Edited May 22, 2019 at 9:53 a.m.
RE: Coaching -
1. Krueger adds his former assistant from WC 2016 and close friend, Brad Shaw, to be associate.
2. Former OKC Barons coach Todd Nelson, who Krueger worked with during his time in Edmonton and who espouses same ideals as Krueger, is added as assistant to run PP and forwards.
3. Smith remains to manage PK and defense while Marty Biron accepts Goalie Coach position.
RE: Free Agency -
1. Sabres retain most of players for Rochester's roster to remain intact while Skinner is re-signed to 8 year term.
2. Hagelin, who won a Cup with Botterill in Pittsburgh and whose locker room presence was valued by teammates, is signed to replace the penalty-killing duo of Larsson and Girgensons while bringing more speed and offense to a 4th line role.
RE: Trades -
1. Sabres use Ristolainen as asset to add a scoring RW with a Cup ring for Eichel's line and speed in the younger Kempe at 4C. Kings get a top 4 defender to upgrade their aging corps.
2. Vegas's cap situation to retain Karlsson leads to cap dump of Haula and Miller for draft picks.
3. Sabres flip Haula and Miller in larger package to Oilers for Nugent-Hopkins (who enjoyed Krueger as coach) and a shutdown partner for Dahlin on top pairing. Oilers add a speedy winger and goalie for their system without losing depth on center or defense.
4. In swap of underachieving older wingers on large contracts, Neal rejoins Botterill while Okposo waives NTC for Cup contending team.
5. Panthers' free agent push forces shedding salary, enabling Pysyk to return to Buffalo as defensive-minded partner for Pilut while Florida gets younger and cheaper at RHD.
6. Larsson and Girgensons are qualified to retain their rights on 1-year deals but dealt for draft picks, as is Scandella and Hunwick.
RE: Roster -
1. Top 2 lines are balanced offensively; Mittelstadt has speedy playmaking winger on one side and veteran finisher on other; and 4th line is upgraded to a fast, forechecking line with ability to fill in throughout the lineup and contribute offense.
2. Defensive pairings join offensive-minded with defensive-minded types.
3. Thompson, Asplund and Nylander are given another year of development under Taylor.