Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Archives for June 2018

Carolina Hurricanes Re-Sign Andrew Poturalski

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Carolina Hurricanes are set on bringing back another member of the Charlotte Checkers, re-signing Andrew Poturalski to a one-year two-way contract. Poturalski will earn $700K at the NHL level, and be eligible for Group VI unrestricted free agency next summer should he spend much time in the minor leagues this season. GM Don Waddell released a statement explaining the signing:

Andrew has shown skill and durability during his time in Charlotte. He has continued to improve his game each season and we hope he can take another step forward next year.

After already re-signing Trevor Carrick and Patrick Brown, the new Carolina front office seems determined to bring back the core of their AHL squad. Poturalski finished with 49 points this season, his second excellent season since leaving the University of New Hampshire to sign a professional contract. Undrafted, the former USHL standout has two NHL games to his name and remains valuable depth for the Hurricanes.

Carolina has plenty of restricted free agents to deal with on the NHL roster this summer, but seems content knocking off minor league deals for the time being. As rumors swirl around their big names like Jeff Skinner, Justin Faulk and Noah Hanifin, Waddell and his staff are preparing for big changes in the NHL by securing the future of the Checkers.

Edmonton Oilers Sign Patrick Russell To One-Year Contract

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Edmonton Oilers have inked one of their pending restricted free agents, signing Patrick Russell to a one-year deal. The 25-year old Russell played for the Bakersfield Condors this season, scoring 27 points in 68 games. Though not specified, one can assume that Russell is signing a two-way contract, since he has still yet to make his NHL debut, and as such will be eligible for Group VI unrestricted free agency next summer should he fail to play in 80 games with the Oilers in 2018-19.

Russell was born and played in Denmark for much of his junior career, before heading to Sweden and eventually making his way over to the USHL and NCAA. After playing two years for St. Cloud State the winger decided to sign his first professional contract, joining the Oilers system in spring of 2016. In two years with the Condors, Russell hasn’t been able to find the same offensive success he had in college but has still done enough to earn a new deal.

The Oilers now have nine restricted free agents left to sign this summer, two of which we looked at in closer detail here. Ryan Strome and Darnell Nurse represent some big decisions for Edmonton, but even players like Russell require quite a bit of work to get under contract.

Pierre Turgeon Will Not Return To Los Angeles Kings

at CDT | by 1 Comment

After just one season as the team’s “offensive coordinator,” assistant coach Pierre Turgeon will not return to the Los Angeles Kings. Turgeon is leaving the club due to family reasons, though the team made no mention of starting a search to replace him immediately. A statement was included from GM Rob Blake:

Pierre has informed us that he has decided not to return to his coaching position due to family reasons and we have accepted his resignation. We thank him for his efforts with the Kings this past season and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.

Turgeon was hired as an assistant for new coach John Stevens and tasked with trying to squeeze more offense out of a group that had struggled for several years. The Kings still struggled as a group, but at least part of that can be attributed to Jeff Carter missing all but 27 games up front. For Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown, it was a return to form as they recorded 92 and 61 points respectively to lead the club. Brown especially rebounded; after four straight seasons of 15 or fewer goals, the former 30-goal winger put up 28.

There’s no telling exactly what Turgeon is going through in his personal life but hopefully he’ll be able to get back to hockey in some capacity in the near future. He currently sits 32nd on the all-time points list as a player, and is a well respected figure around the league.

 

David Perron Discussed Extension With Vegas Golden Knights

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Vegas Golden Knights have two key unrestricted free agents up front in James Neal and David Perron, and at least one of them has made his desire to stay clear. David Schoen of the Las Vegas Review-Journal tweets that Perron discussed an extension during the season with the Golden Knights but couldn’t come to an agreement. Perron will become a UFA on July 1st if he doesn’t come to an agreement with Vegas, but told Schoen “I want to stay.”

Vegas heads into this offseason with a tremendous amount of cap room and only three or four long-term deals on the books. They can certainly afford to be big players in free agency, including locking up Perron and Neal if they so choose. Even though the former wants to stay however, doesn’t guarantee that he’ll stick around in Sin City.

Perron actually finished third on the Golden Knights in points this season, setting a new career-high with 66 in his 70 games. That’s an incredible rate and obviously a big part of how Vegas had so much success in the regular season, but when things dried up in the postseason things didn’t look quite as rosy. Perron was held to a single postseason goal—just the fourth in his 57-game playoff career—and though his nine points in 15 games doesn’t look so bad he was actually taken out of the lineup during the Stanley Cup Finals. Whether that was due to an undisclosed injury or just his ineffective offense isn’t exactly clear, but it begs the question of whether the Golden Knights are really willing to pay up to retain him.

Now 30, Perron has been a good-if-not-great offensive player for his whole career. With 444 points in 722 games, he’s capable of creating offense at even-strength and on the powerplay, but has never been able to really drive a team’s scoring. His most recent contract with the St. Louis Blues was for two years and $7.5MM, a number he’s likely looking to eclipse after having such a successful regular season. Whether he’s worth more than $4MM to the Golden Knights isn’t clear though especially if it’s a multi-year contract. After acquiring Tomas Tatar, Vegas has plenty of options on the wing with more center depth coming up through their prospect system. If they believe that they could compete without him, Perron might have to look elsewhere for his next opportunity.

Morning Notes: Cole, Sestito, Canadiens

at CDT | by 3 Comments

Ian Cole was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets this season after being an integral part of the Pittsburgh Penguins two Stanley Cup runs. Leading up until the deadline there were reports of a feud growing between Cole and head coach Mike Sullivan, something that has been brought up afterwards in pieces about a similar power struggle between the Penguins head coach and Phil Kessel. In Columbus, Cole found a home and performed quite well, notching 10 points in 26 games in a Blue Jackets uniform, including three playoff assists in the team’s first-round exit.

Cole is an unrestricted free agent this summer, and in Aaron Portzline’s latest piece for The Athletic (subscription required) the 29-year old defenseman admits that he’s open to signing with the Blue Jackets if they can find the right deal. After earning an average of just $2.1MM the last three seasons, Cole should be able to find a raise on the open market if he gets that far. Free agency isn’t flush with defensemen who can potentially play in a team’s top-four, and could be quite lucrative to a player in Cole’s position. That’s if Columbus doesn’t lock him up in the next three weeks.

  • A former teammate of Cole in Pittsburgh will be leaving the organization this summer, as Tom Venesky of The Athletic reports that Tom Sestito will not be re-signing with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The long-time professional and part-time Penguins forward didn’t get any NHL action this season as the league moves further away from his physical, enforcing type of hockey. It’s not clear where the 30-year old winger will get his next opportunity, but he isn’t leaving with any bad blood.
  • The Montreal Canadiens hold the third-overall selection at this year’s draft, and Eric Engels of Sportsnet examines just how big of a wildcard that makes them over the next three weeks. There are many who believe that Montreal needs to select a defenseman or center at the upcoming draft, something that may be hard to do when wingers like Filip Zadina and Brady Tkachuk are sitting available at the top of the draft. The team certainly has the firepower to make a move on the draft floor, as they currently hold four second-round picks and three fourth-rounders. If the third-overall pick is available for teams looking to move up, there could be any number of teams running over to the Canadiens’ table to speak with Marc Bergevin on June 22nd.

Chicago Blackhawks Discussed Justin Faulk, Scott Darling

at CDT | by 7 Comments

The Chicago Blackhawks need to find a way to get back to the playoffs next season, or risk wasting another year of Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews while they are still effective. Though there is another wave of talent coming, the Blackhawks live and die with their two superstar forwards and still believe that their championship window is open.

To that end, Scott Powers of The Athletic (subscription required) reports that the team has spoken with the Carolina Hurricanes about defenseman Justin Faulk and former Blackhawks goaltender Scott Darling. The former is expected to be on the market as the Hurricanes look to cash in on some of their defensive assets, while the latter was a disaster in his first season in Carolina and could be on the way out.

Faulk, 26, is signed for two more seasons at a $4.83MM cap hit but actually carries a salary of $6MM each year. The Blackhawks can certainly afford the bump in salary relative to cap hit, while the Hurricanes aren’t quite as flush with cash—historically at least, new owner Tom Dundon could have changed that.

The right-handed defenseman would fit perfectly into Chicago’s blue line, which struggled to create offense this season and has few reliable options on the right side now that Brent Seabrook has started his decline. Faulk is an excellent offensive player that can drive possession and score goals in all situations, something that could help take some of the pressure off of Duncan Keith, who even in arguably the worst offensive season of his career easily led all Blackhawk defenders in points.

Darling on the other hand would return to Chicago with a contract too big for his performance last season, but with the skills to still help the team in net. With Corey Crawford struggling through injury and the backup position not exactly stable, his presence could help them find some consistency should he bounce back next season.

The Hurricanes, for what it’s worth, have identified goaltending as a place for change this summer and admitted that bringing back the same two netminders would be foolish. Cam Ward is expected to reach unrestricted free agency in a few weeks, but Darling could also find himself on the way out if Carolina can land a true starting goaltender at some point.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Complete 2018 Entry Draft Order

at CDT | by 2 Comments

With the Washington Capitals taking home the first Stanley Cup in franchise history last night, other teams around the league can finally get started on what will be a long offseason. June 15th will mark the opening of the first buyout window, while just a week later the first round of the NHL Entry Draft will get underway.

We knew where most of the selections would fall first round, but with the Capitals finding a way to overthrow the Vegas Golden Knights, we finally have the full order. It is:

  1. Buffalo Sabres
  2. Carolina Hurricanes
  3. Montreal Canadiens
  4. Ottawa Senators
  5. Arizona Coyotes
  6. Detroit Red Wings
  7. Vancouver Canucks
  8. Chicago Blackhawks
  9. New York Rangers
  10. Edmonton Oilers
  11. New York Islanders
  12. New York Islanders (from Calgary)
  13. Dallas Stars
  14. Philadelphia Flyers (from St. Louis)
  15. Florida Panthers
  16. Colorado Avalanche
  17. New Jersey Devils
  18. Columbus Blue Jackets
  19. Philadelphia Flyers
  20. Los Angeles Kings
  21. San Jose Sharks
  22. Ottawa Senators (from Pittsburgh)
  23. Anaheim Ducks
  24. Minnesota Wild
  25. Toronto Maple Leafs
  26. New York Rangers (from Boston)
  27. Chicago Blackhawks (from Nashville)
  28. New York Rangers (from Tampa Bay)
  29. St. Louis Blues (from Winnipeg)
  30. Detroit Red Wings (from Vegas)
  31. Washington Capitals
    ______________________It’s important to note that the draft lottery changes only the selections of the first round, meaning the non-playoff teams will select in reverse standings-order in rounds two through seven. Round two looks like this:
  32.  Buffalo Sabres
  33. Detroit Red Wings (from Ottawa)
  34. Florida Panthers (from Arizona)
  35. Montreal Canadiens
  36. Detroit Red Wings
  37. Vancouver Canucks
  38. Montreal Canadiens (from Chicago)
  39. New York Rangers
  40. Edmonton Oilers
  41. New York Islanders
  42. Carolina Hurricanes
  43. New York Islanders (from Calgary)
  44. Dallas Stars
  45. St. Louis Blues
  46. Washington Capitals (from Florida)
  47. Colorado Avalanche
  48. New York Rangers (from New Jersey)
  49. Columbus Blue Jackets
  50. Philadelphia Flyers
  51. Los Angeles Kings
  52. Toronto Maple Leafs (from San Jose)
  53. Pittsburgh Penguins
  54. Anaheim Ducks
  55. Arizona Coyotes (from Minnesota)
  56. Montreal Canadiens (from Toronto)
  57. Boston Bruins
  58. Colorado Avalanche (from Nashville)
  59. Tampa Bay Lightning
  60. Winnipeg Jets
  61. Vegas Golden Knights
  62. Montreal Canadiens (from Washington)

Alex Ovechkin Awarded Conn Smythe Trophy

at CDT | by 4 Comments

The Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the MVP of the postseason, could have gone to several players on the Washington Capitals based on performance alone. Yet it really could not have gone to anyone but captain Alex Ovechkin. Yes, he led the postseason in goals and set a franchise record in playoff goals as well, but really this is indicative of the role that Ovechkin played as the locker room leader for the Capitals and the best player in franchise history.

En route to the team’s first ever Stanley Cup championship, Ovechkin scored 15 goals and totaled 26 points, the second most on the team to Evgeny Kuznetsov. He logged major ice time, played a physical game, and overloaded opposing goaltenders with shots. Ovechkin did everything right, on and off the ice, to finally get the Caps over the hump and to the Cup.

This Conn Smythe is also very much a career achievement award. Ovechkin is a career-Capital, the first overall pick in 2004 and the long-time captain. He is not only the face of the franchise, but one of the best players in the NHL since the turn of the century. He is a surefire Hall of Famer eventually, but undoubtedly has already earned the title of the best player in Washington history. Ovechkin is the franchise leader in goals and points, single season and career, and games played. He is a three-time Hart Trophy winner, a seven-time Maurice Richard Trophy winner, an Art Ross Trophy winner, Calder Trophy winner, and seven-time All-Star; but he now has the ultimate prize, a Stanley Cup, and that is what he needed to go down as one of the best. A well-deserved Conn Smythe win for Ovechkin.

Washington Capitals Win 2018 Stanley Cup Championship

at CDT | by 10 Comments

For the first time in 44 years, the Washington Capitals are Stanley Cup champions. The 1974 expansion team won the first title in franchise history with a 4-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five. The long-suffering fan base that has seen more President’s Trophies than Conference Championships in the team’s history can finally breathe a sigh of relief and celebrate their team getting over the hump. The Stanley Cup belongs to the Capitals in 2018.

Leading the charge for Washington in the postseason and in the deciding game was of course Alex Ovechkin. The franchise leader in scoring fittingly led the team in playoff goal scoring and set the franchise record for goals in a playoff by notching his 15th en route to a win the first title in franchise history. Evgeny Kuznetsov led the team with 32 points in the postseason, adding an assist in Game Five and leading all forwards in ice time. Lars Eller potted the game-winning goal mid-way through the third period to cap off an excellent postseason in which he took his game to the next level and was a clutch presence for the Capitals. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the play of goaltender Braden Holtby, who won back the starter’s job early in the postseason after a tough regular season and went on to make brilliant save after brilliant save these past month, especially in the Final. Not to be forgotten are key contributors like long-time Capitals Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson and Jay Beagle, T.J. Oshie, Matt Niskanen, and Brooks Orpik among others. Head coach Barry Trotz should also be commended for his excellent work and on a career that, like his superstar forward, has always lacked one thing: a title. Not anymore, as Trotz and the Caps are champs.

However, this win is also about the players that came before this team who have long waited for a title to come to Washington. Peter Bondra, Mike Gartner, Dale Hunter, Olaf Kolzig and others can all enjoy what this team has accomplished and what the last four decades have led to.

The achievements of George McPhee, Gerard Gallant, and Vegas Golden Knights, an expansion team in their inaugural season, cannot possibly be overstated. Yet, this franchise has a bright future and is unlikely to have a long wait for their own title. Washington fans had waited long enough. After 44 years, the Washington Capitals are champs and D.C. is a title town once again after 26 years.

 

Poll: New York Islanders’ Next Head Coach

at CDT | by 6 Comments

When Lou Lamoriello cleaned house this week, firing Islanders GM Garth Snow and head coach Doug Weight, it became very clear that the legendary executive was in total control in New York and has a plan to turn the franchise around. That plan now includes hiring a new head coach, which is admittedly more difficult to do at this point in the off-season, but there will still be plenty of willing applicants for the job. However, Lamoriello will turn 76 this year and this is almost surely his last hurrah as the architect of a franchise. As such, the candidates for the Isles’ head coaching vacancy will be limited. Lamoriello seems unlikely to hire a first-time head coach or a more out-of-the-box option. He is likely looking at experienced, veteran coaches and those that the knows and trusts. Here are some of the names who could be considered as the the next head coach of the Islanders:

Barry Trotz: It has already been revealed that the Isles have interest in Trotz if he becomes a free agent after the Stanley Cup Final. The veteran coach does not have a contract in place with the Washington Capitals for next season and could decide to move on, either for more money or a new challenge after potentially winning the Cup. It seems more likely that Trotz returns to the Caps, but Lamoriello would work quickly to lock him up if he chooses otherwise.

Alain Vigneault: Could Vigneault remain in New York after all? The former New York Rangers coach has extensive NHL experience and an all-around good track record of winning with several franchises. He would be a safe pick for Lamoriello as a wise and innovative mind behind the bench. The only knock on Vigneault, like many older coaches, is that he has the reputation of struggling with younger players. There are certainly some promising young athletes on the Islanders’ roster, but one would think that Lamoriello is leaning toward taking the team in a more veteran-centric route anyway.

Brent Sutter: A hiring that would go a long way with lifelong Islanders fans, the former New York captain brings nearly 20 years of NHL playing experience and another five seasons as an NHL head coach to the table. Sutter hasn’t been a coach in the NHL since his time with the Calgary Flames from 2009 to 2012, but in the meantime has been the coach and GM of the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels. An experienced hockey mind in many ways, Sutter is more than qualified for the job. Add in that Sutter’s most successful seasons as an NHL head coach were with Lamoriello’s Devils and he may in fact be a top candidate. He could even boost his value further if he can bring in brother Darryl Sutter as an assistant.

Sheldon Keefe: Keefe’s name has been a popular one on the coaching market for more than a year now. The head coach of the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, Keefe is currently competing for a Calder Cup to add to an already impressive minor league resume. Although the 37-year-old lacks NHL coaching experience, he knows Lamoriello through the Maple Leafs and perhaps no one has a better idea of his coaching ability than the former Toronto GM.

Jay Pandolfo: A Boston Bruins assistant and a long-time Devil during Lamoriello’s reign in New Jersey, Pandolfo is well-regarded among coaches and players. Recently a finalist for one of the biggest jobs in college hockey at Boston University, Pandolfo is searching for more responsibility, as he did as a player and locker room leader with the Devils. Lamoriello may be the man to give it to him. If Pandolfo can convince Anton Khudobin, one of the top goalies in a weak market, to follow him, that only helps his case.

John Madden: The current coach of the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters and a former assistant with the Florida Panthers, Madden was also once a two-way star with Lamoriello’s Devils as well and has an innate understanding of balanced play. Madden hasn’t had noteworthy success as a coach just yet, but seems destined to be a successful NHL coach someday. It would be easy to see Lamoriello trying to get to Madden before his stock rises.

Scott Stevens: It’s unknown if Stevens is open to returning to coaching after resigning from his role as an assistant with the Minnesota Wild in 2017 to take a TV job and spend more time with his family. If he is, Lamoriello could certainly kick the tires on his former star defenseman in New Jersey. Stevens served as an assistant with the Devils for three years prior to moving on to Minnesota and brings a greater understanding of the defensive aspects of the game than perhaps anyone else on this list.

So, who will Lamoriello choose to lead the Islanders into a brighter future?

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

scroll to top