The NHL saw plenty of movement this summer as players said emotional goodbyes, forced moves out of town, signed on with new teams, and returned to old haunts.
The Canadian Press takes a look at some of the notable off-season address changes across the league.
ERIK KARLSSON
The Pittsburgh Penguins made the biggest splash by acquiring Erik Karlsson from the San Jose Sharks.
The star defenceman turned back the clock in 2022-23 with 101 points to capture his third Norris Trophy — and first since 2015.
Karlsson, 33, and his US$11.5-million salary cap hit join a roster that still features Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, but missed the playoffs last season and hasn't won a round since 2018.
PIERRE-LUC DUBOIS
The centre made it clear he was done in Winnipeg — similar to how things played out when he was with the Columbus Blue Jackets — when he declined to sign long-term with the Jets.
Dubois was shipped to the Los Angeles Kings after agreeing to a sign-and-trade deal worth US$68-million over the next eight seasons.
The 25-year-old joins a deep group of centres in L.A. that includes Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault.
TYLER BERTUZZI/MAX DOMI
Bertuzzi, a skilled, gritty winger, joined his third Original Six franchise after signing on for one year at $5.5 million with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Bertuzzi, 28, is poised to get a big opportunity when the puck drops for the regular season as the third piece on team's top line alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
Domi, who's also 28, signed a one-year, $3-million contract with Toronto to play in the city where his father, Tie, was a fan favourite from 1995 through 2006.
JOONAS KORPISALO/VLADIMIR TARASENKO
The Senators hope to have finally found their No. 1 goaltender after signing Korpisalo, 28, to a five-year, $20-million contract in free agency.
Ottawa also added some firepower up front after trading the disgruntled Alex DeBrincat to the Detroit Red Wings by inking Tarasenko to a one-year deal worth $5 million.
MILAN LUCIC
The bruising winger is back where it all started with the Boston Bruins.
Lucic, 35, signed on for $1 million in 2023-24, reuniting him with the organization he helped capture the Stanley Cup in 2011.
TAYLOR HALL/NICK FOLIGNO
The Bruins traded the veteran forwards to the Chicago Blackhawks in late June in a move for leadership ahead of selecting phenom Connor Bedard with the No. 1 pick in the draft.
Hall, 31, still has two years left on a contract that carries a $6 million average annual value, while Foligno, who turns 36 later this month, could have tested free agency, but instead re-upped with Chicago for 2023-24 at $4 million
RYAN O'REILLY
The centre could have re-signed with the Maple Leafs after being acquired from the St. Louis Blues before last season's trade deadline, but instead opted to ink a four-year, $18-million contract with the Nashville Predators.
O'Reilly, 32, will be joined in Music City by Toronto teammate Luke Schenn after the defenceman also signed with the Predators.
CONNOR BROWN
The winger, who played just four games in 2022-23 before suffering a torn ACL, signed a one-year, bonus-heavy contract with the Edmonton Oilers.
The 29-year-old Brown looks poised to open the season on the wing of junior teammate Connor McDavid as part of an Edmonton top line that also features Evander Kane.
DIMITRY ORLOV
The top defence target in free agency signed a two-year, $15.5-million deal with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Orlov, 32, had seven goals and 36 points in 66 games last season between Boston and the Washington Capitals.
He joins a blue line that already features Brent Burns and Jaccob Slavin.
PETER LAVIOLETTE
The veteran head coach was hired by the New York Rangers in the off-season after he was dismissed by Washington following three seasons in charge.
The 58-year-old, who has been behind the bench of five other NHL teams and won the Cup with Carolina in 2006, owns a 752-503-150-25 record (. 587 winning percentage) in a career that started with the New York Islanders in 2001.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 7, 2023.
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Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
