Minor Transactions: 04/20/19
For the first time in NHL history, the top seed in each conference has been eliminated in the first round after the Colorado Avalanche knocked off the Calgary Flames last night in Game Five. The Flames now join the Tampa Bay Lightning in an earlier-than-expected off-season after the two teams combined for one win in nine games. Beyond that, the other two division winners – the Washington Capitals and Nashville Predators – are in the weeds with both series tied 2-2, while the owners of the second-best record in each conference – the Boston Bruins and San Jose Sharks – are on the brink of elimination at 3-2. It’s been a wild Round One thus far and things should only get more interesting moving forward. To prepare for the chaos, teams continue to make minor moves to support their playoff rosters:
- It’s goalie carousel day in the NHL, as clubs continue to swap out their AHL options in net as emergency third-stringers. The Colorado Avalanche did just that last night, taking Joe Cannata with them to Calgary to close out the Flames. Cannata, a minor league veteran out of Merrimack College, has spent almost all of the past two seasons in the ECHL, but has the AHL experience to provide emergency assistance if needed. With the Colorado Eagles also in the postseason, Cannata should continue to work with the Avs while the AHL tandem stays put.
- After Josef Korenar accompanied the San Jose Sharks to Vegas for Games Three and Four, it is the more experienced Antoine Bibeau who gets the call for Game Six. Bibeau and Korenar split time evenly with the Barracuda this season, with Korenar having the advantage statistically, but it’s Bibeau and his two NHL appearances that get the call this time around. The Sharks aren’t taking any chances with one more loss ending their season.
- The Washington Capitals announced today that they have swapped deep keepers ahead of Game Five, sending Vitek Vanecek back to the AHL’s Hershey Bears and recalling young Ilya Samsonov. Samsonov was stellar in Hersey’s playoff debut on Friday, but will use his night off to travel to D.C. rather than back up Vanecek for the Bears.
- Defenseman Mac Hollowell has been reassigned from his junior team, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, whose season has ended, to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, who are just beginning their postseason. Hollowell, a fourth-round pick of the Maple Leafs last year, enjoyed a breakout season to end his junior career and Toronto is likely eager to see how he can translate his game to the pro level. The puck-mover should also be a major boost for the Marlies in their Calder Cup title defense.
Snapshots: Gagarin Cup, Sorokin, Carr
The 2019 Gagarin Cup belongs to CSKA Moscow after finishing off their sweep of Avangard today. The club was a powerhouse all season as usual, but finally won their first championship after getting to the final in three of the last four years. Former NHL forward Mikhail Grigorenko led the way with 13 goals and 21 points in the playoffs for CSKA, while Cody Franson did his best for Avangard with 17 points to lead all defenders.
With the KHL season now officially over, we’ll start to see more and more rumors pop up about the next wave of Russian talent heading to North America. Contracts technically go through the end of April, but even players on CSKA will now be able to negotiate their future in the NHL if they so choose.
- The winners couldn’t have gotten there without New York Islanders draft pick Ilya Sorokin, who was named playoff MVP. The 23-year old goaltender stopped 36 of 38 shots in the final game giving him a .947 save percentage for the playoffs. The incredible young netminder recorded five shutouts during his 20-game Cup run, showing once again why he is considered one of the best goaltenders currently outside of the NHL. Sorokin’s contract with CSKA extends through 2019-20, and at this point it is not clear when he plans on coming over to North America, if at all.
- Speaking of outstanding performances from outside of the NHL, Daniel Carr was named AHL MVP today and will receive the Les Cunningham Award. Carr played just 52 games this season for the Chicago Wolves but was an absolutely dominant presence during them. The 27-year old forward recorded 71 points, putting him third in league scoring despite playing 20 fewer games than his contemporaries. Carr is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer and can sign with the team of his choosing, likely looking for another chance at the NHL. The undrafted forward has 35 points in 100 career NHL games.
Carolina Hurricanes Recall Aleksi Saarela
The Carolina Hurricanes are battered and bruised from their first round series against the Washington Capitals, so are bringing up some extra help. The team has recalled forward Aleksi Saarela from the Charlotte Checkers, while sending defenseman Jake Bean back down. Saarela is up under emergency conditions, since the Checkers are still in the AHL playoff picture.
Saarela, 22, has never actually suited up in the NHL but is a dominant performer for the Checkers. He led the team with 30 goals this season through 69 games and is almost always among the best handful of players on the ice. Originally selected by the New York Rangers in the third round of the 2015 draft, he came to the Hurricanes organization in the infamous Eric Staal trade at the 2016 deadline.
The young forward has progressed nicely through the first few years of his North American career, and now might get a chance to show what he can do at the NHL level if the Hurricanes continue to get banged up. Andrei Svechnikov and Micheal Ferland were already dealing with injuries when Jordan Martinook didn’t return to the bench in the second period of last night’s game.
AHL Notes: Studnicka, Conway, Bouchard, Jones, Howdeshell
The Providence Bruins face the tall task of defeating the Charlotte Checkers in their first-round match-up of the Calder Cup Playoffs, after Charlotte’s historic season earned them the top seed in the Eastern Conference. If Providence is able to do so, it will likely be in no small part due to the efforts of their newest addition. Forward Jack Studnicka, the Boston Bruins’ 2017 second-round pick and the player considered by many to be their top prospect, has joined Providence following the end of his junior season. In a strange turnaround, Studnicka and the stacked Niagara Ice Dogs simply could not figure out fellow Bruins prospect Kyle Keyser in net and were surprisingly knocked off by his Oshawa Generals in the second round of the OHL Playoffs. Oshawa had traded Studnicka to Niagara earlier in the season, yet somehow emerged from the match-up with their former captain. Now, Stunicka has to move on from his junior season and try to help Providence immediately in their own playoff run. He was able to make an instant impact last year, recording five points in five games with the P-Bruins. This time around, he could be an even bigger threat. Studnicka scored at better than a point-per-game pace with both Oshawa and Niagara this season, totaling 83 points in 60 games. He’s also trying to impress the Boston brass, as Studnicka’s OHL career is over and this is his first step toward cracking the Bruins’ roster next season. Adding a motivated and talented top prospect to the mix should be a major boost for Providence.
The P-Bruins have also added a local product to the roster, reports Mark Divver of The Providence Journal. Divver writes that Providence College senior Scott Conway has joined the team and has signed a one-year AHL contract as well. Conway, 24, is coming off an interesting collegiate career, in which he showed consistent success but also flashed next-level ability that never fully manifested. After his freshman year at Penn State University, in which he recorded a respectable 26 points in 34 games, Conway opted to leave the program and played the 2015-16 season outside of the NCAA with the BCHL’s Penticton Vees. Conway was a star in the BCHL, amassing a league-leading 116 points while skating alongside Colorado Avalanche center Tyson Jost and quickly committed to a new college team in Providence. Yet, in three seasons with the Friars, Conway’s numbers were no better than they were with the Nittany Lions. It’s thus unclear what the ceiling may be for the experienced English forward, who dominated the junior-A level, but failed to reach stardom at the college level. The Bruins likely got a good look at the local product and willing to see what he can bring to the table next season.
- Like Studnicka, two other highly-touted junior prospects have also joined their respective AHL teams for the playoff run. Defenseman Evan Bouchard, who played in seven games with the Edmonton Oilers to begin the season, has been assigned to the Bakersfield Condors, the team announced. Last year’s tenth overall pick notched 53 points in 45 games with the OHL’s London Knights this year and added another three points at the World Juniors with Team Canada. Bouchard is a near-lock to make the Oilers out of camp next season and can further improve those odds with a strong stretch of play for the Condors. Ben Jones, a seventh-round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017, has already proven to be a steal and will look to advance that title with his first pro experience. A teammate of Studnicka’s in Niagara, Jones led the team with 102 points on the year, but was held in check in the postseason compared to his fellow Ice Dogs standouts. Nevertheless, Jones will still be an exciting addition for the Chicago Wolves after a top-ten scoring season in the OHL. Having graduated from the junior level, this is also a peak into what’s in store for Jones next season in the pros.
- Like Conway, another promising undrafted prospect has been brought in by an AHL team just prior to the postseason, only that team didn’t qualify for the postseason. Forward Keeghan Howdeshell of the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds has signed a one-year deal with the Tuscon Roadrunners, his former club revealed. The Roadrunners are already looking ahead to next season after failing to grab one of the final spots in the Western Conference playoff picture, much like their parent club. Howdeshell, 21, finished tied for second in scoring for the Greyhounds this year with 77 points in 66 games. The U.S. National Team Development Program product seemed likely to be drafted but was instead passed over several times. He has since re-established his value and will look to translate his game to the pro level with Tuscon next season. A strong campaign could lead to Howdeshell earning an entry-level deal with the Arizona Coyotes.
Minor Transactions: 04/18/19
You know the postseason is well underway when the first roster transactions of the day don’t trickle in until late in the afternoon. With the majority of NHL teams now done for the year in addition to the end of the AHL regular season, there are few organizations still making moves back and forth to benefit both the parent squad and affiliate. So, while teams stay busy with playoff preparations – or rather draft preparations for many – there aren’t a lot of transactions being made. A few small moves today have been the exception:
- The Boston Bruins were not forced to use AHL veteran forward Paul Carey nor rookie defenseman Jakub Zboril in Game Four on Wednesday night and have thus returned both players to Providence. Carey and Zboril were each recalled earlier in the week for precautionary reasons and traveled with the team to Toronto, but did not need to be used against the Maple Leafs after all. With John Moore back in the lineup on defense and Sean Kuraly nearing a return up front, neither one will need to stay with Boston and can return to the AHL Bruins, who are looking to channel the Columbus Blue Jackets by knocking off the regular season champion Charlotte Checkers in the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.
- Young Josef Korenar served as the San Jose Sharks’ emergency third-string goalie on the team’s road trip to Vegas this week. He has been returned to the AHL’s Barracuda today upon the Sharks’ return home to San Jose for Game Five. Korenar obviously did not see any action with San Jose, but maybe he should have; Martin Jones‘ .838 save percentage is the worst in the playoffs and Aaron Dell is third-to-last at .861.
Atte Tolvanen To Play Overseas In 2019-20
When the Syracuse Crunch signed Atte Tolvanen to an AHL contract for the rest of this season, it appeared as if they were courting the NCAA standout for a potential entry-level contract in 2019-20. Instead, Tolvanen was one of the players announced as signing contracts with the Lahti Pelicans of Finland’s Liiga today. The deal is apparently a two-year contract starting next season, ending the goaltender’s strong run in North America.
Undrafted, Tolvanen spent four years as the starter for Northern Michigan University and was a Hobey Baker nominee this season. He recorded a .917 save percentage through 39 games, posting five shutouts and a 21-16-2 record for the WCHA school. The brother of Nashville Predators prospect Eeli Tolvanen, he joined the Crunch down the stretch and showed he can also be successful at the AHL level, recording a .928 save percentage through six games. He’ll stay with the Crunch through the Calder Cup playoffs, but won’t be joining an NHL organization for next season.
Because they signed him to just an AHL deal, the Lightning will not retain any exclusive rights with Tolvanen going forward. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent again in a couple of seasons, and could potentially be a target for the NHL. It’s not as if he is the very best goaltending prospect in the world, but at just 24 there is still time for him to improve and show how dominant he can be with professional defensemen in front of him.
Liam Foudy Joins Cleveland Monsters
The OHL’s London Knights were expected to be a contender for the Memorial Cup this season after several top prospects joined the program and they easily walked through their first round series with rival Windsor. It appeared as though the Guelph Storm were in for the same fate as the Spitfires after three games against the Knights, losing all of them by a combined score of 17-6. Then something amazing happened and Guelph turned around the series by winning the next four games and eliminating the powerhouse Knights from the OHL playoffs and Memorial Cup contention. With that, London players are able to join the AHL for a playoff run if their NHL organizations feel they are ready.
That’s what the Columbus Blue Jackets have done, assigning Liam Foudy to the Cleveland Monsters in time for the start of the Calder Cup playoffs. The Monsters start their first round series against the Syracuse Crunch on Friday, and could have the top prospect on the ice. Foudy, 19, recorded 68 points in 62 games for the Knights this season after the Blue Jackets made him the 18th-overall pick last June. The extremely athletic forward can do a little bit of everything on the ice and could potentially compete for an NHL spot in the fall, given the departures that may be on the horizon for Columbus.
Amazingly, Foudy will actually not be allowed to play in the AHL for the 2019-20 season as he won’t turn 20 until February 2020. That means he either has to make the Columbus roster or head back to London, in a league that he likely would dominate. It will be interesting to see what the Blue Jackets decide, as some organizations want their young prospects to get to that dominant level before moving on, while others like the rapidly challenge them during their developmental years.
Minor Transactions: 04/17/19
The NHL playoffs are over for both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins, meaning they’ll have to wait until next season to enact any revenge. The Lightning experienced arguably the worst collapse in history when they were swept out of the first round after recording a historic 62-win season, while Sidney Crosby and the Penguins weren’t able to call on any postseason magic to overcome Barry Trotz and the New York Islanders. As teams are eliminated there will be minor moves made to clean up rosters, and we’ll be here to keep track of all of them.
- The Lightning have sent Cameron Gaunce back to the AHL to help the Syracuse Crunch, a notable move for the minor league club. Gaunce recorded 46 points in 59 games with the Crunch this season and will return to run a powerplay in the Calder Cup playoffs. The Crunch start their first-round series against the Belleville Senators on Friday evening.
- Zac Dalpe is similarly on his way down to the AHL, but it’s not clear if he’ll stay there for very long. The 29-year old forward will help the Cleveland Monsters in their upcoming playoff series—also starting on Friday evening—but could potentially come back up to help the Blue Jackets in the second round.
- Like the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets this morning, the Calgary Flames have recalled their “Black Aces” for the remainder of the playoffs. Spencer Foo, Ryan Lomberg, Glenn Gawdin, Tyler Graovac, Matthew Phillips, Buddy Robinson, Curtis Lazar, Marcus Hogstrom, Rinat Valiev and Tyler Parsons are all heading up to the big club to skate in practices and get a glimpse of the NHL playoffs.
Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars Recall “Black Aces”
In sports, there is a nickname for everything. Today one of those names is being used in both Dallas and Winnipeg, as the Stars and Jets have recalled their “Black Aces.” This is a group of players from the minor and junior leagues that will come up to practice during and experience the NHL playoffs, without much of a chance to actually get into game action. It gives them a perspective on life at the highest level, while also allowing for time with NHL skills coaches. This time is often be called invaluable for young players, who get a taste of what it will take to get to and succeed at the NHL level.
Since the Texas Stars and Manitoba Moose both failed to qualify for the AHL playoffs, Dallas and Winnipeg have called up a large group of players. For Dallas, that group is as follows:
F Denis Gurianov
F Joel L’Esperance
F Nick Caamano
F Adam Mascherin
D Gavin Bayreuther
D Dillon Heatherington
D Joel Hanley
Among the group are several familiar names that have spent time at the NHL level, but Mascherin may be the most interesting member. Originally selected by the Florida Panthers in the second round (38th overall) of the 2016 draft, the scoring winger decided not to sign. He was subsequently drafted by the Stars in the fourth round (100th) last June, and started his professional career this season. It went pretty well, as Mascherin recorded 18 goals and 44 points in 75 games for Texas and actually tied for the team lead in +/- with a +10 rating.
For the Jets, the group will be made up of:
F Kristian Vesalainen
F Logan Shaw
F Marko Dano
F Mason Appleton
D Cameron Schilling
D Logan Stanley
Again there are several names that have already made their NHL debuts, including Vesalainen who notably forced a short recall before exercising his European Assignment Clause to play in the KHL this season. The 19-year old is a big part of the future for the Jets but will need to find some stability in his development moving forward.
There is always a chance that a few of these players could be forced into action due to injury or poor play from someone on the NHL roster, but more likely they’ll spend the next few weeks soaking in a playoff run from the outside.
Carolina Hurricanes Sign Jacob Pritchard
Wednesday: The Hurricanes have officially announced the contract, noting that it will begin in the 2019-20 season and pay Pritchard $750K at the NHL level. GM Don Waddell released a short statement about his newest player:
Jacob had a very productive year playing for one of the top teams in college hockey at UMass. He was highly effective on the power play this season and we’re excited to see what he can do at the professional level.
Tuesday: Cale Makar drew a lot of the attention for the University of Massachusetts this season, and deservedly so, as the Hobey Baker winner proved last night that he is a truly elite player ready to make an immediate difference at the NHL level. However, he was not the only difference-maker on a Minutemen squad that made their first ever National Championship Game appearance this past weekend. Now, another key player is being recognized for his pro potential. According to UMass head coach Greg Carvel, graduate forward Jacob Pritchard has signed an entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes.
While the Hurricanes have yet to officially announce the deal, Carvel is the most trusted source there is when it comes to Pritchard. The two share a close bond, as it was Carvel who originally recruited Pritchard to St. Lawrence University and coached him through his first year of college hockey. After Carvel left for Amherst, Pritchard played two more years for St. Lawrence before transferring to UMass to again play for his old coach. And it was this season with the Minutemen that he truly broke out and showed NHL upside. Pritchard recorded 47 points in 41 games while skating on UMass’ top line with All-American Mitchell Chaffee. While Chaffee and Makar received more accolades, Pritchard quietly finished tied for fifth in the NCAA in scoring, just two points behind Makar and five points ahead of Chaffee. He also tied for fourth overall in college hockey in assists.
Pritchard, 24, is only able to sign a one-year entry-level deal. Unlike Makar, it seems highly unlikely that the Hurricanes will rush to play their new addition in the postseason, meaning the team will get to take next season to evaluate the mature prospect before deciding what his next contract will look like. In the meantime, expect Pritchard to join the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers on an amateur tryout basis to continue his season in the minor league playoffs. In Pritchard, Carolina is getting a smart, creative offensive player. The left winger has strong offensive instincts, developed over time with the U.S. National Team Development Programs, two junior leagues, and two college programs. While his game is in his puck possession in open space and quick decision-making to set up goals, he can also attack the net and notched 16 goals for UMass this year. With an experienced game and versatile skill set, Pritchard should be able to adapt well to the pro game. The only question left is whether this late bloomer can continue to grow his game to the point that he can make an impact in the NHL. For that, he picked the right place, as Charlotte has had great success under head coach and assistant GM Mike Vellucci and the Hurricanes have reaped the benefits of well-prepared prospects. This bodes well for Pritchard at the next level.
Fortunately for UMass fans, this was an expected departure and will likely be the last core player to leave this off-season. Although Chaffee had a great season, he is an undrafted prospect and only a sophomore and it would be a surprise to see him turn pro. San Jose Sharks draft picks Mario Ferraro and John Leonard are also sophomores are there has been little talk of either signing this summer. A pair of standout freshmen, defenseman Marc Del Gaizo and goalie Filip Lindberg, stand a decent chance of being selected in June in their second time through the NHL Draft, but neither one would then turn pro immediately. The losses of Makar and Pritchard will certainly be felt, but otherwise the team will return the bulk of their lineup next season, plus top recruit and presumptive mid-round draft pick Zachary Jones. The ride is not over in Amherst.