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Seattle Kraken News
Montour (hand) status is uncertain for the start of the regular season.

Montour is set to miss the rest of the preseason and could miss some regular-season time with a hand injury. Henri Jokiharju, who was acquired from the Blackhawks this offseason, is the most likely candidate to fill the hole left by Montour’s injury to start the season.

Brandon Montour
The Capitals signed Chandler Stephenson to a one-year extension worth $1.05M.

Stephenson had five goals and six assists (11 points) in 64 games with the Capitals a season ago. The 25-year-old has settled into a bottom-6 role with Washington, but will have to battle with offseason additions Garnet Hathaway and Brendan Leipsic for playing time to start the 2020 campaign.

Chandler Stephenson
The Devils acquired John Hayden from the Blackhawks for John Quenneville.

Hayden spent the entire 2019 season with the Blackhawks but only played in 54 NHL games. The 24-year-old had three goals and two assists (five points) to give him just 22 points (8G / 14A) in 113 career games. He will likely skate on the Devils’ third or fourth line in 2020.

John Hayden
The Islanders have signed Jordan Eberle to a five-year contract worth $27.5 million ($5.5M AAV).

In his second season with the Islanders, Eberle struggled in the regular season, posting just 37 points (19G / 18A) in 78 games but cranked it up in the playoffs. Eberle got hot in the first two rounds of the postseason, leading the Islanders with nine points (4G / 5A) in eight games. Eberle joins Andrew Ladd and Nick Leddy as players earning $5.5 AAV from the Islanders.

Jordan Eberle
Dunn (face) will return to the Blues lineup for Game 4.

Dunn will play for the first time since taking a puck off of his face in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final. Dunn, who has two goals and five assists (seven points) in 16 playoff games, will replace Robert Bortuzzo on the Blues’ third pairing and will play on the second power-play unit.

Vince Dunn
Dunn (face) will not play in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Dunn has skated regularly this week and was a full participant on Wednesday but isn’t ready to return to the lineup for Game 2. The Blues depth defensemen had a tough time in Game 1 so they certainly could have used Dunn’s services in Game 2.

Vince Dunn
Dunn (mouth) doubtful for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Dunn skated skated for the second straight day on Sunday but is not expected to play in Game 1 in Boston. Dunn has been out since Game 3 after being struck in the mouth by a Brenden Dillon shot. Blues head coach Craig Berube said there is a “good chance” that Dunn will be back at some point during the series. In the mean time, veteran defenseman Carl Gunnarsson will remain in the Blues lineup and has averaged 11:47 TOI/gm in the three games that he has replaced Dunn.

Vince Dunn
Grubauer will start Game 6 vs. the Sharks.

Grubauer stopped 37 of 39 shots in Colorado’s 2-1 loss in San Jose in Game 5. The Avalanche and Sharks have alternated wins and losses in this series and the Avalanche will need that trend to continue if they’re going to stay alive and force a Game 7. Grubauer has stopped 59 of 62 shots (.952 SV%) in the two games at the Pepsi Center in this series.

Philipp Grubauer
Grubauer will start Game 4 vs. the Sharks.

Grubauer surrendered three goals on 30 shots in Colorado’s 4-2 loss to the Sharks in Game 3. After playing exceptionally well in the first-round, Grubauer has allowed a combined 10 goals on 90 shots (.889 SV%) in his first three starts in round two. The Avalanche will stick with Grubauer in Game 4—he has stopped 89 of the 96 shots (.927 SV%) that he’s faced in the Pepsi Center during the postseason.

Philipp Grubauer
The Red Wings have signed Joe Veleno to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Veleno dropped to the Red Wings in last summer’s draft, where he was selected No.30 overall. Veleno dominated the QMJHL where he was third in the league in assists (62), fourth in points (104) and seventh in goals (42). Veleno will have an opportunity to make the Red Wings out of training camp but could head to Grand Rapids (AHL) for some extra seasoning.

Joe Veleno
Grubauer will start Game 3 vs. the Flames.

Grubauer stood tall in Game 2, allowing just two goals on 37 shots to allow the Avalanche to sneak away with a 3-2 OT win and a tied series heading back to Colorado. Grubauer has posted a .926 SV% through two games and was 10-5-1 with a 2.56 GAA and .913 SV% at the Pepsi Center this season.

Philipp Grubauer
Grubauer will start Thursday vs. the Jets.

Grubauer allowed two goals on 27 shots in Colorado’s loss in St. Louis on Monday. Grubauer was giving the next night off but will be back in the crease tonight vs. the Jets. Grubauer has played exceptionally as of late but struggled in his first game vs. Winnipeg—allowing six goals on 20 shots in a 7-4 loss.

Philipp Grubauer