Groulx was a second-round pick of the Ducks in 2018 and appeared in 68 games with them over the last three seasons. Last year, he was a fringe NHLer, playing in 45 of the 82 games and picked up just two assists. Given the depth in New York, expect Groulx to start 2025 in Hartford (AHL).

Fitzgerald was a third-round pick of the Sabres in 2016 and was claimed off waivers by the Panthers in 2023 and played just four NHL games with the club. He spent all of last year in the AHL, collecting 21 points (4G / 17A) in 69 games. He'll almost certainly start 2025 in the AHL.

Vaakanainen will return to Anaheim for a fourth season after the 25-year-old signed a one-year contract extension to remain a Duck on Monday. The stay-at-home defenseman scored his first career NHL goal in 2023-24 after five previous seasons and ended with a career-high 14 points in 68 games played.

Colorado completed its defensive core on Monday by signing Calvin de Haan to a one-year contract worth $800,000. The 33-year-old veteran defenseman spent 2023-24 with Tampa Bay and had three goals, 10 points, 22 PIMs and a -9 plus/minus in 59 games played. Colorado will be de Haan's fourth team in four years.

Aube-Kubel will join his fifth NHL team in seven seasons as he signed a one-year contract worth $1,500,000 on Monday with Buffalo. The 28-year-old depth winger appeared in 60 games for Washington in 2023-24 and had six goals, 16 points and 23 PIMs.

Carrick is a fourth-line penalty killing centre who will help replace Barclay Goodrow in New York. He won't provide a lot of offence but scored double-digit goals for the second time in his career this past season.

Carrick replaced Derek Ryan in the lineup in Game 5, but it looks like Ryan could be back in for him in Game 6. Carrick remained on the ice with the scratches during Sunday's morning skate, an indication that he's coming out of the lineup, although no changes were confirmed by head coach Kris Knoblauch.

Carrick was a healthy scratch for Game 4 after failing to pick up a point in any of Edmonton's previous six games but will draw back into the lineup on Friday as he replaces Derek Ryan for Game 5. The 32-year-old is expected to centre the Oilers' fourth line and has no goals, one assist, four SOG and a -1 plus/minus in eight playoff games so far.

Shesterkin was peppered in New York's Game 4 loss to Florida, allowing three goals on 40 shots against (.925 SV%) as the Panthers evened out the Eastern Conference final and is expected to take the crease again for Game 5 on Thursday. The 28-year-old has been in his Vezina Trophy-winning form all offseason, with his 10-4-0 record, 2.37 GAA and .925 SV%. He will host the Florida Panthers for Game 5 on Thursday, who are looking for back-to-back wins and a confident 3-2 series lead.

Shesterkin was peppered in New York's Game 4 loss to Florida, allowing three goals on 40 shots against (.925 SV%) as the Panthers evened out the Eastern Conference final and is expected to take the crease again for Game 5 on Thursday. The 28-year-old has been in his Vezina Trophy-winning form all offseason, with his 10-4-0 record, 2.37 GAA and .925 SV%. He will host the Florida Panthers for Game 5 on Thursday, who are looking for back-to-back wins and a confident 3-2 series lead.

Carrick has gone seven games without a point in the playoffs and is likely the odd-man out of Edmonton's lineup on Wednesday for Game 4 as he is replaced by Ryan McLeod. The 32-year-old has struggled this postseason, with only one assist, four SOG and a -1 plus/minus in eight games played.

Shesterkin was sensational in Game 2 as he evened the series with a 26 save (.963 SV%) victory and will expectedly take the crease again on Sunday for Game 3 in Florida. The 28-year-old has been in his Vezina capable form all postseason, with his 9-3-0 record, 2.22 GAA and .928 SV%. He will head to Sunrise to take on the Florida Panthers, who will be looking to take a 2-1 series lead on home ice.