Morning Skate: Injuries and signings mount as the NHL's opening night approaches

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Lace 'em up. Time for the Morning Skate.

OPENING NIGHT LOOMS

And some big things are happening as final NHL rosters get set. Let’s discuss.

• First, the Flames finally got around to signing Johnny Gaudreau yesterday. And the deal is fantastic: $40.5 million over six years ($6.75 per year). For a player who might win multiple Hart Trophies, that’s a heck of a bargain.
• Sidney Crosby has a concussion. This isn’t great. Crosby missed almost two years from 2011-13 dealing with concussions and neck issues. He’s obviously bounced back since, but it’s a shame it’s happening all over again. His absence will change the way the Penguins look this year.
• Finally, the Blues are starting to settle in with Nail Yakupov after trading for him on Friday. For the price they paid, Blues fans think Yakupov is a good low-cost, high-reward player.

SEASON PREVIEW FUN

Our annual season preview dropped last week! Make sure to give it a full read-through before puck drop tomorrow. Here’s some of the fun things in there, not including the in-depth previews of every single team:

• Why Connor McDavid is the most important player in the NHL now.
• I ranked every NHL team’s watchability! Please don’t hate me.
• And, of course, our predictions.

ELSEWHERE IN PRESEASON LAND

• Florida has a new captain! And they just lost a big forward for a long time.
• San Jose wrapped up a pretty impressive preseason. And our Sharks blog is going to do their part to help victims of domestic abuse this season.
• Arizona dropped Zbynek Michalek and Klas Dahlbeck to waivers, making room for the debut of Jakob Chychrun.
• Vancouver is looking for a more balanced top nine this year.
• The Flames also dropped Brandon Bollig on waivers, so Flames fans are having a great week.
• Someone finally took a flier on Kris Russell, and I guess we shouldn’t be surprised it was Edmonton. Oilers fans are skeptical about the move, as they should be.
• It looks like the Islanders will let a ton of youngsters play this year. Is that a good thing?
• Meanwhile, Devils fans really hope young studs like Pavel Zacha and Blake Speers stick around.
• Carolina picked up a well-regarded Flames cast-off from the scrap heap.
• Bad news, Flyers fans: Radko Gudas is suspended for six games. Good news: Ivan Provorov and Travis Konecny made the opening night roster.
• The Rangers are reportedly all-in on Jacob Trouba, which might help explain why they’re sending a former first-round pick packing.
• The Ondrej Pavelec era is finally over in Winnipeg.
• Praise be.
• Roster cuts loom and Dallas’ blue line is as crowded as ever.
• Ottawa’s power play already looks potent.