Stars Re-Sign Jordie Benn
The Dallas Stars have re-signed D Jordie Benn to a three year contract, the team announced Friday. ESPN/TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports the deal will carry a cap hit of $1.1MM.
Last season, he suited up in 64 games for the Stars, scoring three times and added nine assists while averaging 15:39 per game in ice time. He also got into one of their 13 postseason contests. Benn has spent his entire five year career with Dallas after signing as an undrafted free agent in 2011, playing in 244 games, scoring nine goals and 47 assists.
Jordie is the older brother of Jamie Benn, one of the NHL’s top scorers in recent years. It’s likely that he will reprise his role as the 6th or 7th defenseman for the Stars next season. PHR had him rated 48th on our top 50 list of unrestricted free agents.
Nathan Gerbe In Talks With Swiss Team
Pending UFA Nathan Gerbe is discussing a contract with Geneve-Servette of the Swiss NLA, reports Cyrill Pasche of Le Matin (link in French). Any deal would contain an NHL out clause if Gerbe is able to secure an NHL contract prior to July 15th. Fox Sports Midwest’s Andy Strickland reports that securing an NHL contract is still the priority for Gerbe and his representation.
Gerbe has spent the last three seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes, playing all three forward positions for them in the process. He’s most known for his small stature as at just 5’5″, Gerbe has been the smallest player in the NHL the past several years.
Last season, Gerbe suited up in just 47 games with the ‘Canes, scoring just seven points (three goals, four assists) in the process. His career numbers are better as he has posted 58 goals and 80 assists in 394 career regular season games.
Top Draft Prospects: Alexander Nylander
The NHL draft is almost upon us with the first round set to get underway at 6pm tonight. Our look at the top prospects continues with Mississauga winger Alex Nylander.
Bio
Position: Right Wing/Left Wing
Birthdate: March 2, 1998
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Height: 6’0.5”
Weight: 178 lbs
2015-16
Nylander, the brother of Toronto prospect William Nylander, made his North American debut last season with the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads. He spent a big chunk of the year as part of an all-draft eligible trio alongside Michael McLeod and Nathan Bastian. He led the Steelheads in all offensive categories and then found another gear to his game in a first round exit to the Barrie Colts, scoring six goals and six assists in just six games.
He also suited up in the World Juniors and World Under 18’s for Sweden (while he was born in Canada, he plays internationally for the Swedes where his father is from). He led the team in scoring in both tournaments.
Nylander picked up several awards with Mississauga. Not only was he the OHL’s Rookie of the Year, he was also named the CHL’s Top Rookie (the CHL is comprised of the three major junior leagues, the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL). He was also named to the OHL’s All-Rookie Team and third All-Star Team.
Statistics
OHL: 57 GP, 28 goals, 47 assists, 75 points, 18 PIMS, +8 rating
WJC’s: 7 GP, 4 goals, 5 assists, 9 points, 0 PIMS, +5 rating
U-18’s: 7 GP, 3 goals, 8 assists, 11 points, 0 PIMS, +5 rating
Scouting Report
Nylander is one of the more pure skilled players in this draft class, at least at the offensive end. He is a high end playmaker and is extremely dangerous when the puck is on his stick. On top of that, his shot is a significant weapon, making him a true dual threat in the attacking end.
Nylander’s skating is a strong asset, one that makes him that much more dangerous in the offensive zone. He also uses that to his advantage when back checking in transition in terms of knocking the puck away from opponents.
In his own zone is where Nylander struggles. He’s not the most willing to go battle for the puck and when he does, his lack of strength can be an issue at times. He showed improvement throughout the year but in terms of making the right reads defensively but considerable work still needs to be done in that regard.
Projected Future Role
Top line winger.
NHL Timeline
Offensively, he’s close to being NHL ready. However, he still needs to build some strength while his defensive play isn’t good enough for the pros. He’s at least two years away and could be three or four depending on how quickly or slowly he improves in his own end.
Previous Profiles
Auston Matthews
Patrik Laine
Jesse Puljujarvi
Matthew Tkachuk
Pierre-Luc Dubois
Mikhail Sergachev
Olli Juolevi
Minor Transactions: 6/24/16
Here is where we’ll keep track of today’s minor signings.
- The Colorado Avalanche announced that they have re-signed F Andreas Martinsen to a one year contract. Terry Frei of the Denver Post reports it’s worth $640,000. The 26 year old made his NHL debut in 2015-16, suiting up in 55 games for the Avs, collecting four goals and seven assists and should once again battle for a fourth line spot in 2016-17.
- Tampa Bay announced the re-signing of D Luke Witkowski to a one year, two-way deal. Financial terms were not released. Witkowski played in four games with the Lightning last season, being held off the scoresheet. He also added 14 points in 70 AHL contests. Witkowski has a total of 20 career NHL games under his belt, all with Tampa Bay.
Snapshots: Stamkos, Shattenkirk, Bruins, Canucks, Coyotes, Datsyuk
Saturday is shaping up to be an important day in the Steven Stamkos saga, writes TSN’s Frank Seravelli. The interview period with pending unrestricted free agents kicks off on Saturday, meaning that the Lightning have less than 48 hours left of exclusive negotiating rights with their captain. As a result, GM Steve Yzerman may have to deliver his best offer to Stamkos by Friday before other teams have an opportunity to make their pitch.
Other news and notes around the league:
- The market for St. Louis D Kevin Shattenkirk is starting to head up. Seravelli writes that the Blues would be willing to allow teams to talk extension with him but that they need a trade partner first. Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch adds that while there are a lot of teams interested, no extension talks have been held. Shattenkirk has one year left on his contract at $4.25MM and will be an unrestricted free agent after.
- The Bruins are likely to take one more stab at re-signing pending UFA Loui Eriksson, reports WEEI’s DJ Bean. Boston has been unwilling at this point to go beyond a four year contract to get a deal done. Bean adds that the team has held talks with W Lee Stempniak and D John-Michael Liles but will not bring back D Zach Trotman or G Jonas Gustavsson.
- Vancouver GM Jim Benning met with the media Thursday. He noted (and the team tweeted) that the Canucks will not re-sign pending UFA W Radim Vrbata and defensemen Matt Bartkowski and Yannick Weber.
- The Arizona Coyotes have selected a new arena site and are working through the legal documentation, reports AZ Central’s Craig Morgan. Their lease with the City of Glendale expires following the 2016-17 and the management contract for the Gila River Arena was taken away from the team and awarded to AEG back in April.
- Several teams have been in discussions with Detroit regarding Pavel Datsyuk‘s contract, according to ESPN’s Craig Custance. There is an opportunity to expand the market to more teams if the Wings are willing to retain part of his $7.5MM cap hit but Custance notes that they don’t have much of an appetite to do so.
Flyers Extend Radko Gudas
The Philadelphia Flyers have signed D Radko Gudas to a multi-year contract extension, the team announced. TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports that it’s a four year deal while Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston adds the cap hit is $3.35M. He was one year away from being eligible for unrestricted free agency.
Gudas played in 76 games with the Flyers last year, collecting five goals and nine assists while adding 116 PIMS and 304 hits (second most in the NHL). He also logged an average of 19:50 per game. In his career, the 26 year old has suited up in 202 games split between Tampa Bay and Philadelphia, scoring 12 goals and 34 assists while adding 340 PIMS.
Gudas was originally a third round pick of the Lightning back in 2010 and was dealt to the Flyers as part of the Braydon Coburn trade back in 2015. He will likely be a top four blueliner for Philadelphia heading into 2016-17.
Top Draft Prospects: Olli Juolevi
The NHL draft is now less than 24 hours away with the first round set for Friday night. Our look at the top prospects continues with London defenceman Olli Juolevi.
Bio
Position: Defense
Birthdate: May 5, 1998
Hometown: Helsinki, Finland
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 182 lbs
2015-16
Juolevi completed his first year in North America this past season after the Knights selected him in the first round of the CHL Import Draft. He made an immediate impact and it wasn’t long before he became their go-to player in all situations. He wound up leading all London blueliners in points, finishing tied for 13th overall among all OHL defenders.
Like several top prospects in this class, Juolevi suited up at the World Juniors for his native Finland, tying for the tournament lead in points by a defenseman while playing as their #1 rearguard. He was also named to the tournament All-Star team.
As a result of the Knights winning the OHL title, Juolevi also suited up in the Memorial Cup where his team took home the title. Similar to the WJC’s, he also led all defensemen in scoring in that tournament as well while being named to that tournament All-Star team.
Statistics
OHL: 57 GP, 9 goals, 33 assists, 42 points, 16 PIMS, +38 rating
WJC: 7 GP, 0 goals, 9 assists, 9 points, 4 PIMS, +6 rating
Memorial Cup: 4 GP, 0 goals, 7 assists, 7 points, 4 PIMS, +6 rating
Scouting Report
There’s a strong case to be made that Juolevi is the most well-rounded blueliner in the draft. He’s not elite at any particular skill but there are next to no holes in his game either.
Offensively, he is a playmaker first and foremost. He sees the ice extremely well and does a fine job at getting the puck to the right place at the right time. His shot isn’t the most powerful but is effective due to its accuracy. Juolevi is also a very strong skater and uses that to help kick start a rush or to skate himself out of trouble effectively.
On the defensive side of things, Juolevi made big strides compared to the beginning of the season but his decision making and positioning are areas that still need to improve. He also isn’t the strongest of players which doesn’t help in his own zone. He isn’t a big risk taker which helps mitigates some of his weaknesses but safe and smart decision making is something that’s always an asset to NHL GM’s.
Projected Future Role
If his defensive game improves as expected, Juolevi should be a top pairing defenseman down the road.
NHL Timeline
Some of the players in this draft are NHL ready or close to it but Juolevi isn’t one of those players. He needs to bulk up and continue to hone his in-zone play. He’s likely at least two years away from stepping in; three would seem most likely as not many blueliners step into an NHL lineup straight out of junior.
Previous Profiles
Auston Matthews
Patrik Laine
Jesse Puljujarvi
Matthew Tkachuk
Pierre-Luc Dubois
Mikhail Sergachev
Latest On Vanek, Wild
The Minnesota Wild appear to be leaning towards buying out winger Thomas Vanek. TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports that the probability of buying him out over the next couple of days is quite high although nothing has been formalized as of yet.
Vanek struggled in 2015-16, his second year with the Wild. He had just 41 points in 74 games last year, equalling the lowest output of his career (he also had 41 points in 2012-13 but played just 38 games that year). Vanek is owed $7.5MM in salary for 2016-17 with a cap hit of $6.5MM.
If he is bought out, the Wild would have to pay him $5MM over the next two years while carrying cap charges of $1.5MM next season and $2.5MM in 2017-18. The Wild have just over $9MM in cap space according to Cap Friendly and have several restricted free agents to re-sign.
In other Wild news:
- Michael Russo of the Star Tribute reports that GM Chuck Fletcher has been involved in contract talks with pending RFA’s Tyler Graovac and Jason Zucker. He adds that the team intends to sign a veteran goaltender with NHL experience to a two-way deal to start with their AHL affiliate in Iowa.
- Also from McKenzie, the Wild are fielding offers for some of their young defensemen. He suggests a trade of one of their blueliners for a forward is a possibility but isn’t guaranteed.
Sabres, Ducks Discussing Cam Fowler
The Anaheim Ducks and Buffalo Sabres are engaged in trade talks surrounding Cam Fowler, reports Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News. Their GM’s are scheduled to meet on Friday to continue discussions. ESPN/TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports he could potentially move within the next 24-48 hours.
The 24 year old Fowler has spent his entire six year career with the Ducks after being their first round pick (12th overall) back in 2010. Last season, he played in 69 games with Anaheim, scoring five goals while adding 23 assists. His 28 points was a career low.
Buffalo GM Tim Murray has made it known that he is willing to move the 8th overall pick in Friday’s NHL Entry Draft for a top end, left shot defenseman (Fowler does shoot left handed). However, TSN’s Bob McKenzie notes that the Sabres are not believed to be keen on giving up that pick in this trade. He also adds that a number of other teams have shown an interest in Fowler.
Fowler has two years left on his contract with a cap hit of $4MM and will be an unrestricted free agent at its conclusion. The Ducks already have over $21MM committed to their defensemen for next season according to Cap Friendly and still have pending restricted free agent Hampus Lindholm to re-sign.
The Latest On P.K. Subban
The rumor mill has really picked up in recent days surrounding Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban. The 27 year old has six years remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $9MM per season. Once July 1st hits, a full no-move clause kicks in which has brought this discussion to the forefront.
GM Marc Bergevin met the media late Thursday afternoon. Here are some of the highlights from his scrum:
Bergevin noted that he has never shopped Subban but he “can’t prevent teams from calling” per TSN’s Frank Seravelli. Also from Seravelli, Bergevin said that the conversations regarding Subban have been “pretty short”. He also acknowledged that he is continuing to listen to offers regarding Subban, per Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette. When asked point blank if it was realistic to think that Subban would be traded, his answer was a succinct “no” according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
Here is some more buzz regarding Subban:
- ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun confirms that the Canadiens have held talks with both the Oilers and Canucks but that there is still no indication that Bergevin actually has intentions of trading Subban or is just listening to see what’s out there.
- Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos tweets that the asking price for Subban remains too high. He adds that the Canadiens are interested in moving up in the draft in order to secure Pierre-Luc Dubois. We profiled Dubois earlier this week as part of our draft preview.
- TSN’s Bob McKenzie believes that “Under the right circumstances, the Montreal Canadiens are prepared to trade P.K. Subban.” (Transcription via Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot.) He adds that the calls Bergevin has received are legitimate and past the tire-kicking stage.
- Former NHL agent and GM Brian Lawton hears that the Oilers are very interested in Subban and are considering “a big ask that includes everyone not named (Connor) McDavid.”
Last season, Subban played in 68 games for Montreal, scoring six goals and 45 assists while averaging a career high 26:21 of ice time per night. He finished 14th in Norris Trophy balloting for the NHL’s best defenseman.