Connauton appeared in 50 games with Arizona last season, posting just one goal and seven assists (eight points). The blueline is crowded right now in Colorado, so look for Connauton to serve as the No.6/7 defenseman for most of the 2020 campaign.
Maatta was a first-round pick in 2012 but fell out of favour in Pittsburgh this past season. The Penguins brought in Jack Johnson and acquired Erik Gudbranson at the trade deadline and continued to push Maatta down the depth chart. The 24-year-old has had some injury issues throughout his career and is coming off of a season where he had 14 points (1G / 13A) in 60 games. Maatta, who has three years left at $4.083M AAV, will likely play on the Blackhawks third pairing.
O’Brien, 24, had 15 goals and 13 assists (28 points) in 74 games with the Hershey Bears (AHL) this season. The undrafted centre has just one goal and one assist in 17 career NHL games with Washington.
Both Maatta and Marcus Pettersson struggled in Game 1 and Jack Johnson is expected to replace Maatta in Game 2. Maata was a minus-2 in 18:44 TOI on Wednesday.
Tanev missed Game 1 but was on the ice for Friday's morning skate and is expected to replace Jack Roslovic in the lineup for Game 2. Tanev, who remains a game-time decision, had six points (4G / 2A) in 17 playoff games last season.
Tanev suffered a finger injury in the second last game of the season and will miss Game 1 vs. the Blues. Tanev skated after Tuesday’s practice and is making progress but will be replaced by Par Lindholm in Game 1.
As originally expected, it is Sergachev’s turn to sit in the Lightning’s defence rotation. Sergachev will likely draw back into the lineup in New York on Wednesday.
Agozzino, who has three assists in 10 career NHL games a few years ago, is expected to play on Colorado’s fourth-line on Monday. Agozzino was tied for fourth in the AHL in points (50) and tied for 12th in goals (22) when he was called-up—both lead the Eagles.
Durzi was a second-round pick (No.52 overall) in 2018 but remains unsigned as he plays for the Guelph Storm (OHL). Durzi, who was traded by Owen Sound this season, has totalled eight goals and 20 assists (28 points) in just 26 OHL games between the two teams.
Rooney appeared in the final four games before the All-Star break but was sent back for the duration of the break. He returns to New Jersey, where he has one goal in nine games while averaging 9:24 TOI/gm.
Yamamoto was in the lineup for the last four games but has just one goal and one assist in 17 NHL games this season. He goes back to the AHL, where he has four goals and four assists (eight points) in 11 games.
Stenlund has been in the lineup for the last four games but will be replaced by Anthony Duclair on Saturday.
