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Archives for November 2019

Canadiens Notes: Price, Juulsen, Romanov

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The Montreal Canadiens were embarrassed on home ice last night by a division and historical rival, losing to the Boston Bruins 8-1. As part of the loss, Carey Price was pulled from the net for the first time in more than 100 games, finishing with five goals against on 11 shots. That dropped his season save percentage down a whopping seven points, taking him to just .900 on the year.

That number is obviously influenced heavily by his last game, but the overall struggles of Price and the Canadiens have to be concerning at this point to the front office. The team has now lost five straight including overtime losses to the Ottawa Senators and New Jersey Devils, considered some of the weakest teams in the Eastern Conference. Even before last night’s debacle, Price’s .907 save percentage on the year wasn’t up to his standards and needs to improve if the Canadiens stand any chance of competing in the tough Atlantic Division.

  • If you were hoping that Noah Juulsen would be available soon to help out on defense, you might have to wait a little while longer. Laval Rocket broadcaster Anthony Marcotte reports that Juulsen did not travel with the team to Belleville and is instead meeting with a specialist about his recurring migraines. The 22-year old first-round pick has played in 13 games for the Rocket this season, recording three points.
  • Some more defensive help may be on the way down the line though, as Mitch Brown of The Athletic (subscription required) examines the incredible development of Canadiens’ prospect Alexander Romanov in Russia this year. Selected 38th overall in 2018, the 19-year old Romanov has improved dramatically over the last 18 months and is logging regular minutes for CSKA Moscow in the KHL. Igor Eronko of Sport-Express reports that Montreal GM Marc Bergevin is expected to arrive in Russia to meet with Romanov in the next few days. The young defenseman’s KHL contract only runs through April 2020, meaning he could come to North America next season if Bergevin can convince him.

Los Angeles Kings Make Multiple Roster Moves

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The Los Angeles Kings have recalled both Paul LaDue and Matt Luff from the minor leagues ahead of their game against the New York Islanders tonight. To make room, the team has sent Carl Grundstrom to the AHL and placed Alec Martinez on injured reserve. The team has also placed Derek Forbort on long-term injured reserve while assigning him to the AHL on a conditioning stint.

While LaDue and Luff coming up is no surprise, the demotion of Grundstrom may perk up some eyebrows after he got into the lineup the last several games. The 21-year old forward is still looking for his first goal this season but does have four points in nine games despite averaging just over 13 minutes of ice time. Acquired as part of the package for Jake Muzzin last season, Grundstrom represents a real part of the Kings’ future up front and has shown a strong ability to contribute offensively at the NHL level so far.

Forbort’s assignment is the real news here though, as the veteran defenseman gets closer to a return after a back injury stole the first part of the season. The 27-year old has turned into a trusty partner for Drew Doughty over the last three seasons and is an important part of their group, but is also one of the team’s best trade chips if they decide to move him at the deadline. Forbort is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer and if the Kings want to open more room for younger options during their rebuild, he could fetch a pretty penny after showing he’s healthy and back to full strength.

Dylan McIlrath Placed On Waivers

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Wednesday: McIlrath has cleared, but according to Ansar Khan of MLive will be staying with the Red Wings for the time being. Given Mike Green is not ready to play, McIlrath will be in the lineup tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Tuesday: The Detroit Red Wings have placed Dylan McIlrath on waivers according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. McIlrath cleared waivers before the season began but needed them again after playing in ten games for the Red Wings.

McIlrath, 27, was selected tenth overall in 2010 but never has lived up to his prospect billing as a shutdown defenseman in the NHL. The 6’5″ behemoth has now bounced around through a few organizations and has just 60 NHL games under his belt.

It seems extremely unlikely that he will be claimed at this point in his career, especially because he comes on a two-year contract. The Red Wings signed McIlrath to the extension in May, keeping him in the organization through the 2020-21 season on a two-way deal.

Minor Transactions: 11/27/19

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The vast majority of the NHL is taking part in the action tonight, as 26 teams suit up in a busy Wednesday evening. That schedule includes some top-tier matchups like the Florida Panthers-Washington Capitals and Edmonton Oilers-Colorado Avalanche. As teams prepare for what should be an excellent night of hockey, we’ll keep track of all the minor moves.

  • As expected, the Columbus Blue Jackets have flipped backup goaltenders once again, sending Matiss Kivlenieks to the minor leagues and recalling Elvis Merzlikins. Merzlikins got into some game action last night for the Cleveland Monsters, stopping 28 of 29 shots.
  • Christian Folin has been sent to the AHL on a conditioning stint in order to get him a chance to play in a game for the first time in more than a month. The 28-year old has played in just five games for the Montreal Canadiens this season, none since the middle of October.
  • The Ottawa Senators have recalled Marcus Hogberg from the AHL, as Craig Anderson missed practice today. Hogberg is expected to serve as the backup for Anders Nilsson tonight when the Senators take on the Boston Bruins.

Vladimir Sobotka Undergoes Knee Surgery

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After already missing the last three weeks with a lower-body injury, Buffalo Sabres forward Vladimir Sobotka has now been ruled out indefinitely. That announcement follows surgery on his right knee, one injured by a low hit earlier this month. The team has also announced that Rasmus Dahlin and Kyle Okposo remain out indefinitely with concussions.

This is a difficult outcome to come to terms with for Sabres fans, who watched Nikita Kucherov hit Sobotka low during the Global Series games in Sweden and not receive any sort of discipline from the league. It may well cost their player the rest of the season.

Buffalo did not specify what the surgery was for, but after an original timeline of four to six weeks has now been thrown out there likely won’t be a return for Sobotka anytime soon.

Erik Cernak Suspended Two Games

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The Department of Player Safety has had a busy few days. Their latest discipline has been handed out to Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak, who has been suspended for two games. Cernak elbowed Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin in the head, resulting in a concussion for the young player. As the accompanying video explains:

It is important to note that while we acknowledge the Lightning argument that they believe Dahlin’s glove drove Cernak’s elbow upward and caused the head contact on this play, we disagree.

While Dahlin’s glove does make glancing contact with Cernak’s forearm, it is clear to us that Cernak’s elbow is already on a trajectory where head contact is inevitable. 

The Lightning will be without Cernak for the next couple of games, but the concern now is how long Dahlin will be out after being placed in the concussion protocol. The young phenom has had his share of struggles this season but the Sabres were already looking to move one of their other defensemen to upgrade the forward ranks.

Garret Sparks Recalled On Emergency Basis

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The Vegas Golden Knights have recalled Garret Sparks under emergency conditions. He will join the team in Nashville where they are preparing to take on the Predators tomorrow night. SinBin.vegas is reporting that Marc-Andre Fleury is away from the team for personal reasons.

With Fleury away from the team Malcolm Subban and Sparks will have to cover the goaltending responsibilities. It is not clear when the veteran goaltender will be able to return.

Sparks, 25, struggled in his only appearance for Vegas this season, allowing two goals on just 14 shots. He has however been excellent in the minor leagues once again, just as he was for so many years in the Toronto organization before coming over to the Golden Knights in an offseason trade.

Injury Notes: Mantha, Little, Rantanen

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The Detroit Red Wings will be without Anthony Mantha for a “couple of weeks” according to head coach Jeff Blashill. The power forward will not require surgery however, a good sign for his eventual return to the team and continued development this season.

Mantha, 25, is off to the best start of his NHL career this season with 23 points in 25 games and looks like he will be a mainstay at the top of the Detroit lineup for a long time. The 6’5″ winger now has an impressive 80 goals in 242 career NHL games after taking a few years to get his feet under him as a professional.

  • There is still no real timeline for the return of Bryan Little to the Winnipeg Jets lineup as he continues to recover from the perforated eardrum that put him in a hospital earlier this month. Little took a puck to the head on November 5th and head coach Paul Maurice explained to reporters including Mitchell Clinton of NHL.com today that his veteran forward is still in “that healing phase.”
  • Mikko Rantanen was back at practice with the Colorado Avalanche today without a non-contact sweater, but that doesn’t mean he’s ready to return quite yet. The big winger will sit out tomorrow’s game against the Edmonton Oilers, but could be back on the ice Friday. Rantanen had 12 points in his first nine games before suffering a gruesome lower-body injury.

Alec Martinez Undergoes Surgery

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During last night’s game against the San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez suffered a laceration on his right wrist and was taken to hospital. He underwent surgery to repair a radial artery and two superficial radial nerves. The team has not announced a timeline for his return, but Martinez will be evaluated weekly and is expected to make a full recovery.

The defenseman was diving to knock away a loose puck in his own end when the skate of a falling Melker Karlsson connected with his wrist.

Martinez, 32, was widely considered one of the Kings’ best trade chips this season as he approaches unrestricted free agency. Signed through the end of the 2020-21 season and carrying a cap hit of $4MM, he could be considered a a real target for teams looking to upgrade their defense at the deadline.

Now with him on the sideline, the Kings may be forced to keep him through the end of the season if the injury affects his trade value. While he is certainly a welcome piece to the group if they have any ideas of contending for a playoff spot, this is obviously a rebuild from the Los Angeles organization. By the time they are really pushing for that postseason spot again, Martinez will likely be in his decline phase and not as valuable.

NHL, Flames Looking Into Allegations Against Bill Peters

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This week several former players have come out to speak their mind about interactions with former Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock. As part of the wave of stories on social media, former NHL player Akim Aliu spoke out about a Babcock protege, Calgary Flames head coach Bill Peters, and their time together with the Rockford IceHogs, the AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Peters was the head coach of the IceHogs when Aliu was a rookie in 2009-10. The 30-year old alleges that Peters “dropped the N bomb several times” in the team’s locker room because of Aliu’s music choices.

Flames GM Brad Treliving addressed the media after last night’s Flames game:

During tonight’s game I was made aware of a tweet from former player Akim Aliu. Obviously we were playing so I haven’t had a chance to sit down with Bill or our people internally, to talk about this and get to the bottom of it. I would say we take these matters very, very seriously.

Until such time as we have a chance to speak about it internally, we obviously want to address you people – we’re aware of it. Made aware of it during the game here this evening. Like I said, I haven’t had a chance to talk to Bill. I will be doing that and until such time we won’t have any further comment about it but we will address it and get back to you people once we have a chance to speak internally.

The NHL also released a short statement on the situation:

The behavior that has been alleged is repugnant an unacceptable. We will have no further comment until we have had an opportunity to look into the matter thoroughly.

Darren Dreger of TSN reports that the NHL and Flames have been in contact regarding the situation and are expected to have “further discussions” today. Peters was hired by the Flames in 2018 and is under contract through the 2020-21 season.

Frank Seravalli of TSN also spoke to some of Aliu’s teammates who backed up the allegations, describing the incident in detail. Aliu also got on record to explain the situation fully, telling Seravalli that he regrets not standing up for himself and others at the time.

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