Preseason Update: Signings and Releases

News broke at approximately 4:51 Sunday afternoon that the Toronto Maple Leafs have signed Brad Boyes after impressing on his pro tryout contract. All we know right now is that it’s a 1 year contract but numbers have yet to be disclosed.

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The Maple Leafs also announced the release of Devin Setoguchi and Curtis Glencross (both coming off PTO’s). Maybe a little less surprising news was the announcement that Mitch Marner will be sent back to junior. The above moves help shed a much brighter light on the depth chart of what was one of the tougher rosters to predict heading into training camp. The question now is whether one of William Nylander or Connor Brown can make the opening night roster?

The Boston Bruins announced Sunday afternoon that they had sent goalies Zane McIntyre and Malcolm Subban down to the minors. The news isn’t all that shocking, since Subban is destined to be a starter and won’t be forced into a backup role. The two goalies remaining in camp battling for the backup spot is Jeremy Smith and Jonas Gustavsson (who is on a PTO).

On Sunday afternoon, the Tampa Bay Lightning announced that they had claimed G Kevin Poulin off waivers from the New York Islanders. They proceeded by releasing Ray Emery (who was on a PTO). With Andrei Vasilevskiy sidelined to begin the season, it looks as though Kristers Gudlevskis and Kevin Poulin will battle for the temporary backup position.

Sunday Morning, the Nashville Predators announced they had sent 2014 first rounder Kevin Fiala down to the minors. While most experts have the 16-17 season pegged as his first true impact season, I’d expect we see a bit of Fiala this season when guys go down with injury. He’s got huge offensive upside which should fit in nicely, in the Preds top six eventually.

Lastly is the big news from late Saturday night when the Chicago Blackhawks announced they had signed Brent Seabrook on an 8-year extension worth $55 million in total. That’s just barely under $7 million/year. You gotta respect the fact that Chicago has identified it’s big four in Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook. These guys have won cups so it makes sense to lock down the core. However, when Seabrook’s deal kicks in next season, you can expect a little more roster juggling to make cap space. Some compare the Lightning’s situation with Stamkos to Chicago. The Blackhawks had to lock these guys down because of their success. Stamkos and that core of Lightning players haven’t really won anything yet. Do you wanna put yourself into this Blackhawks type situation with the cap when you don’t even know whether or not you have a winning core?

Next: 2016 Draft: Prospect Preview

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