After a breakout season with 16 goals, 14 assists (30 points) in 2020, Sanford struggled to find the same level of production in 2021. Sanford was thrust into a top-6 role with the Blues but is probably better as a third-liner, where he should find himself with the Senators.
Domi's original timetable had him returning sometime in November or December. However, Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekäläinen reported that he's ahead of schedule in his recovery but still has a lot of tests to pass until he's ready to play.
Sourdif was a third-round pick (No.87 overall) of the Panthers in 2020. The 18-year-old centre had 34 points (11G / 24A) in 22 games with the Vancouver Giants (WHL) in 2021. The Giants' point leader will return to start the 2022 season.
Poirier was a third-round pick of the Flames in 2020. The 6-foot-1, 190 lbs. defenseman had nine goals and 28 assists (37 points) in 33 games with the Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) in 2021.
Seeley was a seventh-round pick of the Hurricanes in 2020. The 6-foot-1, 192 lbs. defenseman had five goals and 12 assists (17 points) in 23 games with the Everett Silvertips (WHL).
Niku quickly rose up the prospect ranks in Winnipeg but was never able to land a full-time role at the NHL level. In Montreal, he'll find himself in a similar situation and will likely open the year in the AHL. In 54 career NHL games, the 24-year-old defenseman has two goals and eight assists (10 points).
Toews had shoulder surgery in the offseason and has resumed skating but is expected to miss at least a few games to open the 2021-22 season. With Toews out, Jack Johnson was brought into training camp on a PTO and could earn a contract with the Avalanche.
Backstrom will miss the start of training camp as he continues to rehab a lingering hip injury that he battled in 2021. The fact that he will miss the start of training camp is not a great sign but he has not been ruled out for the start of the regular season yet.
Hoffman will miss the opening of his first training camp with the Canadiens. This is not a great start for Hoffman, who is trying to get acclimated to a new team and system. With Hoffman out, look for Joel Armia to move up into the top-9 for the time being.
Korpisalo will miss at least the first few days of training camp but is expected to be ready before the start of the regular season. Korpisalo had some struggles during the 2021 season, so he enters this year as the projected No.2 netminder in Columbus.
Malkin underwent surgery on his right knee and will miss at least the first two months of the 2021-22 season. Malkin will likely end up missing roughly 20-to-25 games. His draft stock will take a hit but he's still worth a mid-to-late round pick for his point-per-game production from December on.
O'Connor is entering the final-year of a two-year deal worth $725K AAV. He earned a moderate raise to $1.05M AAV that carries through 2024-25. The 25-year-old winger had three goals and two assists (five points) in 25 games in 2202-21.
Avon joined the Flyers on an Amateur Try-Out but signed a three-year entry-level contract. The 18-year-old, undrafted free agent scored four goals with seven assists in 56 games with the Peterborough Petes (OHL) in 2019-20.
Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong told reporters that Kessel will miss training camp and is expected to miss 2-to-3 weeks. With the start of the regular season just over three weeks away, there's a chance that Kessel is ready for the start of the year.
Bertuzzi will be in training camp and will be forced to follow more strict guidelines but will be eligible to play in all games in the United States. The Red Wings play nine games in Canada this season, so Bertuzzi will be suspended without pay for those games under the agreement between the NHL and the NHLPA.
Thomas followed up a breakout 2020 season with an injury-filled, disappointing 2021 campaign. He finished the season with just 12 points (3G / 9A) in 33 regular-season games but had a better showing in the Blues' short playoff run. Entering his fourth season, Thomas is still stuck behind Ryan O'Reilly and Brayden Schenn on the depth chart, so it's hard to envision him providing anything more than the 0.6 points-per-game we saw from him two years ago.
Merzlikins missed some time with injuries in 2021 but the Blue Jackets are committed to him as their No.1 option on Tuesday, signing him to a five-year deal. Merzlikins greatly outperformed Joonas Korpisalo last year, posting a .916 SV% in 28 appearances and has breakout potential for 2022.
