San Jose Sharks Recall Kevin Labanc
The San Jose Sharks have decided he’s waited long enough, and have recalled 20-year old Kevin Labanc from the AHL. No word on the corresponding move, or whether Labanc will feature in the lineup right away.
After being selected in the sixth round of the 2014 draft, Labanc has done nothing but score. 234 points in the following two years of junior made him a can’t-miss prospect in the Sharks system, and after making his AHL debut in last year’s playoffs, he was off to a scorching start in his rookie year. The forward has 10 points in 6 games, and will now see if his up-tempo game and playmaking ability can work at the next level.
For the Sharks, a team that is trying to get younger while saying goodbye to its older core, Labanc represents the next wave of talent. The 5’11” actually plays more of a physical game than one would expect, and can dominate on the powerplay with his crisp passing ability. Whether the Sharks, who currently rank 12th in the NHL will use him on the man advantage is unclear.
With Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau likely exiting San Jose after this season, the team needed to start looking forward to who will fill their top-six next year. If Labanc can find any success as a rookie this season, perhaps he’ll be ready to skate alongside Tomas Hertl next year, on one of the top two lines.
Maple Leafs Notes: Bon Jovi, Rielly, Hunwick
After the Maple Leafs’ dynamic young duo of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner were caught singing along to Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On a Prayer” in the midst of the insane brawls all around them, and received a shout out on twitter from the man himself, they were asked today at practice whether they’d heard it from their teammates (via Mark Masters of TSN).
A lot of the guys telling us to focus on the game and stuff. We’re living our dream right now…probably the most important thing is to go out there and have fun.
While the teams were earning 130 PIM around them, Matthews and Marner were each earning more points and continue to dominate the conversation in Toronto. The teenagers have 11 and 10 points respectively through 12 games.
- Morgan Rielly, the Maple Leafs de facto leader on the blueline is being asked to do even more this season, and he showed it on Saturday with the hit that set off all the fireworks. Now as the current and future number 1 in Toronto, head coach Mike Babcock expects him to take on these responsibilities (via Kristin Shilton of TSN): “We need him to be a real high-end guy in this league and I think him and (Nikita) Zaitsev have a chance to be a real good pair. Dion (Phaneuf) was for a long time and took a lot of heat for a lot of kids..now (Rielly)’s at a point in his career, he’s got to be that guy for us.”
- Also from Masters, Matt Hunwick returned to practice today and is apparently “just around the corner” for his return to the lineup. Hunwick was placed on injured reserve a week ago with a lower-body injury. The 31-year old will have a good chance to get back into the lineup right away, as Martin Marincin has struggled in the early going.
Seth Jones Out Three Weeks With Broken Foot
Some terrible news came down from the Columbus Blue Jackets today, as they announced that Seth Jones will miss at least three weeks with a hairline fracture in his foot. Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch provides some graphic notes on how the injury occurred in a series of tweets, saying that Patrik Berglund‘s skate cut through the laces and tongue of Jones’ boot to fracture his foot.
Jones came over from the Nashville Predators last season and made an immediate impact on their top defensive unit. Paired with uber-rookie Zach Werenski this season, Jones has six points in ten games and is logging over 24 minutes of ice-time a night.
Luckily, the team has other effective defensemen to take his place, though obviously he’ll be missed. Ryan Murray and Jack Johnson, currently the second pair, will likely be asked to take on a greater responsibility while David Savard probably moves up to Werenski’s right side. Columbus next plays Anaheim on Wednesday night, in the first game at home since the 10-0 shellacking of the Montreal Canadiens.
Arizona Coyotes Recall DeAngelo, Gaudet From AHL
According to Sarah McLellan of AZCentral, the Coyotes have recalled Anthony DeAngelo and Tyler Gaudet from the AHL. In a set of corresponding moves, the team has moved Michael Stone and Martin Hanzal to injured reserve to make room.
Stone can’t seem to get healthy this season, as the latest injury comes just four games after he returned from knee surgery this summer. An unrestricted free agent this summer, Stone will have to try and get back and prove that he can be an effective puck mover once again. For Hanzal, it’s not the first time he’s seen the press box with an injury. The 29-year old forward hasn’t played in more than 65 games in a single season since 2009-10.
For DeAngelo, getting into a game would represent his NHL debut as the 21-year old was only drafted in 2014. He went 19th overall that year, and proved last season that he could compete at a professional level. With 43 points as an AHL rookie, he ranked seventh among all blueliners. As a right-handed shot, he may get his chance sooner than later; the Coyotes are currently dressing four lefties.
While DeAngelo figures to be a big part of the Arizona future, Gaudet is just hoping to make an impact at the NHL level. The undrafted forward has bounced back and forth for the past couple of seasons, mostly playing bottom-six minutes in both leagues. With three points in sixteen career NHL games, he’s expected to just provide some energy to the fourth line, if he gets into the lineup at all.
Chicago Blackhawks Sign Alex DeBrincat To Three-Year ELC
Amid a downpour of injury news around the league, some more hopeful news has broken. The Chicago Blackhawks have signed forward Alex DeBrincat to a three-year, entry-level contract. The deal will carry a cap hit of just under $810K per Cap Friendly and also contains bonuses for games played. DeBrincat was the Blackhawks’ second-round pick this past draft, chosen #39th overall with the pick acquired from Montreal in the Andrew Shaw deal.
DeBrincat is well on his way to another outstanding season in the OHL, where he’s coming off back-to-back 100+ point years. This season he has 35 points in just 14 games, which amazingly doesn’t even lead his team (that honor goes to Taylor Raddysh, who has 39 in 15), though would put him on pace to break the century mark once again. Last season, he trailed only Arizona Coyotes forward Christian Dvorak in goals with 51 (the same he scored in his rookie season). If he can reach 50 goals again this year, he would become only the second player in OHL history to score 50 goals or more in three seasons, the other being Dale McCourt from 1974-75 through 1976-77.
The shifty forward is another in an increasing number of smaller players who will make an impact at the NHL level, following names like Johnny Gaudreau and Mitch Marner in recent years. DeBrincat stands at just 5’7″, but has shown off exceptional offensive skill at every level. If he needs a role model for a smaller player in the NHL, the Chicago organization is a great place to start; Patrick Kane is one of the lightest players in the league but has never been slowed down by it.
Vancouver Canucks Recall Michael Chaput From AHL
After suffering a shoulder injury during the out-of-control match against the Maple Leafs on Saturday, Jannik Hansen has been placed on injured reserve by the Vancouver Canucks. To replace him the team has brought up Michael Chaput from Utica of the AHL, according to Dan Murphy of Sportsnet.
Hansen was one of the key cast members in the brawls on Saturday night, first being the target of a devastating open-ice hit, and then attacking Nazem Kadri after his blind-side check on Daniel Sedin. Hansen was thrown out of the match (along with several other players) and is now clearly out for a while with the shoulder injury. No word on whether or not it happened on the hit or the fight, though a combination of both would be the most likely explanation.
Chaput, a free agent signing this summer, had played his entire career for the Columbus Blue Jackets. In 58 career NHL games, the former third-round pick has just eight points, though he has found more success at the AHL level. Clearly not an answer for Hansen’s production this season, Chaput will likely figure into the bottom-six with one of the youngsters moving up to the Sedin line.
For the Canucks, it’s just another setback in what has been a very disappointing season so far. The franchise is reeling, without a clear direction to point its fans or players. They’ll take on the similarly struggling Islanders tonight in New York.
Thomas Vanek Placed On LTIR, Tyler Bertuzzi Called Up From AHL
Seeking an answer to their recent struggles, the Detroit Red Wings have recalled Tyler Bertuzzi from the AHL. Thomas Vanek has been moved to long-term injured reserve to make room, retroactive to October 25th. Vanek suffered a lower-body injury almost two-weeks ago and though originally listed just as day-to-day, has obviously suffered some sort of setback.
Bertuzzi, 21, was the Red Wings’ second-round pick in 2013 and has been playing for the Grand Rapids Griffins this season. The feisty winger has four points in nine games and will be making his NHL debut whenever he figures into the lineup. The nephew of infamous former NHLer Todd Bertuzzi, Tyler is not quite as big or as skilled as his uncle but has the same mean streak in his game; he recorded 133 penalty minutes for the Griffins last season.
The Red Wings have lost five straight games after starting the season 6-2-0 and find themselves plummeting down the standings. Having scored only nine goals during that span, they obviously miss Vanek’s offensive production. Amazingly, the Austrian winger still ranks third on the team in scoring despite missing the last six games.
New York Islanders Place Travis Hamonic On IR, Recall Adam Pelech
As previously reported, the Islanders have lost the services of Travis Hamonic for 4-6 weeks after blocking a shot and being removed from the game Saturday night. Hamonic was officially placed on injured reserve today, retroactive to November 5th and the Isles have recalled Adam Pelech from Bridgeport to replace him.
The loss of Hamonic is a big blow to the Islanders, who are struggling out of the gate this season. With just one win in their last six games, they’ve slipped to 15th in the Eastern Conference, only ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes. Andrew Ladd, the big free agent signing hasn’t transitioned well to New York State, and the ice is a huge problem at the Barclay’s Center.
[Updated: New York Islanders Depth Chart]
For a team that was thought of as a potential Stanley Cup contender, it’s been far from an easy ride through the first dozen games. They’ll try to use Pelech to turn it around, though with only nine games of NHL experience they likely can’t lean too heavily on the 22-year old. With the Islanders now having just a single right-handed option (Johnny Boychuk) on the blueline, someone will have to play on his off-side.
Lightning Recall Conacher From Syracuse Of AHL
With Jonathan Drouin listed as day-to-day and questionable for Tampa Bay’s game against Florida Monday, the Lightning have recalled forward Cory Conacher from the club’s AHL affiliate in Syracuse, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. Conacher has made one appearance for the Lightning, failing to record a point in 13:26 of ice time. The 5-foot-8, 180-pound winger has scored three goals and eight points in seven games for the Syracuse Crunch.
Drouin, meanwhile, was hurt on a huge hit from Calvin de Haan of the New York Islanders. The Isles defender was given a five-minute major for interference on the play. Drouin has missed the two games Tampa Bay has played since, a shootout loss to Boston and a victory of New Jersey.
Conacher also refuted reports that he was considering a jump overseas to join HC Lugano, telling Syracuse.com that he had not heard from anyone representing the Swiss League club.
“I haven’t talked to anyone from Lugano. They like to talk and start rumors. I’m sure at some point throughout the year they’ll reach out. But as of right now, I haven’t had any contact with anyone in Switzerland, other than the fact that I keep updated with some of the guys in Bern.”
Although nothing seems imminent on that front, Conacher didn’t dispel the notion that a move to Switzerland could be an option at some point this season.
“You always have to keep your options open. But right now, my mindset’s with Tampa. If I wanted to listen right now, I’d be in Switzerland. I’m doing everything I can to get back up there (Tampa Bay). I think, down the stretch, when either injuries happen or they need guys up, I’m going to be the guy that steps in and helps them win.”
Conacher played for Bern SC last season before inking a one-year, one-way pact with the Lightning that guarantees the veteran of 142 NHL contests $575K. He finished seventh overall in the Swiss-A League in both goals (22) and assists (30) while ranking fourth in scoring with 52 points. It’s easy to see why there would be plenty of interest in his services from clubs in Switzerland.
Metro Division Notes: Mason, Neuvirth, Girardi
Perhaps not since Ron Hextall‘s first tour between the pipes in Philadelphia have the Flyers had consistently good goaltending. The team has had plenty of talented players call Philadelphia home over the years but the lack of steady play in goal is primarily why the Flyers have not celebrated a Stanley Cup championship roughly four decades. Through 13 games this season it’s becoming apparent that goaltending is once again the Flyers Achilles heel, opines Sam Carchidi of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Flyers boast one of the league’s most prolific offenses, averaging nearly 3 1/2 goals per game while three of their skaters currently rank among the top-10 in scoring. But despite the offensive firepower, the Flyers are still a .500 team with a 6 – 6 – 1 record.
Philadelphia’s goaltending duo of Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth was excellent last season, ranking in the top-five in Save % and just outside the top-10 in GAA. They were good enough to carry the team to the postseason when many felt the roster was likely a year or two away from playoff contention. This season, however, it’s been a different story.
Mason owns a GAA of 3.46 and a Save% of 87.8%. Neuvirth, coming off a career season in 2015-16, has been even worse posting a 3.56 GAA and a 85.9% Save%.
While Hextall, now the team’s GM, and head coach Dave Hakstoll both believe that there’s more to the story than shoddy goaltending. Said Hextall: “There’s nobody here that’s going to point fingers at the goalies, or the D, or just the forwards. It’s the whole group on the ice.”
With Mason and Neuvirth both in the final years of their respective deals, it will be interesting to see how long the Flyers rides this out if they don’t see improved play in the goal prevention department. At some point the team might entertain a short term boost between the pipes. Or they could pivot entirely and try to acquire a a long term solution if they can find the right deal.
- New York Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault decided to scratch defenseman Dan Girardi for tonight’s game against Winnipeg, but according to Newsday’s Steve Zipay, it has nothing to do with either the play of the veteran blue liner or his health, but rather a concerted effort to give Girardi extra rest throughout the season. Girardi has long been the type who played through nagging injuries but after the worst season of his career in 2015-16, one that could be blamed at least in part on playing hurt, Vigneault plans to rest his defenseman for the second half of back-to-backs in order to keep him healthier and fresh. It’s hoped that the occasional game off mixed in with periodic maintenance days will reduce the accumulation of wear and tear his playing style tends to lend itself to and that Girardi will be a better player as a result. Adam Clendening will dress for the Blueshirts, making his sixth appearance for New York after sitting out the last seven contests.