News and notes from around the NHL this evening:
- By now you’ve heard that Vladimir Sobotka has joined the St. Louis Blues and signed a three-year extension that kicks in next season. The Czech native will play this season under his arbitration-awarded $2.75MM contract. According to CapFriendly, Sobotka will earn $45K for playing in the Blues’ final two games this season. Not bad for a weekend of work.
- Winnipeg Jets forward prospect Jack Roslovic makes his NHL debut tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Making the debut extra special is that Roslovic is from Columbus, and, as Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch points out, becomes the first Columbus-born NHL player. Roslovic has toiled in the minors all year, posting 13G and 32A in 61 games for the AHL Manitoba Moose. The 2015 25th overall draft pick spent last season at Miami University (OH) where he put up 10G and16A in 36 games.
- According to the Boston Globe’s Fluto Shinzawa, Boston Bruins prospect Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson has finally secured his work visa and can join the team professionally. The Bruins signed Karlsson to a three-year ELC a few days ago, but the Swede has been unable to play in a game due to a work visa delay. He has, however, practiced with the team since leaving Boston University. He was successful at BU, posting 14G and 19A in 39 games this season.
- TSN’s Darren Dreger tweeted that Winnipeg Jets’ Mark Scheifele and Colorado Avalanche’s Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon have agreed to play for Team Canada at the 2017 World Championships this spring. As is tradition, players on teams out of the playoff picture will begin to join their respective countries in the World Championships. Teams usually struggle to attract all the big-name players available, however, because some players would rather recuperate than continue to play more hockey.