Karlsson, Tavares among prominent players in new places

The 2018-19 NHL season opens Oct. 3 and much has changed since the Washington Capitals won the Stanley Cup with a five-game victory against the Vegas Golden Knights in June. Today, we look at a dozen big names who will start the season with a different team than they ended with last season.

Erik Karlsson, D, San Jose Sharks

The two-time Norris Trophy winner (2012, 2015) was acquired with forward Francis Perron in a trade with the Ottawa Senators for forwards Chris Tierney, Josh Norris and Rudolph Balcers, defenseman Dylan DeMelo, two NHL Draft picks and two conditional draft picks Sept. 13.
Karlsson, 28, is certain to provide impact to an experienced team with Stanley Cup aspirations. He needed some time to regain form last season after recovering from surgery to repair two torn tendons in his left foot June 14, 2017. He finished strong and had 62 points (nine goals, 53 assists) in 71 games. He was Ottawa's captain for four seasons.
"I'm just excited to be here and get things going, see where the season is going to take us," Karlsson said. "If we do what we have to do, which I have strong beliefs we will, it's going to be an exciting and fun year for everyone."

John Tavares, F, Toronto Maple Leafs

The No. 1 pick in the 2009 NHL Draft signed a seven-year, $77 million contract with the Maple Leafs on July 1 after nine seasons with the New York Islanders.
Tavares, 28, from the Toronto area, was an unrestricted free agent and chose the Maple Leafs after he had 621 points (272 goals, 349 assists) in 669 NHL games, all with the Islanders.
"It really took the right opportunity and the right fit," Tavares said. "I thought the timing just couldn't be beat. Certainly being from here, and I think with where this team's at and how good and young their core players are ... it was just hard to turn down.

Max Pacioretty, F, Vegas Golden Knights

Pacioretty was acquired in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens for forwards Tomas Tatar and Nick Suzuki, and a second-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft on Sept. 10.
Pacioretty, 29, scored at least 30 goals five times in 10 seasons in Montreal, where he was captain since 2015-16. His nose for the net will boost Vegas' chances to again be a top team in the Western Conference.

Ryan O'Reilly, F, St. Louis Blues

O'Reilly was traded by the Buffalo Sabres for forwards Vladimir Sobotka, Patrik Berglund and Tage Thompson, a first-round pick in 2019 and a second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft on July 1.
O'Reilly, 27, played three seasons in Buffalo after playing his first six NHL seasons for the Colorado Avalanche. He has at least 55 points in each of the past five seasons.

Jeff Skinner, F, Buffalo Sabres

The 2011 Calder Trophy winner was traded by the Carolina Hurricanes for forward Cliff Pu, a second-round pick in 2019, and third- and sixth-round picks in the 2020 NHL Draft on Aug. 2.
Skinner, 26, is a three-time 30-goal scorer in the NHL (31 in 2010-11; 33 in 2013-14; 37 in 2016-17). His strong offensive instincts will help the Sabres replace what they lost by trading O'Reilly.

Max Domi, F, Montreal Canadiens

Domi, 23, was acquired in a trade with the Arizona Coyotes for forward Alex Galchenyuk on June 15. The No. 12 pick in the 2013 NHL Draft had 135 points (36 goals, 99 assists) in 222 games in the first three seasons of his NHL career with the Coyotes.

Alex Galchenyuk, F, Arizona Coyotes

Galchenyuk, the No. 3 pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, had 255 points (108 goals, 147 assists) in 418 games during his first six NHL seasons. He will miss the start of the season and is considered week to week with a lower-body injury sustained during training camp.

Noah Hanifin, D, Calgary Flames

Hanifin, the No. 5 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, and forward Elias Lindholm were traded by the Hurricanes for defensemen Dougie Hamilton and Adam Fox, and forward Micheal Ferland, on June 23.
Hanifin, 21, had 83 points (18 goals, 65 assists) in 239 games with the Hurricanes.

Dougie Hamilton, D, Carolina Hurricanes

Hamilton, 25, was chosen by the Boston Bruins with the No. 9 pick in the 2011 NHL Draft. He has 220 points (64 goals, 156 assists) in 423 games with the Bruins and Flames.

James van Riemsdyk, F, Philadelphia Flyers

Van Riemsdyk, 29, signed a five-year contract July 1. He returns to Philadelphia after six seasons with Toronto Maple Leafs. The No. 2 pick in the 2007 NHL Draft is coming off two strong offensive seasons, scoring 29 goals in 2016-17 and 36 last season.

James Neal, F, Calgary Flames

Neal, 31, signed a five-year, $28.75 million contract July 2. He scored 25 goals for the Vegas Golden Knights last season after being selected from the Nashville Predators in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. He has scored at least 20 goals in all 10 of his NHL seasons. He is expected to skate with Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau on Calgary's top line.

Paul Stastny, F, Vegas Golden Knights

Stastny, 32, signed a three-year contract July 1. He has a long history as an excellent playmaker with 646 points (220 goals, 426 assists) in 824 games during 12 seasons with the Avalanche, Blues and Winnipeg Jets. He was an important addition for the Jets prior to the 2018 NHL Trade Deadline who helped them reach the Western Conference Final.