For the second straight season, Grubauer will lead the Seattle Kraken between the pipes to start the year. The German netminder will bel looking to bounce back after a terrible first season in Seattle which saw him finish with a league-worst SV% (.899) and career-worst Win% as well as GAA (3.16). The 10-year veteran hopes to return to the career .914 SV% with a hot start against the Ducks.
Jaden Schwartz returned to practice with Seattle's main group Tuesday after leaving the team's previous pre-season game against Edmonton due to a lower-body injury. The winger is projected to line up on both the Kraken's top line and powerplay to start the season. The 30-year-old put up 23 points (8G/15A) in an injury-filled 37 games in his first season with Seattle in 2021-22.
Mahura spent the entire 2022 campaign with the Ducks, scoring three goals with four assists (seven points) in 38 games. The 24-year-old blueliner has a chance to be an immediate everyday blueliner with the Panthers, as he'll battle Matt Kiersted for playing time, most likely on the third pair with Radko Gudas.
Matt Murray will make his much anticipated Maple Leafs' debut Wednesday as he leads Toronto in a division battle against Montreal. The 28-year-old is hoping the change of scenery will be exactly what he needs to return to anywhere close to the .923 SV% form he had with Pittsburgh in 2016-17. In 20 starts a season ago, Murray had five wins while pitching a .906 SV% and 3.05 GAA.
Schwartz suffered a lower-body injury in Friday's preseason game and did not participate in Saturday's practice. Head coach Dave Hakstol called Schwartz day-to-day but did not provide any insight on whether or not he would be available for Wednesday's season opener.
Hayden had just two goals and two assists in 55 games with the Sabres in 2022. In his six-year career, the 27-year-old has never played more than 54 games and has a career-high of four goals and 13 points. Heading to Seattle, he should fill out a fourth-line role for the Kraken but they have the flexibility to send him down with the two-way contract.
Winterton was a third-round pick of the Kraken in the 2021 NHL Draft. The 6-foot-2, 190 lbs. centre had 20 goals with 26 assists (46 points) in 37 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL) this season. He also excelled in the playoffs, finishing 10th with 19 points (7G / 12A) in 18 games as Hamilton won the Championship.
Melanson was a fifth-round pick of the Kraken in the 2021 NHL Draft. The 19-year-old winger finished second on Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL) in gold (35) and third in points (56) in 54 games in 2022.
Marchment missed the last two games of the Panthers series vs. the Capitals and will likely miss Game 1 vs. the Lightning. Noel Acciari will skate on the Panthers' third line with Marchment unavailable.
Marchment was not on the ice for Wednesday's morning skate and will be a game-time decision for Game 5 vs. the Capitals. Maxim Mamin skated in Marchment's spot on the third line and figures to replace him if he's not available.
Lindgren missed Game 3 with a lower-body injury but will be a game-time decision for Game 4 in Pittsburgh. The Rangers may go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen if Lindgren is available.
Lindgren left Game 1 briefly before finishing the game with 28:44 TOI. He was scratched for Game 2 and his status for Game 3 in Pittsburgh is unclear. Justin Braun will remain in the lineup if Lindgren can't play.
