Spooner signed a two-year deal with the Rangers this offseason, that carries a $4.0M cap-hit. The Rangers will be retaining $900K. Spooner has terrible possession numbers, posting a 39.4 CorsiFor% and -7.1 CF% rel and has picked up just two points (1G / 1A) in 16 games this season. Spooner will likely slide into the Oilers bottom-6, where Strome was.
Strome signed a two-year contract that carries a $3.1M AAV cap-hit. Strome has significantly better possession numbers than Spooner, posting a 53.5 CorsiFor% and +3.2 CF% rel with the Oilers this season. However, Strome has had a really difficult time producing offence, picking up just two points (1G / 1A) in 18 games this season.
Hagelin has recorded just three points (1G / 2A) in 16 games this season, despite playing exclusively with Evgeni Malkin. Hagelin brings a lot of speed to the Kings lineup and trading away Pearson with three years left on his deal, will open up $3.75M this offseason.
Pearson has recorded back-to-back 40-plus point seasons, but has struggled in the first 17 games of the season. Pearson has just one assist and 24 shots this season and carries a 49.1 CorsiFor%. With Hagelin going back the other way, that opens the door for Pearson to play on a line with Evgeni Malkin. Pearson is in the second year of a four-year contract that carries a $3.75M AAV cap-hit.
Bitten was a third round pick of the Canadiens in 2016. The 20-year-old centre registered 64 points (20G / 44A) in 62 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL) last year and will likely report to Iowa (AHL).
Olofsson was originally a second-round pick in 2013, but never really found his footing in Minnesota, playing a career-high of just 41 games. He will likely serve a similar seventh defenseman role in Montreal.
Taormina has bounced the NHL and AHL throughout his career and has only played in 59 career NHL games since turning pro in late-2009. Taormina will report to Stockton (AHL).
Valiev was drafted No.68 overall in 2014 and spent the first three and a half years of his career in Toronto. The 23-year-old has spent most of his time in the AHL, but has played in 12 NHL contests. Valiev will report to the Stockton Heat (AHL).
Kulak was a fourth-round pick (No.105 overall) in 2012 and has appeared in 101 career NHL games with the Flames. The 24-year-old is coming off of a season in which he scored just two goals and six assists (eight points) across 71 games.
Carrick lost out to Igor Ozhiganov, Justin Holl and Martin Marincin in training camp, so the Maple Leafs get a draft instead of losing him for nothin on waivers. The 24-year-old had 12 points (4G / 8A) in 47 games with the Maple Leafs last season and should push for a spot on the Stars’ third pairing. The seventh round pick will turn into a sixth round pick if he plays in 50 games with the Stars this season.
Jerabek had just two goals and six assists across 36 games with the Canadiens and Capitals during his first season in the NHL in 2017-18. The 27-year-old defenseman heads to St. Louis where he is sure to be a depth piece on an already talented blueline. The draft pick that the Oilers received becomes a fifth round pick if Jerabek appears in 50-plus regular season games with the Blues this season.
