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Archives for March 2018

GM Notes: Holland, Dorion, Bergevin

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The Detroit Red Wings were officially eliminated from postseason contention recently, but the majority of their fans had already given up on this season some time ago. Even before it started, the Red Wings looked to be in a tough spot as they transition from the old guard to the first steps of a rebuild. They’ve done well to add draft picks over the last two years, but one question still remained. Who would be leading them down these uncharted waters, and towards the next successful Red Wings team?

Many fans have expressed a desire for change at the top, and GM Ken Holland’s contract is up at the end of the season. Whether that means there will be a new voice steering the ship is still unclear, but Craig Custance of The Athletic (subscription required) provides a wealth of insight into how the organization and other executives around the league see the situation. Answers range from an expected extension to a trip to Seattle for the long-time Detroit GM, but it seems we’ll have to wait a little longer to find out where he’ll be next year.

  • Pierre Dorion, another GM on the edge of a potential rebuild and a fan mutiny, provided some answers on his plans for the Ottawa Senators offseason to Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia. Dorion confirmed that on July 1st they will indeed offer an extension to Erik Karlsson, though he didn’t give any indication what that offer may look like. He also admitted that the front office will evaluate the coaching staff, including Guy Boucher, after the season and decide what the future will look like behind the bench. The Senators had an extremely disappointing season after coming just a goal shy of the Stanley Cup finals in 2017, and have faced several media firestorms over comments by everyone from Kyle Turris to owner Eugene Melnyk.
  • In his latest 31 Thoughts column, Elliotte Friedman mentions that Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin received a vote of confidence from ownership for the second time this season. If that means Bergevin is sticking around to fix what went wrong this season, the response in Montreal will likely be very divided. There are many fans who believe the organization should go in a different direction with their front office, but if Bergevin does indeed remain this summer could be quite interesting. Never one to shy away from a big trade, the Canadiens have to do something to take advantage of the best years of Carey Price and Shea Weber, and are still starved for the first-line center they’ve been looking for for years. Friedman mentions that Martin Lapointe, currently the Director of Player Development, could assume a larger role going forward.

Minor Transactions: 03/23/18

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While you get ready for some big matchups around the league tonight, we’ll keep track of all the minor moves right here. Keep checking back throughout the day to stay up to date on your favorite team.

  • Libor Sulak is coming over from Europe to join the Grand Rapids Griffins. The Czech free agent defenseman signed with Detroit last spring, but spent this season playing in Finland where he recorded 32 points in 42 games. The 24-year old will test his skills at the AHL level down the stretch, and battle for a spot with the Red Wings next year.
  • Because it’s another day that ends in “Y”, Tim Heed has been recalled once again by the San Jose Sharks. Heed has been bouncing up and down constantly for the last few weeks, but hasn’t played since February 25th.
  • Filip Gustavsson has been officially added to the Belleville Senators roster as expected, after paperwork was filed to bring him to North America. The young goaltender was the big addition at the trade deadline for the Ottawa Senators, who believe he can be an NHL goaltender (not so far) down the road.
  • Brad Malone is back up with the Edmonton Oilers under emergency conditions, rejoining the team after just sending him down yesterday. The 28-year old forward likely never left the club, and was just part of a paper transaction for the game last night.
  • With Marc-Andre Fleury back in the Vegas crease, Oscar Dansk has been returned to the Chicago Wolves. Dansk has played just four games for the Golden Knights this year, but carries a .946 save percentage and even recorded a shutout. The 24-year old goaltender will likely be the first call should Malcolm Subban or Fleury experience an injury in the postseason.
  • Samuel Blais has been recalled by the St. Louis Blues, as the team tries to make one last push towards the playoffs. Blais has 35 points in 35 games for the San Antonio Rampage this season, and three points during his short time in the NHL.
  • With Dominik Simon healthy enough to resume playing, the Pittsburgh Penguins have sent his interim roster spot replacement, Josh Jooris, back to the AHL. Jooris, acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes at the deadline, has yet to record a point with the Pens in four games.

Calgary Flames Trying To Acquire First-Round Pick

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Buried inside the always excellent 31 Thoughts column by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman is a report that the Calgary Flames will try to add a first-round pick in this year’s draft. The Flames previously traded their first this year as part of the Travis Hamonic deal, and if they miss the playoffs could be forced to wait until the fourth round before picking anyone. That’s a long time sitting at the table in Dallas for a team that was extremely disappointing this season, making it obvious why they want to try and reclaim a spot in the first 31.

Interestingly, the New York Rangers were recently confirmed as being open to moving one of their three first-round picks, making them a prime target for Calgary over the coming months. Where the Flames want to select is obviously still a big question mark, as there is a big difference in value between the top and bottom halves of the first round. Should they want to land one of the top names in the draft, they’ll have to make a big pitch to another non-playoff team.

What they’ll be looking to move is also unclear. The Flames have some nice prospects still developing, but it doesn’t make much sense to trade one of them to get a first-round lottery ticket. Instead, it’s more likely that they would be trying to move an NHL roster player of some sort to recoup their lost pick.

Immediately, someone like Sam Bennett comes to mind as a potential trade chip after a third disappointing season in Calgary. Bennett has just 26 points on the season, and hasn’t come anywhere near fulfilling his promise as a fourth-overall pick. Still, he’s just 21 and could be seen as a potential building block player for a team a little further away from their playoff window.

In any case, the fact that Calgary is now looking to get back into the first round is a telling indictment of the way their season has gone. Since looking like a contender willing to trade to solidify what was supposed to be one of the best defense corps in the league, to fighting just for a second wildcard spot, things haven’t gone according to plan. Even with Johnny Gaudreau’s excellent season, Calgary will have to evaluate just what went wrong and how to fix it for 2018-19.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Washington Capitals Sign Shane Gersich To Two-Year Deal

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The Washington Capitals have signed forward Shane Gersich to his two-year entry-level contract, worth an average annual value of $925K. The deal will start right away and Gersich will join the Capitals on the road in Montreal, meaning that the first year of the deal will be used up in the 2017-18 season. The team has assigned Travis Boyd to the minor leagues to help with the cap ramifications.

Gersich, 21, was selected in the fifth round in 2014, but immediately broke out in the USHL and then continued his success through three years at the University of North Dakota. The 5’11” forward mixes good skating with an incredible work ethic to create offense, even leading a team that included Tyson Jost and Brock Boeser in scoring last season. Though Christian Wolanin took over that mantle this year, Gersich wasn’t far off with 29 points in 40 games.

He’ll get into the lineup right away for the Capitals to try and inject some youth and excitement into a roster that is attempting to lock down first place in the Metropolitan. Though Washington currently sits on top, the surging Blue Jackets and pesky Penguins are still within striking distance.

West Notes: Fox, Klefbom, Toews, Stars

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While the Bruins convinced Ryan Donato to leave Harvard and turn pro on the weekend, the Flames will not be able to do the same with defenseman Adam Fox.  Postmedia’s Wes Gilbertson reports (Twitter link) that the 20-year-old defender will remain at the NCAA level for his junior campaign, saying that “For right now, just staying and focusing on school and hockey, that’s my focus”.   Fox was Calgary’s third-round pick (66th overall) back in the 2016 draft and posted 28 points (6-22-28) in 29 games this season.

More from the West:

  • After playing through a shoulder injury for a while now, the Oilers have shut down defenseman Oscar Klefbom for the rest of the season and announced (Twitter link) that he has undergone successful surgery. He will be cleared to resume workouts in the next five to six weeks.  This caps what has been a particularly rough season for the 24-year-old as Klefbom recorded just five goals and 21 points in 66 games, well below his output of a dozen tallies and 38 points in 2016-17.
  • The Blackhawks will be without center Jonathan Toews for the next few games due to an upper-body injury, head coach Joel Quenneville told reporters, including Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times. The injury was sustained on Tuesday against Colorado although the captain was on the ice late in the contest.  He will be re-evaluated next week.
  • If the Stars are going to work their way back into the playoff picture, they will have to do so without the services of center Jason Spezza. Mark Stepneski of Stars Inside Edge notes (Twitter link) that the veteran is dealing with a back injury and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, effectively all but ending his regular season.  They could get some good news from the infirmary, however.  Stepneski adds that blueliner Marc Methot participated in a full practice today and could get the green light to return for Friday’s game against Boston after missing more than a week due to a hand laceration.

Atlantic Notes: Senators, Bergeron, Griffith, Girgensons, Green

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Although the Senators were sellers at the trade deadline last month, TSN’s Darren Dreger cautioned in an appearance on TSN 1260 (audio link) that their actions shouldn’t be interpreted that they’re looking towards a long-term rebuild.  Instead, he suggests that Ottawa is leaning more towards a renovation over a full-scale overhaul.

Of course, that could change depending on which direction their 2019 unrestricted free agents are looking to go.  Not only is defenseman Erik Karlsson a UFA after next season, so too is top center Matt Duchene.  If one or both of them give an indication that they’re not willing to re-sign, the Senators may be forced to reconsider that plan.  If that indeed happens, Dreger expects winger Mike Hoffman, who the team became more and more hesitant to move leading up to the deadline, to be someone that they consider trading.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic:

  • Bruins center Patrice Bergeron is set to meet with team doctors on Friday to reassess his fractured foot, notes Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe. He has been skating on his own and also a little bit with their AHL affiliate in Providence as of late and the team is hopeful that he will be cleared to join them on their current four-game road trip.  The 32-year-old has missed the last 12 games with this injury but still sits third in scoring with 27 goals and 27 assists in 55 contests.
  • After recalling him earlier in the day, the Sabres announced that they have returned winger Seth Griffith to Rochester of the AHL. He is no stranger to the minor league shuffle as this is now the fourth separate time he has been brought up and sent back down since March 15th.  Griffith’s demotion suggests that forward Zemgus Girgensons is set to return after missing the last two games with an undisclosed injury.
  • The Red Wings announced (Twitter link) that defenseman Mike Green will undergo surgery on his cervical spine and will be out for the rest of the season.  This ends what has been a rough campaign for the pending unrestricted free agent whose health concerns played a big role in him not being dealt by Detroit at the trade deadline.  Green wraps up his 2017-18 season with 33 points (8-25-33) in 66 games.  GM Ken Holland told Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News (Twitter link) that the procedure is scheduled for April 5th and carries a two-month timeframe for recovery.

Poll: What Is The Worst Contract In The NHL?

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Every year, young or overlooked players break out in the NHL and provide incredible value for their teams. In Vegas they know this phenomenon quite well. Jon Marchessault and William Karlsson are impact players for them while earning pennies compared to other stars, and are a big reason why the Golden Knights look like a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

But at the other end of the spectrum are players who have fallen apart after signing long-term, big money deals. Veterans who earned a big payday after some excellent seasons in their youth, but aren’t coming anywhere close to delivering on that promise. We’ve looked at this subject in the past, mentioning players like Carl Soderberg and Bobby Ryan, who hadn’t come close to their previous scoring totals. Soderberg has reclaimed some of his offensive touch this season, while Ryan has continued to struggle in Ottawa.

So who really does have the very worst contract in the league? In the poll below we’ve listed some of the obvious options, but make sure to discuss in the comment section who you think tops the list. Is it an aging defenseman, or a useless forward? A former superstar, or a role player riding the spoils of a career season?

The amount listed is how much of the contract is remaining after the 2017-18 season.

[Mobile users click here to vote!]

New York Rangers Sign Ryan Lindgren To Three-Year Deal

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As expected New York Rangers have signed prospect Ryan Lindgren to his three-year entry-level contract. When Lindgren was acquired from the Boston Bruins at the deadline, it wasn’t clear whether he would sign this season or return to the University of Minnesota for another year. The Rangers have convinced him, and he’ll begin his professional career after just two seasons with the Golden Gophers.

Lindgren was one of the big prizes of the Rick Nash deal, coming to New York as a potential top-4 defenseman who could jump into their system quickly. Like GM Jeff Gorton said recently, the Rangers had a gap in talent due to their lack of first-round picks the last few years and are trying to fill it with prospects during the early part of their rebuild. Lindgren, selected 49th-overall in 2016, does just that as he leaves Minnesota after failing to qualify for the NCAA tournament. Long-time head coach Don Lucia left the program recently, which could have been an additional factor in Lindgren choosing to turn pro after just two seasons in college.

Though he’s not the biggest body on the ice, Lindgren rarely loses physical battles due to his squat, wide based skating stride. His mobility is excellent, and he can shut down rushes quickly before they even get into the zone. That’s his calling card, as the offense never really did materialize in college like some though it would. Through two seasons, Lindgren recorded just 16 points but was an excellent defender who could be relied on even against the opposition’s best. Though the defensive ability will likely carry him to the NHL quickly, it’s unlikely he will be a real impact player unless his offensive instincts improve.

The Rangers though will take the solid defensive potential, as they’ve had trouble finding players in recent years who they could rely on in their own end. The Brendan Smith experiment failed miserably this season, while the old guard have basically all been shipped out. Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi are now together with the Tampa Bay Lightning, while Marc Staal isn’t a player to build around any longer. Lindgren could be a nice compliment to a more offensive talent like Kevin Shattenkirk, though where he fits into the NHL plan is still clearly undecided. He’ll head to Hartford for now to play on an amateur tryout this season, and show what he can do in professional hockey.

Tobias Geisser Signs Three-Year Deal With Washington Capitals

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The Washington Capitals have agreed to a three-year entry-level contract with Tobias Geisser that will begin in the 2018-19 season. The deal will carry an average annual value of $867K. Geisser will not be joining the Hershey Bears this season, but is expected to attend development camp this summer.

Geisser, 19, was selected in the fourth round just last year, and played this season at the highest level in Switzerland’s NLA. He also suited up for the Swiss World Junior team, though was held scoreless in the tournament. Though his size may indicate a big shutdown defenseman, Geisser actually plays more of a speed and finesse game that could have some offensive upside down the road. His shot and agility are actually his best attributes, though they still need work before any NHL action.

Though he’s definitely not a finished product, there are few fourth-round picks that are. Instead, the Capitals hope that something clicks with Geisser in the next few seasons and he learns how to use his large frame and ample mobility to improve his two-way game. Though he has signed, there is no guarantee he plays in North America in 2018-19.

Snapshots: Smith, Schenn, Laine, Holtby

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Brendan Smith signed a four-year, $17.4MM contract in the offseason with the New York Rangers after an impressive run last season, but hasn’t been anything close to what the team had hoped for. After struggling through 44 games with the team, he was eventually waived and sent to the minor leagues to toil with the Hartford Wolf Pack despite his huge salary.

That might have built some frustration in the 29-year old, who according to Larry Brooks of the New York Post has broken his hand while fighting teammate Vinni Lettieri in practice on Sunday. That puts an end to Smith’s season, and perhaps his career in New York if the team decides a buyout is the only course of action.

  • Brayden Schenn will not face any supplementary discipline for his hit last night on Boston Bruins forward David Krejci, despite his history of charging in the league. Schenn was given a two-minute minor penalty for the hit which had substantial—but according to the league unavoidable—contact to the head. The St. Louis Blues forward has been suspended twice in the past for charging, but escaped without further penalty this time.
  • Patrik Laine suffered just a bruise to his foot after blocking a shot, but the Jets are still going to be precaucious with their superstar teenager. Laine isn’t expected to play for at least the next two games, and Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun gives a rough estimate of 4-14 days before he’ll be back in the lineup. Laine is in a race for the Maurice Richard trophy as the league’s leading goal scorer, but is a key part of the Jets chances to take home the Stanley Cup.
  • Braden Holtby has tweaked something and is dealing with a minor injury, meaning the Washington Capitals have called up Pheonix Copley to back up Philip Grubauer tonight. Holtby isn’t expected to miss much time though, as he didn’t even leave practice today according to Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post. Copley was re-acquired as part of the Kevin Shattenkirk deal last season, but hasn’t played for the Capitals yet this year.

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