Minor Moves: Niku, O’Reilly, Peca
The Winnipeg Jets have recalled Sami Niku as expected, now that Josh Morrissey has been suspended for Game 5. If Niku does get into the lineup, he’ll be checking another box in what has been an outstanding season. Not only did he make his North American professional debut in the AHL, he won the league’s award for most outstanding defenseman, was named to the All-Rookie and First All-Star team, and scored in his NHL debut. A playoff appearance would be icing on the cake for the seventh-round pick.
More minor moves from around the league…
- Cal O’Reilly has been recalled by the Minnesota Wild as another “Black Ace.” He’s unlikely to get into a game for the team, as Michael Russo of The Athletic tweets his recall was just delayed. O’Reilly has been an elite minor league player for more than a decade, and put up another excellent season with the Iowa Wild. 64 points in 75 games marked the fifth time he’s put up at least 60 in an AHL season.
- Matthew Peca has been returned to the Syracuse Crunch ahead of their first round playoff series, despite the Tampa Bay Lightning being in the NHL playoffs. It was unlikely that Peca was going to get into a game without an injury, so he’ll go back to the AHL to stay ready. Unlike O’Reilly, Peca could be given an opportunity in the NHL playoffs if Tampa needs an extra body at some point. He’ll start his first round AHL series against the Rochester Americans tomorrow evening.
Los Angeles Kings Assign Four Players To AHL
The Los Angeles Kings have been eliminated from the playoffs, but the season isn’t over for four of their players. Today the team announced that Jonny Brodzinski, Michael Amadio, Oscar Fantenberg and Paul Ladue are all on their way back to the Ontario Reign to help in their AHL playoff run.
All four are eligible for the playoffs because they were on the AHL roster—or at least involved in paper transactions—at the trade deadline, and will give a huge boost to the Reign when they take on the Texas Stars tomorrow. Brodzinski and Amadio were both point-per-game players this season in the AHL, while Ladue and Fantenberg can log huge minutes on defense.
It’s a tough end to the season for a team like Los Angeles, after fighting all year to just make it into the playoffs. The four game sweep at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights will leave a sour taste in the mouths of the players and front office, and likely lead to changes this summer. While Brodzinski and Amadio are both under contract for next year, Ladue and Fantenberg are two of the team’s several restricted free agents and will be looking for new deals. Both should be back on relatively cheap contracts, but don’t expect either to have a guaranteed role on the NHL club next season.
Jordan Kyrou Assigned To Chicago Wolves For AHL Playoffs
Jordan Kyrou has turned into one of the most intriguing prospects in the league, and now his season will continue after the St. Louis Blues assigned him to the Chicago Wolves for the remainder of the season. Kyrou’s Sarnia Sting were eliminated from the OHL playoffs on Sunday, but he’ll get a chance to keep playing as the Wolves are headed to the AHL playoffs. He should feel right at home after playing one game for the Wolves last spring.
Kyrou had another outstanding season, recording 109 points in just 56 games while taking home a gold medal with the Canadian World Junior team. He led the Canadians with 10 points in the tournament, something he’s getting used to recently. The 19-year old is an outstanding offensive player, capable of creating consistent opportunities off the rush for himself and teammates. His skating ability is near unparalleled in the junior ranks, and will likely allow him to find immediate success at the professional level.
Chicago isn’t technically the Blues’ affiliate, instead partnered with the Vegas Golden Knights this season, but still has a strong relationship with St. Louis. Kyrou will be playing under Golden Knights’ coaching staffs, and will be heading to a different AHL organization next season. That is of course if he doesn’t make the NHL out of training camp, something that isn’t entirely out of the question.
Snapshots: Panik, Kaspick, Islanders
Arizona Coyotes forward Richard Panik was arrested for trespassing on April 8th, reports ABC15 in Arizona. Panik reportedly refused to leave the entrance of a nightclub called Bevvy in Scottsdale, and was booked for criminal trespass. He was later released with a criminal citation.
Panik, acquired by the Coyotes during the season from the Chicago Blackhawks, is under contract for one more season at $2.8MM. He seemed to fit in well with the Coyotes system, recording 19 points in 35 games. The 27-year old’s future in Arizona will likely not be affected by the incident, though it is something to keep an eye on.
- Tanner Kaspick has been assigned to the Manitoba Moose for the remainder of the season, allowing the St. Louis Blues prospect to keep playing despite his CHL team’s recent elimination. The Blues don’t have a primary AHL affiliate this season, meaning Kaspick had to be loaned to the Moose and will be under the purview of their coaching staff. The Moose are headed into the playoffs as one of the better teams in the AHL, but could use another talented player like Kaspick. The former Brandon Wheat Kings captain had 64 points in 60 games split between two teams this season.
- According to a report from Chris Botta of SportsNet New York, the New York Islanders are looking to add a “top executive” to the hockey operations department that could work as a general manager under current President Garth Snow. While Botta lists Julian BriseBois (Tampa Bay Lightning), Paul Fenton (Nashville Predators) and Tom Fitzgerald (New Jersey Devils) as possible candidates, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports that they have not yet contacted the Devils to speak with the latter.
Cody Glass Assigned To Chicago Wolves
Just before the Chicago Wolves are about to start their AHL playoff series against the Rockford IceHogs, they’re getting a talented young forward added to their group. Cody Glass has been assigned to the AHL now that his WHL season is over. Glass’ Portland Winterhawks team was eliminated last Friday, meaning the top pick can get a taste of professional hockey down the stretch.
Glass, selected sixth overall last June by the Vegas Golden Knights, had another outstanding season in the WHL, recording 102 points in 64 regular season games before adding another 13 in 12 playoff contests. Despite that success, he was left off the Canadian World Junior team but now could get a chance to prove his worth at a higher level. It’s unclear if he’ll get into the lineup right away, but even just skating with the team will be worthwhile for his development.
The Golden Knights have obviously had a huge amount of success on the ice this season, but their draft last June looks like an impressive beginning to a prospect pipeline. Glass, along with fellow first-round picks Nick Suzuki and Erik Brannstrom all look like they will be impact NHL players in the next few years, while second-round defenseman Nicolas Hague scored 35 goals in the OHL and is already playing for the Wolves.
Montreal Canadiens Fire AHL Coach Sylvain Lefebvre
The Montreal Canadiens have announced that Sylvain Lefebvre, head coach of their AHL affiliate the Laval Rocket, has been relieved of his duties. GM Marc Bergevin released a statement along with the announcement:
I would like to sincerely thank Sylvain for his loyalty, his hard work and his contribution to the Montreal Canadiens’ organization over the past six seasons with Hamilton, St. John’s and Laval. Challenges are extremely demanding as a Head Coach in the AHL, and Sylvain and his group had to overcome several difficult situations over the years. The decision to remove Sylvain from his coaching duties was a difficult one because I have a lot of respect for him and I consider him to be an excellent coach. I took the time to discuss the situation with Larry Carrière, and concluded that our development team needed a new direction in the head coaching position.
There was little reason to expect Lefebvre to be back, after the Rocket finished dead last in the AHL. The team won just 24 games and allowed a league-high 281 goals. That record came after a twelve game losing streak to finish the season, where the team had obviously lost any spark they once had.
Though the Rocket did supply their parent club with some talented youngsters, there wasn’t a consistent pipeline of support for the team when the struggled with injury. With Montreal still considering themselves playoff contenders, the minor league system has to be better at providing NHL-ready talent when called upon. Much of that falls on the front office, but some part at least sits with Lefebvre and his staff. Laval should get some added depth next season after another year of draft picks graduate to professional hockey, but a new coaching staff will be the ones who develop them into NHL players.
Winnipeg Jets Recall Sami Niku From AHL
Fresh off being named the AHL’s most outstanding defenseman, Sami Niku could get his first taste of the NHL playoffs. The Winnipeg Jets have recalled the defenseman ahead of Game 4 tonight against the Minnesota Wild as they deal with an injury to Tyler Myers.
Niku, 21, has dominated in his first taste of North American professional hockey, registering 54 points in 76 AHL games and even scoring in his single NHL contest. The seventh-round pick is one of the best puck-moving defensemen in the minor leagues, and is set to make an impact in the NHL before long.
The Manitoba Moose start a playoff series on Saturday, which could be enough time for Myers to return so that Niku can go back down. The Jets are cautiously optimistic about their big defenseman, though there’s no clear return set. Even without Niku, the Moose are a powerhouse that could be capable of taking home the Calder Cup in the AHL, but will have to get through the defending champion Grand Rapids Griffins in the first round.
AHL Calder Cup Playoff Matchups
Yesterday, the AHL season came to a close and 16 teams advanced to the Calder Cup Playoffs. Though it’s not exactly like a Stanley Cup pursuit, the AHL playoffs are a battleground created specifically to test the mettle of young players, while providing a chance for glory to veterans who may not get another opportunity in the NHL.
Below are the eight matchups, with some interesting storylines to watch in each one:
All times CST
Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Philadelphia) vs Providence Bruins (Boston)
Game 1 – Fri. Apr 20, 2018 – 7:05PM | LV @ PRO
Game 2 – Sat. Apr 21, 2018 – 7:05PM | LV @ PRO
Game 3 – Fri. Apr 27, 2018 – 7:05PM | PRO @ LV
Game 4 – Sat. Apr 28, 2018 – 7:05PM | PRO @ LV
Game 5 – Mon. Apr 30, 2018 – 7:05PM | PRO @ LV
While the Flyers and Bruins do battle in their respective NHL playoff series, their AHL affiliates will take each other on in the first round. Phil Varone, fresh off winning league MVP, will try to lead the Phantoms all the way to the Calder Cup finals. He’ll have to go through the previous MVP to do it, as Kenny Agostino heads a diverse Bruins attack.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh) vs Charlotte Checkers (Carolina)
Game 1 – Fri. Apr 20, 2018 – 6:00PM | WBS @ CHA
Game 2 – Sat. Apr 21, 2018 – 5:00PM | WBS @ CHA
Game 3 – Thu. Apr 26, 2018 – 6:05PM | CHA @ WBS
Game 4 – Sat. Apr 28, 2018 – 6:05PM | CHA @ WBS
Game 5 – Sun. Apr 29, 2018 – 2:05PM | CHA @ WBS
Daniel Sprong was the top scorer for the WBS Penguins this season, recording 65 points in 65 games. That kind of production is excellent from anyone, but Sprong is in just his first full season of professional hockey and looks poised to make the jump to the NHL before long. Charlotte has their own talented offensive piece though in Lucas Wallmark, who had 55 points in just 45 AHL contests between NHL call-ups.
Toronto Marlies (Toronto) vs Utica Comets (Vancouver)
Game 1 – Sat. Apr 21, 2018 – 3:00PM | UTI @ TOR
Game 2 – Sun. Apr 22, 2018 – 3:00PM | UTI @ TOR
Game 3 – Wed. Apr 25, 2018 – 6:00PM | TOR @ UTI
Game 4 – Fri. Apr 27, 2018 – 6:00PM | TOR @ UTI
Game 5 – Sun. Apr 29, 2018 – 3:00PM | UTI @ TOR
Toronto had the best goaltending in the league en route to a historically dominant season, but if there was a team that could match them in net it would be Utica. Thatcher Demko put up a .922 save percentage as the absolute MVP of a relatively average Comets team, and could end up stealing a series if the Marlies aren’t careful.
Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay) vs Rochester Americans (Buffalo)
Game 1 – Fri. Apr 20, 2018 – 6:00PM | RCH @ SYR
Game 2 – Sat. Apr 21, 2018 – 6:00PM | RCH @ SYR
Game 3 – Wed. Apr 25, 2018 – 6:05PM | SYR @ RCH
Game 4 – Fri. Apr 27, 2018 – 6:05PM | SYR @ RCH
Game 5 – Sat. Apr 28, 2018 – 6:00PM | RCH @ SYR
Though the Buffalo Sabres didn’t have much fun this season, but their affiliate is headed back to the playoffs for the first time in four years. If the Sabres want to build a different culture for their organization and expose their young players to the idea of winning, having Rochester go deep in the playoffs is the first start. They’ll have to topple one of the league’s best teams to do it, as Syracuse is still loaded with future NHL talent.
Chicago Wolves (Vegas) vs Rockford IceHogs (Chicago)
Game 1 – Sat. Apr 21, 2018 – 6:00PM | RFD @ CHI
Game 2 – Sun. Apr 22, 2018 – 3:00PM | CHI @ RFD
Game 3 – Thu. Apr 26, 2018 – 6:00PM | RFD @ CHI
Game 4 – Sun. Apr 29, 2018 – 3:00PM | CHI @ RFD
Game 5 – Mon. Apr 30, 2018 – 6:00PM | RFD @ CHI
You could call this this All-Chicago series, as Blackhawks prospects will take on the Wolves in a series that spans only about 75 miles. Though technically the Vegas Golden Knights’ affiliate, the Wolves still house several players from the St. Louis Blues including Beau Bennett, who put up 57 points in 60 games this year.
Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit) vs Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg)
Game 1 – Sat. Apr 21, 2018 – 1:00PM | GR @ MB
Game 2 – Sun. Apr 22, 2018 – 1:00PM | GR @ MB
Game 3 – Wed. Apr 25, 2018 – 6:00PM | MB @ GR
Game 4 – Thu. Apr 26, 2018 – 6:00PM | MB @ GR
Game 5 – Mon. Apr 30, 2018 – 6:00PM | MB @ GR
If you think the Winnipeg Jets are good, just wait until the next wave of talent comes up from Manitoba. Sami Niku was named the league’s top defenseman, while Mason Appleton earned Rookie of the Year honors. Both will be on full display when they take on the reigning Calder Cup Champion Griffins.
Tucson Roadrunners (Arizona) vs San Jose Barracuda (San Jose)
Game 1 – Thu. Apr 19, 2018 – 6:00PM | TUC @ SJ
Game 2 – Sat. Apr 21, 2018 – 6:00PM | TUC @ SJ
Game 3 – Wed. Apr 25, 2018 – 6:05PM | SJ @ TUC
Game 4 – Fri. Apr 27, 2018 – 6:05PM | SJ @ TUC
Game 5 – Sat. Apr 28, 2018 – 6:05PM | SJ @ TUC
Like the Americans, the Roadrunners will try to make up for their NHL parent team’s failures this season. The Coyotes minor league team got a huge boost when Dylan Strome was returned, perhaps for the last time in his professional career. Strome is expected to make the jump to the NHL next season, and could put a stamp on what has been a solid year with a long playoff run.
Texas Stars (Dallas) vs Ontario Reign (Los Angeles)
Game 1 – Thu. Apr 19, 2018 – 6:00PM | ONT @ TEX
Game 2 – Fri. Apr 20, 2018 – 6:00PM | ONT @ TEX
Game 3 – Sun. Apr 22, 2018 – 2:00PM | TEX @ ONT
Game 4 – Tue. Apr 24, 2018 – 6:00PM | TEX @ ONT
Game 5 – Mon. Apr 30, 2018 – 6:00PM | ONT @ TEX
If the Los Angeles Kings bow out quickly enough we could see the Reign get a boost for their playoff chances, as Michael Amadio, Paul Ladue, Jonny Brodzinski and Oscar Fantenberg are all eligible for the AHL playoffs. The Kings could be eliminated as soon as tomorrow night, meaning the Reign could welcome back several key names for Game 1.
New Jersey Devils Recall Seven Players
The New Jersey Devils have recalled their “Black Aces”, several players who will skate with the team throughout the playoffs but are not expected to play. Christoph Bertschy, Nick Lappin, Michael McLeod, Blake Pietila, Kevin Rooney, Michael Kapla and Brian Strait are all on their way up from Binghamton. The AHL squad did not qualify for the playoffs, meaning the season is over for the rest of the team’s prospects.
For McLeod, the 12th-overall pick from 2016, it’s been a disappointing. After dealing with injury to start the year, he returned to the Mississauga Steelheads and didn’t take the expected step forward to become one of the most dangerous players in the league. Though his game has always been built on using his speed to play a solid two-way game, scoring 100 points in 77 games during the 2016-17 season showed off exactly how much offense he could create. In 44 games this year he recorded just 54 points, and Mississauga was knocked out in the first round of the OHL playoffs.
Hopefully a taste of the NHL playoffs will be able to spark another level in his development, and he’ll be battling for an NHL spot out of camp in the fall. Otherwise, he’s headed for the AHL to hone his skills and try to be the next young star to help widen New Jersey’s newfound window of contention.
Early Notes: Barton, Grundstrom, Jokiharju
If you missed it last night, linesman Steve Barton was injured on a play in the Columbus-Washington game after getting his feet tangled up with Josh Anderson. Barton ended up falling awkwardly and couldn’t get up without assistance. The linesman left the game, and today Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports that Barton suffered a dislocated knee cap and torn quadriceps and will need surgery.
Emily Kaplan of ESPN reminds us just how far the NHL officials go to stay in peak physical condition, profiling several in a piece from earlier this year. While Barton is expected to make a full recovery, he won’t be working any more Stanley Cup playoff games this season.
- Carl Grundstrom has made quite an impact since returning to the Toronto Marlies, and according to Scott Wheeler of The Athletic (subscription required) will continue to do so next season. Grundstrom told Wheeler that he’s not going back to Sweden next season, and will attempt to make the Maple Leafs’ roster or suit up for the Marlies in 2018-19. The 2016 second-round pick has developed into an all-around winger with a bit of goal scoring upside, and could potentially replace an outgoing Maple Leafs free agent. With James van Riemsdyk and Leo Komarov still unsigned, Toronto could have a place for the speedy Grundstrom sooner than expected.
- Among 20 notes on the Chicago Blackhawks, Scott Powers of The Athletic (subscription required) examines top prospect Henri Jokiharju in depth and questions the fact that he’s still unsigned by the team. Leaving Jokiharju without a contract this long into his development isn’t usual for the Blackhawks, especially as he could make an NHL impact as soon as next season. Powers confirms that since the 2017 first-round pick was playing for the Portland Winterhawks on loan from his Finnish team, he can go straight to the AHL next year even as a 19-year old. Jokiharju had quite a season for Portland, recording 71 points in 63 games as one of the best defensemen in the entire WHL.