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Auston Matthews Set To Return For Toronto Maple Leafs

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The decision has been made, and the Toronto Maple Leafs will get one of their superstars back tonight. Head coach Mike Babcock confirmed this morning that Auston Matthews will return to the lineup against the San Jose Sharks after a four-week absence. Matthews will have to be activated from injured reserve, but the Maple Leafs were already operating with a 22-man roster and have room to fit him in.

Matthews, 21, was off to an incredible start to the season with 10 goals in his first 11 games before being injured by a hard check from Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba. Suffering a shoulder injury on the play, he’s been out since October 27th leaving the Maple Leafs’ offensive attack in the hands of John Tavares and Mitch Marner. That pair has done just fine alongside contributions from others like Kasperi Kapanen and Nazem Kadri, leading the Maple Leafs to a 9-5 record without Matthews in the lineup.

Still, getting back a player of Matthews’ caliber can only help Toronto as they try to catch the suddenly exceptional Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres are on a 10-game win streak and have taken over first place in the entire NHL. The Maple Leafs are just two points behind them, but it’s clear that the Atlantic Division is setting up to be a meat grinder for the entire season and could force a legitimate Stanley Cup contender into a wild card position. Getting Matthews back and healthy will go a long way to helping Toronto secure one of those top three spots.

Montreal Gives Karl Alzner’s Agent Permission To Seek Trade

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When the Montreal Canadiens placed Karl Alzner on waivers this week there was little chance that he would be claimed. With a hefty contract that carries a $4.625MM cap hit—or $3.6MM when buried in the minors—through the 2021-22 season, it’s hard to imagine anyone picking up the tab and taking him off the Canadiens hands. In fact, his demotion to the minor leagues threatened the future of his NHL career given that Montreal had obviously moved on with younger, cheaper options on the blue line. Now, as if knowing that he has little chance of climbing back up to the top league, Alzner and his representation have been given permission to speak to other teams and seek a trade according to Pierre LeBrun on the latest edition of Insider Trading for TSN.

There is obviously always the chance that the Canadiens themselves find a need for Alzner, should injury or inconsistency plague their current group. The team doesn’t desperately need the cap discount they receive by keeping the 30-year old defenseman in the minor leagues, but does have a back log of players who are all eligible for waivers and would likely run the risk of getting claimed. That’s why Alzner was the odd man out in the first place, and why finding a trade partner isn’t necessarily a top priority for GM Marc Bergevin. Why not keep a veteran option in the minor leagues while you develop the rest of your group?

Still, it’s easy to understand why Alzner would want out. The former Washington Capitals defenseman reached unrestricted free agency in 2017 and signed a five-year deal with the Canadiens, only to watch his friends and teammates go on to win the Stanley Cup without him. He’d been with that group for nearly a decade, and hadn’t missed a single game since becoming a full-time NHL player in 2010. After suiting up for all 82 games in his first season with Montreal, Alzner was a healthy scratch on opening night this year and played just eight games with the Canadiens before hitting waivers.

It’s hard for any NHL player to accept an assignment to the minor leagues, but for one who hadn’t even missed a game in years the demotion is likely even tougher. Alzner obviously wants to play still, but any deal will likely have to include salary coming back to the Canadiens to even things out. Those deals are always the toughest to make, meaning his NHL future may still be extremely limited.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports IMages

Minor Transactions: 11/28/18

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It’s Wednesday and the NHL has just five games planned for this evening, including a meeting of two high powered offenses in Colorado. That’s where the Pittsburgh Penguins will be heading tonight to see if they can continue their short win streak. The Avalanche meanwhile are looking for consecutive win number six, and a chance to climb within one point of the Nashville Predators. As teams prepare for these matchups, we’ll keep track of all the minor moves.

Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames Swap Prospects

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The Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs have announced a late-night trade, exchanging long-time prospects. Leaving Calgary is native son and former first-round pick Morgan Klimchuk, while productive defenseman Andrew Nielsen departs Toronto.

Klimchuk, 23, entered his pro career with high expectations in Calgary, not only as a local product and high draft pick, but due to his consistently impressive production at the junior level. However, Klimchuk has struggled to stand out against the Flames’ other prospects over the years. Despite solid production for the AHL’s Stockton Heat, Klimchuk has only played in one NHL game and has never asserted himself as a top depth option for Calgary. Moving forward, Klimchuk brings a capable offensive game and good offensive mind to Toronto, but will still have to fight for attention among a deep AHL roster and even deeper NHL lineup.

Nielsen, 22, brings both a strong, physical presence and checking game, as well as good passing ability and a hard shot. Nielsen was a point-per-game player in his final junior season and has been a strong contributor in two plus seasons with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Nielsen has earned a shot at the NHL, but has not been given one with the Maple Leafs and was due a change of scenery. He should immediately take over a major role with Stockton and hopefully will get his shot in Calgary sooner rather than later.

Brandon Davidson Undergoes Surgery, Out 6-8 Weeks

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The Chicago Blackhawks have just three wins in their past 15 games and sport the league’s fifth-worse goals against per game. Those struggles make today’s news that much more difficult for the team. Chicago announced this evening that defenseman Brandon Davidson underwent right knee surgery today and will be re-evaluated in six to eight weeks. The team will have to make do without the blue liner for the remainder of the calendar year at the very least.

Davidson, 27, has missed the Blackhawks’ past seven games with the lower-body ailment and was placed on injured reserve last week after the injury proved to be more than what was initially considered minor. A successful training camp tryout earned Davidson a one-year, minimum deal with Chicago, but given his track record of being a solid contributor in the NHL, Davidson entered the year with expectations greater than that of just a last-minute addition. In seven games so far this year, the two-way defender has only managed one point and has been relatively ineffective, but with the rest of the defensive corps struggling Davidson’s presence remained important.

With Davidson sidelined long-term, the return of Connor Murphy becomes much more important. Murphy has been out all season long with a back injury, but recently began practicing with the team and is expected back in the lineup sooner rather than later. In the meantime, the team will look to Gustav Forsling to play a starting role. Forsling has recorded four points in just six games already, including a multi-point game in his last appearance and season high in ice time the game prior. The Blackhawks need Forsling, Murphy, and company to do more than just make up for Davidson’s absence to fix the team’s overall defensive woes, but if they can, the team will be in good shape with defensive depth when Davidson returns in a month or two.

College Notes: Henrikson, Crone, Risers

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The jump to North America has not been kind to Arvid Henrikson thus far and it has impacted his college recruitment. Yet, the big Swedish defenseman has made his decision on where he will begin his NCAA career and hopes that transition yields better results than his move to the USHL this year. Henrikson, 20, was a seventh-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2016, following a point-per-game campaign in the Swedish juniors. His success in the pro ranks in Sweden has been less impressive, prompting a change in career path this off-season. Henrikson joined the Des Moines Buccaneers for the 2018-19 campaign, but has only registered one point through 18 games so far. While Henrikson has the size – 6’5″, 212 lbs. – and physical style to make a career out of being a stay-at-home defender, he has shown ample offensive ability before and hoped to showcase that side of his game in the USHL. Instead, he will hold out hope that perhaps his production will improve when he enrolls at Lake Superior State University next season. The Buccaneers announced today that Henrikson has committed to join the Lakers, where he will replace senior defenseman and Anaheim Ducks prospect Steven Ruggiero as the only drafted player in the program. Lake Superior may not be a powerhouse college program, but less spotlight and fewer expectations may be exactly what Henrikson needs to develop into the defenseman that the Canadiens hoped they were getting with a late flier a few years ago.

  • When Hank Crone finished third in scoring in the USHL in 2016-17, ahead of the likes of Andrei Svechnikov, Eeli Tolvanen, and future Boston University teammate Shane Bowers, many expected that it would be enough to get him drafted. Yet, the talented albeit undersized forward again was passed up. Last season, his first with BU, also did not go according to plan. Crone managed to record just twelve points and failed to live up to the offensive prowess he showed in juniors. As a result, Crone is back in the USHL this season, re-joining the Fargo Force rather than staying on with the Terriers. Unsurprisingly, he’s back at his old ways with 21 points in 19 games. As a result, he’s also willing to try his hand at the college game again and has committed to another top program. Hockey Commitments announced today that Crone has signed on to join the University of Denver next season, where he will have three years of eligibility left to show NHL teams what they missed. If Crone is able to get it right on his second try in the NCAA, he should draw considerable interest from the pro ranks down the road.
  • In his latest article about the biggest early “risers” of the most recent draft class, The Athletic’s Corey Pronman tabbed college or college-bound players as half of the most surprising performers so far this season. The top played named, who Pronman says has established himself as a “legit NHL prospect”, is Calgary Flames pick Emilio Pettersen. The Denver forward was a sixth-round pick out of the USHL after a strong but unspectacular season, but has been better than a point-per-game so far through twelve games and has looked like an elite play-maker against tough competition. Northeastern forward Tyler Madden, the Vancouver Canucks’ third-round pick, is next up. Madden has ten points through twelve games for the Huskies and has easily transitioned his two-way game to the college level. Also on Pronman’s list are UConn center Jachym Kondelik (NSH, Rd. 4), UMass center John Leonard (SJ, Rd. 6), Pettersen’s Denver teammate Brett Stapley (MTL, Rd. 7), and St. Lawrence-bound Martin Pospisil (CGY, Rd. 4), as the college game continues be a great developmental option for the NHL’s top prospects.

Cam York Commits To The University Of Michigan

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In 2017, the University of Michigan watched shutdown defenseman Luke Martin get selected in the second round of the NHL Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes. Last year, smooth-skating Wolverines rearguard Quinn Hughes was drafted seventh overall by the Vancouver Canucks, the second defenseman off the board. With both players expected to turn pro after this season, there was some understandable concern about the Michigan blue line moving forward. Well, those fears can be put to rest, as the team is unlikely to miss a beat after today’s announcement. Cam York, one of the top draft-eligible defenseman of the 2019 class, is headed to Ann Arbor. The U.S. National Development Program announced that their star defender made his commitment to the University of Michigan official today.

York is considered by most to be one of the top two or three defensemen in the upcoming draft, alongside Canadian Bowen Byram and Swedes Philip Broberg and Victor Soderstrom. The Anaheim, California native is a guaranteed first round pick next June, if not top-ten. A product of Shattuck St. Mary’s, York joined the USNTDP last season and quickly earned a spot on the U-18 team. This season, York has been the program’s top defender and has the numbers to prove it. With 16 points through 21 games, York leads the team’s defensemen in scoring and is top-six overall in both points and assists.

At 5’11, 172 lbs., York is not a dominant physical presence on the back end, however he does possess a solid two-way game. Yet, where York is really dangerous is when he has the puck on his stick. A talented puck-mover, York pushes the pace of the game and sees the ice better than most his age. With passing accuracy and a strong shot, the 17-year-old is an offensive dynamo on the blue line. York should be able to dominate the college game with Michigan, so much so that he’s unlikely to be a Wolverine for more than a season or two. Michigan fans will take what they can get, as York will continue the team’s recent streak of having top play-makers on the blue line.

Brock Boeser To Return For Vancouver Canucks

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The Vancouver Canucks have assigned Reid Boucher to the Utica Comets of the AHL in order to make room for a returning star. Brock Boeser, out since November 2nd, is expected to return tonight and take on the Los Angeles Kings according to Ben Kuzma of Postmedia.

Boeser, 21, has managed just 84 games over parts of three seasons now in the NHL, battling injury several times over the past calendar year. Obviously extremely talented, the Canucks need him to stay on the ice consistently to really be able to rely on him going forward. The team has an exciting group of young players that could usher in the next great era of Canucks hockey, and Boeser can be a huge part of that if he’s healthy enough to contribute. Hopefully this will be the last injured reserve stint for a while, and the league will get to see what he can do for the rest of the year.

With 11 points in 13 games, the Minnesota-born forward is amazingly still sixth on the team in scoring and tied for fourth in goals. That total very well could increase right away given his expected position beside Elias Pettersson and Nikolay Goldobin tonight, two of the team’s most dangerous offensive weapons. That trio just happen to all be 23 or under, meaning they could be together for a long time if chemistry is apparent right away.

Gabe Vilardi Sent To AHL On Conditioning Loan

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When it rains it pours for the Los Angeles Kings, who have experienced periods of abject sorrow this season but are now finally seeing some improved luck. After activating Jonathan Quick from injured reserve, the team has also sent top prospect Gabe Vilardi to the Ontario Reign for a conditioning stint. Though this by no means assures that Vilardi is healthy enough to get back to the daily grind of a professional season, it does mean he’s approaching that level with his rehab and could be back on the ice soon.

In a season that is quickly slipping away from the Kings, Vilardi’s injury rehab is a cause for excitement. The 19-year old forward was selected 11th overall in 2017 but has dealt with troubling back injuries since then that robbed him of much of the 2017-18 season and all of this year so far. One of the most impressive puck-protecting forwards at the junior level, he still managed to record 80 points in 48 games for the Kingston Frontenacs last year and holds incredible NHL potential. Still, there’s work to be done after missing so much key development time in his young career.

Vilardi would actually not be allowed to play in the AHL under normal circumstances given his age and CHL eligibility, but can appear in three games for the Reign under this injury conditioning loan. Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider also adds that the team could petition to have him allowed to stay longer, though at that point there might be good reason to just send him back to junior to have him continue to develop at the lower level.

Others keeping a close eye on the Kings prospect will be the Canadian World Junior management group, who could potentially add him to their squad for the upcoming tournament if he’s healthy enough to compete. Vilardi missed out on that opportunity a year ago, despite obvious interest from the team.

Jonathan Quick Activated From Injured Reserve

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The Los Angeles Kings haven’t had much to celebrate this season, but they’ll finally at least get one of their most important players back on the ice. The team has activated Jonathan Quick from injured reserve, while sending Peter Budaj to the minor leagues. Trevor Lewis has also been placed on injured reserve retroactive to November 16th.

Quick has been out since last month following a surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, forcing young goaltenders into the net in his place. First Jack Campbell took over and actually performed quite well, before the same injury forced him out of the crease and onto the surgery table. Following Campbell’s injury the team was forced to turn to Calvin Petersen, who had only 51 professional appearances to his name. Petersen has done much better than anyone could have asked for with a .921 save percentage, but there is little doubt the Kings are happy to get their star goaltender back on the ice.

The Kings are close to being left behind entirely in the Western Conference, now sitting at just 17 points on the season with a 8-14-1 record. That is obviously a terrible start—one which cost head coach John Stevens his job and forward Tanner Pearson his roster spot—but there is still hope that a rejuvenated Quick can get them back into the hunt. To do it they’ll need some help from the offense, who have scored just 51 goals on the season.

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