Iginla was the Utah Hockey Club's first ever draft pick when he was selected in the 1st round of the 2024 Draft (6th overall) and has signed his three-year, entry-level contract on Thursday. The 17-year-old right-winger is the son of Calgary legend Jerome Iginla and earned his high draft position by putting up 47 goals, and 84 points in 64 games played with Kelowna (WHL) in 2023-24.
Moser's rights were acquired by Tampa Bay two Saturday's ago in the massive blockbuster trade which saw Mikhail Sergachev head to Utah and the 24-year-old has signed a two-year, $6.75 million contract extension ($3.375 million AAV) with the Lightning on Thursday. The left-handed defensemen finsihed his third NHL season in 2023-24 with Arizona and had five goals, 26 points, 77 SOG and 35 PIMs in 80 games played.
Emberson picked up 10 points (1G/9A) in 30 games as a rookie for San Jose in 2023-24 and earned himself a one-year, $950,000 contract extension on Thursday. The 24-year-old was originally Arizona's 2018 3rd-round pick (73rd overall) and was traded to New York where he was eventually waived to begin the 2023-24 season before being claimed by San Jose.
Muggli was a second-round pick (No.52 overall) in this summer's NHL Draft. The 18-year-old defenseman spent the 2024 season with Zug EV (Switzerland) where he had 12 points (3G / 9A) in 42 games.
St.Louis added a strong veteran presence on Wenesday as it added 39-year-old Ryan Suter on a one-year, $775,000 deal. The grizzled defensemen played in all 82 games with Dallas in 2023-24, picking up two goals, 17 points, and a +14 plus/minus while still avergaing 18:56 TOI/GP. Suter currently ranks first amongst active players in games played (1444) as he enters his 20th NHL season with his fourth team.
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.
