Mermis has been primarily an AHL defenseman in recent years, picking up six goals and 37 assists (43 points) in 115 AHL games in 2019 and 2020 combined. In 2021, the 27-year-old failed to record a point in three games with the Wild.

Mermis has been primarily an AHL defenseman in recent years, picking up six goals and 37 assists (43 points) in 115 AHL games in 2019 and 2020 combined. In 2021, the 27-year-old failed to record a point in three games with the Wild.

Ekman-Larsson was one of the best goal-scoring defensemen in the NHL from 2014-to-2019 but his game has slipped a bit in recent years. Ekman-Larsson has a tough time in his own end but brings an offensive punch to the Canucks' blueline that already features Quinn Hughes. In a full 82-game season, you can almost certainly plug O.E.L in for double-digit goals and 30-plus assists.

Blais has been a fixture of the Blues' bottom-6 over the last three seasons and likely won't be able to expand on that role with the Rangers. He doesn't offer a lot of offence, posting a career-high of just 15 points (8G / 7A) in 36 games a season ago. The Rangers have plenty of capable top-9 forwards, so expect Blais to be a fourth-liner to start 2021-22.

Myers developed into a very steady piece of the Flyers top-4 in 2021 and will likely play a very similar role with the Predators in 2022. Myers will land in good hands, playing alongside either Roman Josi or Mattias Ekholm in 2022. He has picked up five goals with 22 assists (27 points) in 94 games over the last two seasons.

Woll was a third-round pick in 2016 and has spent the last two seasons in the AHL. The 23-year-old struggled in 2020-21, going 7-7-0 with a 3.54 GAA and .892 SV% in 15 games with the Marlies. Woll will almost certainly open the 2021-22 season in the AHL.

Carlo struggled with injuries during the 2021 campaign, missing 29 of the 56 games and finishing with just three goals and one assist. Still, he's an integral part of the Bruins' top-4 moving forward and they made a lengthy commitment to the 24-year-old.

In his first season in the Ducks' organization, Lettieri had 14 goals and 12 assists (26 points) in 22 AHL games. He was held pointless in five NHL games and will likely report to San Diego (AHL) to start the 2022 campaign.





Tavares skated for about 20 minutes on Thursday morning but the Maple Leafs provided no real update on his status. While it is certainly encouraging that Tavares is already back on the ice, there is still no timetable for his return. Having their captain back in the building should at least provide the Maple Leafs with a morale boost heading into Game 5.

Tavares will miss at least two weeks with the knee injury but the concussion is a little more uncertain. All in all, this is great news for Tavares who was stretchered off following a scary collision in Game 1. Look for Alex Galchenyuk to draw in and replace Tavares in Game 2.

Jarnkrok was a late scratch from Game 2 due to a non-COVID illness but will play in Game 3 in Nashville. Jarnkork is expected to replace Brad Richardson in the lineup.

Tavares had to be stretchered off of the ice after taking an incidental Corey Perry knee to the head. It was a scary incident but was discharged after being "thoroughly examined and assessed by the neurological team at St. Michael's Hospital and the club's medical director" according to the team. Tavares is out indefinitely and likely won't be seen again during the first round.





Carlo is one of 16 regulars who will not be in the Bruins lineup on Tuesday. The Bruins will need to recall multiple players from their taxi squad/AHL to fill out their lineup. Jared Tinordi, who was a healthy scratch last night, should draw in to replace Carlo.
