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Archives for March 2018

Resurgence: Eric Staal’s Battle Back To The Top

March 1, 2018 at 1:14 pm CDT | by Gavin Lee 1 Comment

Two years ago, when the New York Rangers acquired the face and captain of the Carolina Hurricanes, it wasn’t universally regarded as a good move. Staal had scored just 33 points in 63 games with Carolina that season, and looked like his career was rapidly trending down. Head coach Alain Vigneault had to somewhat sell the move to the Rangers faithful, explaining to Sports Illustrated and the Associated Press what he thought Staal brought to the hockey club.

The fact that he can play in the middle, play on the left side, has won a Cup, has won a world championship, has won an Olympic medal, you’re talking about an elite player that’s been captain of his team, (and he) is going to bring that leadership to our group. He’s going to fit in real well.

Eric StaalThe Rangers had paid two second-round picks and a prospect for Staal, who was supposed to put them over the hump and get them back to the Stanley Cup Finals. Fans were worried though, as Staal looked like a shadow of the player who had raised the Cup with Carolina a decade prior, that 21-year old superstar who posted 28 points in 25 games to bring the franchise their first championship. Staal just wasn’t built for the speedy new NHL, and had seen his impact decline drastically. As it turns out, those fears were warranted.

Staal scored just six points in the 20 games after the trade deadline, and then was a complete no-show in the playoffs. The Rangers would bow out in five games against the Pittsburgh Penguins, in which Staal registered zero points and was a team-worst -7. He generated just seven shots on goal despite playing more than 16 minutes per night. As a pending unrestricted free agent, his time was over in New York.

When it came to free agency, Staal’s market was incredibly clouded. It wasn’t clear at all if anyone would be willing to give him a long-term contract, and even more doubtful that he could secure a top-line salary like he’d earned for years in Carolina. In PHR’s inaugural Free Agent Power Rankings, we listed Staal as #13 because of his history in the league, but behind players like Mikkel Boedker and Alex Goligoski. A huge fall for a player who was once one of the very best in the entire league. As it happens, there would be at least one team who offered him a three-year deal.

Staal signed a three-year, $10.5MM deal with Minnesota on July 1st, and the mission to reclaim his spot at the top of the league was on. Minnesota would surprise much of the league in 2016-17 by taking a 19-point leap in the standings to post a franchise-best 106 on the season. That came in only behind Chicago in the Western Conference, and some of that success had to be directly tied to Staal’s performance. In all 82 games, Staal posted 65 points including 28 goals, his highest total since 2010-11. He was second on the Wild in scoring only behind the breakout Mikael Granlund, and suddenly looked like one of the best contracts in the NHL.

Eric StaalDespite that strong first impression with Minnesota, some questioned whether he’d be able to do it again since he was turning 33 and had just posted the second-highest shooting percentage of his career. He’s put an end to all of those questions with 64 points through 63 games, and just recently winning the league’s player of the month honors. Not only is he on pace for his best season in a decade, but he’s taken over as Minnesota’s top point producer, and looks like the elite center of his youth. His Hall of Fame potential is back on track, and his contract is arguably the best free agent signing in years.

That brings us to the question of whether he’s extended this summer. After July 1st the Wild could potentially sign an extension with Staal, one that could keep him in Minnesota for the remainder of his career. Though the two sides haven’t really discussed that possibility publicly, that doesn’t mean they both aren’t thinking about what approach to take when negotiations do pop up. For the Wild, bringing Staal back after 2018-19 can make a lot of sense, but they have a complicated salary structure to maintain, especially with new contracts for Jason Zucker and Mathew Dumba due this summer. If Stall is looking for more salary for his age-35 and beyond seasons, he might be too expensive to retain.

Regardless, what has happened over the last two years has been nothing short of amazing for Staal. After looking like he was on his way out of the NHL, to creeping into the Hart Trophy race at the age of 33, is a testament to his skill. Signing him for three seasons at a ridiculously low price, is one for the Minnesota front office.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Free Agency| Minnesota Wild Eric Staal

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Injury Notes: Schneider, Hanzal, McDonagh

March 1, 2018 at 11:52 am CDT | by Gavin Lee Leave a Comment

The New Jersey Devils went out and bought at the trade deadline, to try and help Taylor Hall and company into the playoffs for the first time since losing in the Stanley Cup Finals six years ago. Adding Michael Grabner and Patrick Maroon however might have not meant anything if they couldn’t rely on their goaltending, a position that will get a huge boost tonight.

Though Keith Kinkaid has been excellent of late, Cory Schneider will return to the crease for the first time January 23rd tonight when the Devils take on the Florida Panthers. Schneider hasn’t had the Vezina-caliber season he’s capable of, but is still likely the team’s best option in net down the stretch and into the playoffs. The 31-year old goaltender has little experience in the postseason, starting just six games for the Vancouver Canucks during the early part of his career.

  • Martin Hanzal had been dubbed “day-to-day for the rest of the season” by the Dallas Stars, but now things may be even worse for the big-bodied center. Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News reports that Hanzal’s back injury is now “week-to-week” and that he’s not skating with the team. That’s a tough blow for a team that didn’t do anything at the deadline to improve their center depth, and currently sits in danger of falling out of a playoff spot. Dallas is in the top wildcard position in the Western Conference, but have four teams within three points behind them.
  • Ryan McDonagh hasn’t made his debut with the Tampa Bay Lightning after being acquired just before the deadline passed, but was skating with the team today according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. To many fans surprise, Andrej Sustr will likely remain in the lineup when the Lightning take on the Stars tonight, a spot that is being held warm for McDonagh when he returns from his minor injury. Though they obviously would love his help to try and secure the top seed in the Atlantic Division, McDonagh was acquired for his potential impact in this year’s playoffs. In 96 career playoff games, McDonagh has averaged nearly 26 minutes a night, recorded 223 blocked shots and put up 41 points.

Dallas Stars| Injury| New Jersey Devils| Tampa Bay Lightning Andrej Sustr| Cory Schneider| Keith Kinkaid| Martin Hanzal| Ryan McDonagh

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Tampa Bay Lightning Sign Alex Barre-Boulet To ELC

March 1, 2018 at 9:37 am CDT | by Gavin Lee 1 Comment

Now that the trade deadline is over, front offices around the league can turn their attention to other matters. Among them is the pursuit of undrafted players in both the CHL and NCAA, ones that can be brought into the organization for nothing more than money. The Tampa Bay Lightning have struck a deal with one such player, signing undrafted QMJHL superstar Alex Barre-Boulet to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Barre-Boulet is currently leading the QMJHL in scoring with 104 points through 57 games, and is an excellent offensive talent in a league filled with them. The 20-year old forward went undrafted mainly due to his size, as he stands just 5’10” 165-lbs. Tampa Bay might not be scared of that though, as they’ve famously turned undersized forwards into all-star talents. Martin St. Louis, Tyler Johnson and Brayden Point have all visited the midseason celebration of talent, while Yanni Gourde would be in the running for a Calder Trophy if it weren’t for some historic competition. Barre-Boulet won’t have far to look for inspiration in the organization.

He attended training camp with the Vegas Golden Knights this year, but couldn’t secure a contract and returned to the QMJHL to continue his dominance. As an over-aged player, he was expected to be among the very best in the league, but his performance has been outstanding nonetheless. Interestingly for his size, Barre-Boulet isn’t afraid to engage physically or forecheck against bigger players. His 63 penalty minutes on the year actually lead the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, just another category he tops on the squad. Turning 21 in a few months, he’s still a long-shot for the NHL during his professional career, but is probably in the best system possible for a player of his size.

CHL| QMJHL| Tampa Bay Lightning Alex Barre-Boulet

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