The Oilers selected Schaefer with the No.32 overall pick in this summer's NHL Draft. Schaefer, who was born in Edmonton, played for Seattle (WHL) in 2022, scoring 32 goals with 26 assists (58 points) in 66 games.
The Predators drafted Kemell with the No.17 overall pick in this summer's NHL Draft and wasted no time signing the 18-year-old winger. Kemell spent the 2022 season with JyP HT Jyvaskyla (Liiga), scoring 15 goals with eight assists (23 points) in 39 games.
Blankenburg tallied one goal and two assists (three points) in seven games with the Blue Jackets after turning pro following his final year at the University of Michigan. With the Blue Jackets' blueline entering the season healthy and adding Erik Gudbranson in free agency, there's a good chance that Blankenburg starts the year in the AHL.
Gravel appeared in 109 NHL games from 2016-to-2020 but has played exclusively in the AHL for each of the last two seasons. The 30-year-old defenseman provides organizational depth on D but will likely spend most, if not all of 2022-23 in Milwaukee (AHL).
Smith turned pro with the Predators in 2022, appearing in nine NHL games and 82 AHL games since. In 2022, he was third on Milwaukee (AHL) in goals (21) and fourth in points (41) in 59 games.
Jankowski was with the Sabres last season, scoring two goals with three assists in 19 games. He spent more time in the AHL, registering 27 points (10G / 17A) in 32 games for Rochester. Heading to Nashville, he may open the 2022-23 season with Milwaukee (AHL).
Angello was a fifth-round pick in 2014 and spent the first five years of his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. Angello spent most of the 2021-22 season in the AHL, collecting 19 points (7G / 12A) in 44 games with Wikes-Barre/Scranton. Look for him to report to Springfield (AHL) to start 2022-23.
Lucchini was an undrafted free agent out of Michigan Tech who has played in the AHL for the last four years. He was tied for the team-lead in goals (20) and led the Belleville in points (51) in 2021-22. Expect him to remain with Belleville to open 2022-23.
Wedgwood was a revelation for the Stars in 2022, going 3-1-3 with a .913 SV% in eight games after being acquired from the Coyotes. Braden Holtby is a UFA, Ben Bishop, who is not expected to play again, was traded to Buffalo and Anton Khudobin is out until at least September, so Wedgewood enters 2022-23 as the Stars' No.2 behind Jake Oettinger.
Blankenburg scored one goal with two assists (three points) in seven games since turning pro but will miss the final two games of the regular season with an upper-body injury.
Saros suffered a lower-body injury on Tuesday and will miss at least the final two games of the regular season. Connor Ingram has been recalled and will serve as their No.2 behind David Rittich until Saros is back. His injury is an obvious concern, as his availability for the postseason is now in question.
