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Archives for February 2023

Toronto Maple Leafs Extend Conor Timmins

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have locked up one of their in-season additions, signing Conor Timmins to a two-year contract extension. The deal will carry an average annual value of $1.1MM.

Timmins, 24, was acquired from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Curtis Douglas earlier this season, and quickly found a home at the back end of Toronto’s blueline depth chart. In 18 games with the Maple Leafs, he has 12 points, showing off his quick decision-making and strong passing ability to find the team’s talented forwards.

While he isn’t yet a regular in the lineup, rotating in and out with the likes of Jordie Benn, Timmins is a nice future play for a Maple Leafs team that is always pushing right up against the cap ceiling. At $1.1MM, he’s cheap enough to even be a seventh defenseman, but more likely, he slides into the group full-time next season on the third pairing. Justin Holl, who currently logs big minutes on the right side, is scheduled for unrestricted free agency this summer, while T.J. Brodie and Mark Giordano’s contracts expire the year after that.

Douglas, on the other hand, has just nine points in 39 AHL games split between the Toronto Marlies and Tucson Roadrunners this season. The 6’9″ forward is a powerhouse on the ice and showed some nice offensive progression last year, but appears to have taken a step back in that regard. Still, he’s won’t turn 23 for another month and as we’ve seen in recent years, players his size often take a little bit longer to develop.

The book isn’t written on the trade just yet, but so far, the Maple Leafs are way out ahead. Timmins will be a cheap option for the team the next two years, and will still be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2025, able to sign another extension if everything works out.

Matt Murray Placed On Injured Reserve

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The Toronto Maple Leafs are back from the All-Star break and will be back in action with a home-and-home against the Columbus Blue Jackets starting tomorrow night. It doesn’t look like they’ll have one of their regular goaltenders for the back-to-back situation, though, as Matt Murray landed on injured reserve today.

Toronto has recalled Pontus Holmberg, Alex Steeves, and goaltender Joseph Woll from the AHL.

It’s been the same story for Murray this season. Pretty good when healthy – not healthy often enough. This is his second stint on injured reserve, after missing a month with a groin injury earlier on. He’s played in 19 games so far, posting a .911 save percentage, but hasn’t appeared since January 17. The lion’s share of the goaltending duties will again fall on Ilya Samsonov, who has done well so far carrying the load but is still relatively inexperienced.

Samsonov, 25, set a career-high with 39 starts last season and finished with his worst performance since debuting in 2019. While his .913 save percentage so far for the Maple Leafs is encouraging, pushing him every night is a recipe for disaster. Toronto needs two goaltenders that they can rely on, and so far, that hasn’t been Murray.

Perhaps it will be Woll, who is having a fantastic bounce-back after recovering from injury. Through 14 games for the Toronto Marlies, he is 13-1 with a .930 save percentage. The 24-year-old was a highly touted prospect at one point, but has struggled to stay healthy through the early part of his career and has just four appearances in the NHL so far.

There is no clear timeline for Murray’s return, but he was on the ice today at practice. Since he has been out so long, his IR stay can be backdated to allow his activation whenever deemed healthy enough to go.

New York Rangers Reassign Will Cuylle

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Feb 9: Cuylle has now been sent back to the AHL. He played just 7:44 in the team’s win over Vancouver last night.

Feb 5: In addition to the recall of Sammy Blais that was reported yesterday, the Rangers have plucked another forward from their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. Will Cuylle has been called up to the team’s active roster, having been sent down from the NHL on January 28th as the Rangers prepared for a lengthy break.

Cuylle, 21, made his NHL debut on January 25th, and has played in a total of two NHL games. He didn’t see very many minutes in those two games, averaging around six minutes per night. Accordingly, he didn’t make much of an impact, save for when he registered his first career fight in a bout against Vegas Golden Knights grinder Keegan Kolesar.

At the AHL level, Cuylle has been more effective. Ranked as one of the Rangers’ better prospects since being drafted in the second round in 2020, Cuylle has made his pro debut this season and done decently well. He’s scored 21 points in 42 games, which is just four points off of the team lead. He also leads the Wolf Pack in goals with 14.

Cuylle was a prolific scorer at the OHL level, scoring 80 points in his final junior season serving as captain of the Windsor Spitfires. The Rangers are hopeful that he can become an impactful physical presence with some goal-scoring touch at the NHL level.

The recall of Cuylle and the prior recall of Blais give the Rangers a full 23-man roster. That has some significance, as if the Rangers opted to keep a bare-minimum roster, they could bank more cap space to be able to use at the trade deadline. They currently stand to have over $6MM to work with at the deadline, but that number could be impacted by the Rangers using more cap space to fill a full roster.

Jack Hughes Out Week-To-Week With Upper-Body Injury

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Of all the breakout performances this season, the most impressive might be Jack Hughes. The New Jersey Devils star leads the league in even-strength goals with 29, and has 67 points through 50 games this season. Unfortunately, that performance will be put on hold for a while. Hughes is out week-to-week with an upper-body injury.

Head coach Lindy Ruff did tell reporters, including Amanda Stein, that he believes it will be on the shorter end of week-to-week, but for now, he’ll be without his best offensive weapon.

The first-overall pick from 2019 showed that he could be a difference-maker last year when he posted 26 goals and 56 points in 49 games but has taken his play to a whole new level in 2022-23. With 35 total goals, he trails only Connor McDavid and David Pastrnak, and his 67 points put him ninth in league scoring.

One of the concerns about Hughes when he came into the league was his durability, given his slight frame and position. He has so far proven those concerns valid, missing a good chunk of last season and now hitting the sideline once again. While this injury doesn’t seem long-term, it is at least something to keep an eye on as his career continues. Talent-wise, there are only a handful of players in the league that can keep up with Hughes, but he needs to stay on the ice to be able to lead the Devils.

It comes at a particularly disappointing moment, given his recent play. Hughes has only been held scoreless three times in his last 30 games and is currently on a nine-game streak totaling 18 points. The Devils are also about to go on a four-game road trip after tonight’s match against the Seattle Kraken – one they’ll have likely have to complete without Hughes’ help.

Follow The NBA Trade Deadline At Hoops Rumors

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Deadline day is finally here! NBA teams will have until today at 2:00 pm CT to finalize trade agreements, and our sister site Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors on Twitter) has all the latest news, rumors and transactions for each of the league’s 30 teams!

It has already been an extremely eventful trade season, due in large part to the Nets, who traded star guard Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks on Sunday and reached a blockbuster agreement late on Wednesday night to send Kevin Durant to the Suns.

The Lakers, Jazz, and Timberwolves have also agreed to a major three-team trade that will see Russell Westbrook, Mike Conley, and D’Angelo Russell end up in new homes, while Jakob Poeltl and Josh Hart are among the other notable players reportedly changing teams.

Even with all that action so far, there are still plenty of storylines to keep an eye on as Thursday’s deadline nears. Hoops Rumors has provided a trade primer to help follow along.

For the latest updates on the NBA trade deadline, check out Hoops Rumors today! Last season saw a total of 20 in-season trades — including 10 on deadline day alone — and this season could be just as action-packed! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter – @HoopsRumors.

Rasmus Andersson Involved In Car Accident

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The Calgary Flames have announced that last night in Detroit, Rasmus Andersson was struck by a vehicle while riding a scooter on his way to dinner. He was taken to the hospital, and subsequently released. While listed as day-to-day, Andersson is “doing well” and will remain with the team on their current road trip. The Flames have recalled Dennis Gilbert from the AHL for the time being.

Andersson, 26, has quietly turned into arguably the most important player on the Flames, logging nearly 25 minutes a night in all situations. He sits fourth in team scoring with 34 points in 51 games, and does a little bit of everything for Calgary.

Losing him for any length of time will be for the Flames to handle, especially as they try to claw their way into the Pacific Division race. Just a few days ago, general manager Brad Treliving told NHL.com that he isn’t ready to commit to being a “buyer” at the deadline, and is still waiting for his team to prove they are worth spending future assets on this season.

For now, he will miss at least tonight’s game against the Red Wings. At least the team recently brought back Chris Tanev from injured reserve, and will have other defensemen who can step up in Andersson’s absence. Hopefully, he has avoided any serious injuries and will be able to return in short order.

When general manager Brad Treliving met with the media to discuss the situation, he ended any speculation by explaining that there was no alcohol involved, and that the team will take Andersson’s recovery very slowly.

Andre Burakovsky Placed On Injured Reserve; Justin Schultz Activated

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After playing just a single shift on Tuesday, Seattle Kraken forward Andre Burakovsky has been moved to injured reserve. The team has activated Justin Schultz and recalled John Hayden to fill his roster spot.

Burakovsky, 28 (today!), is having an outstanding season in his first year with Seattle, scoring 39 points in 49 games so far. That had him on pace to break the career-high 61 points he set last year with Colorado, though this injury may now end that dream.

It’s unclear how long he will be out, but Burakovsky must miss at least a week with his placement on IR. Though the team did not confirm, it looked like a non-contact injury against the New York Islanders, which always draws a little more attention as a possible long-term issue. The team said yesterday that he is still being evaluated, but a quick move to injured reserve is not promising.

At least the team is getting Schultz back, who last played on January 17. The 32-year-old defenseman has averaged just over 18 minutes a night for the Kraken but does have 24 points in 42 games, already passing the total he had in a full season with Washington in 2021-22.

Schultz has been a strong puck-moving option in the NHL for years, and that hasn’t changed in Seattle, where he has recorded excellent possession numbers in their up-tempo style. Getting him back will at least help soften the blow of Burakovsky’s absence, though it certainly won’t make up for it.

Montreal Canadiens Recall Alex Belzile, Jesse Ylonen

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The Montreal Canadiens have added two forwards under emergency conditions, recalling Alex Belzile and Jesse Ylonen. The move comes just as the group reforms to prepare for their game on Saturday, the first after a long break.

For both players, this is nothing new.

Belzile, 31, has suited up five times with the Canadiens this season, recording four assists in the process. While he’s still looking for his first NHL goal, there’s little doubt that the undrafted forward can hold his own offensively. Through 31 games for the Laval Rocket this year, he has 14 goals and 26 points, just another strong AHL season for the grizzled minor league veteran.

Ylonen, 23, is a bit of a different story. Selected 35th overall in 2018, he was expected to challenge rather quickly for an NHL roster spot. Injuries have hampered his development, and to this point, he has just 25 appearances with the Canadiens. Ten of those have been this year, but Ylonen has just two assists in those games, and Ylonen received fewer than ten minutes of ice time in his last appearance.

With the Canadiens out of it, the young forward will likely get a chance to show what he can do down the stretch. Whether he takes advantage of the opportunity remains to be seen, and the clock is ticking on his status as a “prospect.” Ylonen will turn 24 before next season begins and is a restricted free agent this summer. The time is now for him to make an impact if he is ever going to.

Morning Notes: Chytil, Meier, Maple Leafs

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Things just got more difficult for the New York Rangers, argues Larry Brooks of the New York Post, who posits the Dylan Cozens contract will have a serious effect on negotiations with Filip Chytil this offseason. The 23-year-old Chytil has 32 points in 43 games this season and is currently on a five-game goal streak, bringing his total to a career-high 19 on the year.

With the Rangers looking destined for the playoffs and connected to just about every high-profile trade target, they’ll have to remember to leave enough room to extend their young breakout center. New contracts are also due for several others, including K’Andre Miller, who has flashed his own moments of superstar talent this season.

  • Speaking of high-profile trade targets, San Jose Sharks forward Timo Meier has been connected to the Rangers, and the club is listed in Matt Larkin’s deep dive today for Daily Faceoff as a potential destination. The piece looks at five landing spots and how Meier would fit in, both this season and on a potential extension. There will be endless speculation regarding the winger over the next few weeks as he enters deadline season with plenty of heat.
  • Meier has also been tenuously linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are the focus of Chris Johnston’s latest for NorthStar Bets. The NHL insider details the Maple Leafs’ openings and assets, hinting they may make multiple moves this deadline to bolster different positions. Just as we wrote in our recent Trade Deadline Primer, though, Toronto’s pile of assets to choose from is looking rather small at the moment.

Pacific Notes: Flames, LaCombe, Oilers, Studnicka

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With the Flames entering tonight’s action in a tie for the final Wild Card spot, GM Brad Treliving told NHL.com’s Aaron Vickers that he’s not prepared to commit to being a buyer just yet.  While he acknowledged that adding another forward would be nice (a desire that goes back to training camp), he will wait to get a better sense of where things stand closer to the deadline before making that call.  Treliving also acknowledged that he hasn’t received clarity on Oliver Kylington to know if the defenseman will be able to return this season from his personal leave.  That answer will go a long way towards determining what the Flames can or can’t do with his $2.5MM AAV and will also help to shape their trade deadline planning.

More from the Pacific Division:

  • With Ducks prospect Jackson LaCombe playing in his final college season, some wondered if the defenseman might opt to not sign with Anaheim and instead go to free agency in the summer. However, as Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports in his latest 32 Thoughts column, that won’t be the case as the 22-year-old has indicated to the team that he will sign at the end of his season at Minnesota.  LaCombe is averaging just shy of a point per game this season with 26 in 28 contests, helping him earn a nomination for the Hobey Baker Award.
  • Oilers GM Ken Holland acknowledged to TSN’s Ryan Rishaug, Mike Johnson, and Pierre LeBrun on the Got Yer Back podcast (audio link) that he’d like to add before next month’s deadline but isn’t sure if he’ll be able to do so. Once Kailer Yamamoto returns off LTIR, Edmonton will be trimming down its roster simply to stay cap-compliant so they’ll be in a dollar-in, dollar-out situation.  However, with winger Jesse Puljujarvi and his $3MM AAV being on an expiring contract, he’s someone that could be moved as a salary offset to help facilitate a move.
  • The Canucks have sent Jack Studnicka back to Vancouver and the forward won’t play on the rest of their road trip, relays Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre (Twitter link). The 23-year-old is dealing with a non-COVID illness that is slowly improving.  Studnicka was acquired from Boston early this season and has four goals and two assists in 30 games with Vancouver so far.

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