Full 2021 List Of Expiring Draft Rights
When drafting a player out of North America or any European country with a transfer agreement, a team acquires their exclusive negotiating rights for a set amount of time. Each year on June 1, a long list of players see those rights expire and become unrestricted free agents (or choose to re-enter the draft, depending on specific circumstances). This year, even though many other NHL deadlines have been shifted, June 1 will still act as the threshold for expiring draft rights.
While this doesn’t always result in a flurry of signings in the last week of May, there are usually a few players who ink their deals at the last minute to stay in the organization that drafted them. With the deadline set for 4:00 pm CT next Tuesday, CapFriendly has provided a full list of players who will see those rights expire:
Arizona Coyotes
Filip Westerlund (44th overall, 2017)
Erik Walli Walterholm (190th overall, 2017)
Buffalo Sabres
Marcus Davidsson (37th overall, 2017)
Calgary Flames
Filip Sveningsson (202nd overall, 2017)
Carolina Hurricanes
Ville Rasanen (197th overall, 2017)
Chicago Blackhawks
Roope Laavainen (119th overall, 2017)
Cole Moberg (194th overall, 2019)
Colorado Avalanche
Sasha Mutala (140th overall, 2019)
Luka Burzan (171st overall, 2019)
Dallas Stars
Nicholas Porco (142nd overall, 2019)
Detroit Red Wings
Malte Setkov (100th overall, 2017)
Florida Panthers
Henry Rybinski (136th overall, 2019)
Montreal Canadiens
Joni Ikonen (58th overall, 2017)
Jacob LeGuerrier (126th overall, 2019)
Kieran Ruscheinski (206th overall, 2019)
New York Islanders
Felix Bibeau (178th overall, 2019)
Cole Coskey (209th overall, 2019)
New York Rangers
Calle Sjalin (145th overall, 2017)
Ottawa Senators
Viktor Lodin (94th overall, 2019)
Philadelphia Flyers
Yegor Serdyuk (165th overall, 2019)
Roddy Ross (169th overall, 2019)
Pittsburgh Penguins
Antti Palojarvi (186th overall, 2017)
St. Louis Blues
Anton Andersson (206th overall, 2017)
Jeremy Michel (217th overall, 2019)
Tampa Bay Lightning
Quinn Schmiemann (182nd overall, 2019)
Vancouver Canucks
Ethan Keppen (122nd overall, 2019)
Washington Capitals
Sebastian Walfridsson (151st overall, 2017)
Kristian Roykas Marthinsen (213th overall, 2017)
Winnipeg Jets
Santeri Virtanen (105th overall, 2017)
Vegas Golden Knights
Mason Primeau (141st overall, 2019)
Many of these players have already signed contracts in Europe (or, in the case of Andersson, retired from hockey altogether) suggesting they won’t be inking NHL deals by next week. Many others will simply become unrestricted free agents or sign minor league contracts to stay with the organization that drafted them.
Matt Tomkins Signs In SHL
The Chicago Blackhawks will bid farewell to one of their depth goaltenders, as Matt Tomkins has signed a one-year contract with Frolunda of the SHL. Tomkins was scheduled for unrestricted free agency this summer as his two-year contract came to an end. Frolunda’s goaltending coach released a statement (via Google translate):
Matt is a big and structured goalkeeper with a European style and a clear game idea. We have scouted him properly and he has made a good impression on us. It will be really fun to work with him next season and he is excited to come here.
Now 26, the seventh-round pick never did get to the NHL, playing his entire career thus far in the minor leagues. In 15 appearances with the Rockford IceHogs this season he posted a .907 save percentage, but he never did really seem to be in the plans for the Blackhawks as they went with other, younger, netminders at the NHL level.
Frolunda meanwhile recently lost their starting goalie when Erik Kallgren signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, meaning Tomkins should have a good opportunity to play overseas. Unless he takes a huge developmental step though, the now-former Blackhawks goaltender likely won’t be considered for another NHL contract down the road.
Vegas Reassigns Cody Glass To AHL
The Vegas Golden Knights were without Max Pacioretty, Tomas Nosek, and Ryan Reaves for their Game Six loss to the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday and will likely be without at least Reaves for a crucial Game Seven on Friday after he and rookie Peyton Krebs landed on the league’s COVID Protocol list. Pacioretty and Nosek currently remain “game-time decisions”. Vegas called upon young Cody Glass to help fill the void on Wednesday and it was expected that he would remain in the lineup for as long as necessary.
Well, that might not be the case after all. Vegas has announced this evening that Glass has been demoted to the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights in order to take part in their Pacific Division Final match-up. While this is a pivotal game for Henderson, down 1-0 in a best-of-three series, the Knights would not be prioritizing their farm team’s success over their own. The move indicates that Glass will not be in the lineup for Vegas on Friday, as the team would not put him on short rest if they had another choice.
How will Vegas fill the gap up front then if Reaves, Pacioretty, and Nosek are unable to go? Barring a recall of offset Glass’ reassignment, the team is actually without a healthy extra forward on the roster. This could imply that the Knights expect at least one of the injured trio to be available. The team could also employ a seven-defenseman lineup or could play defender Dylan Coghlan up front, as they have previously experimented with. Whatever the decision, the pressure is on head coach Peter DeBoer to field the right lineup to get a win or else risk another first-round upset this season. The first call that he has made is that he feels his options are all better than the 2017 No. 6 overall pick. Will it pay off?
Minor Transactions: 05/27/21
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are front and center right now, especially with Round Two now on the schedule, but there still continue to be some meaningful moves made elsewhere around the hockey world. Here are some of those recent notable minor transactions:
- After a mutual termination of his contract was completed earlier this month, former Boston Bruins prospect Pavel Shen has found his new team; well, a new, old team. After playing with the KHL’s HK Sochi on loan to begin the 2020-21 season, Shen has opted to return to the club on a more permanent basis. Sochi has signed Shen to a one-year deal for next season. Where his career takes him after that remains unknown. Shen flashed good two-way ability in his pair of seasons with AHL Providence and seemed like he was on his way to becoming a solid depth option – a good value for a 2018 seventh-round pick. However, if Boston felt he had long-term NHL upside they would not have terminated his contract so easily. Shen seems destined to spend his career at home in Russia, but continued development could put him back on NHL radars.
- After a 15-year pro career, including eight seasons in the NHL with six different teams, Andrew Ebbett has decided to hang up his skates. However, he won’t be leaving the game behind just yet. Swiss club SC Bern, where Ebbett spent five seasons following his NHL career, has announced that they have hired the veteran as their “sports director” i.e. general manager. Ebbett brings plenty of experience, including a number of years in the NLA, to the position. He also expanded his knowledge of the European game while playing his final season this year with EHC Munich of the German DEL. A versatile, two-way player and locker room presence throughout his career, Ebbett is well suited to lead the club.
- In an uncommon move for today’s day and age, U.S. National Team Development Program forward Liam Gilmartin has decided to switch development paths and join the OHL’s London Knights next season. Gilmartin, a 2021 NHL Draft product, was expected to follow the collegiate path like nearly all USNTDP products, having committed to Providence College. Instead, he will forego his NCAA eligibility and join the major junior ranks. A big winger with high-end stick skills, Gilmartin is expected to be drafted as early as the late second round in July after finishing among the top-six scoring forwards for the U-18 team this year. How this development decision impacts his draft stock remains to be seen.
- The USHL held their Phase I Draft for all 2005 players on Wednesday and the more intriguing Phase II Draft for all other uncommitted prospects on Thursday. While there were many players selected in both drafts with familiar names to past NHL players and executives alike, some of the most interesting picks were those that seem hardly likely to pan out. Presumptive 2022 and 2023 NHL Draft first overall picks, Shane Wright and Connor Bedard respectively, were each selected in the later rounds of the Phase II draft. While neither seems like to abandon their current teams – Wright with the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs and Bedard with the WHL’s Regina Pats – this year saw a number of Canadian major junior players jump to the USHL with their own leagues on hold. The Chicago Steel (Wright) and Dubuque Fighting Saints (Bedard) would certainly be excited if their late-round waivers panned out somehow. For a full list of USHL Draft selections, follow this link.
Devils’ Gilles Senn Signs In Switzerland
As had been speculated of late, New Jersey Devils goaltender Gilles Senn has decided to take his talents back home to Switzerland. Reportedly upset with his role in the organization this season, playing exclusively with AHL Binghamton, the 25-year-old restricted free agent was rumored to be available to Swiss NLA clubs and a return to long-time club HC Davos was the expected landing spot. Davos has now confirmed those expectations, announcing a new three-year deal with Senn.
While the Devils are not particularly deep in net behind Mackenzie Blackwood, especially with Scott Wedgewood and Aaron Dell heading for the open market, the loss of Senn should not make much of an impact. Although the Swiss standout was an exciting signing for the club in 2019 and even played in two NHL games in his first North American season, Senn has done little to impress with his AHL play over the past two years. He recorded an .899 save percentage and 3.06 GAA in 44 games with Binghamton and won just three of his 17 appearances in a poor 2020-21 campaign. Senn was very unlikely to be in the running for the backup job next season as a result. In fact, there is a chance that New Jersey may not have even extended a qualifying offer his way this summer. Senn’s departure now allows for promising prospects Akira Schmid and Nico Daws to potentially battle for AHL appearances right away as they are expected to turn pro for this coming season.
As for Senn, his new contract may keep him with Davos through the 2023-24 season, but it doesn’t completely rule out an NHL return down the road. At 28 years old when his deal expires and already possessing some North American experience, Senn could remain an intriguing option. However, teams have now seen him play in the AHL and NHL and some of the mystery is gone. Senn will have to play very well in Switzerland over the next few years if he wants a realistic chance at seeing NHL action again in his career.
PHR Live Chat Transcript: 05/27/21
Click here to read a transcript of this week’s live chat with PHR’s Gavin Lee.
COVID Protocol Related Absences: 05/27/21
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. Here is today’s list:
Colorado – Jayson Megna
Vegas – Brayden McNabb, Peyton Krebs*, Ryan Reaves*
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
It’s terrible news for the Golden Knights who now have to try and play game seven against the Wild tomorrow night shorthanded. Three players are currently unavailable, though Reaves already missed the last game due to injury. Krebs, who played four games for the team earlier this season, hasn’t yet made his NHL playoff debut and doesn’t look like he’ll be able to tomorrow night unless his name comes off quickly.
The Avalanche confirmed that Megna tested positive for coronavirus, meaning he won’t be back anytime soon. Colorado will get its second-round series started on Sunday against whoever wins the Vegas-Minnesota game.
*denotes new addition
Latest On Columbus Coaching Search
The Columbus Blue Jackets are another team looking for a new head coach after agreeing to part ways with John Tortorella when his contract expired this season. Recently reports emerged that former Arizona Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet would interview with the Blue Jackets, but he’s not the only one. Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports that Gerard Gallant has already had his interview, while David Quinn and Brad Larsen have also interviewed or have one scheduled. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen also told the Hockey Wanderlust podcast that he would consider Finnish national coach Jukka Jalonen.
Jalonen has never worked in the NHL, but certainly has a resume to consider. The 58-year-old has won the Liiga championship in Finland, secured Olympic, World Championship, and World Junior medals, and has been a successful head coach in the KHL as well. There have only ever been two European-born and trained head coaches in the NHL, which perhaps makes the likelihood of Jalonen taking the job in Columbus low, but he’s an interesting name nonetheless. An interview for Jalonen has not been confirmed.
Of course, there are plenty of experienced NHL coaches on the list Portzline reports. Gallant and Tocchet, in particular, seem to be targets of several organizations, but Larsen also has the advantage of being part of the organization already. The 43-year-old has been an assistant with Columbus since the 2014-15 season and has experience as a head coach in the minor leagues.
After a brutal season that saw the Blue Jackets drop to last place in the Central Division, whoever takes over will have his hands full. Columbus has some strong building blocks but needs a lot of refinement on the fringes of the roster in order to really compete for the Stanley Cup.
Nazem Kadri To Appeal Suspension
May 27: Colorado head coach Jared Bednar told reporters including Mike Chambers of the Denver Post today that the appeal was in the “conclusion stage.” Today’s hearing was with the commissioner, which means Kadri can still appeal to a neutral arbitrator depending on the decision given in this first stage.
May 23: Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri has decided to appeal the eight-game suspension that he received earlier this week for an illegal hit on St. Louis defenseman, reports Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman (Twitter link). He has already served the first two games (the second of which was today) so the process will need to move fairly quickly for him to have a chance of having any games shaved off.
The process can go through two separate stages. The first is a hearing with Commissioner Gary Bettman who can decide whether or not to uphold the eight-game ruling or to reduce it. If he opts to uphold it, Kadri can then appeal to have it heard by a neutral discipline arbitrator. Notably, this is the route Washington’s Tom Wilson took to have his 20-game suspension reduced to 14 back in 2018. However, it’s worth noting that this process takes some time; it was 13 days between Wilson’s hearing for the arbitrator to issue a ruling while taking a month after the incident took place to have a hearing. If this was to follow a similar timeline if it gets that far, Kadri’s entire suspension would have been served and a ruling would only reduce the absence on paper, if at all.
While the NHLPA is initiating this process through Kadri’s request, Line Movement’s Nick Kypreos reports (Twitter link) that Kadri is likely to hire outside counsel as well for his hearing. Players don’t always go that route but he will have ample representation for his hearing with Bettman which will likely take place over the next few days.
Arizona Coyotes Sign Ben McCartney
The Arizona Coyotes have added another prospect, signing Ben McCartney to a three-year entry-level contract. McCartney had previously joined the Tucson Roadrunners on an amateur tryout for the end of the season after his WHL campaign came to an end. Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong released a short statement on the deal:
We are very pleased to sign Ben to an entry-level contract. Ben had a great junior career and played well for the Roadrunners last season. We look forward to watching him continue to develop next year in Tucson.
McCartney, 19, was a seventh-round pick in 2020 and has spent the last four seasons with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL. In 24 junior games this season he recorded 37 points, a nice improvement over his point-per-game 2019-20 campaign. Though his offense is obviously important, McCartney also brings a level of physicality to the ice every night and has shown a willingness to drop the gloves. In his WHL career, he had nine fighting majors and racked up more than 100 penalty minutes last season.
In his four regular season games with the Roadrunners, McCartney actually scored a goal and five points, immediately making an impact at the professional level. It’s a tough climb for a seventh-round pick, but he has taken a strong first step towards becoming a legitimate NHL prospect. The Coyotes rewarding him with an entry-level deal is proof of that. Because he was in his second year of draft eligibility and will turn 20 later this summer, McCartney can report directly to the Roadrunners next season.