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Archives for March 2018

Undrafted Free Agent Signings Dominating Juniors

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Given that each team generally has seven chances to makes a pick in the NHL Draft each year resulting in, until recently, 210 selections, and now 217 moving forward, the bulk of top players in the league come through the draft process. However, no matter the level – Canadian juniors, American juniors and the NCAA, and Europe – there are always players that slip through the crack. Sometimes those particular players don’t slip too far. Case in point: take a look at some of the top players in the CHL this season. A significant proportion of 2017-18’s most valuable players in the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL are not just undrafted, but have also already signed with an NHL team.

In the Ontario League, Aaron Luchuk is the poster boy for the year of undrafted signings. The 20-year-old Barrie Colts center signed an entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators back in December. He’s rewarded them for taking a gamble on him by leading the league with 105 points thus far, including a league-leading 45 goals. This has been a major step up in his production of 60 points in 68 games in 2016-17. The 5’10” forward’s next step will be trying his hand at the AHL next season. Not far behind Luchuk is Sam Miletic, a fellow 20-year-old forward playing for the Niagara Ice Dogs. Miletic is fifth in the OHL with 86 points and also brings a good defensive sense to his game. Miletic signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins in September after recording 55 points in 65 games with the London Knights last season; Miletic had 54 points in just 35 games with London prior to being traded mid-season. Undrafted netminders are also making a splash in the OHL. The Detroit Red Wings signed 19-year-old Kaden Fulcher back in October and the Hamilton Bulldogs goalie has since been a top goalie in the league, currently fourth in goals against average and seventh in save percentage among starters. Boston Bruins prospect Kyle Keyser is right there with him, as the Oshawa Generals keeper is sixth in save percentage and seventh in goals against average among starters.

The Western League is littered with undrafted free agent signings among its top scorers. The Moose Jaw Warriors’ Brayden Burke has joined that group, having just signed with the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday. Burke, 21, is tied for second in league scoring with 113 points in just 61 games, a pace of nearly two points per game this season. Burke is undersized at 5’10”, 165 lbs., but has done well for himself in the WHL, which is traditionally a heavier league, and will soon turn his sights on the pros. Also in the top ten in scoring are another Penguin, Jordy Bellerive, and the Colorado Avalanche’s Ty Lewis. Both forwards signed prior to the season and have each taken a big step in 2017-18, currently tied for eighth with 89 points. Bellerive, who is only 18, jumped on the opportunity to sign with the defending Cup champs after being passed over in the draft, and the Lethbridge Hurricanes center is now making the Penguins just as excited about the deal. Lewis, 20, has stepped into the top scorer role for the Brandon Wheat Kings left behind by Nolan Patrick and has excelled. Cameron Hebig of the Regina Pats is next in line with 88 points on the year, after signing with the Edmonton Oilers. The WHL also features an impressive undrafted goalie of their own in Cole Kehler, a 20-year-old for the Portland Winterhawks who inked a deal with the Los Angeles Kings in December as well. Kehler has a big frame and a quick glove, which has helped him maintain the best goals against average and fourth-best save percentage among goalies with at least 40 appearances this year.

While the Quebec League doesn’t count as many exciting undrafted prospects among its best, it does feature two consistent torrid scorers who, until recently, had been ignored due to their small stature. Alex Barre-Boulet joined the pro-bound on March 1st, when the Tampa Bay Lightning signed him to an entry-level deal. Barre-Boulet, 20, may stand only 5’10”, 165 lbs., but he is enjoying his third-straight 80+ point campaign. In fact, he is far beyond that in 2017-18, with a league leading 109 points that dwarfs the next-best scorer by 15 points. The Blainville-Boisbriand Armada star has at least earned a shot at the NHL. So too has Maxime Fourtier, the Halifax Mooseheads captain who has at least 70 points the past three years. Fourtier is slightly bigger that Barre-Boulet and has clearly focused on rounding out his game this season, after signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets in November.

The 2017-18 season shows that the draft is not the end of the line. These standouts make up only a fraction of the talented undrafted players skating in the CHL, some of whom are soon to be signed, and an even smaller fraction of undrafted players across the globe. Talent is always there to discover, even if it doesn’t fully manifest by the age of 18, and these players are proof. Expect to see many of them at the NHL level some time in the not-to-distant future.

Poll: Which Club Is Most Likely To Bounce Back?

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The 2017-18 season has not been good to preseason prognosticators. No one saw the Vegas Golden Knights going from expansion to excellence, and few could predict the disappointing seasons in Edmonton, Ottawa and Montreal. Many even had the Oilers as a Western Conference favorite before the season began, thanks in large part (or entirely) to Connor McDavid’s ascent to the top of the league.

Now, as we head into the last few weeks of the regular season, it’s becoming clear who will finish the year at the very bottom. Amazingly, the Colorado Avalanche are not among the worst teams in the league despite having a historically-bad season in 2016-17. That bounce back is exactly what every non-playoff club will attempt next season, hoping that a few tweaks and some natural progression will get them right back into the hunt.

Of those teams already considered out of the running, which one is most likely to make the playoffs next season? Is it Edmonton, thanks once again to McDavid’s skill? Or a team like Vancouver who have their own young talents to build around? Will success ever come to Arizona or Buffalo?

Vote below, and make sure to list your reasons in the comments.

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Luke Kunin Suffers ACL Tear, Out Seven Months

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After only just being recalled for another chance at the NHL level, Minnesota Wild forward Luke Kunin will have to wait quite some time before getting back on the ice. The team announced that Kunin suffered a torn ACL in Sunday’s game which will require surgery, and faces a seven month recovery timeline.

Kunin was expected to make a big impact for the Wild this season after an impressive sophomore campaign at the University of Wisconsin, but has spent much of the year in the AHL with Iowa. At that level, the 20-year old forward has 19 points in 36 games, but has struggled at times to use his quickness to really create the separation he found in college. In 19 games in the NHL, including two since his most recent call-up, Kunin has just four points. While that performance is no cause for concern regarding his long-term future, it will go down as a disappointing rookie campaign for the first-round pick.

The Wild meanwhile will have to look elsewhere for an injection of youth and speed to the lineup, as they look to secure their playoff spot in the Central Division. Minnesota currently sits in third place with 81 points, while the Stars, Avalanche and Blues all remain within striking distance. They’ve gotten to this point without a huge impact from Kunin, but were counting on his depth down the stretch to help them into the playoffs. Players like Kyle Rau and Zack Mitchell will now need to be that depth, along with Jordan Greenway when his college season eventually ends.

Edmonton Oilers Sign Colin Larkin To Entry-Level Contract

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As expected, the Edmonton Oilers have signed free agent forward Colin Larkin to a one-year entry-level contract. Larkin has just finished his fourth season at UMass-Boston, a Division III program. Because of his age, he was only eligible to sign a one-year deal.

The older brother of Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin, Colin is a 24-year old forward that is coming off the best season of his collegiate career. With 46 points in 27 games, he was fourth in Division III scoring and took home the NEHC Player of the Year honors for the second straight season. It’s not often you see players from this level sign NHL contracts, but the Oilers must see something in the 6’3″ forward.

New York Rangers Sign Ty Ronning To Entry-Level Contract

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The New York Rangers have added another prospect to their organization, signing WHL forward Ty Ronning to a three-year entry-level contract. The contract will likely start in 2018-19, when Ronning will join the professional ranks.

Ronning, 20, is having an outstanding season with the Vancouver Giants and is tied for second in WHL goal scoring with 55. His 77 points in 64 games easily lead the Giants, who are headed to the playoffs for the 11th straight season. He already has a taste of the next level, after playing 12 games for the Hartford Wolf Pack last spring under an amateur tryout contract. He recorded five points in that AHL stint, showing he might be ready to dominate as a professional as soon as next season.

Undersized but talented, the 5’9″ 170-lbs Ronning wasn’t selected until the seventh round in 2016 when the Rangers picked him 201st-overall. Already he’s taken a step many seventh-round picks never get to by signing an ELC, and to rule him out from making a mark at the NHL level is foolish given his last name. Cliff Ronning, Ty’s dad, also wasn’t selected until the seventh round in 1984, but ended up recording 869 points in 1,137 NHL games. He was even smaller than his son is now, but never let that stop him from being a dynamic force on the ice.

The Rangers have made it clear that they are trying to inject more speed into their organization, and the addition of Ronning will certainly do that. His skating ability puts him ahead of many of his contemporaries, and allows him to create offense off the rush with ease. While he’ll be afforded even less time to make decisions with the puck at the next level, that skating ability should allow him to flourish even against top competition.

Max Pacioretty, Victor Mete Out Up To Six Weeks

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The Montreal Canadiens season has not gone according to plan. Carey Price and Shea Weber have both dealt with injuries all season, and now captain Max Pacioretty has been ruled out for four to six weeks with a knee injury. Pacioretty suffered the injury on Friday night against the New York Islanders after going down awkwardly, and could now miss the remainder of the regular season. Victor Mete, the shining young light in an otherwise unfortunate season, will also be out six weeks with a fractured finger. That puts an end to an encouraging rookie season, that included a gold medal at the World Juniors.

If Pacioretty does miss the rest of the season, it might mean Friday was his final game in a Montreal uniform. Rumored to be on the trade block for some time, if there is no extension talks planned for this summer the Canadiens might be better off moving their captain at the draft for a premium of young assets. Pacioretty will also fail to crack 30 goals for the first time since the lockout shortened 2012-13 season, registering just 17 this year in 64 games. Even with his depressed numbers, Pacioretty should command  a large price on the trade market if he’s moved, as he is still a potential 30-goal man that carries just a $4.5MM cap hit for the 2018-19 season.

For Mete, it is a disappointing end to an otherwise impressive start. Though he has recorded just seven points in 49 games, simply making the team straight out of junior was an unexpected accomplishment. The 19-year old was just a fourth-round pick in 2016, but skipped the minor leagues and stuck with Montreal for almost the whole season. Though they allowed him to play for Canada at the World Juniors, injuries forced them to keep him in the NHL afterwards where he has acquitted himself quite well. Though there could potentially be some development time in the AHL when eligible next season—the only option was to return him to the OHL this year—Montreal fans can pencil the young puck-moving defenseman into their lineup for years to come.

Without Pacioretty and Mete, the Montreal lineup looks more and more like an AHL squad trying to keep their heads above water. Sitting 14th in the Eastern Conference, they should have another chance at drafting in the top-5 this June and adding a blue chip prospect to their cupboards.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Minor Transactions: 03/05/18

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The NHL has just five games on the schedule for tonight, but that doesn’t mean the action ends. As always, we’ll keep track of all the minor transactions right here as teams move players up and down in preparation.

Jay Bouwmeester Out Rest Of Season

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If the St. Louis Blues are going to make a late push for the playoffs, they’ll have to do it without their most experienced defenseman. The team announced today that Jay Bouwmeester will be out for the remainder of the season dealing with his hip injury, and faces a four to six month recovery timeline. Scottie Upshall is also in danger of losing the rest of the year, and will be re-evaluated in four weeks after suffering an MCL sprain.

Bouwmeester had been dealing with an injury to his hip for some time, but ended up leaving Saturday’s game against the Dallas Stars after playing just 9:46. The 15-year NHL veteran will have a long rehab in front of him, but hopefully will be ready for the beginning of the 2018-19 season. He’ll be 35 when the Blues start their year in October, and on the final season of his current contract that carries a $5.4MM cap hit.

Upshall, 34, turned a professional tryout with Vancouver into another contract with the St. Louis Blues this year after injury struck their team in training camp. Despite being expected to be an extra forward, he’s played in 61 games and actually has contributed 18 points. The physical, energy-filled forward has been an effective checking line player for his entire career, playing in 757 NHL games. He’ll have to fight to get another one-way contract next season, but has never been one to underestimate.

Five Key Stories: 2/26/18 – 3/4/18

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As expected, it was quite a busy week around the league with plenty of trades being made before the deadline.  You can catch up on the moves made in our Eastern and Western Conference recaps.  Here are five other key stories from around the hockey world.

Dell Signs Extension: Sharks goaltender Aaron Dell was viewed as one of their top trade chips heading into the trade deadline but he wound up staying put.  One day later, he put pen to paper on a two-year, $3.8MM extension that will keep San Jose’s goaltending duo intact for the next two years.  The Sharks will be spending a lot more on their masked men next season as the combined cap hits of Dell and Martin Jones will jump from $3.625MM to $7.625MM.

Two Canucks Out For The Year: The injury bug hasn’t been kind to Vancouver this season and that continued this past week.  Winger Loui Eriksson suffered a fractured rib and is out for the season while winger Sven Baertschi separated his shoulder and he is also done for the year.  It’s the second time this year that each will miss at least ten games.  For perspective, eight other Canucks skaters have missed at least ten contests in 2017-18.

Jun 11, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Patric Hornqvist (72) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators in the third period in game six of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY SportsHornqvist Extension: There is rarely a dull moment around the trade deadline when Jim Rutherford is around.  After landing Derick Brassard in the days leading up to it, they struck again the day after the deadline by signing winger Patric Hornqvist to a five-year, $26.5MM extension.  The 31-year-old has been a key and consistent part of their attack for each of the last four seasons and should crack the 20-goal mark for the fifth straight season and eighth out of the last nine.  (The one season he didn’t do so was the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign.)  The Penguins now have just over $70MM committed to 17 players for next season.

Bergeron Has Foot Fracture: Although he played in one game after being seen in a walking boot, Bruins center Patrice Bergeron has been shut down due to a fracture in his foot.  He is set to be re-evaluated in two weeks but there is no firm timetable for his return.  Bergeron has played an integral role in Boston’s success so far this season and has been hovering around the point-per-game mark all year.  With the Bruins being safely in a playoff spot, they will at least be afforded the opportunity to be as patient as they need to be to make sure he’s fully recovered for the postseason.

CHL Considering Lifting Import Goalie Ban: One of the more controversial decisions the CHL had made in recent years was back in 2013 where it prevented its 60 teams from selecting European-born goaltenders in the annual Import Draft.  Now, it appears that they are at least considering reversing that decision which could create some opportunities for the top draft-eligible junior netminders to cross the pond once again, something that would certainly appeal to NHL scouts.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Snapshots: Hajek, Larkin, Colorado Injuries, Lamoriello

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The key to the Ryan McDonagh to Tampa Bay trade was the inclusion of prospect defenseman Libor Hajek and had he not been involved, McDonagh would still be with the Rangers, reports Larry Brooks of the New York Post.  The 2016 second-round pick is having a strong season at the WHL level and put forth a very strong showing back at the World Juniors and figures to be an important piece of their retooling on the back end.  Brooks adds that Pittsburgh, Washington, and Florida made runs at McDonagh before the trade deadline while noting that the Capitals would have needed to get a third team involved to get a deal done.

More from around the league:

  • The Oilers are expected to sign UMass-Boston forward Colin Larkin to an NHL entry-level deal, reports Mark Divver of the Providence Journal (Twitter links). The 24-year-old has had a strong season at the NCAA Division III level, posting 24 goals and 22 assists in just 27 games and averaged a point per game or better in each of his four collegiate seasons.  He is also the brother of Red Wings center Dylan Larkin.
  • The Avalanche should have goaltender Jonathan Bernier available for their upcoming road trip, reports Mike Chambers of the Denver Post. He has missed the last eight games due to a concussion.  Meanwhile, winger Sven Andrighetto, who has been out since December 31st due to a leg injury, is also nearing a return.  The news isn’t as promising for a pair of defenders as Erik Johnson (shoulder) and Mark Barberio (concussion) are not close to returning to Colorado’s lineup.
  • The contract extension for Washington GM Brian MacLellan leaves two general managers in limbo. One of those is Lou Lamoriello of the Maple Leafs whose initial three-year contract is set to expire at the end of the season.  While there has been speculation that he could cede his spot to Kyle Dubas, the 75-year-old told reporters, including Postmedia’s Terry Koshan, that he isn’t concerned about his role with the team next year at all, calling it a “non-issue”.  Even if Lamoriello is out of the GM chair next season, he’s likely to stick around in an advisory role at the very least.

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