The NHL season has a start date. On Christmas Eve the league gave fans an early present with the release of the shortened 2021 schedule. For this year only there will be four re-aligned divisions - including an all-Canadian one - where teams will play exclusively until the playoffs. Despite the most unusual off-season in modern history, the free agent and trade mill was in full swing this winter, with many of the game's most recognizable names swapping sweaters.
Here are the nine biggest names who will play on new teams this year (note: this doesn't include Henrik Lundqvist, who won't suit up for the Capitals because of a heart condition)
Corey Crawford: A lot of notable goaltenders made moves this offseason, including the 36-year-old Crawford. The two-time Cup winner ends his 13-year career in Chicago after signing a two-year deal with the Devils in free agency. The former Jennings winner hasn't started more than 40 games in net since 2016-17 and isn't a full-time starter anymore, but he brings value to a New Jersey team that disappointed last year.
Devan Dubnyk: The former Vezina finalist has seen his play drop-off dramatically as he's creeped toward 35 years old. In each of the last three years his save percentage has dropped while his goals against average has increased. So Minnesota sent Dubnyk and a 2022 seventh-round pick to San Jose in exchange for a 2022 fifth rounder.
Taylor Hall: It's not too often a former Hart winner signs a one-year "prove it" deal at age 29, but that's what Hall found himself doing in inking a contract with Buffalo. In splitting last year between New Jersey and Arizona, Hall notched 52 points in 65 games, a far cry from his 93-point MVP season in 2017-18. Still, the Sabres getting an electric talent for $8 million could be a turning point for a franchise trying to get over the hump.
Braden Holtby: Another longtime goaltender in a new city, Holtby leaves Washington after 10 years and 282 wins, highlighted by a Vezina Trophy in 2016 and, of course, the Stanley Cup in 2019. Now he heads west, signing a two-year deal with Vancouver to shore up a defense that was in the bottom half of the conference in goals allowed last year.
Mikko Koivu: A depth signing at this stage, Koivu won't finish his career in Minnesota. After 15 years (including the last 12 as captain) and 1,028 games, Koivu signed a one-year deal with Columbus. He won't score much anymore - he has just 12 goals and 50 points combined in the last two years - but the perennial Selke nominee will still win faceoffs and be a valuable leader in the locker room.
Torey Krug: A staple on the Boston blueline for seven years, Krug cashed in during free agency, signing a seven-year deal worth $45.5 million with St. Louis. Both the length and dollar amount was slightly more than Boston's reported offer, as the Blues basically replaced Alex Pietrangelo (more on that in a bit) with Krug.
Matt Murray: He burst onto the scene in helping the Penguins win back-to-back Cups in 2016 and '17, but injuries and some inconsistent play led to the goaltender being a bit of a love-hate figure among Pittsburgh fans. With Tristan Jarry taking over the top spot in net, Murray was shipped to Ottawa for Jonathan Gruden and a 2020 second-round pick. He'll be the guy with the Senators, who didn't re-sign Craig Anderson.
Alex Pietrangelo: The Blues signed Krug, but they lost their captain and a Norris Trophy-level talent in Pietrangelo. The three-time All-Star leaves St. Louis after 12 years after finalizing a monster seven-year, $61.6 million deal with Vegas. Turning 31 next month, it's a big payday for one of the most consistent defensemen in the league.
Kevin Shattenkirk: His one-year "prove it" deal with Tampa Bay worked. After his buyout with the Rangers, Shattenkirk got back on his feet in a big way, recording 34 points over 70 games (and another 13 in the playoffs) in helping the Lightning win a Stanley Cup. His reward is a three-year, $11.3 million deal with the Ducks. He might not be among the elite scoring defensemen in the NHL, but he proved he's still a very talented blue-liner.