Johnson was selected in the first round (No.31 overall) of the 2019 NHL draft, and signs his ELC after his senior season at the University of Minnesota. The 21-year-old defenseman had 18 points (4G / 14A) in 40 games this season, and figures to start the 2023-24 season with Rochester (AHL).

Neuchev was selected by the Sabres in the third round (No.74 overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft. Neuchev spent the 2023 season in the KHL, picking up 12 points (4G / 8A) in 57 games with Yekaterinburg Automobilist.

Dunne spent most of the season with Cleveland (AHL), where he tallied 20 goals and 17 assists (37 points) in 65 games. He appeared in eight NHL games this season and 14 total in his career, but has yet to record a point with the Blue Jackets.

Lafferty has been a healthy scratch for Toronto's previous two playoff games but will draw back into the lineup Thursday for Game 2 as he replaces Zach Ashton-Reese. The 28-year-old has an assist, five SOG, two PIMs and a -3 plus/minus through fives games so far in the playoffs.

Clifton has been a healthy scratch since Game 2 but will draw back into the Bruins' lineup for Matt Grzelyck for Game 6. The 28-year-old has yet to pickup a playoff point this year but has four SOG, and a -1 plus/minus through two games so far.

Clifton failed to pick up a point through the first two playoff games but had four SOG, and a -1 plus/minus and will be a healthy scratch Friday vs. Florida as he is replaced by Matt Grzelyk in the Bruins' lineup. The 27-year-old had five goals, 18 assists, 93 SOG, 60 PIMs and a +20 plus/minus through 78 regular season games.

Lafferty was back with the Maple Leafs for Sunday's practice after missing the final three games of the regular season due to a personal matter. Lafferty, who will be part of the Maple Leafs fourth line in Game 1, has six points (2G / 4A) in 19 games since being acquired by the Maple Leafs.

Rousek made a splash in his NHL debut, scoring one goal and one assist. Rousek leads Rochester (AHL) in points, scoring 15 goals and 40 assists (55 points) in 68 games this season.

Thompson will not play in the Sabres' final game of the season Friday vs. Columbus due to an upper-body injury. It puts the cap on a phenomenal breakout campaign for the 25-year-old, who had 47 goals, 47 assists, 295 SOG, 39 PIMs and a +4 plus/minus though 78 games in 2022-23.

Samuelsson had two goals, eight assists, 76 SOG, 20 PIMs and a +14 plus/minus through 55 games but will not play Thursday vs. Ottawa in the Sabres' season finally. The 23-year-old puts the cap on a fairly successful third NHL season, which saw him play a career-high in games while putting up career goal and point totals as well.

Dunne failed to pick up a point through eight games this season but has four SOG, six PIMs and a -6 plus/minus but will head back to Cleveland (AHL) Wednesday. The 24-year-old Meyer had 20 goals, 17 assists, 69 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus through 62 games with Cleveland (AHL) before being recalled on an emergency basis Tuesday.

Byram missed the Avalanche's previous contest due to an illness but will draw back into the lineup Tuesday vs. Edmonton. The 21-year-old has 10 goals, 13 assists, 63 SOG, 34 PIMs and a +5 plus/minus through 39 injury-riddled games this season.