Three PTOs With Best Chances Of Signing
Like the tide, every preseason brings in a wash of unsigned free agents, players making NHL comebacks, and veterans fighting for one last contract. And like the tide, when training camp ends few PTOs remain on the proverbial beach. This year at least 25 players have agreed to attend NHL training camps on a professional tryout basis, but only a few will secure an NHL contract. Last year over 90 players tried out for NHL teams and only 14 players ended up signing contracts.
Last season the Boston Bruins invited Lee Stempniak to training camp and he played well enough to garner a $850K contract. He drastically exceeded expectations, and now boasts a two-year, $5MM contract with the Hurricanes. Who are this year’s potential Stempniaks? We look at three players who are front-runners for contracts this season.
Kris Versteeg is an interesting case. Earlier this summer the flashy Canadian winger eschewed NHL offers for more money in Switzerland. Yet, days before training camp started overseas, Versteeg and SC Bern parted ways over lingering hip issues which prevented Versteeg from passing physicals and obtaining medical insurance. Within days, however, Versteeg secured a PTO with the Edmonton Oilers in his home province of Alberta.
Versteeg has the most potential out of all the PTOs this year, scoring 15G and 23A in 77 games last season with both the Carolina Hurricanes and the Los Angeles Kings. He flourished with the Chicago Blackhawks in their 2010 Stanley Cup run, but hip issues have sidelined Versteeg throughout the remainder of his career. And therein lines the biggest variable: is Versteeg healthy enough to help an NHL team? It’s his health rather than his skill that leaves NHL teams wanting, and any contract is going to hinge on Versteeg passing physicals.
Superficially, Brandon Prust looks like a gritty veteran on the decline—someone who lost a step in the last few years. His numbers seem to indicate the same as he scored only 1G and 6A in 35 games with the Vancouver Canucks. But what Prust lacks in production he makes up for in hard-nosed play. That is what garnered his previous four-year, $10MM contract with Montreal, and while that may have been an overpayment for what Prust brings, Toronto thinks he still has those talents.
A contract for Prust will hinge on his work ethic and gritty play. GM Lou Lamoriello is an old-school manager, and most old-school managers like to have veterans to mentor younger players in their development. Toronto is chock full of younger players, with 1st overall pick Auston Matthews set to make his debut alongside Mitch Marner and William Nylander. Toronto already signed Matt Martin, and if the team feels that they need a similar player, Prust will get his contract.
Tom McCollum is an odd choice here because perennial AHL goalies do not usually receive NHL contracts. McCollum, however, isn’t just any AHL goalie, and the Los Angeles Kings aren’t any NHL team. McCollum, a Detroit Red Wings prospect, flourished in the AHL, posting a 2.42GAA and a .923SV%. He has been the model of consistency for the Grand Rapids Griffins over the past few years. His lack of NHL opportunity comes as no fault of his own, but rather the logjam of goalies in Detroit with Petr Mrazek and Jimmy Howard.
The L.A. Kings, on the other hand, suffer from a dearth of goaltending. Known for years as a goalie hotbed, little remains behind starter Jonathan Quick this season. The Kings signed Jeff Zatkoff this summer, but Zatkoff did not perform well in Pittsburgh when given the chance. Outside of Zatkoff, the Kings’ cupboard is bare. Jack Campbell and Peter Budaj remain, but neither have shown promise. If McCollum performs well this pre-season, expect the Kings to sign him to an AHL contract as an insurance policy for Jeff Zatkoff.
Snapshots: Team North America, Kaleta
News and notes from around the NHL this morning:
- Team North America announced the lineup for its second World Cup of Hockey exhibition matchup against Team Europe today. According to Sportsnet’s Mark Spector, Todd McLellan decided to sit Jacob Trouba, J.T. Miller, and Matt Murray. Murray sitting means that John Gibson is set to play the full game. Healthy scratches in this format do not imply injuries—ESPN’s Craig Custance says JT Miller is completely healthy—but rather chances for coaches to see other fringe players in action. Last night Canada held out Sidney Crosby in its matchup with Team USA simply because the coaching staff knew what he could do, and wanted to see other players in action. For Team North America, this means both Dylan Larkin and Colton Parayko will get an opportunity to showcase their skills.
- Patrick Kaleta spoke to the Buffalo News this week about his attempt to make an NHL comeback. Kaleta does not have a contract this season, but is working out in Buffalo with former teammates in an effort to reattain his former level of play. Kaleta is hoping to receive a PTO from a team this year, but expressed that he does not want to toil in the AHL again this season. Last year Kaleta tried out for the Buffalo Sabres in training camp before a groin injury cut his attempts short. He played only 26 games for the Rochester Americans—Buffalo’s AHL affiliate—due to injury and limited playing opportunities. The Buffalo native embodied the enforcer role during his NHL stint with the Sabres over nine years, never scoring more than 15 points in a season. In his last season with the big club he netter only 3A in 42 games. Look for Kaleta to garner a PTO from the Buffalo Sabres, if only because of his previous service to the club.
Can’t Miss Games Of The 2016-17 Season: March and April
The start of the NHL regular season may be a month away with the World Cup of Hockey and preseason still to come, but it’s never too early to get excited for the best slate of games the NHL has to offer this season. Here are the can’t miss-games for the stretch run:
March 2nd – Nashville Predators vs. Montreal Canadiens
Will any game this season get more hype from the Canadian hockey media than P.K. Subban‘s return to Montreal? Doubtful. The affects of the blockbuster that swapped Subban for Shea Weber will have been well-documented by this point in the season, but that won’t stop this game from being a must-see due to the massive media coverage and potential for drama. Also, while the Predators and Canadiens are good teams, neither is assured a playoff spot this season, and a win could go a long way at this point in the season. This will be a hard-fought battle.
March 22nd – New York Islanders vs. New York Rangers
The cross-town foes face off for the final time in the regular season, as the Rangers host the Isles at Madison Square Garden. This rivalry has really heated up in recent years, and 2016-17 should be more of the same. With play-off implications, a whole season’s worth of rivalry repercussions to wrap up, and the spotlight of NYC sports fans without football and baseball, the final battle for New York promises to deliver.
April 9th – New Jersey Devils vs. Detroit Red Wings
On the final day of the regular season, the Red Wings and their fans will say goodbye to the legendary Joe Louis Arena, as they move to a new building for 2017-18 and beyond. An organization that has had so much success will have many fond memories to recall of the old rink and celebrations will certainly be in order. That is, unless the last game at the Joe is also the last game of the Red Wings season…
April 9th – Los Angeles Kings vs. Anaheim Ducks
Later that night, the NHL caps off another regular season with a SoCal rivalry game. The Kings and Ducks, along with the Sharks, have turned the West Coast into hockey country, and a final chance at re-sorting the playoff picture with a fight between two great teams and bitter rivals was excellent scheduling. The playoffs might be just around the corner, but for a preview of playoff intensity, tune in to this one.
Can’t Miss Games Of The 2016-17 Season: January and February
The start of the NHL regular season may be a month away with the World Cup of Hockey and preseason still to come, but it’s never too early to get excited for the best slate of games the NHL has to offer this season. Here are the can’t miss-games for the start of the new year:
January 1st – Detroit Red Wings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
An Original Six battle AND it’s outdoors. That’s what the NHL is bringing fans with the Centennial Classic, kicking off the 100th season of the league. The Atlantic Division foes will take the ice at BMO Field on New Year’s Day, as Mike Babcock takes on his former team, who will be marching towards their 26th straight playoff appearance.
January 2nd – Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues
The Winter Classic gets bumped to the next day, as the St. Louis Blues will host an outdoor game against the rival Chicago Blackhawks. While tight playoff races will still be months away, the first battle between Central Division contenders in the new year could have a lasting affect on their postseason chances. This is one you don’t want to miss.
January 12th – New Jersey Devils vs. Edmonton Oilers
In one of this summer’s biggest moves, the Oilers traded franchise cornerstone Taylor Hall to the Devils in exchange for defenseman Adam Larsson. What will happen when the former face of the franchise returns to Edmonton? If the teams’ performances to this point haven’t pointed to a winner in the deal, then this game should give everyone a good idea.
February 25th – Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Yet another outdoor contest, the Penguins and Flyers, perhaps the best rivalry in hockey right now, square off at Heinz Field in an epic showdown. With more than just a win on the line, prepare for a big-time battle between two talented teams. An added bonus: the trade deadline will be just days away, adding more pressure to the result of the game if one (or both) of these teams find themselves on the buyer-seller line this season.
Can’t Miss Games Of The 2016-17 Season: November and December
The start of the NHL regular season may be a month away with the World Cup of Hockey and preseason still to come, but it’s never too early to get excited for the best slate of games the NHL has to offer this season. Here are the can’t miss-games of the holidays:
November 1st – St. Louis Blues vs. New York Rangers
The trade chatter surrounding a Rick Nash – Kevin Shattenkirk swap has not gone away, and should these two teams get off to a slow start in the first month of the season, this game could act as the final tryout before they pull the trigger. Even if the trade never happens, it’s still a battle between one of the best from each conference to kick off the month.
November 24th – Boston Bruins vs. Ottawa Senators
Hockey may not be able to take Thanksgiving away from football, but they’re doing their best with this match-up. Not only is Boston not far from the location of the first Thanksgiving, but they’re a team on a mission after missing the playoffs in back-to-back years. A rivalry game against the Senators should make for some great holiday hockey.
December 23rd – Los Angeles Kings vs. Dallas Stars
The NHL might freeze trades over the holidays and take a break around Christmas, but a Friday night face-off between two Western Conference titans is a great way to start off the holiday weekend.
Can’t-Miss Games Of The 2016-17 NHL Season: October
The start of the NHL regular season may be a month away with the World Cup of Hockey and preseason still to come, but it’s never too early to get excited for the best slate of games the NHL has to offer this season. Here are the can’t miss-games of October:
Oct. 12th – Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators
The puck drops on a new NHL season at 7pm ET in the Canadian capital, as the Sens host the Leafs in a rivalry match-up. With #1 overall pick Auston Matthews and newly acquired keeper Frederik Andersen expected to be among many new faces in the Toronto lineup, the Leafs will have a clean slate as they start the year off against old friend Dion Phaneuf and an Ottawa team looking to get back to the playoffs.
Oct. 12th – Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers
Later that night, the Oilers will open the brand new Rogers Place for it’s first NHL regular-season game, as they welcome their Alberta rivals. Edmonton will definitely be curious to see if the newly-acquired Adam Larsson can help to slow down the Flames’ dynamic duo of Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. Leaving behind Rexall Place and the many memories (though few good ones in recent years) they had there, the Oilers will look to start the season off on the right foot in a new building, while Calgary hopes to play spoiler.
October 13th – Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
The home opener for the 2015-16 Stanley Cup champs comes against none other than the 2015-16 President’s Trophy winners, as fans are treated to a battle of talent and intensity between two fierce rivals on just Day 2 of the NHL season. Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin will each look to start off strong and lead their teams to victory, as the Penguins begin a title defense and the Capitals begin another long march toward that elusive Stanley Cup championship.
October 20th – San Jose Sharks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins have another big game a week later, this time against their Stanley Cup competitors, the Sharks. The 2016 Stanley Cup final was one of the best in recent memory, with immense speed and talent on both sides and young goalies Martin Jones and Matt Murray standing on their heads. Though nothing can make up for falling short when it mattered most, you can bet that captain Joe Pavelski and the Sharks will be fired up for some revenge in this game.
October 23rd – Edmonton Oilers vs. Winnipeg Jets
The Jets will get their first taste of outdoor hockey, as they square off against the Oilers in the Heritage Classic. Investors Group Field in Winnipeg, home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League, will host the game as these two Canadian teams look to battle it out, and at least put on a better show than the much talked-about Alumni Game.
Tavares Unlikely To Leave Islanders
ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that upon his arrival in Toronto for the World Cup of Hockey, the rumors of 2018 free agent John Tavares signing with his home-town Toronto Maple Leafs one day have again some to the surface. As they have so many time before, the rumors of a return are being shot down. As of now, Tavares’ only plans are to remain with the New York Islanders and try to lead the team to Stanley Cup.
A 25-year-old superstar, Tavares can’t help it that he is now the center of attention for hockey’s biggest fan base. The Mississauga, Ontario native grew up in the area as a Maple Leafs fan and acknowledged that there is always pressure for top Canadian players to “come home” and play for the Leafs. As a junior hockey prodigy, whose ascension to the NHL was on a borderline-mythological level with the likes of Sidney Crosby and more recently Connor McDavid, Tavares has heard the buzz before about being Canada’s next big hockey star. He’s lived up to the hype as well, with 471 points in just 501 career NHL games.
However, dominating at the NHL level brings with it a devoted fan base and deep connection to a team and city. As LeBrun mentions, Steven Stamkos was the most recent player to pass up a role as Toronto’s prodigal son to simply stay with the team that drafted him. An established star in Tampa, Stamkos chose to take less money and continue to lead a strong Lightning squad to further success. Rather than bolting for a new opportunity close to home, Stamkos decided to repay the organization and fan base for their continued support and dedication by working toward bringing the Stanley Cup back to Tampa Bay.
It seems likely that Tavares will follow suit. His comments on the matter have always shown a deep connection to Islanders and their fans and the young star surely would like to do his best to win a Cup with the team he has come to lead. With that said, there are still almost two years remaining before Tavares truly has to make his decision. With a new ownership group, constant concerns over where the team should be playing their games, and even some speculation that the Islanders’ long-term roster outlook is not especially strong, the next two seasons will be very important for New York. They don’t need to convince Tavares to stay, but they certainly need to avoid having reasons to leave pile up. However, as of now, LeBrun and Stamkos seem convinced that Tavares wants to be an “Islander for life” and the man himself has yet to disagree. Toronto Maple Leafs fans can keep hoping, but as it stands John Tavares isn’t going anywhere.
Toronto Notes: Shanahan, Prust, Rychel
Brendan Shanahan is entering his third season as president of the Maple Leafs after spending several years in the league office. While he’s used to being in a winning environment as a player (12 straight postseason appearances to end his career and three Stanley Cups), that level of success isn’t there just yet with the Maple Leafs. Shanahan spoke with MLive’s Aaron McMann to talk about the process:
“It’s really about developing a culture. It’s something that is said a lot but much harder to do than to say. We’re at the beginning of a rebuilding process, and certainly my experience early in my career in New Jersey and during the prime of my career here in Detroit when we won those championships, is something I’ve leaned on.”
Toronto finished dead last in 2015-16 and weren’t much better the year before, finishing 15th of 16 teams in the Eastern Conference. However, they have assembled a promising collection of youngsters in 2016 first overall selection Auston Matthews plus recent top picks in Mitch Marner and William Nylander while going out and adding Frederik Andersen from Anaheim, giving them a quality starting goaltender. As a result, it’s likely that they will start to make their move up the standings this coming season.
More out of Toronto:
- Left winger Brandon Prust says his ankle is “back to normal” after being shut down in March to focus on rehab, writes TSN’s Kristen Shilton. Prust will be attending training camp with the Leafs with the hopes of earning a spot on the roster to help protect what should be a very young lineup. However, the team also added Matt Martin in free agency to play that type of role so Prust will be in tough to earn a spot on the roster.
- After asking to be traded by Columbus back in September of last season, left winger Kerby Rychel is excited for a new opportunity after the Leafs acquired him back at the draft, notes Mark Zwolinski of the Toronto Star. Despite Toronto’s surplus of young players, Rychel believes that will benefit him, even if it makes his push for a roster spot more difficult. The 21 year old played in 32 games last season collecting just nine points but is just three years removed from being the 19th overall pick in the draft. On a team looking for scoring help, Rychel should be among the many youngsters to get a look in training camp.
Bruins Hope To Extend Brad Marchand By Start Of Season
The Bruins remain in discussions with left winger Brad Marchand on a long-term contract extension, reports CSN New England’s Joe Haggerty. Team president Cam Neely had the following to say about their talks:
“We’d like to get Brad signed. We’ve made that clear to him, and we’ve made that clear to his agency. I know Don has been working with their group to a get a deal done. We’d like to get something done before the start of the season.”
Marchand is coming off a career season where he recorded 37 goals and 24 assists in 77 games while averaging 18:36 per game. His goal total ranked him sixth in the league. His strong year helped earn him a spot on Team Canada at the World Cup of Hockey where he is currently slotted on the top line alongside teammate Patrice Bergeron and Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby.
Earlier this offseason, Marchand commented on negotiations and indicated that he would like to stick with the Bruins for the long term:
“It would be great to be here my whole career, and you see how rare that is nowadays. It doesn’t happen often, so that would be incredible. But a lot of things have to line up in order for that to happen not only now, but down the road. So, we’ll play it year-by-year.”
The 28 year old is entering the final season of a four year contract that carries a cap hit of $4.5MM and will pay him $5MM in salary. Needless to say, he is looking at getting a big raise on a lengthy contract.
Boston’s highest paid player in terms of AAV is David Krejci who is in the second season of a six year deal with a cap hit of $7.25MM per season. With the season Marchand just had, it wouldn’t be surprising if it takes more money than that to get a deal done. If that happens, the team would have at least four players signed for 2017-18 with a cap hit of $6.875MM or more (the others being center Patrice Bergeron and goalie Tuukka Rask).
Boston already has a little less than $54MM committed to 14 players beyond this season according to Cap Friendly so a big extension for Marchand could potentially present some challenges filling out the rest of their roster next offseason (particularly with both Ryan Spooner and David Pastrnak being restricted free agents). However, in the cap era, teams are spending more money building around their core talent and then using cheaper options to fill the final few spots on the roster which is an avenue that the Bruins would likely take if a deal gets done.
Penguins Notes: Pouliot, Dumoulin
While Pittsburgh defenseman Derrick Pouliot is hoping for a much better start to this season (including a regular spot in the lineup), that might be a tall task for him to achieve, notes Sam Werner of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pouliot went into training camp last season with the expectations that he would become a regular player but instead was cut and spent most of the year with their AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Pouliot wound up getting into just 22 regular season games with the Penguins plus a pair of postseason contests, collecting seven assists along the way. He was much more productive at the AHL level, scoring six goals and 17 assists in just 37 games.
While the departure of Ben Lovejoy to New Jersey potentially opens up a spot on their blueline, the team also brought back Justin Schultz who was acquired at the trade deadline who now figures to play a regular role. Both of those players are right hand shots while Pouliot is a lefty but the 22 year old spent time on the right side at the junior level, making him an option on both sides. When asked about possibly playing his off-side (much like Trevor Daley does), Pouliot noted that, “It’s something I’m comfortable with, and, if it’s a spot I could fit in, that’d be great.”
On his natural side, Pouliot will be looking to displace Ian Cole on the third pairing but Cole brings a physical element to the Penguins’ lineup, something that some of their other rearguards don’t bring to the table.
Further creating a challenge for Pouliot was Pittsburgh’s decision to bring in David Warsofsky, Steven Oleksy, Stuart Percy, Cameron Gaunce, and Chad Ruhwedel during free agency. All five of those players have NHL experience and could potentially push for a spot as well. On top of that, all of the newcomers are waiver eligible while Pouliot is exempt for this season so he could find himself a victim of a numbers game if one or more of those offseason additions impress in training camp.
Pouliot has long been regarded as one of Pittsburgh’s defensemen of the future but he will be in tough to secure a top six role with the team this season.
[Related: Penguins Depth Chart]
More from the Penguins:
- Defenseman Brian Dumoulin is poised to have a breakout season, writes Jason Mackey, also of the Post-Gazette. The 25 year old saw his ice time jump to over 21 minutes a game in the postseason while playing a top four role, one he is expected to reprise in 2016-17. While he didn’t score during the season last year, he picked up a pair of postseason goals including the opening tally in their Stanley Cup clinching victory over San Jose. Dumoulin is entering the final season of a two year deal that carries a cap hit of $800K and should be in line for a sizable raise on his next contract. If GM Jim Rutherford expects him to have a big season offensively, it wouldn’t be surprising if he tries to get an extension done sooner than later.