After a breakout 2019 campaign, Binnington came back down to earth a bit in 2020. He still managed to win 30 games while posting a 2.56 GAA and .912 SV% in 50 starts. Binnington struggled a bit on the road, going 10-8-2 with a .903 SV%, so he could have a tough start to the season with a road matchup in Colorado. He was 2-2-0 with a 3.98 GAA and .857 SV% in two starts vs. the Avalanche last year.
Kyrou was originally sent to the taxi squad to the Blues could become cap compliant but was able to be recalled Wednesday because Vladimir Tarasenko was moved to LTIR. Kyrou had four goals and five assists (nine points) in 28 NHL games a season ago.
Leivo appeared in just 36 games with the Canucks last season, picking up seven goals and 12 assists (19 points). The Leivo signing continues the Flames' trend of bringing in former Canucks this offseason. With Dominik Simon and Joakim Nordstrom also signing with the Flames, they have plenty of internal competition for bottom-6 roles this season.
Krug is one of the league's best offensive-defensemen and will be a strong replacement for Alex Pietrangelo. Krug will likely skate on the top-pair with Colton Parayko and will quarterback the top power-play unit. His PP production has been elite but that's been on one of the best units in the NHL. It will be interesting to see how much of that carries over to St. Louis. Krug has registered at least 44 points in five straight seasons, averaging eight goals and 43 assists (51 points) per season.
Bjugstad missed 46 games after undergoing core muscle surgery in 2020 and then was hurt again three games after returning to the lineup and then the season was paused. Bjugstad has missed a total of 92 games (39.5%) over the last three seasons but will look for a fresh start in his hometown. Bjusgstad was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and went to the University of Minnesota, so this should be a welcomed move for the 28-year-old centre. Both Mikko Koivu and Alex Galchenyuk are UFAs at season's end, so there could be a very clear path to a bottom-6 role for Bjugstad.
Tucker was a seventh-round pick in 2018 and finished the 2019-20 OHL season eighth among defensemen with 56 points (17G / 39A) in 55 games between the Barrie Colts and Flint Firebirds. He will likely report to San Antonio (AHL) when he turns pro.
McGing was a fifth-round pick (No. 138 overall) in 2018 and finished his senior season with a team-high 35 points (13G / 22A) in 35 games at Western Michigan University. He will likely report to San Antonio (AHL) for the 2020-21 season.
Abramov, 18, was a fourth-round pick of the Maple Leafs this past summer. Abramov has had a terrific QMJHL season, leading Victoriaville with 76 points (35G / 41A) in 63 games.
Bjugstad recently returned to the Penguins lineup after a 46-game absence following core muscle surgery. Three games in, Bjugstad is back on the sideline, out week-to-week with a lower-body issue.
