Click here to read a transcript of this week’s live chat with PHR’s Gavin Lee.
Archives for April 2019
Justin Brazeau Signs With Toronto Marlies
4:45pm: The Marlies have made it official, adding that the deal begins in the 2019-20 season. An AHL contract does not prevent another team from signing Brazeau, but it does give the Maple Leafs an opportunity to match whatever deal is presented, according to Dreger. As CapFriendly points out, this is a way to keep some measure of control over unsigned prospects and players of Brazeau’s ilk.
9:06am: One of the OHL’s most dangerous goal scorers has decided on his next destination, as Justin Brazeau has signed a two-year AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies according to Darren Dreger of TSN. Brazeau will earn $70K each year in salary and add a $60K signing bonus per season.
A minor league deal does not technically give the Toronto Maple Leafs Brazeau’s rights, but does bring him into their organization and allows him to work with their development team. It’s not the first time they’ve signed a player to an AHL deal to start his development, in fact Justin Holl went down a very similar path. The team signed Holl to an AHL contract in 2015 after he didn’t catch on in the Chicago Blackhawks organization, and eventually rewarded his hard work with an NHL contract. That’s the same path they’re likely hoping for with Brazeau, who comes to the team after an outstanding junior career.
In 68 games this season Brazeau led the entire OHL with 61 goals, using his immense size—6’6″ 226-lbs—and strength to drive the net and bury any loose pucks. There are still plenty of holes in Brazeau’s game, but it was obvious that he needed a new challenge.
He’ll certainly get one with the Marlies, who won a Calder Cup last season but have struggled to repeat their historic success this time around. Part of that is their trouble in net, but the NHL team has also regularly pulled up their best talent over the last few years. With Jeremy Bracco making a case for his own promotion—the 22-year old leads the AHL with 75 points—they will need some more offensive punch next season. Brazeau will be asked to provide that, though how much actual playing time he gets is still to be seen.
Columbus Blue Jackets Recall Alexandre Texier
The Columbus Blue Jackets are in a battle for a playoff spot with just two games remaining, and have brought up some reinforcements for the final stretch. Adam Clendening has returned from the AHL after just a day, but perhaps more importantly Alexandre Texier has been recalled for the first time. The 19-year old forward has lit up the minor leagues since coming over from Finland after his season there concluded, and presumably will enter the lineup at some point over the next two games. Otherwise it’s tough to explain the recall, since the Cleveland Monsters are in the thick of a playoff race of their own and have two road games coming up on Friday and Saturday.
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports that Texier will wear number 42 with the Blue Jackets, and could become just the 12th French-born player to ever suit up in an NHL game.
Originally selected 45th overall in 2017, Texier went to Finland to continue his development and performed quite well even as a rookie. This season he returned to KalPa and exploded for 41 points to lead the team, giving the Blue Jackets hope that he could contribute in North America quickly. After being assigned to the Monsters he has scored five goals and seven points in seven games, and will now get a chance to show what he can do at the NHL level.
If Texier plays well and helps the Blue Jackets into the playoffs there’s a chance he could suit up in the postseason, but the team will have to consider what is at risk. As a 19-year old his contract is still set to slide forward a year, meaning he could burn a year by playing in 10 games or more. That number includes playoff matches, which means they would need to win a round for it to become an issue. That too applies to his expansion draft eligibility, which would only become an issue after 11 games played.
Poll: Who Will Be The Top Selection At The 2019 Entry Draft?
For more than a year, the overwhelming response to the question “who will be the first-overall pick in 2019?” would result in one name. Jack Hughes, the superstar center from the U.S. National Team Development Program who has dominated players older than him and found success internationally. The 17-year old Hughes recorded a point-per-game and took home a silver medal at the most recent World Juniors despite it being an under-20 tournament. His incredible puck skills and effortless skating have been on display since before the Buffalo Sabres selected Rasmus Dahlin first overall last June, and some contended that he would push for a top selection if he were eligible in 2018.
Over the last several months though, a new contender has entered the ring and pushed for the top spot in 2019. Kaapo Kakko scored the gold medal-winning goal against Hughes’ American squad in that World Junior tournament, and set records for scoring at his age in Finland’s top league with 22 goals in 45 games. Kakko is set to compete for a spot on the Finnish World Championship team, which will be taking on top NHL talent in May.
That impressive season has put him right in the mix for first overall. Last month Sam Cosentino of Sportsnet put Kakko ahead of Hughes in his draft rankings, though he wouldn’t go so far as to actually predict a team would pass on the shifty American. The expectation that Hughes will still be selected first overall is held up by Bob McKenzie of TSN’s latest ranking, which polled ten scouts who all had Kakko in second place. That said, McKenzie goes to great lengths explaining just how close that race is, and how there is still time for the Finnish forward to overtake Hughes for the top spot.
Perhaps it will come down to a stylistic preference, depending on who actually gets the chance to pick first. The draft lottery will be held next week and the Colorado Avalanche will have the best odds at selecting first, thanks to their trade with the Ottawa Senators. Hughes has incredible transition and playmaking ability and has continually lifted the play of those around him. His puck control and vision is unmatched in the draft, and many believe he can be a catalyst at both even-strength and on the powerplay.
Kakko is a much different player, relying on his puck protection skills and first step out of the corner to create chances for himself and others. While he’s much bigger than Hughes that protection aspect isn’t necessarily his physicality, but his ability to elude checkers with excellent footwork while driving to dangerous areas. There’s no reason to doubt either will round out there games and be stars in the league, but different teams may believe the ceiling (or floor, for that matter) is higher for one or the other.
So we ask you, who will end up going first overall in 2019? Will the presumptive favorite be snapped up, resulting in the second American-born first-overall pick in four years, or will Kakko fly by Hughes on his way to becoming the first Finnish player to be taken at No. 1? Cast your vote below and leave a comment to explain your decision.
[Mobile users click here to vote]
Snapshots: Sather, Miller, Gardiner
The New York Rangers may be led by a new face at some point in the near future, as Bob McKenzie of TSN tweeted last night that Glen Sather could be stepping down as president. It apparently is Sather’s decision, and not one that is confirmed in any manner by the team so far. John Shannon of Sportsnet has also heard that the move will happen at the end of the year, and that Sather will stay on as an advisor.
Sather stepped down from the general manager role in 2015 when Jeff Gorton took over, but has still had an active say in the organization. It’s unclear how involved he would be after stepping down once again. Sather has been with the Rangers since 2000, three years after he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
- Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Colin Miller has been fined $2,000 for diving/embellishment. First given a warning following an incident on November 23rd, Miller was caught again embellishing a hook against the San Jose Sharks on March 30. While $2,000 doesn’t seem like a lot to fine an established NHL player, the punishment only goes up for more incidents, eventually affecting the wallet of the player’s head coach as well. Earning your coach a fine isn’t a very good way to get on the ice, something Miller will have to avoid in the future.
- The Toronto maple Leafs will have a familiar face back in the lineup tonight as Jake Gardiner is expected to return after an 18-game absence. Gardiner took part in the morning skate and is technically a game-time decision, though was excited about his potential return. The veteran defenseman is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and has shown how important he is to the Maple Leafs just by missing time. The team has struggled in his absence and will hope he can get back up to speed quickly before their first round playoff series against the Boston Bruins next week.
Corban Knight Placed On Waivers
Thursday: Knight has cleared waivers and can now be assigned to the AHL.
Wednesday: The Philadelphia Flyers have decided to place Corban Knight on waivers, which would allow him to join the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for their last few games. The Phantoms have six games remaining and are just a few points out of a playoff position in the AHL’s Atlantic Division. Knight is playoff eligible in the AHL thanks to a paper transaction completed on the trade deadline.
Knight, 28, has played in just 21 games for the Flyers this season, recording four points and a -3 rating. The veteran forward has bounced around the league since leaving the University of North Dakota in 2013, but has never really caught on with an NHL club for any length of time. An established two-way threat in the minor leagues, Knight has just 12 points in 50 career NHL games.
His contract is set to expire at the end of this season making him an unrestricted free agent once again, and it seems unlikely that he will get anything more than just a one-year two-way deal. That said, the Flyers could certainly keep him around as injury insurance and a veteran presence in the minor leagues. Another team could potentially claim him in the next 24 hours, but at this point in the season that is very unlikely.
2019 Hobey Baker Hat Trick Finalists Announced
The second round of voting has closed, and the Hobey Baker Hat Trick Finalists have been announced. 83 players were nominated for the award this year, and a fan vote was added to the opinions of NCAA head coaches to determine the final ten names, which has now been reduced to just three.
The trophy is given to the top NCAA player in the country, and has an impressive line of winners over the past few years. In 2013-14, Johnny Gaudreau took home the award as a junior for Boston College, followed by Jack Eichel in his only year for Boston University in 2015-16. Jimmy Vesey, Will Butcher and 2017-18 winner Adam Gaudette don’t bring quite the same impact, but look like they’ll each have long NHL careers.
The award also has several top NHL alumni in its small fraternity, including Neal Broten, Tom Kurvers, Paul Kariya, Chris Drury, Ryan Miller and Brendan Morrison. With that group behind them, this year’s winner is certainly not someone to take lightly.
The finalists are as follows:
Cale Makar – University of Massachusetts-Amherst (unsigned, Colorado Avalanche)
Makar, 20, was the fourth overall pick in 2017 and is expected to sign with the Avalanche as soon as his college season ends. That may not be for a little while though, as the talented defenseman has led his team to the Frozen Four with back to back 4-0 victories over Harvard and Notre Dame. Makar is arguably the best drafted prospect outside of the NHL and could be a difference maker as soon as he arrives in Colorado. His offensive game has been there since he played junior hockey in the AJHL, but the mobile defender has polished his defensive game and increased his physicality in two years at UMass-Amherst.
Adam Fox – Harvard University (unsigned, Carolina Hurricanes)
Fox, 21, wasn’t drafted quite as high as Makar but is an exciting prospect in his own right. A third-round pick of the Calgary Flames in 2016 he was traded to Carolina last summer and has already indicated he won’t be signing with the Hurricanes. Armed with incredible vision and playmaking ability Fox is considered one of the best powerplay quarterbacks in the nation and recorded 48 points in 33 games this season for Harvard. While his skating isn’t as dynamic as Makar’s, his huge offensive upside will make him highly sought after if he reaches free agency next summer.
Jimmy Schuldt – St. Cloud State University (Vegas Golden Knights)
Schuldt, 23, is the most experienced of the group having played four seasons at St. Cloud State. The team was arguably the best in the country for almost his entire time there, and the two-way defenseman was a big part of it. Captaining the team for three seasons, Schuldt has an excellent offensive game but really stands out in his own end. An accomplished defender, he can quickly shut down offensive chances and send his team the other way without having to be overly physical. Recently signing as a free agent with the Golden Knights, he’ll be a restricted free agent this summer and able to ink a bigger contract.
Minor Transactions: 04/04/19
There are only a few days left in the NHL’s regular season and today is a big one. Twelve games grace the schedule including several that have huge implications. The Colorado Avalanche could clinch a spot in the Western Conference by getting a single point and the Carolina Hurricanes could do the same with a win and some help, while the Montreal Canadiens are hoping to keep their win streak going and put some pressure on the idle Columbus Blue Jackets. As teams prepare for the action, we’ll be here keeping track of all their minor moves.
- The Chicago Blackhawks have returned Dennis Gilbert to the minor leagues after giving him his NHL debut. The 22-year old defenseman played just under 13 minutes last night and managed to record six hits and two penalty minutes. He’ll rejoin the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs as they try to chase down a playoff spot.
- Ryan Lindgren is on his way back up to the New York Rangers to close out the year. When the Rangers initially recalled the promising defenseman back in January, many assumed he would remain at the NHL level through the rest of the campaign. That hasn’t been the case though; Lindgren played in just three games with New York before returning to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. He should start the Rangers’ final two games however, better late than never.
- The Anaheim Ducks have made a flurry of moves as they count down the final days of a disappointing season. Forwards Kiefer Sherwood and Chase De Leo and defenseman Jake Dotchin have been reassigned to the AHL’s San Diego Gulls, as a playoff run for the affiliate is more important at this point than the final games of an NHL team with little to play for.
Justin Williams Unsure Of Playing Future After This Season
When Justin Williams signed with the Hurricanes back in 2017, the belief was that the winger would announce his retirement at the end of his contract which wraps up this season. However, he has wound up playing an integral role in their top six and has been a big part of their turnaround this season. Clearly, he can still play at the top level and he admitted to Ken Campbell of The Hockey News that he’s now uncertain about whether or not he’ll play next season:
“I have no idea what the future holds and I like that. At the end of the season, whenever that may be, I’ll just decompress and see where life takes me.”
Considering his long-standing connection with the franchise, Campbell notes that it’s likely that if Williams does indeed decide to play in 2019-20, it would likely only be with the Hurricanes who would be willing to offer a one-year deal. As he’s over 35, Carolina would be able to offer him an incentive-based contract as long as the term is just for a single season.
The 37-year-old sits third on the team in scoring with 23 goals and 29 assists in 80 games. It’s the third time in the last four years that he has reached the 50-point plateau so he will certainly have some leverage in contract talks. His current contract carries an AAV of $4.5MM and while a bonus-laden deal would allow Carolina to offer a lower base salary, his next contract, if there is one, could surpass that once the incentives are factored in. Between that and the improvement the Hurricanes have shown this season, that might be enough to convince Williams to hold up on hanging up his skates for a little while longer.
Predators Closing In On Signing Lukas Craggs
The Predators appear to be set to dip their toes into the college free agent waters. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports (Twitter link) that Nashville is closing in on signing winger Lukas Craggs to an entry-level deal.
Craggs recently wrapped up his junior season with Bowling Green State University after they were eliminated in the first round of the NCAA tournament last week. His offensive numbers don’t jump off the table – he had 25 points in 35 games this season but he led the NCAA in penalty minutes with 118, surpassing the century mark for the second straight season.
Nashville wasn’t the only team going after Craggs as the Kings were also known to be interested. While he doesn’t profile as a big scorer at the professional level, he could fit in on an energy fourth line. As Craggs is 22, he will be capped at a two-year deal. It remains to be seen if the Predators will be willing to burn the first season of the contract now or if it will begin next season. If 2018-19 winds up being the first year of the deal, he will not be eligible to suit up for Nashville in the playoffs.