The Philadelphia Flyers are signing forward Ryan Poehling to a one-year contract worth $1.4 million, Sportsnet's Jeff Marek reports.

The Pittsburgh Penguins didn't tender a qualifying offer to Poehling on Friday. The 24-year-old tallied seven goals and 14 points in 53 games last season.

The Montreal Canadiens drafted Poehling 25th overall in 2017. He burst onto the scene in 2019, scoring a hat trick and a shootout goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in his NHL debut.

Pittsburgh acquired Poehling last summer as part of the package in the Jeff Petry trade.

Poehling has 20 goals and 36 points in 136 career NHL games.

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The 2023 NHL Draft has come and gone, with teams adding future franchise-altering players, important depth pieces, and, of course, a handful of busts.

Here, we grade and discuss how each team fared over the seven rounds relative to its draft slots.

The Ducks surprised many when they took Carlsson over Adam Fantilli at No. 2. The Swede has a better hockey sense, which ultimately tempted Anaheim more than his Canadian counterpart.

The rest of their draft left something to be desired. Myatovic, Terrance, Pitre, Smith, and Port are all intriguing but project to be smaller-role players should they reach the NHL. Clara is a fun swing on a raw goaltender with a huge frame. Sidorov had a huge season as a re-entry in the WHL, and Dionicio is among the most fascinating late-round players with his immense skill but woeful skating.

Nobody expected Simashev to go so high, and the Coyotes doubled down a few picks later by taking his Yaroslavl teammate But. Arizona opted for the tantalizing physical tools of both players over more highly rated prospects. Those tools were a priority for general manager Bill Armstrong, as all but one draftee is listed at 6-foot-2 or above. Five prospects are 6-foot-5 or taller.

Hrabal is a fascinating goaltending prospect with his massive 6-foot-7 frame, and the Coyotes have developed a handful of quality netminders in recent years. But overall, it's a combination of risky bets with premium draft picks and lower-potential players after the second round.

The Bruins had one selection in the top 100 and used it on a player ranked 127th among North American skaters by Central Scouting. Boston got value in Hendrickson at No. 124 but failed to land any truly exciting prospects. The Bruins will hope re-entry picks in Walsh and Nassen will continue to produce against better competition after performing well against younger players in the USHL and J20 Nationell, respectively.

Already with one of the NHL's weakest pools, the Bruins didn't do anything to improve their pipeline in any meaningful way.

Kevyn Adams must have laughed as the GM saw a prospect with the quality of Benson fall to the Sabres at No. 13. The Winnipeg ICE product could very well be the best two-way winger to come out of the draft and is a perfect fit with Buffalo's youthful, exciting brand of hockey.

After taking another smaller forward in the first round, the Sabres added plenty of size on Day 2. All of Wahlberg, Strbak, McCarthy, and Miedema are listed at 6-foot-1 or taller but weren't just picked for their size. Wahlberg and Strbak have impressed internationally, while McCarthy and Miedema have had solid results in the USHL and OHL, respectively. Overall, another very strong draft for Buffalo.

Honzek is an excellent pick at No. 16 as a toolsy winger with a massive frame and big upside. Had he not been injured at the world juniors, the Slovakian could have easily gone higher.

Calgary took more big swings on Day 2 with Morin and Suniev. Morin was the top-scoring draft-eligible defenseman out of the QMJHL and was lauded by Central Scouting's Dan Marr as his favorite North American-based blue-liner. Suniev had a monster season in the BCHL, tallying 45 goals and 90 points, and heads to UMass in the NCAA this fall. A promising first draft for GM Craig Conroy.

If the Hurricanes continue to have trouble converting their shots into goals when Nadeau is ready to make the jump in a few years, he'll help with that. The 5-foot-10 winger dominated the BCHL this season, scoring 62 goals over 71 regular-season and playoff games with Penticton. He's a textbook swing on potential at the end of Round 1.

Had Unger Sorum been born two days later, he would've been in the 2024 draft instead. That makes his point-per-game campaign in the J20 Nationell and excellent U18s even more impressive.

The rest of the draft was very Carolina Hurricanes: five Russians, two Chicago Steel forwards, and an overage defenseman from the NCAA. Perron, Rykov, and Mukhanov are exciting picks for their potential, but the Hurricanes have yet to see their pipeline of Twitter favorite prospects turn into legit NHLers.

The Blackhawks won the 2023 draft when they landed the No. 1 pick in the draft lottery. Bedard is a legitimate franchise-changer who alters the trajectory of the franchise and is expected to be among the league's most threatening goal-scorers for many years. But their high grade isn't just for that slam dunk pick.

After Bedard, Chicago added the best skater in the draft in Moore, solidifying immense depth down the middle in their prospect pool. The Blackhawks then took the first goaltender in the draft at No. 35 in Gajan, who starred for Slovakia at the world juniors.

Kantserov, one of the top-scoring prospects out of the Russian junior league, and Lardis, who had a superb second half in the OHL after being traded midseason, stand out among the nine picks on Day 2. But of course, the Blackhawks could've drafted 10 randoms off of the street after Bedard and still would've been ecstatic.

Ritchie was a projected top-10 prospect coming into the season and is a great bet to bounce back next year with Oshawa. Gulyayev has set scoring records among junior-aged Russian defensemen and is a splendid fit in Colorado's system with his electrifying offense and skating.

The Avalanche ended their draft with two of the oldest draftees in Hanzel and Jedlicka, players who could play in the AHL as soon as this fall. Hanzel was a dominant two-way defenseman with the WHL champion Thunderbirds, while Jedlicka has been a consistent scorer for two years in the improving Slovakian league.

After making their first pick at No. 193 a year ago, the Avalanche did incredibly well to replenish a fairly barren prospect pool.

Fantilli fell into the Blue Jackets' lap at No. 3, and the fit is perfect in terms of style and positional need. He could step into their lineup as soon as this fall and be a contributor in the top nine, and he's a future top-line pivot.

Then, at the top of the second round, Columbus snagged Fantilli's linemate Brindley, a diminutive but speedy and tenacious winger who would've been a slam dunk first-rounder if he were 3 inches taller.

The Blue Jackets absolutely crushed this draft. They didn't overthink things when Fantilli became available at No. 3 and identified high-potential prospects with their remaining picks. That's exactly what a team like Columbus should be doing on draft day.

The Stars love to draft out of the OHL and added another three Ontario-based prospects Thursday. Bertucci underwhelmed at the U18s, and Gardiner was outproduced significantly by his teammate Pinelli, who went much later to Columbus. Dallas failed to come out of the draft with a prospect that carries easily identifiable potential to play a meaningful NHL role.

The Red Wings added more of the same at No. 9 with Danielson after taking a similar prospect in Marco Kasper a year ago. That's not necessarily a bad thing; Danielson could become a top-six, two-way center - but Detroit had the opportunity to go for a higher-upside scorer in the top 10.

Landing Sandin Pellikka - possibly the draft's best offensive defenseman - at No. 17 significantly helps this grade. He adds to an already stacked group of young blue-liners in the Red Wings' system but brings a more offensive element than what Detroit already has.

It never hurts to snag one of the draft's top goaltenders, which the Red Wings did with Augustine. Dower Nilsson - the younger brother of Detroit prospect Liam - adds a scorer to an otherwise fairly bland draft.

With just three picks and none inside the top 50, it was going to be tough for the Oilers to make an impression. Taking Akey at No. 56, however, did exactly that.

The right-shot defenseman is one of the top neutral-zone defenders in the entire class. Edmonton's pipeline on defense is barren, and adding a player like Akey is a great way to spend the team's lone pick in the first five rounds. That selection does the heavy lifting here.

Sawchyn and the Panthers are a perfect stylistic match. The Thunderbirds forward has plenty of skill and isn't afraid to mix it up physically despite being undersized. Ranked as high as No. 13 by Elite Prospects, he's exactly the type of player Florida should be drafting in the absence of a top-50 selection.

Coughlin is an undersized defenseman with pedigree as a former top-five pick in the QMJHL. He was injured to start his draft campaign but finished the year on a strong note. That's a quality sixth-round swing.

Dvorak is massive at 6-foot-5 and can move well for his size, but he has yet to produce any notable results. Ziemmer scored a bunch of goals in the WHL, while Mania has a great name and an exciting blend of skills.

It's difficult to evaluate skaters out of high school, let alone a goaltender like Slukynsky. Conmy produced in the USHL and is a reasonable sixth-rounder. It's a decent draft for the Kings, but nothing that gets you particularly excited.

Stramel struggled mightily as a freshman at Wisconsin after a strong career previously with the U.S. NTDP. The Wild will hope to see the big, mobile pivot rediscover his form as a sophomore.

Kumpulainen is on the younger side of the class and produced in Finland's junior league and at the U18s. Heidt was superb value at the end of the second round, having matched Bedard for the WHL lead in assists. He likely shifts to the wing but has significant power-play upside and doesn't shy away from physicality. A solid draft that addressed premium positions.

It's hard to get too upset when you land the draft's top defense prospect. The Canadiens valued Reinbacher's handedness and professional profile; after all, he played the entire season in the top four of a Swiss pro team. But passing on immense potential in Matvei Michkov, or even Ryan Leonard, is a tough pill to swallow.

The rest of the Canadiens' draft was ... odd. They took three goaltenders, with Fowler being the most compelling of the bunch after leading Youngstown to the USHL championship.

Taking the younger Xhekaj at No. 101 was rich, considering he was a re-entry who scored just 25 points in the OHL. It was a slightly strange draft for Montreal, which took players from all over but left with a conservative top-five selection and only one or two other picks to really like.

GM Barry Trotz wanted his scouts to target prospects with high upside. He got exactly that early in the draft with Wood, a big and skilled winger who scored at a high rate as a freshman in the NCAA. The Predators followed that up with one of the top-skating blue-liners in Molendyk, a terrific rush defender who's just waiting to unlock more offensive upside.

Nashville continued to take fun swings on Day 2. All of Nilsson, Lind, Kiiskinen, Willis, and Fink have exciting elements to their game. MacKinnon is a mean defenseman who helps diversify the class too. And Jatkola, Muzzatti, and Roest are re-entry prospects who enjoyed strong campaigns. An incredibly promising start to the Trotz era.

The Devils had a perfectly average draft. Hameenaho played regular shifts in Finland, and Squires hovered near a point per game in the QMJHL. Throw in a trio of typical late-round swings, and New Jersey has to be content with Thursday's outcome.

Nelson was getting some first-round hype at the end of the season, so it was a slight surprise to see him available when the Islanders chose at No. 49. Nurmi scored a bunch in Finland's junior league, but New York's draft ultimately lacks the high-end upside to warrant a higher grade.

Perreault has known faults; he's a small winger whose skating isn't a positive trait. But he also broke the U.S. NTDP's single-season scoring record. The Rangers have to be thrilled to add a prospect with his potential at No. 23. The rest of New York's draft is lackluster, but landing Perreault largely makes up for it.

The Senators like what the Senators like. Yet again, Ottawa exits the draft with a few more 6-foot-2-plus skaters who didn't score much in their respective leagues. Maybe it will work out this time.

GM Daniel Briere has made his mark on the Flyers in a matter of weeks. Philadelphia got arguably the second-best talent in the draft with Michkov at No. 7. The red flags are well known, but there was too much value to pass up in the back half of the top 10.

It's not just Michkov, either. Philadelphia did well to identify numerous Day 2 talents, including Barkey, Knuble, Ciernik, and Sotheran, who immediately improve the Flyers' pipeline.

Yager immediately becomes the Penguins' top prospect, while Jarventie is an excellent value pick in the seventh round. Kyle Dubas drafted someone from Sault Ste. Marie to keep that meme alive and well. A decent first draft for Dubas in Pittsburgh.

The Sharks added talent everywhere except in the crease. Smith is a legit potential top-line center, and Musty was among the highest-upside prospects available at No. 26. Halttunen was a wicked shot, and Cagnoni is a perfect mid-round swing on a small but excellent puck-moving defenseman. There's a ton to like here.

The Kraken didn't have a top-five pick for the first time in their short history, so they went out and had one of the best cumulative drafts instead. Sale and Dragicevic have huge potential. Rehkopf, Molgaard, and Wisdom can play anywhere in the lineup. Even swings like Price, Loshko, and Forsfjall stand out. Another eye-catching draft class for Seattle.

St. Louis clearly values the opinion of their Swedish scouts, having used each of their three first-round picks on players based in the region. Dvorsky, Stenberg, and Lindstein each fill organizational needs. The rest of the draft was a bit underwhelming, but the first-round trio are enough to be excited about.

Gauthier fits the style of player the Lightning look to round out their lineup with. He's physical but brings a scoring touch, particularly as a goal-scorer. Shaugabay and Harvey add much needed skill to a depleted prospect pool.

Cowan wasn't anticipated to be drafted in the first round, but the London Knights forward ticks a lot of boxes the Maple Leafs typically covet in the draft. He's intelligent, immensely competitive, and can play in all situations.

Malinoski is a late bloomer out of the AJHL, someone who we'll get a better read on once he plays against better competition in the fall at Providence. Toronto finally drafted its first defenseman since 2020 at No. 185 with Chadwick, a 6-foot-4 Saskatoon native with a solid two-way base.

The reach on Cowan at No. 28 hurts the overall grade for what was a fine draft for the Maple Leafs, but one that doesn't add much high-end upside.

The Canucks have an organizational need on defense and addressed it early and often in this draft. All three of Vancouver's top 100 selections were used on rearguards.

Passing on Benson at No. 11 is tough, but Willander is still a player to be amped for. He's a smooth-skating, two-way blue-liner who is exactly what the Canucks have been hoping to get on their right side. He heads to Boston University in the fall.

Brzustewicz was a quality value pick in the third round, and Mynio will play a much bigger role with the Thunderbirds in the fall. A solid draft from GM Patrik Allvin that addressed a significant organizational weakness.

The Stanley Cup champions seemingly carried their positive momentum onto the draft floor. Edstrom is a 6-foot-3 pivot who excelled at the U18s and gives the Golden Knights a legit center prospect. Cataford scored a bunch in the QMJHL, and Karki gives off Nic Hague vibes with his bomb of a shot from the point.

The Capitals come away with one of the draft's most intriguing hauls. Leonard is a nightmare to play against, Cristall decimated WHL competition, and Allen was once expected to be the first defenseman off the board. We could look back in a decade at a class that landed Washington two-thirds of a top line and a top-four blue-liner.

Barlow will excite fans in Winnipeg as a goal-scorer who plays a rugged, physical style. It was also good to see Milic finally drafted after being one of the top WHL netminders for three years and helping Canada earn gold at the world juniors.

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The NHL offseason kicks into high gear this week, beginning with the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Here's what you need to know before the Chicago Blackhawks are on the clock.

When

• Wednesday, June 28 at 7 p.m. ET (Round 1)
• Thursday, June 29 at 11 a.m. ET (Rounds 2-7)

Where

• Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee

How to watch

Canada

U.S.

Round 1 draft order

Player features

• Beyond Bedard, Western prospects will be coveted in the NHL draft
• Draft survey: Prospects discuss NHL comps, best trash talk, and more
• Family affair: 2023 draft class rich with NHL bloodlines
• For one hockey family, the NHL draft is a reminder of what was lost, gained
• Tantalizing yet divisive: Andrew Cristall is motivated to 'prove people wrong'
• A legendary NHL draft unearthed these hidden gems

Final mock draft

• 2023 NHL mock draft: Top 4 is locked in, but who follows?

Top prospects

Connor Bedard - Center, Regina Pats (WHL)

Barring a draft day shock the likes of which we've never seen, the Blackhawks will make Bedard the first overall pick Wednesday night.

Bedard has decimated every level he's played en route to becoming the most hyped hockey prospect since Connor McDavid in 2015. He's the first Western Canadian player to receive exceptional status from Hockey Canada and play a full CHL season as a 15-year-old. Bedard scored 71 goals and 143 points with the Regina Pats this past regular season and added another 10 goals and 20 points in the first round of the playoffs.

But what Bedard did on the international stage truly captivated the hockey world. He tallied nine goals and 23 points in seven games at the 2023 world juniors to set the record for U18 scoring at the tourney. He also broke the records for single-tournament and all-time points by a Canadian, as well as the nation's all-time goal record.

Possessing an already top-tier arsenal of shots, immense puck skills, and competitiveness off the charts, Bedard will immediately enter the league and be must-watch TV.

Adam Fantilli - Center, Michigan Wolverines (NCAA)

Fantilli is far from a typical consolation prize if he goes second overall to the Anaheim Ducks.

The Toronto native dominated the NCAA as a freshman with the Michigan Wolverines. He scored 30 goals and 65 points in 36 games last season, joining Paul Kariya and Jack Eichel as the only freshmen to ever win the Hobey Baker as the top men's collegiate player.

Bringing speed, physicality, and a relentless compete level as a 6-foot-2 center, Fantilli would be a strong contender for first overall in most drafts.

Matvei Michkov - Right wing, HK Sochi (KHL)

Michkov is the biggest wild card we've seen in the draft in years. On pure talent, he's a serious contender to be the second-best prospect in the class. But circumstances around the player have put into question whether he'll go in the top five at all.

He's signed through 2025-26 with SKA St. Petersburg. With no transfer agreement between the NHL and KHL, there's no way to get Michkov to North America before that contract expires. It's one thing to wait years for a mid-round selection like Kirill Kaprizov, but it's a very different situation when using a premium draft pick.

Then there's the unknown regarding the Russia-Ukraine war and what the state of affairs will be when trying to get Michkov to North America in three years.

Whichever team weighs the risks and is willing to take the swing on Michkov could become the winner of the draft in a decade.

Leo Carlsson - Center, Orebro HK (SHL)

A 6-foot-3 playmaking center, Carlsson excelled wherever he suited up this season. He was a mainstay in the SHL, ranking second on his team in postseason scoring. Only the Sedin twins, Elias Lindholm, and Nicklas Backstrom tallied more than his 25 points in Sweden's top league as a draft-eligible prospect.

Carlsson was a top-line player at both the world juniors and World Championships for Sweden. Prior to this year, Daniel Sedin was the lone draft-eligible Swede to have registered a point at Worlds. Carlsson also became the first 18-year-old ever to score three goals for Sweden at the tournament. He added two assists as well.

His strong showing on the international stage to cap the campaign has some wondering if he can challenge Fantilli at second overall. But he could fall as far as No. 5 on draft day.

Will Smith - Center, U.S. National Team Development Program

On the heels of a dominant season as the USNTDP's top-line pivot, Smith solidified his position in the top five of the draft with a special performance at the U18s.

His 20 points in seven games matched Jack Hughes' record for points at the tournament by an American player and trailed Nikita Kucherov's all-time mark by one. The performance came after he tallied 127 points in 60 contests with the USNTDP. Smith's spectacular end to the campaign vaulted him into the conversation with the Blue Jackets at third overall.

Hailing from Massachusetts, Smith was coached by Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes while playing for the Boston Jr. Eagles. If Michkov goes in the top four, a reunion with his former coach could be in the cards.

David Reinbacher - Defense, EHC Kloten (NL)

Reinbacher has a chance to become just the second Austrian player ever selected in the top five. The Buffalo Sabres drafted Thomas Vanek fifth overall in 2003.

The 6-foot-2 defenseman played in the top Swiss league this season with EHC Kloten, producing 22 points in 46 games. The National League isn't typically known for featuring draft-eligible prospects but has risen in quality over the past decade. Only Auston Matthews has scored more points than Reinbacher entering the draft out of the league, and no blue-liner comes particularly close.

Reinbacher has a high floor, but the question remains whether he has true top pairing upside that would make him a worthwhile bet over the abundant high-end forwards available. Look for him to be discussed as an option beginning with the Sharks at No. 4 and as a legitimate contender to go to the Canadiens at No. 5.

Ryan Leonard - Right wing, U.S. NTDP

Teams salivate at the idea of adding a player like Matthew Tkachuk, especially after his postseason run this spring. They want someone who brings goal-scoring and tenacity and thrives in the big moments. No prospect matches those qualities quite like Leonard in this draft.

The Amherst, Massachusetts, native featured on the USNTDP's historic top line this season on the right wing. He potted 51 goals in 57 games, none bigger than his gold-medal-winning overtime goal against Sweden at the U18s.

Leonard will likely be the second USNTDP player off the board after Smith and in discussion for Montreal at No. 5.

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The Chicago Blackhawks acquired forwards Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno from the Boston Bruins for defensemen Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula, the teams announced Monday.

Hall has two seasons remaining at a $6-million cap hit. The 2018 Hart Trophy winner tallied 36 points in 61 games last season while playing 15:56 per game, the lowest scoring rate and ice time of his career.

The 31-year-old scored 20 goals and 61 points in the first season of the four-year contract he signed with the Bruins in 2021-22. Chicago wasn't on his 16-team no-trade list, according to TSN's Chris Johnston, meaning Boston didn't have to seek his permission for the trade.

Foligno is a pending unrestricted free agent. The 35-year-old had a bounce-back season in Boston, scoring 10 goals and 26 points in 60 contests. He had a $3.8-million cap hit last season, and the Blackhawks are hopeful to sign the veteran, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.

Mitchell spent the majority of the campaign in the NHL with Chicago, playing 35 games and registering eight points. He totaled 16 points in 82 career contests over a three-year span. The 24-year-old right-shot blue-liner played his freshman season at the University of Denver under Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery.

Regula scored 21 points in 51 AHL games this past season. The 22-year-old played 22 NHL games over a three-year span, tallying one goal. The right-shot defenseman is listed at 6-foot-4 and was originally drafted by the Detroit Red Wings.

Both Mitchell and Regula are pending restricted free agents and will require waivers in the fall.

The Bruins were in desperate need of cap space entering the offseason. Boston had less than $5 million to work with on a roster of 15 players, per CapFriendly.

Hall gives the Blackhawks a prime candidate to feature alongside presumptive No. 1 pick Connor Bedard. The 17-year-old phenom tallied 71 goals and 143 points in the WHL with the Regina Pats this season.

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Pekka Rinne is back with the Nashville Predators.

The team hired the franchise legend as a European development coach and scout Monday.

Rinne spent his entire 15-season NHL career with the Predators. He captured the Vezina Trophy in 2018 and holds every major franchise mark among goaltenders with Nashville. He retired in July 2021.

The 40-year-old will work alongside Predators goaltending coach Ben Vanderklok to oversee goaltenders in the organization, including prospects overseas. He'll also scout European-based goalies for the franchise. Rinne will be based in Finland but will travel to Nashville and Milwaukee to attend team camps.

Nashville retired his No. 35 in February 2022, making him the first player in Predators history to receive the honor. The team unveiled his statue at Bridgestone Arena in March.

Rinne was Finland's goaltending coach at the 2023 world junior, and he was a special alumni advisor with the Predators last season.

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NHL teams will yet again be scouring the free-agent bargain bin as the salary cap rises just $1 million for the second consecutive year.

Whether it's competitive squads looking to round out their roster, clubs on the outside of the playoff picture hoping to unearth a hidden gem, or rebuilding teams identifying players they could flip at the trade deadline, the market for inexpensive NHLers never dries up.

Last season, the Washington Capitals landed Marcus Johansson, Erik Gustafsson, and Sonny Milano for a combined $2.65 million. All three are expected to get notable raises on their next contracts.

Daniel Sprong didn't sign until October and became the second-most cost-effective scorer in the league not on an entry-level contract.

The Florida Panthers went all the way to the Stanley Cup Final with a lineup filled with numerous cheap depth players, including Nick Cousins, Eric and Marc Staal, and Colin White.

Here are nine of the most intriguing players from the 2023 unrestricted free-agent class that are projected to sign for less than $2.5 million, per Evolving Hockey.

Pius Suter

Suter scored at the lowest rate and played the fewest minutes of his three-year NHL career last season. Despite the dip in production, he remained an effective even-strength presence for the Detroit Red Wings and was among the league's best penalty killers.

His 13.1 expected goals above replacement in 2022-23 is the fifth most among free-agent forwards, and the highest mark by one projected to sign for less than $2.5 million.

Suter hasn't reached the playoffs yet, but he's posted positive on-ice Corsi, expected goals, and actual-goal results relative to his teammates in each of his three seasons.

Detroit limited opponents to 6.06 expected goals per 60 when Suter was on the penalty kill. That's the eighth-lowest mark among forwards that played at least 100 shorthanded minutes last season.

On the younger side for an unrestricted free agent, the 27-year-old Suter is an excellent candidate to become an impactful bottom-six forward on a cheap deal for a contending team.

Potential fits: Hurricanes, Penguins, Maple Leafs

Connor Brown

Brown almost feels like a forgotten player. After all, he only made four goalless appearances last season after tearing his ACL.

Brown is likely not on this list without that injury. Coming off of a three-year deal that had a $3.6-million cap hit, his next contract is one of this summer's more difficult projections. Is there a team still willing to give him a multi-season commitment around the same price point, or does Brown opt to take a short-term contract to rehabilitate his value?

In three seasons with the Ottawa Senators, Brown averaged top-line minutes and was an effective offensive winger that chipped in on both special teams. If his injury does drive down his cap hit, he'll make a team very happy in 2023-24.

Potential fits: Oilers, Jets, Lightning

Jonathan Drouin

A change of scenery is exactly what Drouin needs to revitalize his career.

There's no denying Drouin's talent, particularly as a playmaker, but his recent lack of goal-scoring leaves a lot to be desired. He's managed just 17 goals in 163 games since the start of the 2019-20 season, a rate worse than the likes of Curtis Lazar, Adam Erne, and Chris Tierney.

Drouin's time in Montreal was turbulent. He was shoehorned into an ill-fitting position, and he failed to meet the lofty expectations put on him based on his place of birth and how he was acquired.

Moving on from that situation will allow Drouin to start fresh. There's upside on a short-term "prove-it" deal for the 28-year-old if he's used in a sheltered, offensive role.

A reunion with Halifax Mooseheads teammate Nathan MacKinnon would certainly be fun.

Potential fits: Blackhawks, Avalanche, Panthers

Evgenii Dadonov

A positive end to Dadonov's season with the Dallas Stars helped his stock.

The 34-year-old tallied seven goals and 25 points in 39 total games across the end of the regular season and playoffs, far exceeding his 18 points across 50 contests with Montreal.

Aside from this past season with the Canadiens and a 2020-21 stint with a young Ottawa Senators squad, Dadonov has consistently produced since returning to the NHL in 2017-18.

An inexpensive deal makes a lot of sense for talented teams looking to round out their depth up front with an effective complementary scorer.

Potential fits: Bruins, Avalanche, Wild

Matthew Phillips

Note: Stats are from AHL games.

The most attractive Group 6 UFA of the year may be Phillips.

A player becomes this type of free agent if they're 25 years old, have completed three or more professional seasons, and have played fewer than 80 NHL games. As a result, Phillips enters unrestricted free agency early on the heels of another splendid offensive season in the AHL.

The diminutive winger scored over 30 goals for the second straight season, setting career highs with 36 tallies and 76 points.

Despite his prowess with Calgary's AHL affiliate, Phillips has only played three NHL games. He never played more than 10 minutes this past season.

Whether the 5-foot-7 winger sinks or swims in the NHL remains to be seen, but Phillips is at least deserving of a chance to show what he's got in the big leagues.

Potential fits: Bruins, Blackhawks, Jets

Connor Mackey

Another Group 6 UFA, Mackey finished the season in the Coyotes' top four and featured in a similar role for the United States at the World Championships.

Though he's likely not a second-pairing blue-liner on a contending team, Mackey showed enough promise as a 6-foot-2 defenseman to warrant further NHL minutes.

Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2020, Mackey posted good results in two AHL campaigns before 2022-23 but was unable to break into the Flames' deep defense group. A trade deadline move to Arizona saw him get a chance to play regular NHL minutes for the first time.

In a free-agent class full of older, uninspiring defensemen, Mackey could draw more interest than anticipated with his positive end to the previous campaign.

Potential fits: Panthers, Kings, Capitals

Lucas Carlsson

Note: Stats are from AHL games.

There's no free-agent defenseman that ticks the "low-risk, high-reward" box quite like Carlsson.

The soon-to-be 26-year-old blue-liner had a breakout offensive campaign in the AHL, scoring 20 goals and 54 points in 61 games. Despite being a Group 6 UFA, he has a fair bit of NHL experience.

Carlsson played 40 games with the Panthers in 2021-22 and has logged 60 total games across parts of four seasons. He recorded nine points in that stint with Florida and posted positive underlying metrics in the process.

If his upside isn't enough, Carlsson can also chip in as a part-time goaltender.

With the lack of exciting free-agent depth defensemen, Carlsson is a good bet to join a team looking to add offense from the backend, even if he's only a third-pair option.

Potential fits: Coyotes, Hurricanes, Canucks

Alex Lyon

It's easy to forget the Panthers likely don't make the playoffs if not for Lyon's end-of-season heroics.

The 30-year-old was thrust into the backup role when Spencer Knight left the team, and he suddenly became the starter at the end of March with a hot stretch of play.

In total, Lyon went 9-4-2 with a .915 save percentage in the regular season before losing the gig to Sergei Bobrovsky after Game 3 against the Boston Bruins.

Lyon has been an AHL mainstay for seven years and has consistently been among the league's best goalies with a career .912 save percentage. He's accumulated 39 NHL appearances but hadn't had a stretch of play quite like he showed this season.

Considering he turns 31 in December, it's unlikely Lyon parlays his impressive run into a full-time NHL gig. But as both his Panthers and the Vegas Golden Knights showed this season, it's vital in today's NHL to have multiple goaltenders you trust.

Lyon proved he's at the very least one of the best third-string netminders available, and he could be rewarded with a one-way contract as a result.

Potential fits: Red Wings, Islanders, Lightning

Joey Daccord

Note: Stats are from AHL games.

Since turning pro at the end of the 2018-19 campaign, Daccord has been among the AHL's most consistent netminders. He has a career .918 save percentage in 98 regular-season AHL games but has only played a combined 19 NHL contests.

After a strong campaign with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, Daccord found another level in the Calder Cup playoffs. Starting all 26 postseason games for Seattle's affiliate, he posted a .926 save percentage as the Firebirds lost the AHL championship in overtime in Game 7.

Last summer, we saw third-stringer Charlie Lindgren land a three-year contract with a cap hit of $1.1 million to become a full-time NHL backup with the Capitals.

Lindgren had more success in his small NHL sample than Daccord, but he was also older. Daccord will be 27 years old by the start of the 2023-24 campaign.

As teams continue to put more emphasis on goaltending depth, Daccord could be in line for a one-way contract and a chance to win an NHL backup gig.

Potential fits: Senators, Sharks, Golden Knights

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The Colorado Avalanche acquired forward Ryan Johansen from the Nashville Predators for pending unrestricted free agent forward Alex Galchenyuk, the teams announced Saturday.

Nashville is retaining 50% of Johansen's $8-million cap hit. He has two years remaining on his contract.

Johansen accrued 12 goals and 28 points in 55 games last season. He didn't play after being cut on the leg by a skate Feb. 21. The 30-year-old is one campaign removed from scoring 26 goals and 63 points.

"Ryan is a talented, veteran center who helps our top six," Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland said in a statement. "He gives us size in the middle of the ice and brings leadership and experience to our roster. We look forward to adding him to our team."

Johanson is expected to slide into the Avalanche's second-line center role. Colorado lost Nazem Kadri in free agency last summer and struggled to fill the 87-point void he left. Pending unrestricted free agent J.T. Compher registered 17 goals and 52 points as Colorado's primary second-line center in 2022-23.

Galchenyuk played 11 games with the Avalanche, failing to record a point. In 42 contests with their AHL affiliate, he tallied 16 goals and 42 points.

If the Predators don't sign the 29-year-old before July 1, Nashville will lose Galchenyuk's rights and he'll become an unrestricted free agent.

Galchenyuk has now been traded six times. He's played for seven teams over the past six seasons.

Nashville is already retaining $250,000 on Mattias Ekholm's contract following his trade to the Edmonton Oilers in February. The club has one retention slot available for the next two seasons.

The Avalanche now have just under $16 million in cap space, which includes the expected LTIR designation for captain Gabriel Landeskog, per CapFriendly. The Predators have $19.5 million available entering the offseason.

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Patrick Marleau is back with the San Jose Sharks.

The team announced his hiring as a player development coach and hockey operations advisor Friday. It's the first front-office role for the 43-year-old after he retired in 2022.

"I'm extremely excited to be officially back as part of the Sharks organization," Marleau said. "I'm looking forward to working with our players on the ice to help them reach their full potential and sharing the knowledge I have garnered from playing 23 years in the National Hockey League. I'm also eager to work with (general manager Mike Grier) and his staff, and continuing to learn about the game and business side of hockey."

Marleau is the Sharks' franchise leader in games played (1,607), goals (522), and points (1,111). He set the NHL's all-time regular-season games played mark April 19, 2021, surpassing Gordie Howe's record of 1,767 contests.

San Jose retired Marleau's No. 12 on Feb. 25, making him the first player in the team's history to receive the honor.

"It's rare that you get the opportunity to add someone to your organization that brings a level of talent and character like Patrick Marleau," Grier said. "As one of the top players of his generation, Patty possesses an unlimited wealth of institutional knowledge about the game."

"Perhaps more importantly, he was a cornerstone piece in the Sharks becoming one of the NHL's most dominant franchises over the last two decades and knows what it takes to win and succeed in the NHL," Grier continued. "We are extremely happy to bring Patty back into the Sharks family as we continue building a team that our fans can be proud of."

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The New Jersey Devils re-signed forward Erik Haula to a three-year, $9.45-million contract, the team announced Friday.

Haula was set to become an unrestricted free agent. His new deal sees his cap hit rise from $2.375 million to $3.15 million.

The 32-year-old tallied 14 goals and 41 points in 80 games with New Jersey last season. Haula was acquired from the Boston Bruins last summer for forward Pavel Zacha.

"When I traded for Erik, we talked about how he was the type of player that we needed to help us continue to move the group forward," Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said. "He played key minutes in all situations throughout the season - power play, penalty kill, taking faceoffs - and provided leadership for our team."

"I don't want to play for any other team," Haula said in May, according to NJ.com's Ryan Novozinsky. "I want to come back here."

The versatile Finn was the fourth-most-used forward in the postseason for New Jersey, averaging 17:35 of ice time. He scored four goals and six points in 12 playoff contests.

Haula has played 614 NHL games across stints with seven teams.

The signing leaves the Devils with just over $23.5 million in cap space, per CapFriendly. Notable restricted free agent Timo Meier remains unsigned, while Jesper Bratt was extended on an eight-year contract earlier in June.

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The Carolina Hurricanes won't go into next season with Brett Pesce on an expiring contract.

The Hurricanes want to re-sign Pesce, and talks continue between the two sides, but if a contract can't be agreed upon, Carolina will trade the blue-liner this summer, reports TSN's Pierre LeBrun on Thursday's "Insider Trading."

The Buffalo Sabres are among the clubs to have already reached out regarding Pesce's availability, LeBrun added.

Pesce's entering the final season of a six-year contract signed in 2017. He has a $4.025-million cap hit in 2022-23 and no trade protection.

The 28-year-old is one of the league's best right-shot defensive defensemen. Though he only has a career high of 30 points - set last season - Pesce has averaged over 20 minutes for seven consecutive seasons on a contending team in Carolina.

Since 2018-19, Pesce ranks 26th among defensemen in goals above replacement, per Evolving-Hockey.

Pesce's now represented by Judd Moldaver, a change that was announced on June 9. Moldaver's client list includes the likes of Auston Matthews, Roman Josi, and Zach Werenski.

Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns are the only NHL blue-liners the Hurricanes have under contract for the 2023-24 season.

Carolina enters the offseason with just over $24 million in projected cap space, per CapFriendly.

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