It looked as if Blackwood was going to hit the open market, but the Sharks were able get him under contract after acquiring his rights from the Devils. Blackwood has battled injuries over the last few seasons, most recently appearing in just 22 games in 2023, going 10-6-2 with a 3.20 GAA and .893 SV%.

Ekman-Larsson had two goals and 20 assists (22 points) in 54 games with the Canucks last season before being bought out this summer. With Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour expected to miss a portion of the early part of next season, Ekman-Larsson provides some veteran depth on the blueline.

Luff spent most of the 2023 season in the AHL, but had four points (2G / 2A) and 22 hits in 19 games with the Red Wings. Luff will be a bubble player heading into the 2024 and could start the season back in Grand Rapids, where he had 25 points (8G / 17A) in 28 games last season.

Bernard-Docker split his time between the NHL and AHL during the 2023 season. While in Ottawa, the 23-year-old defenseman had one assist, 22 shots and 23 hits in 19 games. He figures to be in the mix for regular playing time during the 2023-24 season.

The 2023 season was Brannstrom's first full NHL season, scoring two goals with 16 assists (18 points) in 74 games. Brannstrom is a quality offensive-defenseman but it will be hard for him to carve out a significant role with Thomas Chabot, Jakob Chychrun and Jake Sanderson ahead of him on the depth chart.

Tucker was a seventh-round pick in 2018 and made his NHL debut in 2023, appearing in 26 games for the Blues. He picked up one goal and three assists (four points). During his time in Springfield (AHL), the 23-year-old defenseman had 21 points (3G / 18A) in 41 games.

Swaney was a seventh-round pick in 2017 and made his NHL debut in 2023, but one game was all he got. He spent the rest of the season in the AHL, posting 18 goals and 12 assists (30 points) in 48 games.

Mermis spent most of the 2023 season in the AHL, but appeared in two NHL games with the Wild. The 29-year-old blue liner had 26 points (5G / 21A) in 63 AHL games and has four points (1G / 3A) in 27 career NHL games with the Coyotes, Devils and Wild.

McIntyre spent the entire 2023 season in the AHL, where he was 16-12-5 with a 2.87 GAA, .899 SV% and three shutouts. The 30-year-old netminder has not appeared in an NHL game since 2017 with the Bruins.

Rosburg spent all of 2023 with the Texas Stars (AHL), where he had just three assists in 12 games. The 27-year-old undrafted free agent has yet to appear in an NHL game, but has six goals and 20 assists (26 points) in 115 career AHL games since turning pro in 2020.

Kostin was acquired from the Oilers earlier in the week and signed a two-year deal with the Red Wings, where he'll bring some offence and grit to their bottom-6. After being traded from St. Louis to Edmonton early last season, Kostin tallied 21 points (11G / 10A) and 157 hits across 57 games with the Oilers.

Daccord was 2-1-1 with a 3.14 GAA and .900 SV% in 2022-23 with the Kraken and has signed a two-year, $2.4 million contract extension ($1.2 million AAV). The 26-year-old goaltender was Ottawa's 7th round draft pick in 2015 (199th overall) and has appeared in 19 NHL games over four season, posting a 3-9-2 record, 884 SV% and 3.64 GAA.

Ward had nine goals, 17 assists, 46 PIMs and a -20 plus/minus through 71 games with Ontario in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way $775,000 contract extension. The 25-year-old undrafted right-winger has yet to make his NHL debut after joining the Reign from the University of Nebraska-Omaha (NCAA) in 2021-22.

Hill led Vegas to it's first ever Stanley Cup with an impressive 11-4-0 record in the playoffs to go along with a 2.17 GAA and .932 SV% and has earned himself a two-year, $8.8 Million ($4.9 million AAV) contract extension. The 27-year-old netminder enjoyed a strong but brief regular season in 2022-23 with the Golden Knights, posting a 16-7-1 record, 2.50 GAA and .915 SV% in his first season with Vegas.

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.

Bowers' rights were traded from Boston to New Jersey on Monday, and he inked a one-year deal on Thursday. The 23-year-old made his NHL debut with Colorado last season but spent most of the year in the AHL. Bowers had eight goals and 13 assists (21 points) in 57 games between Colorado (AHL) and Providence (AHL). He should start 2023-24 with Binghamton (AHL).

Larsson spent most of 2023 in the AHL, where he had 17 points (4G / 13A) in 55 games with Belleville. During his time with Ottawa, he was held pointless with four shots and seven hits in seven games. It sounds like the Senators couldn't get Travis Hamonic re-signed, so they re-signed Larsson to maintain the blueline depth.

Bailey has one year left on a contract with a $5.0M cap hit. Bailey is overpaid for his current production level, having posted just 25 points (8G / 17A) in 64 games last season. For the Blackhawks, Bailey helps them get to the cap floor and provides more veteran leadership on a team going through a transition period.

Makiniemi played in two NHL games in 2022-23, with a 1-0-1 record, 2.13 GAA and .906 SV% with San Jose and has signed a one-year, $775,000 contract extension. The 24-year-old goaltender was Carolina's 2017 fourth round pick (104th overall) and made his NHL debut in 2022-23 with the Sharks.

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.