NHL Hockey Player News

Chrona was a fifth-round pick in 2018 and just finished his second season at the University of Denver. Chrona was 7-11-0 with a 2.47 GAA and .907 SV% in 18 games in 2021.

Claesson has only appeared in four NHL games this season but provides additional depth for the Lightning. Claesson will have to battle for playing time with Luke Schenn, Ben Thomas and Cal Foote.

Kulikov provides almost nothing offensively but is a solid shutdown defenseman who can slot onto the Oilers' second pairing. The 6-foot-1, 204 lbs. Russian will likely replace Kris Russell in the top-4 and skate with Adam Larsson.

Highmore turned himself into an undrafted NHL player after five years in the QMJHL and 97 AHL games. Still, he doesn't project to be anything more than bottom-6 winger at best.

This seems like odd timing to trade Gaudette if you're the Canucks. Gaudette had a solid 2020 campaign, posting 33 points (12G / 21A) in 59 games but they've sold low on him, with him picking up just seven points (4G / 3A) in 33 games. Gaudette has some offensive upside but has been tough to trust in his own end. For the Blackhawks, it's a very low-risk investment.

Penguins' GM Ron Hextall is familiar with Carter, having been a part of the management in Philadelphia and Los Angeles, where Carter has played his entire career to this point. Moving Carter opened up some cap space for the Kings to sign Alex Iafallo and provides plenty of middle-6 flexibility for the Penguins. Carter, who played most of his career at centre, has played primarily on the wing in 2021. He could centre the third line or move up and play on the right-wing with Evgeni Malkin. He had eight goals and 11 assists (19 points) in 40 games this season.

Bjork is a solid two-way, middle-6 winger but doesn't provide too much offence. Bjork has 34 points (14G / 20A) in 108 career NHL games with the Bruins, however he should be afforded more TOI than ever in Buffalo.

Lazar has not played since March 31st due to a lower-body injury but will likely serve as a fourth-line option in Boston once he's healthy. Lazar doesn't provide much offensive but was very solid in Buffalo's bottom-6 this year.

Hall bet on himself with a one-year deal in Buffalo and it could not have gone worse. Hall registered just two goals with 17 assists (19 points) in 37 games. That doesn't paint the entire picture though, Hall has shot just 2.3 percent with a career-low 6.7 on-ice SH%, so there's certainly reason to expect him to post bigger numbers in Boston. Hall will almost certainly play on the second line with David Krejci.

Coburn has only appeared in 16 games this season, picking up two assists, 15 shots, 14 blocks and 25 hits with the Senators. Coburn will likely serve as the seventh or eighth defenseman for the Islanders and is more or less insurance for the postseason.

Rittich is in the final year of a two-year deal that carries a $2.75M AAV cap-hit. The Flames are retaining 50% of Rittich's cap-hit in exchange for a third in 2022. After a few solid seasons in 2019 and 2020, Rittich has struggled a bit in 2021, going 4-7-1 with a 2.90 GAA and .904 SV% in 15 games.

Reilly is a solid bottom-4 defenseman that can provide some offensive punch, particularly on the power-play. With Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk dealing with injuries, the Bruins were looking for some veteran insurance. The 27-year-old blueliner is still looking for his first goal of the season but has collected 19 assists in 40 games.

Noesen rarely suited up for the Sharks in 2021, appearing in just five games at the NHL-level and 12 with their AHL affiliate. Noesen will likely head to the Toronto Marlies (AHL).

Foligno, who was the Blue Jackets' captain, is known for being a great leader who plays a very reliable two-way game. At age-33, Foligno doesn't offer much in the way of offence anymore but will stabilize the Maple Leafs' middle-6 and can move up the lineup in a pinch. He has seven goals and nine assists (16 points) in 42 games this season. The Blue Jackets are retaining 50 percent of his contract and the Sharks are retaining 25 percent in exchange for a 2021 fourth-round pick.

Verbeek was an undrafted free agent, who has been with the Canadiens organization since 2019. He has played in seven AHL games this season, scoring one goal with two assists. He will likely report to the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL).

Merrill has quietly been one of the most effective bottom-4 defensemen in the NHL in recent years and is a very nice pickup for the Canadiens. Merrill plays a very reliable defensive game that will make the Habs' third pairing a little more reliable. Victor Mete was placed on waivers on Saturday, clearing the way for Merrill.

The Devils are anticipating moving a few defenseman ahead of Monday's trade deadline, so Siegenthaler gives them and NHL body to replace anybody they ship out. After appearing in 64 games with the Capitals last year, he has only suited up in seven in 2021, failing to record a point. The 23-year-old is good friend with fellow Swiss native and New Jersey Devil Nico Hischier.

The Lightning are making a habit of picking up big, rugged players at the trade deadline. Tampa Bay has been relying on Luke Schenn, Cal Foot and Ben Thomas as their sixth defenseman but that spot now belongs to Savard. He will likely skate with either Ryan McDonagh or Mikhail Sergachev at 5v5.

Montour is in the final year of his contract that carries a $3.85M AAV cap-hit. Montour will help fill a void on the left-side that was created when they lost Aaron Ekblad for the season. The 27-year-old has scored five goals with nine assists, 72 shots, 53 blocks and 35 hits in 38 games with the Sabres this season.