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Vladimir Sobotka Coming Back To NHL

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According to Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Dispatch, and confirmed by KHL Insider Aivis Kalniņš, Vladimir Sobotka has opted out of his deal with Avangard Omsk of the KHL and is headed back to North America.  Sobotka originally signed a three-year deal for $4MM per season after leaving the NHL in 2014, but after a dispute with his Russian club, has decided to opt out and return to the NHL.

Because he was signed to a $2.725MM contract through arbitration before he left for Russia, the 28-year old winger will have to fulfill that contract before hitting the NHL free agent market. One season for the Blues would be a big help for a team set to lose captain David Backes along with wingers Troy Brouwer and Steve Ott.

Sobotka had 24 points in his final season before departing for the KHL and has never found much scoring success in the NHL. He found some in KHL however, where last season he scored 18 goals in just 44 games.  Time will tell whether he will be able to replicate that in the different NHL game.

Top Draft Prospects: Patrik Laine

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The NHL draft is now less than a week away with the first round set for this Friday.  Over the next several days, we will be taking a closer look at the prospects who will hear their name called early on Friday night.

Next up is potentially the top goal scoring threat in the draft, Patrik Laine.

Bio

Position: Right Wing
Birthdate: April 19, 1998
Hometown: Tampere, Finland
Height: 6’3.75”
Weight: 201 lbs

2015-16

Laine was one of the go-to scorers on a deep Tappara team during the regular season (17 goals in 46 games); his 33 points was good for 37th overall in league scoring – no small feat for a 17 year old.  He then found another gear in the postseason, adding ten more goals in 15 games to lead all postseason players in scoring, earning himself MVP honors in the process.

Laine suited up at the World Juniors where he finished third in tournament scoring (behind teammates Jesse Puljujarvi and Sebastian Aho), notching 13 points in just seven games.  On top of that, he also represented Finland at the World Championships where he led the team in scoring (12 points in 10 games) and made it to the tournament All-Star team.

Statistics

Tappara: 46 GP, 17 goals, 16 assists, 33 points, 6 PIMS, +6 rating
WJC’s: 7 GP, 7 goals, 6 assists, 13 points, 6 PIMS, +8 rating
Worlds: 10 GP, 7 goals, 5 assists, 12 points, 4 PIMS, 4 rating

Scouting Report

Laine is the best pure goal scorer in the draft.  He has a bullet for a slap shot, a lethal one-timer, and a quick, accurate wrister.  That type of shooting versatility will give NHL goalies fits for a long time.  On top of that, he’s a quality skater whose stride when in motion allows him to beat his defenders to the wide side.  His first stride needs some work but improved during the season.

Overall offensively, Laine is more of a scorer than a playmaker but he’s comfortable with the puck on his stick and has a good feel for passing.  He has a tendency to get a little too cute in terms of his stickhandling and will slow down his stride to do so but those are correctable as he continues to develop.

Defensively, Laine isn’t a liability as he’s comfortable battling around the boards, knows how to play the passing lanes, and will lay out to block shots.  He improved considerably in his own end this past year and should continue to improve as he gets more comfortable with the physical side of the game as he learns to deal with bigger, stronger opponents.

Projected Future Role

Top line scoring winger.

NHL Timeline

Laine is capable of stepping into an NHL lineup as soon as next season and should play in a top six role right away.  He should contend for the league lead in rookie scoring in 2016-17.

Week In Review: 6/12/16 – 6/18/16

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Here’s a look back at the past week at PHR.

Expansion

  • Las Vegas – expected to join the league in 2017-18 (Link)

Trades

  • Coyotes – Acquired the negotiating rights to D Alex Goligoski from Dallas in exchange for a 2016 5th round pick. (Link)
  • Hurricanes – Acquired F Bryan Bickell and F Teuvo Teravainen from Chicago in exchange for a 2016 2nd round pick and a 2017 3rd round pick. (Link)

Head Coach Hirings

  • Blues – Mike Yeo – effective starting in 2017-18 (Link)
  • Ducks – Randy Carlyle (Link)
  • Flames – Glen Gulutzan (Link)

Buyouts

Re-Signings

Prospect Signings

Retirements

Free Agent Focus: New Jersey Devils

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The first post-Lou Lamoriello year didn’t go as well as many fans in New Jersey would have hoped as the team missed the postseason by a dozen points.  GM Ray Shero has some work to do to if he wants to turn this roster into a playoff contender for next season.  Here is a look at their free agent situation.

Key Restricted Free Agents: Kyle Palmieri was a major bright spot for the Devils after being acquired at the 2015 draft from Anaheim.  The 25 year old winger posted a career best 57 points (his previous high was 31) while adding 30 goals, leading the team in both of those categories.  Palmieri earned just $1.6MM and could potentially triple that on a long-term deal.

Blueliner Jon Merrill is coming off his entry-level contract and has spent the last two years strictly in the NHL.  However, various injuries (including shoulder surgery back in March) limited him to 47 games last year.  Merrill is a candidate to move into a top-4 role for 2016-17 but may have to settle for a one year pact, allowing the team to evaluate how his shoulder heals and he how he fares in a bigger role.

Other RFA’s: F Reid Boucher, F Jacob Josefson, F Sergei Kalinin, F Devante Smith-Pelly

Key Unrestricted Free Agents: Patrik Elias missed most of last season with knee problems (and underwent surgery again back in May) but still managed to pick up eight points in 16 games, a similar points-per-game mark as 2014-15.  The 40 year old forward is clearly on the downswing of his career but still has the potential to be a second liner moving forward if he’s fully healthy.

David Schlemko was largely an unnoticed pick up for New Jersey last offseason but he wound up playing an important role for them, averaging 18:38 per game, good for fourth amongst Devils defensemen.  He also picked up a career high in points with 17 in 67 games.  Schlemko made just $625,000 last year but should be poised to receive a decent raise in free agency.

Other UFA’s: F Bobby Farnham, F Stephen Gionta, F Tyler Kennedy, F Tuomo Ruutu, F Jiri Tlusty, F Jordin Tootoo, D David Warsofsky

Cap Situation: The Devils find themselves with over $25MM in projected cap space, according to Cap Friendly.  They have 6-7 roster spots to fill but New Jersey is not typically a spend-to-the-max team so while they have a lot of cap space, their actual budget room is likely considerably lower.

Buyout Candidates: Higgins, Nystrom, Vanek

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The NHL buyout window is now open but so far only two players have been added to the pending free agent market, Jared Cowen and R.J. Umberger, formerly of Toronto and Philadelphia respectively.  As we get closer to the June 30th deadline, several more will join them.  Here are a trio of players that are prime candidates to receive a buyout:

Chris Higgins (Vancouver): Higgins had a disastrous year with the Canucks.  He followed up a 36 point campaign in 2014-15 with just three goals and an assist in 33 games last year before clearing waivers and being demoted to the American Hockey League.  He fared a bit better down there, collecting 13 points in 22 contests but that still comes nowhere close to justifying a $2.5MM contract.  Vancouver would only receive $950,000 in cap savings if they were to bury his contract in the minors again next season but would save over $1.6MM this season if they buy him out.  Of course, they’d be saddled with a small cap charge in 2017-18 as well.

Buyout Cap Charges: $833,333 in both 2016-17 and 2017-18.

Eric Nystrom (Nashville): Predators GM David Poile has already acknowledged that a buyout is possible for the 33 year old winger if they can’t find a trade for him in the coming days.  Nystrom has scored just seven goals in each of the last two seasons (after scoring 15 in his first year with Nashville) and is entering the final year of a four year deal signed back in 2013.  If he is bought out, he could still potentially catch on in a fourth line/depth role with another team but it would be at a considerable pay cut from the $3MM in salary (and $2.5MM cap hit) he’s owed for 2016-17.

Buyout Cap Charges: $500,000 in 2016-17 and $1MM in 2017-18.  This is due to the back loading of salary in his contract.

Thomas Vanek (Minnesota): Vanek had a down year by his standards last season, picking up 41 points in 74 games with the Wild, equalling the lowest output of his career (he previously had 41 points in 2012-13 but played just 38 games that year).  He’s owed $7.5MM in salary with a $6.5MM cap charge for 2016-17, a sum that could be deemed too pricey, especially if GM Chuck Fletcher has eyes on making an impact signing in free agency.  Minnesota is fairly tight to the cap and has several important restricted free agents which makes Vanek a candidate to fall victim to their cap situation.

Buyout Cap Charges: $1.5MM in 2016-17 and $2.5MM in 2017-18.  This is due to the back loading of salary in his contract.

Top Draft Prospects: Auston Matthews

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The NHL draft is now less than a week away with the first round set for this Friday.  Over the next several days, we will be taking a closer look at the prospects who will hear their name called early on Friday night.

We start with the consensus #1 pick, Auston Matthews.

Bio

Position: Center
Birthdate: September 17, 1997
Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona
Height: 6’2.25”
Weight: 216 lbs

2015-16

Matthews shocked the hockey world by opting to spurn offers from both the junior and collegiate levels, deciding to turn pro and sign with the Zurich Lions of the Swiss NLA instead.  It’s hard to argue he made the wrong decision as he finished in the top-10 in league scoring (and second in team scoring) despite missing time due to injury.

He was also busy internationally, representing the US in a pair of tournaments.  Matthews was an alternate captain at the World Junior Championships and tied for the team lead in scoring while being named to the tournament All-Star Team.  He also suited up at the World Championships last month where he once again tied for the team lead in points.

Statistics

Zurich: 36 GP, 24 goals, 22 assists, 46 points, 6 PIMS, +16 rating
WJC’s: 7 GP, 7 goals, 4 assists, 11 points, 2 PIMS, +6 rating
Worlds: 10 GP, 6 goals, 3 assists, 9 points, 2 PIMS, even rating

Scouting Report

Very few players are the ‘complete package’ coming into the draft but Matthews is one of those exceptions, especially after really improving his defensive game playing under Marc Crawford (now the Associate Coach with Ottawa) with Zurich.  He has the speed to outrace his opponents plus the size and strength to muscle himself away in tight corners.

Offensively, Matthews can do it all.  He’s a gifted passer and sees the ice well, he can play well in transition or cycling along the boards, and he has an elite, powerful shot that he needs very little time to get off.  One area that he will need to improve on is a tendency to be too creative.  That’s not unique to high-level teenage talents though and is something that will be refined and improved on in the NHL.

In his own end, Matthews doesn’t cheat and look to fly the zone early; instead, he’s one of the first ones back and doesn’t leave until his team is in possession of the puck.  He also has made strides defending one-on-one and is now more than capable of handling himself against most opposing forwards.  He may struggle a bit early on against some of the bigger power forwards in the NHL but that shouldn’t hinder him for too long.

Projected Future Role

Franchise center capable of playing in any situation.

NHL Timeline

Not many players from this draft will make the jump to the NHL right away but Matthews will be one who steps in and makes an impact right away.  He may not start out as a #1 center day one (starting on the second line seems more likely as he’s eased into playing at a new level) but it shouldn’t be long before he ascends into that role.  He’ll be heard from quickly in the NHL.

Snapshots: Puljujarvi, Lalonde, Backes

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With the Entry Draft getting closer and closer, there has been lots of chatter over who will go after Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine go in the top two selections. The expected #3 pick, Jesse Puljujarvi hasn’t exactly helped his stock as Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch reported yesterday that the Finnish winger underwent knee surgery after winning gold at the World U-18’s in April. He will be missing all the summer development camps, but should be ready for the regular season. While Columbus wonders what to do with the third overall pick, here’s more from around the league:

  • Up-and-coming coaching prospect Derek Lalonde has been hired on as the newest head coach of the Iowa Wild, reports Jeff Cox of ESPN. Lalonde previously coached in both the USHL and ECHL and is considered by many to be a coach on the rise. The Wild, who finished last in the AHL last season were coached by John Torchetti until he moved up to Minnesota after the mid-season firing of Mike Yeo.
  • Although they’d be open to a return, it sounds like the St. Louis Blues will not be re-signing captain David Backes.  When asked by Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Dispatch, GM Doug Armstrong related as much: “I think the unrestricted guys will most likely hit the open market. We’d like to have David back…but it has to work for both sides, not just one. We’re willing to invest a little bit of ’thank you’ money, but it has to make sense.”

Chicago Blackhawks Sign Nick Schmaltz

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UPDATE 5:00 PM CST: The Blackhawks have offically announced the signing.

1:17 PM CST: Hine updates, saying that the Teravainen deal helped push Schmaltz from North Dakota. More minutes available for the similarly built player.

12:42 PM CST: Chris Hine of the Chicago Tribune adds that it’s a three-year entry level deal for Schmaltz.

10:53 AM CST: According to Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports, the Chicago Blackhawks have signed North Dakota forward Nick Schmaltz. Schmaltz was drafted by the Hawks 20th overall in 2014, but took his talents to the NCAA where he has excelled.

In two seasons at North Dakota, Schmaltz put up 72 points in 75 games, including a whopping 46 (11-35) this season. The Fighting Hawks won the National Championship this season, out-dueling Quinnipiac in the final Frozen Four game 5-1.

The 20-year old Schmaltz will now move into a competition up front for the Blackhawks, who recently sent out Teuvo Teravainen and Bryan Bickell and have a number of pending unrestricted free agents. Chicago continues to fill their ranks with talented youngsters, despite losing many excellent players in cap-crunches over the past few years.

Free Agent Focus: Ottawa Senators

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After a season in 2014-15 that saw the Ottawa Senators put up 99 points and make the playoffs, last year was a big disappointment. Despite having a legitimate superstar in Erik Karlsson on the blueline, Ottawa went just 38-35-9 and missed the playoffs by 8 points. Karlsson put up 82 points and is a candidate to win his third Norris trophy, and would hide a lot of flaws on any team with his exceptional possession and offensive numbers.

With a very young roster, the team is another cap-floor team like Carolina (which we profiled earlier today) and won’t spend anywhere near the $71MM cap. They do however have some important names to re-sign if they want to build this core together. Here’s a look at their upcoming offseason:

Key Restricted Free Agent: LW Mike Hoffman – Following Hoffman’s breakout 2014-15 season where he scored 27 goals, the former 5th round pick improved in almost every category this season.  Racking up 29 goals and 59 points, the 6’1″ winger moved to a spot on the top line and flourished in his new role, averaging almost 18 minutes a night.

Hoffman will turn 27 next season and will be looking for a long-term deal with the Senators this summer; paid $2MM last season, he’s earned a much bigger deal this time around.  If the Senators aren’t willing to commit long-term to the Kitchener, Ontario native, Hoffman could sign a one-year deal and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. If he could hit that 30-goal mark in 2016-17, he’d be in for a huge payday.

Other RFAs: C Ryan Dzingel, RW Alex Chiasson, RW Buddy Robinson, LW Matt Puempel, D Fredrik Claesson, D Cody Ceci, D Patrick Wiercioch

Key Unrestricted Free Agent: None. The Senators only have two players hitting UFA status this summer, and both Scott Gomez and Mike Kostka are insignificant to their future plans.  The 36-year old Gomez hasn’t been an effective NHL player in years, and Kostka is a minor-league journeyman who has never had NHL success.

Projected Cap Space: $17.5MM, 18 players under contract.

The blockbuster deal to bring over Dion Phaneuf from the Toronto Maple Leafs last season made a huge impact on the Sens’ salary structure going forward, inducing a cap hit of $7MM a season for the next five. Fortunately for Ottawa, Phaneuf’s deal was front-loaded and they’ll only be paying him $5.5MM in his age-35 season, despite the big cap hit.

It’s the NMC in his deal that may be troublesome for the Senators, as he’ll have automatic protection in next year’s expansion draft.  With Karlsson obviously also needing it, the Senators will only have one more defenceman protection slot to use on their other young blueliners.

Overall, the team is in good shape going forward without many anchoring contracts, and a large crop of young players.  They’ll try to get back to the playoffs this season, and may sign a veteran or two to help lead the group there.

Pavel Datsyuk Signs With SKA

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After officially announcing his retirement yesterday, Pavel Datsyuk has signed on with SKA Saint Petersberg of the KHL for $4.8MM.  After breaking the dollar amount in early June, KHL insider Aivis Kalniņš now tweets out that it’s a done deal.

Terms of the deal haven’t been announced, but many have thought that SKA would offer an open-ended deal to one of the country’s most storied athletes. Datsyuk is returning home to be closer to his daughter and to play out the rest of his career after an exceptional stay in the NHL.

A veteran of 953 NHL games, Datsyuk scored 314 goals and racked up 918 points as one of the most exciting players in the game.  He helped the team to two Stanley Cups and never missed the playoffs in his 14-year career.

He’ll now be joining a team that has many former NHL players, including Ilya Kovalchuk, Alexei Ponikarovsky and Dmitri Kalinin. The SKA squad were the 2014-15 champions, and lost in the third round this past season.

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