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Archives for May 2018

Arizona Coyotes Sign David Ullstrom To One-Year Deal

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The Arizona Coyotes have signed European free agent David Ullstrom to a one-year, two-way contract. Ullstrom played this season with HV71 in the SHL, after a long stint bouncing around the KHL. The former New York Islanders forward hasn’t seen NHL action since 2012-13, but will get a chance to reinvent himself in North America next season. Coyotes GM John Chayka released a statement explaining the signing:

David is a big, strong center who is an excellent skater. He has previous NHL experience and will provide us with additional depth at the center position.

Ullstrom, 29, was first selected by the Islanders in the fourth round of the 2008 draft, and quickly made his way to the AHL. In his first season in North America he registered 41 points in 67 games and looked well on his way to making an impact at the NHL level. Unfortunately when he got there in 2011-12 that production dried up, recording just 13 points in 49 games as a part-time player across the next two seasons.

In 2013-14 he headed to the KHL, where he played for five teams across four seasons, eventually leaving for the SHL in 2017. The scoring touch seemed to return this season when he registered 30 points in 47 games, though his game had changed from the high-flying play of his youth. No longer was it just one-on-one rushes, and Ullstrom showed a willingness to pass more this time around. Perhaps that maturity to his game is what interested the Coyotes, who will hope he can prove to be a legitimate NHL player, if even in a sheltered role.

Minnesota Notes: GM, Free Agents, Whitecaps

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The Minnesota Wild are closing in on their next GM, as Michael Russo of The Athletic (subscription required) reports that team owner Craig Leipold will sit down with Paul Fenton today and Tom Fitzgerald on Thursday before making a final decision. Fenton, the Nashville Predators assistant GM, has been a candidate for countless jobs over the past decade but stayed with his current organization as the right hand of David Poile. Fitzgerald, a rising star in the New Jersey Devils front office, apparently “thoroughly impressed Leipold” in his first interview and is now a legitimate finalist for the job.

Minnesota let long-time GM Chuck Fletcher go after a disappointing first-round exit at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets, and are looking for something of a new direction under their next executive. The team has routinely made the playoffs in recent years, only to quickly bow out and try again the following season.

  • When CapFriendly released their offer sheet compensation yesterday, one couldn’t fault a Minnesota fan from feeling fearful when reading the list of restricted free agents. Two of the very best—Jason Zucker and Mathew Dumba—belong to the Wild, and could potentially draw offer sheet interest. Zucker is coming off a breakout 64-point season and is already 26, while Dumba lived up to his seventh-overall draft position with a 50-point season from the blue line. Both players are integral parts of the Minnesota team, and key negotiations for whoever becomes the next GM. If someone were to sign either to a big-money offer sheet, it may be hard to turn down what would be an expansive compensation package.
  • The NWHL has expanded to the state of hockey for the 2018-19 season, as the Minnesota Whitecaps will become the league’s fifth team. Joining the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale and Metropolitan Riveters, Minnesota will be the league’s first foray outside of the north east. The Whitecaps have operated independently for several years, playing exhibition games against NWHL teams but never being an official part of the league. The organization will initially be owned by the league.

Carolina Hurricanes Open For Business As Offseason Nears

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The Carolina Hurricanes have already undergone massive changes to their front office and coaching staff since new owner Tom Dundon took over. Ron Francis and Bill Peters have been moved out, while Don Waddell and Rod Brind’Amour have taken over. Now it sounds like the playing roster might be next. On TSN 1050 yesterday, Bob McKenzie opined about the Hurricanes and how they will approach this offseason, explaining that there could be big changes coming for several players.

There’s one guy on the team that they’re not prepared to trade—Sebastian Aho. Everybody else, everybody else is available. [Jeff] Skinner, you name it. Skinner’s getting moved, I would think.

Everybody except for Aho. I think [Justin] Faulk’s very much in play, I think Skinner’s very much in play. Hey listen, there’s some guys who whenever they say there’s only one untouchable, obviously there’s a sliding scale of value where the price coming back the other way has to be off the charts. 

It’s not the first we’ve heard of Skinner being available, as several different reports have indicated that teams are expressing interest in the three-time 30-goal man. Headed for unrestricted free agency in 2019, Skinner could be a target this summer for a team looking to improve their goal scoring. The 25-year old had a down year in 2018-19 with only 24 goals, but has proven he’s one of the best in the league at putting the puck in the net.

Faulk on the other hand is an interesting option, as he carries two years on his contract with a reasonable cap hit. The Hurricanes have been expected for years to move one of their surplus defensemen, with Noah Hanifin, Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce and others already able to carry the load. If Faulk was to be traded, he’d fetch quite a price from a team looking to upgrade their right side, though he does come with his share of inconsistencies. The 26-year old scored just eight goals this season after racking up at least 15 in three consecutive seasons, but is still a capable offensive puck-mover that could thrive in the right situation.

Jaromir Jagr Will Play In Czech Republic In 2018-19

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Though there is still bound to be speculation over a return to the NHL this summer, Nova Sport in the Czech Republic is reporting that Jaromir Jagr has agreed to return as a player for Kladno, the Czech team he owns. There apparently had been interest from the DEL in bringing Jagr aboard, but he will not head to Germany. Though he has agreed to play there now, one has to believe that if an NHL team came calling Jagr would still consider a return at the age of 46. Playing for Kladno keeps his options open should a different opportunity arise.

Jagr tried to continue his NHL career in Calgary this season, but due to injuries and inconsistent play ended up in just 22 games before heading home to the Czech Republic. The legendary winger will go down as one of the greatest players to ever step on a hockey rink, but it seems like the end of that professional career is finally coming to an end. Jagr is still a fitness freak who trains at all hours of the night, but it would be surprising to see any NHL team take a real gamble on bringing him in for a full season. Perhaps if he shows he’s fully healthy again he could earn a midseason contract, but it’s hard to expect much at this point.

If it is the end of his NHL career, he’ll go out with 1,921 points in 1,733 games and a trophy case full of individual and team accomplishments.

David Desharnais Signs With Yaroslavl Lokomotiv

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Though we’ve known for a while that David Desharnais would be heading to the KHL, we now know where he’ll play in 2018-19. Louis Jean of TVA Sports reports that Desharnais has signed with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv, joining former NHL players like Maxime Talbot, Staffan Kronwall, and Brandon Kozun.

It’s surprising that Desharnais would make this decision so quickly, as even though there wasn’t likely a huge market for him this summer, he’s still a useful depth player. The 31-year old center had 28 points for the New York Rangers this season, and was once again a positive in the faceoff dot. Desharnais is obviously not the 60-point player of his youth, but there are plenty of teams that need fourth-line centers that can move up the lineup if needed.

Instead, he’ll avoid the perils of unrestricted free agency and go play in the KHL for the first time. The undrafted Desharnais spent some time in the NLA during the most recent lockout, but will have a new set of experiences playing in Russia. There is a good chance that he finds a lot of success for Lokomotiv, as he’s always been an effective offensive player when given the chance. It’s unclear how long he has signed for, but it’s likely that we’ll see Desharnais back in North America at some point.

Vegas’ David Perron Out For Game Two

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When the Vegas Golden Knights released their routine lineup for Game Two this evening, there was a name (or emoji) conspicuously missing. Despite no official word from the team – including no evidence that he is injured – David Perron will not suit up for the Knights as they look to even the Western Conference Finals series on the road against the Winnipeg Jets. Already reeling from a convincing Game One loss and likely without William Carrier for the series, this is another blow for Vegas and not ideal for matching up with the Jets.

While Perron’s status remains a mystery, one has to believe that his absence is injury related after his performance this season. Perron notched 66 points in 70 games, including a team-best 50 assists, and has added another seven points through nine games thus far in the playoffs. It has easily been the best season of the veteran winger’s 11-year career and head coach Gerard Gallant is not about to bench him for any reasons related to his play at this point in the team’s Stanley Cup run. Perron has yet to score a goal in the playoffs and has really struggled to even get the puck on net, but he has made up for it with a strong possession game and his play-making ability. He doesn’t seem at risk to be scratched at all. One possible reason for Perron missing the game could be a lingering issue related to the undisclosed injury that cost him the final six regular season games and first two postseason games. Another potential answer could be an injury related to a collision with teammate James Neal in Game One that left Perron looking shaken up. For one reason or another, Perron is out and there are no clues as to how long he will be out, but the Golden Knights must make do.

A lot of that burden will fall on the shoulders of Tomas Tatar. Vegas paid an exorbitant price at the deadline to acquire the young forward from the Detroit Red Wings, but thus far he has been a disappointment. Tatar recorded only six points and was -11 in the final 20 games of the regular season with the Knights and has found himself as a regular scratch in the postseason. In the four playoff games he has skated in, Tatar has looked good, but like Perron has had trouble getting the puck on net. As a result, he has been held scoreless. A one-shot-per-game pace simply won’t do for Tatar if he is to replace Perron successfully; the four-time 20-goal scorer needs to return to form as soon as possible. If not, the Jets’ Game One domination is only likely to continue against the shorthanded Knights.

The Impact On The NHL Of The U.S. Supreme Court Decision On Legalized Gambling

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In perhaps the most influential decision regarding sports in recent memory, the U.S. Supreme Court today held that prohibiting the states from deciding for themselves on whether or not to legalize sports gambling was an unconstitutional practice. Until now, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) had limited legalized sports betting to just four grandfathered states – Delaware, Montana, Oregon, and of course Nevada – under a federal ban. However, the decision in Murphy v. NCAA now empowers each state to move forward with sports gambling legislation if they so choose. It is a monumental shift in the spectator sports paradigm and not a decision that came easily. As Sports Illustrated’s Michael McCann writes, the Supreme Court was split 7-2 in the decision and even in the majority opinion Justice Samuel Alito states that this the issue of sports gambling is and will continue to be a topic that is up to the individual to decide on and the Supreme Court’s decision does not condone gambling, so much as it acknowledges the states’ rights to allow it. It was the court’s belief that the U.S. Constitution gave the federal government no specific power in this area and that PAPSA operated to command the state governments on how they must function, also known as commandeering, which is not allowed.

So what impact will this decision have on the NHL? The NHL, as well as the other three major North American sports leagues and even the Department of Justice, joined the NCAA in this case against the state of New Jersey. All of these parties are likely reeling after this decision, which had previously been found in their favor at both the district court and appeals court levels. The main argument in defense of PAPSA is to protect the integrity of sport based on the belief that an increased access to sports gambling could hurt the product or at least its image due to corruption. However, the other side of that specific argument is that legalized gambling – controlled, safeguarded, and monitored by the states – may actually serve to remove many illegal, behind-the-scenes gambling influences.

The leagues also stand to benefit substantially from “integrity fees”, writes McCann in a second piece. Practicing some gambling of their own, the leagues hedged their bet on the result of the case by developing the plan to demand fees from betting operations for the use of their product and information. These fees would help to make up for the risk the league’s feel is associated with an increase in gambling. While McCann opines that some operations and even some states are likely to fight these fees, the legislative process to get legalized gambling up and running in each state will be arduous enough that the fees will likely be paid to avoid yet another roadblock. These fees will then need to be incorporated into each league’s revenue-sharing scheme to divvy up the proceeds between owners and players alike.

So, while Philadelphia Flyers GM Ron Hextall believes that today’s decision will not affect NHL players, per beat writer Sam Carchidi, it seems likely that the rise of legalized gambling will actually serve to benefit the players. Where Hextall is correct is that it is unlikely to have much of an effect on the integrity of the game or how players handle themselves due to the aforementioned shift of gambling from out of the shadows and into a controlled environment. Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, who also owns the NBA’s Washington Wizards, said something to the same effect, as Carchidi writes that Leonsis feels legalized gambling ensures “integrity can be guaranteed and consumers can be better protected.” Leonsis adds that the decision will “change the face of sports fandom for the better” and “bring fans closer to the game”. The increase in revenue from “integrity fees” and an increase in attention paid to hockey by gambling accessibility appears primed to actually benefit players and teams alike, despite the league’s stance in opposition.

For their part, the NHL has stated that “the Supreme Court’s decision today paves the way to an entirely different landscape – one in which we have not previously operated. We will review our current practices and policies and decide whether adjustments are needed… (there will be) no immediate impact on existing league rules relating to sports wagering, and particularly, wagering involving NHL games.” The league will have to be flexible in dealing with the rise of sports gambling, especially in each of the 16 states that house NHL teams and do not already have sports betting laws in place (all except Nevada (VGK) and New Jersey (NJD)), but it seems that in all likelihood this decision could be good for the league. As Justice Alito wrote in the decision, gambling is at its essence a personal decision and opinions vary greatly, but a controlled, legalized gambling system is on its way in the U.S. states and the NHL appears to be a potential beneficiary.

 

Ryan Ellis Open To Contract Extension With Nashville Predators

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The Nashville Predators already made it clear this morning that they likely wouldn’t be bringing back Alexei Emelin, and that Scott Hartnell’s tenure with the team was essentially over. GM David Poile also touched on an upcoming negotiation with defenseman Ryan Ellis, which Adam Vingan examines in a piece for the Tennessean. Ellis has one year left on his current contract, and would be eligible for an extension this summer. He’s very open to signing a new deal with Nashville, as he told Vingan:

I love it here. My fiancée loves it here. If it was my wish, I’d finish my career here. So we’ll see what happens.

Ellis has been one of the most underpaid players in the league the last few seasons, carrying a cap hit of just $2.5MM during his five-year, $12.5MM contract signed in 2014. The 27-year old has developed into one of the best two-way defensemen in the league, and raised to new heights this season when he recorded 32 points in just 44 games. His season was limited by the knee surgery he underwent last summer, but after returning he produced at an incredible rate for the Predators and was back to driving possession while logging more than 23 minutes a night.

Oddly, Ellis’ name hasn’t been mentioned as much as some of the other defensemen scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2019. While Erik Karlsson, Drew Doughty and Oliver Ekman-Larsson have taken all the headlines, Ellis has flown somewhat under the radar as a potential top pairing defenseman that could be available. That’s likely due to his role on one of the best defensive groups in the NHL, sometimes overshadowed by the flamboyance of P.K. Subban or steady play of Roman Josi and Mattias Ekholm. Make no mistake though, if Ellis was to hit the open market he would have dozens of teams knocking down his door to try and sign him.

That should lead to quite the raise if he does re-sign with the Predators, and one that isn’t necessarily a given. The team already has quite a bit of salary tied up in those other defensemen, and with Kyle Turris’ $36MM extension kicking in next year there is a cap crunch coming in Nashville. While right now Ellis’ low cap hit is one of the reasons that the team can have so much depth, a substantial raise—which could potentially push him into the $6-7MM range—would leave the team with some tough decisions elsewhere on the roster. Josi is scheduled to become a UFA in 2020, while there are already decisions to be made with pending RFA Juuse Saros and incumbent starter Pekka Rinne, who has just one year left on his current contract.

Either way, Predators fans should be pleased that Ellis is already so open about a potential extension. The 11th-overall pick in 2009 has proven any doubters wrong by showing that a relatively undersized defenseman can be successful in his own end, and should be a big part of the team for years to come.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Winnipeg Jets Recall 13 Players From AHL

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Now that the Manitoba Moose have been eliminated from the AHL playoffs, the Winnipeg Jets have recalled their “Black Aces.” These players are unlikely to get into the playoff lineup, but will skate with the team and experience what it’s like to go through an NHL postseason. The team has recalled:

F Mason Appleton
F Chase De Leo
F Jansen Harkins
F Brendan Lemieux
F J.C. Lipon
F Nic Petan
F Michael Spacek

D Julian Melchiori
D Jan Kostalek
D Sami Niku
D Nelson Nogier
D Logan Stanley

G Eric Comrie

Of special note is Stanley, who spent this season with the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL. The behemoth defenseman joined the Moose just recently, but didn’t get into a game with them. He’ll get a chance to see what his future holds, as Stanley is expected to make it to the NHL within the next few seasons. The first-round pick had an outstanding season after battling injury in 2016-17, and should be a fixture on the Moose blue line next year.

Many of the other players called up already have experience at the NHL level, including Niku who made his debut this season. The seventh-round pick won the AHL Defenseman of the Year award as a rookie, after putting up 54 points in 76 games. The Jets, who already have one of the deepest defense corps in the league, are well stocked for the future.

2018 Offer Sheet Compensation

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Though it is almost never used in today’s NHL, the idea of an offer sheet still intrigues fans and media alike. Signing a restricted free agent out from under the nose of a rival, taking a superstar away in his prime. We’ve seen examples of offer sheets in the past, with Shea Weber signing a 14-year contract with Philadelphia in 2012, only to have it matched by Nashville. The Predators would have received four first-round picks had they let the then-26-year old Norris runner-up walk away.

Offer sheet compensation is based on the average salary of the league, and CapFriendly has released the final numbers for this summer. Below is the full breakdown, with the contract’s average annual value placing it in one of seven tiers:

$1,339,575 or less No compensation
$1,339,576 to $2,029,659 Third-round pick
$2,029,660 to $4,059,322 Second-round pick
$4,059,323 to $6,088,980 First and third-round picks
$6,088,981 to $8,118,641 First, second and third-round picks
$8,118,642 to $10,148,302 Two firsts, a second and third-round picks
Over $10,148,302 Four first-round picks

It is important to note that any team trying to sign a player to an applicable offer sheet must use their own draft picks for compensation, not ones that have been acquired. That rules several teams out already from signing high profile RFAs, unless they were to work to reacquire their picks before submitting the contract.

Several players, including William Karlsson and Mark Stone are scheduled to become restricted free agents this summer and have generated offer sheet speculation. Though they don’t happen regularly, some people around the NHL believe that the day is coming when teams use the option more often. We’ll have to wait to find out if that begins this summer. For more information about the details of offer sheets, check out CapFriendly’s FAQ.

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