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Archives for January 2019

Kyle Palmieri Named All-Star Replacement For Taylor Hall

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When reigning MVP Taylor Hall was named an All-Star earlier this month despite being sidelined with a lower-body injury, it always looked like a long-shot that he would even be back in the New Jersey Devils’ lineup by All-Star weekend, nevertheless willing to participate in the exhibition event. That prediction has come to fruition, as Hall has officially backed out of All-Star participation. Fortunately, the Devils will be well-represented anyway. Kyle Palmieri, enjoying a career season, has been named Hall’s replacement on the Metropolitan Division squad, New Jersey announced.

Palmieri, 27, is making his first All-Star appearance in his ninth NHL season. It also happens to be the best season of his career to date. Palmieri has already registered 22 goals and 38 points in 47 games, putting him on pace for 38 goals and 66 points, both of which would shatter his previous career highs. Palmieri leads the Devils in goals, points, power play production, and shots in what has been an offensively dominant campaign. More than any season before, Palmieri deserves the All-Star nod and will be a fitting addition to the festivities.

Palmieri’s success – and now league-wide recognition – is also why he is considered an untouchable asset for the struggling Devils. New Jersey has fallen short of expectations this season just one year after a surprise run to the postseason, but Palmieri has been one of the lone highlights. Although his trade value has never been higher, the Devils are reportedly not willing to consider offers in the days leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline that revolve around Palmieri, who has two years remaining on his contract at a bargain $4.65MM if he keeps up this level of production. Many other pieces could be moved by New Jersey in the coming weeks, but their 2019 All-Star is here to stay.

Snapshots: Berglund, Stempniak, Niedermayer

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Patrik Berglund will not be returning to the NHL this season. He won’t be playing any hockey at all, in fact. A month after the veteran forward was suspended by the Buffalo Sabres for failing to report to the team and then subsequently waived and terminated, Berglund has opened up to the local newspaper in his home town of Vasteras, Sweden. Lance Lysowski of the Buffalo News dissected that article for North American audiences, filling in the gaps of the strange series of events that led to Berglund’s departure. Playing in his first season in Buffalo following the trade that sent Ryan O’Reilly to the St. Louis Blues, Berglund states that he “lost his passion and joy for hockey”. As a result, Berglund opted not to join the Sabres for a two-game road trip, which earned his suspension and eventually his release. Even though Berglund walked away from more than $12MM in the four remaining years of his contract, he doesn’t regret the decision, saying that his mental health means more than money right now. It is for that exact same reason that he has decided not to resume playing, in the NHL or in Europe, this season. Berglund did express remorse for leaving the Sabres short-handed – even if his termination does help the team long-term –  and reiterated that the club and his teammates did nothing wrong. Instead, it simply seems Berglund was so disappointed in his exit from St. Louis that he lost the will to play. Berglund stated that “I hope I can find the joy to play again. Right now, I can’t tell whether I will play again or not. I’m in the process of healing.” A well-regarded two-way forward and only 30 years old, Berglund will have the opportunity to play again somewhere if he so chooses, but it seems that the decision of his next steps professionally is still a ways off.

  • Lee Stempniak joined the Boston Bruins on a PTO in training camp this fall, but did not earn a contract. Yet, months later, he continues to practice with the team on a regular basis. At this point, it seems like a foregone conclusion that Stempniak will be earning a contract with the team once rosters expand for the stretch run and postseason, much like how the Bruins added Brian Gionta late last season. Stempniak, 35, is not the player he once was, but surely could have found employment overseas this season if not for the promise of a future payoff with Boston. Stempniak is just a year removed from an 82-game, 40-point season with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2016-17 and the year before that he recorded 51 points, including ten in 19 games with these same Boston Bruins. With the emergence of Peter Cehlarik over the past week as a good match on the second line with David Krejci and Jake Debrusk, paired with the additional option the signing of right-shot Stempniak would bring, the speculation is that the Bruins could be content with their second-line right wing situation and instead be focused on adding a third-line center at the trade deadline. However, given his familiarity with the roster and determination to return to the NHL, Stempniak could end up being the most valuable piece that the Bruins add in the coming weeks.
  • The son of Hall of Fame defenseman Scott Niedermayer has made his college selection and it will turn some heads. Southern California-native Jackson Niedermayer has opted to stay close to home and has committed to Arizona State University. His current team, the BCHL powerhouse Penticton Vees, announced the decision, adding that Niedermayer expects to play two more seasons with the team before making the jump to the NCAA. Niedermayer, 17, had his season cut short by a hip injury this year, making his NHL Draft stock in his first year of eligibility a question mark. Nevertheless, his hockey genes and previous production at the U-16 level in California could be enough to earn a selection this year. Regardless of his draft status, when Niedermayer joins Arizona State, he will easily be the biggest name to have played for the fledgling independent program that is still gaining its foothold in college hockey.

Poll: Where Will Derick Brassard Finish The Season?

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This week’s player of choice in the NHL rumor mill appears to be Derick Brassard, who had seen fewer than 13 minutes of ice time in consecutive games before getting a little more time on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks. Brassard recorded a goal in that game to give him eight on the year and a total of just 14 points in 37 games heading into tonight’s action. That kind of production just hasn’t been enough for the Penguins, who have seemingly made it known to every publication in Pittsburgh about his availability. Perhaps Tuesday’s deployment was a showcase of sort, given the news today that the Sharks have inquired on Brassard at some point.

It’s not just the Sharks that will be interested though, if Penguins GM Jim Rutherford decides to sell Brassard. When the Ottawa Senators decided to make the veteran center available last season, Pittsburgh had to beat out several teams including the Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets for his services, eventually involving a third team to make the salaries work. It cost them a hefty price in terms of draft picks and goaltending prospect Filip Gustavsson, meaning there must have been other substantial offers on the table.

So where will Brassard end up this season? It’s hard to imagine the Penguins would give him up for prospects or picks without enough time to flip those assets, given they intend on competing for the Stanley Cup this season. If a deal like that happens it would likely have to occur with time to get in another deal before the deadline, meaning we could get an answer on Brassard sooner than other potential deadline deals—not to mention Rutherford’s propensity to get his shopping done ahead of time. If he can’t get a deal he likes, perhaps there’s still even reason to keep Brassard for a run and hope he can find his game in the playoffs.

Where do you think he’ll end the year, and what will he bring back if traded? Cast your vote below and make sure to explain your choice in the comment section.

[Mobile users click here to vote]

Submit Your Questions For The #PHRMailbag

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The halfway point of the season has come and gone but aside from a few teams, there hasn’t been a whole lot of separation in the standings as several squads are still within striking distance of a Wild Card spot.  That’s likely going to have an impact on the trade front as we get closer to the February 25th trade deadline as teams decide whether to add a piece or two to try to sneak in or try to sell and help their draft lottery odds.

With that in mind, it’s time to run another mailbag to take your questions on the upcoming trade deadline and other goings-on around the NHL.  I’ll be answering your queries this coming weekend.  You can submit your question on Twitter by including #PHRMailbag or leave a comment down below.

If you need to catch up on our last mailbag which ran in mid-December, you can do so by clicking here.  Topics included who the Blackhawks may be looking to sell, trade targets for Carolina, the situation in St. Louis, and much more.

Flyers Notes: Weise, Injury Updates, Fletcher’s Roster Moves

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Earlier this week, Dale Weise cleared waivers but was not immediately assigned to the AHL.  Instead, it was reported he was staying up with the Flyers for the time being.  That appears to have changed.  Head coach Scott Gordon told reporters, including Dave Isaac of the Cherry Hill Courier-Post, that the winger would not be accompanying the team on their road trip to Montreal and that he would be starting their bye week early.  Sportsnet’s Eric Engels adds (Twitter link) that Weise has been told to stay home and await a trade.

Considering he has now passed through unclaimed twice already this season, his trade value can’t be high.  It’s likely that the Flyers would need to retain close to the maximum 50% of his contract which carries a $2.35MM cap hit through next season and/or take a similar contract back as part of a return.  The 30-year-old is only three years removed from a 14-goal season but he has struggled since joining the Flyers back in 2016.  This season, he has just five goals and six assists in 42 games.

More news from Philadelphia:

  • A pair of Flyers goalies are making good progress in their respective injury recoveries. The team announced that Brian Elliott has resumed on-ice workouts but there isn’t a timeline yet for his return.  He has been out of the lineup since suffering a groin injury in mid-November.  Meanwhile, Michal Neuvirth is expected to resume on-ice activities sometime next week although, like Elliott, there remains no timetable for his return.  The team also updated defenseman Samuel Morin’s situation, indicating that he’s likely a month away from returning following offseason ACL surgery.
  • NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Boruk notes that there could be an early trend to follow when it comes to new GM Chuck Fletcher’s trades. Their movement thus far (which could also extend to Weise’s waiver placement) has been either to remove players that aren’t playing with much physicality or to bring someone in with some size that is more apt to playing that type of role.  Considering they soon have a decision to make on winger Wayne Simmonds, it will be interesting to see if Fletcher’s apparent desire to play a more physical style will have any kind of impact on their contract negotiations.

Atlantic Notes: Kronwall, Jensen, Zaitsev

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While Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall has spent his entire 15-year career in Detroit, he’s willing to hear out GM Ken Holland if the team decides to approach him about a trade, notes Gregg Krupa of The Detroit News.  The 38-year-old acknowledges that there’s a sense of pride about spending his entire career with one organization but that he’d feel obligated to hear out Holland if approached. Kronwall is in the final year of his contract with a $4.75MM cap hit and holds a no-trade clause that allows for ten teams he can be traded to.  While he’s not the top pairing player he was in the prime of his career, he’s still logging nearly 20 minutes a night on Detroit’s back end and could certainly serve as a capable third pairing defender for some contending teams.

Elsewhere around the Atlantic Division:

  • Still with Detroit, the Red Wings would like to re-sign pending UFA blueliner Nick Jensen, reports MLive’s Ansar Khan. The 28-year-old started the season as a healthy scratch but has since emerged as one of their more reliable defenders.  Jensen is in the midst of a career year that has seen him average nearly 21 minutes a night of playing time.  With a cap hit of just over $810K, he’d be an intriguing rental addition for a cap-strapped contender if the two sides can’t agree on an extension.
  • Although there has been some talk that the Maple Leafs will look to add a defenseman before the deadline, one of their current rearguards is also involved in trade discussions as well. In an appearance on Sportsnet 590 (audio link), Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston reports that Nikita Zaitsev’s name is out there as someone that teams believe they can acquire.  The 27-year-old has five years remaining on his contract after this one with a $4.5MM cap hit so finding a way to shed that contract would give Toronto some extra salary cap flexibility.  However, Johnston acknowledged that they may need to attach another asset in order to get someone to take the contract and a follow-up move to acquire a right-shot replacement would need to be in place before pulling the trigger on a Zaitsev deal.

San Jose Sharks Have “Checked In” On Derick Brassard

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The Western Conference is ripe for a trade deadline arms race given the tight races at both the very top of the standings and playoff bubble, and Eastern Conference teams have a lot to sell. One of those assets for sale is Pittsburgh Penguins forward Derick Brassard, who hasn’t been a fit since he arrived and is almost surely to be sent out of town in the next few weeks. It isn’t clear where the veteran center will be headed, but Elliotte Friedman did suggest on Sportsnet radio today that the San Jose Sharks have “checked in” on Brassard. Friedman notes that the Sharks will be looking for an addition that can play in the middle of the ice.

It hasn’t been a secret that the Sharks will be active at the deadline once again. Earlier this month GM Doug Wilson indicated that he would be open to pursuing rentals again even after sending so many assets out to acquire Evander Kane and Erik Karlsson over the last year. The Sharks sit in second place in the Pacific Division but should already be considered a Stanley Cup contender, something that they might not be able to say a few years down the road.

If there is any team that could see their core group deteriorate quickly it might be San Jose. The team is currently relying on players like Joe Pavelski (34 years old) and Joe Thornton (39) up front, while already giving out long-term deals to Brent Burns (33) and Marc-Edouard Vlasic (31). While those players may be primed for a Cup run this season, three years from now the Sharks might be a very different animal. That’s not to say the team will definitely decline, but the front office has obviously realized that this could be their best chance to win and will do everything they can to compete this season.

Brassard meanwhile cost the Penguins quite a bit last season and won’t be given away for free this time around. Even if Pittsburgh GM Jim Rutherford knows he is going to send the pending free agent somewhere, he can easily wait for that arms race to kick up a notch before pulling the trigger. While Brassard hasn’t fit well in Pittsburgh, he’s still a very talented player that can be relied on for some secondary scoring. In a different fit he could be quite productive, and there will be several interested buyers at the deadline.

It’s there where the Sharks may find themselves at a disadvantage. The team does not own a first-round pick for the next two consecutive drafts thanks to the Kane and Karlsson trades, and also rid themselves of good young prospects like Josh Norris and Rudolfs Balcers. There are still a few bullets left in the chamber, but it will be tough to outbid teams like the Vegas Golden Knights and Winnipeg Jets if it comes to that.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Ryan Johansen Suspended Two Games

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The decision is in. Nashville Predators forward Ryan Johansen has been suspended two games by the Department of Player Safety for his high stick on Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele. As the accompanying video explains:

It is important to note that the high-sticking rule states that players are responsible for their stick at all times. While we accept Johansen’s assertion that he was not attempting to intentionally strike Scheifele in the head, this is not a case where a player is so off balance or otherwise unable to control his stick that the play can be sufficiently penalized by the on-ice officials. On this play, Johansen raises his stick as part of his pivoting motion to get around his opponent. This is a common movement uses regularly by NHL players when space is tight, however players who attempt this maneuver are responsible for ensuring they bring their stick back to the ice in a safe manner.

It continues by explaining that Johansen has no history with the league’s disciplinary arm, as he has never been suspended or fined in his career. That seems to have saved him from further punishment, as these violent stick infractions are often penalized with longer suspensions. As it stands, the Predators will be without Johansen for just the next few days. He will be eligible to return for the team’s game on Wednesday against the Vegas Golden Knights, before the team breaks for the All-Star festivities.

While two games without one of their star centers is difficult, the Predators are in a good position to deal with it even if they did eventually lose to the Jets. Nashville sits ten points ahead of the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars in the Central Division, safely in the second playoff position. The bigger issue might be for Johansen going forward, given that this incident will now be taken into account every time he is involved in any play that may warrant supplementary discipline.

Vincent Trocheck Activated From Injured Reserve

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The Florida Panthers are about to get back a huge part of their team, as Vincent Trocheck has been activated from injured reserve. Trocheck wasn’t expected back until after the upcoming All-Star break, but could be in the lineup tonight when the Panthers take on the Toronto Maple Leafs. Florida has sent Juho Lammikko to the minor leagues to make room on the roster, though Trocheck is still considered to be a game-time decision.

It’s been nearly two months since Trocheck last suited up for an NHL game, one that ended in quite a grisly sight for the fans in attendance. As the 25-year old forward chased a loose puck in the Ottawa Senators zone, he was tangled up with Ryan Dzingel and went down awkwardly. Even the broadcast audience could hear him shout in pain as he tried to get to his feet, and he would not return. It was revealed later that Trocheck suffered a broken ankle on the play that required surgery.

Off to another great start with 14 points in 18 games—including an assist in the first period of that game—Trocheck’s absence has been a huge problem for the Panthers through the first part of the season. The team was 8-7-3 after winning against those Senators, but have gone 9-13-5 since and fell almost completely out of the race in the Eastern Conference. There is enough time for the team to climb back up, but it will have to take some great hockey over the next few months. Getting Trocheck back is a huge part of that, but the Panthers will need to find more consistent play from the rest of their roster as well. The team has currently lost seven straight, and will take on a tough Maple Leafs team tonight that beat the league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning yesterday.

Wayne Simmonds Will Be “Signed Or Moved” By Deadline

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Though it doesn’t come as much of a surprise, the words have now come directly from the GM of the Philadelphia Flyers. Chuck Fletcher told Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer that the goal for pending free agent forward Wayne Simmonds “would be to either have him signed or moved by the trade deadline.” The team isn’t willing to let Simmonds walk for nothing in the offseason, which makes sense given the disappointing performance they’ve had in the standings this year.

Simmonds has been the center of trade talk since before the season even began, and recent news has put the chance of him being moved even more likely than any potential extension. The Flyers obviously love what he brings to the table, but he could also be one of the prime targets at the trade deadline and bring them back an even bigger package. Add in that the team already committed $7MM per season to James van Riemsdyk last offseason—who is supposed to bring some of the net-front goal scoring that Simmonds can also provide—and it’s hard to imagine a contract that would work between the two sides.

That’s not to say the team won’t try to get something done, but as a trade asset Simmonds is almost unmatched. He can provide a little bit of everything to a team, and comes with just a $3.975MM cap hit for the rest of this season. A physical force who can also keep up with skilled players is what basically every Stanley Cup contender likes to add come playoff time.

When we asked our community to predict his final destination this season the leading candidates were easily the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins, two teams battling for position in the Atlantic Division. Though those two are obvious choices, there will surely be Western Conference teams taking a look in the next few weeks as well.

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