New York Islanders Shopping Depth Players
A roster crunch has been a long time coming for the New York Islanders. It began today with veterans Thomas Hickey and Richard Panik hitting waivers, but it isn’t over. Even if Hickey and Panik clear waivers and are reassigned to the AHL, the Islanders still have 25 players on the roster and that does not include unsigned RFA forward Kieffer Bellows or tryout defenseman Erik Gustafsson. With the deadline to have 23-man rosters set for the start of the season arriving on Monday evening, time is running out for New York to make some difficult calls.
Unsurprisingly, The Athletic’s Arthur Staple reports that GM Lou Lamoriello is “looking for landing spots” for the Islanders’ “extra guys.” The team already took a risk by exposing experienced blue liner Hickey, more attractive to opposing teams in the final year of his contract, and serviceable forward Panik, yet those were the easier of their decisions. In order to trim their roster to 23, including Bellows, another forward like Leo Komarov or Ross Johnston would also have to miss the final cut. Otherwise, the team may need to look at moving Bellows instead. If Gustafsson is making the team, that is one more roster spot that would need to open up, potentially making Sebastian Aho available.
Lamoriello knows that none of these players are likely to clear waivers. The problem could be that other teams know this as well. The Islanders could be hard pressed to find a fair deal when their potential trade partners know that the alternative could be to wait the team out and acquire the players for free. Time is running out; New York is on the clock.
Minor Transactions: 10/08/21
Training camp cuts continue all across the league and another dozen names are on waivers. But there are also some recalled and reassignments of players who were already cut earlier this preseason, and we’ll keep track of those here.
- The Vegas Golden Knights have recalled Kaedan Korczak from the Henderson Silver knights for their final preseason game tomorrow. Korczak actually scored for Henderson just yesterday in the AHL exhibition game but will get another chance to show what he can do for the big club this weekend.
- The San Jose Sharks have recalled Adam Raska, giving them an extra forward for that game against the Golden Knights. The 20-year-old is an interesting prospect to follow this season, his first in the AHL after being so good for the Rimouski Oceanic. The seventh-overall pick signed his entry-level deal in May and was assigned to the minor league club just yesterday.
- The Dallas Stars have recalled Oskar Back, Joseph Cecconi, Tye Felhaber, Jordan Kawaguchi, and Ryan Shea from their AHL club, according to Matthew DeFranks of The Dallas Morning News. The group of minor league talent should get into tomorrow night’s preseason game against the Colorado Avalanche, before ending up back with the Texas Stars.
New Jersey Devils Sign Frederik Gauthier
After releasing Mark Jankowski from his PTO earlier today, the New Jersey Devils have ended another tryout this afternoon. Frederik Gauthier has signed a one-year, two-way contract, ending his PTO and officially joining the organization. The deal will carry an NHL salary of $800K, an AHL salary of $175K and comes with a solid minor league guarantee of $200K.
Gauthier, 26, spent last season with the Arizona Coyotes on a one-year, two-way deal as well, but failed to receive a qualifying offer this offseason. That was a familiar decision as he had been cut loose by the Toronto Maple Leafs the summer previous, even after playing in 61 regular season games with the team. In 170 career contests, the big center has recorded just 13 goals and 31 points, a disappointing total even for a player that was always lauded more for his defensive ability than scoring touch.
That defensive ability, or at least the ability the Maple Leafs hoped would develop, is exactly why they made him the 21st overall pick in 2013. He has size too, but Gauthier has never been a physical player, even when he towers over the competition. Instead, he can get by in a fourth-line role just by his defensive awareness, though even that has been a difficult role for him to secure lately. In New Jersey, he should only fill an extra forward/injury call-up spot and could very well find himself on waivers before camp is finished.
Training Camp Cuts: 10/08/21
Just a few more days remain until the start of the regular season, meaning teams will be cutting down to the final roster soon. As always, we’ll keep track of all the cuts from around the league right here.
Anaheim Ducks (via press release)
D Olen Zellweger (to Everett, WHL)
G Lukas Dostal (to San Diego, AHL)
Arizona Coyotes (via press release)
F Bokondji Imama (to Tucson, AHL)
G Josef Korenar (to Tucson, AHL)
Boston Bruins (via Matt Porter, Boston Globe)
F Steven Fogarty (to Providence, AHL)
G Troy Grosenick (to Providence, AHL)
Buffalo Sabres (via team Twitter)
D Brandon Davidson (to Rochester, AHL)*
Chicago Blackhawks (via press release)
F Colton Dach (to Kelowna, WHL)
D Nolan Allen (to Prince Albert, AHL)
F Evan Barratt (to Rockford, AHL)
F Dmitri Osipov (to Rockford, AHL)
Colorado Avalanche (via press release)
F Shane Bowers (to Colorado, AHL)
F Martin Kaut (to Colorado, AHL)
F Artem Anisimov (released from PTO)
Dallas Stars (via team Twitter)
F Fredrik Karlstrom (to Texas, AHL)
Detroit Red Wings (via press release)
F Chase Pearson (to Grand Rapids, AHL)
D Brian Lashoff (to Grand Rapids, AHL)
D Ryan Murphy (to Grand Rapids, AHL)
D Adam Brubacher (released from PTO)
Minnesota Wild (via team Twitter)
F Kyle Rau (to Iowa, AHL)
G Andrew Hammond (to Iowa, AHL)
New Jersey Devils (via press release)
F A.J. Greer (to Utica, AHL)
D Nikita Okhotiuk (to Utica, AHL)
F Chase De Leo (to Utica, AHL)*
F Mark Jankowski (released from PTO)
Pittsburgh Penguins (via press release)
F Kasper Bjorkqvist (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Filip Hallander (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Nathan Legare (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Sam Poulin (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
D Pierre-Olivier Joseph (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
G Louis Domingue (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
Tampa Bay Lightning (via press release)
F Simon Ryfors (to Syracuse, AHL)
G Amir Miftakhov (to Orlando, ECHL)
Vancouver Canucks (via press release)
G Michael Dipietro (to Abbotsford, AHL)
F Sheldon Dries (to Abbotsford, AHL)*
*Pending waivers
This page will be updated throughout the day
Minor Transactions: 10/07/21
While training camps are still being pared down, a few teams around the league are also making recalls and assignments to fill out rosters for preseason action. These are players who likely aren’t going to make the opening day roster, but are receiving another chance to show what they can do in exhibition action.
- Yesterday, the Pittsburgh Penguins recalled Jonathan Gruden, Valtteri Puustinen, Niclas Almari, and Taylor Fedun from the AHL and will have them in the lineup tonight in their preseason match. All four are expected to be sent back down in the coming days. Fedun, the only one of the group that needs to clear waivers to be sent down, did so on October 2.
- The Los Angeles Kings brought up a whole list of players for their game last night but sent them all back to the Ontario Reign today. Jaret Anderson-Dolan, Samuel Fagemo, Arthur Kaliyev, Rasmus Kupari, Alex Turcotte, Jordan Spence and Jacob Ingham have all been loaned back to the AHL, where they’ll start the year. Many of these names will be the first call-ups should the Kings run into more injury trouble, after Quinton Byfield was ruled out for the next while with a fractured ankle. In fact, with the Kings in particular, some of these top prospects could be up rather soon as the team works out the final roster touches. (UPDATE: Kaliyev is already back up with the team.)
- The Columbus Blue Jackets have recalled eight players from the AHL for their game tomorrow, bringing Tyler Angle, Joshua Dunne, Brendan Gaunce, Carson Meyer, Tyler Sikura, Gavin Bayreuther, Tristan Mullin, and Justin Scott back up. The latter two, who are on AHL contracts, needed to be signed to professional tryouts that will only last a few days.
- Jacob LeGuerrier has signed an AHL contract with the Rockford IceHogs, after playing four games with the Laval Rocket last year. The 20-year-old defenseman was a fifth-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2019 but failed to ink an entry-level deal. He’ll get a new chance in Rockford to show what he can do.
This page will be updated with further transactions as they are reported
Training Camp Cuts: 10/07/21
It’s been a busy morning in the hockey world, but teams around the league are still making changes to their training camp rosters and we’ll keep track of those right here.
Anaheim Ducks (via press release)
F Alexander Volkov (to San Diego, AHL)
Buffalo Sabres (via team Twitter)
F Brett Murray (to Rochester, AHL)
F Jack Quinn (to Rochester, AHL)
D Jimmy Schuldt (to Rochester, AHL)
G Aaron Dell (to Rochester, AHL)
Detroit Red Wings (via press release)
D Jared McIsaac (to Grand Rapids, AHL)
D Wyatt Newpower (to Grand Rapids, AHL)
D Donovan Sebrango (to Grand Rapids, AHL)
G Victor Brattstrom (to Grand Rapids, AHL)
G Kaden Fulcher (to Toledo, ECHL)
F Turner Elson (released from PTO)
F Jon Martin (released from PTO)
F Dominik Shine (released from PTO)
F Tyler Spezia (released from PTO)
F Kirill Tyutyayev (released from PTO)
F Hayden Verbeek (released from PTO)
F Dennis Yan (released from PTO)
Minnesota Wild (via press release)
F Mitchell Chaffee (to Iowa, AHL)
F Joseph Cramarossa (to Iowa, AHL)
F Connor Dewar (to Iowa, AHL)
F Nick Swaney (to Iowa, AHL)
F Dominic Turgeon (to Iowa, AHL)
D Joe Hicketts (to Iowa, AHL)
D Jon Lizotte (to Iowa, AHL)
F Kyle Rau (to Iowa, AHL)*
G Andrew Hammond (to Iowa, AHL)*
New Jersey Devils (via press release)
F Graeme Clarke (to Utica, AHL)
F Nolan Foote (to Utica, AHL)
F Aarne Talvitie (to Utica, AHL)
F Fabian Zetterlund (to Utica, AHL)
D Kevin Bahl (to Utica, AHL)
D Reilly Walsh (to Utica, AHL)
G Nico Daws (to Utica, AHL)
F A.J. Greer (to Utica, AHL)*
New York Islanders (via team Twitter)
F Cole Bardreau (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Austin Czarnik (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Dmytro Timashov (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Otto Koivula (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Andy Andreoff (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Grant Hutton (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Paul Ladue (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Mitch Vande Sompel (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Parker Wotherspoon (to Bridgeport, AHL)
G Kenneth Appleby (to Bridgeport, AHL)
New York Rangers (via team Twitter)
D Zac Jones (to Hartford, AHL)
Philadelphia Flyers (via AHL press release)
F Connor Bunnaman (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F Gerald Mayhew (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F German Rubtsov (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
D Adam Clendening (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
St. Louis Blues (via press release)
F Nikita Alexandrov (to Springfield, AHL)
F Sam Anas (to Springfield, AHL)*
F Nathan Walker (to Springfield, AHL)*
D Calle Rosen (to Springfield, AHL)*
D Steven Santini (to Springfield, AHL)*
G Charlie Lindgren (to Springfield, AHL)*
F Michael Frolik (released from PTO)
*Pending waivers
This page will be updated throughout the day
Minor Transactions: 10/06/21
Time is running out for unsigned players to find a team before the season starts, regardless of the location or level. The European leagues are off and running, the NHL preseason is winding down with puck drop on the regular season arriving early next week, and now the AHL preseason is underway. Free agents are now scrambling to find a new home before it’s too late. Keep track of these last-minute moves every day right here:
- From NHL contract to AHL tryout, goaltender Evan Cormier is just looking to stay involved in the North American pro ranks. The former New Jersey Devils prospect, who was not extended a qualifying offer this summer, may have stumbled into an unexpectedly good situation with the Toronto Marlies. Though the Marlies net looked extremely deep heading into this season, young Maple Leafs keepers Joseph Woll and Ian Scott are both battling injuries, leaving only Michael Hutchinson and Keith Petruzelli healthy for AHL camp. The result is a PTO for Cormier, who brings some AHL experience to camp. While in the long run Cormier would be unlikely to see much AHL time this season behind so many options, he could earn a contract merely to provide depth early on.
- Detroit Red Wings prospect Albin Grewe will remain overseas even after leaving his Liiga club, Ilves. Swedish club Mora IK of the second-tier Allsvenskan has announced that they have inked Grewe – and for two years at that. The 20-year-old winger, who was selected in the third round in 2019, played briefly in the AHL last year with the Grand Rapids Griffins but signed on in Finland for this season rather than remain in North America. When he left Ilves, it seemed possible that he had opted to return to Grand Rapids, but instead returned home to Sweden. A two-year deal in a second-tier European league after having a taste of the North American game raises some questions about Grewe’s future with the Red Wings.
- NHL veteran Michael Latta is doing whatever it takes to extend his career. The 30-year-old forward last played in North America with Binghamton and Tuscon in the AHL in 2017-18. In the years since, he has spent one season apiece in the KHL, SHL, and ICEHL. Without a contract to begin this new campaign, he is now on to a new locale, signing a unique deal with HC Litvinov of the Czech Extraliga. Latta’s deal is guaranteed for only two months, but there is a club option for the full season. Both sides will see how the early season goes and then re-evaluate before the end of the calendar year.
- The Vegas Golden Knight have turned around and reassigned the trio of players they recalled yesterday for their preseason game. The team announced that Jonas Rondbjerg, Daniil Miromanov, and Jake Leschyshyn have been sent back to the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights, as expected. Yet, all three bear watching as recall possibilities this season.
Los Angeles Kings Recall Four Players
4:05pm: The Kings have actually recalled three more players for tonight’s game, bringing Samuel Fagemo, Jordan Spence and Jacob Ingham up. The team also announced that Byfield will be out week to week, but further evaluations are still underway.
11:40am: Though they were already sent to the AHL and likely won’t be making the opening night roster, four young players are back up with the Los Angeles Kings for the time being. The team recalled Jaret Anderson-Dolan, Arthur Kaliyev, Rasmus Kupari, and Alex Turcotte ahead of their preseason game against the Anaheim Ducks tonight.
The recalls do follow an unfortunate injury to Quinton Byfield, who was caught up in an awkward hit with Arizona Coyotes forward Christian Fischer last night. He was helped off the ice and the Kings are expected to release an update on his status today. It wasn’t certain that Byfield would make the team, but he was making a great impression this preseason with his improved all-around play.
The four recalled today represent the prospect tier just under Byfield for the Kings, all players who have a legitimate shot at long NHL careers. Each should see some time with Los Angeles this season but it is unlikely that their performance tonight would propel them into a roster spot right away. That is of course unless the team suffers any further injuries; this group will likely be the first few names recalled in that case.
Brett Connolly Assigned To AHL
The Chicago Blackhawks have opened up a bit of cap space by assigning veteran forward Brett Connolly to the AHL today according to Mark Lazerus of The Athletic. The move comes after Connolly cleared waivers earlier today and will mean $1.125MM ($375K + the league minimum of $750K) of his $3.5MM cap hit will come off the books.
That still means the Blackhawks now have a cap penalty of $2.375MM for a player not even on their roster, obviously not an ideal situation for a team pushing the upper limit. Chicago has some flexibility thanks to Andrew Shaw‘s LTIR status, but that means they will not accrue additional cap space through the season for a potential deadline acquisition.
For Connolly, it’s hard to imagine how quickly things have declined. In 2018 he was a Stanley Cup champion with the Washington Capitals, playing a key role for the team and scoring six goals in the postseason. The next season he would score a career-high 22 goals with the Capitals, setting him up for a nice payday in free agency. It came from the Florida Panthers, who gave him $14MM over four years on July 1, 2019. With that in hand, he got off to a nice start in Sunrise, scoring 19 goals and 33 points in 69 games before the season was shut down.
This year though was a completely different story. Connolly had just two goals and four points in 21 games with the Panthers before a deadline deal took him to Chicago. The Blackhawks took on his entire salary while also getting Riley Stillman and Henrik Borgstrom in the deal, but Connolly couldn’t find his way down the stretch. He scored one goal and two points in ten games for Chicago, and now finds himself assigned to the AHL.
Connolly is still only 29, but with another year on his deal after this one, it will be hard to trade him without sweetening the pot for a rebuilding team. Teams like the Ottawa Senators or Buffalo Sabres who are flirting with the cap floor (pending a Jack Eichel trade for the latter) seem like ideal fits, but it’s not clear at all if they are interested at this point.
AHL Exception Coming Into Play For CHL Talent
Back in July, Darren Dreger of TSN reported that the finishing touches were being put on an agreement between the AHL and CHL that would allow some ineligible players to spend the 2021-22 season in the professional ranks. Normally, players drafted out of the CHL are not eligible to play in the AHL until they are 20 years old. This one-time exception would only come into effect for those players who took part in at least 20 AHL contests during 2020-21 when their respective CHL teams were not operating.
While there has been no official announcement of the rule, the last few days have seen several transactions that suggest it is now in effect.
This week, the Anaheim Ducks and Colorado Avalanche assigned Jacob Perreault and Jean-Luc Foudy respectively to their AHL affiliates. Neither player would normally be able to report, given their OHL seasons are about to start. In fact, Perreault’s Sarnia Sting and Foudy’s Windsor Spitfires are set to play each other tomorrow evening on the league’s opening night. The junior league won’t have the talented forwards as both played more than 25 games in the AHL last season and will head back there to continue their development.
Today, the Philadelphia Flyers have completed a similar move, sending 19-year-old forward Tyson Foerster to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Foerster played 24 games or the AHL last season, while his Barrie Colts were stuck in limbo like the rest of the OHL. The Flyers will be able to do the same thing with Zayde Wisdom who played 28 games for Lehigh Valley last season, though he is still out following his recent shoulder surgery and has not been reassigned yet.
These are all huge losses for the CHL, but pretty substantial gains for the AHL. Each young player has found success early on at the professional level, once again suggesting that there should be an exemption of some sort for those deemed exceptional moving forward. There’s obviously a reason why the Flyers, Ducks, and Avalanche feel the best thing for their development is playing at the AHL level, as they still did have the option to send them back to junior. One thing to point out is that those players loaned back to their junior clubs are ineligible for recall to the NHL all season except under emergency conditions, but one can assume that these expected players would be eligible for a call-up if necessary as they play in the AHL.
There are several other names that could find themselves in the AHL ahead of time, including Cole Perfetti of the Winnipeg Jets, Quinton Byfield of the Los Angeles Kings, and Donovan Sebrango of the Detroit Red Wings. Jan Mysak, who was also eligible for the AHL according to this exemption, was loaned back to the Hamilton Bulldogs of the OHL earlier this month while Ryan O’Rourke was sent back to the Soo Greyhounds early in Minnesota Wild camp.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images