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Vancouver Canucks Sign Jonathan Dahlen To Three-Year Contract

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The Vancouver Canucks have locked up one of the prizes of this year’s trade deadline, inking Jonathan Dahlen to a three-year entry-level deal. Dahlen was the prospect the Canucks received from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Alex Burrows. The deal will obviously begin in 2017-18, and the Canucks include that he will be at training camp in the fall.

The 19-year old Dahlen is a supremely talented stickhandler who put up 44 points in 45 games this year for Timra’s Allsvenskan team, the level just below the Swedish Hockey League. His name might be familiar to fans who remember his father Ulf Dahlen, who played almost 1000 games in the NHL and scored 655 points (the 15th most from a Swedish-born player). The younger Dahlen wasn’t drafted quite as high as his father—who went seventh-overall to the Rangers in 1985—but was the Senators’ second pick last summer at #42 overall.

Dahlen won the “Golden Cage” award this season, given to the top junior player in the league. It wasn’t a surprise, as he finished tied for fourth in total league scoring and easily paced the U20 players. Dahlen was teammates with Elias Pettersson, who is expected to go in the first round of this year’s draft, perhaps even in the top 10. Even though he’s been playing against men, Dahlen is likely ticketed for the AHL next season where he can continue to develop. Listed at 5’11” 176-lbs, he’ll need to adjust quickly to the more physical game in North America.

New York Rangers Sign Alexei Bereglazov

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As rumored, the New York Rangers have signed KHL defenseman Alexei Bereglazov. Bereglazov had recently confirmed that he would be heading to North America after this season, and the Rangers have long been linked—originally by Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. The (just turned) 23-year old defender will add another piece to the Rangers blueline and may step into the spotlight as soon as next year. His age means the entry-level deal can only be for two years, and it is likely that the deal starts next season since he would have to pass through waivers to be eligible for these playoffs.

Bereglazov is left-handed, but spend much of this season playing the right side for Magnitogorsk and could continue there for the Rangers. The big blueliner broke out somewhat this season, recording 19 points in 60 games, the most by a defender 24 years or under. His offensive upside is the big selling point, though he still struggles at times moving the puck quickly out of his own end. With the size 6’4″ to step into the NHL right away, he’ll likely break camp with the team and be given a chance to start 2017-18.

It is an interesting situation the Rangers find themselves in on defence, with Marc Staal and Dan Girardi still signed long-term but not performing well enough to deserve the $10MM+ hit their combined salaries cause on the cap. With the team seemingly wanting to go after Kevin Shattenkirk, and perhaps even re-sign Brendan Smith after his successful stint with the team, there isn’t enough money or ice time to go around. While Vegas could potentially pluck one of their problems away in the expansion draft—if they can get one of them to waive their NMC—it isn’t very likely. Instead, they may have to consider the very unattractive buyout option for at least one.

In any case, the Rangers have added some solid depth for nothing but an entry-level contract, bringing Bereglazov over away from the KHL. If he can have even a portion of the success that Nikita Zaitsev showed in Toronto this year, they’ve bought themselves another asset. At the very least, this shows the continued willingness of Russian-born KHLers to leave the league for the NHL, despite its recent Olympic decision. The pipeline continues to go both ways.

Kris Versteeg Hopes To Re-Sign In Calgary

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Despite being knocked out of the playoffs Wednesday night, Flames’ forward Kris Versteeg looks back fondly on his season in Calgary. Meeting with the media today, he said he’d “love to be in Calgary” next year. He also joked with Wes Gilberton of Postmedia, saying that “if [he’s] sitting in Switzerland in September, [his] agent is getting fired.” That would hit a little close to home for Versteeg, who last summer was extremely close to playing the season in Bern if it weren’t for a failed medical. Kris Versteeg

Versteeg instead took a professional tryout with the Edmonton Oilers, only to leave them just before the season for a deal in Calgary. It was a complicated offseason for Versteeg, who followed it up with another successful year, registering 37 points in 69 games and generally playing pretty well for the Flames. The 30-year old forward hasn’t found much stability in his professional career since being drafted by the Boston Bruins in the fifth round. Suiting up for the Blackhawks, Maple Leafs, Flyers, Panthers, Blackhawks (again), Hurricanes, Kings and now Flames across 619 career games, he’s produced at nearly every stop.

Earning $950K this season was a clear step backwards from the four-year, $17.6MM deal he signed with the Panthers in 2012 and he’ll look to get a raise this summer. Though he’ll never be a top player on a team, his point totals are more than acceptable for a player earning between $1-1.5MM on a short term deal. He should have several suitors, though the Flames would easily be able to afford keeping him around.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Spencer Foo Expected To Make Decision Soon

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After telling teams he wanted to take a little time off and think about his decision fully, NCAA free agent Spencer Foo has now met with five different teams. Ken Campbell of The Hockey News reports that he could make his decision as soon as this weekend, and that interested teams still include Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Edmonton among others.

Foo was a Hobey Baker finalist in this his junior season with Union College, and was named to the All-American first team after scoring 62 points in 38 games. His teammate Mike Vecchione already signed with Philadelphia, and Foo could follow him there soon to join fellow Union alum Shayne Gostisbehere. He’s also been linked to Calgary in the past, attending development camp with the Flames last summer. In 2015, the San Jose Sharks hosted him at their own development camp, though there has been no recent link between the two sides.

The Edmonton-born forward—who grew up an Oilers fan—was an offensive force during his junior season, and at 22 will progress rapidly through whichever system eventually signs him. Like Vecchione, there has been some debate over whether he could handle the center ice position in professional hockey, with his most likely landing spot on the right wing. With speed to burn and a nose for the net he’ll try to follow the example set by fellow undrafted college player Conor Sheary and find success early in his pro career.

Morning Notes: Lorentz, Penguins, Datsyuk, Setoguchi

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The Carolina Hurricanes have added a talented young forward to their prospect ranks, inking Steven Lorentz to a three-year entry-level deal. The contract will pay him $650K in the first two years, and $700K the third season—contingent on him staying in the NHL. At the AHL level he’ll earn just $60K, but does receive a healthy $185K signing bonus. Not bad for a seventh-round pick in 2015 who despite being looked over in the draft has exploded onto the scene in the OHL playoffs, recording 15 points in 9 games and leading the Peterborough Petes to the third round.

Lorentz has the size and scoring ability to make an impact at the professional level, and will try to continue his playoff dominance against the Mississauga Steelheads. He’s got a long way to go to see the NHL, but he’s already outgrown his draft status.

  • The Pittsburgh Penguins have returned Josh Archibald, Tom Sestito and Cameron Gaunce to the AHL to help the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in their first round series with the Providence Bruins. Pittsburgh is off for a few days following their elimination of the Columbus Blue Jackets last night, and will nurse any wounds while waiting for the victor of the Capitals-Maple Leafs series.
  • Despite Pavel Datsyuk not being healthy enough to play in the clinching game in the Gagarin Cup, he intends to play in 2017-18 for SKA St. Petersburg. Dan Milstein, Datsyuk’s agent, tweeted that the 38-year old will also be looking forward to the 2018 Olympics, where he will presumably be selected to participate for Russia. Datsyuk found great success with SKA this season, scoring 34 points in 44 games while being much closer to his family in Russia.
  • Devin Setoguchi has signed with Adler-Mannheim of the German Hockey League, inking a two-year deal to continue his hockey career overseas. Setoguchi made an impressive comeback this year, making the Los Angeles Kings out of camp and recording 12 points in 45 games. The former 30-goal man has a long troubled history in the league but continues to work his way back to health and happiness. He’ll join several former NHL players including Carlo Colaiacovo, Marcel Goc and Drew MacIntyre with the Eagles next season.

Latest On Buffalo Sabres Front Office Situation

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The owner of the Buffalo Sabres Terry Pegula held a press conference this morning to explain the firings of both Dan Bylsma an Tim Murray, and was very forthcoming about the situation. The whole thing lasted about 15 minutes, but Pegula was peppered with questions about how the decision was made, who will be considered for the vacant jobs, and even the perceived “tanking” of the 2014-2015 season. The full audio of the presser can be found here.

The main theme of what Pegula had to say was that the team needed better discipline and structure throughout the organization, and that he didn’t feel as though Murray had built that well enough. He regretted not being part of the GM search in the first place—which was conducted by Pat Lafontaine when he served as President of Hockey Operations, a position that lasted only three months—and that he would be much more involved this time around. Pegula will be pursuing someone of experience, though he matter-of-factly shot down the notion that Dean Lombardi had already been interviewed, saying it was a “complete fabrication”.

With those same words, he denied the Jack Eichel “coach-killer” rumors, saying that he stands with Eichel’s agent Peter Fish in defense of the star player. Pegula did however admit that he spoke to players before making the decision to move on from Bylsma and Murray, and perhaps the perceived discontent this year is part of the “discipline” problem with the Sabres.

When asked about the tanked season that resulted in Eichel—but was done for Connor McDavid—Pegula stressed that it was a rebuild, not a tank, and that his team has never wanted to lose. While it was clear that winning the draft lottery and acquiring McDavid (or Eichel) was a goal, it would be hard to say that any group of professional athletes would intend to lose, and Buffalo was no different. Whatever it is deemed, tank or rebuild, it did result in one of the best young players Buffalo has seen in a long time.

While Pegula assured the media that he hadn’t spoken to anyone about the vacancies yet, he did explain that Jeff Crisp the Sabres head scout would be handling all of the amateur scouting leading up to the draft. The team also let go both pro and amateur scouting directors yesterday, a bold move with both expansion and entry drafts following so soon. Whichever GM takes the job will have to rely heavily on Crisp for the upcoming draft, as Buffalo again has a good chance at a top-5 pick.

Washington Capitals Recall Chandler Stephenson

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The Washington Capitals have recalled Chandler Stephenson ahead of their Game 5 matchup with the Toronto Maple Leafs this evening. With their AHL affiliate Hershey Bears set to start their own playoffs series tonight, this is likely not a Black Aces situation but one of either replacement or insurance. The Capitals evened the series at 2-2 on Wednesday, and are trying to put away the Leafs before the young team gets their confidence back.

Stephenson played four games for the Capitals this season and was held pointless, but did score 38 points in 72 AHL contests. The 22-year old has never been an outstanding offensive contributor, though can chip in at both ends of the rink and help in the faceoff dot. His speed is his best weapon, which is perhaps why the Capitals chose him over some other options against the quick Leafs team.

As Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press points out, Brett Connolly played just four minutes in their last game as coach Barry Trotz sat down the fourth line for much of the game. After criticism that he wasn’t using Alex Ovechkin enough, Trotz still only sent him over the boards for 16:31. That won’t change much if the Maple Leafs continue to stay out of the box, as they took just a single minor penalty on Wednesday night.

Poll: Who Should Win The Calder Trophy?

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The NHL released the top-three finalists for its Calder Trophy. The award is awarded to the NHL’s rookie of the year, and this year the top-three finalists are all worthy of the award. Who do you think should win the Calder Trophy this year?

Patrik Laine
Patrick Laine
Auston Matthews
Auston Matthews
Zach Werenski
Zach Werenski

 

Linesman Don Henderson Suing Dennis Wideman And Calgary Flames For $10.25MM

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Former NHL linesman Don Henderson is suing Calgary Flames forward Dennis Wideman for $10.25MM, reports CTV’s Chris Epp. The suit stems from the on-ice incident on January 27, 2016 where Wideman hit Henderson as Wideman was skating to the bench. The NHL initially suspended Wideman for 20 games before a neutral arbitrator reduced it to 10. Henderson also added the Calgary Flames as a defendant alleging that the team is vicariously liable for Wideman’s conduct.

Henderson’s suit—filed in Calgary, Alberta—alleges that as a result of Wideman’s hit, Henderson suffered numerous injuries including a concussion, neck injury, knee injury, and pain, numbness, and tingling in his right arm. The suit also alleges that those injuries directly impacted Henderson’s ability to continue to referee. Henderson seeks $10MM for lost income and future earnings, $200K for general damages, and $50K for special damages. It is unclear whether this is in Canadian or American funds.

Civil lawsuits stemming from professional sporting events are tricky to analyze. In contrast with normal civil suits alleging assault, battery, or negligence, professional sports participants face the added burden of disproving consent and assumption of risk. The basic premise is that a professional sports participant understands the risk of his or her position and consents to physical contact. It is why NHL players cannot sue each other for hits occurring during an NHL game.

That is not to say, however, that participants are prohibited from filing civil suits. Depending on the court, a party can successfully claim that the injury occurred was so out of the realm of what was expected that consent and assumption of risk do not apply. It is a tougher burden to prove, but it is not impossible.

According to Rick Westhead, Wideman has 30 days to file a statement of defense. So far both Wideman’s camp and the Calgary Flames have declined to comment.

NHL Names Calder Trophy Finalists

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The NHL released the Calder Trophy finalists for the 2016-17 season, reports Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. The finalists for the NHL’s rookie of the year award are: Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews, and Columbus Blue Jackets defensman Zach Werenski.

Most hockey minds agreed that the Calder race was between Laine and Matthews, with outside runs by Werenski, Toronto Maple Leafs forwards William Nylander and Mitch Marner, and Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray. It was a tough year to be a skilled rookie as many impressive performances were overshadowed by Laine’s and Matthews’ excellent season.

Matthews finished the season with 40G and 29A in 82 games, breaking the Maple Leafs record for most goals by a rookie. 32 of those goals came on 5-vs-5, usually centering a line with rookies Zach Hyman and Connor Brown. Matthews averaged .84 points per game

Finnish rookie Laine scored 36G and 28A in 73 games while suffering a concussion midway through the season, and 27 of those goals were even-strength. Laine finished with .88 points per game.

Rounding up the trio is Blue Jackets defenseman Werenski. The American-native scored 11G and 36A in 78 games for the Blue Jackets while averaging just under 21 minutes a night. Werenski manned the second-pairing for Columbus, and quarterbacked the first-line powerplay.

Any of the above three would be well-suited to win the award. Matthews lived up to the expectations of a first overall pick, Laine excited Winnipeg crowds with his laser shot, and Werenski provided maturity beyond his years as a rookie defenseman on the NHL’s most surprising team. Fans will find out who won on June 21, 2017 when the NHL hosts its annual award show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

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