Columbus Assigns Hannikainen To AHL, Activates Jenner From IR
The Columbus Blue Jackets are getting back to full health, as according to Brian Hedger of the team site, they’ve activated both Boone Jenner and Sam Vigneault from injured reserve. To make room, the team has assigned Vigneault and Markus Hannikainen back to the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL.
Jenner hadn’t played in a game yet this season after suffering an upper-body injury in training camp. The 24-year old had been missed, as he provides some of the strongest all-around play on the team when healthy. After scoring a career-high 30 goals in 2015-16, Jenner took a slight step backwards last season but still registered 18 goals and 34 points. That drop in goals can be easily prescribed to a fluctuating shooting percentage, as Jenner still generated over 200 shots on the year. He also was a big part of the physicality the Blue Jackets’ forward group brought, logging 200+ hits for the third time in his career.
One of the hardest parts about playing the Blue Jackets is how much size they bring up front. While the swap of Brandon Saad for Artemi Panarin reduced that a bit, bringing Jenner back into the fold should provide them with a bit more jump. His addition to the top-9 should lengthen their lineup even further, and allow them to build on their 5-2 start.
Minor Notes: Mironov, Van Riemsdyk, Svechnikov
The Colorado Avalanche have sent Andrei Mironov to the San Antonio Rampage on a conditioning stint according to Igor Eronko of Sport-Express. Mironov has been a healthy scratch for the Avalanche since the first game of the season, but as Mike Chambers wrote Tuesday for the Denver Post, was becoming acclimated to North America with the help of the other Colorado Russian-born players.
Now, he’ll have to fend for himself so to speak in the minor leagues as he tries to learn the defensive game on smaller rinks. Mironov was drafted in the fourth round a few years ago, but has shown solid upside as a potential shutdown defender. After playing five seasons in the KHL, Mironov signed with the Avalanche this spring to start his North American career.
- Trevor van Riemsdyk has been activated as expected by the Carolina Hurricanes after recovering from a concussion suffered in the season-opener. The team had experimented with Trevor Carrick, but will likely plug van Riemsdyk back into the lineup tonight against the Calgary Flames. They had been carrying just six defensemen after sending Carrick back to the AHL, meaning there will be no corresponding move necessary.
- Evgeny Svechnikov is also healthy after an injury held him out of the first part of the season. The difference is that Svechnikov has been sent to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins to begin his season, not quite ready for the NHL just yet. Svechnikov made his NHL debut last season when he got into two games for the Detroit Red Wings, but was instrumental in the Griffins’ Calder Cup victory. In 93 total minor league games last year, the first-round pick scored 63 points. He’ll likely make it up to the NHL before long if he shows he’s healthy.
- When the Buffalo Sabres brought in Jason Botterill as GM this summer, he promised that more emphasis would be placed on the Rochester Americans and their success. The organization has made another move to try and beef up the Amerks, bringing Stuart Percy in on a professional tryout. Percy was a first-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2011, and has found solid success in the minor leagues previously. The Buffalo GM is intimately familiar with his game, as he played for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins last year, who Botterill ran for the Pittsburgh organization.
- The Vegas Golden Knights have completed another goalie transaction, flipping Maxime Lagace for Oscar Dansk according to our friends at Roster Resource. Lagace didn’t get into a game as Malcolm Subban has taken the reins in Vegas, and this move likely allows both goaltenders to stay fresh.
Early Notes: Carter, Rask, Cehlarik
The Los Angeles Kings were already thin on scoring, relying on their top names to carry most of the load this season. Then, last night against the Montreal Canadiens Jeff Carter absorbed a hit from Jeff Petry and will be out “a little while” according to Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider. Bob McKenzie of TSN believes that means “multiple weeks”
Carter was cut by a skate blade in the collision, a fluke injury that will really hurt the Kings. Los Angeles is off to a great 5-0-1 record, extending their smooth start with a 5-1 blowout of the Canadiens last night. The team finally received some secondary scoring, as Adrian Kempe and Mike Cammalleri both broke out for four-point nights. Prior to last night neither player had any points, but stepped up in a fashion the team desperately needed.
- Anders Bjork crashed into Tuukka Rask at practice yesterday, and though the goaltender was helped off the ice the Bruins still haven’t made a roster move. As McKenzie reports, the team wanted to see how he was feeling this morning before making any decision. Remember, if Rask is out the team no longer has Malcolm Subban to turn to in the minor leagues, and would likely turn to Zane McIntyre as a backup for Anton Khudobin. If Rask deals with an injury for any length of time, the goaltending depth of the Bruins organization will really be tested.
- Still with the Bruins, the team has returned Peter Cehlarik to the AHL according to Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe. Cehlarik had been called up along with Kenny Agostino this week to help fill in for the injured forwards, but with David Backes and Patrice Bergeron nearing returns he’s no longer needed. Agostino will likely stay and fill some of the role of the injured Ryan Spooner, at least on the powerplay.
Snapshots: Schlemko, Wild, Aulie
David Schlemko‘s career with the Montreal Canadiens is off to an inauspicious start to say the least. After suffering a hand injury in training camp, Schlemko worked his way back and played in a conditioning game with the Laval Rocket before immediately being recalled to the NHL team. That game, or something afterwards, must have re-aggravated the injury, as the team today announced that the defenseman had undergone surgery to remove a bone fragment and would be out three to four weeks.
The Canadiens have already released Mark Streit after he couldn’t find a way into the lineup, meaning Victor Mete seems here to stay for good. The 19-year old defensman has performed admirably in his short stint, and will burn a year of his entry-level contract after he plays in another four games. With Schlemko unavailable for another few weeks, Mete will be needed more than ever.
- The Minnesota Wild have recalled Landon Ferraro, Luke Kunin and Zack Mitchell ahead of their upcoming road trip. The Wild has been dealing with several injuries to their key forwards, and will have to rely on youth to get them through the next couple of games. The team will have to retroactively move some players to injured reserve to make room, but since Mikael Granlund hasn’t played since the opening night of the season, and Zach Parise hasn’t suited up at all, it shouldn’t be a problem. The team is 1-1-2 in what was supposed to be a contending season, but just can’t seem to get their best players on the ice.
- Veteran NHL defenseman Keith Aulie has found a home for the time being, signing a professional tryout with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL. Aulie, who has suited up for 167 career NHL games with three different franchises, split last season between the Stockton Heat and Cleveland Monsters of the AHL. As surprising as it may seem, Aulie could have an outside shot at making the Canadian Olympic squad given his NHL and European experience. The 6’6″ defender was once considered an up-and-comer with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but never could quite turn his huge frame into a consistent defender.
Chicago Blackhawks Assign Nathan Noel To AHL
The Chicago Blackhawks have sent Nathan Noel back to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL, likely meaning he’s now healthy enough to resume playing. Noel started the year on season-opening injured reserve after missing most of training camp due to injury.
Noel, 20, is in his first professional season after being selected in the fourth round of the 2016 draft. Last year in the QMJHL, he continued his consistent play with 24 goals and 50 points in 52 games. That marked the third straight season he’d recorded 20+ goals, and though he was overshadowed at times by higher profile prospects, Chicago thought highly enough of him to give him an entry-level contract this spring.
The small forward was passed over in his first eligible draft in 2015, despite being ranked 54th among North American skaters by the NHL’s Central Scouting. He had after all been a top bantam prospect, taken third overall in the QMJHL priority selection in 2013. His name never came though, and he had to wait several rounds once again in 2016. The next step will be showing the same versatility in Rockford that made him so valuable in Saint John. Noel is able to play several different styles effectively, and still has some offensive upside in his game.
St. Louis Blues Place Wade Megan On Waivers, Activate Alex Steen
After sitting out the first few weeks with a hand injury, Alex Steen has been activated by the St. Louis Blues and will be in the lineup tonight when they take on the Chicago Blackhawks. To make room for the returning Steen, Wade Megan has been placed on waivers. Megan had played in just one game with the Blues, and will likely be assigned to the AHL should he clear waivers tomorrow.
Steen is an important part of the Blues’ forward group, and he’ll rejoin a team that has lost a pair of matches after going 4-0 to start the year. The team has struggled to find much secondary scoring this season, something that Steen will look to change. With his return, the forward depth should improve as players are slotted into more familiar roles. Still, with Patrik Berglund, Robby Fabbri and Zachary Sanford out long-term, the team will need to get more from their bottom-six.
Megan is an AHL veteran who made his NHL debut last season, but was never likely in the plans as much more than a depth option. His 2016-17 season was impressive, with 66 points for the Chicago Wolves, but he hasn’t been able to carry that scoring ability over to the next level. He’ll serve as a valuable extra piece waiting to get recalled should he make it through waivers.
Boston Bruins Recall Agostino, Cehlarik From AHL
The Boston Bruins have recalled Kenny Agostino and Peter Cehlarik from the AHL ahead of their match with the Vancouver Canucks tomorrow night. The Bruins had previously sent down Danton Heinen and Austin Czarnik after Patrice Bergeron and David Backes had returned to practice, but now it seems like that could have just been a straight swap.
The Bruins are looking for an offensive jump, and Agostino definitely provides that. Last year’s AHL MVP, the 25-year old has seven points in three games for the Providence Bruins after registering 83 a year ago. Though he’s not a complete player by any means, there is no doubt that he can create scoring chances for himself and his linemates, something Boston has struggled with outside of their top players. Ryan Spooner, perhaps the poster boy for under-performing Bruins over the last while, has now missed back-to-back practices after leaving Sunday’s game against the Golden Knights. He had just one point in the first five games, and was limited to just four shots on goal.
While Bergeron and Backes are back at practice, neither are a guarantee to make the roster tomorrow night. Each of them would have to be activated from injured reserve, which would now require another corresponding move. Spooner could go on IR himself, or another player could be sent to the P-Bruins. Interestingly, now that Agostino is up with the club he seems to be set to stick for a while. He is waiver-eligible, and would be at risk of claim by another team in the league should the Bruins decide to send him back down. Cehlarik, Sean Kuraly, Anders Bjork and Jake Debrusk can all be sent down without being exposed.
Justin Auger Recalled To Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Kings have recalled forward Justin Auger from the Ontario Reign of the AHL, marking the first time he’s been with the NHL club in his short professional career. The Kings had an open roster spot after placing Kyle Clifford on injured reserve, which they’ve decided to fill with another young forward.
The Kings have gotten off to an incredible 4-0-1 start under new head coach John Stevens, thanks in part to a re-energized Dustin Brown. The 32-year old has seven points in five games and is logging over 19 minutes a night for the club. That huge responsibility being heaped on Brown, Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter allows the rest of the Kings’ roster to be more fluid. Should Auger get into the lineup, it’s unlikely that he’ll be given much ice time, but it would still be a big step forward in his career.
Selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft, Auger wasn’t much of a scoring threat in junior hockey. The Kings were willing to take a chance on him though, mostly because of his size. The 23-year old forward stands at 6’6″, 232-lbs and can dominate people with his physicality. He’s actually shown more skill than one might have expected in the minor leagues, scoring 43 goals across three seasons including 19 in 2015-16.
Boston Bruins Send Czarnik, Heinen To AHL
The Boston Bruins are getting healthier, and because of it they needed to make room on their NHL roster. With that, they’ve sent both Austin Czarnik and Danton Heinen back to Providence of the AHL. The Bruins don’t play again until Thursday, but had both Patrice Bergeron and David Backes back on the ice at this morning’s practice according to Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe.
While it is certainly possible that the team could bring one of them back up for Thursday, it doesn’t seem probable right now. The P-Bruins don’t play until Friday, meaning this isn’t just to get them into the lineup in the time being. Instead, it likely means that Frank Vatrano has earned a spot on the fourth line for now. Ryan Spooner also wasn’t at practice today after suffering a lower-body injury against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Heinen in particular had been impressive in the early going, recording three points in three games. The 22-year old had a solid season as an AHL rookie last year, and is looking to follow that up with a jump to the NHL. He’ll have to wait for now, but if the rest of the Bruins bottom-six don’t start performing it may not be for long.
Vegas Golden Knights Roster Maneuvers Paying Off
When the Vegas Golden Knights sent Vadim Shipachyov, Alex Tuch and Shea Theodore down to the minor leagues just prior to the season, many believed it was only a paper transaction to give them a few more days of trade negotiation. When none of the three were back up for the opener, people started to scratch their head and wonder what the front office was doing. It seemed counter-intuitive for a team that wanted to make a good first impression on a fan base.
But after five games that impression has been made. The Golden Knights are 4-1, with Shipachyov and Tuch only having to wait a few games before making their debut. Both came in the Golden Knights’ most recent match, when each recorded their first NHL goals. While there were reports that Shipachyov was upset about the temporary demotion, everything seems to be sorted out now and he’s up where he belongs.
The interesting story comes with Theodore, who remains in the minor leagues. The 22-year old defenseman was one of the top prizes of the expansion draft process, coming by trade from the Anaheim Ducks in order to take Clayton Stoner‘s contract off their hands. Theodore has tremendous upside and is one of only a handful of players expected to be around long term in Sin City. But that term hasn’t even begun yet, as he instead has suited up for three games in a Chicago Wolves sweater.
Theodore has shown that he’s too good for the AHL in the early going, scoring seven points in three games—remember, he’s a defenseman—while logging big minutes in all situations. While that makes many fans scratch their head on why he’s not up with the big club, it actually could pay off in the long run.
Theodore is in the final year of his entry-level contract, and will head into offseason negotiations without a full season under his belt. The longer the Golden Knights keep him in the minor leagues while still winning games, the more money they could save in contract talks. While it’s entirely likely that Theodore’s side will end up asking for a short term deal to prove his worth, there is also a very real possibility that if given substantial minutes over the entire 2017-18 season he could have demanded a long-term deal with a big cap hit. The Golden Knights know what his potential is, and right now are betting that he won’t stagnate at all by spending some more time in the minors.
If the team continues to play well, holding onto the nine defensemen currently on the roster may not be the worst solution. They obviously don’t want to lose any of them on waivers, and right now having Theodore in the minors is only doing positive things for the organization. Chicago gets a player that could be considered one of the biggest defensive weapons in the AHL, while a couple more dollars are knocked off his next deal. There is a tipping point where a relationship could be harmed, but GM George McPhee likely has a better handle on that than anyone else. For all the confusion that has surrounded the Golden Knights’ decisions in the early going, they seem to have the answer to every problem. If they keep winning, so be it.
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