Carolina Hurricanes Have Discussed An Eric Staal Return
One of the lasting images from the Carolina Hurricanes 2006 Stanley Cup championship was that of a 21-year-old playoff rookie hoisting the trophy over his head after leading the entire league in postseason scoring. Fellow youngster Cam Ward took home the Conn Smythe trophy that year, but it could have easily been Eric Staal, the franchise center that had racked up 100 points in the regular season and 28 in 25 playoff matches. Staal was just two years into his NHL career after being the second overall pick in 2003, but he was already the face of the Hurricanes.
Just three years later in 2009, Staal would become the captain of the Hurricanes, taking over from Rod Brind’Amour even though the veteran forward would still play another season. At the time, Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford released this statement:
Rod has been the consummate leader for the Hurricanes since his acquisition nearly 10 years ago. He is the only captain in franchise history to lift the Stanley Cup, and he will continue to play a leadership role in our organization.
The time has come now for Eric to assume the top leadership role for his teammates. This is part of the rebuilding process for the Hurricanes, as Eric is the player around whom the team will be structured. We feel confident in Eric’s ability to lead his teammates and are excited to begin this next era.
Brind’Amour remains the only captain to win a Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes and Staal would have just one other playoff run during his tenure in Carolina. His career would be stamped there, however, with 775 career points coming in 909 regular-season games before a 2016 trade took Staal to the New York Rangers.
Now, several years later, another midseason trade could potentially bring Staal back to where it all began and reunite him with Brind’Amour, who now stands behind the bench instead of sitting on it. On TSN’s Insider Trading today, Pierre LeBrun explained that the Hurricanes management has discussed the idea of bringing Staal back.
What I’m told is that the Hurricanes have talked about ‘hey, if Eric Staal is on the Buffalo roster closer to April 12, maybe we give the Sabres a call and see what it would take to bring him back here to Carolina.’ It’s a storyline that I think a lot of people could get behind.
What a storyline indeed, 15 years after he and Brind’Amour led the Hurricanes to the franchise’s only Stanley Cup. Staal isn’t the same player as he was then, with only nine points in 24 games this season, but could still provide some experience and leadership to a Carolina team looking as dangerous as ever. The Hurricanes are 18-6-1 on the season, have won six straight and are only one point behind the defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning for first in the Central Division. It was just two years ago that this team went to the Conference Finals as an underdog; they wouldn’t be considered much of one if they get back there this time.
Still, Staal to Carolina is anything but a lock, and LeBrun explains that there “could be a Canadian team or two” that push for him well before the trade deadline. Speculation has run rampant that Staal could be a fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs, though certainly a team like the Edmonton Oilers could use his center capabilities as well. That’s not to mention any number of other teams who could see the $3.25MM cap hit Staal brings and believe he could be a piece for a Stanley Cup run.
The veteran forward does have some say, with a 10-team no-trade list, but reports indicate he would be willing this year to waive it in order to go to a contender. If anything, he knows exactly what it would take to get Carolina to that level.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
St. Louis Blues Extend Jordan Binnington
The St. Louis Blues have agreed to an extension with goaltender Jordan Binnington, signing him to a six-year deal worth a total of $36MM. Binnington was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season when his current two-year, $8.8MM deal expired. Pierre LeBrun and Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic provide the full breakdown:
- 2021-22: $4MM salary + full no-trade clause
- 2022-23: $6MM salary + full no-trade clause
- 2023-24: $7.5MM salary + full no-trade clause
- 2024-25: $7.5MM salary + 18-team no-trade clause
- 2025-26: $6.5MM salary + 14-team no-trade clause
- 2026-27: $4.5MM salary + 10-team no-trade clause
Binnington, 27, was a huge part of the Blues first Stanley Cup in 2019, taking over the crease partway through the season and posting a .927 save percentage as a rookie. That was good enough for second in Calder, fifth in Vezina, and 10th in Hart voting, but his postseason performance was even more spectacular. Binnington started all 26 games the Blues played and stopped 32 of 33 shots in the deciding game seven.
He earned himself that $8.8MM contract with his play in 2019, but this contract comes after another 69 regular season appearances. In those, Binnington has posted a .911 save percentage, not quite up to the level he showed as a rookie. In last year’s postseason bubble he was not good, losing all five games he played with an .851.
It’s those more recent numbers that will raise a few eyebrows among hockey fans, but the Blues obviously believe Binnington can be their starter long-term. A six-year deal will take him through his age-33 season at a hefty cap hit.
This is the same contract that Jacob Markstrom signed in free agency this season, but the Calgary Flames goaltender is several years older than Binnington. There’s no doubt that the St. Louis netminder can provide plenty of excess value on a contract like this, but it also certainly is no guarantee to age well if his game doesn’t improve quickly.
This deal also will impact those to come. Names like Frederik Andersen, Philipp Grubauer, and Petr Mrazek are all unrestricted free agents this offseason and still young enough to land long-term deals like this one.
For St. Louis though, this at least secures the position for the time being. Ville Husso is also signed for next season at a reasonable amount, but the other goaltenders in the system are still very young and unproven. There’s no question now, it’s Binnington’s net in St. Louis.
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period was first to report the deal.
More to come…
COVID Protocol Related Absences: 03/11/21
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 for today, which includes a few new names:
Edmonton – Kyle Turris
Los Angeles – Cal Petersen
New Jersey – Will Butcher*
San Jose – Marcus Sorensen
Vegas – Marc-Andre Fleury*
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: Erik Haula, Nashville Predators
The big news today is Fleury’s addition, meaning the Golden Knights will be without a starting goaltender for the time being. Robin Lehner is currently on a conditioning loan in the AHL. The Golden Knights play tomorrow against the Blues so Fleury technically could be back, but more likely one of the team’s younger backups will be forced into action. The worrying part, in this case, would be the fact that Fleury played last night in Minnesota. Hopefully, he hasn’t tested positive and was just forced into the protocol for another reason.
The Devils have also lost Butcher for now, meaning he won’t be available for tonight’s game against the Islanders. Interestingly, Butcher played just 12:47 in his last appearance and then was a supposed healthy scratch for the Devils in their last two. He’ll now miss at least a third consecutive game this time for a different reason entirely.
*denotes new addition
Prospect Notes: Kravtsov, Zary, Krys
Vitaly Kravtsov‘s KHL team was eliminated from the playoffs today, meaning the New York Rangers prospect can now come to North America to join his NHL club. The 21-year-old winger is already under contract and was just loaned overseas, meaning he could play as soon as his quarantine protocols are over. That’s expected to take up to two weeks, but it could still mean the Rangers have a boost down the stretch.
Kravtsov, the ninth overall pick in 2018, scored 16 goals and 24 points in 49 KHL games this season, a strong offensive showing for a player that had struggled at times in the past. The 6’3″ winger is still an important part of the Rangers’ future and gives them another young forward to build around.
- With the British Columbia teams in the WHL set to return soon, Connor Zary‘s time with the Stockton Heat is finished. The 19-year-old forward has been assigned back to the Kamloops Blazers after scoring seven points in nine AHL contests. Zary was the 24th overall pick in 2020 and is too young for the AHL whenever the WHL is in session, but showed quite well in his first taste of professional hockey. The Calgary Flames prospect had 38 goals and 86 points last season for the Blazers and should be even more dominant now that he has some AHL experience under his belt.
- Chad Krys, the Chicago Blackhawks second-rounder from 2016, will end his own 2020-21 season after just six AHL appearances. The Rockford IceHogs announced today that Krys underwent successful shoulder surgery yesterday and will be out for the next five to seven months. Hopefully, that leaves him able to compete in Blackhawks training camp for next season, but Krys has a long road back at this point.
League Notes: Draft, Alignment, Playoffs
The 2021 NHL Entry Draft is not expected to be moved, deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed today during his media availability with Gary Bettman. The reported changes concerning the lottery will be put to a full board of governors vote next week after the executive committee approved it recently. The full draft event, which is scheduled for July 23-24, will happen without the benefit of a full year of in-person scouting and could certainly provide some fireworks.
More notes from the availability today:
- The league is expecting to return to the previous divisional alignment next season, though there will still be the change of the Arizona Coyotes moving to the Central Division and the Seattle Kraken debuting in the Pacific. While there has been some excitement about the new geographic rivalries created this season, the plan has always been to go back to the previous divisions once things got back to normal.
- On the note of the Kraken, Bettman explained that both the rink in Seattle and the one on Long Island are on schedule to open in time to start the 2021-22 season. Climate Pledge Arena (Kraken) and UBS Arena (Islanders) will give updated homes and new destinations while hopefully providing some stability for the two franchises.
- When asked about where the winner of the North Division will play once the NHL is down to four teams in the playoffs, Daly explained there is still some time before a decision has to be made. The Conference Finals round is scheduled for some time in mid-June, meaning they won’t have to make a decision on whether the Canadian team will have to come to the U.S. to play for a while yet.
Taxi Squad Shuffle: 03/11/21
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 San Jose Sharks have recalled Fredrik Handemark and Antti Suomela from the AHL, sending Joachim Blichfeld back in their place. Blichfeld recently completed his two-game suspension and played on Monday for the Sharks, but is still scoreless through five NHL appearances.
North Division
- The Winnipeg Jets have recalled Logan Stanley from the practice squad after moving Nathan Beaulieu to injured reserve. Beaulieu is expected to miss “weeks” with an upper-body injury that is likely from his shot block against the Maple Leafs on Tuesday night. Stanley, 22, has played in 12 games this season but is still looking for his first NHL point.
- With Christian Wolanin joining the Ottawa Senators lineup, Erik Brannstrom has been moved to the taxi squad. Brannstrom, one of the team’s top prospects, has five points in 14 games but has looked overmatched defensively at times.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs have decided to use the AHL to keep their taxi squad players warm as today they sent Alexander Barabanov, Mikko Lehtonen, Timothy Liljegren, and Nic Petan to the Toronto Marlies. Martin Marincin, Calle Rosen and Joseph Woll have been recalled to the taxi squad to fill it out.
- Before their game tonight, the Calgary Flames brought up Derek Ryan and Zac Rinaldo from the taxi squad. Dominik Simon has been moved to the taxi squad to make room.
Central Division
- The Nashville Predators have recalled Michael McCarron, Rem Pitlick, Mathieu Olivier, Alexandre Carrier and Ben Harpur from the taxi squad as they continue to deal with injuries. Roman Josi and Brad Richardson are the latest two headed to injured reserve, joining five other players there. Because the taxi squad is suddenly empty, Frederic Allard has been recalled from the AHL.
- The Dallas Stars have recalled Rhett Gardner from the taxi squad as they prepare for action this evening. The team will take on the Blackhawks in a rematch of Tuesday’s 6-1 win. Gardner didn’t play in that game but could get into his fifth match of the season tonight.
East Division
- The New Jersey Devils have recalled Jesper Boqvist from the AHL and placed him on the taxi squad, filling one of the two spots they had open. Boqvist, 22, played in five games earlier this season but failed to record a point. The 36th overall pick in 2017, he has just four goals and no assists in 40 career games.
- The Philadelphia Flyers have recalled Andy Andreoff from the taxi squad and are expected to put him into the lineup tonight. The team is going back to six defensemen with Philippe Myers coming out. The Flyers have also flip-flopped Alex Lyon and Felix Sandstrom between the taxi squad and AHL as they attempt to keep both fresh.
- The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled Josh Currie from the AHL and placed him on the taxi squad. Currie has been up for a good chunk of this season and has only managed to play five combined games between the two leagues.
This page will be updated throughout the day
Teams Calling On Rickard Rakell
The Anaheim Ducks have recently pulled themselves out of the offensive chasm they started the year in and now have toed slightly ahead of both the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings in terms of goals per game. One of the main reasons for that climb is Rickard Rakell, who has managed 12 points in his last seven games including four multi-point efforts. The two-time 30-goal scorer has found a little bit of his old juice and is now tied with Max Comtois for the Ducks’ points lead.
With success comes admirers though, and Rakell is generating his fair share of them. Frank Seravalli of TSN reports that several teams have been calling Ducks GM Bob Murray about his top-six winger and the front office executive isn’t hanging up. Rakell is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2021-22 season and carries a cap hit of just $3.8MM. If he can get back to scoring 30 goals, that would suddenly turn into one of the best bargains in the whole league, and given his age of just 27 there’s no reason to think it couldn’t happen in the right situation.
He now sits third on TSN’s Trade Bait board, just behind Mattias Ekholm of the Nashville Predators and David Savard of the Columbus Blue Jackets. That means he’s the highest-ranked forward on the list and perhaps one that will generate the most interest as the deadline approaches. Seravalli reports that the asking price for Rakell is “high” according to two different general managers around the league.
Importantly, Rakell does not have any trade protection in his current contract and can be dealt anywhere without his approval. For the Ducks, that’s something of a luxury, given many of their other trade candidates have partial no-move clauses. Adam Henrique, Jakob Silfverberg, Cam Fowler, Josh Manson, and Kevin Shattenkirk can all block trades to a number of teams, meaning a full tear down would be difficult to accomplish in-season. Ryan Getzlaf has a full no-move clause, though it seems as though there was never any real desire to trade the captain anyway.
Rakell then could represent the team’s most valuable trade chip, at least for this deadline. If Murray can use this opportunity to add young talent to surround Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale in the coming years, it certainly seems prudent.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Trade Deadline Primer: Carolina Hurricanes
Although we’re not even two months into the season, the trade deadline is just over a month away. Where does each team stand and what moves should they be looking to make? We continue our look around the league with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Florida. Boston. Carolina. Those are the only three teams in the entire NHL who are currently in a playoff spot and also have over $2MM in projected year-end cap space – which prorates to eight-figure cap space at the deadline. In a buyer’s market, the Hurricanes are one of an elite trio who have the means to make a major splash. Additionally, sharing a division with one of the others – the Panthers – as well as the reigning Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning and Western Conference champion Dallas Stars, gives Carolina even more motivation to load up before the deadline. A top-three team in points percentage, goals for per game, and power play efficiency and a top-ten team in goals against per game and penalty kill efficiency, the Hurricanes are truly elite this season and don’t have many holes. Yet, when you’re this close to a title and are one of the few teams who can do serious damage on the trade market, you pull the trigger.
Record
18-6-1, .740, 2nd in Central Division
Deadline Status
Buyer
Deadline Cap Space
$2.608MM in full-season space ($11.635MM at the trade deadline), 0/3 retention slots used, 45/50 contracts used per CapFriendly.
Only includes 21 players. Frequent recalls Jake Bean, Morgan Geekie, Alex Nedeljkovic currently on taxi squad.
Upcoming Draft Picks
2021: CAR 1st, CAR 2nd, CAR 3rd, CAR 4th, CAR 6th, CAR 7th, LAK 7th, STL 7th
2022: CAR 1st, CAR 2nd, CAR 3rd, CAR 4th, CAR 5th, CAR 6th, CAR 7th, CLB 7th
Trade Chips
Most years, having one of the deepest blue lines in the NHL has no downside. In an Expansion Draft year, however, it’s problematic. Even with star defenseman Dougie Hamilton slated for free agency and not requiring expansion protection (unless he’s re-signed early), the Hurricanes still face a conundrum. Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce, Brady Skjei, Jake Gardiner, Haydn Fleury, and RFA Jake Bean are all eligible to be selected by the Seattle Kraken and, due to a number of valuable forwards as well, Carolina can only protect three. Career ‘Canes Slavin and Pesce seem like a lock, while veterans Skjei and Gardiner appear unlikely to be protected. Between their two young rearguards, Bean has shown much more upside this season than Fleury and is the more likely to be protected. Yet, that’s not to say that Fleury does not still have value around the league. At full strength, the Hurricanes have seven legitimate defensemen; while depth is important in the playoffs, could they consider moving one of the aforementioned before the deadline rather than losing them in expansion? With a more affordable contract and less experience compared to a Skjei or Gardiner, Fleury could be made available in a trade, especially if the Hurricanes are able to add a veteran rental defender as part of the return package. With term and even further team control remaining, the 24-year-old Fleury could command a nice market if the Hurricanes make him available, although his complete lack of offense this season does raise some concern.
Outside of Fleury, the ‘Canes seem unlikely to move anyone off their NHL roster. But does that include Morgan Geekie? Geekie has played in nine games for Carolina this season, but due in part to poor play but mostly to his contract flexibility and a lack of a concrete role at the top level, Geekie has spent time on the taxi squad and in the AHL this season. The talented 22-year-old is still young and could find a full-time spot in Raleigh in the next year or two. However, if the right deal rolls around, the team could give up a future piece for help in the present. There are other impressive young forwards pushing to take his “next man up” title anyhow.
The same logic could apply to Alex Nedeljkovic. The young goaltender, who in retrospect should not have cleared waivers earlier this season, has performed very well this season, outplaying veteran James Reimer with starter Petr Mrazek sidelined. However, the Hurricanes have previously refrained from handing Nedeljkovic an NHL job even when a spot was available. Even with Mrazek and Reimer headed for free agency and Nedeljkovic able to be protected in expansion, if the Hurricanes don’t believe that he will be part of their NHL tandem next season, they could move him to acquire a goaltender that will be.
Others to Watch For: F David Cotton ($859K, RFA 2022), D Joey Keane ($859K, RFA 2022), G Jack LaFontaine (Draft Rights)
Team Needs
1) Starting Goaltender – When he was healthy earlier this season, Mrazek was phenomenal. He posted a stunning .955 save percentage and 0.99 GAA in his first four game. Then he got hurt and he hasn’t been seen yet. If the Hurricanes had a healthy, confident Mrazek ready to go at the deadline, perhaps they would stand pat in goal. At this point, that seems unlikely to occur. With Mrazek’s health as an unknown, Reimer playing just okay, and Nedeljkovic playing well but lacking NHL experience nevertheless playoff experience, some peace of mind in goal is the top priority for the ‘Canes. Carolina could target a rental, but the pickings are slim. Jonathan Bernier and Antti Raanta could provide some stability, but they might not be enough of an upgrade and Linus Ullmark carries the same injury concerns as Mrazek. The more bold move, especially with contracts expiring for their current trio of keepers, would be to add a goalie with term. John Gibson and Darcy Kuemper are the biggest names on the rumor mill, but the Hurricanes could also try to break up the Rangers’ or Blue Jackets’ young tandems or target a dark horse name like Tristan Jarry or Thatcher Demko. A long-term starter would be a major addition for Carolina and make sense before the deadline, even if such moves usually take place in the off-season
2) Top-Nine Forward – What the Hurricanes actually lack are reliable depth options up front beyond their starting 12 or 13 forwards. However, when you have cap space and no one else does, you don’t aim to add depth, you aim to add players who push your players into depth roles. Even with solid starting depth and Teuvo Teravainen coming back from injury, Carolina could still stand to add another established top-nine forward that could push the likes of Jesper Fast or Warren Foegele for their spot who would in turn bump fourth liners like Cedric Paquette and Steven Lorentz to either play better or take a seat. Battles for play time and improved depth are hallmarks of a true contender.
3) Even if the Hurricanes don’t move Fleury or another NHL defenseman at the deadline, they could still stand to add another body. As it stands now, the team is without Gardiner due to injury and are just one more blue line injury away from Joakim Ryan becoming a starter. Behind him, you have veteran AHLer David Warsofsky, newcomer Maxime Lajoie, and the untested Keane. It’s not the worst depth, but it also doesn’t scream fool-proof. With the means to load up, the Hurricanes may as well add an experienced rental No. 8 defenseman who is a more reliable option to step in the case of injury or poor play than is Ryan or anyone on the Chicago Wolves.
Injury Notes: Eichel, Pietrangelo, Bruins, COVID
Jack Eichel is leaving Buffalo… to get a second opinion on his injury. The Sabres superstar has been dealing with a lingering upper-body injury this season, which was aggravated on Sunday according to The Athletic’s John Vogl. Eichel returned to Buffalo while his team took on the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday and now as they head home, Eichel is leaving to see a specialist. It is still unknown what exactly is bothering Eichel and there have been contrasting reports as to its severity. While head coach Ralph Krueger stated that Eichel may miss only a week, other sources claim that the injury could be much more severe. Seeking a second opinion is certainly not an indication that this is an ailment that only requires a week of rest. Fortunately (?), the Sabres’ season is already lost and they have no reason to bypass proper treatment and rehab for Eichel in order to rush him back to action. While the All-Star center surely would like to return and improve upon a dismal season by his standards, there should be no pressure from the team. Perhaps only Krueger, the optimistic voice on Eichel’s injury, stands to gain from his quick return, as the head coach’s seat is very hot.
- Alex Pietrangelo has also left his team, abandoning the Golden Knights’ road trip in order to return to Las Vegas, head coach Peter DeBoer tells NHL.com’s Danny Webster. Pietrangelo is out “for the foreseeable future” due to an upper-body injury. Pietrangelo left the Knights’ Saturday tilt with the San Jose Sharks after blocking a shot and did not suit up on Monday. While the team has not disclosed the specific injury that their big off-season addition suffered, it is believed to be related to his left hand or wrist. DeBoer stated that he does not think that Pietrangelo will be out “long, long-term” but did say that there is not timetable for his return.
- The Boston Bruins have suffered through consistent injuries all season long and there is still a lack of concrete information on their extended absences. GM Don Sweeney spoke to the media and attempted to provide some insight, but had few details to offer. Forward Ondrej Kase, acquired at the 2020 trade deadline, has been out since the Bruins’ second game of the season after suffering his third head injury in a calendar year. He has resumed skating and is “eager to play”, but there is still no timetable for his return as they work him back cautiously from another concussion. Kase was expected to provide secondary scoring for the Bruins this season, which has again been a struggle for the team, and they will likely have to make a call on adding a forward at the trade deadline before they get to see much of Kase back in action. Sweeney also addressed the status of another injury-prone player, Kevan Miller. Miller missed all of last season with a fractured kneecap and recently suffered a “setback from a volume standpoint”, likely overworking his surgically-repaired knee. An absence from Miller, even just due to rest, is not unexpected but Sweeney stated that he too has not timeframe for a return. Jeremy Lauzon, who suffered a broken hand late last month, was given more of a ascertainable timeline to return, but according to Sweeney he appears to be on track to return later in his four-to-six-week window. Lauzon has already missed over two weeks following surgery, but he reportedly will still not be re-evaluated for another four weeks. As for Brandon Carlo, whose recent head injury was well-publicized, Sweeney offered no update other than to say he is feeling better, but not skating.
- The NHL has done a tremendous job of working their COVID Protocol Related Absences list down to just a handful of names over the past week or so. The league finally appears to have a handle on the virus, just in time for many players to soon start receiving vaccines. However, Coronavirus continues to rear its ugly head in other corners of the hockey world. On Wednesday night, an AHL game between the Binghamton Devils and Lehigh Valley Phantoms was suspended after the first period due to COVID-19 protocols affecting the Devils, NHL.com’s Mike Morreale reports. At the college level, the ECAC announced that Clarkson University, ranked second in the conference and 14th nationally, will be forced to end their season due to COVID. Not only will Clarkson miss out on both the ECAC and NCAA Tournaments, but the ECAC is now left with just three teams playing two games to determine a conference champ, with their Ivy League members also not competing this season. Clarkson becomes the second program, after Merrimack College, forced to end their season prematurely due to COVID.
Brent Johnson Commits To The University Of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is one of the top programs in all of college hockey and their roster always includes a plethora of NHL Draft selections. However, the team is about to lose much of its core in departing seniors Jordan Kawaguchi, Collin Adams (NYI), Grant Mismash (NSH), and Matt Kiersted and a trio of highly-regarded underclassmen likely to turn pro in Shane Pinto (OTT), Jacob Bernard-Docker (OTT), and Jasper Weatherby (SJS). That also doesn’t include the pre-season transfer of Jonny Tychonik (OTT) and dismissal of Mitchell Miller, both on the back end. Even with 2020 fifth overall pick Jake Sanderson (OTT) and others sticking around, North Dakota is in need of an influx of talent.
Fortunately, that shouldn’t be a problem for the program. With a strong recruiting class already lined up for next season, you can now add Brent Johnson to the list of incoming NHL hopefuls. The skilled 2021 draft-eligible prospect has announced his commitment to North Dakota, moving from the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede to the NCAA’s (former) Fighting Sioux. Johnson, 17, has been one of the best rookies in the USHL this season, currently ranked sixth among all defensemen with 24 points in 36 games. He is also among the top five in goals, assists, points, and plus/minus for Sioux Falls. Johnson has played so well in fact, that he de-committed from Arizona State University when major programs like North Dakota began to show interest. It’s not only NCAA programs that have been watching the dynamic defender either; he is currently considered a top-100 player in the 2021 draft class by a number of scouting services, with some believing he could go as early as the top of the second round and none expecting him to fall out of the third round. A mobile, right-shot defenseman with offensive instincts, Johnson checks a number of boxes for NHL clubs and is now headed down an elite developmental path at UND.
If Johnson enrolls at North Dakota next season, he will join an impressive group of freshman. A fellow defenseman, Scott Morrow, is the highlight of the group as a potential first-round pick this year. In fact, righties Morrow and Johnson could be likely to pair up with Sanderson and Tyler Kleven (OTT) as the Fighting Hawks’ new top-four – perhaps the Senators will draft them as well. Also heading to Grand Forks next year are previously-drafted forwards Jackson Kunz (VAN), Matteo Costantini (BUF), Jake Schmaltz (BOS), and Ethan Bowen (ANA). If Johnson instead opts to play another season of junior in the USHL, he appears to be the current gem of North Dakota’s 2022 recruiting class and will still have an opportunity to play with most if not all of the aforementioned players.