As National Hockey League teams prepare for the upcoming season, several players find themselves positioned for breakout campaigns following recent roster movements and organizational changes, according to NHL.com. From new forward trios to evolving goaltending dynamics, roster shifts across multiple franchises have created prime opportunities for skaters and netminders looking to solidify their roles.
Maxim Shabanov Eyes Expanded Role With Minnesota
Maxim Shabanov enters his second North American professional season with the Minnesota franchise after recording 18 points, including 5 goals and 13 passes, across 44 games with the New York Islanders last year, according to NHL.com. The 25-year-old forward, who turns 26 on October 7, could benefit from the departure of Mats Zuccarello, which opens a potential vacancy. According to NHL.com, head coach John Hynes may explore assembling an all-Russian forward line featuring Shabanov alongside center Danila Yurov and star winger Kirill Kaprizov.
Joel Hofer Challenges for St. Louis Blues Starter Crease
A potential changing of the guard is underway in the St. Louis Blues crease, according to NHL.com. Last season, 26-year-old goaltender Joel Hofer earned more starts than Jordan Binnington for the first time since the duo began sharing duties in St. Louis. While the shift stemmed from a combination of Hofer’s strong performances and Binnington’s inconsistent stretch, NHL.com reports that with Binnington entering the final year of his contract at age 33, the Blues are positioned to hand a heavier workload to Hofer as the team targets a return to the playoffs following a busy offseason of roster adjustments.
Egor Chinakhov Seeks Production Alongside Sidney Crosby
Egor Chinakhov looks to build on a successful transition to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he tallied 36 points—18 goals and 18 passes—in just 43 games after being acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he managed 6 points in 29 contests, according to NHL.com. Selected 21st overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, Chinakhov is projected to push toward the 50-point threshold if he maintains a regular assignment alongside center Sidney Crosby.
Luke Evangelista Transitions to New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils added forward depth by acquiring Luke Evangelista from the Nashville Predators on September 1, according to NHL.com. The 24-year-old comes off a career-best campaign with 56 points, featuring 12 goals and 44 assists in 81 games. In New Jersey, Evangelista is expected to skate alongside centers Jack Hughes or Nico Hischier, giving him a strong probability of eclipsing the 60-point mark for the first time in his career, per NHL.com.
Jack Roslovic Targets Top-Six Role With Toronto Maple Leafs
Jack Roslovic joins the Toronto Maple Leafs as a depth option with top-six upside, marking his fifth team in four seasons, according to NHL.com. With right wing behind William Nylander remaining fluid, Roslovic has an opportunity to secure a prominent role. NHL.com notes that Roslovic shares prior chemistry with Auston Matthews from their time together in the U.S. National Team Development Program, a familiarity that could help him integrate quickly into Toronto’s offensive structure.
Sean Durzi Seeks Bounce-Back Season With New York Rangers
Sean Durzi aims to revitalize his career with the New York Rangers after battling injuries over the previous two seasons in Utah, where he was limited to 38 points in 90 games, according to NHL.com. Prior to those injuries, Durzi produced 79 points across 148 games split between Arizona and Los Angeles. NHL.com highlights that Durzi possesses the offensive ceiling to log significant minutes, particularly with defenseman Adam Fox having missed stretches of time due to injuries over the past three seasons.