Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

AHL

Minor Transactions: 10/14/20

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

As the NHL off-season rolls on, the minor league and European transactions get more interesting as NHL opportunities begin to dry up and notable names look elsewhere. Here are some of the more “major” minor transactions from today:

  • After taking a year off to deal with the repercussions of a history of concussions, Rourke Chartier is back. The 24-year-old forward has signed a one-year AHL deal with the Toronto Marlies, the team announced. Chartier played in 13 games with the San Jose Sharks in 2018-19 and another 26 with the AHL Barracuda. However, after he failed to show consistent results over the course of his entry-level contract, the Sharks opted not to extend a qualifying offer. It turned out that Chartier needed the time off anyhow to continue recovering from his numerous concussions. Now feeling healthier, perhaps Chartier can return to the form he showed in the 2017-18 AHL season – playing at nearly a point-per-game pace in an injury-shortened season – but instead stay off the injury list for a time.
  • With brother Dylan Sikura traded away by the Chicago Blackhawks, Tyler Sikura has decided to leave the organization as well. A former Blackhawk himself (contractually), Sikura played this past season on an AHL deal with the affiliated Rockford Ice Hogs, where he skated alongside his brother for much of the year. Now that Dylan is in Las Vegas, Tyler has taken his talents to Cleveland. The AHL’s Cleveland Monsters announced that they have signed Sikura to a one-year contract. Sikura is a productive minor league forward, with two 30+ point seasons out of the past three, and plays a responsible two-way game as well. He should be a regular contributor for the Monsters this season.
  • The Ice Hogs have made an addition of their own, albeit still unconfirmed, in goaltender Cale Morris. The Notre Dame product announced himself that he has signed his first pro contract with Rockford, though no details have been disclosed. Morris started three seasons for the Fighting Irish and if his senior year had gone like his sophomore and junior, this would likely be an NHL contract that he’s signing. Morris was stellar in his first season as the Notre Dame starter in 2018-19. He posted a .944 save percentage and 1.94 GAA in 37 appearances, which was good enough to win him the Mike Richter Award as the NCAA’s top goalie and to make him a top-ten finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. In hindsight, he likely should have capitalized on his sophomore success and turned pro. As a junior, his numbers slipped slightly, but Morris was still one of the NCAA’s best. This past season was more noticeable drop-off; he recorded a .916 save percentage and 2.44 GAA – good numbers by most standards but not among the NCAA’s best and a far cry from his first two seasons. With Rockford, Morris will look to prove that he is still an elite goalie prospect by returning to the form he showed earlier in college. If he succeeds, the Blackhawks may already have a sneaky contender in the organization to fill the currently vacant role of goalie of the future.

Carolina Hurricanes Sign Clark Bishop, Vasiliy Ponomarev

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed one of their restricted free agents, inking Clark Bishop to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay Bishop $700K in the NHL and $100K at the AHL level. Hurricanes GM Don Waddell released a short statement:

Clark is a versatile, two-way center that knows our system well. We look forward to him continuing his development this season.

Bishop had filed for salary arbitration last week, which will no longer be required.

The 24-year-old forward has played in 25 games for the Hurricanes over the past two seasons, spending most of his time as a professional at the minor league level. Like every other AHL player, Bishop will have to wait and see what the 2020-21 season looks like for minor leaguers.

The team has also signed Vasiliy Ponomarev to a three-year, entry-level contract. Ponomarev was picked 53rd overall in this year’s draft and is currently playing for the Shawinigan Cataractes of the QMJHL. The 18-year-old Russian forward had 49 points in 57 games as a CHL rookie last season and is off to a hot start with two goals in his first four games.

Tampa Bay Lightning Re-Sign Ben Thomas

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Minor league defenseman Ben Thomas is coming back for another year with the Tampa Bay Lightning, or more accurately the Syracuse Crunch. The Lightning have announced a one-year, two-way extension with Thomas, who has spent the past four seasons with the organization playing in the AHL. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Thomas, 24, has yet to make his NHL debut, but has 274 AHL games to his credit. He skated in 56 games for the Crunch during the 2019-20 regular season, totaling three goals and 16 points. Thomas has been good for around 20 points in each of his four pro seasons. He’s also a dependable defensive presence. A 2014 fourth-round pick and WHL standout, Thomas’ performance thus far in his pro career has been good, but hasn’t quite put in a position for NHL opportunities.

However, the Lightning currently have slim pickings on the blue line. Right up against the salary cap, the Bolts are trying to figure out how to sign their restricted free agents, including defensemen Mikhail Sergachev and Erik Cernak. For now though, the team only has four defensemen signed to one-way contracts and only two two-way defensemen with NHL experience in Luke Witkowski and recent import Andreas Borgman. Unless Tampa Bay can find a way to add to the blue line this off-season, Thomas could be in line to finally see some NHL action as one of the top options in the AHL.

Minor Transactions: 10/12/20

at CDT | by 3 Comments

The free agent market is still wide open with Alex Pietrangelo and others unsigned, but some minor transactions are also happening behind the scenes. We’ll keep track of some of the deals that don’t get the same headlines:

  • Dalton Smith has signed a one-year AHL contract with the Rochester Americans, returning to the team for a fourth season. Smith, 28, actually made his NHL debut in 2019-2- with the Buffalo Sabres but will not be eligible for recall on this deal.
  • The Pittsburgh Penguins have loaned Jan Drozg to HK Olimpija Ljubljana in Slovenia for the time being, giving him a chance to play while the North American seasons continue to wait. Drozg, 21, was the Penguins fifth-round pick in 2017 and split last season in the AHL and ECHL.
  • Logan Day has signed a one-year AHL contract with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, bringing him over from the Edmonton Oilers minor league system after he was not given a qualifying offer. Day, an undrafted free agent signing out of division III college hockey, had 16 points in 48 games for the Bakersfield Condors in 2019-20.

Minnesota Wild Sign Kaapo Kahkonen

at CDT | by 1 Comment

The Minnesota Wild have already experienced huge changes in the crease this offseason, moving Devan Dubnyk to the San Jose Sharks and then committing to a three-year deal with Cam Talbot. While he will be expected to become the team’s starter in the short-term, there is still a prospect who will be challenging for the job down the line.

Kaapo Kahkonen, the reigning AHL Goaltender of the Year, has signed a two-year contract with Minnesota. That will remove the need for salary arbitration, which Kahkonen elected last week. The deal is a two-way contract in 2020-21, a one-way in 2021-22 and will carry an average annual value of $725K.

Kahkonen, 24, was a fourth-round pick by the Wild in 2014 and remains one of the top goaltending prospects in the league. In his sophomore season at the AHL level he posted a .927 save percentage and 2.07 goals-against average, earning him the top honors. He also received five games at the NHL level, where he more than held his own, posting a .913.

When asked about where the Talbot signing leaves Kahkonen, Wild GM Bill Guerin told Michael Russo of The Athletic that it gives them more time for his development and that “the last time we want to do is rush him along.” 

Notably, a two-year deal will actually take Kahkonen to Group VI unrestricted free agency should he not get an NHL opportunity. Of course, the situation is also complicated by the expansion draft, where the Wild will only be able to protect one goaltender. It seems unlikely that Seattle would be targeting Talbot, but if he has a strong season in the Minnesota net the Wild will have to decide whether to leave him or Kahkonen unprotected.

Tampa Bay Lightning Re-Sign Ross Colton

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Tampa Bay Lightning are always in need of some cost-effective depth options and Ross Colton could be one of the next in line. CapFriendly reports that the restricted free agent forward has agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way extension with Tampa Bay. Colton will be as affordable as it gets at the NHL level, making the minimum $700K, while collecting $100K in the AHL.

Colton, 24, was initially drafted by the Lightning in the fourth round in 2016. He spent the next two seasons at the University of Vermont, but left early to turn pro. Over the past two years with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, Colton has shown substantial improvement, jumping from 31 points in 66 games to 42 points in 62 games this past season. Colton finished second in scoring for the Crunch in 2019-20, while also boosting his physicality to lead all forwards in penalty minutes.

A player who could step in as a solid fourth line option for the Bolts, Colton also has the advantage of a cheap contract. The Lightning still have many moves to make to clear out salary this off-season in order to re-sign their big-name restricted free agents – Anthony Cirelli, Mikhail Sergachev, and Erik Cernak – but they are going to be right up against the salary cap one way or another. Colton is one of just two forwards making the minimum $700K salary next season for Tampa Bay, which should boost his chances at NHL opportunities.

Ottawa Senators Sign Matthew Peca, Logan Shaw

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Ottawa Senators are bringing in some relatively young, but experienced depth up front. The team has announced the signings of forwards Matthew Peca and Logan Shaw to one-year, two-way contracts. Peca, who finished this past season in Ottawa, will make the minimum $700K in the NHL and $300K in the AHL, while Shaw has a slight advantage with a $725K NHL value and $375K AHL value.

Shaw, 28, may actually end up being a difference-maker for Ottawa this season. The big forward quietly played a semi-regular role for the Winnipeg Jets this season, playing in 35 NHL games versus just 16 AHL games. And while he didn’t contribute much offense – just five points – he was playing behind a deep, talented forward corps in Winnipeg. With the potential for more opportunity in Ottawa, Shaw could have a chance to shine. He recorded 27 goals and 46 points in 63 AHL games just two years ago and if even a portion of that output translates to the NHL, Shaw could be a bargain scorer for the Senators.

Peca, 27, was acquired by the Senators from the Montreal Canadiens at the trade deadline this past season in what was little more than a tryout for a new contract this season, which he seemingly passed. The small, hard-working forward has not been able to much in the way of offense in the NHL but has done enough to stay in the lineup on multiple teams and accrue some valuable experience. Peca could be a reliable bottom-six option for the Senators this season.

Montreal Canadiens Sign Brandon Baddock

at CDT | by 1 Comment

Is it still not clear that Montreal is looking to get bigger and tougher this off-season? If so, take a look at Brandon Baddock. Sportsnet’s Eric Engels reports that the Canadiens have signed the forward to a one-year , two-way deal worth the minimum $700K at the NHL level and $110K in the AHL. The 6’3″, 220-lb. Baddock has topped 100 penalty minutes in each of his three pro seasons.

Baddock, 25, has yet to make his NHL debut but looks like a player who could make a difference on the fourth line. The former New Jersey Devils prospect is not afraid of puck battles or fist battles, as evidenced by his league-leading 154 PIM in the AHL in 2018-19. While his game may be defined by size and strength and his ability to disrupt play, his offense has also been gradually improving each year.

Between Baddock, the long-term commitment to Josh Anderson, and the addition of Joel Edmundson, Montreal is gearing up to be a much more difficult team to play against next season and in the future. However, the team also needs to be sure that they don’t forget about other areas that need improvement, such as their poor shooting numbers and 22nd ranked power play.

Minnesota Wild Sign Joseph Cramarossa, Dakota Mermis

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Minnesota Wild are strengthening their depth, adding a pair of experienced minor leaguers. The team has announced that they have signed forward Joseph Cramarossa and defenseman Dakota Mermis to one-year, two-way contracts. Both players will make the minimum $700K at the NHL level; Mermis will get $250K in the AHL while Cramarossa gets $160K.

Mermis, 26, has the better chance of the two of making an impact on the NHL roster after playing in ten games with the New Jersey Devils this season. A productive, puck-moving defenseman, Mermis has shown an ability to contribute offensively even as a spot starter. Although the Wild have a solid top-six locked in, Mermis should compete for a roster spot as an extra defender.

Cramarossa, 27, has not played in the NHL for a few years, but is a dependable two-way AHL forward. He also is not afraid to play a physical game. Cramarossa won’t likely play a significant role for Minnesota, but could be a fourth-line option in the event of injury and should help with the defensive development of forward prospects down in Iowa.

Calgary Flames Sign Four Players

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Calgary Flames have brought in several depth players, re-signing Buddy Robinson and adding Alexander Petrovic, Byron Froese and Zac Rinaldo. Froese has signed a two-year, two-way contract with an average annual value of $725K, Rinaldo has inked a one-year, two-way contract worth $700K, Robinson has signed a one-year, one-way contract worth $700K and Petrovic’s contract details have not yet been released.

In fact, Petrovic hasn’t been an effective option in the NHL since the 2017-18 season. Once a regular in the Florida Panthers lineup, he suited up just 37 times between Florida and Edmonton in 2018-19 and then spent the entire 2019-20 season with the Providence Bruins. Still just 28, he’ll serve as minor league depth for the Flames next year.

Robinson meanwhile is a veteran AHL scorer, who put up 32 points in 45 games this season for the Stockton Heat. He did get into five games at the NHL and even played in a playoff game for Calgary, but is not expected to spend much time at the highest level.

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

scroll to top