Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Archives for 2017

Zach Sanford Injured In Camp, Out “A Couple Weeks”

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

One of the key pieces in the return for Kevin Shattenkirk last season, Zach Sanford was ready to play a much greater role for the St. Louis Blues in 2017-18, assumed to be his first full season in the NHL. That may still happen, but Sanford could now be fighting an uphill battle to make the Blues’ Opening Night roster. Blues beat writer Chris Pinkert spoke to head coach Mike Yeo, who informed him that Sanford was injured in practice on Friday and is expected to miss “a couple weeks”.  That timeline could prove problematic with the regular season also set to start in just over two weeks. Sanford is rumored to be out for the remainder of camp, putting his roster spot in jeopardy.

Even though training camp is not exactly adversarial, there are teammate-on-teammate injuries such as Sanford’s every year. This time, it was a battle along the boards between Sanford and Dmitrij Jaskin, who’s hard check into the boards delivered the shot that injured Sanford’s shoulder and forced him out of the scrimmage. The long-term prognosis was much worse than missing one practice though; Sanford will be out “weeks” and will miss critical time to work with his new teammates and find a fit for himself on one of the forward lines. Come Opening Night, even if Sanford is back at full health, he may find himself in the AHL rather than NHL in a Blues organization that is deep in forward talent. Sanford struggled with inconsistency in his first pro season and could have used a strong camp to kick off the 2017-18 campaign.

Yeo admitted to Pinkert that he had been speaking with his coaches about just how good Sanford had looked mere minutes before his injury. At some point this season, the young winger, a third-round pick of the Washington Capitals in 2013 and a former BC Eagle, is bound to see some major minutes with St. Louis. However, the extent of his shoulder injury and the time it takes for him to rehab and return could play a major part in determining when exactly he takes over that role.

Bode Wilde Commits To The University Of Michigan

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Michigan-based U.S. National Development Program may see an uptick in attendance for their games this season. Bode Wilde, the U-18 team’s top defenseman, announced that he will be taking his talents to the University of Michigan, in nearby Ann Arbor, for the 2018-19 season beyond. Wilde is a top 2018 NHL Draft prospect, and if that wasn’t enough of a draw, fans of the Maize and Blue will likely be looking to get a preview of their incoming talent.

Wilde, 17, was born in Canada – Montreal to be exact – but has lived almost all of his life in the United States. At 6’2″, 194-lbs. and still growing, the physical, puck-moving blue liner has the potential to be the first American taken next June. He posted 19 points in 56 games with the USNTDP U-17 team last year and put on a show at the U-17 World Junior Championships, netting six points in five games. Wilde has good offensive ability and is a strong skater, but also plays with an edge and isn’t afraid to sit back and dominate the defensive zone. He has a powerful shot, but is just as likely to throw his weight into a check on the penalty kill as he is into a slapper on the power play.

A well-rounded prospect with room to grow in the NCAA, Wilde is a truly intriguing prospect. Yet, he faces some stiff competition if he wants to be the “first” anything in the 2018 NHL Draft. It seems extremely unlikely that Wilde could be the first defenseman taken in June, given that Swedish phenom Rasmus Dahlin has long been considered the odds-on favorite to go #1 overall. For Wilde to be the first American, he would have to hold off the likes of USNTDP teammate Joel Farabee, a talented scoring forward, and Boston University freshman Brady Tkachuk, a big, game-changing winger like his father and brother. Heck, Wilde even faces a challenge to be the first Michigan-bound player taken, as teammate and fellow blue liner Mattias Samuelsson commited to the school long ago and is also considered a first-round talent.

Regardless of when Wilde is selected in the draft, Wolverine fans will be happy to have him in Ann Arbor. The school already had sophomore rearguard Luke Martin selected in the second round by the Carolina Hurricanes last year and brought in San Jose Sharks first-rounder Joshua Norris as well. With Wilde, Samuelsson, and yet another promising defenseman, 2019 draft-eligible Michael Vukojevic, coming soon, they are building quite a program in Ann Arbor.

If you’re looking to check out Bode Wilde or any of his talented teammates on the U.S. Development Team this year, you’re in luck if you live in the Great Lakes region or near any of their frequent NCAA stops. Check out this year’s schedule.

Evening Notes: Stepan, Dallas D, Schmaltz

at CDT | by 1 Comment

One of the main reasons the Arizona Coyotes made their big offseason trade in which they traded the seventh overall pick in this year’s draft and prospect defenseman Anthony DeAngelo to the New York Rangers was to acquire Derek Stepan. According to Jim Cerny of Sporting News, the Coyotes have high hopes the center will provide much-needed offensive help, but what the team is also looking for is  to have him lead their young team.

With 515 games of experience under his belt (and 97 more in the playoffs), the 27-year-old already has plenty of experience. And while no captain has been announced, Stepan is among a short list of candidates for it. Arizona has a number of young potential forwards under 23 years, including Clayton Keller, Dylan Strome, Max Domi, Brendan Perlini, Christian Dvorak, Christian Fischer, Anthony Duclair and Lawson Crouse.

Derek Stepan brings winning pedigree to Coyotes” data-id=”4804153″ data-url=”/ca/nhl/news/derek-stepan-brings-winning-pedigree-arizona-coyotes-nhl-training-camp-trade-new-york-rangers/14x7am2i7phhb1fipulvk2gl1d” data-section=”nhl” data-prev-page=”” data-next-page=”/ca/nhl/news/derek-stepan-brings-winning-pedigree-arizona-coyotes-nhl-training-camp-trade-new-york-rangers/14x7am2i7phhb1fipulvk2gl1d?_prev=1″ data-ga-set=”true” data-ga-data-dimension1=”nhl” data-ga-data-dimension2=”Desktop” data-ga-data-dimension3=”Jim Cerny” data-ga-data-dimension4=”Derek Stepan brings winning pedigree to Coyotes” data-ga-data-dimension5=”article:nhl:derek-stepan-brings-winning-pedigree-arizona-coyotes-nhl-training-camp-trade-new-york-rangers” data-ga-data-dimension9=”Article” data-ga-data-dimension11=”2017-09-15″ data-ga-data-dimension12=”12″ data-ga-data-dimension25=”InitialLoad” data-ga-data-dimension26=”1″ data-ga-data-metric12=”1″ data-ga-data-dimension16=”Article: No Video” data-ga-data-dimension17=”Article: No Video”>

“I’ll try to do what I do best, play a 200 foot game, try to make the guys around me better, and try to be a leader for these young guys,” said Stepan. “When I was a young guy, I had older guys do it for me, and I want to do the same thing for them. Hopefully I can step in and help in all aspects.”

 

Dean Lombardi Hired by Philadelphia Flyers

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun tweets that Dean Lombardi was hired by the Philadelphia Flyers to do some work under general manager Ron Hextall. Lombardi won two Stanley Cup Championships as general manager of the Los Angeles Kings but was relieved of his duties this spring after the team’s continued struggles both in the win column and with their salary cap issues. The Kings replaced him with Rob Blake.

Many wondered what would happen to Lombardi. He was rumored to go to Philadelphia back in May, but nothing had come out of it until now. What his position will be remains unknown, but Lombardi and Hextall go way back as Hextall was an assistant general manager for Lombardi and the Kings before he got the Flyers GM gig. LeBrun writes that the Kings, who still owe him money for this season have signed off on the deal.

Lombardi also has a history with the Flyers as he served as a scout in 2003 until 2006 before becoming general manager of the Kings.

Eastern Notes: Van Riemsdyk, Bellerive, Mete, Antipin

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

While major roster moves at this point in the season are unlikely, it sounds like Toronto could be looking to make some moves later in the season, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger. The Maple Leafs who are overloaded with forwards and will have to worry about salary cap issues for the impending future (the currently are $4.58MM over the cap) might be willing to move some of their veteran forwards whose contracts are close to expiring. According to Dreger, the team might be looking to move James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak and Leo Komarov during the season to get some value for them.

Van Riemsdyk would be a valuable trade chip for the Maple Leafs. The 28-year-old put up 29 goals and 33 assists last year and will be making $4.25MM in his final year of his contract. Trade speculation surrounding van Riemsdyk isn’t surprising. There was plenty of that last year. With all the contracts the Maple Leafs have, including the deal to sign Patrick Marleau as well as an eventual long-term deal that will go to Auston Matthews, Toronto will likely be forced to make some moves.

Bozak had 18 goals and career-high 55 points last year and could also be a key trade asset for the franchise. There were plenty of rumors surrounding the 31-year-old center this offseason in which both the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers were interested in bringing him. Komarov also had a solid year for the Leafs as the 30-year-old center put up 14 goals and 18 assists.

Dreger said that while it is unknown whether the franchise intends to eventually move one or all three, but suggested that a team like the Anaheim Ducks might be the perfect trade candidate for Toronto as the Ducks might be looking to add a third-line center.

  • The Pittsburgh Penguins announced they have signed undrafted 18-year-old Jordan Bellerive to a three-year entry-level contract. The 5-foot-10 center put up 27 goals and 29 assists for the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes last year, but to many people’s surprise did not get drafted. He joined the Penguins for the 2017 Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, New York and led the prospects with seven points (four goals, three assists) in three games. He is expected to return to his junior team this season.
  • Eric Engels of Sportsnet writes that the Montreal Canadiens are taking a serious look at defensive prospect Victor Mete as a potential line partner with veteran Shea Weber. Mete, a fourth-round pick in 2016, put up 44 points in 50 games last year for the OHL’s London Knights. The scribe reports that the 19-year-old has not looked out of place next to Weber and is a perfect complement to him.
  • John Vogl of the Buffalo News writes that former KHL defenseman Viktor Antipin, who signed with the Sabres this offseason, is working hard to earn a spot on the Sabres’ defensive rotation. The 24-year-old has been paired so far in camp with defensive-minded Justin Falk, which many believe is a perfect pairing. The offensive-minded Antipin scored 24 points in 59 games for Magnitogorsk Mettallurg last year.

 

Free Agent Notes: Gionta, Athanasiou, Da Costa

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Winger Brian Gionta is the second highest scoring player from last season that remains an unrestricted free agent as training camps get underway.  However, his agent Brian Bartlett told Leo Roth of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle that the fact he remains unsigned is Gionta’s choice and that it may stay that way for a little while longer:

“It’s not for lack of opportunities, teams want to sign him, but he has to decide if it fits into his family situation.  I think we’ll play it out awhile, see if anything changes in Buffalo, and then decide to go elsewhere or not. But it’s not like I don’t have opportunities for him to play, I do.’’

The 38-year-old played in all 82 games last season and collected 35 points (15-20-35) which marked the fourth straight year that he has surpassed the 30 point plateau.  As is the case with any remaining free agent at this time, staying unsigned to potentially play in the Olympics in February is also a possibility.

Other notes from free agency:

  • Talks continue between the Red Wings and RFA winger Andreas Athanasiou with agent Darren Ferris telling Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press that they “are having productive discussions”. However, Ferris was quick to note that those discussions don’t mean that they are getting close to putting pen to paper on a new contract.  It’s believed that Athanasiou has a one-year KHL offer on the table worth around $3MM while Detroit has come in well below that AAV in their offers.  James added on Twitter that GM Ken Holland flew to Toronto today to continue negotiations in person.
  • Center Stephane Da Costa was expected to garner NHL interest over the offseason after a strong showing at the World Championships. However, he has been dealing with a health concern since August that will keep him off the ice for several months according to a report from L’Équipe in France which explains why he isn’t currently at an NHL training camp.  As a result, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him sign back in the KHL when he’s able to return and then make a run at an NHL roster spot next summer.

2017-18 Primer: Philadelphia Flyers

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

With the NHL season now just a month away, it’s time to look at what each team has done this summer and what to watch for in the year to come.  Today, we focus on the Philadelphia Flyers.

Last Season: 39-33-10 record (88 points), sixth in Metropolitan Division (missed the playoffs)

Remaining Cap Space: $4.9MM per CapFriendly

Key Additions: G Brian Elliott (free agency, Calgary), F Jori Lehtera (trade with St. Louis), F Nolan Patrick (entry draft)

Key Departures: F Nick Cousins (trade with Arizona), D Michael Del Zotto (free agency, Vancouver), F Roman Lyubimov (CSKA Moscow, KHL), G Steve Mason (free agency, Winnipeg), F Brayden Schenn (trade with St. Louis), D Nick Schultz (free agency, unsigned)

[Related: Flyers Depth Chart From Roster Resource]

Player To Watch: F Claude Giroux – Giroux has been Philadelphia’s front line center pretty much full-time since 2010-11.  However, after hovering at a point-per-game or better for three straight years (2011-12 through 2013-14), his production has dropped for three straight years with his output last season (14 goals and 58 points) checking in well below his career averages.

Mar 21, 2017; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux (28) waits for the puck to drop during the first period against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY SportsGiroux is still just 29 and shouldn’t be on the downswing just yet but it’s fair to question if his decline is a sign of things to come or are better days on the horizon?  With no real help being brought in offensively over the course of the summer (Schenn to Lehtera is a bit of a step back), the team is undoubtedly counting on Giroux to pick up his play.

The Flyers have their top line center of the future in Patrick but he’s still a few years away from realistically being ready to ascend to that role.  Their other internal options (Lehtera, Valtteri Filppula, and Sean Couturier) aren’t capable of being top liners so expectations are going to remain high on Giroux for this season and well beyond.  If he can get back to even around the 70 point mark, Philadelphia will be much better off for it.

Key Storyline: There aren’t many certainties around the league from year-to-year but one of them is the annual question of whether the Flyers have good enough goaltending and this season is no exception.

Elliott did not play particularly well with Calgary last season and his numbers were only marginally better than what Mason put up as the starter in 2016-17, a level of production that wasn’t good enough.  If Elliott plays similarly this year, starting goaltending will likely be a problem once again.  That said, there is upside here based on his play with St. Louis over the previous few seasons.  If Elliott gets even close to that level of performance, then Philadelphia will have a reliable starter.

Michal Neuvirth is still in the fold as well and will be looking to push for more playing time as well.  He’s also coming off of a down campaign but is only one year removed from a strong year with Philly.  However, he hasn’t been able to hold down the number one role for long in the past.

In a perfect world, both veterans rebound and provide the team with above average goaltending but if they repeat their performances from last season, their play between the pipes will be problematic once again.  One of these years, the Flyers will find themselves with some stability in goal with a proven, high-quality starter but 2017-18 isn’t going to be the year it happens.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Salary Cap Deep Dive: San Jose Sharks

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Navigating the Salary Cap is probably one of the more important tasks for any general manager to have. Teams that can avert total cap chaos by walking the tightrope of inking players to deals that match their value (or compensate for future value without breaking the bank) remain successful. Those that don’t see struggles and front office changes.

PHR will look at every NHL team and give a thorough look at their cap situation heading into the 2017-18 season. This will focus more on those players who are integral parts of the roster versus those who may find themselves shuttling between the AHL and NHL. All cap figures are courtesy of CapFriendly.

San Jose Sharks

Current Cap Hit: $66,290,500 (under the $75MM Upper Limit)

Entry-Level Contracts

F Kevin Labanc (Two years remaining, $718K)
F Timo Meier (Two years remaining, $894K)

Potential Bonuses

Labanc: $183K
Meier: $750K

Total: $933K

Labanc didn’t make San Jose’s roster out of training camp but after being recalled in November, he was pretty much a regular for the rest of the season aside from a brief game or two here and there at the AHL level.  With the team not replacing Patrick Marleau in free agency, they will be looking at Labanc among others to pick up the slack.  Meier didn’t see as much NHL action as Labanc did but the fact he was pretty much a regular in the playoffs bodes well for his short-term NHL future.  If one of them can lock down a top-six role by the end of their contracts, they’ll be in line to at least double their current pay two years from now.

One Year Remaining, Non-Entry-Level

G Aaron Dell ($625K, RFA)
D Dylan DeMelo ($650K, RFA)
F Jannik Hansen ($2MM*, UFA)
F Tomas Hertl ($3MM, RFA)
F Chris Tierney ($735K, RFA)
F Joe Thornton ($8MM, UFA)
F Joel Ward ($3.275MM, UFA)

* – Vancouver is retaining $500K on Hansen’s contract.

Thornton’s raise came as a surprise but that only happened once Marleau departed for Toronto.  He has the reputation of being a premier playmaker but is coming off of his lowest points-per-game average since 1998-99 and he’ll likely only be on the second line.  Value wise, this isn’t a good contract but they have more than enough space to deal with it.  Trading the contract might be tough but Thornton isn’t likely to waive his no-move clause anyway.  Hansen is on a bargain contract for someone who is expected to play in the top six.  If he can stay healthy and put up around 35-40 points, he’ll be in line to beat the $3MM salary he’s earning this season on the open market.  Ward is better off as a third line winger at this stage but has still been a productive player even as he approaches the age of 37.  If he decides to keep playing, he’ll be heading for one-year contracts from here on out.  Tierney took his qualifying offer but unless his output takes a big dive, he could stand to double his contract next summer.

Apr 6, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (48) warms up before the game against the Edmonton Oilers at SAP Center at San Jose. The Edmonton Oilers defeated the San Jose Sharks 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY SportsThen there’s Hertl, whose case is quite the intriguing one.  He signed a bridge deal last summer and the first year didn’t go exactly as either side planned.  A knee injury cost him a big part of the season and he wound up with just 22 points in 49 games.  The Sharks will be counting on him to take a big step forward this season and if he delivers, the long-term, big money contract should be there as he’ll have lots of leverage with arbitration rights.  If he only gets back to around the 35-40 point mark though, the question of what his ceiling is will come up – is he a front liner in the near future or more of a middle-six forward?  If that happens, another one-year contract might not be out of the question.

DeMelo was banged up last year and was scratched at times when he was healthy and will likely once again be a depth defender.  He’ll be in line for a raise due to his qualifying offer ($735K) but unless he gets regular playing time, he probably won’t get much more.  Dell had a fantastic rookie season as the backup goaltender and his cap hit (which falls below the league minimum) looks like a major bargain.  He is positioning himself nicely to be one of the better backups to hit the open market next summer at a time where quality backups are starting to get bigger contracts.

Read more

Tampa Bay Lightning Angling For Outdoor Game

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik spoke to media today ahead of training camp, and said that he is trying to get an outdoor game. Reported by both Tampa Bay Times reporter Joe Smith and NHL.com writer Bryan Burns, Vinik said that he’s talking to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman about hosting an outdoor game in Tampa Bay. Vinik also dismissed the hot Florida climate as an obstacle.

Vinik has a point about the climate. The NHL has held outdoor games in Las Vegas (1991), Los Angeles (2014), and Santa Clara (2015) without issue. Cooling technology has come far enough that hosting an outdoor game in a traditionally hot climate more than a pipe dream.

Boosting the Lightning’s chances of hosting is that the team has never participated in an outdoor game—one of just seven teams without any outdoor game experience. Tampa Bay is also slated to host the 2018 NHL All-Star Game this season on short notice. Tampa Bay was chosen later than usual because the NHL thought it might be heading to the Olympics this year instead. When those plans were scuttled, the league chose Tampa Bay as the All-Star venue.

Morning Snapshots: Leafs, Sabres; Calgary Arena

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

News and notes from around the NHL this morning:

  • Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Martin Marincin may be fighting for his job in training camp, reports the Athletic’s Jonas Siegal. Siegal writes that the former 2nd round pick in the 2010 NHL Draft may not have many more chances to stick in the league, despite showing flashes of natural talent. Marincin was once the Maple Leaf’s top-pairing defenceman alongside Morgan Rielly, but has struggled of late and sat out 38 games last season. The Slovak defender will have to turn things around quickly if he wants to maintain a roster spot amid the youth movement pushing from below.
  • The Buffalo Sabres may not have a captain on opening night, reports the Times Herald’s Bill Hoppe. Hoppe reports that new coach Phil Housley is not rushing to name a captain. Some teams, like last year’s Toronto Maple Leafs, opt to play an entire year without a captain. Housley may go that route, but he may also see how training camp plays out and whether a natural leader emerges. Becoming an NHL captain requires additional responsibilities and poise that not all players have—or want. The Sabres’ previous captain, forward Brian Gionta, did not re-sign with the Sabres this season. Hoppe thinks that forward Ryan O’Reilly is a good candidate to fill the void. The Sabres could also be waiting to see if top prospect Jack Eichel steps up into the role.
  • Former MLSE president and CEO Richard Peddie chimed in on the ongoing Calgary Flames arena saga yesterday. Peddie—who once ran the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC, and the AHL Toronto Marlies—tweeted that Toronto’s arena was 100% privately financed. Not only did Peddie state that the arena  fully privately-funded, but MLSE paid full property taxes and infrastructure costs. The Flames are looking for a substantial public investment in any new arena, and have implicitly threatened longterm consequences if they cannot reach some sort of agreement.

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

scroll to top