Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Archives for March 2017

Toby Enstrom And The Expansion Draft

at CDT | by 6 Comments

After the Winnipeg Jets announced yesterday that Toby Enstrom underwent knee surgery and would be out for the rest of the year, it ended what has been a very disappointing season. The former 50-point defenseman had just 14 this year, easily the lowest number of his career. Broken up by a concussion and personal issues, 2016-17 has been one to forget for the 32-year old.

Next season, he’ll head into the last year of his current five-year contract likely passed by Josh Morrissey among Jets’ defenders and perhaps even the newly signed Tucker Poolman as well. His $5.75MM cap hit is hard for the Jets to swallow if he can’t get back to his previous performance, but it’s something else that may cost Winnipeg even more.

Enstrom’s contract includes a no-movement clause, meaning he’ll require automatic protection in the upcoming expansion draft should he not agree to waive it. Dustin Byfuglien also has an NMC, and Jacob Trouba and Tyler Myers clearly need protection. That would force the Jets into the eight skater option, leaving several good players available for Vegas to choose.

Even if they decided to leave the rest of the defenders—losing one of Ben Chiarot, Julian Melchiori or Brenden Kichton wouldn’t cripple the team—that means they only have four slots for forwards. When you check off Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little as obvious choices, you then are left with the group of Mathieu Perreault, Adam Lowry, Marko Dano, Joel Armia and Andrew Copp available with the power to protect just one. Losing any of them without a fight would be painful, given the potential or performance they’ve shown so far.

Getting Enstrom to waive that NMC is crucial, as it would give three more spots to the Jets to keep their young forward group in tact. If he isn’t willing, it won’t be just his declining play that will leave a bad taste in the mouths of the Winnipeg faithful. For a player who has spent his whole career with a single franchise after they took a chance on him in the eighth round, he needs to do just one more thing for them—even if it does put him at risk of having to play in Vegas for a year.

Pacific Notes: Redmond, Edler, Couture, Pitlick

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Ducks have joined in the NCAA signing frenzy once again, announcing the signing of goaltender Angus Redmond to a three year, entry level contract.  Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 21 year old Redmond recently completed his first and only season at Michigan Tech, compiling a 22-10-5 record along with a 1.85 GAA, a .917 SV%, and four shutouts in 38 appearances.  His goals against average ranked third in Division I among full-time starters while he was named WCHA Rookie of the Week on four separate occasions.

The Ducks are banking on Redmond being a late bloomer as he went undrafted after spending parts of four seasons with Salmon Arm of the BCHL.

Elsewhere in the Pacific Division:

  • Canucks defenseman Alex Edler noted to TSN 1040 (audio link) that he hasn’t given any thought to how he might respond if GM Jim Benning approached him about waiving his no-trade clause. Benning has been on record suggesting that he’d be willing to move a blueliner for help up front.  Between that and Vancouver’s current situation as a team that appears to be heading for a rebuild, it’s certainly plausible that the team could approach the 30 year old, the elder statesman on their back end, about his willingness to be moved sometime this offseason.  Edler has two years left on his deal after this one with a cap hit of $5MM.
  • The Sharks will be without center Logan Couture tonight and for at least the next two games after that as he is not with the team on their current road trip, reports CSN Bay Area’s Kevin Kurz. There remains no timetable for his return to the lineup.  Couture took a puck to the mouth on Saturday against the Predators and needed a considerable amount of dental work to repair the damage.  It wouldn’t be surprising to see him play with a full face shield once he gets the green light to return.
  • Oilers right winger Tyler Pitlick has started skating lightly as he continues his rehab from ACL surgery, notes Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal. The injury occurred back in mid-December.  Despite the fact that he’s on the ice, he’s not expected to return this season.

Atlantic Notes: Maple Leafs, Radulov, Schaller

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

While it appears that the Maple Leafs are close to finalizing a seven year, $31.5MM extension with defenseman Nikita Zaitsev, it doesn’t appear that there are any talks ongoing with other pending restricted free agents, TSN’s Bob McKenzie relayed on a radio appearance with TSN 1050.  Wingers Connor Brown and Zach Hyman are Toronto’s other prominent restricted free agents but McKenzie noted that GM Lou Lamoriello typically has tended to stay away from mid-season extensions so the fact nothing is currently happening there shouldn’t come as a surprise:

“I think historically – I wouldn’t say it’s a hard and fast rule – but historically the GM, Lou, if I remember correctly, doesn’t do a lot of mid-season deals. It’s a little unusual.”

Brown is having himself a nice rookie season with 19 goals (fifth most on the team) and 35 points while playing in all 76 games.  As for Hyman, his point total isn’t as high (28) but has been a strong complementary player in their top six.  Unlike Brown, Hyman is also eligible for arbitration following the season.  The Leafs have the financial flexibility to give each a long-term if they so desire as they have just under $57MM committed to 18 players for next season (a figure that does not include any potential bonus overage from this season).

Other notes from the Atlantic:

  • While there had been some discussion on a potential contract extension earlier this season, no formal offer was presented from the Canadiens to right winger Alexander Radulov, reports Sportsnet’s Eric Engels. Radulov also once again vehemently denied the report from two weeks ago that suggested he was seeking a max-term eight year contract.  The Russian winger has made a strong impression on his one year deal signed back in July and while he may not get eight years, he’s still likely to get a long-term contract in what’s shaping up to be a light free agent market this summer.
  • Not only will the Bruins be without left winger Frank Vatrano for both games this weekend, they will also still be without left winger Tim Schaller for the next two games, notes Anthony Gulizia of the Boston Globe. Schaller had been cleared for contact on Thursday and the belief was that he was close to returning but he didn’t take part in practice today.  Head coach Bruce Cassidy isn’t sure when Schaller will be ready to return.

Dallas Stars Recall Gemel Smith, Justin Dowling From AHL

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

After the Dallas Stars lost 2-0 at the hands of the Boston Bruins last night, they’ve recalled both Gemel Smith and Justin Dowling. Each player has spent time with both the NHL and AHL clubs this season. With Curtis McKenzie headed back to Dallas for treatment on his eye, and Ales Hemsky back on the mend with an injured hip, the team needed reinforcements for their matchup tomorrow night against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Smith, 22, has made the bigger impact at the NHL level this season playing in 12 games and registering three points. After Dustin Byfuglien attacked Antoine Roussel at the end of a game in November, Smith tried to get at the big defender but was held off by Brandon Tanev. After dropping the gloves with Tanev, both were sent off for five and a game misconduct. At the AHL level, he’s been an effective scoring threat with 30 points in 50 games.

Dowling, 26, also made his NHL debut this season and got into five games with Dallas. Registering two assists, he’s still looking for his first NHL goal after several successful years with the Texas Stars. The former Swift Current Broncos center signed with the Stars as an undrafted free agent in 2014 after playing on an AHL deal for a few seasons. He has 28 points in 49 AHL games this season, a step back from his previous years.

30 After 30: Patrick Eaves And Career Highs

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

When Patrick Eaves re-signed with the Dallas Stars last summer, it didn’t seem like anything spectacular. He was a 32-year old third line winger taking another one-year deal to stay in Dallas. He’d done it the past two years, and was actually taking a pay cut this season. We even included him on the “Minor UFA Signings” list, because of all the bigger deals that happened on July 1st. We were wrong, and so was just about everyone else. Patrick Eaves

You can forgive us though, as after all Eaves’ previous career high in goals was 20, and had happened over a decade ago during his rookie season at age 21. He hadn’t even cracked 15 since, with several seasons in single digits. He quite simply was a minor UFA signing at this point, able on the penalty kill but not expected to do much else. A defensive forward who could be relied on to work the tough minutes and allow players like Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn to produce offensively against weaker opponents.

Instead, Eaves won a job alongside those superstars and on the powerplay, resulting in immediate production. In his first 25 games, Eaves had 10 goals and 18 points, almost half of which came with the man advantage. Dallas had found something, and despite their team struggles this season Eaves has had a year to remember.

At the deadline Eaves was sold off to the highest bidder, that team proving to be the Anaheim Ducks, who were desperate for a winger to play with Ryan Getzlaf. The Stars would recoup a second-round pick—that could become a first—for what was initially considered a “minor signing”. Eaves wouldn’t disappoint as through 15 games with his new club he has another seven goals, all of which coming at even strength. He’s up to 28 now on the season, and with just two more in the final five games he could join some rare company.

Since the NHL came back in 2005-06, there have only been 28 players to score 30 or more goals in a season after the age of 30. Of that group, only five—Radim Vrbata, Mike Sillinger, Mike Knuble, Chris Clark and Mikael Samuelsson—were cracking 30 for the first time in their careers, as Eaves would be this season.

It’s interesting to note though, that the group doesn’t set a fantastic precedent. Three of those players were either immediately ineffective or out of the game entirely soon after, with only Sillinger and Vrbata providing any staying power. Perhaps Eaves will be an exception, but his performance this year should not signify some sort of newfound ability that will make him an effective option down the line. Both Sillinger and Vrbata both had much more previous offensive success, if falling short of the 30 goal mark. Teams should be wary of paying for this year’s production in the future.

But for now, Anaheim should be happy they jumped on board during his career year and Dallas should be ecstatic for selling high on a minor asset. For Eaves, it might never happen again.

Minor Moves: Kase, Fischer

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Anaheim Ducks have re-assigned Ondrej Kase to the San Diego Gulls after bringing him up just two days ago. He didn’t get into a game this time around, but has played 51 for the Ducks this season. With 14 points in this his rookie season, Kase has already eclipsed even the highest of expectations from when he was picked in the seventh-round of the 2014 draft. An effective bottom-six player, his possession numbers have been excellent in his short career.

Kase is just 21, and should find his way back to the NHL at some point. The Ducks will likely need him at some point in the playoffs as the grind of the long season takes its victims. Just one point ahead of the Edmonton Oilers for first place in the Pacific, Anaheim has a long road ahead of them if they want to get back to the Stanley Cup final for the first time since 2007.

  • The Arizona Coyotes have sent Christian Fischer back to the AHL after a four-game stint. At seven games total on the year, the 19-year old Fischer will see his entry-level contract slide once again, meaning he won’t become a restricted free agent until the summer of 2020. Selected in the second round (but 32nd overall) in 2015, Fischer has dominated the AHL as a rookie. In 51 games at the lower level, the big winger has scored 43 points. He even registered three goals in his short NHL stint this year, despite playing only 12 minutes a night. As he turns 20 next season, his contract will no longer slide and the Coyotes may decide to install him full-time in the NHL. His talent could lead to a top-six future, though he’ll likely have to impress even more to be handed that role right from the start of the season.

Injury Notes: Read, Cunningham, Anisimov, Guentzel

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Matt Read will not play again this season, after taking a shot to the arm in Thursday’s victory over the New York Islanders. He’ll be out six to eight weeks according to GM Ron Hextall, meaning it is likely some sort of a broken arm or wrist. Read had just 19 points this season and has really taken a step back in recent years. As a rookie, he scored 24 goals and 47 points, but has never been able to duplicate those numbers.

Read, 30, is signed for one more season with the Flyers at $3.625MM and will likely be relegated to bottom-six duty again next year. What looked like a very promising career after signing as a free agent out of college has taken a downward turn. He’ll try to rehab the injury and improve his play next season.

Foegele, Smallman Sign Three-Year Contracts With Carolina Hurricanes

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed a couple of their more interesting prospects, inking Warren Foegele and Spencer Smallman to three-year, entry-level contracts. The deals will kick in next season, and paying the pair between $650K and $700K for each of the seasons should they make the NHL. Foegele will earn $70K at the AHL level, while Smallman will receive $65K. Both are already 20, meaning they’ll be heading to the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL should they not make the NHL next season.

Foegele was the Hurricanes’ third-round pick in 2014 and has had a solid season in the OHL this year, scoring 63 points in 61 games split between the Kingston Frontenacs and Erie Otters. He followed it up with six points in Erie’s first round sweep of the Sarnia Sting in the OHL playoffs and will continue his quest for the Memorial Cup next week. A solid skater, Foegele already has the size and strength of a professional player and could slide into the AHL with ease. While he may not have the high-end offensive ability just yet, with a few more years of development he could easily turn into a valuable power forward capable of playing in different situations.

Smallman on the other hand was a fifth-round pick in 2015 that has always been an “intangibles” prospect. Though he does have excellent playmaking ability, his in-your-face style and high hockey IQ led to him being named captain of the Saint John Sea Dogs last season (a role which he reprised this year). With 79 points in 60 games he may just be coming into his own as an offensive player, and should at least be a solid addition to the Checkers for next year.

Saint John also swept their first round series, meaning both prospects are still in the thick of their respective playoff runs. Perhaps a nice reward for their solid play thus far, they’ll have a professional contract to fall back on whenever their seasons do come to an end.

Snapshots: China, Kitchener, Fazio

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

After it was announced earlier this month that the NHL would be holding two preseason games in China next season, many linked that to the upcoming Beijing Olympics in 2022. Growing the game prior to sending NHL players to one of the biggest sporting events in the world seemed prudent. In his latest column, John Shannon of Sportsnet walks us through why growing the game in China doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the Olympics and instead is more because of the “virgin market” the country presents.

What’s different and noteworthy about this venture in China is that the Chinese want the NHL there, and not just because the 2022 Olympics will be in Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping has apparently developed a passion for hockey and as a result, 3,000 hockey arenas are to be built in the country.

Shannon goes on to note that several teams in the league already have agreements with companies and leagues in China, including Toronto who apparently have 6000 kids playing Maple Leafs-branded hockey each week. Though it’s just preseason next year, perhaps China will be the next destination for the SAP NHL Global Series. In 2017, the NHL will be headed to Stockholm for two games between the Colorado Avalanche and Ottawa Senators.

  • The Kitchener Rangers of the OHL have a new boss, and it’s a name familiar to hockey fans across North America. Mike McKenzie will take over as GM of the junior franchise after Murray Hiebert has transitioned into the Director of Hockey Operations role. McKenzie is the son of TSN Insider Bob McKenzie, a long-time face of hockey in print and television in Canada and the United States. The Rangers are currently down 3-1 in their OHL playoff series against the Owen Sound Attack.
  • The Charlotte Checkers (affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes) have signed Justin Fazio to an amateur tryout now that his Sarnia Sting have been eliminated from the OHL playoffs. The Sting were swept out of the first round by the powerhouse Erie Otters. The undrafted goaltender will turn 20 in just over a month, and will replace Tom McCollum on the roster as he deals with personal issues. The Checkers have been down their starter Alex Nedeljkovic while he backs up Cam Ward in Carolina after Eddie Lack’s recent injury. Fazio had an .896 save percentage for the Sting this season.

Philadelphia Flyers Sign Mike Vecchione To One-Year Contract

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed Mike Vecchione to a one-year, entry-level contract after a long pursuit. He’ll burn through that year in the last five games of the season, earning a prorated version of $925K and become a restricted free agent this summer.  The team has been negotiating with Vecchione since Union College was knocked out of the NCAA tournament by Penn State last Saturday. Vecchione is one of the three finalists for the Hobey Baker trophy, awarded to the nation’s top collegiate player. His 63 points tied him with Zach Aston-Reese for the top scorer in the NCAA, easily eclipsing his previous career high of 50. Mike Vecchione

Vecchione is a two-way forward that will step into an NHL role with ease. He’ll join former teammate Shayne Gostisbehere as part of the young group that will attempt to bring the Flyers back to the playoffs next season. The 24-year old has captained Union for the past two years, and from all accounts brings a level of leadership on and off the ice. Playing with Spencer Foo—another free agent who is expected to sign this summer—he exploded this season into an offensive powerhouse, scoring seemingly at will.

The first thing you’ll notice about Vecchione is how low he sits in his skating stride, using his incredibly strong lower body to stay balanced at all times and quickly accelerate in and out of tight areas. While he doesn’t have elite breakaway speed, his all-around skating ability is excellent and he can use his edge work to create space in the offensive zone. He’s not a huge body (5’10” 195-lbs) but is definitely built well enough for the NHL game and uses what size he does have effectively to shield the puck. With a deceptive release he can get his shot off quickly and fool goaltenders, though that will become more difficult at the higher level.

In all, Vecchione should fit into the Flyers middle-six nicely next season, and could be an option on both special teams. On Union’s powerplay, they use him in both the high circle on his off-wing (think Ovechkin, Stamkos) and as a bumper player in the high slot. A natural center, it’s not clear if he’ll fit into the Flyers’ plans there but his right-handed shot could fit nicely with Brayden Schenn or Jakub Voracek who are both left-handed.

Pursued by many other teams, Eric Engles of Sportsnet reports that Tampa Bay the other finalist for his services, but didn’t represent as much of a center option right away. Tampa already has decisions to make on whether to keep Steven Stamkos in the middle, or continue to use Brayden Point as a top-six option with Tyler Johnson. In any case, they missed out on Vecchione, who some called the best NCAA free agent this year.

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet was first to report the Flyers had signed the free agent forward, while Dave Isaac of the Courier-Post reported that he would join the team this year.

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

scroll to top