Jacob MacDonald

On the strength of a totally unsustainable 14.3 percent shooting percentage, MacDonald appeared in 34 games for the Sharks last season and scored seven goals. This is a player that lit the lamp just three times in his first 101 NHL appearances entering the year. Clearly valuing the depth he brings to a lineup, The Avalanche went out and handed MacDonald a two-year, $1.55 million contract to return to the club he previously spent parts of three of his first five NHL seasons with. MacDonald will go about battling veteran Calvin de Haan for a spot on Colorado's bottom defensive pairing.

A depth defender for Colorado, MacDonald was dealt to San Jose in late January along with Martin Kaut in exchange for Matt Nieto and Ryan Merkley. He failed to make much of an impact with his new club, posting a goal and six points in 25 games. Now 30 years of age, MacDonald will again find himself battling for a third-pairing role on the still-rebuilding Sharks in 2023-24. Look elsewhere on draft day.

MacDonald was on an AHL-only deal last season, but is now in the position to start for the Panthers on opening night. Last season with the Binghamton Devils the 25-year-old defender put up 20 goals and 55 points in 75 games, leading the AHL in points. He was also named on the first All-Star team at the end of the season. During preseason MacDonald was constantly praised by head coach Bob Boughner as one of the best defensemen on the ice, so expect the rookie to see significant ice time on the bottom pairing while battling with MacKenzie Weegar, Alex Petrovic, and fellow preseason breakout Bogdan Kiselevich for a permanent spot on the starting lineup.