Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Archives for June 2019

Spencer Foo Heading To KHL

at CDT | by 2 Comments

One of the prizes of college free agency in 2017 was Spencer Foo, who had just finished putting up 62 points in 38 games for Union College as a junior and appeared ready to take his talents to the NHL. The Calgary Flames eventually landed Foo, who inked a two-year entry-level deal and jumped right into professional hockey with plenty of success. The Edmonton native has played 129 regular season games for the AHL Stockton Heat over the past two seasons, recording 37 goals and 77 points during that time. He’s also chipped in two goals in four NHL appearances with the Flames, but it doesn’t look like he’ll get another chance anytime soon.

Foo has agreed to a contract with Kunlun Red Star of the KHL according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, who notes that it would give the young forward a chance to play for China at the 2022 Olympics where they will be part of the tournament as host nation. The 25-year old was scheduled to become a restricted free agent this summer, and while the Flames can retain his negotiating rights temporarily with a qualifying offer, they would expire before his KHL contract does.

Phil Kessel Trade Now Unlikely, Says Pittsburgh GM

at CDT | by 12 Comments

The Pittsburgh Penguins tried to trade Phil Kessel last month to the Minnesota Wild, but after the enigmatic forward wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause the deal fell apart. Now, in conversation with The Athletic’s Josh Yohe (subscription required), Penguins GM Jim Rutherford admits that Kessel will likely play for Pittsburgh next season.

Kessel, 31, has three years remaining on his contract with the Penguins but holds a no-trade clause that limits the teams he can be sent to. In fact, Kessel submits a list of just eight teams he would accept trades to, and given his history in certain markets that likely leaves only a few real options for Rutherford. With such a huge leverage advantage, it’s easy to see why the Penguins GM is resigned to having his star forward remain next year. There was no use in trading him without getting something in return, as even with his ’problem child’ persona—tenuous as that moniker may be.

Kessel is after all an incredible offensive weapon even as he enters his thirties. He recorded 82 points in 82 games last season, and now has 823 for his career through 996 regular season games. That huge total of games played comes from the face that he has now not missed a single game in nine consecutive seasons, consistency that is also valuable to a team looking to contend for the Stanley Cup.

Still, Rutherford has been clear that he intends on shaking things up in Pittsburgh this summer. While he has backed off his earlier comments about Evgeni Malkin potentially not being a core piece any longer—Rutherford tells Yohe that he “knew [Malkin] was going to be part of this team going forward”—there is still real change brewing for the team. Kessel’s nixed trade proves that, but the veteran GM will need to find another way to clear cap space and give his club a different look next season.

Opportunity Coming For Ducks Prospects

at CDT | by 4 Comments

The Anaheim Ducks still don’t have a head coach for the 2019-20 season, but we now know whoever it is will be leading a much different group. The Ducks are on the edge of a huge roster overhaul, one which might bring plenty of opportunity with it for their young prospect core.

Ryan Kesler won’t be back on the ice for the Ducks this season, if ever again, after undergoing a major hip surgery in May. The procedure was completed in part to restore some sort of normalcy to Kesler’s daily life and reduce his pain. He had fought through that pain to reach 1,000 games played for his career but was a shell of his former self on the ice and finished 2018-19 with just eight points in 60 games. Despite the three years remaining on his contract, no one should be expecting a contribution from the 34-year old.

Patrick Eaves too is a question mark for the Ducks after playing just nine games over the last two years. The veteran forward was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome in 2017—a diagnosis that has subsequently been changed to post-viral syndrome—and doesn’t appear to be expected to play at all this season. Even if he was to somehow come back, it’s hard to expect much from a 35-year old who hasn’t played a meaningful stretch of games in more than two years. Eaves has just one year remaining on his contract, but like Kesler is likely headed for long-term injured reserve if the Ducks need some cap space.

That brings us to Corey Perry, who the team is apparently ready to move on from after 14 seasons with the organization. Perry was the 28th-overall pick in 2003 and became a superstar in Anaheim, recording a 50-goal season in 2010-11 to win the Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player. He and partner in crime Ryan Getzlaf were the faces of Ducks hockey for more than a decade, something that appears to be coming to an end. If Perry’s contract was traded or bought out, it would not only open up cap space and salary for the front office to work with, but also another roster spot to use on the talent they have coming up through the system—that’s where there’s a glimmering silver lining for fans hoping to get back to the playoffs quickly.

All is not lost if the Ducks manage to open up some roster spots. If everyone was healthy and retained, they would have 12 one-way contracts already signed and not much to look forward to next season. But with the above trio potentially out of the mix, opportunity is coming for some of the prospects just outside of the NHL.

For some of those prospects, they’ve already shown a glimpse of what might be possible.

In 32 games last season Troy Terry recorded 13 points, including back-to-back three-point efforts in early March. The late round draft pick developed into a powerhouse offensive player at the University of Denver and proved he can hang in professional hockey with a point-per-game effort in the minor leagues this year. While the NHL is a different beast, Terry showed enough flashes during his short stint with the Ducks to think he can be a regular contributor as soon as this season.

Sam Steel, another highly touted forward that comes with a considerably higher draft pedigree also proved that his junior scoring totals weren’t a mirage. He put up 11 points in 22 games for the Ducks and was a legitimate scoring threat in the minor leagues. His 13 points in 16 playoff games were good enough for third in team scoring, and he should push for a roster spot in camp.

It doesn’t end there however. The team also has the trio of Isac Lundestrom, Max Jones and Max Comtois ready to push for full-time jobs in the NHL. All three received a taste of the action this season and impressed, strengthening their cases for a spot this fall. There is plenty of time to wait for each of them, but any of the three could be on the roster to start the season, especially if the Ducks make moves to remove some of their other veteran options.

There are big changes coming in Anaheim, and for fans of the team it may be hard to watch familiar faces like Perry and Kesler limp out of town. But make no mistake, their struggles are another player’s opportunity and in this case there is more than enough talent ready to seize the chance and continue their development at the highest level. So many in fact that the team could potentially consider other moves to free up space and embrace the youth movement that is coming in California.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Snapshots: Competition Committee, Imoo, Byron

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

When the NHL/NHLPA Competition Committee convenes tomorrow in Toronto, the players’ side will be represented by some of the biggest names in the game. The NHLPA has announced that Ron Hainsey, Connor Hellebuyck, Connor McDavid, John Tavares, and James van Riemsdyk will be the players in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting. McDavid and Tavares obviously stand out as two of hockey’s top talents and players whose inputs will be highly valued. Hainsey is a respected veteran who has always been involved with the players’ association. Hellebuyck will seemingly be there to represent all goalies, while – maybe unintentionally – van Riemsdyk will be the only player from an American team in attendance. The group will have a lot to talk about, as officiating concerns have only increased over recent weeks and the discussion of changing or expanding review will almost certainly be on the table.

  • The Athletic’s Lisa Dillman reports that Los Angeles Kings goaltending development coach Dusty Imoo is headed overseas. The goalie whisperer is set to join the KHL’s Kunlun Red Star in a similar role and Dillman notes that it is a major loss for the Kings. She writes that Imoo was part of a strong tandem with goalie coach Bill Ranford that has worked with Jonathan Quick for years, helped to resurrect the careers of Peter Budaj and Jack Campbell, and have been working with promising prospect Cal Petersen. Fortunately, goaltending is one of the few areas where L.A. found success last year and, even with the loss of Imoo, still have the talent and depth to stay strong in net.
  • Blaine Byron has re-signed with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds, the team announced. It’s a one-year re-up for Byron, who just completed his second season with the Thunderbirds. Byron was a standout at the University of Maine and was expected to draw NHL interest as a college free agent in 2017, but instead signed with Springfield. He failed to impress in his first pro season, but after a 25-point campaign this year, it would not have been a surprise to see the Florida Panthers look into a two-way deal for the well-rounded forward. Instead, Byron returns to Springfield and will look to improve again next year.

Avalanche Notes: Hayes, No. 4 Pick, Knight

at CDT | by 10 Comments

The Colorado Avalanche made history on this day in 1996, winning the Stanley Cup in their inaugural season after moving to Denver. The eight-seed Avs came surprisingly close to getting back the Cup Final this year, upsetting the Calgary Flames in the first round and taking the San Jose Sharks to Game Seven in the second round. Colorado is closer to being a legitimate contender than some may have thought and are hoping to add some veteran pieces this off-season to improve their odds. GM Joe Sakic, a member of that ’96 team, is planning to be aggressive this summer, but his plan took an unexpected early hit when the Philadelphia Flyers acquired the negotiating rights of Kevin Hayes, expected to be one of Colorado’s top targets.

However, it’s already been a week since that trade was made and the Flyers and Hayes have not come to terms on a new contract. Talks are still reportedly progressing, but there’s less certainty that Hayes will end up signing with the team. In fact, BSN Denver’s AJ Haefele states that talks may not be going as well as Philadelphia would like fans to think, after surrendering a draft pick for the right to negotiate with Hayes. Haefele says that “things with Hayes and Philly haven’t really gone great so far”, adding that there’s still optimism but the clock is ticking toward the opening of free agency. If Hayes doesn’t come to terms with the Flyers and hits the open market, the Avalanche would have to be considered the favorite to land the two-way center given the many sources that have linked the two sides.

  • Haefele had another intriguing note for Avs fans tonight regarding the first of the team’s two first round picks, the No. 4 overall selection. Haefele believes, based on discussions with several sources, that Colorado will be targeting a forward with the pick, and that’s regardless of whether or not Bowen Byram is available. Byram, the top defenseman in the draft by a wide margin, is considered by many to perhaps be the third-best prospect overall. However, given the considerable draft capital that the Chicago Blackhawks have used on defensemen in recent years, they may pass on Byram at No. 3. It seems the Avalanche would do the same, opting to focus on their need for secondary scoring rather than adding a top young defenseman, with Cale Makar and Conor Timmins already in the fold. This should come as good new for the Los Angeles Kings, who could desperately use a blue chip defensive prospect. As for the Avs, Dylan Cozens, Trevor Zegras, and Kirby Dach are among the top forward prospects who could be available in this scenario.
  • There were clues to Colorado’s focus on a forward with their first pick before Haefele’s report, too. The team was curiously one of the few not to interview a number of projected late first-round forwards at the NHL Scouting Combine, leading many to assume that they would target a forward early and look elsewhere with their second pick, No. 16. The other explanation is that the Avalanche have already zeroed in one one specific player for that slot: top goaltender Spencer Knight. Although many are in agreement that Knight is a first-round caliber goalie, it’s easier for a team to stomach selecting a keeper that early if they have two picks in the round. Colorado is just one of five teams to pick twice in the first round this year, but they are the first team to use their second pick. Barring an unforeseen selection by a lottery team, the Avs could get ahead of the rest of the pack by selecting Knight at No. 16 and adding their goalie of the future. This is far from a guarantee, but certainly an idea that carries some merit.

Philadelphia Flyers Shopping No. 11 Pick

at CDT | by 5 Comments

As GM Chuck Fletcher himself said earlier today, it’s still early in the off-season. The Philadelphia Flyers have another eleven days and a few hours yet to decide what they want to do with their first-round selection this year, the No. 11 pick. With that said, it sounds like Fletcher would prefer to forget about that countdown and instead trade the Flyers’ 2019 first-rounder. Speaking to the media this morning, Fletcher revealed that he’s “mentioned to teams that we’re in play, but there hasn’t been a big push for the pick yet”, adding that “it’s certainly a good chip that if moved, it could help” to land a major piece for the team.

While teams aren’t generally looking to trade away their first-round pick, one of the more valued assets in the NHL, nevertheless a pick as high as No. 11, the Flyers are one of the few teams who would be comfortable passing up a top selection for the right price. Philadelphia held picks No. 14 and 19 in the first round last year and grabbed forwards Joel Farabee and Jay O’Brien. Farabee was Hockey East’s Rookie of the Year at Boston University and is a candidate to break camp with the Flyers next season. O’Brien admittedly struggled in his first collegiate season, but the BCHL-bound prospect is likely to pay off down the road. The team also nabbed big defenseman Adam Ginning in the second round. Philly also had two first-round picks in 2017, the first notably being the No. 2 pick used on Nolan Patrick and the other being No. 27, which landed Morgan Frost, who has since recorded back-to-back 100+ point seasons for the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds and will also fight for a spot next season. Fellow OHL star forward Isaac Ratcliffe fell to the team in the second round, while they got a steal in another forward, the University of Minnesota-Duluth’s Noah Cates, in the fifth round. With a young, deep defense corps and wunderkind keeper Carter Hart already in place in the NHL and such a strong pipeline of prospects, especially at forward, skipping the first round this year would not hurt the Flyers, especially if they can use the pick to add an established veteran player to the roster.

However, the team is obviously prepared to make the pick if Fletcher and company are unable to find the right move. “If we keep (the pick) and stay at 11, we’re going to get a good player,” Fletcher said. Assistant GM Brent Flahr also spoke with the media, praising the depth of this draft class:

At number 11, somebody will fall to us… I think from 3 to 15 there will be a lot of the same names, but teams will have them ordered differently and I think that bodes well for us… The way we look at it, we will take the best player at 11. I think as we go in the draft, we have some young defensemen that are in the NHL right now, and a couple coming, but we probably like to add defensemen depth to our organization going forward, whether it’s at 11 or the second or third round, we will see.

Judging by Flahr’s comments and the aforementioned organizational forward depth, Flyers fans can likely expect one of two things with the No. 11 pick: either the team could trade it, as appears to be the favored route of Fletcher, or if they are unable to or simply decide to keep it, could target a name like Cam York, Philip Broberg, or Victor Soderstrom to add a top defenseman to the pipeline. We’ll find out in less than two weeks as the NHL Draft draws close.

 

Snapshots: Edmonton, Blackhawks, Smith

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Edmonton Oilers have hired Tom Anselmi as President and Chief Operating Officer, while moving Bob Nicholson to a new position as Chairman. Anselmi is the latest change in management for the organization and comes to the Oilers after serving previously with both the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs. The experienced executive was a huge part in getting the Air Canada Centre and surrounding area built in Toronto, and will likely be tasked with similar projects around the new Rogers Place in Edmonton.

Some other notes from around the league:

  • The Chicago Blackhawks have plenty of cap space this summer, but Mark Lazerus of The Athletic (subscription required) examines the roster crunch they are in as the draft and free agency approach. The team already has 17 full-time roster players under contract, and three restricted free agents that should be in the mix as well. That doesn’t leave a lot of room for graduating prospects or free agent signings, meaning the team may be active on the trade market over the next few months. Lazerus spoke to GM Stan Bowman, who explained that there are other teams in the situation the Blackhawks used to find themselves in—having to move a talented player out just to fit in someone else. Chicago is now in a position to capitalize on those situations, instead of shedding talent every year like they did for several seasons not too long ago.
  • Jeremy Smith has signed a two-year contract in the KHL with Kunlun Red Star, taking him out of contention for any minor league jobs. The 30-year old goaltender played this season with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL, but will see his one-year deal with the New York Islanders expire on July 1. A veteran minor leaguer who has spent time with the Milwaukee Admirals, Cincinnati Cyclones, Springfield Falcons, Providence Bruins, Iowa Wild, San Antonio Rampage, Charlotte Checkers and Sound Tigers, he’ll now take on a new challenge overseas.

Washington Capitals Re-Sign Liam O’Brien

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Washington Capitals have re-signed minor league forward Liam O’Brien to a one-year, two way contract. The deal will pay O’Brien $700K in the NHL, and allows him to avoid restricted free agency this summer. Because of his age, O’Brien could potentially become a Group VI unrestricted free agent next year should he fail to play in another 63 NHL games this season.

O’Brien, 24, was signed as an undrafted free agent back in 2014 after a long junior career in the QMJHL. The physical forward eventually made his NHL debut that season, earning himself 23 penalty minutes in 13 games as a rookie. Those 13 contests would be more than he has seen in the NHL since, but O’Brien has now worked his way to more of an offensive threat in the minor leagues. For the Hershey Bears this season, he still ended up with his normal 100+ penalty minutes but also added 15 goals and 28 points.

Unless something changes in training camp, O’Brien will likely serve as a depth option for the Capitals again this season. His minimum salary might come in handy, but the Bears will likely see more of him.

New Jersey Devils Sign Jesper Boqvist

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

As expected, the New Jersey Devils have inked another interesting prospect. Jesper Boqvist has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the team after spending the last several seasons playing in the SHL for Brynas IF.

Boqvist, 20, was the 36th overall pick in 2017 and exploded this season for Brynas, recording 35 points in 51 games to lead all team forwards. Doing that at such a young age is impressive, but that’s nothing new for the talented forward. Boqvist has long been seen as a future NHL player, and was actually ranked tenth among international skaters for the 2017 draft by NHL Central Scouting. Solid play internationally and a World Junior silver medal in 2018 only helped to improve his pedigree, as did his brother Adam Boqvist’s top-10 selection in 2018.

The Devils are about to look incredibly loaded with young talent after they complete an important draft season. Not only do they hold the first-overall selection, but also five more picks in the top 80 including three in the second round. That kind of talent infusion to a club that already has Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, Pavel Zacha, Miles Wood, and others competing in the NHL at such a young age will make for a healthy organization for years to come.

After such a successful season in Sweden, there’s also a chance that Boqvist impresses the Devils enough at camp to step right into an NHL role. If not, he will feature greatly in the AHL and try to take the next step in his development towards being a consistent offensive threat in North America.

Ownership Change Coming In Arizona

at CDT | by 9 Comments

June 10: Craig Morgan of The Athletic (subscription required) is reporting that Alex Meruelo is “in the advanced stages” of acquiring a majority stake in the Coyotes. The league’s Board of Governors will vote on the sale on June 19, though Morgan notes that the transfer may not actually happen until later on in the summer.

May 22: The Arizona Coyotes have been rumored to be involved in a potential ownership change for some time, and today John Shannon of Sportsnet received confirmation from a league source. Andrew Barroway, who assumed full control of the Coyotes in June 2017, will have a minority stake in the team going forward. It is not clear who the new owner will be at this time.

The Coyotes have a long and varied history of ownership, including former Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo, Wayne Gretzky and the NHL themselves at different times. Barroway purchased a majority stake in the team in 2014, after a failing bid to get into ownership with the New York Islanders. He bought out the remaining investors in 2017, a move that was quickly followed by a change in leadership for the team, with Gary Drummond and Dave Tippett both leaving the organization entirely. There were also some hard on-ice decisions made, including leaving Shane Doan unsigned and trading Mike Smith to the Calgary Flames.

In 2017 there was also a real push from the league to find a way to move Arizona to a new arena, as commissioner Gary Bettman penned a letter explaining to legislators that “the Coyotes cannot and will not remain in Glendale.” The battle for a move out of Glendale will now fall to the new ownership.

Obviously, this transfer of ownership will also bring up the long standing issue of franchise relocation. Not just finding a new arena for the Coyotes in Phoenix, but the chance that the team could move to another city and state entirely. With the announcement that the team will be moving into the Central Division once the Seattle expansion franchise is operational, many had speculated on a potential move to Houston. When the NBA’s Houston Rockets were sold to Tilman Fertitta in October of 2017, he immediately expressed interest in bringing the NHL to the city.

The NHL however, for all the strong language about not remaining in Glendale, has always strongly supported the Coyotes staying in the Arizona market. Relocation is a last resort for the league, and hopefully new ownership will be able to finally find some financial and organizational stability for the franchise.

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

scroll to top