Dickinson was selected No.11 overall in this year's NHL Draft. The 18-year-old blueliner had an outstanding season with the London Knights, finishing fourth among defensemen with 70 points (18G/ 52A) in 68 games.
Christiansen spent most of the 2024 season in the AHL, but did appear in 12 games with the Blue Jackets, tallying two assists. During his time in Cleveland (AHL), the 24-year-old blueliner had 13 goals and 33 assists (46 points) in 62 games. He'll likely start 2024-25 in Cleveland.
Duda was the No.36 overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. The 20-year-old defenseman came over from Russia last year and played at Toronto Metropolitan University, where he had seven points (2G / 5A) in 12 games.
Utah acquired Sokolov from the Senators last Wednesday and inked him to a one-year, two-way deal. Sokolov will likely start the 2024-25 season in the AHL but figures to be one of the first call-ups to the big club. The 24-year-old winger had 21 goals and 25 assists (46 points) in 71 AHL games a season ago.
Raska appeared in five games with Minnesota in 2023-24 but failed to pick up a point and still earned himself a one-year, two-way contract extension with the Wild. The 22-year-old right-winger is still without a point in 13 career NHL games across three seasons but had three goals and seven points in 56 games played between Iowa (AHL) and San Jose (AHL) in 2023-24.
Hayton enjoyed a second-half breakout in 2023, putting high expectations on him entering 2024. A slow start and an injury limited him to just 10 points (3G / 7A) in 33 games, but he'll be an integral part of the Coyotes' top-9 in the 2024-25 season. He's previously shown outstanding chemistry with Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz, so he could be the favourite to win the top-line job out of camp, which would make him a post-hype breakout candidate this season.
Boqvist was the No.8 overall pick in 2018 and was a key part of the return for Seth Jones in 2021. In three seasons with the Blue Jackets, Boqvist saw his games played decline in each season, most recently posting just 10 points (1G / 9A) in 35 games. With the Panthers, expect him to start in the AHL but be one of the first defensemen called upon when they need reinforcements.
Ritchie was the No.27 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. The 19-year-old forward had 80 points (28G / 52A) in 50 games with the Oshawa Generals (OHL) last season and added another 30 points (8G / 22A) in 21 playoff games.
Helenius was selected with the No.14 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft after posting 36 points (14G / 22A) in 51 games with Jukurit Mikkeli (Liiga). He also represented Finland at the World Juniors, registering two points (1G / 1A) in seven games. Expect the 18-year-old to remain in Finland to start the 2024-25 season.
Lavoie was selected in the second-round of the 2019 NHL Draft and appeared in his first seven career NHL games during the 2023-24 season. The 23-year-old forward failed to pick up a point with the Oilers but he led Bakersfield (AHL) in goals (28) and was third in points (50) in 66 games. Given the depth the Oilers have added this offseason, Lavoie will likely start the 2024-25 season in the AHL.
Allen was selected in the fifth round (No.136) of the 2023 NHL Draft and spent the 2024 season with the Guelph Storm (OHL). The 19-year-old had two goals and seven assists (nine points) in 25 games in 2023-24.
Luchanko was selected No.13 overall in this summer's NHL Draft. The 17-year-old forward from London, Ontario, had 20 goals and 54 assists (74 points) in 68 games with the Guelph Storm (OHL) this season. Look for him to return to the OHL for the 2024-25 season.
Zamula became a full-time NHLer in 2023-24, posting five goals and 16 assists (21 points) in 66 games. Zamula found himself on the Flyers top power-play unit at times but he'll likely be behind Cam York and Jamie Drysdale for that duty in 2024-25.
Sawchenko spent the 2023-24 season with the Canucks' organization, where he played the entire season in the AHL. The 26-year-old netminder was 4-1-0 with a 2.12 GAA and .924 SV% in six regular season games with Abbotsford (AHL) and was 2-4 with a 2.96 GAA and .898 SV% in six AHL playoff games. Expect him to start the 2024-25 season in Cleveland (AHL).
Douglas was traded to the Utah organization in 2023 for Conor Timmins, and he has been with Tucson (AHL) ever since. The 2018 fourth-round pick has posted just 13 goals and 22 assists (35 points) in 107 games with the Roadrunners while also compiling 267 PIMS. The massive (6-foot-9, 242 lbs) forward should start the 2024-25 season in the AHL.
Slavin was drafted by the Blackhawks in 2018 and was with the team until 2023 before getting traded to Anaheim. Most recently, he appeared in 70 games with the Toronto Marlies (AHL), picking up 10 goals and 14 assists (24 points). Now he joins his brother (Jaccob) in the Hurricanes organization, where he'll likely start the 2024-25 season in the AHL.
Levshunov went No.2 overall in this summer's NHL Draft after posting nine goals and 26 assists (35 points) in 38 games at Michigan State University. Levshunov was second among NCAA freshmen defensemen in points and was a Big-10 Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year.
Celebrini was the No.1 overall pick in this summer's NHL Draft after posting 32 goals and 32 assists (64 points) in 38 games at Boston University. The 18-year-old appears set to turn pro and join the Sharks after signing his entry-level deal after speculation he may return to college. The 18-year-old was only the fourth freshman in NCAA history to win the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s top player.
Coghlan spent most of the 2023-24 season in the AHL, where he was tied for the league-lead among defensemen with 16 goals and his 41 points was tied for 11th. Coghlan provides the Jets with additional blueline depth and comes to them with 106 career NHL games between the Golden Knights and Hurricanes. Coghlan figures to be in a competitive battle with Logan Stanley, Ville Heinola and Colin Miller for playing time on the Jets' third pair in 2024-25.
Stanley has been a fringe player for the Jets the last two seasons, playing in just 44 of 164 games. The massive (6-foot-7, 231 lbs.) defenseman has just two goals and three assists (five points) in those two seasons combined. If given a full work load, Stanley would likely top 150 hits and 100 blocked shots.
