With training camps soon starting, we’re reaching the point of the offseason where a lot of veteran players will be signing PTO agreements with an eye on earning a roster spot in the preseason. Don’t expect David Schlemko to be one of them. Postmedia’s Jim Matheson reports that the defenseman has had tryout offers but has declined them and instead appears to be planning to wait to see if injuries strike once the exhibition games get underway. Theoretically, that would give him a bit more leverage and a better shot at a guaranteed contract. Schlemko was bought out of the final year of his contract by Philadelphia back in June after splitting the season between the NHL with Montreal and the AHL affiliates for both the Canadiens and the Flyers. The 32-year-old has 415 career NHL games under his belt but has dealt with considerable injury issues the last couple of years.
Elsewhere around the hockey world:
- Sabres goaltending prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen appears to be recovering well from his offseason hip surgery. Assistant GM Randy Sexton told Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News that the soon to be first-year pro may be slightly ahead of schedule in his recovery but he won’t be taking part in their upcoming rookie tournament. His initial timeline was that he’d be ready to return in late October or early November. Sexton also indicated that they’re unsure where they’ll assign Luukkonen when he does get the green light to play. As their top goaltending prospect, they may opt to start him at the ECHL level to get as much playing time as possible.
- The Senators are likely to scale back the workload for goaltender Craig Anderson this season, notes Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch. Ottawa was quick to re-sign Anders Nilsson back in May and it’s clear that they will want to give him more playing time than a typical backup. The 38-year-old Anderson is entering the final year of his contract and carries a $4.75MM cap hit. The lower workload could negatively affect his value on the open market next summer if he decides to keep playing beyond this season. At the very least, he looks like a potential in-season trade candidate though it’s worth noting that he has a ten-team no-trade clause.
The Senators should honestly give Filip Gustafsson a go. Young prospect who’s probably ready for a backup role in the NHL being held up by Anderson
As long as Hogberg is still playing in NA, I’d assume he’ll be the next guy up. Gustavsson should get a full season (or close to) in the AHL starting role to prove himself.
No, they shouldn’t. Gustavsson should be the starter in Belleville. No team in the world develops their future starter by having him backup. If anything he should be splitting the workload with Nilsson but he isn’t ready yet.