Brent Burns, Carolina Hurricanes at San Jose Sharks, Oct. 14
Burns, who was traded to the Hurricanes on July 13, returns to SAP Center for San Jose’s home opener in North America. He played 11 seasons with the Sharks and is their all-time leader in goals (172), assists (422), points (594), power-play goals (54) and power-play points (205) among defensemen. One of the most iconic players in Sharks history, Burns was a huge reason for their success during his time in San Jose, including a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2016.
Claude Giroux, Ottawa Senators at Philadelphia Flyers, Nov. 12
The center, who signed a three-year contract with the Senators on July 13, won’t have to wait too long before returning to play at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia for the first time since he was traded to the Florida Panthers last season. The Flyers’ second-leading all-time scorer, Giroux had 900 points (291 goals, 609 assists) in 1,000 games during 15 seasons with them and was their longest-serving captain (10 seasons). He will play against Philadelphia for the first time at Ottawa on Nov. 5.
Video: Top 5 Claude Giroux Plays from the 2021-22 Season
Jonathan Huberdeau, Calgary Flames at Florida Panthers, Nov. 19
The Panthers’ all-time leader in points (613), assists (415) and games (671), Huberdeau was traded after 10 seasons in South Florida, along with defenseman MacKenzie Weegar, forward prospect Cole Schwindt and a first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, for forward Matthew Tkachuk on July 22. Huberdeau had an NHL career-high 115 points (30 goals, 85 assists) in 80 games last season, when he tied for second in the NHL in scoring. He was one of the best players in Panthers history and it is sure to be an emotional night at FLA Live Arena when he returns.
Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers at Calgary Flames, Nov. 29
Tkachuk was traded to the Panthers on July 22. He had an NHL career-high 104 points (42 goals, 62 assists) and was plus-57 in 82 games with the Flames last season. The dynamic power forward played six seasons in Calgary after being selected with the No. 6 pick in the 2016 NHL Draft and makes his return to Scotiabank Saddledome in November after playing against his former teammates at Florida 10 days earlier.
Video: Top 5 Matthew Tkachuk Plays from the 2021-22 Season
Ryan McDonagh, Nashville Predators at Tampa Bay Lightning, Dec. 8
It should be a memorable night when McDonagh, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, returns to Amalie Arena in Tampa. The defenseman was traded to the Predators on July 3 after five seasons with the Lightning. McDonagh played a key role for Tampa Bay when it won the Cup in 2020 and 2021 and advanced to the Final last season.
Hampus Lindholm, Boston Bruins at Anaheim Ducks, Jan. 8, 2023
Lindholm played nine seasons with the Ducks before he was traded to the Bruins on March 19. He’s third all-time among Anaheim defensemen in goals (57), assists (165) and points (222). Lindholm, who helped the Ducks win the Pacific Division four straight seasons from 2013-17, will play against them for the first time in Boston on Oct. 20.
Johnny Gaudreau, Columbus Blue Jackets at Calgary Flames, Jan. 23, 2023
The biggest prize in free agency, Gaudreau signed a seven-year contract with the Blue Jackets on July 13. The forward led the Flames and was tied for second in the NHL last season with 115 points (40 goals, 75 assists) in 82 games. . Gaudreau played nine seasons in Calgary and ranks fifth all-time for the Flames in points (609). He’ll play against them for the first time in Columbus on Dec. 9.
Video: Top 10 Johnny Gaudreau Plays from the 2021-22 Season
Darcy Kuemper, Washington Capitals at Colorado Avalanche, Jan. 24, 2023
After helping the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup last season, Kuemper signed a five-year contract with the Capitals on July 13. The goalie was 37-12-4 with a 2.54 goals-against average, .921 save percentage and five shutouts in 57 games. Regular-season games and 10-4 with a .902 save percentage and one shutout in 16 Stanley Cup Playoff games. The move to the Eastern Conference means he’ll play against his former team twice; He’ll face Colorado at Washington on Nov. 19 before seeing the Cup banner in Denver.
Alex DeBrincatOttawa Senators at Chicago Blackhawks, March 6, 2023
One of the bright young stars in the game, DeBrincat scored 41 goals last season, tying his NHL career high set in 2018-19, and was second on the Blackhawks with 78 points in 82 games. He scored at least 28 goals in four of his five NHL seasons with Chicago and was expected to be part of its core for the future before he was traded to Ottawa on July 7. DeBrincat will face his former team at the United Center in March but will play against the Blackhawks at home Feb. 17.
Jack CampbellEdmonton Oilers at Toronto Maple Leafs, March 11, 2023
It’s always intense when the Oilers and Maple Leafs play, but even more so after players have switched sides in the rivalry. Campbell was 31-9-6 with a 2.64 GAA, .914 save percentage and five shutouts in 49 games last season, and 51-14-9 during three seasons with the Maple Leafs before signing a five-year contract with Edmonton on July. 13. He’ll get his first crack at playing against his former team at home on March 1 before playing in Toronto 10 days later.
Video: Top 20 Jack Campbell Saves from the 2021-22 Season
Ondrej PalatNew Jersey Devils at Tampa Bay Lightning, March 19, 2023
The two-time Cup winner played his entire 10-season NHL career with Tampa Bay before signing a five-year contract with New Jersey on July 14. In addition to averaging more than 40 points per season and being a key factor on the power play. , the 31-year-old forward was clutch in the playoffs. Palat has 94 points (48 goals, 46 assists) in 138 postseason games, including 12 game-winning goals, third-most among active NHL players. He and the Devils will play against the Lightning three times in a four-game stretch from March 14-19, concluding with his return to Amalie Arena.
David Perron, Detroit Red Wings at St. Louis Blues, March 21, 2023
Perron signed a two-year contract with Detroit on July 13 after four seasons with St. Louis, his third stint with the Blues. The 34-year-old forward had 465 points (196 goals, 269 assists) in 673 games over 11 seasons with the Blues and helped them win their first Stanley Cup championship in 2019. He’ll return to Enterprise Center in St. Louis late in the season as part of a home-and-home set, with the Red Wings playing host two nights earlier.
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