Gagner was set to enter the second season of a three-year contract signed with the Canucks that pays him $3.15 million annually.
In 74 games with Vancouver last season, Gagner had 10 goals and 21 assists. The 29-year-old has suited up for five teams since 2013-14, but should garner some interest on the waiver wire as a serviceable depth center.
McElhinney served as the Leafs' backup for the past two seasons and posted a .934 save percentage in 18 appearances in 2017-18. Pickard appeared in just one game after Toronto acquired him via trade in October.
Toronto's backup goalie job now belongs to Garret Sparks, who was named the AHL's top goalie last season after going 31-9-1 with a .936 save percentage.
As for Carrick, he's been unable to carve out a role on the Leafs' blue line over the past two seasons. The 24-year-old appeared in just 47 games for Toronto last year, registering four goals and eight assists in over 15 minutes per night.
With the latest round of cuts, Toronto's roster now sits at 23 players, with forward William Nylander still absent with just two days until puck drop.
Leading up to the start of the 2018-19 season, theScore will be counting down the top 100 players in the game today, as voted on by four of our NHL editors. We'll reveal 10 players every weekday until the top 10 is unveiled on Oct. 3.
Josi has blossomed into a true impact player, capable of neutralizing opponents with outstanding positioning and a strong stick. He can also drive an offense with his smooth skating stride, high-end skill, and good instincts. -- Wegman
29. Artemi Panarin, Blue Jackets
Wegman
O'Leary
Gold-Smith
Hagerman
39
20
30
24
Panarin erased any doubts he could produce elite numbers without Patrick Kane on his opposite flank after putting up a career-high 82 points in his first season in Columbus. The Bread Man has established himself as one of the NHL's best wingers, and you can bet he'll remain at the top of his game in a contract year. -- O'Leary
28. Jamie Benn, Stars
Wegman
O'Leary
Gold-Smith
Hagerman
27
31
28
21
He does it all. Benn will crush you into the boards, set up a nice goal, or rip one himself. He's still the straw that stirs the Dallas Stars' drink, leading the team in points, finishing second among Stars forwards in hits, and pacing the club with seven game-winning goals last season. -- Hagerman
27. Jack Eichel, Sabres
Wegman
O'Leary
Gold-Smith
Hagerman
24
33
23
23
Eichel had his best NHL campaign in 2017-18 despite missing 15 games. The soon-to-be 22-year-old has been hindered by injuries in each of the past two campaigns but he's clearly an elite offensive talent who's only scratching the surface of his potential. Don't be surprised if he truly breaks out this season. -- Gold-Smith
26. Aleksander Barkov, Panthers
Wegman
O'Leary
Gold-Smith
Hagerman
15
29
27
31
Barkov is maybe the most underrated player in the league. Yes, he has a ridiculous set of hands, but the 6-foot-3 center is as good without the puck as he is with it, finishing fifth in the league with 82 takeaways and second among Panthers forwards with 67 blocked shots last season. An elite penalty killer, Barkov will be a perennial Selke Trophy candidate for the next decade. -- Wegman
25. Patrik Laine, Jets
Wegman
O'Leary
Gold-Smith
Hagerman
30
22
24
26
It's only a matter of time before Laine starts winning Rocket Richard trophies; his devastating release is simply unsolvable for opposing netminders. While goal scoring is Laine's greatest asset, his underrated passing ability and hands help make him one of the best young players in the NHL. -- O'Leary
24. Claude Giroux, Flyers
Wegman
O'Leary
Gold-Smith
Hagerman
35
24
19
18
Giroux is coming off a monstrous 2017-18, nearly doubling his 2016-17 point total to finish second in league scoring after moving to the wing. He's recorded the fifth-most assists over the last four seasons as one of the top playmakers in the league. -- Hagerman
23. Blake Wheeler, Jets
Wegman
O'Leary
Gold-Smith
Hagerman
25
27
26
16
Wheeler not only posted a career-high 91 points last season, his versatility and selflessness practically saved the Jets' campaign. After top center Mark Scheifele went down with an injury, Wheeler shifted from right wing to center - almost unheard of for a veteran of his pedigree - and totaled 16 points in as many games as the Jets went 11-2-3. That's the sign of a true leader. -- Wegman
22. P.K. Subban, Predators
Wegman
O'Leary
Gold-Smith
Hagerman
19
18
25
28
The Predators have four excellent defensemen, but Subban is the best of the bunch and the heart and soul of the group. He's a great skater who can score and get under his opponents' skin. Few NHLers play with as much passion as Subban does, and few are as versatile. -- Gold-Smith
21. Evgeny Kuznetsov, Capitals
Wegman
O'Leary
Gold-Smith
Hagerman
17
21
22
29
Kuznetsov's 2017-18 cemented him as one of the league's top players. The charismatic Russian was bumped up to Alex Ovechkin's line and produced a career-high 83 regular-season points, then recorded a Conn Smythe-worthy 32 points in 24 postseason games as the Caps captured the Cup. -- O'Leary
In addition, the club announced forwards Paul Byron and Brendan Gallagher will serve as alternate captains for the upcoming season.
Weber takes over for Max Pacioretty, who was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights over the offseason. The 33-year-old blue-liner joined the Canadiens in 2016 in the trade that sent P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators, for whom Weber formerly served as captain.
It will be a while before Weber can officially don the "C," as he continues to recover from knee surgery.
Scott Hartnell has retired from the NHL after 17 seasons.
He made the announcement on his Twitter account:
Every young kid from a small town across Canada dreams of playing a game in the NHL ... I was fortunate enough to play 1,249 of them.
A huge thank you to the Nashville Predators (twice), the Philadelphia Flyers, and the Columbus Blue Jackets. You are all world class organizations and it was an honor playing for your cities! (Seventeen) years in the NHL was the best job anyone could ever ask for. The games, the fans, the travel, the hotels, the food, the pregame soccer games, are just some of the things that I will always remember and miss. ...
Thanks again to my family, friends & all of the fans that cheered for me (and against) along the way. I'm looking forward to spending more time with my wife Katie and son Wesley. Cheers to the NHL, and the next phase of life!
Hartnell spent the 2017-18 season with the Nashville Predators - who initially drafted him sixth overall in 2000 - but wasn't offered a contract from the club and hit unrestricted free agency over the summer.
The pick turns into a fifth-rounder if Jerabek plays in more than 50 regular-season games for the Blues in 2018-19.
The 27-year-old spent last season split between the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals, winning the Stanley Cup with the latter. Overall, he appeared in 36 games during the 2017-18 campaign, recording eight points.
Jerabek signed a one-year, $1-million contract with the Oilers in August.
On Episode 2, the second half of a two-part season preview, John is joined by NBC's Adam Gretz to project the 2018-19 Western Conference. Topics of discussion include:
