Faber had an outstanding rookie season, scoring eight goals with 39 assists (47 points) while leading all rookies in ice-time (24:58 ATOI) in 82 games. The soon-to-be 22-year-old defenseman finished second in Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year) voting behind Connor Bedard. Faber's new $8.5M AAV cap hit will not kick in until the 2025-26 season.
Fabbri is in the final year of a three-year, $12 million contract ($4,000,000 AAV) and has been traded alongside a conditional 2025 4th-round pick to Anaheim for Gage Alexander. The 28-year-old has spent the last five seasons in Detroit and had 18 goals, 32 points, 32 PIms and a -13 plus/minus in 68 games in 2023-24.
Fresh off of his second career Stanley Cup victory, Vladimir Tarasenko has signed a two-year, $9.5 million contract ($4,750,000 AAV) with the Detroit Red Wings. The 32-year-old is entering his 13th NHL season with his fifth team and had 23 goals, 55 points and a +13 plus/minus in 76 games between Ottawa and Florida in 2023-24.
Brink broke into the NHL finally in 2023-24 after two full seasons in the AHL and has earned himself a two-year, $3 million contract extension ($1,500,000 AAV). The 22-year-old right-winger was Phildaelphia's 2019 2nd-round pick (34th overall) and had 11 goals, 23 points, 81 SOG and 10 PIMs in 57 games in 2023-24.
Jones joins Minnesota after two strong seasons with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL) after he signed a two-year, two-way contract on Tuesday. The 25-year-old 7th-round pick made his one and only NHL appearance with Vegas in 2021-22 and only appeared in two games. In 2023-24 with Calgary (AHL) he had 21 goals and 43 points in 72 games played.
After three successful seasons in Minnesota, Jake Middleton has signed a four-year contract extension worth $17.4 million ($4.35M AAV). The 28-year-old had career highs in almost all statistical categories in 2023-24, with seven goals, 25 points, 77 PIMs and a -15 plus/minus through 80 games played.
Aube-Kubel will join his fifth NHL team in seven seasons as he signed a one-year contract worth $1,500,000 on Monday with Buffalo. The 28-year-old depth winger appeared in 60 games for Washington in 2023-24 and had six goals, 16 points and 23 PIMs.
Trenin will get a big pay upgrade as he signed a four-year, $14 million contract ($3,500,000 AAV) to join the Minnesota Wild on Monday. The 27-year-old bottom-six forward was acquired by Colorado at the trade deadline last season from Nashville and had 12 goals, 17 points and 40 PIMs in 76 games played in 2023-24.
Kiersted spent the 2023-24 season with Charlotte (AHL) and has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract extension to remain with Florida next season. The 26-year-old defensemen will provide the Panthers with some depth after putting up four goals and 15 points in 57 games with Charlotte last season.
Colorado is expected to announce the plan with Yakov Trenin ahead of Game 6 on Friday after their fourth-line forward left Game 5 due to an undisclosed injury after just 2:16 TOI. The 27-year-old was acquired at the trade deadline and has locked down his fourth line centre roll well with a goal, eight SOG and four PIMs in 10 games played in the playoffs.
Aube-Kubel will head to the press box for Game 3 on Friday vs. New York as Ivan Miroshnichenko draws into the lineup for the first time in the playoffs. Aube-Kubel won a Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2021-22 but has struggled so far in the postseason as he has failed to record a point and SOG while averaging 9:02 TOI.
Zuccarello has missed the last three games but will return to the lineup for Minnesota's final contest of the season. Zuccarello has six points (0G / 6A) during a four-game point streak and has 62 points (11G / 51A) in 68 games this season.
With Philadelphia's season ending on Tuesday, Bobby Brink has been loaned to Lehigh-Valley (AHL) for their playoff run on Wednesday. The 22-year-old rookie ends his inaugural season with a solid 11 goals, 23 points, 81 SOG, and 10 PIMs after 57 games played.
Minnesota will turn to Gustavsson between the pipes for the first time in three games. Gustavsson has allowed four or more goals in two straight, including his most recent outing when he allowed five goals on 32 shots (.844 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Minnesota enters the action as a +146 road underdog against the Los Angeles Kings.
Zuccarello is in the midst of a four-game point streak (6A) but did not travel to Vegas due to personal reasons and will not play on Friday. The 36-year-old is third in team scoring with 11 goals and 62 points in 68 games played.
Zuccarello is in the midst of a four-game point streak (6A) but did not travel to Vegas due to personal reasons and is unlikely to play on Friday but has not been fully ruled out. The 36-year-old is third in team scoring with 11 goals and 62 points in 68 games played. An update on his status is expected by mid-day Friday.
