The Panthers made the biggest improvement in the NHL last season and are counting on their young players to continue that progress. The Panthers that will open training camp in September will be almost the same team that closed 2014-15 with 91 points, an NHL-best 25-point increase from the previous season. The only veteran addition of note during the offseason was forward Reilly Smith, who came from the Boston Bruins in a trade along with the contract of injured center Marc Savard for forward Jimmy Hayes.
The Panthers stayed very quiet during free agency; the five players they signed each received a two-way contract. It was quite a contrast from the previous summer, when on July 1 the Panthers signed five established veterans who figure to play prominent roles again this season: Dave Bolland, Jussi Jokinen, Shawn Thornton, Willie Mitchell and Derek MacKenzie.
![]()
This summer turned out to be more about clearing roster space for the young players. Florida made no effort to re-sign its veteran free agents, forwards Scottie Upshall and Tomas Kopecky, and goalie Dan Ellis. They released forward Brad Boyes, who led the Panthers with 21 goals in 2013-14. The departure of three veteran forwards should open roster spots for some prospects who could be ready for full-time NHL roles, namely Vincent Trocheck and Rocco Grimaldi.Dale Tallon GM: "We just felt again it was blocking our young guys' opportunity to play; Trocheck, Grimaldi, those types of players. That's where we want to get to. We said that we would do that. Brad did a nice job for us two years ago, and last year was a struggle. We just felt that we wanted to make some room for Grimaldi and Trocheck, and those types of players."
Tallon also said first-round pick Lawson Crouse, the No. 11 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, will be given every opportunity to earn a top-six role.
"I'm not putting pressure on him, I'm just giving him an opportunity that he told us he wanted. When we interviewed him prior to drafting him, his goal was to play right away. He believed it, so he's going to get every opportunity to earn that spot. We're not hesitant to use kids. We've proven that in the past."
The one exception to the offseason youth movement was the re-signing of 43-year-old forward Jaromir Jagr shortly after last season ended. Jagr had 18 points in 20 games after joining the Panthers in late February in a trade from the New Jersey Devils and teamed with Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov on a productive top line. The Panthers were 12-7-2 after Jagr arrived, playing the last 10 games without leading goal-scorer Nick Bjugstad (back injury). Barkov, Huberdeau and Bjugstad are but three of the young players Tallon hopes can help the Panthers return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Defenseman Aaron Ekblad won the Calder Trophy. Center Brandon Pirri scored 19 goals in his last 30 games after bouncing in and out of the lineup. Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov had his most consistent season and will be entering his seventh season; he turns 25 in late October. The Panthers' 21-man roster includes 10 players 25 or younger. Though Jagr, 36-year-old goalie Roberto Luongo and 36-year-old defenseman Brian Campbell will be counted on to play key roles again, this is a young team, one Tallon said is on the rise.
"We think we have a very good young team, and with adding some of our own players I think we'll be a better team. We'll be quicker and more skilled. That's what we're all about. We've got young players that are very capable of playing for us next year. We don't want to shut the door on that. We want those guys to get every opportunity to be on our team. I want to be the youngest team in the League and the best team in the League at the same time."
Although a 25-point improvement in 2014-15 was the best in the NHL, the Panthers missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 13th time in 14 seasons. The only time in that span they qualified for the postseason was in 2011-12, when the Panthers won the Southeast Division title after a big spending spree in the free agent market. The approach this season is to rely on a young nucleus and hope the maturation process has reached fruition.
Offense has always been a problem for the Panthers, even when they made their surprising run to the division title in 2011-12. In 21 seasons of existence, the Panthers have ranked 20th or lower in goals scored 16 times. Only once have they finished higher than 13th; they were sixth in the 1999-2000 season with NHL goal-scoring champion Pavel Bure. When they made the playoffs in 2012, they ranked 20th; in the three seasons since, they've finished 28th, 28th and 25th. Florida did show progress in the latter stages of last season. The Panthers scored three or more goals in 12 of their final 21 games (57.1 percent) after forward Jaromir Jagr arrived in a trade with the New Jersey Devils, compared with 42.6 percent in their first 61 games. It would help the Panthers if they could get a breakout season from one of their players. It has been seven seasons since they've had a 30-goal scorer; David Booth had 31 in 2008-09. After scoring 22 goals in 49 games last season, Brandon Pirri appears to have that kind of potential. The same goes for Nick Bjugstad, who led the Panthers with 24 goals in his second NHL season despite missing 10 games because of a back injury.
Given the makeup of their nucleus, it's accurate to call the Panthers a young team. But the reality is they also depend on some players whose careers are winding down. The one who stands out is goalie Roberto Luongo, who is coming off a solid season but who turned 36 in April. Luongo has yet to show signs of decline, but the combination of his age and his importance makes it crucial it doesn't happen this season. Defenseman Brian Campbell, who turned 36 in May, has led the Panthers in ice time all four seasons he's been with the team. Also, don't discount the role he played in Aaron Ekblad winning the Calder Trophy last season. Captain Willie Mitchell also logged significant minutes on defense last season; he turned 38 in April. Lastly, there's Jagr, whose significant contribution to the Panthers late last season has provided a good part of the optimism for 2015-16. Jagr was impressive after arriving from New Jersey, and his legendary work ethic gives him a chance to continue to be productive. But it's also impossible to overlook the fact he's 43 and there will come when he simply can't make an impact anymore.
The third-year forward, Nick Bjugstad, enjoyed a productive 2014-15 season, but it ended prematurely because of a back injury that required surgery. While all indications are Bjugstad will be ready for the start of training camp, back problems have been known to resurface, and there's no doubt that has to be worrisome for the Panthers. Bjugstad is one of the key pieces on the Panthers because of his size and scoring ability. Florida needs him in the lineup.The blueprint since Dale Tallon took over as general manager in May 2010 has been to stockpile prospects and let them develop. With forwards Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov and Nick Bjugstad, the Panthers have three potential stars they can build around. Huberdeau led the Panthers in scoring with 54 points last season with a bounce-back performance after the sophomore slump that followed his winning the Calder Trophy in 2013. Bjugstad led the Panthers with 24 goals despite missing the last 10 games because of a back injury, and Barkov had 12 points in his final 13 games.
Center Brandon Pirri ended up two goals shy of Bjugstad's total last season playing 49 games. After being acquired in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks in March 2014, Pirri bounced in and out of the lineup early last season and then was sidelined by injuries before he went on a tear starting in mid-January.
Pirri scored 19 goals in a 26-game stretch to join Bjugstad as the only 20-goal scorers on the Panthers. The burst wasn't totally unexpected. Pirri was a second-round pick (No. 59) by the Blackhawks in the 2009 NHL Draft and had 13 goals in 49 games with Chicago and Florida in 2013-14.
The Panthers brought Roberto Luongo back to Florida in March 2014 to solidify what had been a shaky goaltending situation. Aside from one tough break, that's just what happened last season. Luongo played well enough to earn an All-Star Game appearance. More important, he gave the Panthers a chance to win every night. The one hiccup was an injury in a home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs that was made worse when backup Al Montoya was injured in the game. Montoya was forced to play with a bad groin for a while before Luongo was forced to return to the game after other alternatives were considered. That bizarre episode aside, Luongo and Montoya gave the Panthers the kind of goaltending they'll need this season to make a return to the playoffs.
Jaromir Jagr will be the first to admit he's not the dominating player he was during his prime. But there is no denying the Panthers were a different, and much better, team after they acquired the forward in February. The Panthers went 12-7-2 after acquiring Jagr in a trade with the New Jersey Devils; that projects to 101 points over an 82-game season. Before getting Jagr, the Panthers were 26-22-13, projected to 87 points over a full season. Jagr had 18 points in 20 games. More important, his presence seemed to energize new linemates Huberdeau and Barkov. The three formed a productive top line down the stretch. It was no surprise that the Panthers re-signed Jagr shortly after the end of last season. His leadership alone is valuable, and if he can perform the way he did late last season, he could make a big difference.
The Panthers have two of the past three Calder Trophy winners: Jonathan Huberdeau (2013) and Aaron Ekblad (2015). The nucleus of their up-and-coming team consists of their recent draft picks. The good news for Florida is there appears to be some more quality prospects ready to help soon, particularly at defenseman.
![]()
Lawson Crouse, LW
How acquired: 1st round (No. 11), 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: Kingston, OHL: 56 GP, 29-22-51
Crouse, 18, led Kingston in scoring in his second season and helped Canada win the gold medal at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship. Crouse (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) is the kind of power forward the Panthers haven't had for a long time, if ever. His junior teammates called him "The Sheriff" for the way he looked after for them. Crouse said he patterned his game after NHL forwards James Neal, Milan Lucic and Rick Nash, and that combination of offense and physicality made him attractive to the Panthers. Tallon said Crouse would be given every opportunity to earn a roster spot immediately, but he'll have to fight off other promising young players.
Projected NHL arrival: 2016-17
Michael Matheson, D
How acquired: 1st round (No. 23), 2012 NHL Draft
Last season: Boston College, H-EAST: 38 GP, 3-22-25; San Antonio, AHL: 5 GP 0-2-2
Matheson, 21, signed with the Panthers last spring after completing his third season at Boston College and got some professional experience with San Antonio of the American Hockey League. Matheson led BC defensemen in scoring all three of his college seasons and was captain in 2014-15. Ekblad impressed with his two-way game and his poise; Matheson's biggest asset from the time he was a first-round pick has been his skating ability. At 6-foot-2, 192 pounds, he's a good outlet passer and looks like someone who eventually will log a lot of power-play minutes.
Projected NHL arrival: 2016-17
Rocco Grimaldi, C/RW
How acquired: 2nd round (No. 33), 2011 NHL Draft
Last season: Panthers, 7 GP: 1-0-1; San Antonio, AHL: 64 GP 14-28-42
Grimaldi, 21, was called up twice by the Panthers in 2014-15, his first professional season, after playing well enough in training camp to earn a roster spot but being blocked by veterans with one-way contracts. He scored his first NHL goal against the Nashville Predators on Nov. 22 in his final game of the season. Grimaldi (5-foot-6, 180) lacks prototypical size, but he showed good offensive instincts in his limited NHL appearances. The Panthers' four veteran free-agents-to-be from last training camp are gone, so Grimaldi has a clearer path to a roster spot.
Projected NHL arrival: 2015-16
Ian McCoshen, D
How acquired: 2nd round (No. 31), 2013 NHL Draft
Last season: Boston College, H-EAST, 35 GP: 6-10-16
McCoshen, 20, will be heading back to Boston College for his junior season and was selected in the spring as one of its alternate captains for 2015-16. He earned Hockey East honorable mention recognition last season. Although McCoshen doesn't have Matheson's skating ability, he might have enjoyed a better 2014-15 season at BC. In addition to finishing plus-14, McCoshen led BC with 64 blocked shots. At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, he plays a solid two-way game.
Projected NHL arrival: 2017-18
Jonathan Racine, D
How acquired: 3rd round (No. 87), 2011 NHL Draft
Last season: San Antonio, AHL: 70 GP, 0-7-7
Racine, 22, made his NHL debut in April 2014 when he appeared in one game for the Panthers. He spent all of last season with San Antonio and led it with 149 penalty minutes. Racine (6-2, 194) is the most physical and aggressive of all the Panthers' prospects at defensemen even though he's not huge by NHL standards. Racine is a fearless competitor who plays a responsible defensive game, which should land him an NHL roster spot at some point despite his limited offensive upside.
Projected NHL arrival: 2016-17
Predicted Lines
11 Huberdeau - 16 Barkov - 68 Jagr
73 Pirri - 27 Bjugstad - # Smith
36 Jokinen - 63 Bolland - 21 Trocheck
22 Thornton - 17 MacKenzie - 23 Grimaldi
51 Campbell - 5 Ekblad
7 Kulikov - 33 Mitchell
44 Gudbranson - 4 Olsen
1 Luongo - 35 Montoya
The Lightning were two victories from winning the Stanley Cup for the second time in their history last season. Many of the same players will return this season to try to finish the job, including leading scorer and captain Steven Stamkos, who is entering the final season of his five-year contract. After a postseason run that included a Game 7 win against the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Final, the Lightning's season ended with a 2-0 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. Shortly after, general manager Steve Yzerman began the process of making slight adjustments to the roster while pledging to keep his focus on signing Stamkos to a new contract. Stamkos can become an unrestricted free agent July 1, 2016. Two days after the Blackhawks skated with the Cup at United Center, Stamkos expressed optimism that a new contract to keep him in Tampa for several more seasons would get done.
Stamkos, who the Lightning selected with the No. 1 pick at the 2008 NHL Draft, told the Toronto Sun during All-Star Weekend in January that he could envision a contract similar to the eight-year, $84 million one that Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews each signed with the Blackhawks in July 2014. The 25-year-old center will be paid $5.5 million this season with a salary-cap charge of $7.5 million, according to war-on-ice.com. The Lightning currently are about $960,000 above the NHL's $71.4 million cap for 2015-16; teams can be over the cap by 10 percent before the start of the season. Stamkos' 43 goals were second in the NHL last season. He had seven goals and 11 assists in 26 playoff games, but the Blackhawks held him without a goal in the Final. Named captain when Martin St. Louis was traded to the Rangers at the 2014 NHL Trade Deadline, Stamkos re-affirmed his commitment to the Lightning after the loss in the Final. Tampa Bay wasn't very active in free agency but did sign right wing Erik Condra to a three-year contract. The 28-year-old spent his first five NHL seasons with the Ottawa Senators after being selected by them in the seventh round (No. 211) of the 2006 draft. Condra, who scored a career-high nine goals in 68 regular-season games last season, likely will step into the role that Brenden Morrow occupied last season. Morrow, 36, became an unrestricted free agent July 1 and remains unsigned. They also signed forward Tye McGinn to a one-year, two-way contract. McGinn, 24, had two goals and seven points in 51 games with the San Jose Sharks and Phoenix Coyotes last season.
Defenseman Luke Witkowski and forwards Jonathan Marchessault and Vladislav Namestnikov were re-signed to one-year, two-way contracts and will have a chance to make the roster out of training camp. Witkowski made his NHL debut last season, playing in 16 regular-season games; Marchessault played in two regular-season and two playoff games; and Namestnikov, the 27th pick of the 2011 draft, had 16 points in 43 regular-season games and one point in 12 playoff games. Tampa Bay also re-signed 6-foot-7, 220-pound defenseman Andrej Sustr to a two-year contract June 30. Sustr, 24, struggled in his second full NHL season, but the Lightning have high hopes for the undrafted player who joined them in 2013. Yzerman understands that the Lightning will have a difficult time repeating last season's playoff success, much less taking the final step to win the Stanley Cup. Recent history isn't necessarily on their side.
![]()
Steve Yzerman: "I'd like to get Steven Stamkos signed to an extension. That's my No. 1 priority. We've got some other restricted free agents, a couple of other contracts and things we've got to do, but [Stamkos is] the No. 1 priority. It's important that we come out next year ready to go right off the bat. You look at L.A., you look at Boston. L.A. won the Cup [in 2014], and Boston won the Presidents' Trophy (for the 2013-14 season). They both had very good seasons [in 2014-15] and missed the playoffs. So the margin for error is very slight. It's important for us to get off to a good start, so I'd start off by saying what we're looking to do next year is try to make the playoffs and then go from there."
The Lightning have their entire core group back after advancing to the 2015 Stanley Cup Final, but that doesn't mean they don't have questions entering this season. The Lightning's top concern is signing captain Steven Stamkos to a new contract; the 2015-16 season is the final one of the five-year contract he signed July 19, 2011, and he can become an unrestricted free agent July 1, 2016.
![]()
Stamkos has said on more than one occasion that he wants to stay in Tampa, and general manager Steve Yzerman said in June that a new contract for the 25-year-old captain is his top priority. After losing to the Chicago Blackhawks in six games in the Stanley Cup Final, Stamkos denied reports that he was unhappy with his role under coach Jon Cooper. Stamkos said in January that he would like a contract similar to the eight-year, $84 million one that Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews each signed with the Blackhawks last summer. It's up to Yzerman not only to sign Stamkos but to make sure there's enough money left afterward to keep Victor Hedman, Tyler Johnson, Nikita Kucherov and others in Tampa. It seems highly unlikely the Lightning will let Stamkos play out his contract, and talk of a trade will increase if a new contract isn't finalized before the start of the season. Expect negotiations to heat up during the next few weeks; the Lightning would love to get Stamkos signed before training camp, which starts Sept. 17.Ben Bishop is the Lightning's top goalie going into the season, but he also is one of their most valuable trade assets. Bishop is signed through the 2016-17 season at a $5.95 million salary-cap charge, according to war-on-ice.com, and would be highly valued on the trade market after his performance during the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs (13-11, 2.18 goals-against average, .921 save percentage). Depending on how negotiations with Stamkos turn out, the Lightning may need to free up money to secure contracts with other players in the future. Bishop may become expendable if the Lightning see enough early in the season from highly touted prospect Andrei Vasilevskiy, 21, who started Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final with Bishop out because of a groin injury.
It would be safe to say Jonathan Drouin, 20, had a rookie season to forget. He fractured his right thumb during training camp and missed the entire preseason; it didn't get much better from there. Drouin, the No. 3 pick of the 2013 NHL Draft, had four goals and 28 assists in 70 regular-season games but never seemed to find a comfortable spot on the ice. He played in six of 26 Lightning playoff games. The low point of his season may have come in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Second Round against the Montreal Canadiens. With forward Ryan Callahan unavailable because of an emergency appendectomy, Cooper elected to play Jonathan Marchessault, who had played in two regular-season games, as Callahan's replacement. Cooper later explained his choice of Marchessault rather than Drouin by saying he went with the lineup that gave the Lightning the best chance to win. Drouin's fresh start begins at training camp. He will be given another chance to become the playmaker that Stamkos could use on the first line, but he'll have to show that he's made improvements on and off the ice.With strong goaltending, a skilled young core and effective leadership in the front office, there are plenty of reasons to be excited for 2015-16, especially if captain Steven Stamkos signs a contract extension before the season gets underway Oct. 8 against the Philadelphia Flyers.
![]()
The Lightning answered a lot of questions in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Goalie Ben Bishop proved he could handle the pressure of a must-win game, earning a shutout in Game 7 victories against the Detroit Red Wings in the Eastern Conference First Round and the New York Rangers in the conference final. "The Triplets" line of Tyler Johnson, Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat proved that its outstanding performance in the regular season wasn't a mirage.The Lightning showed the grit and mental toughness to survive and thrive in the postseason.
24-year-old defenseman Victor Hedman, cashed in on his potential last season, and now the expectations for the smooth-skating, 6-foot-6 Swede have been raised. Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith took home the Conn Smythe Trophy, but Hedman unquestionably made the leap into the discussion of elite NHL defensemen. When paired with the steady Anton Stralman, Hedman's skills on each end of the ice are allowed to shine. His ability to join in on the rush and his role as power-play quarterback further highlight his value. The next step should include multiple All-Star Game appearances and annual candidacy for the Norris Trophy.
The chemistry that Johnson, Kucherov and Palat have on the ice was on full display in the playoffs. They make exciting plays and are always trying to create scoring opportunities. At times, it seems as though each one knows what the other is thinking. As Rangers defenseman Dan Boyle said during the conference final, "Standing still against those guys will get you in trouble." Johnson scored 29 goals last season, and Kucherov had 28. Palat's 47 assists led Tampa Bay, and "The Triplets" had the three best ratings on the Lightning (Kucherov, plus-38; Johnson, plus-33; Palat, plus-31).
Yzerman and owner Jeff Vinik are fully committed to winning the Stanley Cup. Yzerman, the NHL's reigning General Manager of the Year, hasn't been afraid to make tough decisions, such as trading former captain Martin St. Louis to the Rangers for Ryan Callahan in 2014. And with the question of Stamkos' contract extension lingering, it's likely more tough decisions will need to be made in the upcoming months. Yzerman has built a roster and developmental system that is in position to win now and remain highly competitive in the future with a fresh crop of young talent in the pipeline. That young group is led by Jonathan Drouin, the Lightning's first-round pick (No. 3) at the 2013 NHL Draft. Drouin had four goals and 28 assists in 70 games last season.
The Lightning stockpiled young talent at the start of the decade and saw many of their top prospects graduate to the NHL over the past two years. But with nine picks at the 2015 NHL Draft and good reports on players drafted in 2013 and 2014, there's plenty of high-end talent coming through the system, including 2015 third-round pick Dennis Yan (No. 64). Jonathan Marchessault, 24, and Matthew Peca, 22, who are hoping to make the Lightning roster out of training camp, didn't make the top prospects list this year. That alone should speak to the strength of the young players in the organization.
![]()
Kristers Gudlevskis, GHow acquired: 5th round (No. 124), 2013 NHL Draft
Last season: Syracuse (AHL): 42 GP, 25-14-4, 2.81 GAA, .900 save percentage
For the second consecutive season, Gudlevskis, 23, suited up with the Lightning in the Stanley Cup Playoffs as a backup goalie. Although he didn't play in Game 4 of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final as the backup to Andrei Vasilevskiy, he did make two appearances in the 2014 Eastern Conference First Round in relief of Anders Lindback. This season, Gudlevskis (6-foot-4, 190 pounds) will be the top goaltender with Syracuse of the American Hockey League while waiting to see how things shake out between Ben Bishop and Vasilevskiy in Tampa. Bishop is signed through the 2016-17 season, but Gudlevskis is in the final year of his three-year entry-level contract and can become a restricted free agent July 1, 2016. He has the experience professionally and internationally (he played for Latvia at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and 2014 IIHF World Championship) to be considered NHL-ready.
Anthony DeAngelo, D
How acquired: 1st round (No. 19), 2014 NHL Draft
Last season: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL): 26 GP, 15-36-51; Sarnia (OHL): 29 GP, 10-28-38
When the Lightning selected DeAngelo in 2014, they appeared to be getting a top-10 talent who had fallen in the draft because of some controversies that got him suspended on two occasions. DeAngelo, 19, promised to mature as a player and person, and so far the Lightning have to be pleased with his development. Last season, he won the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the top defenseman in the Ontario Hockey League and was named Canadian Hockey League Defenseman of the Year. It's almost certain DeAngelo (5-foot-11, 175) will open the season in Syracuse, where he will be asked to tighten things up on the defensive end, especially with turnovers. He showed improvement in that area last season, when he had a combined plus-33 rating with Sarnia and Sault Ste. Marie in the OHL. As a playmaker, DeAngelo has special talent and is exceptional with the puck on his stick.
Brayden Point, C
How acquired: 3rd round (No. 79), 2014 NHL Draft
Last season: Syracuse (AHL): 9 GP, 2-2-4; Moose Jaw (WHL): 60 GP, 38-49-87
Point, 19, fits the mold of Lightning skill players with his speed and ability to handle the puck. During their development camp in July, he was among the top scorers in the 3-on-3 tournament and was constantly praised for his work ethic and hockey intelligence. After a career-best 38 goals with Moose Jaw in the Western Hockey League last season, Point (5-foot-10, 160) signed an entry-level contract and joined Syracuse at the end of the season. He'll have time to develop in the AHL this season and likely much of the 2016-17 season as well.
Adam Erne, LW
How acquired: 2nd round (No. 33), 2013 NHL Draft
Last season: Quebec (QMJHL): 60 GP, 41-45-86
Erne, 21, took a major leap forward with Quebec last season, establishing career highs in goals (41) and points (86). But it was his performance in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoffs, when he had 21 goals and nine assists in 21 games, that really made everyone take notice when he arrived at development camp in July. What separates Erne from many of the other top forwards in the Lightning system is his size. Listed at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, Erne has added weight and may develop into the power forward missing from Tampa Bay's lineup. He'll be headed to Syracuse to start the season and expectations will be high.
Slater Koekkoek, D
How acquired: 1st round (No. 10), 2012 NHL Draft
Last season: Lightning: 3 GP, 0-0-0; Syracuse (AHL) 72 GP, 5-21-26
Koekkoek's development has been slowed by injuries, but last season he was finally healthy and was called up to the Lightning for a short period near the end of the season. Koekkoek (6-foot-2, 184) is a mobile defenseman who's at his best when he's on the power play, but his overall defense has improved after a full season in the AHL.
After playing three games with the Lightning last season, Koekkoek will have an opportunity to earn a more consistent roster spot with a strong training camp.
Predicted Lines
51 Filppula - 91 Stamkos - 24 Callahan
18 Palat - 9 Johnson - 86 Kucherov
27 Drouin - 90 Namestnikov - 17 Killorn
13 Paquette - 11 Boyle - # Condra
77 Hedman - 6 Stralman
5 Garrison - 55 Coburn
25 Carle - 62 Sustr
30 Bishop - 88 Vasilevskiy
It's been an offseason of change for the Bruins, who missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in eight years. The first significant change came April 15, when general manager Peter Chiarelli was fired and replaced by assistant GM Don Sweeney. After a couple weeks on the job, Sweeney decided to retain coach Claude Julien and his staff once Sweeney felt comfortable they were on the same page about making the Bruins more aggressive. The Bruins had a busy weekend at the 2015 NHL Draft. Sweeney traded restricted free agent defenseman Dougie Hamilton to the Calgary Flames after it became apparent Boston wasn't going to be able to re-sign him. With forward Milan Lucic heading toward unrestricted free agency next summer, Sweeney traded him to the Los Angeles Kings. The Bruins acquired mainly draft picks and prospects for each player.
When free agency opened July 1, Sweeney signed left wing Matt Beleskey from the Anaheim Ducks to boost an offense that was tied for 22nd in the NHL (2.55 goals per game). Beleskey scored an NHL career-high 22 goals last season.
Sweeney also traded forward Reilly Smith to the Florida Panthers for forward Jimmy Hayes, who scored 19 goals last season. Defenseman Zdeno Chara, centers Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, forward Brad Marchand and goaltender Tuukka Rask remain the pillars of the Bruins after Sweeney's remodel. The first-year general manager is counting on that veteran group becoming reinvigorated.
Bergeron won his third Selke Trophy last season and led Boston with 55 points. He and the Bruins will benefit from having a healthy Krejci, who was limited to 47 games. Krejci, who has averaged 0.74 points per game in his NHL career, should be fully recovered from a knee injury and a mysterious lower- or mid-body injury that slowed the 29-year-old early in the season. Despite the decision to trade pending unrestricted free agent Carl Soderberg to the Colorado Avalanche, the Bruins look like they're still three-deep at center because of the emergence late last season of Ryan Spooner. The 2010 second-round pick had eight goals and 18 points in 29 games after proving to Julien he could adjust his game to fit the Bruins system.
Although it remains to be seen how the line combinations will shake out, Beleskey and Hayes will join Marchand, Brett Connolly and David Pastrnak to form a deeper group on the wings. The Hamilton trade left a void on the Bruins defense, but six regulars, led by Chara, Dennis Seidenberg and Torey Krug, are likely to return. With several free agent defensemen available and trade talks ongoing, Sweeney might not be done making moves that will improve the Bruins' chances of returning to the playoffs in 2016.
Don Sweeney, who was promoted from assistant GM to replace Chiarelli on May 20, traded defenseman Dougie Hamilton and forward Milan Lucic on June 26, then made two moves July 1 aiming to improve Boston's youth and depth and get the Bruins back into the Stanley Cup Playoffs after they failed to qualify for the first time since 2007.
On the list of reasons Boston finished tied for 22nd in the NHL in scoring (2.55 goals per game) last season, center David Krejci missing 35 games because of injuries is at the top. Krejci, who had 31 points in 47 games after he had 69 in 80 in 2013-14, should be back at full health this season. The Bruins hope some new players will help Krejci give the offense a jolt. Matt Beleskey, who scored 22 goals with the Anaheim Ducks last season, signed as an unrestricted free agent July 1. That day, the Bruins traded Reilly Smith to the Florida Panthers for Jimmy Hayes; Smith scored 13 goals last season, Hayes had 19. Then there are the young players who have to continue to blossom. Center Ryan Spooner had five goals and four assists in Boston's final 12 games to finish with 18 points in 29 games. Right wing David Pastrnak had 27 points in 46 games as a rookie. Beyond left wing Brad Marchand and center Patrice Bergeron, the Bruins no longer have a lot of forwards with experience playing together. So they'll have to mix and match to find the right place in the lineup for the above-mentioned players, plus Brett Connolly, Loui Eriksson and Chris Kelly.
After signing Matt Irwin on July 11, Sweeney has refrained from acquiring another free agent defenseman. The Bruins have six returning defensemen, including Kevan Miller, who was limited to 41 games because of injuries last season, but Boston is lacking a player with the two-way abilities of Hamilton.
Barring an acquisition, a prospect will have a chance to fill that role. Zach Trotman fared well as Zdeno Chara's partner when Hamilton was injured last season. Joe Morrow also might get a chance. The Bruins will be looking at Colin Miller for the first time after he was acquired from the Los Angeles Kings in the Lucic trade. Improved play from Torey Krug and 34-year-old Dennis Seidenberg, a full season removed from serious knee surgery, would soften the blow of losing Hamilton.
No. 1 goalie, Tuukka Rask, played an NHL career-high 70 games,third most in the League, last season. He had a 2.30 goals-against average and .922 save percentage but at times looked worn out when Boston needed him most. With Niklas Svedberg leaving for the Kontinental Hockey League in May, the Bruins have three untested goaltenders behind Rask. Only Malcolm Subban has any NHL experience, and he played a little more than one period in the League. First-year pro Zach McIntyre, and Jeremy Smith, a Nashville Predators second-round pick in 2007, are also expected to compete for the backup job. In order to get back to the playoffs, the Bruins are going to have to do a better job of preserving Rask's best play, but it's uncertain whether they have the depth to do that. Tuukka Rask remains an elite goalie: The 2013-14 Vezina Trophy winner didn't match his superb season in 2014-15, but he was very good. He had a .930 even-strength save percentage and his .872 shorthanded save percentage was actually better than in his Vezina season (.868). Rask, 28, said he didn't feel any worse for wear and was able to recover quickly after his most active season as a pro.
Despite all the issues the Bruins had last season, they finished within two points of a Stanley Cup Playoff berth. A win here or there, especially if they fared better than 4-10 in shootouts, and the Bruins would have extended their postseason streak to eight seasons. Instead, they went home at the end of the regular season for the first time since 2007. The Bruins are banking on a few new faces in the lineup to get them back in the playoffs.
![]()
Strength up the middle: Assuming a return to full health by David Krejci after he missed 35 games last season, the Bruins' top two centers, with Patrice Bergeron, remain the envy of all but a handful of teams in the NHL. Bergeron won his third Selke Trophy last season after leading the NHL in faceoff percentage (.606). He led the Bruins with 55 points, and at 30 years old seems to be improving every season. Krejci had 31 points in his 47 games despite lackluster performances from many of Boston's wings. He had 69 points in 80 games two seasons ago.The Bruins were able to trade pending unrestricted free agent center Carl Soderberg to the Colorado Avalanche because Ryan Spooner emerged as a top-three center. The 23-year-old had 18 points in 24 games in the second half of the season, including five goals and four assists in the final 12.
It took Sweeney a couple weeks after he was promoted to GM to decide what to do about the coach. He wound up retaining Claude Julien and his staff. The philosophies that have been adopted and the accountability that has been instilled by Julien and his assistants has paid off with the growth of a winning culture. One season out of the playoffs didn't change the Bruins brass' opinion.
Sweeney wants to add an element of aggression that will cause anxiety in opponents. Julien has shown the ability to tweak the Bruins' approach while maintaining the type of defensive responsibility that is the foundation for most championship teams. Given a healthy roster, Julien should be able to adapt again.
By trading defenseman Dougie Hamilton, forward Milan Lucic and goaltender Martin Jones (who had been acquired in the trade for Lucic), Sweeney stocked up on prospects and draft picks for this year and next. The Bruins made 10 picks, including five in the first two rounds, at the 2015 NHL Draft to restock their system with prospects. Next year, the Bruins have their first-round pick and one from the San Jose Sharks. Combine the infusion of young talent with some flexibility under the NHL salary cap, and the Bruins aren't just in win-now mode; they're back to believing they can contend for the Stanley Cup several years in a row.
When Bruins general manager Don Sweeney was hired this offseason, he decided he had a mandate to get them back into the Stanley Cup Playoffs while replenishing their prospect pool so they'd be able to have sustained success beyond. The Bruins restocked at the 2015 NHL Draft by making 10 picks, including five in the first two rounds. Some of those came in trades for defenseman Dougie Hamilton and forward Milan Lucic.
![]()
Danton Heinen, F
How acquired: 4th round (No. 116), 2014 NHL Draft
Last season: Denver, NCHC: 40 GP, 16-29-45
Heinen (6-foot-1, 185 pounds) was considered too small to get drafted by the Western Hockey League. So he decided to go to college and was the third-leading scorer among NCAA freshmen last season, behind Jack Eichel (Buffalo Sabres) and Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings). Heinen led Denver in points and assists. A desire to use his time at Denver to get stronger kept Heinen, 20, from turning pro this summer.
Malcolm Subban, G
How acquired: 1st round (No. 24), 2012 NHL Draft
Last season: Providence, AHL: 35 GP, 16-13-4, 2.44 GAA, .921 save percentage
Someday, Subban and the Bruins hope, his NHL debut will be reduced to a footnote on a lengthy, successful career. Thrust into the Bruins lineup in February, Subban lasted 31 minutes against the St. Louis Blues before he was replaced after allowing three goals on three shots in the second period. He made three saves on three shots in the first period. Subban (6-foot-2, 200) endured an up-and-down second season as a pro with Providence but made the necessary improvements that could make the 20-year-old Tuukka Rask's backup this season.
Jakub Zboril, D
How acquired: 1st round (No. 13), 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: Saint John, QMJHL: 44 GP, 13-20-33
Years from now, it might turn out that Zboril is Hamilton's replacement as the cornerstone of the Bruins defensemen after Zdeno Chara retires. Zboril (6-foot, 200) has a good combination of skill and physicality. The Bruins wasted little time getting Zboril, 18, to sign an entry-level contract after he was drafted. He was one of three finalists for the Michael Bossy Trophy as the top professional prospect in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Jake DeBrusk, F
How acquired: 1st round (No. 14), 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: Swift Current, WHL: 72 GP, 42-39-81
The 6-foot, 174-pound wing wowed observers at Bruins development camp with a between-the-legs goal during a shootout. Trick shots aside, DeBrusk has the type of scoring touch the Bruins were looking to add to their depth chart. His 42 goals led Swift Current and were tied for sixth in the WHL. The 18-year-old is the son of former NHL forward Louie DeBrusk.
Joe Morrow, D
How acquired: Traded by Dallas Stars on July 4, 2013
Last season: Bruins: 15 GP, 1-0-1; Providence, AHL: 33 GP 3-9-12
After playing for three organizations in his first two pro seasons, the 22-year-old got to settle in with Boston. Known for his offense (he had 64 points for Portland of the Western Hockey League in 2011-12), Morrow (6-foot-1, 204 pounds) showed his responsible side during his brief stint with the Bruins. He stopped taking risks, and it paid off in a top-four role. Injuries after his return to Providence cost him another chance with Boston in the second half of the season. With Hamilton gone, there's an opening among Boston's top four, and the 2011 first-round pick (No. 23) by the Pittsburgh Penguins could make good on his high ceiling.
Predicted Lines
63 Marchand - 37 Bergeron - 11 Hayes
39 Beleskey - 46 Krejci - 88 Pastrnak
14 Connolly - 51 Spooner - 21 Eriksson
25 Talbot - 23 Kelly - # Rinaldo
33 Chara - 86 Miller
47 Krug - 54 McQuaid
44 Seidenberg - # Irwin
40 Rask - 70 Subban
The Senators made history with their late-season run to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season. They're hoping the growth of the young players who helped them to a 23-4-4 record down the stretch will ensure a similar rally won't be needed to make the 2016 postseason. The job of getting more out of those young players belongs to coach Dave Cameron, who earned a two-year contract extension. He replaced Paul MacLean on Dec. 8 and implemented a more aggressive forecheck, more skating in practices, and fostered the growth of the young players. The Senators could be younger this season given the willingness Cameron showed to go with youth at the expense of veterans Chris Neil, David Legwand and Chris Phillips.
Forward prospects Matt Puempel and Shane Prince, and defensemen Chris Wideman and Fredrik Claesson are pushing for roster spots. The Senators made a commitment to late-season hero Andrew Hammond (20-1-2, 1.79 goals-against average, .941 save percentage in the regular season), signing the 27-year-old goalie to a three-year, one-way contract with an average annual value of $1.35 million. It made goalie Robin Lehner expendable, and he and Legwand were traded to the Buffalo Sabres for the 21st pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, which the Senators used to select center Colin White. Veteran goalie Craig Anderson, who is coming off another season when he missed significant time because of injury (19 games with a bruised hand), will compete with Hammond.
Defenseman Erik Karlsson won his second Norris Trophy. He had a slow start last season but was boosted by the return of partner Marc Methot, who missed the first quarter of the season with back and hip injuries. The Senators will get a boost if Karlsson and Methot can pick up where they left off. Ottawa will be looking for more growth and consistency from defensemen Cody Ceci and Patrick Wiercioch in their second pair, and gritty Mark Borowiecki will play on the third pair with whoever can earn the sixth job in training camp. Eric Gryba was traded to the Edmonton Oilers for a prospect and a draft pick, leaving Phillips, who had back surgery at the end of last season, to compete with Wideman and Claesson for playing time.
The greatest potential for growth this season will be among the forwards. The Senators did not re-sign free agent Erik Condra, creating a spot for a prospect.
The Senators gave Calder Trophy finalist Mark Stone a three-year contract. Stone was a point-per-game player in the second half of the season, and with veteran wing Bobby Ryan slumping, was a big reason the Senators continued to win games. With No. 1 center Kyle Turris and veteran wing Clarke MacArthur, the top line appears to be set. Mika Zibanejad scored 20 goals last season on the second line, but the question there is about Ryan's production.
Ryan scored once in the final 20 games of the regular season, and the four-time 30-goal scorer finished with 18. Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Curtis Lazar, Alex Chiasson, Mike Hoffman and Zack Smith will fill out the third and fourth lines.
The Senators will be an interesting team this season because the elements that made them the success story of the final two months of last season also present the biggest question marks. Their charge to the Stanley Cup Playoffs was fueled by a rookie coach, a goaltender making his NHL debut, and a group of young players who successfully handled bigger roles and more responsibility.
Goalie Andrew Hammond was perhaps the feel-good story of the 2014-15 NHL season. He was a 27-year-old struggling in the American Hockey League who got a chance to debut in the NHL when the Senators ran out of goaltenders in February after injuries to Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner. Hammond's 20-1-2 record and .941 save percentage was the foundation of the rally to make the playoffs, and he won over teammates and fans with his low-key attitude, modest personality and catchy nickname. He faltered slightly in the playoffs, and despite the small sample size, the Senators signed Hammond to a three-year, one-way contract and traded Lehner to the Buffalo Sabres. With Anderson injury-prone, Hammond likely will again play a significant role.
Since joining the Senators in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche in 2011, Craig Anderson has averaged 44 games a season as the Senators starter. They would have liked him to average about 20 games more than that. When he's played, Anderson has ranked among the League leaders at times (.941 save percentage and 1.69 GAA in 2012-13; .923 last season). He played well in the playoffs after taking over from Hammond against the Montreal Canadiens (2-2, 0.97 goals-against average, .972 save percentage). The Senators are young and inexperienced in goal after Anderson. There are 25 games of NHL experience behind him; Hammond has 24 of those. The projected goaltenders for the Senators' American Hockey League affiliate, the Binghamton Senators, are Chris Driedger, who has played 23 minutes in the NHL, and Matt O'Connor, who played for Boston University last season.
Bobby Ryan is expected to be one of the Senators' offensive leaders, but he struggled down the stretch in 2014-15. Ryan had 18 goals and 36 assists for 54 points, but after scoring in back-to-back games March 3 and 4, Ryan had one goal in the final 20 regular-season games. He did not have an assist in 17 of those games. Ryan scored two goals in Game 5 of the six-game, Eastern Conference First Round loss to the Canadiens. It's remarkable the Senators were capable of going on the run they did to make the playoffs with Ryan contributing so little. It says a lot about what they got from their emerging young talent. There will be even more scrutiny on Ryan, who enters the first year of a seven-year, $50.75 million contract extension he signed on the eve of last season.Erik Karlsson had a spectacular season, winning his second Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman and growing into the captaincy in his first season. There's reason to believe that at 25, his game can grow. Like his teammates, Karlsson got off to a slow start last season. But after a coaching change and the return of partner Marc Methot, who missed the first 37 games with an injury, Karlsson flourished; he had 43 points in his final 47 games. In the playoffs, Karlsson might have played his best game with the Senators in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Montreal Canadiens. He played 31:12, attempted 12 shots, had six hits, and assisted on Ottawa's only goal. Coach Dave Cameron used a baseball analogy to explain his approach to handling Karlsson's sometimes high-risk play: He wants to allow him to try to keep hitting home runs while cutting down on his strikeouts. With Cameron and Methot in place at the start of the season, the Senators hope Karlsson can pick up where he left off.
Dave Cameron became an NHL coach at age 56 after Paul MacLean was fired on Dec. 8. He led the Senators to a 32-15-8 record, including a closing stretch of 23-4-4, to qualify for the playoffs. The players pointed to Cameron's communication skills (he's a former teacher) and his emphasis on a more up-tempo skating game as two reasons for the improvement. He also gave bigger roles to young players at the expense of veterans Chris Phillips, Colin Greening and David Legwand. Cameron, like his young players, got better as the season went on. If he can continue to learn and improve, it will help the Senators' chances of returning to the playoffs.
Mark Stone was a question mark going into last season, but made the Senators in training camp. He had eight goals and 17 points in his first 34 games, but took off after Cameron replaced MacLean. Stone had 47 points in the final 46 games of the regular season and became a finalist for the Calder Trophy, though his effectiveness in the playoffs was limited after he was slashed on the right wrist. Stone's 26-goal, 64-point season earned him a new contract.
Among the Senators' core players, four skaters are 30 or older; defenseman Methot (30) and forwards Clarke MacArthur (30), Milan Michalek (30) and Chris Neil (36). It remains to be seen how Neil will fit into the plans given the youth movement and with Mark Puempel, Nicholas Paul and Shane Prince knocking on the door. Karlsson is 25; and No. 1 center Kyle Turris is 26. With those two and Stone, Mike Hoffman, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Curtis Lazar, Mika Zibanejad, Patrick Wiercioch, Cody Ceci and Mark Borowiecki having played key roles down the stretch, there's reason to believe the Senators have plenty of upside.Young forwards Mark Stone, Mike Hoffman, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Curtis Lazar, and defensemen Cody Ceci and Mark Borowiecki were significant parts of the Ottawa Senators' success last season, which ended in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Despite having a large number of players graduate to the NHL, the Senators have a good core of prospects thanks to recent trades and some strong drafting.
![]()
Nicholas Paul, LW
How acquired: Trade with Dallas Stars, July 1, 2014
Last season: North Bay, OHL: 58 GP, 37-29-56
Paul, 20, was one of the keys to the trade that sent center Jason Spezza to Dallas in a deal that also brought forwards Alex Chiasson and Alexander Guptill to Ottawa. Paul, a fourth-round pick (No. 101) by Dallas in the 2013 NHL Draft, has been on an impressive upward track over the past couple of seasons. A strong playoff with North Bay in 2014 (12 goals in 22 games) caught the attention of Hockey Canada, and Paul won a gold medal at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship. Paul (6-foot-4, 225 pounds; two inches taller and 21 pounds heavier than when he was drafted) has a strong skating stride. His skill set should be a good complement to the Senators' growing group of young forwards. North Bay coach Stan Butler is known for having his forwards play a strong two-way game; that should help speed Paul's transition.
Matt Puempel, LW
How acquired: 1st round (No. 24), 2011 NHL Draft
Last season: Senators: 13 GP, 2-1-3; Binghamton, AHL: 51 GP, 12-20-32
The 22-year-old was called up to the NHL in late February. He scored his first goal on March 10 against the Boston Bruins, but his chance for an expanded role ended when he sprained his ankle and was unable to play after March 21.
Puempel (6-1, 205 pounds) scored 30 goals in the American Hockey League in 2013-14. He's expected to challenge for playing time in the NHL this season and could find a role among Ottawa's top nine forwards.
Mikael Wikstrand, D
How acquired: 7th round (No. 196), 2012 NHL Draft
Last season: Frolunda, Swedish Hockey League: 46 GP, 5-15-20
Wikstrand, 21, a final-round selection three years ago, has been playing in Sweden since he was drafted, but the Senators reportedly would like him to play for Binghamton this season. He will have to make the transition to the North American game, but the smaller ice surface might be a benefit to him because Wikstrand (6-foot-1, 185) is regarded as an average skater. His strengths are his puck skills and his hockey intelligence.
Colin White, C
How acquired: 1st round (No. 21), 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, USHL: 20 GP, 4-13-17
White's blend of offense and defense has some scouts comparing him to Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron, one of the NHL's best two-way players.
White (6-foot, 183) has a defensive game not commonly found in players so young. The 18-year-old can win board battles and knows about body positioning and playing angles. He also knows how to use his stick to make himself more of a defensive presence. He also has offense skills, particularly vision and stickhandling. But it's the two-way combination that makes White an interesting prospect. Senators U.S. college scout Lewis Mongelluzzo said White could be a Selke Trophy contender. White comes from a family of athletes. His father, Mark, is in the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame for football and track. His mother, Christine, played tennis at Florida State. The native of Hanover, Mass., is committed to playing for Boston College this season.
Thomas Chabot, D
How acquired: 1st round (No. 18), 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: Saint John, QMJHL: 66 GP, 12-29-41
The heat was put on Chabot early last season by the Sea Dogs coaching staff and management to become more of two-way defenseman; he did. Chabot's ability to create offense is always going to be the strong part of his game, but he is developing into a better defender. That, and his impact on helping Saint John become a contender, made the 18-year-old a player whose stock was on the rise at the draft. Chabot (6-2, 180 pounds) is a strong skater, a trait that powers his offense and defense. He's a good passer who uses his teammates well.
Predicted Lines
16 MacArthur - 7 Turris - 61 Stone
68 Hoffman - 93 Zibanejad - 6 Ryan
9 Michalek - 44 Pageau - 27 Lazar
25 Neil - 15 Smith - 90 Chiasson
3 Methot - 65 Karlsson
46 Wiercioch - 5 Ceci
74 Borowiecki - 2 Cowen
41 Anderson - 30 Hammond
Metallurg Magnitogorsk v Avtomobilst 1-2
A pair of first period goals, including a short-handed effort in the final seconds of the session, saw Avtomobilist defeat Magnitka. Both goals came from defensive errors; the first was a turnover in center ice that saw Alexander Pankov shoot against the post before Alexander Torchenyuk put away the rebound. The second came as Magnitka’s power play misfired, presenting Avto with a two-on-one breakaway that Vitaly Popov converted. Jan Kovar pulled a goal back early in the second period, beating his brother Jakub from close range, but despite having more shooting chances the home team could not force an equalizer and suffered its first loss of the 2015-16 season.
Salavat Yulaev v Ugra 4-2
Two goals from Igor Grigorenko helped Salavat Yulaev to its first win of the season, a 4-2 triumph at home to Ugra. Early goals from Andreas Engqvist and Yegor Dubrovsky put the host in control before Grigorenko got to work. Artyom Bulyansky and Mikhail Mamkin threatened to launch a fightback for Ugra, but Grigorenko added a fourth to settle the outcome.
Traktor v Avangard 1-2
Avangard joined Avtomobilist on seven points from three games to take the early leadership of the Eastern Conference. All the scoring in Chelyabinsk came in the first period, with the visitor opening up a 2-0 lead before Traktor reduced the deficit. The decisive passage of play came midway through the session: Anton Kuryanov’s 11th-minute goal was followed by Sergei Shirokov’s marker 45 seconds later, prompting Traktor to replace goalie Pavel Frantsouz with Vasily Demchenko. Demchenko kept Avangard at bay for the rest of the game, but at the other end Traktor could only manage one goal in response. Semyon Kokuyov scored in the 16th minute but that was the end of the day’s scoring.
Neftekhimik v Barys Astana 5-2
Neftekhimik downed Barys thanks to a strong finish to the second period. The game was deadlocked until Mikhail Zhukov, Tim Kennedy and Andrei Stas scored three goals in five minutes to put the home team in charge. Maxim Berezin and Evgeny Grigorenko took the lead to 5-0 in the third before late goals from Dustin Boyd and Roman Starchenko made the final score 5-2.
Vityav v Admiral 5-4
Vityaz claimed an overtime win after a lively 4-4 tie against Admiral. Georgy Berdyukov got the decisive marker 40 seconds into the extras but it was Dmitry Shitikov’s hat-trick that dominated the home scoring. Admiral shared the goals around, with Dmitry Sayustov getting the 4-4 goal midway through the third period.
Dinamo Minsk v Dinamo Riga 0-4
The Dinamo derby finished in Riga’s favor following a comfortable 4-0 win in Minsk. After a scoreless opening session the Latvians took control with two goals either side of the halfway mark through Gunars Skvorcovs and Tim Sesito. Hopes of a home recovery were ended in the 55th minute thanks to two more quick goals: Mikelis Redlihs and Gints Meija completed the scoring. Jakub Sedlacek made 32 saves for his shut-out.
Dynamo Moscow v Amur 7-2
After two narrow home wins Dynamo’s offense finally clicked into gear with a seven-goal show at home to Amur. Visiting goalie Juha Metsola, the star of his team’s win on Friday, had no answer to a resurgent Dynamo as the Blue-and-Whites powered to what was briefly the biggest victory in the KHL so far this season. It didn’t take long to settle the outcome: Dynamo raced into a 3-0 lead inside 17 minutes through Maxim Karpov, Mat Robinson and Konstantin Glazachev. The pattern continued in the second with Alexei Tsvetkov, Konstantin Volkov and Kaspars Daugavins stretching the lead to 6-0 before a power play effort from Vyacheslav Litovchenko finally got Amur on the board. It made little difference as Denis Kokarev made it 7-1 before the second intermission. Amur had a better time in the third session as Dynamo allowed the pressure to drop. Konstantin Sokolov added a consolation goal to make the final score 7-2.
Slovan v Metallurg Nk 6-0
After two false starts Slovan managed its first win of the season, and delivered it in some style against Kuznya. The six-goal margin was the biggest victory of the season so far, a stand-out result in a campaign that has been dominated by close scorelines in the opening week. A powerful performance in the first period put Milos Riha’s men in control with goals from Ziga Jeglic, Ivan Svarny and Cam Barker. That prompted the visitor to replace goalie Vladislav Podyapolsky with Filip Novotny for the start of the second period. The change slowed Slovan’s scoring but made little impact on the game as a whole. Lukas Kaspar made it 4-0 late in the second and Andrej Stastny added a fifth early in the third. David Skokan wrapped it up late on while Michael Garnett, a summer signing in Bratislava, completed his first shut-out for the club with 17 saves.Medvescak v Sibir 4-2
Medvescak surprised Sibir with a 4-2 win in Zagreb. Mike Glumac marked his 100th appearance for the Bears by opening the scoring before Simon Gysbers and Geoffrey Kinrade took it to 3-0 and Sibir swapped goalies. That prompted a swift response, with David Ullstrom and Maxim Shalunov scoring quickly to make it 3-2. Patrick Bjorkland ended the fightback, making it 4-2 early in the third, and Medvescak held on despite losing starting goalie Danny Taylor to injury.
The Blue Jackets set out this offseason to improve a defense that, along with an inordinate amount of injuries, derailed their chances of making a return trip to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Now about six weeks from the start of training camp, nothing has changed among the defense, which ranked 25th in goals allowed (3.02 per game) last season. One of the reasons for his optimism is third-year defenseman Ryan Murray, the second pick of the 2012 NHL Draft. Murray, who missed 70 games last season because of injuries, is healthy.
Kekalainen did upgrade the Blue Jackets offense in the offseason. Columbus acquired Brandon Saad, along with two minor leaguers, in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks for center Artem Anisimov and forwards Marko Dano, Jeremy Morin, and Corey Tropp. Saad, 22, helped Chicago to a second Stanley Cup in three seasons in June. He had 23 goals and 52 points in 82 games in 2014-15 and had eight goals and three assists in 23 playoff games. Saad likely will be on a line with center Ryan Johansen. The addition of Saad and the belief that the Blue Jackets can't possibly match their NHL-high 508 man-games lost has optimism high in Columbus, which finished 42-35-5 after ending the season on a 12-0-1 run and with wins in 15 of the final 17 games. Nick Foligno has recently been named captain. Second-year center Alexander Wennberg (four goals, 20 points in 68 games) should take on a bigger role in Anisimov's absence. Wennberg, Dano and fellow rookie Kerby Rychel (three assists in five games) were thrown into the fire prematurely early in the season because of injuries and weren't NHL-ready.
The Blue Jackets also lost versatile fourth-line center Mark Letestu, who signed a free agent contract with the Edmonton Oilers; center Gregory Campbell, who signed as a free agent, will replace him. Campbell (Boston Bruins, 2011) and Saad are the only Blue Jackets who have won the Stanley Cup. Two of the injured players were forward David Clarkson, who was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs for Nathan Horton on Feb. 26 but played three games before a season-ending torn oblique muscle, and forward Rene Bourque, who was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman James Wisniewski on March 2 and had four goals in eight games but missed the final 10 games because of a stress fracture in his back.
Offense should not be a problem with Foligno (31 goals), Hartnell (28), Johansen (26) and Cam Atkinson (22) leading the way, but the Blue Jackets will need a big season from 2013 Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky (30-17-5, 2.69 goals-against average, .918 save percentage last season) and improved play in front of him. Murray, 21, will anchor the defense despite his youth and inexperience. Jack Johnson, 28, and Fedor Tyutin, 32, will provide leadership and minutes among a group that has six of eight defensemen 26 years old or younger.
Jarmo Kekalainen GM: "I'm not concerned at all if we have to start the season with this group."
Brandon Saad: "Whoever you end up with, you're going to be playing with good players. But I know playing against [Johansen], you notice him a lot, especially when he had the puck. He has skill. He can finish and create plays."
"I just want to go in and be myself. I'm going in to be a part of a team and I'm excited to join a team of young talent."
Nick Foligno: "It shows the character we have on this team and how close we are to being a great team. We easily could have gone a different direction. We were playing hard, trying to get better. That's going to bode well for the future."
"That's a huge thing. You look at the championship teams. They've grown together as the years have gone by. If we continue this mentality we have, and the understanding we're a real good team and come in here ready to take the next step, there's no reason why we aren't a Stanley Cup-contending team."
Scott Hartnell: "The confidence [Wennberg] got the last little while of the season was huge. Our D will improve. [Bobrovsky] is always pretty solid. I like what we've got going here. We've got very deep forwards. We need to have a good summer and get excited for this season and pick up where we left off."
"With an 'A' or a 'C' not on my jersey, I still think the guys look up to me. You can say that about most of the guys in the room, especially the young guys. You've got Boone and [Johansen]. Those guys are taking huge strides on the leadership side of it."
Todd Richards: "We need to find better ways to maintain and not have major dips. We might have injuries this year, and you've got to find ways to stay afloat instead of sinking."
Fedor Tyutin: "It's pretty obvious you have to have a good start to have a successful season. That's going to be our team goal. We don't want to use injuries as an excuse. We still have good players here. That's something we're searching answers for, why we're having bad starts to the season."
Ryan Johansen: "With a little more work and a little more consistency in my game, I feel 100 percent I can be up there with those guys."
Brandon Dubinsky: "There were a lot of inconsistencies [Columbus failed to make the playoffs], whether it was a losing streak and not being mentally strong enough to find a way out of it. Or, to not preparing the right way for the next game to find a way to get two points. We need to change that."
Knowing what's wrong and fixing the problems are two different stories for the Blue Jackets. They have gotten off to miserable starts the past four seasons, a significant factor in them qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs once (2014) during the span. The Blue Jackets opened last season with four wins in six games, then injuries ravaged their roster; Columbus lost an NHL-high 508 man-games. By the end of November, they were 6-15-2 and didn't make up much ground until it was too late. A 12-0-1 finish left them 42-35-5 and nine points back of the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference. In the previous three seasons, the Blue Jackets started 2-12-1, 5-12-4 and 5-10-0.
The Blue Jackets view Ryan Murray, 21, as a potential all-star and backbone for the defense when he's healthy. But he missed the last two-thirds of his final junior season for Everett of the Western Hockey League with a shoulder injury. Then he had knee surgery near the end of his rookie season with the Blue Jackets in 2013-14, when he played 66 games. The knee continued to bother him last season. Combined with an ankle sprain and a lower-body injury, he played 12 games. Make no mistake, the Blue Jackets need a healthy Murray because the defense is suspect.
The Blue Jackets had gone without a captain since Rick Nash in 2011-12 before Nick Foligno was given the honor in June. The Blue Jackets have an eclectic mix of veteran players such as Brandon Dubinsky, David Clarkson, Jack Johnson and Scott Hartnell who speak their minds, and youngsters such as Boone Jenner and Ryan Johansen who are being groomed to be the next leaders. Then there are Stanley Cup winners Gregory Campbell, 31, and Brandon Saad, 22, brought in for their playoff experience.
The Blue Jackets finished nine points back of the second wild card into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference after their season-ending, 13-game point streak (12-0-1), but it left them eager to get back on the ice in October.
Here are four reasons the Blue Jackets are optimistic:
Columbus has made the playoffs twice in its history, including 2013-14, but the core group that has been around the past three seasons has finished better than .500 in each of them.The Blue Jackets also have confidence they can finish strong. They are a combined 21-6-2 in April the past four seasons.
Even though the Blue Jackets were out of playoff contention the final month, their opponents weren't. During the point streak, which is a Columbus record, they went 8-0-1 against eventual playoff qualifiers, who were either fighting to make the postseason or seeking better seeding.
23-year-old forward, Ryan Johansen, last season increased his points total by eight to 71 (26 goals, 45 assists) from the previous season and played in the 2015 NHL All-Star Game in Columbus. Not bad for a player who missed the preseason because of a contract dispute. Johansen played all 82 games for a second straight season. He finished 16 points behind NHL scoring champion Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars but feels he can challenge for the top spot. He may get the chance with the addition of left wing Brandon Saad (23-29-52 in 82 games last season) from the Chicago Blackhawks. Add Foligno, the Blue Jackets' leading scorer last season with 31 goals and 73 points, and the potential is there for a powerhouse line.
Bad news, NHL. Sergei Bobrovsky, according to Blue Jackets goaltending coach Ian Clark, is "bigger, faster, stronger." After winning the Vezina Trophy in 2013, Bobrovsky has been saddled with injuries the past two seasons, particularly to his groin. Clark and Bobrovsky have devised a different offseason conditioning program and planned adjustments in his in-season routine. In 18 games after returning from a groin injury in early March, Bobrovsky went 14-2-1 with a 2.39 goals-against average and .927 save percentage.
Both Brandon Dubinsky and Boone Jenner missed considerable time because of injuries last season (Dubinsky, 35 games; Jenner, 51). When they were in the same lineup last season, the Blue Jackets were 11-0-2.
The prospects cupboard is far from bare for the Blue Jackets thanks in part to six first-round picks in the past three NHL drafts. The abundance of young talent enabled the Blue Jackets to make a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks to acquire forward Brandon Saad on June 30. Rookie forward Marko Dano (No. 27, 2013 NHL Draft) was sent to the Blackhawks along with three other players for the two-time Stanley Cup winner. The Blue Jackets still have a wealth of prospects at forward but aren't as deep on the defensive side. That's why they took defensemen Zachary Werenski (No. 8) and Gabriel Carlsson (No. 29) in the first round this year.
![]()
Goaltender Anton Forsberg (No. 188, 2011) was an American Hockey League all-star last season but struggled (0-4-0, 4.69 goals-against average) for the Blue Jackets when injuries struck goaltenders Sergei Bobrovsky and Curtis McElhinney. With McElhinney under contract for two more years, Forsberg will be given time to develop.
Sonny Milano, C
How acquired: 1st round (No. 16), 2014 draft
Last season: Plymouth, OHL: 50 GP, 22-46-68; Springfield, AHL: 10 GP, 0-5-5
Everyone has seen the crazy stick tricks on YouTube and slick moves on the ice, but Milano is out to prove he's much more than a video attraction. His time is coming, but the 19-year-old from Massapequa, N.Y., is still maturing. He is listed at 6-foot, 183 pounds but said this summer that he's nearly 200 pounds.
Milano will likely start the season with the Blue Jackets' AHL affiliate in Cleveland, but he should be on the short list for call-ups.
Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW
How acquired: 3rd round (No. 89), 2013 draft
Last season: Portland, WHL: 59 GP, 63-55-118
The Western Hockey League's player of the year from Denmark scored 144 goals the past three seasons for Portland. He will be given a good look by the Blue Jackets during training camp but is likely a year away from a permanent spot. Bjorkstrand, 20, is like many young players in that he needs to add more bulk; he is 6-foot, 170 pounds.
Kerby Rychel, LW
How acquired: 1st round (No. 19), 2013 draft
Last season: Blue Jackets: 5 GP, 0-3-3; Springfield, AHL: 51 GP, 12-21-33
Rychel (6-1, 205) is NHL-ready at age 20. The son of former NHL player Warren Rychel, he played well in his brief stay with the Blue Jackets but sustained a season-ending concussion while playing for Springfield in February. He has size, grit and good hands.
Josh Anderson, RW
How acquired: 4th round (No. 95), 2012 draft
Last season: Blue Jackets: 6 GP, 0-1-1; Springfield, AHL: 52 GP, 7-10-17
Anderson, 21, is the type of player the Blue Jackets covet. He is big (6-3, 212), skates well and plays a heavy game. He needs to work on his finishing but is on the fast track considering he was drafted in the fourth round.
Zachary Werenski, D
How acquired: 1st round (8th), 2015 draft
Last season: Michigan, NCAA: 35 GP, 9-16-25
When University of Minnesota defenseman Mike Reilly opted in June not to sign with the Blue Jackets after being drafted by them in 2011, Columbus needed a replacement. It will take a couple of years, but Werenski (6-2, 206) could be the answer. He turned 18 on July 19 and is expected to return to Michigan, where he was the top scoring defenseman for the Wolverines despite being the youngest player in college hockey last season. Werenski told NHL.com at the U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, N.Y., on Aug. 5 that he will return to Michigan for his sophomore season. London of the Ontario Hockey League owns his rights, and there was speculation he was going to play in the OHL this season.
Predicted Lines
71 Foligno - 19 Johansen - 20 Saad
43 Hartnell - 17 Dubinsky - 38 Jenner
11 Calvert - 41 Wennberg - 13 Atkinson
18 Bourque - 9 Campbell - 23 Clarkson
7 Johnson - 58 Savard
51 Tyutin - 27 Murray
4 Connauton - 47 Prout
72 Bobrovsky - 30 McElhinney
The Capitals spent this offseason trying to fix what went wrong in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, when they were eliminated by the New York Rangers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Second Round after holding a 3-1 series lead.
Since selecting Alex Ovechkin with the first pick in the 2004 NHL Draft, Washington has been one win from advancing to the Eastern Conference Final three times (2009, 2012, 2015), but the Capitals haven't been able to earn that victory. Ovechkin turns 30 on Sept. 17, so the time for Washington is now.
![]()
Ovechkin scored 53 goals last season to become the sixth player in NHL history with six 50-goal seasons. With Ovechkin able to produce at an elite level, the onus is on general manager Brian MacLellan to help the Capitals make the most of Ovechkin's prime. MacLellan was vocal about wanting to upgrade Washington's top six forwards after the Capitals were eliminated, then he added Justin Williams and T.J. Oshie seven weeks later. Williams, who signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract July 1, has won the Stanley Cup three times, twice with the Los Angeles Kings, including in 2014 when he was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy, and once with the Carolina Hurricanes. His 14 points (seven goals) in Game 7 are the most in NHL history. Perhaps more important to the Capitals, Williams' teams are 7-0.
The Capitals acquired Oshie on July 2 in a trade with the St. Louis Blues for forward Troy Brouwer, goalie prospect Pheonix Copley and a third-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. Either Oshie or Williams could play on the top line with Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. With slightly more than $20 million in salary-cap space entering the offseason, the Capitals re-signed goalie Braden Holtby and forwards Jay Beagle and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Holtby's five-year, $30.5 million contract, reached following a July 23 arbitration hearing, cemented his place as the franchise goalie. Holtby, who was 41-20-10 with a 2.22 goals-against average, a .923 save percentage and nine shutouts in 73 regular-season games, then had a 1.71 GAA and .944 save percentage in 13 playoff games.
Goaltender Philipp Grubauer, primed for an NHL role, signed a two-year, $1.5 million contract June 15. He's the top candidate to back up Holtby.
The Capitals gave Beagle a three-year, $5.25 million contract, and Kuznetsov signed a two-year, $6 million contract. Forward Marcus Johansson was awarded a one-year, $3.75 million contract following a July 29 arbitration hearing.
Defenseman Mike Green became a free agent for the first time and signed a three-year, $18 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings, where he likely will fill a top-four role and get prime power-play minutes.
The Capitals will continue with John Carlson, Brooks Orpik, Matt Niskanen and Karl Alzner as their top four defensemen. Veteran unrestricted free agent forwards Joel Ward and Eric Fehr found themselves playing elsewhere in part because of Washington's salary-cap constraints. Fehr signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Ward signed with the San Jose Sharks for three years. Defenseman John Erskine, who missed all of last season recovering from neck surgery, was not offered a contract and is a UFA.
The departures of Brouwer, Fehr and Ward, who were three of Washington's top six penalty-killing forwards in recent seasons, mean there will be shorthanded minutes to replace. With $530,705 in remaining cap space it's unlikely the Capitals will make any more additions to the roster.Nicklas Backstrom had arthroscopic surgery on his hip May 27, and his recovery was estimated at five months. He said the injury had been bothering him since November. General manager Brian MacLellan said in July that Backstrom had started skating, which was a positive sign, but it's possible he will be sidelined beyond training camp. Last season, Backstrom played 82 games for the fifth time in his NHL career, led the League with 60 assists, and finished sixth with 78 points. Forward Evgeny Kuznetsov, who switched to center last season, is an option to play on the top line with Alex Ovechkin if Backstrom isn't ready. He played most of last season on the second line between Marcus Johansson and Troy Brouwer, and his adaptability could be an advantage. Johansson will probably stay as a wing, though he has played center in the NHL. Andre Burakovsky could take Kuznetsov's place on the second line if Backstrom is unable to play for a significant period of time.
The Capitals have more than a few options to play third-line center. Jay Beagle and Brooks Laich have filled that role, and either could reprise it if coach Barry Trotz decides he'd prefer the line to be more defense-oriented. If Trotz wants more offense, he could use Burakovsky or Kuznetsov there. Trotz may decide to leave the position open for specific matchups. That would leave Michael Latta as fourth-line center, where he was last season.
It's hard to foresee a scenario where Philipp Grubauer isn't backing up Braden Holtby this season, but MacLellan said Justin Peters will be given a fair chance to compete with Grubauer for the job at training camp. The Capitals signed Grubauer to a two-year, $1.5 million, one-way contract June 15. He has appeared in 20 NHL games with the Capitals, with a 2.44 goals-against average and .924 save percentage. Peters started nine games last season, with a 3.25 GAA and .881 save percentage. When Holtby was unavailable to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round, Grubauer was recalled from Hershey, and Peters backed him up. Peters had knee surgery Aug. 11 but is expected to be fully recovered in time for training camp.
In Barry Trotz's first season as coach of the Capitals, he got them back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after they missed the year before. This season, there are many reasons to believe they'll be a legitimate contender to win Stanley Cup.
Braden Holtby (25) was a workhorse in net for the Capitals last season, and the Capitals gave him a five-year, $30.5 million contract expecting he will replicate that success. Holtby set NHL career highs in wins (41), shutouts (nine), games played (73), goals-against average (2.22) and save percentage (.923); made a Capitals-record 1,887 saves; and tied their records for wins, shutouts and games played.
The addition of forwards Justin Williams and T.J. Oshie complete a skilled top six that includes Nicklas Backstrom, Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Marcus Johansson. An obvious upside of Williams, who signed as a free agent from the Los Angeles Kings, is his record in Game 7, where the Capitals have struggled. Williams has won all seven Game 7s he's played; Washington's record is 5-9 since 1987. There's no indication which line either will play on, but Oshie could excel with Ovechkin and Backstrom. Compared to Troy Brouwer, who went to the St. Louis Blues in the trade for Oshie, the wing is considered an upgrade at even strength.
Defenseman Mike Green's departure marked the end of an era for the Capitals, but mainstays Karl Alzner and John Carlson are under contract for $6.7 million combined until 2017, when Alzner can become an unrestricted free agent. Last season, Carlson played top-pair minutes with partner Brooks Orpik, saw time on the top power-play unit, and scored an NHL career-high 55 points. His role is likely to increase in Green's absence. Alzner, known for being a stay-at-home defenseman, was asked to contribute more in the offensive zone and responded with an NHL career-high five goals and 21 points.
Alex Ovechkin has scored at least 32 goals in each of his 10 NHL seasons, and with 53 last season became the sixth player in NHL history to have at least six 50-goal seasons. He also passed Peter Bondra on the Capitals' all-time points list. He'll turn 30 before the season starts, and though conventional wisdom says he's past his prime, Ovechkin played some of the best hockey of his career. Under Trotz, he improved his play in the defensive zone and is probably the most well-rounded version of himself we've yet to see.
The Capitals bulked up their prospect pool by selecting goaltender Ilya Samsonov in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft, a surprising move considering how deep they are at the position. Several prospects, notably Jakub Vrana and Madison Bowey, will play for Hershey of the American Hockey League this season, on what could be the youngest Bears team in 10 years. Young talent in the AHL means the Capitals will have options for recalls.
Jakub Vrana, RW
How acquired: 1st round (No. 13), 2014 NHL Draft
Last season: Hershey, AHL: 3 GP, 0-5-5; Linköpings HC, Swedish Hockey League: 44 GP, 12-12-24
Vrana, 19, scored six points (two goals) in 10 Calder Cup games with Hershey after his season in Sweden and represented the Czech Republic at the 2015 World Junior Championship, scoring two goals with an assist in five games.
Vrana (5-foot-11, 185 pounds) is known for his skating and goal-scoring.
Madison Bowey, D
How acquired: 2nd round (No. 53), 2013 NHL Draft
Last season: Kelowna, WHL: 58 GP, 17-43-60
Bowey, 20, has been compared to Capitals defenseman John Carlson, and they are hoping he turns out to be that type of player. A right-handed shot, Bowey is the next generation of offensively skilled defensemen drafted by Washington. The captain for Kelowna, which won the Western Hockey League championship, and the league leader among defensemen in playoff points (19), Bowey (6-foot-1, 195), is mirroring Carlson's career path.
Stanislav Galiev, RW
How acquired: 3rd round (No. 86), 2010 NHL Draft
Last season: Capitals: 2 GP, 1-0-1; Hershey, AHL: 67 GP, 25-20-45
After scoring a career-high 25 goals for Hershey last season, Galiev, 23, signed a two-year, $1.15 million contract July 1. He played two NHL games in 2014-15 and is expected to make the Capitals roster out of training camp. The 6-foot-1, 187-pound forward is known for his scoring ability and puck-handling skills. He impressed coaches with his improvement over the past year and would likely fit in as the Capitals' fourth-line right wing.
Connor Carrick, D
How acquired: 5th round (No. 137), 2012 NHL Draft
Last season: Hershey, AHL: 73 GP, 8-34-42
Carrick, a right-shot defenseman, played 34 NHL games in 2013-14 but wasn't quite ready. After spending last season with Hershey, Carrick (5-foot-11, 185) looks better prepared to play NHL minutes. The 21-year-old will be among several defensemen competing for an NHL roster spot at training camp, and if he doesn't win one, he will be at the top of the list for recalls from Hershey.
Ilya Samsonov, G
How acquired: 1st round (No. 22), 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: Stalnye Lisy, MHL: 18 GP, 2.66 GAA, .908 SV%
Samsonov is expected to be a backup for Metallurg in the Kontinental Hockey League after a successful junior season with Stalyne Lisy. There's no rush to bring him to North America; the Capitals have enough goaltending depth to allow the 18-year-old to play out his contract in Russia. Ranked the top European goaltender by NHL Central Scouting, Samsonov (6-foot-3, 200) is known for his imposing size, puck-tracking skill and quick reflexes.
Predicted Lines
8 Ovechkin - 19 Backstrom - 77 Oshie
90 Johansson - 92 Kuznetsov - 14 Williams
65 Burakovsky - 83 Beagle - 21 Laich
25 Chimera - 46 Latta - 43 Wilson
![]()
44 Orpik - 74 Carlson
27 Alzner - 2 Niskanen
81 Orlov - 88 Schmidt
70 Holtby - 35 Peters
