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Player Notes

  • Two points in Thursday's win
    Barkov scored a goal, dished an assist, added two hits, logged two PIM and went plus-2 in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Oilers in Game 3.

    Advice: Barkov was initially questionable after suffering an upper-body injury in Game 2 on Monday, but he was ultimately able to avoid missing time. That proved to be a great thing for the Panthers, as Barkov helped out on Sam Reinhart's first-period tally and scored the game-winner himself in the second. Barkov is up to seven goals, 21 points, 50 shots on net, 43 hits and a plus-4 rating through 20 playoff appearances. Rotowire.com Thursday, 11:10 pm
  • Heading back to Czechia
    Smejkal signed a five-year contract with HC Dynamo Pardubice of Czechia on Thursday.

    Advice: Smejkal picked up one goal and one assist over 20 NHL games with the Senators as well as 22 points in 47 contests with AHL Belleville in 2023-24. The 27-year-old winger signed an entry-level deal with Ottawa last May, but he was set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer before signing this deal to head back to his home country. Rotowire.com Thursday, 3:02 pm
  • Agrees to one-year deal
    Kakko signed a one-year, $2.4 million contract with the Rangers on Thursday, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Kakko was set to become a restricted free agent in July after completing his two-year, $4.2 million contract. He struggled in 2023-24, recording just 13 goals and 19 points across 61 regular-season contests after setting career highs with 18 goals and 40 points in 82 regular-season outings in 2022-23. The 23-year-old can't be counted out, but he certainly hasn't lived up to his potential after being selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. Look for him to open next season as a part of the Rangers' middle six. Rotowire.com Thursday, 12:08 pm
  • Recovering from sports hernia
    Couturier said he's recovering from a "little sports hernia surgery, lower abs," Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reports Thursday.

    Advice: Couturier was limited to a goal and eight points over his final 33 contests in 2023-24 after supplying 10 goals and 30 points across his first 41 appearances. Although it's not clear how long he was dealing with a sports hernia, the injury might help explain his steep decline in offensive production in the second half of the campaign. The 31-year-old will look to rebound next season, but injuries have been a recurring problem -- he missed the entire 2022-23 campaign due to injury and was limited to 29 games in 2021-22. Rotowire.com Thursday, 11:13 am
  • Inks three-year contract
    Chatfield signed a three-year, $9 million contract with the Hurricanes on Thursday, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

    Advice: Chatfield had eight goals, 22 points, a plus-15 rating, 24 PIM, 58 hits and 66 blocks in 72 regular-season outings with Carolina in 2023-24. The 28-year-old was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in July after completing his two-year, $1.525 million deal, but he'll stick with the Hurricanes instead. Although he averaged just 14:48 of ice time across his first 48 regular-season appearances in the recent campaign, that ticked up to 17:09 over his latest 37 regular-season and playoff contests. It would not be surprising to see that increased role carry into 2024-25. Rotowire.com Thursday, 11:03 am
  • Signs new deal
    Crookshank signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Senators on Wednesday, per PuckPedia.

    Advice: Crookshank made his NHL debut in 2023-24, picking up three points, 20 shots on net, 20 hits and a minus-3 rating over 13 appearances. He also had 46 points in 50 contests with AHL Belleville. Crookshank will likely spend some time in the minors in 2024-25, but he may be ready to push for a larger role at the NHL level. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 4:04 pm
  • Hits unconditional waivers
    Todd was placed on unconditional waivers Tuesday for the purpose of contract termination, per CapFriendly.

    Advice: Todd generated 19 goals and 55 points in 69 regular-season contests for AHL San Jose during the 2023-24 campaign. The 28-year-old forward doesn't have any NHL experience yet. Per Max Miller of The Hockey News, Todd intends to sign in Russia for the 2024-25 season. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 12:29 pm
  • Inks one-year deal
    Ellis agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with St. Louis on Tuesday.

    Advice: Ellis split his time between the AHL and ECHL this season, logging 16 games for AHL Springfield in which he posted a 7-9-0 record and .924 save percentage while also going 12-5-2 for ECHL Orlando. Selected by the Blues in the third round of the 2019 NHL Draft, the Nova Scotia native shouldn't be expected to make his NHL debut anytime soon but could push for a more prominent role with the AHL Thunderbirds. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 8:04 am
  • Nabs helper in win
    Ekman-Larsson garnered an assist in a 4-1 Game 2 victory over Edmonton on Monday.

    Advice: Ekman-Larsson was able to end a 10-game pointless streak dating back to May 10 versus Boston. Despite the helper, the blueliner remains mired in a 15-game goal drought, during which he's registered a mere 17 shots on net. Even with his limited production, Ekman-Larsson continues to see opportunities with the No. 2 power-play unit. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 6:38 am