 83 PIMs and a -30 plus/minus in 77 games played.
Bailey signed with the Sharks in 2023-24 after the regular season had already started but still managed 59 games and 14 points (5G/9A) under his belt before the season's end and has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract to remain with San Jose. The 28-year-old winger surpassed career-highs in nearly all statistical categories last season and has 10 goals and 23 points in 141 career NHL games played.
Pickard started the 2023-24 season as Edmonton's third goaltender but worked his way into a backup role by mid-season and has earned himself a two-year, $2 million ($1,000,000 AAV) contract extension. The 32-year-old travelling netminder had not played more than 11 games since 2016-17 but put together a solid season in 2023-24 with his 12-7-1 record, 2.45 GAA and .909 SV%.
After acquiring the RFA rights from the Blue Jackets in a trade, the Blues signed Texier to a two-year deal worth $2.1M AAV. Texier should continue to operate as a middle-6 winger in St. Louis after scoring 12 goals with 18 assists (30 points) in 78 games a season ago.
Kiersted spent the 2023-24 season with Charlotte (AHL) and has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract extension to remain with Florida next season. The 26-year-old defensemen will provide the Panthers with some depth after putting up four goals and 15 points in 57 games with Charlotte last season.
Giles spent 2023-24 with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL) and earned himself a two-way, two-year contract extension with Florida on Friday. The 24-year-old had 13 goals and 23 points in 66 games played in his third season with Charlotte.
