Ottawa Senators Extend Parker Kelly
The Ottawa Senators have signed Parker Kelly to a two-year extension, keeping him under contract through the 2023-24 season. The deal is two-way in 2023-24, paying Kelly $750K at the NHL level and $100K in the AHL, and is one-way in the final season and carries an NHL salary of $775K. Senators GM Pierre Dorion released a statement on the deal:
Parker has long been a consistently tenacious player for us. He’s competitive, hard-nosed, an efficient penalty killer and someone we can rely on to provide us with an energetic and determined effort every game.
It hasn’t really been very long, despite what Dorion says, as Kelly only played his first full season with the organization in 2019-20, but the tenacity has certainly been apparent from day one. An undrafted free agent signing in 2017, he returned to the Prince Albert Raiders for two seasons where his offensive production increased and then stepped into a role with the Belleville Senators without issue. Last season, Kelly made his NHL debut, scoring in his first and only game.
Kelly made the team’s opening night roster, though he seems likely to be the first send down should Brady Tkachuk reach a deal at some point in the near future. The 22-year-old is now locked up though and can provide some valuable bottom-six depth for the next several years at a low price point. If the Senators ever believed that Kelly could break out and land a full-time role, perhaps extending him early will save them some money down the road. Regardless, he’ll be making the league minimum for at least two more seasons.
Training Camp Cuts: 10/11/21
It’s the final day for training camp cuts across the league as teams must be cap compliant by this evening. There will be many teams that orchestrate a delicate cap dance with some cuts today, just to call those players back up almost immediately. But for the time being, many young players will have to wait for their chance at the NHL level.
Arizona Coyotes (via press release)
F Barrett Hayton (to Tucson, AHL)
F Ryan McGregor (to Tucson, AHL)
Buffalo Sabres (via team Twitter)
F JJ Peterka (to Rochester, AHL)
D Casey Fitzgerald (to Rochester, AHL)
Carolina Hurricanes (via press release)
F Josh Leivo (to Chicago, AHL)
F Stefan Noesen (to Chicago, AHL)
F C.J. Smith (to Chicago, AHL)
D Eric Gelinas (to Chicago, AHL)
D Maxime Lajoie (to Chicago, AHL)
Chicago Blackhawks (via press release)
F Philipp Kurashev (to Rockford, AHL)
F Mackenzie Entwistle (to Rockford, AHL)
G Malcolm Subban (to Rockford, AHL)
G Collin Delia (to Rockford, AHL)
Colorado Avalanche (via press release)
F Mikhail Maltsev (to Colorado, AHL)
D Justin Barron (to Colorado, AHL)
Columbus Blue Jackets (via press release)
F Kevin Stenlund (to Cleveland, AHL)
D Gabriel Carlsson (to Cleveland, AHL)
D Mikko Lehtonen (to Cleveland, AHL)
Dallas Stars (via press release)
F Joel Kiviranta (to Texas, AHL)
F Jacob Peterson (to Texas, AHL)
D Alexander Petrovic (to Texas, AHL)
Detroit Red Wings (via team Twitter)
F Bobby Ryan (released from PTO)
F Riley Barber (to Grand Rapids, AHL)
F Taro Hirose (to Grand Rapids, AHL)
F Joseph Veleno (to Grand Rapids, AHL)
Edmonton Oilers (via press release)
F Kyle Turris (to Bakersfield, AHL)
Los Angeles Kings (via team Twitter)
F Austin Wagner (to Ontario, AHL)
D Austin Strand (to Ontario, AHL)
Montreal Canadiens (via Arpon Basu, The Athletic)
D Kaiden Guhle (to Prince Albert, WHL)
G Cayden Primeau (to Laval, AHL)
Nashville Predators (via press release)
F Michael McCarron (to Milwaukee, AHL)
G Connor Ingram (to Milwaukee, AHL)
New Jersey Devils (via team release)
F Alexander Holtz (to Utica, AHL)
New York Islanders (via Arthur Staple, The Athletic)
F Anatolii Golyshev (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Richard Panik (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Robin Salo (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Samuel Bolduc (to Bridgeport, AHL)
G Jakub Skarek (to Bridgeport, AHL)
New York Rangers (via team Twitter)
F Greg McKegg (to Hartford, AHL)
F Vitali Kravtsov (to Hartford, AHL)
F Morgan Barron (to Hartford, AHL)
Ottawa Senators (via team Twitter)
F Andrew Agozzino (to Belleville, AHL)
Philadelphia Flyers (via press release)
F Jackson Cates (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F Garrett Wilson (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
D Nick Seeler (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
D Cam York (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
Pittsburgh Penguins (via Rob Rossi, The Athletic)
F Radim Zohorna (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
St. Louis Blues (via press release)
F Klim Kostin (to Springfield, AHL)
Toronto Maple Leafs (via team Twitter)
F Kirill Semyonov (to Toronto, AHL)
Washington Capitals (via team Twitter)
F Connor McMichael (to Hershey, AHL)
F Beck Malenstyn (to Hershey, AHL)
Winnipeg Jets (via press release)
F David Gustafsson (to Manitoba, AHL)
F Dominic Toninato (to Manitoba, AHL)
D Nelson Nogier (to Manitoba, AHL)
This page will be updated throughout the day
Training Camp Cuts: 10/10/21
A variety of final or close-to-final cuts will be made to rosters today, as opening-night rosters are due tomorrow. Here are today’s training camp cuts:
Buffalo Sabres (via team Tweet):
F Brandon Biro (to Rochester, AHL)
D Casey Fitzgerald (to Rochester, AHL)
Calgary Flames (via The Athletic’s Hailey Salvian):
F Walker Duehr (to Stockton, AHL)
F Byron Froese (to Stockton, AHL)
F Justin Kirkland (to Stockton, AHL)
D Connor Mackey (to Stockton, AHL)
G Adam Werner (to Stockton, AHL)
Carolina Hurricanes (via team release):
D Joey Keane (to Chicago, AHL)
G Alex Lyon (to Chicago, AHL)
F Ryan Suzuki (to Chicago, AHL)
Chicago Blackhawks (via NBC Chicago’s Charlie Roumeliotis):
F Alexander Nylander (to Rockford, AHL)
Columbus Blue Jackets (via team release):
D Gavin Bayreuther (to Cleveland, AHL)
*D Gabriel Carlsson (to Cleveland, AHL)
F Justin Danforth (to Cleveland, AHL)
F Liam Foudy (to Cleveland, AHL)
*D Mikko Lehtonen (to Cleveland, AHL)
*F Kevin Stenlund (to Cleveland, AHL)
G Daniil Tarasov (to Cleveland, AHL)
Dallas Stars (via team release):
D Dawson Barteaux (to Texas, AHL)
F Mavrik Bourque (to Shawinigan, QMJHL)
D Joseph Cecconi (to Texas, AHL)
F Tye Felhaber (to Texas, AHL)
D Thomas Harley (to Texas, AHL)
F Jordan Kawaguchi (to Texas, AHL)
D Ryan Shea (to Texas, AHL)
F Riley Tufte (to Texas, AHL)
Detroit Red Wings (via team Tweet):
G Calvin Pickard (to Grand Rapids, AHL)
Edmonton Oilers (via team release):
G Stuart Skinner (to Bakersfield, AHL)
Nashville Predators (via team Tweet):
F Egor Afanasyev (to Milwaukee, AHL)
D Jeremy Davies (to Milwaukee, AHL)
New Jersey Devils (via The Athletic’s Corey Masisak):
F Jesper Boqvist (to Utica, AHL)
*F Frederik Gauthier (to Utica, AHL)
G Akira Schmid (to Utica, AHL)
Ottawa Senators (via team Tweet):
G Filip Gustavsson (to Belleville, AHL)
San Jose Sharks (via team Tweet):
F Dylan Gambrell (to San Jose, AHL)
St. Louis Blues (via The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford):
F Logan Brown (to Springfield, AHL)
F Mackenzie MacEachern (to Springfield, AHL)
Vancouver Canucks (via team release):
*F Justin Bailey (to Abbotsford, AHL)
*D Madison Bowey (to Abbotsford, AHL)
*F Phillip Di Giuseppe (to Abbotsford, AHL)
*D Travis Hamonic (to Abbotsford, AHL)
Washington Capitals (via team Tweet):
*G Zach Fucale (to Hershey, AHL)
*F Garrett Pilon (to Hershey, AHL)
Winnipeg Jets (via team release):
F David Gustafsson (to Manitoba, AHL)
*D Nelson Nogier (to Manitoba, AHL)
*F Dominic Toninato (to Manitoba, AHL)
* – Player must clear waivers prior to assignment
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.