Phillips was poised to make the Blackhawks for opening night but has been assigned to the Rockford IceHogs (AHL) for the start of the 2023-24 campaign. The 22-year-old was Chicago's 2020 fifth-round pick (141st overall) and had a goal, four assists, five PIMs, and a -10 plus/minus in a short 16-game showing in 2022-23. He returns to Rockford where he also had six goals and 23 assists in 51 games last season.
Norlinder was making a strong case to crack Montreal's top-six defense to enter the season but was informed Monday that he is being loaned to Laval (AHL) to start the 2023-24 season. The 23-year-old defenseman was the Canadiens 2019 third-round pick (64th overall) and will return to Laval where he had two goals, 17 assists, 20 PIMs, and a -7 plus/minus in 67 games in 2022-23.
Heineman was fighting for a final spot on Montreal's opening night roster but unfortunately has been informed Monday that he will be returned to Laval (AHL) on loan for the start of the 2023-24 season. The 21-year-old winger was drafted by Montreal in the second round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft (43rd overall) and has yet to make his NHL debut. He returns to Laval where he had seven goals, two assists, six PIMs, and a +5 plus/minus in a short, yet impressive 11-game debut in 2022-23.
Gurianov, the former 12th overall pick of the Dallas Stars in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, has failed to make the opening night roster for the Predators. Last season, Gurianov recorded only 17 points (7G / 10A) in 66 games between the Stars and Montreal Canadiens. He will likely see some NHL action this season but his effectiveness at the NHL level remains to be seen as his goal totals have decreased each year since the 20 he scored in his rookie campaign in 2019-20.
Edvinsson made his NHL debut last season, tallying two points (2G / 0A) in nine games with the Red Wings but will begin this year's campaign in the AHL. The former sixth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft will likely see some time in the NHL this season but, barring any injuries, is unlikely to be a regular in the lineup.
The 6'6 Swedish power-forward opened last season with the Red Wings, recording eight points (5G / 3A) in 21 games before playing the remainder of his season in the AHL. Soderblom will look to continue his growth and further adapt to the North American game as he begins his season with the Grand Rapids Griffins.
After an impressive first year in North America, scoring 64 points (21G / 43A) in 70 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL, Berggren became a regular in the lineup for the Red Wings last season where he recorded 28 points (15G / 13A) in 67 games. The talented winger will begin his campaign in the AHL but will likely make his way into the Red Wings roster at some point this season.
Despite having an impressive preseason, recording five points (2G / 3A) in six games, a logjam of offensive talent on the Dallas Stars' roster has prevented Stankoven from cracking the opening night roster. Stankoven will likely see some time in the NHL this year but as he awaits his callup, the Stars' top prospect should see top-line minutes playing with the Texas Stars of the AHL.
Bourque had a successful first year of professional hockey last season, scoring 47 points (20G / 27A) in 70 games with the Texas Stars (AHL). The 30th overall pick from the 2020 NHL Entry Draft has yet to make his NHL debut and will have to continue waiting as he begins this season in the AHL. Bourque is a high-end prospect for the Stars and could see some time in the NHL this season.
Guenther made the Coyotes roster out of training camp last season, tallying 15 points (6G / 9A) in 33 games before finishing his season with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL. This year, the ninth overall pick from the 2021 NHL Entry Draft will debut the season in the AHL. Guenther proved that he could compete in the NHL last season and could find his way back with the Coyotes at some point this year.
Zellweger will have to wait to make his NHL debut as he will begin the 2023-24 campaign with the San Diego Gulls of the AHL. He spent last season in the WHL, splitting time between the Everett Silvertips and Kamloops Blazers, where he scored a combined 70 points (32G / 48A) across 55 games.
Clarke was the No.8 overall pick in 2021 and had a shot to make the Kings out of training camp. Ultimately he will start in Ontario, where he had two points (1G / 1A) in five games last season after graduating from the OHL. The 20-year-old blueliner posted 61 points (23G / 38A) in just 31 games for the Barrie Colts last season.
Knight will look to regain his form while playing regularly with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. Last season, Knight played only 21 games for the Panthers before entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program in February posting a 9-8-3 record with a .901 SV% and 3.18 GAA. Anthony Stolarz will serve as Sergei Bobrovsky's backup to start the season.
Gardner had 10 goals, 30 assists, 75 PIMs and a +26 plus/minus through 71 games with Texas (AHL) during the regular season and has been recalled to Dallas for the first time prior to Game 4 vs. Vegas. The 27-year-old right-winger is not expected to suit up but is joining the roster with the recent loss of Jamie Benn (suspension) and Evgenii Dadanov (LBI injury).
Bourque had 20 goals, 27 assists, and 18 PIMs through 70 games with Texas (AHL) this season and has been recalled to Dallas for the first time ahead of Game 4. Bourque has a chance to dress as the Stars are without Jamie Benn (suspension) and Evgenii Dadonov (LBI injury), but Dallas has stated they will be keeping their lineup a secret until game-time. The 21-year-old has never played a game in the NHL.
Kartye had 28 goals, 29 assists, 74 PIMs and a +17 plus/minus through 72 games with Coachella Valley (AHL) this season and will make his NHL debut in Game 5 as he replaced the injured Jarrod McCann on Seattle's top-line. The 21-year-old was signed as an undrafted free agent from the Soo Greyhounds (OHL) a year ago.
Bussi has been acting as Boston's number-three goalie for the playoffs and did not see any game action during his stint with the club. He was reassigned to Providence (AHL) on Tuesday but will be a candidate to be recalled throughout the playoffs to fill the third goaltender role for the Bruins.
