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Marco Kasper Coming To North America

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March 31: Late last night, the Red Wings officially recalled Kasper from Rogle, meaning he’ll immediately join the NHL team instead of reporting to the minors.

March 29: The Detroit Red Wings organization is getting a little stronger in the coming days, as Marco Kasper is set to come over from Europe now that his SHL season has ended. His club, Rogle, reports that Kasper will join the Red Wings “as early as this week,” though he didn’t specify whether he’ll go to Detroit or report to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL.

Kasper, 18, was the eighth overall pick in the 2022 draft and scored 23 points in 52 regular season games for Rogle this season. In nine playoff games, he added three points, and will now get a chance to make his professional debut on this side of the pond.

Since he already signed his entry-level contract, Kasper is eligible to play at either level – and since the Red Wings only have nine games remaining, there’s no threat of burning the first year of his deal. The young forward can get his feet wet and then play full-time in North America next season, if the Red Wings deem him ready.

Otherwise, his contract with Rogle extends through 2024-25, and he could return to Sweden for another year of development. Either way, he has done nothing but impress since being drafted so high, and looks like another future star for the Red Wings to bring along.

Prospect Notes: Pickering, Hildeby, Gratton

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After his season came to its conclusion with the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League, Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports reports Owen Pickering will be joining the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins for the rest of the 2022-23 season. Pickering signed an entry-level contract with the Penguins last summer, ending after the 2024-25 season.

Last season, for the Broncos, Pickering scored 33 points in 62 games, en route to being selected 21st overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2022 NHL Draft. Following up on last year’s performance, Pickering will finish his junior career on the tails of a nine-goal, 36-assist performance over 61 games this season.

Unfortunately for the Penguins and Pickering, the WBS Penguins only have eight games remaining this year, and will not make the playoffs as they currently sit in last place in the AHL’s Atlantic Division. As he officially joins an organization that is severely lacking in prospect depth, Pickering will have some added pressure moving forward in hopes of becoming the player the Penguins need him to be.

Other prospect notes:

  • Jumping over across the pond, the Toronto Marlies announce that goaltender Dennis Hildeby will be joining the team after his season finished for Färjestad BK of the Swedish Hockey League. Drafted 122nd overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, this will be Hildeby’s first taste of action in North America, coming off an 11-9 performance with a .918 SV% and a 2.26 GAA in the SHL.
  • Mark Divver, a contributor at the NHL, reports that Tyler Gratton of Penn State University has entered the transfer portal. Already playing four seasons at Penn State, Gratton has played 123 regular season games, scoring 20 goals and 14 assists. An alternate captain for the team last season, Gratton will spend his final year in the NCAA for a team other than the Nittany Lions.

Scott Wedgewood To Start Conditioning Stint In AHL

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The Dallas Stars have their eyes set on more than just a playoff appearance. The club has the best goal differential in the Western Conference and hopes to go on a long postseason run, contending for the Stanley Cup. While their hopes rest on the shoulders of star goaltender Jake Oettinger, getting his backup healthy enough to contribute down the stretch is a priority.

Scott Wedgewood hasn’t played since February 18, leaving Oettinger to start nearly every game since, given the lack of NHL-level depth behind the two netminders. Now, Wedgewood appears to be on the brink of a return.

Team reporter Mike Heika reports that the veteran netminder will go on a conditioning stint to the AHL and start for the Texas Stars on Friday. He could be back up with the NHL club as early as next week, allowing Dallas to give Oettinger a couple of nights off before the playoffs begin.

The Stars finish the season with a home-and-home with the St. Louis Blues on consecutive nights, games that could have serious significance depending on how things go from here. They currently sit three points behind the Minnesota Wild for the Central Division lead, and are tied with the Colorado Avalanche for the other two division playoff spots.

Home ice advantage in the first round – or even avoiding a matchup with the defending champs entirely – may come down to how they perform in that back-to-back.

Calle Clang Assigned To San Diego Gulls

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The Anaheim Ducks have one young netminder in Lukas Dostal, who looks ready to make an impact, and they’re hoping another isn’t far away. Calle Clang has been reassigned to the San Diego Gulls after his SHL season ended recently, giving him a chance to start his North American pro career over the next few weeks.

Clang, selected 77th overall in the 2020 draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, was included in the Rickard Rakell trade last year, coming to Anaheim along with Dominik Simon, Zach Aston-Reese, and a second-round pick that turned into Tristan Luneau.

The 20-year-old netminder struggled through a rather disappointing season this year, posting a .900 save percentage in 25 games for Rogle, but has shown a ton of potential as a young player. He posted a .944 in two World Junior games last year and even saw a bit of SHL playoff action in 2022.

Even if he is still years away, the Ducks can afford to be patient with his development. The team is rebuilding, John Gibson is still signed for several more years, and Dostal is next in line to replace him. Clang can focus on AHL action for the stretch run before he and the Ducks determine his future. Under contract through 2024-25 in Sweden, he’ll likely return to Rogle for more development back home next season.

Calgary Flames Sign William Stromgren

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The Calgary Flames have signed one of their better forward prospects, inking Swedish forward William Stromgren to his three-year entry-level contract on Wednesday. The contract will begin next season, making him a restricted free agent in 2026. He will report to the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers on an amateur tryout for the remainder of the 2022-23 season.

Stromgren, selected 45th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, played in the SHL full-time for the first time this season. In 45 games with Brynäs IF, however, he recorded just eight points.

His production should be taken with a grain of salt, however. Brynäs finished near the bottom of the league and lost their relegation series, meaning they’ll be demoted to the second-tier Allsvenskan next season. With Stromgren already coming over to the city on an ATO, it appears that he’ll stay in North America next season rather than having Calgary loan him back to Sweden to help with Brynäs’ efforts to rejoin the SHL.

A big and fast winger, Stromgren also registered an assist in seven games at this past year’s World Junior Championship for Sweden. Set to turn 20 over the summer, Stromgren will look to find some more offensive opportunity in the minors.

Vegas Golden Knights Recall Brayden Pachal, Shea Theodore Injured

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The Athletic’s Jesse Granger reported Wednesday that defenseman Shea Theodore is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury and will not travel with the team on their brief road trip to San Jose. In response to Theodore’s injury, the Golden Knights announced the recall of defenseman Brayden Pachal from their AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights.

With the playoffs rapidly approaching, the Golden Knights will likely be cautious with Theodore’s status and not rush him back if unnecessary. While a playoff spot is practically guaranteed, they do have the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers breathing down their neck for first place in the Pacific Division, so their remaining schedule isn’t exactly meaningless.

Theodore holds a slight edge on Alex Pietrangelo for the highest points per game by a Vegas defenseman this year, recording 41 points in 54 games while playing over 21 minutes per game. Theodore remains a dynamic puck-moving defender and an analytical darling, as he has for much of his NHL career.

Pachal comes up to the NHL club as an extra body, with Ben Hutton expected to replace Theodore in the lineup. The 23-year-old recorded his first two NHL points this season, both assists, in a nine-game stint spanning December and January. This is his first recall in over two months.

Chicago Blackhawks Reassign Mike Hardman

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After a two-week-long recall, the Chicago Blackhawks have returned forward Mike Hardman to the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs, per NBC Sports Chicago’s Charlie Roumeliotis.

Hardman, a 23-year-old in his third NHL season, played in eight games with the Blackhawks on this recall, his first of the season. He failed to record a point in eight games and is still looking to score his first goal since the 2020-21 campaign.

A free agent signing out of Boston College in 2021, this year has been a trying one for Hardman. After promising offensive production last year with Rockford, his offense has regressed significantly. In 2022-23, Hardman has managed just four goals and 16 points in 49 games, down from 32 points in 43 games last season.

There’s still some development time left for Hardman, though, and he has one season remaining on his current contract. Set to become a restricted free agent in 2024, he returns to Rockford for the end of the season, looking to gain confidence for a big contract year next campaign.

Chicago returning Hardman to the minors could also be an indication that Jujhar Khaira, currently day-to-day with an illness, is ready to return.

Colorado Avalanche Sign Jason Polin

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The Colorado Avalanche have announced the signing of free-agent forward Jason Polin to a one-year, entry-level contract for the 2023-24 season. The team noted that Polin will report to the AHL’s Colorado Eagles on a professional tryout for the remainder of 2022-23.

CapFriendly reports Polin’s deal carries a cap hit of $870,000, broken down into $775,000 in NHL salary, a $95,000 signing bonus, and an $80,000 games played bonus.

Polin, a 23-year-old from Holt, Michigan, just completed his senior year at Western Michigan University and served as captain this season. He tallied 30 goals (leading the entire NCAA) and 17 assists for 47 points in 39 games, marking a serious offensive breakout for the 6-foot, 198-pound forward.

Western Michigan’s season ended last week when they lost 5-1 to Boston University in the quarterfinals of the NCAA men’s tournament. Polin’s efforts this season guided Western Michigan to a ninth-place ranking in the nation to end the season.

With Polin not seeing major offensive success until his age-23 college season, expectations should be tempered for his NHL future. Set to turn 24 this offseason, Polin will likely play a middle-six role on the Eagles next year and attempt to adjust to the pro ranks.

 

Robby Fabbri Shut Down For Remainder Of Season

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Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde announced on Wednesday that forward Robby Fabbri is officially out for the rest of 2022-23 due to a lower-body injury.

In addition to the announcement about Fabbri, the Red Wings also announced that forward Taro Hirose has been reassigned to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. Hirose, 26, made his season debut in last night’s 7-4 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins, playing 7:57. He’s continued to be one of Grand Rapids’ best players this season, leading the team in scoring with 15 goals, 39 assists, and 54 points in 64 games.

Fabbri has been dealing with a lower-body injury since March 8, and Lalonde said Fabbri will require a four-to-six-week recovery period from this point forward. However, he is expected to fully recover in time for the 2023-24 NHL season.

It’s an unfortunate break for Fabbri, who’s no stranger to significant injuries. He missed the entirety of the 2017-18 season and most of the 2018-19 season with a torn ACL and upper-body injury, respectively. Fabbri also missed the end of 2021-22 with another ACL injury, and an MCL injury cost him the first few months of the 2022-23 campaign.

Fabbri, 27, still managed to produce when healthy this season, scoring seven goals and nine assists in 28 games. He was acquired by the team in a trade with the St. Louis Blues in 2019.

Adam Sykora Assigned To AHL

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As European seasons end, AHL clubs are getting some talented reinforcements. Today, the Hartford Wolf Pack were assigned Adam Sykora by the New York Rangers after his playoff run in Slovakia ended a few days ago.

Sykora, 18, was the 63rd pick in 2022 and already appears to be well on his way to outperforming that draft position. With 21 points in 38 games for HK Nitra, he was the highest-scoring U20 player in the Extraliga (by quite a bit), and added four points in eight playoff games playing a significant role.

While his World Junior tournament didn’t result in much offensive production – Sykora scored just one goal in five games – it was a bit of a coming-out party for the talented young forward, who looked dangerous every time he touched the puck.

Even better, he continued to display the all-out energy that made him such an intriguing draft prospect. Sykora’s game has no lower gear, as he flies around the ice chasing the puck. That actually may have to be reined in a bit at the next level for the Rangers to get the most out of him, but his work ethic certainly won’t be questioned.

Signed to his three-year entry-level deal already, Sykora is in no danger of burning the first year. His contract will slide at least this season, and could again next year should he play outside the NHL.

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