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Archives for April 2018

Snapshots: Stars, Hutton, Couturier

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The Stars don’t appear to be in a hurry to find a replacement for Ken Hitchcock behind the bench.  GM Jim Nill told Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News that he plans to pare down his list of candidates in the coming weeks and then begin interviewing his short list in May.  That would appear to take them out of the running for Carolina bench boss Bill Peters, whose opt-out in his contract expires on Friday.

Nill acknowledged that he won’t necessarily be looking for a veteran behind the bench which would be a change of direction from his recent hires (Hitchcock and Lindy Ruff).  He’s open to bringing in someone without any NHL experience although he was quick to admit that some of the people he’d like to speak with are still in their respective postseasons.  It sounds like the Stars are casting a wide net to find their new bench boss but that means it may be a while before they find the right fit.

More from around the league:

  • Despite the fact that Canucks defenseman Ben Hutton spent plenty of time as a healthy scratch this season and was publicly criticized by head coach Travis Green at times, he has not asked for a trade, his agent Andy Scott told Postmedia’s Ben Kuzma. The blueliner, who turns 25 on Friday, recorded just six assists in 61 games in 2017-18 after putting up a total of 44 points over the previous two years.  With a cap hit (and salary) of $2.8MM next season that will also represent his qualifying offer in the summer of 2019, Hutton will need a bounce-back season to avoid potentially becoming a non-tender candidate.
  • Although he didn’t skate with the team at practice, Flyers center Sean Couturier could still play on Friday night against the Penguins, notes Dave Isaac of the Courier-Post. The pivot skated on his own before the team did and travelled with them to Pittsburgh.  His return would a boost to a Philadelphia squad who finds themselves facing elimination in Game Five.

East Notes: Rasmussen, Vatanen, Hornqvist

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Although he was drafted as a center, the Red Wings envision top prospect Michael Rasmussen debuting in the NHL on the wing, reports MLive’s Ansar Khan.  Rasmussen has shifted to the wing in the WHL playoffs with Tri-City and has adapted quite well, tallying 24 points (10-14-24) in just eight games through the first two rounds.

Rasmussen was Detroit’s first-round pick (ninth overall) last June and Khan notes that the team is hopeful that he may be able to lock down a regular roster spot as soon as next season.  With the Red Wings intending to transition into somewhat of a youth movement, having him up with the big club in a position with less responsibility would make some sense to help him get acclimated to the rigors of playing at the NHL level.

Elsewhere around the East:

  • New Jersey defenseman Sami Vatanen did not travel with the team to Tampa Bay today, notes Amanda Stein of the Devils’ team site (Twitter link). He suffered an upper-body injury against the Lightning early in Game Four; he left with just 6:46 of ice time.  However, the team isn’t ruling out Vatanen joining the team on Friday if his condition improves.  The puck drops on the fifth game of that series on Saturday afternoon.
  • Penguins winger Patric Hornqvist skated in advance of Pittsburgh’s practice today but he has already been ruled out for Friday’s contest against the Flyers, Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review relays. He suffered an upper-body injury late in Sunday’s matchup and did not suit up on Wednesday night.  Rookie Dominik Simon took Hornqvist’s place in Game Four and will likely remain in the lineup for Game Five.

NHL Announces Norris Trophy Finalists For 2017-18

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After announcing the Vezina and Selke finalists over the last two days, the NHL continued their award nominations with the Norris Trophy for best defenseman. Drew Doughty, Victor Hedman and P.K. Subban are the three finalists for the 2017-18 season.

As always, the Norris brings with it heated debate over how the finalists are selected. Some fans feel as though offensive performance is weighted too heavily, but this year may change that perception some. The top four point leaders among defensemen—John Carlson, Brent Burns, John Klingberg and Shayne Gostisbehere—are all absent, though all three of the finalists had at least 59 points. Subban especially will be questioned because of his notoriety and offensive production, as even on his own team there was another potential candidate in Roman Josi (who recorded 53 points in just 75 games).

All three are no stranger to Norris voting, with Doughty and Subban each having won in the past. Hedman finished third in voting last season, and could have the best shot at it this year. Not only did he lead the candidates in scoring, but finished with the best +/- rating, registered the most hits and fewest giveaways. There has also been speculation that voting tends to lean towards star players that haven’t won it yet, which would give Hedman the edge, if only slightly.

There were several other candidates that could have been selected. Many will point to Seth Jones in Columbus, as he and Zach Werenski formed one of the most dynamic pairs in the league. He will certainly finish with some votes and is on a strong development path towards winning the award one day. Alex Pietrangelo was one of the leaders through the first part of the season, but faltered as the Blues did in the second half. His game isn’t nearly as flashy or noticeable, which likely contributes to him fading into the background of the race.

Never to be forgotten is Erik Karlsson, who got off to a horrendous start but played well down the stretch for the Ottawa Senators. Finishing with 62 points in 71 games, Karlsson registered more than 50 assists for the fifth time in his career. Had there been more team success, he certainly would have been in more conversations for best defenseman.

We won’t know who took home the 2017-18 Norris until the NHL Awards ceremony in Vegas on June 20th, but we’ll continue to find out the finalists for other awards over the next few days. Tomorrow is the Lady Byng, for “sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”

Henrik Lundqvist Turned Down Trade Opportunity

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Though earlier this season the New York Rangers ownership and front office explained to fans that they would be heading into a rebuilding process, Henrik Lundqvist wasn’t about to abandon ship. As Larry Brooks of the New York Post reports, Lundqvist was given the option of being traded at the deadline to a “good landing place” but quickly declined, saying that he wanted to “see it through.”

Lundqvist has three years remaining on his current contract, and is still playing at a high level. In 63 games this season he recorded a .915 save percentage, despite a weak defense corps that struggled to contain the opposition on a nightly basis. He will begin next season at age-36, meaning if he stays with the Rangers through the end of his contract it’s unlikely he’ll get another real opportunity at the Stanley Cup.

That prize has remained out of Lundqvist’s grasp for his entire career, despite plenty of success at the international level and during the regular season. With Olympic and World Championship gold (and silver) medals, a Vezina trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender, two SHL Championships and 11 playoff appearances in 13 NHL seasons, he’s a proven winner and likely Hall of Fame inductee when he finally retires. If the Rangers are committed to a real rebuild though, the chances of a second Stanley Cup Finals appearance are relatively small.

The question then becomes whether a real “rebuild” is in order in New York. That term usually brings about finishes near the bottom of the standings for several years, using draft picks to slowly improve the team’s prospect pipeline until it is ready to contend again. It often takes five or more years to complete, though there are obviously outliers on both sides. The Rangers though seem poised to compete for the playoffs much sooner. After trading off assets like Derek Stepan, Antti Raanta, Rick Nash, Michael Grabner, Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller in the last calendar year, they find themselves flush with high end prospects ready to make an impact at the NHL level before long.

The idea that a core built around players like Filip Chytil, Lias Andersson, Brett Howden, Libor Hajek and Ryan Lindgren—not to mention the three first-round picks the team owns in the upcoming draft—could be ready to compete for the Stanley Cup in the next three years isn’t out of the question. With other relatively young talents like Brady Skjei, Mika Zibanejad and Vladislav Namestnikov still on the roster, the Rangers could be in for a quick bounce back. If Lundqvist can stay healthy, and remain an above-average goaltender in the NHL there could be a chance to have one or two more playoff appearances. If that’s what he means by “see it through,” Rangers fans should be happy he stuck around.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Ryan Hartman Suspended One Game For Illegal Check

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The decision is in, and the fourth suspension of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs has been handed out. Nashville Predators forward Ryan Hartman has received a one-game suspension for his illegal check to the head of Colorado Avalanche forward Carl Soderberg. As the accompanying video from the Department of Player Safety explains:

It is important to note that Soderberg does not materially change the position of his head just prior to, or simultaneously with contact in a way that contributes to the head being the main point of contact. If Hartman wishes to deliver this hit, he must hit squarely through Soderberg’s core with a full body check.

Instead, Hartman takes a poor angle of approach that picks Soderberg’s head and makes it a main point of contact, and delivers the hit with substantial force.

Hartman has not previously been suspended in the NHL, only fined earlier this season for a slashing incident. He will now have to sit out Game 5 as the Predators look to eliminate the Avalanche from their first-round matchup.

Adding Hartman’s suspension to ones already given out to Drew Doughty, Nazem Kadri and Josh Morrissey this postseason, the league has already easily exceeded the two playoff games served last year by suspended players. Nick Ritchie was forced to sit out Game 1 of the Anaheim Ducks first-round series after being suspended in the second last game of the season, and Matt Calvert earned a one-game ban in the Columbus Blue Jackets’ series for cross-checking.

Like with Morrissey, Hartman could miss out on clinching the series for the Predators as they currently sit up three games to one over the Avalanche. If Colorado can win and stay alive, Hartman is eligible to return for Game 6, though his future actions will be looked at with even more scrutiny.

Submit Your Questions For The #PHRMailbag

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The first week of the playoffs is over, and several teams are on the brink of elimination. Toronto is about to try to avoid going down 3-0, while the Los Angeles Kings weren’t able to hold on and do it yesterday. As teams are kicked out of the postseason tournament, speculation will start to bubble back up on trade and free agent movement in the summer.

As that speculation starts, so do the questions. Submit yours by tweeting with the hashtag #PHRMailbag, or by leaving a comment down below. We’ll be answering them this weekend, when there could be several teams already hitting the golf course.

You can read our last mailbag right here, which touches on everything from Dave Hakstol to Bobby Ryan. Our own Brian La Rose picked Ryan Donato as a difference maker in the playoffs, but he’ll have to wait for another chance to make an impact after being replaced by Riley Nash tonight. Will Donato get back into the lineup? Can the Bruins go all the way without his impact? Are the Maple Leafs finished? Ask away, and we’ll answer them at the end of the week.

Michael Bournival Signs One-Year Extension With Tampa Bay Lightning

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The Tampa Bay Lightning are having a busy day. After signing another prospect just an hour ago, the team announced a one-year, two-way contract extension for Michael Bournival. Bournival was set to become a restricted free agent this summer. No financial details have been released.

Bournival, 25, has been a huge part of the Syracuse Crunch lineup this season, recording 34 points in 57 games and playing a key role as a defensive presence up front. Selected in the third round by Colorado eight years ago, he’s never been able to really establish himself at the NHL level but can be a solid short-term injury replacement. He does have 113 games under his belt, with 22 NHL points.

For the Lightning, signing players like Bournival is key to maintaining their depth at both the NHL and AHL levels. Having players that can be relied upon to reasonably fill in should injuries arise, and take some of the burden off their young call-ups is important for a team with annual Stanley Cup aspirations. Bournival played five games for them this season, and will likely see at least a few games again next year.

Tampa Bay Lightning Sign Otto Somppi To Entry-Level Contract

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Watch out NHL, the Tampa Bay Lightning have signed another talented late-round pick. Today, the team announced a three-year entry-level contract for Otto Somppi, signing him ahead of the June 1st deadline. Somppi’s Halifax Mooseheads were eliminated from the QMJHL playoffs earlier this month, likely ending his junior career.

Selected in the seventh round in 2016, Somppi broke out this season in a more offensive role, scoring 83 points in 59 games for the Mooseheads. Known for his incredible hands—and semi-regular lacrosse-style plays—the 20-year old Finnish forward has many things teams look for in young prospects. A good defensive mind, if a little weak on his stick at times, Somppi can play a solid two-way game and contribute at both center and the wing. That versatility will come in handy as he tries to carve out a role for himself at the next level.

Tampa Bay has continued to develop a pipeline of talent in their minor league system, graduating players like Ondrej Palat (7th round, 2011), Jake Dotchin (6th round, 2012), Brayden Point (3rd round, 2014) and Anthony Cirelli (3rd round, 2015) in recent years. Though Somppi has a long way to go to be an impact player at the NHL level, he’s another talented player for the system to work with and hopefully squeeze some value out of.

Andrew Hammond To Start Game 5 For Colorado Avalanche

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The Colorado Avalanche are down 3-1 in their series with the Nashville Predators, but fans can take solace in the fact that they haven’t looked completely overmatched. Even if they lose the series, it’s a huge step forward for a team that recorded a historically bad 2016-17 campaign. If they could win, it would be a tremendous upset.

That upset seems even further away now, as the team announced today that Andrew Hammond would start Game 5 after Jonathan Bernier suffered a lower-body injury. The Avalanche were already without Semyon Varlamov, meaning third-string Hammond will have to be the savior if a comeback is in store.

Hammond was acquired from the Ottawa Senators in the Matt Duchene deal, but was called a salary dump at the time. The 30-year old goaltender didn’t even change AHL affiliations right away, instead staying with the Belleville Senators for most of the season. That won’t matter now, as he will have the fate of the Colorado organization in his hands (or pads?) in his first playoff experience since 2015. That’s when made his presence known in the NHL with an outstanding run for the Senators down the stretch, earning him a third-place Vezina vote and even a few more for the Hart Trophy.

He played just two playoff games that season and lost both, meaning he’ll be looking for his first postseason win on Friday night.

Minor Moves: Niku, O’Reilly, Peca

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The Winnipeg Jets have recalled Sami Niku as expected, now that Josh Morrissey has been suspended for Game 5. If Niku does get into the lineup, he’ll be checking another box in what has been an outstanding season. Not only did he make his North American professional debut in the AHL, he won the league’s award for most outstanding defenseman, was named to the All-Rookie and First All-Star team, and scored in his NHL debut. A playoff appearance would be icing on the cake for the seventh-round pick.

More minor moves from around the league…

  • Cal O’Reilly has been recalled by the Minnesota Wild as another “Black Ace.” He’s unlikely to get into a game for the team, as Michael Russo of The Athletic tweets his recall was just delayed. O’Reilly has been an elite minor league player for more than a decade, and put up another excellent season with the Iowa Wild. 64 points in 75 games marked the fifth time he’s put up at least 60 in an AHL season.
  • Matthew Peca has been returned to the Syracuse Crunch ahead of their first round playoff series, despite the Tampa Bay Lightning being in the NHL playoffs. It was unlikely that Peca was going to get into a game without an injury, so he’ll go back to the AHL to stay ready. Unlike O’Reilly, Peca could be given an opportunity in the NHL playoffs if Tampa needs an extra body at some point. He’ll start his first round AHL series against the Rochester Americans tomorrow evening.

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