Stralman was with the Bruins on a PTO and turned it into a one-year deal. Stralman, who had 23 points (8G / 15A) in 74 games with the Coyotes last season, has been skating with the injured Matt Grzelcyk in practice, suggesting he could start the season as the seventh defenseman.
Korpisalo underwent hip surgery in March and did not appear in a preseason game. Korpisalo is at practice but is expected to start the season on IR and will continue to work to get back to 100 percent. Daniil Tarasov is expected to open the season as Elvis Merzlikins' backup.
McAvoy underwent a shoulder procedure in early June and the expected recovery was six months. McAvoy should miss roughly 20-to-25 games to open the season and Hampus Lindholm should play big minutes and could be the quarterback on the No.1 PP unit while McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk are on the mend.
Brown underwent back surgery in the offseason and is considered week-to-week, putting his status for the start of the season in doubt. Brown has resumed skating but has not been cleared for contact. If he misses time to start the season, look for Artem Anisimov (PTO) or Tanner Laczynski to take his spot as the fourth-line centre.
Zadorov is a huge (6-6, 235), physical defenseman, who had 22 points (4G / 18A) in 74 games with the Flames a season ago. The 27-year-old led Flames' defensemen in hits (181) and could take on a larger penalty killing role in 2022-23 with Erik Gudbranson now in Columbus.
Zacha is a pending RFA who is coming off of a three-year deal worth $2.25M AAV. The 2015 No.6 overall pick has never fully unlocked the offensive potential he flashed as a Sarnia Sting (OHL). The 25-year-old is coming off of a 15-goal, 21-assist (36 points) season in 2021-22.
Tufte was the No.25 overall pick in 2016 and made his NHL debut during the 2022 season, scoring one goal in 10 games. During his time in the AHL, he registered 10 goals and 10 assists (20 points) in 54 games. Tufte should be in the mixd for a bottom-6 role in Dallas to start the 2022-23 season.
Lindholm will play for the first time since Game 2, replacing Matt Grzelcyk (undisclosed). Lindholm will be back on the top pair with Charlie McAvoy and on PP2.
Lindholm has been sidelined since Game 2 but it seems likely that he will play when the Bruins face elimination in Game 6. Lindholm will likely replace Mike Reilly in the lineup and skate with Charlie McAvoy.
