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Canucks Place Tyler Motte On LTIR

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The Canucks, who have been scuffling as of late, will now be without one of their more pleasant surprises for the foreseeable future.  CapFriendly reports (Twitter link) that Vancouver has transferred Tyler Motte to LTIR, meaning he’ll miss at least 10 games or 24 days.  In doing so, they add another $1.225MM to their LTI salary pool, enabling them to afford to recall most of their minor league or taxi squad options as a replacement.

The 25-year-old was off to a strong start offensively this season with five goals through his first 15 games, already surpassing his total from last season.  It’s also enough to have him tied for third on the Canucks in goals with Elias Pettersson and behind only Brock Boeser and Bo Horvat.  Of course, he’s more well-known for his physicality with his 70 hits leading the league.

The LTIR placement can be backdated and it’s likely that Vancouver has done so.  Motte was placed on regular injured reserve back on Monday and they can make that the effective date for LTIR as well which would have him eligible to return for March 4th’s game against Toronto.

In other Vancouver injury news, CapFriendly adds (Twitter link) that winger Justin Bailey has also been placed on injured reserve.  He was recalled last Saturday and has played in three games since then, logging just under seven minutes per game.

Derek Stepan Addresses Trade Speculation

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One player whose name has been in the rumor mill as of late is Senators center Derek Stepan amidst reports that Ottawa is trying to move him.  However, GM Pierre Dorion was quick to clarify on TSN 1200 (audio link) that the veteran hasn’t asked for a deal:

No, he hasn’t indicated anything along that line to us.  We can tell with our conversations that I’ve had with him that I think it’s only human that … when you only see your newborn for a day or two that it can be difficult on any type of human being.

Meanwhile, Stepan himself was recently asked about his situation and while he acknowledged to reporters, including Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch, that the prospect of being away from his family for the entire season is far from ideal, he was looking forward to this opportunity with the Sens:

I’m doing to the best I can to stay focused on Ottawa Senators’ hockey. That’s really all I can control right now is focusing on helping this group the way I wanted to and the way I planned to when I first got traded here.

I believed that I was going to be able to come in and make a bigger impact right away with my play. No training camp and the situation just kind of piled up. I knew it was going to be difficult and when it happened, I knew the hockey part was going to be a lot of fun.

But, the more difficult part would be the family stuff and so I was aware of it. As I continue to battle through this thing, I’ve got to keep my head going forward and stay focused in on a game at a time. I know it’s cliche and you guys probably hate it, but that’s all I can really do right now.

The 30-year-old was surprisingly acquired by Ottawa for a second-round pick just after Christmas from Arizona in exchange for a second-round pick in a deal that gave the Coyotes some much-needed salary cap relief.  While Stepan was hoping to make that bigger impact, it hasn’t quite materialized yet.  He has just a single goal with three assists in 14 games this season while his ice time has actually dipped by more than two minutes per night to just 15:31 per game.

Nonetheless, the veteran would be a desirable addition to the bottom six group of a contending team although the salary cap will certainly affect things.  He has a $6.5MM AAV (though just a prorated $2MM is owed in salary with his signing bonus already paid) which most teams can’t afford.  Even if Ottawa retained the maximum 50%, they’d still likely need to take a contract back to facilitate a move.  Although the Senators certainly appear to be trying to do Stepan a favor by moving him back to the United States where he can be reunited with his family, it’s one that may have to take a while to accomplish.

What Your Team Is Thankful For: Tampa Bay Lightning

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We’ve now made it past the holiday season but there is still plenty to be thankful for. Like the last few years, PHR will take a look at what teams are thankful for but this year comes with a bit of a change. Normally teams would have an idea of where their season was heading, coming up on the one-quarter mark with mountains of statistics to analyze. Instead, in this unprecedented year, things are just getting underway. We’ll still take a look at what each group is excited about and what they could hope for with the league approaching the one-quarter mark of the season.

What are the Lightning most thankful for?

Steven Stamkos picking up where he left off.  After missing the end of the regular season plus all but 2:47 of the playoffs, it was fair to wonder if the oft-injured star would be able to go back on the top line and pick up where he left off.  With seven goals and seven assists in just 11 games, he has done exactly that.  His minutes haven’t changed despite Nikita Kucherov’s season-long absence but he’s still logging over 18 minutes per game, second only to Alex Killorn among Tampa Bay forwards.  Yes, he was a late scratch last night but it wasn’t injury-related as he was added to the CPRA list today although Stamkos tweeted earlier today that the belief is it’s a false positive test.  If true, he should be back soon.  Kucherov’s absence puts more strain on Tampa’s top players and despite the question marks surrounding Stamkos heading into the season, he has certainly delivered so far.

Who are the Lightning most thankful for?

Brayden Point.  The 24-year-old has worked his way up from being a third-round pick back in 2014 to a franchise center quite quickly.  His two-way play earned him plenty of playing time early in his career and his offensive output soon followed with a 92-point season back in 2018-19.  In the early going this season, he’s producing at an even higher point per game pace with 16 points in just a dozen contests.  Along the way, his defensive play has blossomed to the point where he’s regularly garnering Selke Trophy votes.  Teams are happy when players picked in the middle of the third round make it to the NHL for a handful of games and feel even better if they can become a regular somewhere in the lineup.  Getting a cornerstone piece with a third-round selection though is something they’re ecstatic about.

What would the Lightning be even more thankful for?

No setbacks for Kucherov.  While they’re ruled him out for the entire regular season, that’s as far as they’ve gone, suggesting that they hope to have him back at some point in the playoffs when the salary cap isn’t in effect.  With how deep they’ve had to go into LTIR already, Tampa Bay basically has no wiggle room to work with in terms of trying to make any in-season moves so when it comes to trying to add so they’ll be quite thankful if Kucherov’s recovery simply goes according to plan.

What should be on the Lightning’s wish list?

With minimal LTIR room at his disposal, GM Julien BriseBois can’t do a whole lot.  They’d still love to find a taker for Tyler Johnson who’s off to a bit of a tough start this year but that contract still isn’t movable without a significant sweetener.  In terms of what they can realistically do, depth additions at or near the league minimum will be the goal.  Defensive help would be ideal but when that’s all a team can do, any minor upgrade would be worthwhile.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

North Notes: Benning, Baertschi, Murray

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It hasn’t been a good start to the season for the Canucks who have won just six of 17 games so far which has Vancouver on a six-game losing streak and in sixth place in the North Division.  Between that and a tough offseason, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period suggests that ownership is not pleased with the situation and are pondering replacing GM Jim Benning in a move that could happen sooner than later if the struggles continue.  Benning has been at the helm for Vancouver since 2014 and has two more years left on his deal after this one so letting him go would certainly be costly from a financial perspective.  The Canucks are back in action on Saturday for the second game of a four-game stint.

More from the North Division:

  • Still with Vancouver, teams in Switzerland are calling regarding winger Sven Baertschi, his agent Andre Rufener confirmed to Rick Dhaliwal of The Athletic (Twitter link). With the veteran having cleared waivers once again, a loan overseas to play out the season closer to home before becoming an unrestricted free agent this summer makes sense in theory but the plan remains for him to stay with AHL Utica and try to earn a midseason recall.
  • The Senators will be without starting goalie Matt Murray for tomorrow’s game against Winnipeg, the team announced (Twitter link). He left Thursday’s contest after two periods with an upper-body injury and is listed as day-to-day.  Marcus Hogberg will get the start in Murray’s absence.  Filip Gustavsson is on the taxi squad and will be recalled to the active roster on Saturday.

COVID Protocol Related Absences: 02/12/21

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Each day, the NHL will publicly release the list of players that are unavailable to their respective teams due to being in COVID-19 protocol. The Wild are still listed as TBA, but the rest of the list is in:

Arizona – John Hayden*
Buffalo – Dylan Cozens, Rasmus Dahlin, Taylor Hall, Curtis Lazar, Jake McCabe, Casey Mittelstadt, Brandon Montour, Tobias Rieder, Rasmus Ristolainen
Chicago – Ryan Carpenter
Colorado –  Samuel Girard, Tyson Jost, Gabriel Landeskog
Detroit – Calvin Pickard*
Edmonton – Jesse Puljujarvi
Florida – Anthony Duclair
Los Angeles – Andreas Athanasiou, Blake Lizotte
Minnesota –  TBA
New Jersey – Nathan Bastian, Jesper Bratt, Connor Carrick, Eric Comrie, Nikita Gusev, Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, Andreas Johnsson, Dmitry Kulikov, Janne Kuokkanen, Michael McLeod, Kyle Palmieri, Damon Severson, Ty Smith, Matt Tennyson, Sami Vatanen, Pavel Zacha, Travis Zajac
NY Rangers – Filip Chytil
Philadelphia – Justin Braun, Morgan Frost, Claude Giroux, Travis Sanheim, Jakub Voracek, Scott Laughton*, Oskar Lindblom*
Tampa Bay – Steven Stamkos*
Vegas – Tomas Nosek

As a reminder, inclusion on this list does not mean that a player has tested positive for Coronavirus or even that they have been confirmed as a close contact to another positive person. Included in the NHL’s list of possible reasons for someone being on the list is are the following:

(1) an initial positive test which remains unconfirmed until confirmatory testing is completed pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (2) mandated isolation for symptomatic individuals pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (3) required quarantine as a high-risk close contact in accordance with the Positive Test Protocol; (4) isolation based on a confirmed positive test result and/or; (5) quarantine for travel or other reasons as outlined in the COVID-19 Protocol

Players removed today: (none)

The biggest addition here is Stamkos, who seemingly won’t be able to play in tomorrow’s game against the Panthers. Stamkos was a late scratch by the Lightning yesterday, but that was reported as injury-related. No update on his status was given this morning, but his appearance here is certainly troubling.

There are also two new names for the Flyers, including one that no hockey fan wanted to see on the CPRA list this season. Lindblom, a cancer survivor, has been added. It can’t be stressed enough that appearing here does not necessarily mean the player has tested positive for coronavirus, but everyone hoped Lindblom would avoid it entirely this season.

*denotes new addition

Valentin Zykov Signs In Sweden

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Former NHL forward Valentin Zykov has signed a contract with MODO in the Swedish second league for the rest of the season. The 25-year-old became a Group VI unrestricted free agent in the offseason after his two-year contract expired.

Zykov is perhaps best known for his 20-game suspension in 2019 for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. While the Vegas Golden Knights had come to the defense of Nate Schmidt when he faced a similar suspension the year prior, the team distanced themselves from Zykov immediately, saying that he “knowingly used a banned substance without [their] consent, recommendation or knowledge.”

When that suspension ended, the Golden Knights quickly waived Zykov and sent him to the minor leagues, but it wasn’t actually the end of his career in Vegas. The young forward would come back up and play another eight games for the team in December. That brought his career total of NHL games to 55, where it stands today.

The move to MODO is a step down for sure, given the team is in Sweden’s minor league trying to secure promotion to the SHL. Zykov’s talent has never really been in question, he even led the AHL in goals during the 2017-18 season with the Charlotte Checkers and was previously a CHL Rookie of the Year. If he can show that his career is back on track over the next few months, perhaps he’ll be back in line for another chance in the NHL at some point.

Injury Notes: Tarasenko, Zuccarello, Werenski

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Vladimir Tarasenko was back on the ice with his teammates today when the St. Louis Blues hit the ice in Arizona, a great sign as he continues to recover from his latest shoulder surgery. On February 3, Blues GM Doug Armstrong told reporters that his Russian sniper was still weeks away, but things were promising. Seeing him in a regular practice jersey with his teammates indicates that his return isn’t as far away as it once seemed.

When he is healthy enough to return, the question will be how exactly the Blues fit him in. The team is currently more than $7MM into their long-term injured reserve relief and though Alex Steen’s $5.75MM cap hit covers a lot of that, adding Tarasenko back onto the books won’t be easy. That has led to the trade chatter surrounding Vince Dunn increasing again, this time with some additional cap-clearing motivation.

  • Speaking of West Division forwards that are coming back from offseason surgery, the Minnesota Wild had Mats Zuccarello back at practice for the first time today, according to Michael Russo of The Athletic. Zuccarello is only in the second season of a five-year, $30MM contract for the Wild, meaning his return to form would be a crucial boost for a team fighting to make the postseason. At his best, Zuccarello has been a top playmaking winger that can elevate the performance of his linemates. Whether the 33-year-old can get back to that level is not at all clear.
  • Zach Werenski is expected to be back in the lineup on Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks, or at least that is what Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella implied to reporters today, including Aaron Portzline of The Athletic. Werenski has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury and is off to a rather slow start this season with just four points in 12 games. After scoring 20 goals and 41 points in just 63 games last season, big things were expected of the fifth-year defenseman.

Robin Salo Signs Entry-Level Contract

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The New York Islanders have agreed to terms with Robin Salo on a two-year, entry-level contract. The team has immediately reassigned him to Orebro HK of the Swedish Hockey League, where he was already playing. This move allows the Islanders to bring the young defenseman over to North America and the NHL after the SHL season is completed if they want to.

Salo, 22, actually would have become an unrestricted free agent if not signed by June of this year, four years after his selection in the 2017 draft. Ranked the 20th international skater by NHL Central Scouting that year, he ended up falling to the Islanders partway through the second round, 46th overall. Since then, the Finnish-born Salo has played in Liiga and the SHL, breaking out offensively over the last two years to really become a difference-maker on the ice. This season he has 25 points in 39 games for Orebro.

Interestingly, signing his deal for this season means that the first year of the contract will be burned whether he plays in North America or not. The SHL regular season is set to end in March, but Orebro is expected to make the playoffs, meaning Salo’s year might not be done for some time. Still, he could be an option for the Islanders down the stretch, or perhaps come over to get his feet wet in the AHL.

Almost regardless of what happens this season, Salo should be in contention for a full-time roster spot in 2021-22. He’ll turn 23 in October and has the kind of all-around ability that should let him step quickly into professional hockey on this side of the pond. The Islanders, with Nick Leddy and Ryan Pulock both only signed through 2021-22, will need some reinforcements on the blue line in the coming years.

Taxi Squad Shuffle: 02/12/21

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There has been plenty of roster movement between NHL teams and the taxi squad on a daily basis this season. Although some major names may be highlighted in separate articles, this is where you’ll find the majority of that shuffle news each day.

West Division

North Division

  • The Winnipeg Jets assigned Ville Heinola and Dylan Samberg to the AHL earlier this morning, allowing the two defense prospects to get in some game action in the minor leagues. The Manitoba Moose kick off their season against the Toronto Marlies on Monday. Later on, the Jets also moved Kristian Vesalainen to the taxi squad as they prepare for their afternoon tilt against the Ottawa Senators tomorrow.
  • The Calgary Flames have reversed yesterday’s roster moves, per CapFriendly.  That means that Brett Ritchie is back on the NHL roster while Byron Froese and Connor Mackey are back on the taxi squad.
  • The Edmonton Oilers assigned Dylan Wells and Devin Shore to the taxi squad.  Wells was promoted on Thursday to serve as Mike Smith’s backup while Shore has played in ten games this season, notching a goal and an assist.

Central Division

  • The Detroit Red Wings did their usual transaction, moving Givani Smith and Mathias Brome to the taxi squad. This will continue to happen between games as the Red Wings try to save cash and cap space.
  • The Chicago Blackhawks have returned Evan Barratt to the AHL, where he is playing in his first professional season after three years at Penn State. The 21-year-old center had an assist in his first two games for the Rockford IceHogs.  Madison Bowey was also sent back to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly.
  • The Nashville Predators have sent Eeli Tolvanen to the taxi squad for their off day, not the first time he’s been swapped back and forth over the last week. Tolvanen, 21, has just one goal in five games this season.
  • The Dallas Stars have sent Ty Dellandrea and Nicholas Caamano to the taxi squad, moving Rhett Gardner down to the AHL to make room. Dellandrea, who was the 13th overall pick in 2018, has two points in nine games so far this season.
  • As they’ve done after several games lately, the Carolina Hurricanes have returned Morgan Geekie and Alex Nedeljkovic to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly.  The two will likely be summoned in time for Carolina’s next game on Saturday against Dallas.
  • With the Tampa Bay Lightning off tonight, they’ve returned Cal Foote to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly.  He played a little over nine minutes last night and will likely be recalled again in time for their next game on Saturday.

East Division

  • Dustin Tokarski has been recalled to the Buffalo Sabres taxi squad, with C.J. Smith going back down. The Sabres performed the opposite transaction yesterday but will give Smith another chance to play tonight for the Rochester Americans.
  • The Boston Bruins have recalled Karson Kuhlman from the taxi squad on an emergency basis, per CapFriendly.  He has played in two games so far this season with Boston, logging just under nine minutes per game.
  • The New York Islanders have once again loaned Oliver Wahlstrom to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly.  Despite being shuffled back and forth so frequently for cap reasons, the 20-year-old has played in five games this season, notching one assist.
  • It was a busy transaction day for the New York Rangers who made no fewer than seven roster moves, per CapFriendly, as they shuffled up their taxi squad and added to their roster.  Kaapo Kakko. K’Andre Miller, and Libor Hajek were all recalled from the taxi squad while Keith Kinkaid, Tarmo Reunanen, and Austin Rueschoff were all recalled to the taxi squad; Adam Huska was also sent to AHL Hartford.
  • The Pittsburgh Penguins assigned Frederick Gaudreau back to their taxi squad, per CapFriendly.  He was on the NHL roster for the first time this season on Thursday but didn’t suit up.

Chris Drury Named GM Of 2021 U.S. Men’s National Team

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After removing his name from consideration in the Pittsburgh Penguins general manager search, Chris Drury is getting the title somewhere else. USA Hockey has announced that Drury will return as GM of the Men’s National Team, choosing and managing the squad that will take part in the 2021 IIHF Men’s World Championship later this year. The event is set to take place between May 21 and June 6 in Riga, Latvia.

Drury, who also recently received a promotion with the New York Rangers to associate GM, has served in the same role with USA Hockey for the last two years, though the 2020 tournament was canceled. This year, he will be joined by an advisory group that includes John Vanbiesbrouck, David Poile, Don Waddell, Stan Bowman, Jeff Gorton, Lou Lamoriello, Bill Guerin, Tom Fitzgerald, Bill Zito, and Kevyn Adams, a veritable who’s-who of American-born NHL executives. Vanbiesbrouck, who is the assistant executive director for USA Hockey, released this statement:

It’s great to have Chris back as the general manager of our men’s national team. He’s transitioned from his days as a player and emerged as one of the bright young stars on the management side of the game. Together with our Men’s National Team Advisory Group, we’re very fortunate to have an experienced and passionate group involved to help us put together a team that will compete for a gold medal.

The continued selection of Drury is another signal that he is one of the most respected up-and-coming executives in the game and will likely be given the reins to an NHL franchise eventually. For now, he told the Penguins that he was happy with his role in New York (receiving a promotion just days after withdrawing his name from consideration).

Like every year, the team that Drury will be able to put together for the World Championship is dependant on the outcome of the NHL regular season and playoffs. The schedule currently has the regular season ending in early May, meaning players that don’t make the postseason could be eligible to travel (and quarantine) to the tournament in time. Usually, those that are eliminated in the first round also join the event, but that may be more difficult with health restrictions this time around. It will be interesting to see if Drury embraces the youth movement that Hockey Canada spoke about recently, or if they will bring along a more veteran lineup.

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