The New Jersey Devils have come to terms with restricted free-agent forward Pavel Zacha on a three-year, $6.75-million deal, the team announced on Tuesday.
More to come.
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It's difficult to break into the NHL and contribute right away. Most players need a year or two of experience before beginning to produce consistently, though a select few make an immediate impact.
Here are some rookies who will be fantasy difference-makers in their first NHL season:
Hughes will warrant a roster spot on your fantasy team this season regardless of the format.
The 2019 first overall selection has dominated at every stage early in his career, breaking Alex Ovechkin's points record at the IIHF World U18 Championship with 32 points in 14 games, and also setting a new all-time scoring mark for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.
Hughes should receive plenty of opportunities with the New Jersey Devils, especially on a power-play unit featuring Taylor Hall, Nico Hischier, and P.K. Subban. At even strength, his ceiling will depend on which players flank each wing, but the dynamic playmaker should thrive as a fixture in the team's top-six forward group.
It would make sense for the Devils to pair Hughes with a scorer like Kyle Palmieri - a shoot-first player who's scored 24-plus goals in four straight seasons. Having two reliable duos in Hischier-Hall and Hughes-Palmieri would also help deepen the Devils' lineup. Hughes could play alongside Hall at points throughout the season, too.
Hughes is an incredible skater with excellent hockey intelligence for his age. Though it was a small sample size, the 19-year-old impressed with three assists and positive possession numbers during his five-game stint with the Canucks last season.
The 2018 seventh overall pick should get top-four minutes on the blue line, and he'll receive plenty of power-play time as part of a talented young core featuring Brock Boeser, Elias Pettersson, and Bo Horvat. Newcomers J.T. Miller and Micheal Ferland should also help bolster Vancouver's attack.
The Michigan product recorded 33 points in 32 games at the NCAA level for the Wolverines last season. His per-game production (1.10 points) ranked second among under-20 NCAA defensemen over the last 20 years.
His offensive game won't be fully developed in his first NHL season, but Hughes' upside makes him worth fantasy consideration.
Makar looked like a seasoned vet while debuting with the Avalanche this past spring, and it'll be a treat to see what the 2017 fourth overall pick can do in his first full campaign.
The 20-year-old rearguard joined the club at the start of the 2018-19 playoffs and scored in his first game. He also tallied five assists to finish with six points in 10 contests while logging over 17 minutes per night. Makar never looked out of place, and his confidence with the puck was remarkable for a young talent playing high-stakes hockey.
Makar's skating ability is sensational, making him a perfect fit with the up-tempo Avalanche. He's already skilled enough to log big minutes and should be a fixture on the club's loaded top power-play unit. Playing with Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Gabriel Landeskog, and Nazem Kadri should result in Makar producing an impressive rookie season.
Kakko should benefit from playing on a top-heavy New York Rangers roster. The club lacks forward depth, but Kakko is too skilled to play bottom-six minutes, and fireworks could be coming if he's on a line with Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin.
At 6-foot-3 and nearly 200 lbs, the 18-year-old enters the league with an NHL frame and a heavy shot. A natural goal-scorer at every level, he's poised to contribute immediately in the goal column at even strength and on the power play.
During his final season in Europe, Kakko tallied 22 goals over 45 games for HC TPS in Liiga - the top pro league in Finland - setting a record for under-18 players.
The 2019 second overall selection is ready for the NHL, and he should produce for your fantasy team.
Blackwood came two games shy of losing his rookie eligibility in 2018-19 while posting a 2.61 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage over 23 appearances with the New Jersey Devils. Snagging a rookie goalie for your fantasy team with just over a quarter-season of NHL experience is a bonus, especially considering the direction New Jersey is heading.
Injuries have plagued starting Devils netminder Cory Schneider over the previous two campaigns, and he isn't getting any younger. Even when healthy, the 33-year-old has posted below-average numbers, and he hasn't put together a steady season since 2015-16.
With the Devils projecting to be a young, up-and-coming team, it wouldn't be a surprise to see them challenge Blackwood with a heavier workload this season.
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Jonathan Toews believes the under-the-radar nature of the NHL and NHLPA's current negotiations bodes well for future labor peace.
"It's probably the way it should be, and I think that's probably a good sign that there is some mutual respect and both sides are trying to come to agreements," the Chicago Blackhawks captain said, according to The Associated Press' Stephen Whyno. "You have mutual dedication to keeping our game going down the same path and not disrupting that."
After meeting in New York last week, the two sides held discussions Monday and will meet again Tuesday, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.
The ongoing talks have produced little fanfare to this point, but NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr characterized the meetings as cordial and "free from rancor" last week.
The union has until Sunday to reopen the current CBA if it so chooses. Otherwise, the agreement will expire as scheduled Sept. 15, 2022.
On Aug. 30, the NHL decided not to exercise its own option to trigger an opt-out clause.
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Jake Gardiner decided against joining the Montreal Canadiens.
Marc Bergevin, the club's general manager, confirmed as much Monday at the team's annual golf tournament.
"We had interest, we made an offer, and it's a two-way street," the GM said. "If you're interested, the player has to be interested, so I can't comment on why he didn't (accept it), but yes, we did (make an offer)."
Bergevin didn't provide any more details about the offer, reiterating that he didn't want to speculate about why Gardiner wouldn't want to sign with Montreal.
The former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman inked a four-year, $16.2-million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. He became an unrestricted free agent after spending his first eight NHL seasons with the Leafs.
Bergevin also said Monday that the Canadiens have begun negotiating an extension with forward Max Domi.
The Montreal GM revealed Sunday that he isn't interested in bringing back longtime Canadiens rearguard Andrei Markov.
Gardiner collected 30 points in 62 games with Toronto last season after racking up a career-high 52 points across 82 contests in 2017-18.
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Jake Gardiner decided against joining the Montreal Canadiens.
Marc Bergevin, the club's general manager, confirmed as much Monday at the team's annual golf tournament.
"We had interest, we made an offer, and it's a two-way street," the GM said. "If you're interested, the player has to be interested, so I can't comment on why he didn't (accept it), but yes, we did (make an offer)."
Bergevin didn't provide any more details about the offer, reiterating that he didn't want to speculate about why Gardiner wouldn't want to sign with Montreal.
The former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman inked a four-year, $16.2-million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. He became an unrestricted free agent after spending his first eight NHL seasons with the Leafs.
Bergevin also said Monday that the Canadiens have begun negotiating an extension with forward Max Domi.
The Montreal GM revealed Sunday that he isn't interested in bringing back longtime Canadiens rearguard Andrei Markov.
Gardiner collected 30 points in 62 games with Toronto last season after racking up a career-high 52 points across 82 contests in 2017-18.
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New Jersey Devils general manager Ray Shero remains focused on re-signing restricted free-agent forward Pavel Zacha despite reports that the former first-round pick is leaving for the KHL, according to NHL.com's Mike Morreale.
"His agent told me a couple days ago (that he could sign in the KHL), but I'm hopeful we'll get something done over the next few days entering training camp," Shero said Monday. "I think we're trying to find the right term and based upon his age. He's a real good fit for us as a player. He's a young guy whose game is evolving. ...
"I can't control what he does. If (the KHL) is the route he likes, it's going to be a long road back to the NHL."
Earlier Monday morning, Sport-Express' Igor Eronko reported that Zacha agreed to terms with Avangard of the KHL. The Devils issued a qualifying offer to Zacha this summer and thus retain the 22-year-old's NHL rights even if he signs overseas.
"My advice (to Zacha) would be that you're going to hopefully play in the NHL for a long time," Shero said, "and to get to where we hope you can be and continue to grow, why would you (play in the KHL)? That's going to be a big step back."
The 6-foot-3 center has struggled to carve out a role with the Devils since being selected sixth overall at the 2015 NHL Draft. Zacha has mustered 29 goals and 76 points in 201 career contests.
The Devils have $8.71 million in projected cap space with Zacha the only player in need of a new contract for next season, according to CapFriendly.
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The Anaheim Ducks are reportedly interested in acquiring Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk.
The two sides are in ongoing discussions about a trade involving the 27-year-old rearguard, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Friedman added that details are still being worked out, and that Faulk has a partial no-trade clause in his contract that includes the Ducks.
The Hurricanes reportedly shopped Faulk last June amid stalled extension talks, but they were unable to find an appropriate suitor. He's now set to enter the final year of his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent.
The 6-foot blue-liner recorded 11 goals and 35 points in 82 games for the Hurricanes last season before adding one goal and eight points in 15 playoff contests.
After inking defenseman Jake Gardiner to a four-year, $16.2-million deal last week, Carolina sits $1.5 million over the salary cap and will likely need to move a player to become cap compliant.
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