NHL Hockey Player News

Jokiharju, 19, was a first-round pick of the Blackhawks (No.29 overall) in 2017 and is coming off of a 71-point (12G / 59A) campaign with the Portland Winterhawks (WHL). His 71 points ranked tied for third among defensemen in the WHL and represented a 0.45 point-per-game increase from his rookie season. Jokiharju will likely battle for a spot on the Blackhawks’ blueline this fall, but will likely end up back in Portland.

The Oilers had high hopes for Caggiula after signing him out of the University of North Dakota, where he scored 62 goals and 65 assists (127 points) in 162 games. Since then, the 23-year-old has scored just 20 goals with 18 assists (38 points) in 127 games with Edmonton. He’ll return to the Oilers where he figures to stat the 2018-19 season on the third line.

After starting the 2017-18 season with the Blues, Paajarvi was claimed off of waivers by the Senators mid-season and finished with eight points (6G / 2A) in 35 games with Ottawa. Paajarvi figures to be among the Senators’ top-12 forwards when the 2018-19 season rolls around.

Sieloff, 24, had one goal and nine assists (10 points) in 58 games with Belleville (AHL) last season. The former second-round pick (No.42 overall in 2012) has not made a big impact on the NHL level, but he has scored a goal in each of his two NHL games. As a player who has never topped 12 points in an OHL or AHL season, Sieloff likely won’t have any fantasy impact if he ever becomes a full-time NHLer.

Following a disastrous start to the 2017-18 season with the Penguins and Panthers, Niemi settled in in Montreal. The veteran netminder went 7-5-4 with a 2.46 GAA, .929 SV% and one shutout in 17 starts and two relief appearances with the Canadiens. He will likely be back as the Habs’ primary backup behind Carey Price next season.

Mittelstadt, 19, was the Sabres’ first-round pick (No.8 overall) in 2017 and will turn pro after just one year at the University of Minnesota. Mittelstadt finished his freshman campaign with 11 goals and 19 assists (30 points) in 34 games. He is expected to report to the Sabres and should make his NHL debut down the stretch.

Greenway, 21, was a second round pick (No.50 overall) in 2015 and is set to join the Wild after finishing up his junior year at Boston University. Greenway is an absolute monster, standing in at 6-foot-5, 230 lbs. and is coming off of a year in which he scored 13 goals with 22 assists (35 points) in 36 games. He could jump right into the Minnesota lineup and could be an important addition for them in the postseason.

Gersich, 21, was a fifth round pick in 2014 and has finished his junior year at the University of North Dakota, where he had 13 goals and 16 assists (29 points) in 40 games. He is expected to join the Capitals right away.

Koivula, 19, was a fourth round pick of the Islanders in 2016 and has been playing in Finland. The 6-foot-3, 220 lbs. winger picked up nine goals and 18 assists (27 points) in 53 games with Ilves Tampere this season—good for fifth on the team.

Wolanin, 23, wrapped up his third year at the University of North Dakota, where he collected 12 goals and 23 assists (35 points) in 40 games—to lead the team in points from the blueline. Wolanin is expected to suit up for the Senators for the final few weeks of the season.

Donato, 21, just wrapped up his third year at Harvard University where he collected 26 goals and 17 assists (43 points) in just 29 games. The Bruins are really banged up, so Donato could be thrust into a key role right from the get-go. The Boston native was a second round pick (No. 56 overall) in 2014.

Frederic, 20, was a first round pick (No.29 overall) in 2016 and leaves the University of Wisconsin after his sophomore season. Frederic picked up 32 points (17G / 15A) in 36 games, one point shy of his freshman total.

Rutta has had a nice offensive season, picking up six goals and 13 assists (19 points) in his first 43 NHL games. Rutta is also expected to return to the Blackhawks lineup on Thursday—he missed the last four games with a lower-body injury.

Sikura is in his first season with the Blackhawks organization and has scored 16 goals with nine assists (25 points) in 57 games with Rockford (AHL).

Gustafsson was set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season but is now signed through the 2019-20 season. The 25-year-old defenseman was drafted in the fourth round (No.93 overall) in 2012 and has picked up five points (1G / 4A) in 19 games with the Blackhawks this season.

Barre-Boulet, 20, is an undrafted free agent in his fourth season in the QMJHL. The undersized forward (5-foot-9 / 167 lbs) isn’t the first small, undrafted free agent the Lightning have signed in years past. Barre-Boulet has picked up an impressive 49 goals and 55 assists (104 points) in just 57 games with Blainville-Boisbriand this season.