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Archives for October 2021

Blake Coleman Suspended For One Preseason, One Regular Season Game

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5:36 pm: The NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Coleman will be suspended for one preseason and regular-season game. He’ll miss Calgary’s season opener on the road in Edmonton on October 16th, but will be back for their home opener on October 18th against the Anaheim Ducks.

12:03 pm: The Department of Player Safety has some more work to do, as Blake Coleman will have a hearing today following his hit on Jansen Harkins last night. The Calgary Flames forward hit Harkins while he was already down on his knees, driving his head into the boards. Coleman was issued a boarding penalty and then later in the game received a misconduct along with Harkins when the two came together again.

Because Harkins did not suffer a major injury on the play and Coleman does not have a history of suspension at the NHL level, the penalty here should not be excessive. Still, the hearing implies that the Flames will be without his services for at least the final preseason game tomorrow night, if not the first game of the regular season as well.

This actually isn’t the first incident of Coleman checking from behind. In the NCAA tournament in 2015, Coleman was given a suspension after receiving his third misconduct of the season. The first two were for checking from behind, while the third was for delivering a check to the head. The 29-year-old forward has made a living playing a hard, physical game and often coming right up to the line, and this time appears to have stepped over it. He’ll have to face the consequences, with a decision expected later today.

Minor Transactions: 10/07/21

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While training camps are still being pared down, a few teams around the league are also making recalls and assignments to fill out rosters for preseason action. These are players who likely aren’t going to make the opening day roster, but are receiving another chance to show what they can do in exhibition action.

This page will be updated with further transactions as they are reported

San Jose Sharks Claim Jonah Gadjovich

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The San Jose Sharks have decided to claim Jonah Gadjovich off waivers, taking him away from the Vancouver Canucks according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. He was the only player out of the 30 on waivers yesterday to be claimed.

Gadjovich, 22, was a second-round pick in 2017, selected 55th overall by the Canucks. The 6’2″ winger is a true power forward that can use his size effectively around the net, though his skating ability is still questionable at the NHL level and has held him back to this point. He received just one game with the Canucks last season, his NHL debut, and managed to rack up 17 minutes in penalties after instigating a fight with Calgary Flames’ Connor Mackey following an illegal hit.

Though there are concerns over whether he can truly become an impact player at the NHL level, he certainly was one for the Utica Comets last season. In 19 games at the AHL level he scored 15 goals, using that huge frame effectively in front of the net. He added just three assists to that total, indicating his offensive limitations, but for a bottom-six player, you could certainly do worse.

In San Jose, he could very well get a chance to fill a full-time role as the Sharks’ fourth line is not set in stone. The team is moving on without Evander Kane for the time being, meaning minutes have been opened up on the left wing. That’s exactly where Gadjovich could push for playing time, especially given his size. Alexander Barabanov, who is also in the mix for a bottom-six role, was absent from practice again today as he deals with a nagging injury.

29 Players Clear Waivers

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Oct 7: The San Jose Sharks have claimed Gadjovich, but the other 29 players have all cleared, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Oct 6: It’s time for teams to pare down their training camp rosters to the last few battles, meaning waivers will be full for the next several days. Today, the list is 30 names long.

Alexander Volkov (ANA)
Steven Fogarty (BOS)
Aaron Dell (BUF)
Jimmy Schuldt (BUF)
Stefan Matteau (COL)
Roland McKeown (COL)
Kiefer Sherwood (COL)
Dylan Sikura (COL)
Michael Pezzetta (MTL)
Andy Andreoff (NYI)
Ken Appleby (NYI)
Cole Bardreau (NYI)
Austin Czarnik (NYI)
Grant Hutton (NYI)
Otto Koivula (NYI)
Paul Ladue (NYI)
Dmytro Timashov (NYI)
Mitchell Vande Sompel (NYI)
Parker Wotherspoon (NYI)
Connor Bunnaman (PHI)
Adam Clendening (PHI)
Gerald Mayhew (PHI)
German Rubtsov (PHI)
Kole Lind (SEA)
Max McCormick (SEA)
Joey Anderson (TOR)
Carl Dahlstrom (TOR)
Brennan Menell (TOR)
Brett Seney (TOR)
Jonah Gadjovich (VAN)

There are quite a few players who could be claimed today, including quite a few depth forwards. One interesting name is Dell, who appears to have lost the battle in Buffalo for playing time to Dustin Tokarski and Craig Anderson. Dell was waived at the end of training camp last season as well, only to be claimed and stuck on the taxi squad for the majority of the season. The 32-year-old posted an .857 in seven NHL appearances and is likely headed for the minor leagues this time around.

Pavel Francouz Out 3-4 Weeks; Bednar To Miss Preseason Games

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The injuries continue for Colorado Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francouz, who will be out three to four weeks with a lower-body issue. Francouz missed all of last season and has played just 36 regular season games since signing with the Avalanche in 2018. The team also announced that head coach Jared Bednar has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the team’s remaining two preseason games. In his absence, assistant coaches Ray Bennett and Nolan Pratt will takeover.

While losing the head coach is a big blow, it’s Francouz’s absence that is the real headline for the Avalanche. The backup goaltender was expected to carry a steady load this season to help new start Darcy Kuemper stay healthy and fresh, but will now once again be out to start the year. When he’s been healthy enough to play, Francouz has been outstanding, posting a .923 save percentage in those 36 appearances. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been available to the team when they’ve needed him most and is now out of the picture.

One positive is the strong goaltending depth that the team has built, with Hunter Miska and Jonas Johansson in the system. Even beyond them, Justus Annunen sits in the minor leagues as the future at the position, though he has played only three games at the AHL level to this point. There will likely be an opportunity for Colorado to claim another goaltender off waivers in the coming days as well if they choose to, as teams try to slide their third-string options down to the minor leagues.

Training Camp Cuts: 10/07/21

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It’s been a busy morning in the hockey world, but teams around the league are still making changes to their training camp rosters and we’ll keep track of those right here.

Anaheim Ducks (via press release)

F Alexander Volkov (to San Diego, AHL)

Buffalo Sabres (via team Twitter)

F Brett Murray (to Rochester, AHL)
F Jack Quinn (to Rochester, AHL)
D Jimmy Schuldt (to Rochester, AHL)
G Aaron Dell (to Rochester, AHL)

Detroit Red Wings (via press release)

D Jared McIsaac (to Grand Rapids, AHL)
D Wyatt Newpower (to Grand Rapids, AHL)
D Donovan Sebrango (to Grand Rapids, AHL)
G Victor Brattstrom (to Grand Rapids, AHL)
G Kaden Fulcher (to Toledo, ECHL)
F Turner Elson (released from PTO)
F Jon Martin (released from PTO)
F Dominik Shine (released from PTO)
F Tyler Spezia (released from PTO)
F Kirill Tyutyayev (released from PTO)
F Hayden Verbeek (released from PTO)
F Dennis Yan (released from PTO)

Minnesota Wild (via press release)

F Mitchell Chaffee (to Iowa, AHL)
F Joseph Cramarossa (to Iowa, AHL)
F Connor Dewar (to Iowa, AHL)
F Nick Swaney (to Iowa, AHL)
F Dominic Turgeon (to Iowa, AHL)
D Joe Hicketts (to Iowa, AHL)
D Jon Lizotte (to Iowa, AHL)
F Kyle Rau (to Iowa, AHL)*
G Andrew Hammond (to Iowa, AHL)*

New Jersey Devils (via press release)

F Graeme Clarke (to Utica, AHL)
F Nolan Foote (to Utica, AHL)
F Aarne Talvitie (to Utica, AHL)
F Fabian Zetterlund (to Utica, AHL)
D Kevin Bahl (to Utica, AHL)
D Reilly Walsh (to Utica, AHL)
G Nico Daws (to Utica, AHL)
F A.J. Greer (to Utica, AHL)*

New York Islanders (via team Twitter)

F Cole Bardreau (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Austin Czarnik (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Dmytro Timashov (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Otto Koivula (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Andy Andreoff (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Grant Hutton (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Paul Ladue (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Mitch Vande Sompel (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Parker Wotherspoon (to Bridgeport, AHL)
G Kenneth Appleby (to Bridgeport, AHL)

New York Rangers (via team Twitter)

D Zac Jones (to Hartford, AHL)

Philadelphia Flyers (via AHL press release)

F Connor Bunnaman (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F Gerald Mayhew (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F German Rubtsov (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
D Adam Clendening (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)

St. Louis Blues (via press release)

F Nikita Alexandrov (to Springfield, AHL)
F Sam Anas (to Springfield, AHL)*
F Nathan Walker (to Springfield, AHL)*
D Calle Rosen (to Springfield, AHL)*
D Steven Santini (to Springfield, AHL)*
G Charlie Lindgren (to Springfield, AHL)*
F Michael Frolik (released from PTO)

*Pending waivers

This page will be updated throughout the day

Finland, Czech Republic, U.S. Announce Members Of 2022 Olympic Teams

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Like Sweden and Canada before them, three other hockey powers have announced the first few members of their 2022 Olympic team today. Finland is going with Aleksander Barkov, Mikko Rantanen, and Sebastian Aho, while the Czech Republic will have Ondrej Palat, Jakub Voracek and David Pastrnak in Beijing next year.

The U.S. meanwhile will have Seth Jones, Patrick Kane, and Auston Matthews suiting up for their country. Stan Bowman, general manager of the U.S. team, released a short statement on the selections:

It’s no secret we’re excited about the prospects of our team for the 2022 Games. Patrick, Auston and Seth reflect the high level of talent that will make up our final roster as we strive to bring gold back home to the U.S.

For Kane, this is nothing new. He was on the ice at both the 2010 and 2014 Olympics, while also wearing the “C” for the U.S. at various other international tournaments. What would be different is winning a gold, given his history at those tournaments. It’s been a long time since he took home the top prize, going all the way back to 2006 at the U18 WJC. Bronze at the U20 tournament, bronze at the World Championship and silver at the Olympics doesn’t create the international legacy that many would assume a player of Kane’s stature would have.

This year though he’ll have some help that he’s never had before. Jones and Matthews will both be taking part in their first Olympics, with the latter only having one World Championship under his belt. Matthews actually joined the U.S. team at the 2016 tournament before he even made his NHL debut and worked his way from extra skater to top-line center by the end of the event. That’s exactly the spot he will be expected to fill this time around after winning the Rocket Richard Trophy and coming second in Hart Trophy balloting last season.

For Finland and the Czechs, they too are starting off with some powerhouse trios. Barkov and Aho are a formidable 1-2 center punch that can play with anyone, while Rantanen brings his unique mix of size and skill on the wing. Palat, a key member of the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup teams, is one of the best two-way players in the entire league and Pastrnak is one of the brightest offensive talents in the entire world.

The event is sure to be exciting as the NHL returns to the world stage.

Montreal Offered Extension To Marc Bergevin

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Oct 7: Just before Bergevin spoke with the media regarding Carey Price, a Canadiens spokesperson told reporters including John Lu of TSN that there will be no further updates on the general manager’s contract status until the end of the season. Bergevin will play out the year and discuss it afterward.

Sep 29: Though the main front office news yesterday was the extension signed with Julien BriseBois in Tampa Bay, Pierre LeBrun also included another note in his appearance on TSN’s Insider Trading. The Montreal Canadiens, fresh off an appearance in the Stanley Cup Final, offered general manager Marc Bergevin a contract extension in July.

What I can tell you is this. He has talked to owner Geoff Molson about his future dating back to last January. I’m told they spoke again last March. I’m told in July Molson made an offer. There has not been an agreement, read into that what you will. I believe Marc Bergevin wants to stay, but they obviously have to reach a deal that works for both sides. Both sides continue to talk, and there’s a lot of pressure on this situation.

Bergevin’s tenure in Montreal has been anything but smooth. Hired away from the Chicago Blackhawks in 2012, he came to a Canadiens team that had just gone 31-35-16, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2007. Michel Therrien would return as head coach, leading the team back to the postseason in a lockout-shortened schedule, and then to consecutive 100+ point seasons and a Conference Finals appearance in 2014. Things didn’t continue so well though, and when Bergevin decided in 2016 to trade all-star defenseman P.K. Subban, many fans were at their breaking point.

In time, that trade turned out to be accepted by many thanks to the style of play and leadership Shea Weber brought back to the team. But there was a period when Bergevin appeared to be on his last legs in Montreal. The public departures of Alexander Radulov and Andrei Markov caused many to call for change at the top, but Molson stuck with his GM through some lean seasons and was rewarded when they went on a Cinderella-like run this year. The Canadiens entered the postseason as huge underdogs against the North-leading Toronto Maple Leafs, but pulled off a miraculous first-round comeback and then stormed their way to the finals.

That performance, including a midseason coaching change to replace veteran Claude Julien with upstart Dominique Ducharme, will buy Bergevin some more time if he wants it. An extension offer comes as no surprise, but the question now is whether a deal can be worked out before the season begins. In July, Ducharme and his staff were given three-year extensions. Now the wait is on to see whether their boss will get one of his own.

Colin White Out Months With Upper-Body Injury

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Oct 7: Smith explained to the media today including Kyle Bukauskas of Sportsnet that White requires surgery on a dislocated shoulder and will be out four to six months. That means the young forward will miss the majority of the upcoming season, though a chance remains that he could return before the end of the schedule.

Oct 5: The Ottawa Senators lost last night in preseason action against the Toronto Maple Leafs but may have a much bigger concern than the final scoresheet. Colin White, who suffered a shoulder injury in the game, will be out a “significant” amount of time according to head coach D.J. Smith. A more specific timeline will be given in the coming days.

White, 24, was set to be one of the Senators’ top centers this season and currently sits as the team’s second-highest-paid forward. He’ll now join Clark Bishop on the sideline, taking out–as Smith puts it–two of the team’s top five options down the middle. Not only that, but the coach also explained that he’s now preparing as if Brady Tkachuk won’t be in the lineup for the start of the regular season, as the restricted free agent continues negotiations with the club. Suddenly the Senators forward group is looking awfully thin in terms of high-end talent.

With every injury there is an opportunity though, and White’s absence will likely open even more time for youngster Shane Pinto. The 20-year-old stepped right into the NHL lineup after leaving the University of North Dakota last season and has been impressive this preseason. Selected 32nd overall, Pinto has a strong presence at both ends of the rink and could quickly find himself in competition for the first-line center role. Smith explained that he’ll try Pinto between Nick Paul and Connor Brown for the next little while as he tries to create an “identity line” which will be difficult to play against.

White meanwhile now faces another tough season ahead. The 2015 first-round pick made quite the impact in 2018-19 with 41 points in 71 games, but hasn’t been able to come close to those numbers in the years since. Last season he had just ten goals and 18 points in 45 games while averaging fewer than 15 minutes a night. A long rehab won’t help, especially as other young talents show what they can do.

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