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Archives for January 2017

Central Notes: Darling, Subban, Tarasenko, Maurice

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The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Boston Bruins 1-0 Friday night thanks to another stellar game from Scott Darling. Darling has been superb this season, and as it usually goes for the Blackhawks, is due a pay raise when his contract expires after this season. Mark Lazerus writes that even with all the success, Darling is quick to credit his teammates for any one of his performances while also counting Corey Crawford as “one of the best goalies in the world.” In Darling’s mind, Lazerus reports, there is no goalie controversy, no matter how strong Darling continues to play.

In other Central Division news:

  • The return of P.K. Subban will continue to be a  delicate process writes the Tennessean’s Adam Vingan. Subban was supposed to play less in last night’s game but ended up logging 23 minutes of ice time. Vingan also reports that just having Subban’s presence in the lineup proves to be an immediate boon for the Predators’ possession game. With the Preds winning five of their last six, Vingan adds that there’s no rush for Subban to return to pre-injury form.
  • Stuck on 20 goals for a half dozen games, Jeremy Rutherford reports that Blues bench boss Ken Hitchcock will move Vladimir Tarasenko in an effort to generate scoring. Tarasenko will move to a line with Patrik Berglund and Robby Fabbri since Berglund has notched 10 goals in his last 16 games. Rutherford adds that Berglund cannot recall ever being on the same line with Tarasenko in his five years with the Blues.
  • The Winnipeg Sun’s Paul Friesen doesn’t envy  Jets bench boss Paul Maurice in having to deal with all of the different personalities on the team. But he is “puzzled” by Maurice’s approach. Friesen compares Maurice’s handling of 20-year-old Nik Ehlers with that of 31-year-old Dustin Byfuglien, and just how different it is working with a veteran and a rookie. Friesen reports that while Maurice was quick to explain Ehler’s shortcomings, he’s unsure as to why a veteran like Byfuglien is immune to the same critiques. He just wonders how Maurice will get a more consistent effort out of both players.

Restricted 2017: Checking In On The Upcoming RFA Class

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As the NHL continues to skew towards younger and younger talent with players like Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews making an immediate impact, the restricted free agent classes become more and more important.

Last year we saw an impressive group, headlined by the dynamic duo in Calgary Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau, Tampa’s new sniper Nikita Kucherov and a handful of excellent defensemen like Hampus Lindholm and Jacob Trouba.

While teams have started to lock up their young talent before they even become restricted free agents – like Aaron Ekblad in Florida who signed a $60MM deal just months after his 20th birthday – this year looks like it will be one of the biggest and most expensive RFA crops ever. Glen Miller took a look back in September at this year’s crop in an excellent series of articles that really should be consumed before reading any further (parts one, two, three, four, five and six), but let’s now check in on the group and how they’re fairing this season. Well list just a few of the highlights, as the group is almost endless.

Leon Draisaitl (EDM) – 47 GP / 17 G / 23 A / 40 P

You can’t start this list without mentioning Draisaitl, who will head to restricted free agency for the first time after what looks like a 30+ goal, 70+ point season. Skating alongside McDavid for much of the year, Draisaitl is currently tied for 18th in league scoring and leads the RFA group. He won’t turn 22 until after the 2017-18 season begins, and is an important player for the Edmonton Oilers to lock up long term. Expect the team to shell out big money to buy into a few free agent years this summer.

Mikael Granlund (MIN) – 44 GP / 10 G / 27 A / 37 P

Often forgotten about across much of the league because of the relative gag-order on any Minnesota Wild news, Granlund is having an exceptional season. Playing almost 20 minutes a night and on pace to shatter his previous career high in points, the Finnish forward will get a huge deal this summer. Unlike Draisaitl, Granlund is 24 and has already been through the RFA process before, signing a two-year $6MM deal before last season. With three solid seasons and now one spectacular one, he’ll likely earn something closer to $7MM (AAV) if signed long-term.

Justin Schultz (PIT) – 44 GP / 7 G / 23 A / 30 P

Schultz is such an interesting case, because of the breakout he’s experiencing this year. With Kris Letang on the shelf for much of the season, Schultz has blossomed in Pittsburgh to the player most teams expected when he signed out of college. He’s 26 now, and will turn 27 just days after free agency opens, but will likely fetch a hefty price as an RFA. After not even receiving a qualifying offer last year, has he done enough to prove that a big-money deal is worth it?

Robin Lehner (BUF) – 29 GP / .920 SV% / 2.54 GAA

The best RFA goaltender this year is one who just blew up at his coach after getting pulled and has generally been inconsistent for the Sabres since they traded a first-round pick for him in 2015. He has all the talent in the world to be a number one goaltender in this league, but with Buffalo floundering again near the bottom of the league will he be able to put it all together and lead them back to the playoffs? He’s 25-years old now and has 136 games under his belt with an above-average .916 save percentage. If Buffalo can ice any healthy defensemen, perhaps they’d be able to finish in the top half of the league for a change.

Buffalo Sabres’ Jake McCabe Will Not Return To Game

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When Jake McCabe headed to the room earlier in tonight’s game against the Detroit Red Wings there was hope he would return. He’s now been ruled out with a shoulder injury, though it’s unclear how serious it is.

It’s just the latest in a season marred by injury for the Sabres, who have seen Jack Eichel, Zach Bogosian, Ryan O’Reilly, Evander Kane and others all miss time. The team look like it will now be without their top healthy left-handed defenseman, while they still wait for Dmitry Kulikov to make his return. Already a squad heavy on right-handers, Justin Falk now becomes the only healthy lefty.

The Sabres are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference for another year, and though it’s understandable through all the injuries it’s frustrating for fans of the team. It also must be causing a few gray hairs in the front office, as wasted seasons just bring the team closer to having to pay their young talent much bigger salaries. The team was supposed to take a step forward this year, but with the continuing injuries they just haven’t been able to find much consistency.

San Jose Sharks Send Goodrow, Heed To AHL

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After their 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, the San Jose Sharks have sent Barclay Goodrow and Tim Heed back to the San Jose Barracuda in the AHL. The team will play the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday and again on Monday, and it’s unclear who they will bring up or replace these two with.

Both Tomas Hertl and Dylan DeMelo are expected to be out for at least another few weeks, meaning the team now has only 21 roster spots filled. Perhaps the organization just wants them to get into a couple of games, as even though the Barracuda are on the road, they’re playing two games in state. Tonight they take on the San Diego Gulls, and tomorrow the Ontario Reign. Both players could travel with the NHL squad on Sunday when they hit the road.

Heed is having an exceptional year in the AHL, scoring 32 points in 29 games from the back end. This comes in his first season in North America after coming over from Sweden. The former fifth-round pick is exceptionally undersized for a defenseman at just 5’11, 165 lbs but can do enough things right to be able to contribute at the NHL level.

Goodrow went undrafted before making an immediate impact at the NHL level in 2014-15, playing in 60 games less than a year removed from playing in junior. While he was a consistent goal-scorer for the Battalion (Brampton and then North Bay), he never projected as much of an offensive talent in the NHL. Since signing though, he’s been a fine addition to the Sharks organization, scoring in the AHL and playing solid bottom-six minutes for the NHL club when called upon.

Bruins Notes: Julien, Beleskey, Becker

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As was reported earlier, the Boston Bruins are set to address the public tomorrow about their coaching situation. The announcement will be made regardless of the result in tonight’s match-up against the Original Six rival Chicago Blackhawks. ESPN New Hampshire’s Jimmy Murphy has been keeping a close eye on the situation and believes that, good or bad, a decision has already been made on head coach Claude Julien and the bench boss knows what it is. However, no one else seems to know what it is and speculation is running rampant. Murphy added fuel to the fire by releasing a picture of the Bruins’ internal PR schedule, which features Julien’s name specifically throughout the coming week. So is Julien safe?

Julien has seemingly been on the hot seat for three seasons. After winning the Stanley Cup in 2011, returning to the final in 2013, and winning the President’s Trophy as the league’s top regular season team in 2013-14, back-to-back seasons of missing the playoffs has been unacceptable in Boston, and a possible third in the making requires swift handling. By slim margins or not, the Bruins missing the postseason draws much attention in a city where, since the turn of the century, every pro sports team is expected to not just make the playoffs, but challenge for a championship every year. While many still believe the Bruins will qualify in 2016-17, heads will roll if they don’t and the front office may decide to cut the coach loose before that happens to lessen the blow of missing the playoffs once again. Boston is currently tied for second place with the Ottawa Senators in the Atlantic Division with 52 points, which may not seem so bad, but the Sens have five games in hand, as do the Toronto Maple Leafs right behind them with 50 points. Even the Florida Panthers with 49 points and game in hand and the red-hot Detroit Red Wings, who came back from a three-goal deficit to defeat the B’s on Wednesday to move within six points with three games in hand, are starting to threaten the Bruins playoff hopes. The Bruins are 4-4-2 in their last ten, including that devastating loss to Detroit and shutouts at the hands of bottom-dwellers like the New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils.

However, is firing Julien really the right move? The long-time Bruins coach is approaching his 1,000th NHL game behind the bench and has won far more than half of those games, including more than 400 wins in Boston. He won the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year in 2009 and is well-respected around the world of hockey. Many have claimed that Julien’s greatest weakness is that he does not work well with young players. However, David Pastrnak, Frank Vatrano and rookies Brandon Carlo and Austin Czarnik have been bright spots for the Bruins in 2016-17. Julien was also not the one who traded Tyler Seguin or Blake Wheeler, both of whom were playing well with him as their head coach, but simply still developing. The Bruins organization has not done well with young talent, but the head coach is not wholly to blame. Many have also argued that Julien has struggled with the power play, and well that has been true from time to time, the Bruins scored on both man-up tries against Detroit on Wednesday and their power play has been increasingly better over the past month. Some Julien mistakes, like the mismanagement of Ryan Spooner and Colin Miller and an inability to find good balance in the forward lines this season, are more inexcusable, but the Bruins struggles reach far beyond that. Does Julien deserve some blame? Yes. However, firing the most successful coach in team history in a season where they still have a very good chance of making the playoffs may be ill-advised for Boston. The decision appears to have been made and the announcement will come tomorrow.

  • With the decision on his coach’s fate already made, Matt Beleskey’s return to the Bruins lineup may be coming a few games too late. However, the team will greatly benefit from having the big forward back in the lineup tonight against the Blackhawks. Beleskey has been out with a knee injury since earlier December, but is returning just in time with the Bruins struggling to both find scoring and to play a more physical defensive game. With Frank Vatrano suffering an injury prior to the beginning of the season and Beleskey getting hurt before Vatrano’s recent return, tonight marks the first time in 2016-17 that the Bruins will have the full complement of forwards that they had expected to have at the ready all season. Although Beleskey is expected to skate alongside Dominic Moore and Austin Czarnik on the fourth line tonight, the Bruins are still trying to find a balance up front and can afford to ease Beleskey back in while they hunt for line chemistry. After scoring a career-high 37 points as a top-nine player for the Bruins last season, he’ll be back in that role sooner rather than later.
  • Bruins prospect Jack Becker has announced his commitment to play college hockey at Michigan Tech.  Drafted by the Bruins in the seventh round of the 2015 NHL Draft with little experience beyond high school hockey, Becker was supposed to follow fellow Bruins prospects Trent Frederic and Cameron Hughes to the University of Wisconsin. However, slow development at the junior level with the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede changed those plans. Becker is still Division I-bound though, as he heads to Michigan Tech next season. Becker does not project to be an NHL player as of now, but the Bruins signed Frank Vatrano as an undrafted underclassmen out of just an average college program in UMass-Amherst and so far he looks like a sure-fire NHLer. The B’s can only hope that Becker develops late in the same way.

Eric Nystrom Making A Comeback

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The last word out of Eric Nystrom was that his NHL opportunities had dried up and he was considering retirement. The ten-year NHL veteran had been bought out by the Nashville Predators and cut from his preseason tryout deal with the St. Louis Blues, and could not find a contract – NHL, AHL, PTO or otherwise – in North America. He was considering joining his father, former NHLer Bobby Nystrom, in the insurance business. That was in early November; fast-forward to now and there has been no noise out of the Nystrom camp as no NHL teams have come calling due to injury and no foreign teams have lined up for his services. That is, until now.

Nystrom officially signed with the Oilers today (spoiler: link in Norwegian). No, not the Edmonton Oilers, but the Stavanger Oilers in Norway. Nystrom played with the team in 2012, prior to the resolution of the NHL lockout, and is now set to return. When Nystrom was there five years ago, the fans fell in love with him as he scored 14 points in just six games and dazzled the home crowd. The team is very excited to bring back not just a great talent, but also a “solid character” (translated from Norwegian).  The Oilers currently sit atop the Norwegian Elite League, or “Get Ligaen” with 77 points, eight points ahead of their closest competitor. They also boast two of the league’s top three scorers in fellow Americans Mark Van Guilder and Dan Kissell, teammates at Notre Dame University in the mid-2000’s whose NCAA success didn’t translate to the pro game. However, Nystrom should step in and become the best player on the team and in the entire league right away, as the Stavanger Oilers appear poised to roll to a league championship.

Should Nystrom really impress in Norway, which in terms of international leagues is likely outside the top five in competition level, he might be able to get another shot at the NHL. He will have to really light it up, though. The tenth overall pick by the Calgary Flames in 2002, Nystrom had a long, successful career, but nowhere near the one expected of him with that selection. Nystrom made a living off of being a reliable bottom-six forward, capable of scoring 10-15 goals a year, but not much more. A hard-working, gritty player who excelled on the penalty kill and could hit and block shots, Nystrom’s value came in his two-way ability. He certainly is a “solid character” as well. However, aging defensive forwards are not at the top of NHL wish lists, and Nystrom is fresh off being bought out by Nashville after seeing his ice time cut and scoring just seven goals in 46 games last season. Unless Nystrom can change everyone’s minds with a strong offensive and defensive stint in Norway, his comeback may be limited to just the Stavanger Oilers. However, a great veteran leader with strong work ethic can often find a way.

Cody Bass Out For The Season

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While the Nashville Predators are happy to get P.K. Subban back tonight, they also found out that they will be without the services of grinder Cody Bass for the remainder of the 2016-17 season. Predators beat writer Adam Vignan reports that Bass required surgery on a lower-body injury and the recover will keep him out for the year. The injury occurred while Bass was playing for the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals back in December, and a recent re-evaluation in Nashville and subsequent decision to move forward with surgery has ruled out any possible return.

Bass, while definitely not the most successful NHLer, has been a valued depth asset for many seasons. A fourth-round selection of the Ottawa Senators in 2005, Bass broke into the league at the age of 21 in 2007-08 and had his best NHL season as a rookie. In a career-high 21 games, Bass picked up four points and looked at home in an energy line role. He even notched a goal in the Senators’ first-round playoff series. However, Bass missed the majority of 2008-09 with an injury, and by the time he returned, his role in Ottawa was all but gone. Bass’ brand of hard-nosed hockey did not develop into anything more than just gritty checking play in limited ice time while in Ottawa. He moved on to Columbus in 2011-12 and appeared poised for a breakout year. Through 14 games, Bass was playing a career-best nine minutes per night and had carved out a role as the Blue Jackets’ main enforcer, racking up hits and obviously plenty of penalty minutes as well. However, another shoulder injury ended Bass’ season and kept him out nearly all of 2012-13 as well. Just like in Ottawa, during his absence, Bass lost his role in Columbus. After a strong AHL season with the Blue Jackets then-affiliate, the Springfield Falcons, Bass signed with the Chicago Blackhawks hoping for another shot at the NHL. Instead, he played the entire year in the minors and made the move to Nashville ahead of the 2015-16 season. Last year, Bass enjoyed his best NHL season in some time with the Predators. Again, not much of a scorer, Bass failed to register a point in 17 regular season games, but instead contributed with gritty defensive play, strong forechecking, and winning battles along the boards, while keeping his time in the box under control. His two-way play was so valued, that the Predators started Bass in six playoff games, almost a third of what he had played in the regular season. He rewarded them with a strong postseason performance. So far in 2016-17, Bass had again been used sparingly in the regular season, with just nine (scoreless) games. However, Bass has also been out since December and very likely would have seen more time in the second half of the season for a Predators team that is often in need of grit and two-way ability in its bottom-six.

Though few likely put two and two together, with the announcement that veteran grinder Bass is done for the year, it makes even more sense that Nashville recently claimed another veteran grinder, Derek Grant, off of waivers and traded for yet another experienced two-way player, Cody McLeod, from the Colorado Avalanche. Though Grant is five years younger than Bass, their career numbers are eerily similar. Grant is not much of a scorer himself, with just seven assists in 79 games, including his four assists in 39 games this season with the Predators and Buffalo Sabres. However, since Grant’s arrival in Nashville four games ago, he has already dropped the gloves once and made a few key defensive plays. McLeod is not as much of a pure-checking player as Bass or Grant, as he can contribute on the scoreboard occasionally as well. In ten seasons with the Avs, the 32-year-old has 117 points in 659 games and already has a goal for the Preds. McLeod can also hit as well as anyone in the league and isn’t afraid to fight either. While McLeod spends a lot of time in the penalty box, he will more than make up for the loss of Bass with his veteran experience and hard-working, aggressive play. McLeod and Grant will make most Nashville fans forget about Bass, but a speedy recovery and healthy return is certainly wished. Bass will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Subban Activated Off IR, Expected Back Tonight

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In a surprising move, the Nashville Predators announced that superstar defenseman P.K. Subban has been activated from the injured reserve and is expected to make his return to the lineup tonight on the road against the Edmonton Oilers. Subban has missed the Predators’ last 16 games after suffering a herniated disk in his back in mid-Decmeber. Opting to go the non-surgical route, Nashville placed Subban on IR on January 1st and it was anticipated that he would remain inactive until such a time that he had been able to rest and let his body heal itself. Subban had only resumed light skating last week and was expected to only be re-evaluated at this point in time, with an immediate return unlikely. Instead Subban appears to be ready to lace ’em up for tonight’s contest.

Subban’s return to the lineup is much-needed for the Predators. With fellow star blue liner Roman Josi also on IR and depth defenders Petter Granberg and Anthony Bitetto sidelined as well, Nashville has been struggling to put together an NHL lineup on defense every night. Matt Irwin, who spent nearly the entire season in the AHL in 2015-16, has been playing major minutes. Rookie Alexandre Carrier was recently recalled despite being a fourth-round pick in just his first pro season. Just last night, the Predators acquired AHL defenseman Andrew O’Brien due to their need for bodies on the blue line. With the return of Subban, most of these defensive worries will be lessened, as he, Ryan Ellis, and Mattias Ekholm can hold down the fort until Josi returns and the defense is at full strength. Carrier has already been returned to the AHL and Irwin can return to his bottom-pair role shortly. The Predators have had a disappointing season relative to the lofty expectations many had for them, but have fought their way into a playoff spot as of now. The return of Subban and a fully healthy defense will go a long way in holding on to that spot.

After being traded to Nashville this summer in the blockbuster deal that sent Shea Weber back to the Montreal Canadiens, Subban has looked pretty good as he adjusts to his new surroundings. Subban has 17 points in 29 games so far, which is off his typical pace, but his play has also been affected by his health. When healthy, Subban has played well and will continue to carve out a role for himself on his new team, which relies heavily on puck movement by defensemen. Despite missing so much time in his first season, Subban is already a fan favorite in Nashville and around the NHL. Selected as the captain of the Central Division team (and sole Predators representative) for the upcoming All-Star weekend, a return to health should allow Subban to participate in an event that he very much enjoys. Then it will be back to work for the Norris Trophy-winner, as he will be looked upon to score a lot of points down the stretch and lead the Predators into the playoffs.

Stars Place Oduya On IR, Recall Honka

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A difficult season for the Dallas Stars continues, as the team announced today that defenseman Johnny Oduya has been placed on the injured reserve again with the same lower-body injury that has plagued him all year. The team’s alternate captain and the veteran leader of its defensive corps, Oduya is of great importance to the Stars and his absences have been felt this season as Dallas has struggled to replicate its 2015-16 success and is currently outside the playoff picture. To replace Oduya, the Stars have recalled rookie defenseman Julius Honka from the AHL’s Texas Stars.

Now in the second year of a two-year, $7.5MM deal signed with Dallas in 2015, Oduya has struggled with injury and the standard wear-and-tear of being a 35-year-old hockey player throughout this season. In 36 games, Oduya has just one goal and six assists, as a well as only 20 hits, and has not looked much like himself. Although his offensive ability and aggression have fallen off somewhat, Oduya continues to play a key role in a very young Dallas defensive unit, as a leader in shot-blocking and short-handed time on ice. Still a strong skater with great hockey sense, Oduya’s presence on the ice is of great value to Dallas, and his second stint on the IR already this season will not help them get back to where they’d like to be in the Western Conference playoff race.

[RELATED: Dallas Stars Depth Chart]

In his stead, the Stars hope the exciting, young blue liner Honka can get the job done. In eight games thus far, Honka has just three assists and has struggled in his own end. However, he brings a high-energy, fast-paced style to the team, much like top defenseman John Klingberg. Honka has 21 points in 30 AHL games in 2016-17, and hopes to translate that production to the next level on this stint in Dallas. Unfortunately, the Stars’ problem is not in goal scoring, but in goal prevention, where they rank 28th in the NHL with over three goals allowed per game. Honka is still developing his defensive game, as are many others on “D” in Dallas, so until Oduya returns the team will have to tighten up or will likely continue their struggles.

Predators, Ducks Trade Prospects

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Late last night, the Nashville Predators and Anaheim Ducks came to terms on a swap of minor league players. The Predators announced (in the middle of their 4-3 win over the Calgary Flames) that they had acquired defenseman Andrew O’Brien from the Ducks, with forward Max Gortz going the other way to Anaheim. As of now, both players are expected to remain at the AHL level.

With Roman Josi, P.K. Subban, and Petter Granberg all sidelined with injury and Anthony Bitetto struggling to stay healthy as well, the Predators have been in desperate need of some additional defensive depth. In acquiring O’Brien, Nashville receives a player without much flash or offensive upside, but who has grown into a more responsible defender in the past couple of seasons. The 24-year-old was a fourth-round pick by the Ducks in 2012 from the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the QMJHL. He had performed well in his first two junior seasons with the team, but not enough to draw much attention. The following year, O’Brien was traded to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, where began to build a reputation as a physical, shutdown defenseman. At 6’4″, 200 lbs., O’Brien hulked over much of his QMJHL competition and was a difficult match-up. It showed in his team-leading +19 rating (and 113 penalty minutes). However, when O’Brien joined the pro ranks in 2013-14, this physical advantage made less of an impact against bigger, stronger, and more experienced competition. As a result, he spent much of his first season down in the ECHL. The past two seasons, O’Brien has become a mainstay on the blue line for the Ducks’ AHL affiliates, again racking up penalty minutes but also contributing modest offense and learning how to better use his strength and frame in his own zone. Thus far in 2016-17 though, O’Brien has not seen much action, appearing in just ten games while buried under Anaheim’s notoriously deep defensive depth. Trading O’Brien is not much of a loss for the Ducks, but is an opportunity for him to show how he has grown as a player and to carve out a new role for himself with the Milwaukee Admirals and maybe even the Predators themselves eventually.

Unlike Nashville, Anaheim has no immediate need for forward depth, but in acquiring Gortz the team has obtained some great future potential. The 23-year-old Swedish product is in just his second pro season in North America and opened some eyes in his first year. Gortz was a sixth-round pick of the Predators in 2012, but was tied up playing in the Swedish Hockey League until 2015-16. He immediately showed how playing against men in an elite pro league can benefit young players, as he overcame the adjustment to North American hockey rather quickly. Gortz scored 18 goals and 29 assists for 47 total points last year, while playing to a +14 rating as well. At 6’2″, 200 lbs., Gortz’s size was apparent, but his ability to use that size in front of the net and on the forecheck came as a pleasant surprise to many. However, perhaps disappointed in the lack of opportunity to earn a spot in Nashville or potentially just due to the changes in the team around him, Gortz has struggled to replicate last year’s success in 2016-17. He has just a goal and three assists in 30 games so far, and instead of pushing for an NHL job has likely become an afterthought for the Predators. If it meant getting much needed defensive support, Nashville was probably happy to move the disappointing forward. A change of scenery with the San Diego Gulls may be exactly what Gotz needs though, and with great size and skill could still reach his NHL goals with the Ducks in the near future.

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