As the NHL season approaches, players on professional tryouts (PTOs) are either securing their spots or facing release. Nikita Alexandrov of the St. Louis Blues successfully transitioned from a PTO to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000.

In contrast, former Blues forward Sammy Blais struggled during his PTO with the Vancouver Canucks, failing to earn an NHL contract after four preseason games. He has now returned to the Abbotsford Canucks after not registering any points.