Multiple Teams Showing Interest In Nick Foligno
It has been a tough season so far for the Blue Jackets as they find themselves on the outside looking in at the playoffs in the Central Division as they sit four points behind Chicago for the fourth and final position. Accordingly, teams are starting to call to gauge interest in their willingness to sell. As Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic notes in the latest TSN Insider Trading segment (video link), Columbus has received several calls on winger Nick Foligno including from the Islanders and Maple Leafs.
The 33-year-old is a pending unrestricted free agent and provides some grit and two-way play in the middle-six which is something that many teams would understandably covet. Foligno is producing at a bit of a slower pace than he has in recent years but still has five goals and seven assists in 30 games so far this season while averaging more than 18 minutes per game. Teams likely also have fresh memories from his performance in the bubble that saw him pick up six points in ten games while helping the Blue Jackets get past Toronto in the Qualifying Round.
From a financial perspective, New York makes sense with Anders Lee’s season-ending knee injury. The Isles now have plenty of extra LTIR space at their disposal and they would be able to absorb Foligno’s $5.5MM price tag without any issues. It’s a bit trickier for Toronto, however. The Maple Leafs won’t have anyone on LTIR once Wayne Simmonds is activated sooner than later, nor do they have anywhere near enough cap room to take Foligno on at even half of that price tag. Accordingly, they’d be in a position where they would need to take a regular off their roster to facilitate a move.
Of course, if the Blue Jackets have their way, they may not be moving their captain at all. Four points is hardly insurmountable especially with every game being played inside the division. With 26 games left heading into play tonight, that gap can be made up which is why any sort of move regarding Foligno will come closer to the April 12th trade deadline. But if Columbus falls out of the race between now and then, he’s someone that should draw plenty of interest around the league beyond the Isles and Maple Leafs.
Penguins Place Evgeni Malkin And Teddy Blueger On IR
There is some good news and bad news on the injury front for the Penguins. First, the bad, as the team announced that centers Evgeni Malkin and Teddy Blueger have been placed on injured reserve. Malkin’s move was made retroactive to March 16th while Blueger’s placement is effective one day earlier.
Malkin was injured in Tuesday’s game against Boston in the first period as he played just four shifts. He had been on the best offensive stretch of his season before that, notching four goals and eight assists on an eight-game point streak. It helped turn around what had been a fairly quiet season by his standards as he now has eight goals and 16 assists in 29 games to sit third on the team.
As for Blueger, he’s in the midst of a career year offensively with 15 points in his first 29 games this season. He has also shown improvement at the faceoff dot, winning just over half of his draws which has helped him become a fixture behind Malkin and Sidney Crosby down the middle.
The good news for Pittsburgh is that defenseman John Marino was activated off IR in advance of tonight’s game against New Jersey after missing four games with an upper-body issue. While his offensive numbers have dropped sharply this year with just five points in 26 games after having 26 points in 56 games in his rookie year, Marino has logged heavy minutes on their back end, averaging just shy of 23 per game which makes him a welcome return to their lineup.
The team also announced a series of several roster moves. Wingers Anthony Angello, Frederick Gaudreau, and Colton Sceviour were all recalled from the taxi squad. Sceviour is the most notable of the group having played in 21 games this season although he cleared waivers last Tuesday. Meanwhile, winger Josh Currie and blueliner Josh Maniscalco were recalled to the taxi squad from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in order to keep the taxi squad compliant with at least four players on it.
PHR Live Chat Transcript: 03/18/21
Click here to read a transcript of this week’s live chat with PHR’s Gavin Lee.
COVID Protocol Related Absences: 03/18/21
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 the list so far:
Boston – Sean Kuraly*
Columbus – Alexandre Texier
Minnesota – TBA
NY Islanders – Noah Dobson
NY Rangers – Phil Di Giuseppe (plus the coaching staff)
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 Rangers coaching staff will not travel with the team for their two-game set against the Capitals this weekend, meaning Kris Knoblauch will remain behind the bench alongside Gord Murphy and Chris Drury. That didn’t seem to slow the team down at all last night as they took home an incredible 9-0 win over the Flyers.
Kuraly was the player who entered the protocol for the Bruins earlier today, initiating contact tracing for the club and forcing them to cancel morning skate. After further testing it was ruled that the game can go as scheduled tonight.
*denotes new addition
Prospect Notes: Drysdale, CHL Agreement, Nappier
The Anaheim Ducks will have the future on the ice tonight when they take on the Arizona Coyotes. Jamie Drysdale is expected to make his NHL debut, in the lineup along with fellow top prospect Trevor Zegras, who will be in his 11th. The 18-year-old Drysdale has dominated the AHL so far this season, scoring ten points in 14 games. The young defenseman was the sixth overall selection in the 2020 draft and has almost limitless offensive upside.
The Ducks, who have lost four straight and scored just 67 goals in 30 games this season have nothing to lose by testing Drysdale at the NHL level, though a few games down the road they’ll have a decision to make. The team has already elected to burn the first season of Zegras three-year entry-level contract when they could have theoretically had it slide forward, keeping him in the minor leagues all season. The same would happen for Drysdale if he plays in more than seven NHL contests this season. With the OHL still hopeful that a season could begin in April, Drysdale wouldn’t be able to return to the AHL if his junior team is in session. If he shows he can compete at the highest level right away, it might not matter.
- That CHL agreement, which states that players drafted out of the WHL, OHL, or QMJHL cannot play in the AHL while the junior league is in session until they are 20 years old, will actually expire once again at the end of this season. Frank Seravalli of TSN reports today that there is a growing appetite for some sort of an exception to be included in the renegotiated deal for players like Drysdale, who have shown an obvious ability to perform at the minor professional level. Seth Jarvis and Connor Zary have already been sent back to the WHL after it started, despite strong showings in the AHL.
- That agreement won’t matter for the players named today to the 2021 Biosteel All-American Game, a showcase for the top draft-eligible players in the USNTDP and USHL. The group includes Luke Hughes, the younger brother of Quinn Hughes and Jack Hughes, and many other picks that will end up going off the board relatively early in July. The game takes place in Plymouth, Michigan on April 7.
- The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have signed undrafted Ohio State University goaltender Tommy Nappier to an unusual three-year AHL contract that will kick in right away. Nappier, 22, posted a .906 save percentage this season but had been almost unbeatable in years past. His college career ends with a .925 in 82 appearances and his professional one is just getting started.
Washington Capitals Re-Assign Aliaksei Protas To AHL
After spending this season in the KHL, Aliaksei Protas is on his way back to North America. The Washington Capitals prospect has been re-assigned to the Hershey Bears of the AHL for the rest of the season.
Protas, 20, was the 91st overall pick in 2019 and dominated the WHL last season, scoring 31 goals and 80 points in 58 games. Standing 6’6″, he is one of the most imposing players in any game he plays and should be more than ready to compete physically in the AHL. While Protas scored just 18 points in 58 games for Dynamo Minsk during the regular season, he was excellent in the second half of the season and saw his ice time raised significantly in the playoffs. In his five postseason games, the big center averaged more than 17 minutes a night and recorded four points.
Protas was on loan this season after signing his three-year, entry-level contract way back in 2019. By playing only in the minor leagues down the stretch, that contract will actually slide again, meaning it will not expire until after the 2023-24 season. Capitals fans should be quite excited about the big Belarusian after his excellent performances in the junior and now professional levels since being drafted.
Snapshots: AHL, PWHPA, Simmonds
The Utica Comets have had their Friday matchup against the Rochester Americans has been postponed due to COVID protocols, with a make-up date not yet announced. The Americans have been dealing with their own COVID outbreak, but this postponement is apparently due to protocols affecting the Comets. Rochester hasn’t played since March 10 and is now postponed until at least March 24, their next scheduled game against Utica.
It’s not just those two teams facing a developing situation either. The Grand Rapids Griffins and Chicago Wolves have also had their matchup for tomorrow postponed, though in the release there is some optimism it can be rescheduled soon. In this unique, irregular schedule, minor league players are certainly not experiencing the same kind of grind a normal AHL season entails.
- The PWHPA has formed a partnership with another NHL team, this time linking up with the St. Louis Blues to play a showcase at the Enterprise Center on April 12. The tour had already partnered with the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs previously and have announced this showcase in St. Louis will be the last one before players go to international camps for the women’s World Championships in May. The event will also include a game at the Centene Community Ice Center on April 11.
- Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed that Wayne Simmonds‘ return from a broken wrist is “imminent” though wouldn’t commit to playing him tomorrow night against the Calgary Flames. Simmonds’ return should have an impact on the trade deadline as the Maple Leafs have been very open about their desire to add a forward down the stretch. When ready, the team will need to activate Simmonds from long-term injured reserve and add his $1.5MM cap hit back to the roster. That move will further complicate an already tight cap situation in Toronto that will make any deadline moves difficult and may force them to send money out at the same time.
Buffalo, Boston Cancel Morning Skates Due To COVID
12:30pm: Both the Sabres and Bruins have announced that after further testing and tracing, tonight’s game will go on as scheduled.
9:50am: Both the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins canceled their morning skates today due to separate COVID-19 situations. The Sabres were first, canceling their practice due to a staff member entering the COVID protocols, according to John Vogl of The Athletic. The team immediately began contact tracing. Just a few minutes later, the Bruins announced they would also not hold a morning skate as one of their players has entered the protocol.
The two teams were set to play each other this evening in the first of a two-game series. It is not clear yet if the game will be played but it is currently still scheduled.
Boston has not released any information about who has entered the league’s protocol, but it will be made public when the COVID Protocol Related Absences list comes out later today.
Taxi Squad Shuffle: 03/18/21
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
- The Arizona Coyotes have recalled Michael Chaput and Ivan Prosvetov from the taxi squad, moving Hudson Fasching back to it. Prosvetov will serve as the backup to Adin Hill tonight as Antti Raanta deals with a lower-body injury.
- After clearing waivers today, Dan Renouf has been sent to the taxi squad by the Colorado Avalanche, per CapFriendly. Logan O’Connor was recalled to the NHL roster in a corresponding move.
- The Anaheim Ducks didn’t just bring up Jamie Drysdale today. Goaltender Lukas Dostal was also brought up to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly, with John Gibson being transferred to injured reserve.
North Division
- The Toronto Maple Leafs have added Nic Petan to the taxi squad, as Alex Galchenyuk and Wayne Simmonds were once again practicing with the main group. Petan has played in seven games for the Maple Leafs this season, recording a single point.
- The Ottawa Senators have sent Erik Brannstrom and Matthew Peca back to the AHL to play this weekend, while re-assigning Clark Bishop, Filip Gustavsson, and Artem Zub to the taxi squad. The Senators don’t play again until Monday, meaning their young defenseman can get in some more game action at the minor league level to continue his development.
- The Edmonton Oilers have recalled Joakim Nygard from the taxi squad, sending Evan Bouchard down in a corresponding move. Nygard last played two weeks ago while Bouchard has been out a bit longer, last seeing game action on March 1st.
- The Calgary Flames have made their typical non-gameday move, sending Derek Ryan and Oliver Kylington to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. Dominik Simon has been recalled to the active roster.
- The Montreal Canadiens sent Paul Byron and Xavier Ouellet to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. Having cleared waivers Wednesday, Byron figures to be a regular in the daily shuffle for the next few weeks.
Central Division
- The Columbus Blue Jackets are dealing with several injuries, so Mikhail Grigorenko‘s time on the taxi squad has been short-lived. The recently waived forward has been recalled to the roster along with Stefan Matteau and Ryan MacInnis after the team moved Emil Bemstrom to injured reserve. The team is already without Alexandre Texier thanks to the COVID protocols after he was unable to travel with the team due to a different illness.
- The Chicago Blackhawks have moved Brandon Pirri back to the Rockford IceHogs, another transaction in what must be a frustrating season for the 29-year-old forward. Pirri has played just three total games, two in the AHL and one for the Blackhawks. Reese Johnson was also sent to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly, with Dylan Strome being activated off injured reserve.
- For game day, the Detroit Red Wings have recalled both Frans Nielsen and Evgeny Svechnikov from the taxi squad. The two were placed there just yesterday in order to save some salary and cap.
- In their daily move, the Nashville Predators have recalled Alexandre Carrier and Ben Harpur from the taxi squad, moving Michael McCarron back in the process.
- The Dallas Stars have brought up Ty Dellandrea and Tanner Kero from the taxi squad while sending Rhett Gardner down to the taxi squad. Dellandrea has a goal and two assists in 15 games this season while Kero has a pair of assists in 11 games.
- As they’ve regularly done on game days, the Carolina Hurricanes have recalled Alex Nedeljkovic, Jake Bean, and Morgan Geekie from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. To make room on the roster, Jake Gardiner was sent to the taxi squad.
East Division
- The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled Radim Zohorna from the AHL, as Jared McCann and Evgeni Malkin will both not play tonight. Zohorna, the 6’6″ behemoth signed out of the Czech Republic last year, has nine points in 11 games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this season.
- The Philadelphia Flyers have recalled Alex Lyon, Nate Prosser and Carsen Twarynski from the taxi squad, placing Robert Hagg on injured reserve in the process. The Flyers were absolutely demolished last night by the Rangers, who scored seven goals in the second period and won 9-0. Connor Bunnaman and Andy Andreoff were assigned to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly.
- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled Jacob Bryson from the taxi squad, loaning Brandon Davidson back to it in the process. Bryson, 23, has one goal in 11 games this season for the Sabres.
- In their pregame notes, the Boston Bruins indicated that Greg McKegg and Jack Ahcan would play tonight, meaning they’ve been recalled from the taxi squad. McKegg played 53 NHL games this season but has played just once this year while Ahcan is making his NHL debut. Oskar Steen was also recalled from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly.
- The New Jersey Devils recalled Mikhail Maltsev and Michael McLeod from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. Their promotions opened a pair of taxi squad spots which were used on David Quenneville and Marian Studenic.
- The New York Islanders recalled Oliver Wahlstrom, Kieffer Bellows, and Thomas Hickey from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. That resulted in Grant Hutton being recalled to the taxi squad from AHL Bridgeport.
- The New York Rangers made their usual long list of non-gameday roster moves. Per CapFriendly, Keith Kinkaid and Kaapo Kakko were sent to the taxi squad while Tarmo Reunanen was sent to the minors. Adam Huska was recalled from the taxi squad.
This page will be updated throughout the day.
Dan Renouf Clears Waivers
March 18: Renouf has cleared waivers according to Chris Johnston of Sportsnet. He can now be assigned to the taxi squad or minor leagues.
March 17: According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the Colorado Avalanche have placed Dan Renouf on waivers for the second time this season after he cleared in early January. Since then he has played in ten games, meaning to return to the taxi squad he will have to clear again. The Avalanche have had massive injuries to their defense group lately but are getting closer to several returns, meaning Renouf’s time in the lineup is likely coming to an end.
The 26-year-old defenseman had three points and a fight in those ten games, impressing many along the way. The minor league veteran was never drafted and had played just a single NHL game before this season, spending the rest of the time in the AHL for various clubs. On a two-year, two-way deal with the Avalanche, he at least has shown he can hold his own at the highest level.
Still, he seems an unlikely claim given his overall lack of experience or upside. Perhaps if a team is dealing with several injuries to the back end they could take a flier on the pending free agent, but it seems much more likely that he’ll pass through and be assigned back to the taxi squad or minor leagues.