Samuelsson gets a huge extension despite only appearing in 52 NHL games over the last two seasons. The 2018 No.32 overall pick had 10 assists in 42 games last season and projects to be a huge part of the Sabres' blueline this season, skating with Rasmussen Dahlin at 5v5.
Sheahan has been dealing with an injury throughout the pre-season and will open the year on injured reserve. Once healthy, Sheahan will battle with Zemgus Girgensons, Rasmus Asplund and Vinnie Hinostroza for playing time.
The 34-year-old veteran netminder will take the crease for the Sharks' first game of the 2022-23 regular season in Prague, Czech Republic. Reimer enjoyed a solid 2021-22, posting 19 wins alongside a .911 SV% while starting a career-high 46 games. He will be looking to get things going on the right foot as he enters his 13th NHL season.
Greenway underwent offseason surgery on an upper-body injury and is expected to be sidelined for at least the first couple of weeks of the regular season. With that said, Wild GM Bill Guerin said that Greenway is in the "home stretch" of his rehab.
McLeod was essentially a full-time NHLer in 2022, scoring nine goals with 12 assists (21 points) in 71 games with the Oilers. Entering his age-23 season, McLeod will serve as Edmonton's No.3 centre behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl/Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. However, he did see some playing time on the wing in the top-6 down the stretch last year.
The Sabres selected Kulich with the No.28 overall pick in this summer's NHL Draft. The Czech centre scored nine goals with five assists (14 points) in 49 games with Karlovy Vary HC (Czech Extraliga) in 2022.
The Sabres selected Ostlund with the No.16 overall pick in this summer's NHL Draft. The Swedish centre had nine goals and 33 assists (42 points) in 32 games with Djurgardens Jr. (J20 SuperElit) in 2022.
Norris was an RFA and signed an eight-year deal that carries a $7.95M AAV cap-hit and a limited no-trade clause in the final four years. Norris is coming off of a breakout campaign, leading the Senators in goals (35) and third in points (55) in just 66 games. With the additions of Alex DeBrincat and Claude Giroux this offseason, Norris will have no shortage of talented wingers to play with next season.
Strand appeared in a combined 21 NHL games with the Kings over the last two seasons, posting three assists. He spent most of the 2021-22 season with Ontario (AHL), scoring three goals and four assists (seven points) in 32 games.
Clague was a second-round pick in 2016 and has appeared in 58 NHL games since turning pro in 2019. Last year, he was claimed off of waivers by the Canadiens and had two goals and eight assists (10 points) in 36 combined games with Los Angeles and Montreal. He'll be a fringe roster player for the Sabres in 2022-23.
Rathbone led all Abbotsford (AHL) defensemen with 40 points (10G / 30A) in 2022. He spent some time with the Canucks, failing to register a point in nine games. Rathbone will be in the mix to be a full-time NHL defenseman in 2022-23.
Dunne signed a two-year, entry-level contract in March 2021 and appeared in six NHL games with the Blue Jackets in 2022. His two-way contract suggests he'll be a fringe roster player for the Blue Jackets again in 2022-23.
Malone had a strong year in Rochester (AHL), scoring 20 goals with 17 assists (37 points) in 39 games. The 2013 sixth-round pick, has one assist in two career NHL games.
