Snapshots: NHL & AHL Seasons, Germany, Newhook
After comments were made recently by NBC analyst Pierre McGuire that the NHL and AHL might have to settle for a 35-game season for the 2020-21 season with the pandemic running rampant recently in both the United States and Canada, AHL President and CEO Scott Howson stated that he agreed that both leagues should be grateful if they can even get in a 35-game schedule, according to BostonHockeyNow’s Jimmy Murphy.
“Well, I think a 35-game season is better than no season in any league,” Howson said. “So no I don’t think it’s too low. I think we’re in such a different time right now and whatever we do, whatever any league does, is not going to look good or look perfect. I think it’s going to be a challenge and we’re just gathering as much information as we can and we’re gonna make the best decision we can at the time.”
The AHL announced recently that they were shooting for return date of Feb. 5 with the hopes that the NHL might start shortly before that. However, with the increase in COVID-19 cases recently in both countries, there will be challenges for both leagues to put together a significant season.
“I’ve said this all along; we gotta be flexible, we gotta be nimble,” added Howson. “We don’t know what next week is going to look like, let alone February 5, and we’ll just try and plan as best we can and be ready to be flexible to change plans whenever we have to.”
- The Athletic’s Corey Pronman reports that the DEL in Germany, which is one of the few leagues that hasn’t started in Europe, is expected to announce their start date early next week, which should be in early December with no fans. That should benefit teams that sent players to Germany to play.
- The Denver Post’s Mike Chambers writes that the Colorado Avalanche could get a late season addition this upcoming season as top forward prospect Alex Newhook could join the team once his sophomore season at Boston College is completed. Newhook, the team’s first-round pick in 2019, was the NCAA Rookie of the Year after posting 19 goals and 42 points in 32 games. He is expected to leave his BC team shortly to join Team Canada for the World Juniors, a potential two-month experience if he makes the team, before returning to Boston College to finish their season. He is expected to take online classes while he’s in Red Deer, Alberta to remain eligible. However, he adds that he will then have to decide if he wants to join the Avalanche at that point. ” … at the end of the season (I’ll) reassess and see where we’re at in terms of what the NHL is doing, what the Avs think, and where I’m at development-wise as well,” said Newhook.
NCAA Notes: Peski, Blake, Anchorage
Just like many pros, some recent college graduates are still unsigned free agents trying to find their way in a quiet market. One name who has finally found a pro home is former University of North Dakota defenseman Andrew Peski. Mark Divver of the New England Hockey Journal reports that Peski has signed an AHL contract with the Providence Bruins. A heavy-hitting, stay-at-home defender, Peski actually saw a significant uptick in offense as a senior, recording 10 points after totaling just 11 points in his first three collegiate seasons combined. Still, Peski served as a four-year starter for North Dakota because of his defensive ability, exemplified by a +17 rating for the top college program last year. He will try to be a value to the junior Bruins in the same way and could find himself playing a regular role in the AHL right away. Boston has just four defensemen signed who are ineligible for waivers and certain to start the year in the minors, as well as two prominent AHL-contracted blue liners returning in Josiah Didier and Cooper Zech, but that group of six includes just two right-handed defenseman, which could leave a hole for Peski.
- A major hockey name is in the spotlight as Jack Blake, son of Los Angeles Kings GM Rob Blake, is following in his father’s footsteps with his college commitment. Blake, who currently plays in the OJHL with the Oakville Blades, will head to Bowling Green State University next year, the league announced. Rob played three seasons with the Falcons in the late 80’s before jumping to the NHL, but Jack may need that extra year in the NCAA to secure an NHL contract after going undrafted. Jack also still needs to do some growing to match up with his father’s hulking frame, but the younger Blake plays the same dangerous two-way style. He will certainly bear watching as he begins his collegiate career next season.
- Count the University of Alaska-Anchorage among those NCAA programs who will not be participating this year. The school has independently canceled all winter sports, meaning they will not compete in WCHA hockey this season. While Anchorage currently has no drafted prospects, their alumni include a number of former and current NHLers, highlighted by Jay Beagle and Curtis Glencross. The lost season will unfortunately hurt the team considerably, as many players have already stated their intent to transfer.
AHL Considering All-Canadian Division For Upcoming Season
While the focus recently has been on how the NHL will realign for the upcoming season, mention should be made of the AHL as well. The minor league will also need regional reconstruction of their divisions if they want a 2020-21 season to be possible, with the all-Canadian idea coming up once again. While the NHL is leaning towards pitting all seven Canadian teams against each other, the AHL will likely do something similar according to Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia, though it does come with some important differences.
The only AHL teams that are based in Canada are the Toronto Marlies, Belleville Senators, Laval Rocket, and Manitoba Moose. The Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Edmonton Oilers all have their AHL affiliates in the U.S., based in Utica, Stockton, and Bakersfield respectively. Garrioch reports that those parent teams don’t want to temporarily relocate those teams north of the border “because of the expense involved.”
Of course, if those minor league clubs are not relocated, it will bring up a whole different host of issues for the three western Canadian teams. Travel between the two countries still requires a quarantine, meaning prospects playing in the U.S. wouldn’t be available for a quick recall if needed. The whole point of an all-Canadian division in the NHL was to avoid travel back and forth, but what of the minor league players that Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary will need to use throughout the season?
For the Marlies, Senators, and Rocket, playing each other regularly wouldn’t come as much of a change. The three teams were already in the same AHL division and were scheduled against each other all the time. The Moose however are in the AHL’s Central Division, meaning it would be a very different schedule if they were to just play the three other Canadian teams over and over.
At this point, nothing has been set in stone by the AHL. Last month they changed their target start date to February 5, which would potentially give the NHL time to get underway before any minor league games begin. But with so many changing health restrictions in both countries—the province of Manitoba for instance changed to the “critical” level on the pandemic response system a few days ago, forcing sports facilities to close immediately—it is still extremely difficult to predict what an AHL season might look like, regional realignment or not.
Ottawa Senators Sign Micheal Haley
The Ottawa Senators have announced another signing to bring some toughness to the organization inking Micheal Haley to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will be worth $700K at the NHL level and $200K in the AHL. Haley played last season for the New York Rangers but was an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Senators GM Pierre Dorion released a short statement on the signing:
Michael [sic] will bring experience, leadership and additional physicality to our organization. He’s looking forward to serving as a mentor for our young players.
There’s no doubt that the Senators will be a more physical team next season, after bringing in players like Haley, Erik Gudbranson, and Josh Brown through trade and free agency. The former, who signed today, has racked up 687 penalty minutes in his 270 NHL games, including a league-leading 212 in the 2017-18 season. Haley doesn’t contribute anything offensively, scoring just 11 goals in his career, but isn’t asked to in his limited ice time.
The Senators have shown a willingness to dress a player like that before, dressing Scott Sabourin for 35 games this past season despite no real offensive upside. Sabourin had scored just 15 combined points in the two previous minor league seasons, though he did actually have six for the Senators in his short NHL stint. It would be surprising to see Haley reach that amount or even get into 35 games this season for the team, especially if the schedule is reduced.
No, he’s more likely going to see action only sparingly, entering the lineup against select teams to provide some toughness or spending most of the year in the minor leagues. The Senators already have a long list of forwards competing for the 12 starting spots, meaning the 34-year-old Haley almost certainly won’t be a full-time option.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Andrew MacWilliam Signs Tryout With EHC Munchen
After many successful seasons in the AHL, Andrew MacWilliam will test himself overseas—at least for a little while. The veteran minor league defenseman has signed a tryout contract with Red Bull Munchen of the DEL that will allow him to compete with them through December 13. The deal does have an option to extend further, but depending on when NHL/AHL training camps get underway MacWilliam might want to come back to compete for a job in North America.
The 30-year-old defenseman does have some experience at the NHL level, playing 12 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2014-15. He hasn’t gotten back to that level since, instead playing for the Manitoba Moose, Albany Devils, and Rochester Americans in the five seasons since. Last year, he posted eight points in 41 games for the Americans while wearing an “A” as an alternate captain, but is not yet signed for the 2020-21 season.
There’s no doubt that an AHL team could benefit from bringing in the experience and leadership of MacWilliam, but with so much uncertainty still surrounding the upcoming minor league season, taking your chances overseas may be a prudent business decision. Not to mention MacWilliam will be joining teammate and defense partner Zach Redmond, who signed with the team earlier this year. Redmond was also an alternate with Rochester the past few seasons and should make MacWilliam feel right at home.
Minor Transactions: 11/11/20
As we wait for tomorrow’s announcement about the upcoming NHL season, minor league and European teams continue to fill out their depth charts. With a few months of offseason still to come, signings and loans will slowly drip out and we’ll try to cover all the important ones. Make sure to refresh this page throughout the day as we keep track of today’s minor moves:
- Graham Knott has signed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL after he was left unqualified by the Pittsburgh Penguins this offseason. A second-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015, Knott’s career hasn’t gone as planned. The 23-year-old 6’4″ forward spent most of the 2019-20 season in the ECHL, playing just 11 games at the AHL level with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Once considered a promising prospect that won gold at the Hlinka-Gretzky and took home a Memorial Cup, the chances of him ever reaching the NHL are dwindling.
- While Manuel Wiederer was not given a qualifying offer by the San Jose Sharks, the organization did sign him to an AHL contract for the upcoming season. While he waits for that season to start, he has been loaned back to his hometown team in Deggendorf, Germany where he’ll play in the third-tier until the AHL resumes. Wiederer, 23, scored just 12 points in 35 games for the San Jose Barracuda last season.
- Andrew O’Brien, a fourth-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks in 2012, has mutually-terminated his contract with Dinamo Riga of the KHL after just seven games. The 27-year-old dominated the Norwegian league last season, scoring 45 points in 51 games (and recording an incredible 309 penalty minutes) in his first year overseas after several in the AHL.
Overseas Notes: Reunanen, Tuulola, Wiley
Tarmo Reunanen, who had been previously loaned to TUTO of the Finnish second league, will jump up a tier and join HPK until further notice. The New York Rangers prospect is under contract in North America but hasn’t actually come over yet. Selected 98th overall in 2016, Reunanen has played the last two seasons with Lukko and recorded 19 points in 51 games in 2019-20. In the release, it states that though Reunanen will return for NHL training camp, if he can’t find a spot with the organization he will be returned to Finland to continue his development.
More notes on prospects playing overseas:
- Eetu Tuulola has parted ways with Vasterviks IK in the Swedish second league after the player he had replaced due to injury is set to return. Tuulola, a Calgary Flames prospect, will have to be found another spot to play by the Flames if they want to keep him on the ice. The 22-year-old forward spent last season with the Stockton Heat, scoring 23 points in 50 games.
- Adam Helewka, who signed an AHL contract with the Cleveland Monsters earlier this offseason, will play in Slovakia until the minor league season begins. The 25-year-old forward has had quite the journey already in his hockey career, traded three times in the NHL, playing for four different minor league teams, and spending time in the KHL and SHL. He’ll play for HKM Zvolen for now, as he waits for his next chance in North America.
- Wiley Sherman wasn’t given a qualifying offer by the Boston Bruins last month, meaning he became an unrestricted free agent able to sign anywhere in the world. That job search has taken him to Denmark, where he’ll join Esbjerg Energy this season. The 25-year-old defenseman played just 20 games for the Providence Bruins in 2019-20, recording six points.
Winnipeg Jets Agree To Terms With Marko Dano
The Winnipeg Jets will be bringing back a familiar face, announcing today that they have agreed to terms with Marko Dano on a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will carry a salary of $700K in the NHL and $150K in the AHL.
Dano spent parts of three seasons in the Jets organization between 2015-18, playing 82 of his 141 career NHL games there. This offseason he was not issued a qualifying offer from the Columbus Blue Jackets, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Still just 25, it feels like a decade ago that Dano was picked 27th overall by the Blue Jackets. It was actually just 2013, but after being involved in multiple trades and suiting up for Columbus (twice), Winnipeg, Chicago, and Colorado without much NHL success he has the feeling of someone who will never really find his footing at the highest level.
In 141 career games, Dano does have 45 points but hasn’t recorded a single one since the 2017-18 season. For the last two years, he has been almost exclusively used at the AHL level, including a 30-point season for the Manitoba Moose in 2018-19. That’s likely where he’s heading again this time around, though he’ll obviously compete for a spot in training camp whenever it opens.
Buffalo Sabres Sign Dustin Tokarski
The Buffalo Sabres have added a bit of goaltending depth to the organization, signing Dustin Tokarski to a two-year contract. The deal will carry an average annual value of $725K. Tokarski spent last season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on an AHL contract.
Now 31, Tokarski has bounced around the minor leagues for more than a decade, suiting up for the Norfolk Admirals, Syracuse Crunch, Hamilton Bulldogs, St. John’s IceCaps, San Diego Gulls, Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Hartford Wolf Pack, Charlotte Checkers in addition to the baby Penguins. He’ll be able to fill a role on the Rochester Americans this season and give the Sabres a goalie with some NHL experience in a pinch.
Just like many of the goaltending signings this time of year, one important note is with regards to the expansion draft. The Sabres previously did not have a goaltender that filled the exposure requirements, with both Carter Hutton and Linus Ullmark scheduled to become unrestricted free agents after this season. With a two-year deal, Tokarski will fill that requirement and poses very little risk of being selected by the Seattle Kraken.
Minnesota Wild Extend ECHL Affiliation
The Minnesota Wild have extended their affiliation with the Allen Americans of the ECHL for the 2020-21 season. The two teams have been partnered since 2018-19, with the Americans serving as a proving ground for raw or unheralded prospects. Tom Kurvers, GM of the Iowa Wild, the AHL affiliate that will be part of the three-tiered system, had this to say about the new agreement:
We are excited to extend our ECHL affiliation agreement with the Allen Americans. Allen had a tremendous season last year and we look forward to the Americans serving as a development affiliate for our players again this season.
Allen is one of the 13 ECHL teams that is scheduled to begin their 72-game season in early December, playing their first game on December 12 against the Tulsa Oilers. The league is hoping to have a season despite the financial struggles that the COVID-19 situation has incurred on some of the organizations.
The ECHL is used to secure playing time for lottery-ticket prospects, especially goaltenders, but does regularly produce future NHL talent. The Americans specifically have had two such players grace their locker rooms. Jordie Benn, who currently plays for the Vancouver Canucks, spent an entire season with the Americans in 2009-10 when he was still trying to get noticed as an undrafted player.
Aaron Dell, who was recently signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs, has a similar story. He spent his first year of professional hockey in Allen, though at that time they were part of the Central Hockey league. He would return to the Americans for 12 games in 2014-15 after they had joined the ECHL.