Raw Charge
Summary
Ahh. The ones that got away. Be it an ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend or former member of your favorite team, there is something about checking in on how they’re doing once they’ve left you. Whether it’s stalking their social media or just looking at the box scores, we just can’t seem to quit them, no matter how toxic the relationship might have been. While we can’t help with your personal life, we can help you check in on your hockey ex’s. The Free Agents Oliver Bjorkstrand – New York Rangers, 1 year, $4.5 Million, 15-team no-trade clause 10 games, 2 goals, 1 assist, 2.09 iXG, 10:30 TOI Bjorkstrand started the season on the top-six with the Rangers, but as some other players have emerged for New York, the former Blue Jacket has seen his ice time dip. Last game he was on a line with old friend Taylor Raddysh and Justin Dowling, which, by the ice time, was the Rangers fourth line. He’s seeing time on the second power play unit. Both of his goals came in a game against the Islanders. Declan Carlile – Pittsburgh Penguins, 2 years, $1.5 million AAV 9 games, 2 goals, 2 assists, 0.65 iXG, 19:05 TOI The one free agent it seemed the Lightning really wanted to keep around, Carlile has found himself in an important role for the Penguins. He’s been playing top-pair minutes with Erik Karlsson and more than holding his own. The bulk of his playing time has come at 5v5 and short-handed, but with Karlsson and Kris Letang on the roster, there was never really going to be much opportunity with the extra skater. All of his scoring did come in the first three games, but outside of a handful of games, the Penguins have had positive possession numbers when he’s on the ice. Corey Perry – Los Angeles Kings, 1 year, $1 million (with an additional $500,000 in performance bonus), full no-trade clause 5 games, 0 goals, 0 assists, 0.84 iXG, 11:54 TOI After missing the season-opening game for the Kings due to a family illness, the 41-year-old Perry has been in the line-up for every game since then. It’s just that the Kings have only played six games so far this season. Perry has been mostly on the fourth line, averaging between ten and thirteen minutes a night. While he has yet to find the scoreboard, he has been generating some chances as he has a total of four individual scoring chances on the season. He’s also had some time on the Kings second power play unit. With the Kings struggling to start the season, it could be another year where Perry finds himself on the trade block. With full no-trade protection, he’ll have his pick of where to go if Los Angeles does decide to deal him. Mitchell Chaffee – New York Islanders, 1 year, $850,000, one-way contract 6 games, 4 goals, 2 assists, 8 PIMs (with Hamilton Hammers of the AHL) Chaffee, who appeared in 107 games with the Lightning over three seasons, chose to try greener pastures this summer as he signed a one-year deal with the Islanders. While he did not crack the opening night line-up in New York, he hasn’t let that slow him down. He debuted with a hat-trick on opening night and has added three more points (1 goal, 2 assists) since then. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him called up if the Islanders suffer some injuries, or youngsters Victor Eklund or Calum Ritchie struggle at the NHL level. The Traded Guys You didn’t think we’d forget about the two biggest names from the 2025-26 roster that went elsewhere, did you? The Lightning made a pair of deals this summer, both with the Toronto Maple Leafs. That makes things pretty convenient for the video crew as they can whip up the tribute videos for the same game. Nick Paul – Toronto Maple Leafs, traded for Dennis Hildeby, a 2027 fourth-round pick, and a 2028 third-round pick 9 games, 1 goal, 3 assists, 1.75 iXG, 15:46 TOI, 41.56% Face-offs Second-line center Nick Paul? That probably wasn’t in the cards for the Maple Leafs when they acquired him, but it seems to be the role he is adopting due to the injury to John Tavares. Paul is centering Easton Cowen and Kirill Markchenko as of right now, but in typical Nick Paul fashion he has played up and down the line-up. His three assists (all at even-strength) have been to three different goal-scorers (Colton Sissons, Nick Blankenburg, and William Nylander). He’s also been killing penalties, but after starting the season on the power play, hasn’t seen any time with either the first or second unit in the last few games. Darren Raddysh – Toronto Maple Leafs, traded for a 2026 fifth-round pick after signing eight-year extension 9 games, 0 goals, 4 assists, 1.22 iXG, 23:54 TOI. 47 shot attempts It hasn’t been the smoothest transition for Darren Raddysh after signing his big contract and getting traded to his home-town Maple Leafs. Despite logging the most minutes out of any Toronto player, he has just four points (all assists) and only two on the power play. The good news for Leafs fans is that two of those assists have come in the last three games, and Raddysh hasn’t shied away from shooting the puck as he’s launched 47 attempts from the blue line. With an injury to Chris Tanev, it’s unlikely Raddysh’s ice time is going down anytime soon.