It's unclear when Thompson is expected to re-join the Capitals, but their season doesn't open until Saturday, so it's safe to assume he'll be available for their opener. Thompson is expected to share the crease with Charlie Lindgren this season, his first with the Capitals.
The Rangers open their season on October 9th against the Pittsburgh Penguins and are hopeful that Panarin will be ready to suit up. Panarin battled a lower-body injury through a large portion of training camp but appears to be on the mend. The 32-year-old Panarin is coming off a career-best season where he scored an astonishing 120 points (49G / 71A) in 82 contests. Panarin has played all 82 games in back-to-back seasons and is averaging an impressive 1.32 points per game in his five seasons with the Rangers.
Since his first full NHL season in 2015-16 as a member of the Nashville Predators, Watson has established himself as one of the premier enforcers in the league and will add some grit and toughness to an up-and-coming Red Wings squad. The 6'4 Watson spent last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, tallying four points (2G / 2A), 85 hits, and 93 penalty minutes in 33 games.
Webber is a towering 6'7 defenseman who was drafted 99th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old has spent the last four seasons playing collegiate hockey for Boston University, scoring 16 points (1G / 15A) in 123 combined games.
Pacioretty was impressive while on a PTO for the Maple Leafs, scoring five points (2G / 3A) in four preseason games. The 35-year-old Pacioretty has six 30-goal seasons under his belt but has been limited to only 91 games over the past three seasons due to ongoing Achilles injuries. He scored 23 points (4G / 19A) in 47 games with the Washington Capitals last season.
Lorentz signed a PTO with the Maple Leafs at the beginning of training camp and has earned himself a one-year contract. The 28-year-old Lorentz was in and out of the lineup for the Florida Panthers last season, tallying three points (1G / 2A) in 38 games. He will serve as a bottom-six forward for the Maple Leafs this season.
Lindgren suffered an upper-body injury early in training camp and is currently two weeks into his initial four-week timeline. The 26-year-old Lindgren will be an important part of the Rangers defensive core when he is healthy. He had 17 points (3G / 14A), 103 blocks, and 114 hits in 76 games last season.
Sorokin missed the start of training camp after undergoing offseason back surgery but GM Lou Lamoriello said that "he's ready" for the start of the season. It's still unclear if Sorokin or Semyon Varlamov will get the start but it's good news that Sorokin won't miss any time to start the year.
Höglander is coming off his first full season with the Canucks and has been rewarded with a three-year contract extension after scoring 36 points (24G / 12A) in 80 games. In addition, Höglander was tied for second amongst all Canucks' forward with a +23 plus/minus. The 23-year-old Swede is projected to play alongside Aatu Raty and Conor Garland on the third line.
Yamamoto had spent training camp with Utah on a PTO and earned himself a one-year, two-way contract on Sunday. The 26-year-old is entering his eighth NHL season and had eight goals and 16 points in 59 games with Seattle in 2023-24.
Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell said that Jenner is going to be out "a while" and is going to see another specialist next week. The team should release a more detailed timetable following that appointment. In an effort to replace Jenner, the Blue Jackets signed Kevin Labanc on Sunday.
Gibson underwent an emergency appendectomy on September 25th and is about two weeks into his original 3-6 week timeline. The American netminder has failed to produce a save percentage above .900 in each of the last two seasons and beginning 2024-25 on the Injured Reserve is a tough way to ensure a bounce-back campaign after only 13 wins in 2023-24.
After prolonged contract negotiations kept Swayman out of the Bruins' training camp, the two sides have finally reached an agreement on a massive eight-year contract extension worth $66 million. Swayman cemented his part in the Bruins' crease last season after posting a tremendous 2.53 GAA and .916 SV% in 44 games (25-10-8). The American netminder is expected to see the majority of action between the crease for the Bruins this season but will be backing up Joonas Korpisalo in the team's debut on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers.
Bear was placed on waivers Friday but cleared on Saturday and has been loaned to the Hershey Bears (AHL) for the start of the 2024-25 season. The 27-year-old is in the second year of a two-year, $4.13 million contract and had a goal, four points and 10 PIMs in 24 games played in 2023-24.
