Senators Sign Ryan Dzingel To One-Year Deal
After performing admirably at the AHL level the past two seasons, Ryan Dzingel got his chance with the Senators last season and put up 11 points in 30 games. For a reward, he has signed a one-year, two-way deal according to a team release. The team also released the financials; Dzingel will earn $750K at the NHL level, and just $72.5K in the AHL.
Since being selected with the 204th overall selection in the 2011 entry draft, Dzingel has put up points at every level. First, he went to Ohio State where he led the team in scoring for three straight seasons. After leaving college in 2013, the Illinois native has scored 31 goals in 119 AHL games, and made a good impression on his coaching staff while playing 30 games in the NHL last season.
The 24-year old will now try and fight his way back onto the bottom half of a roster that is looking to compete for the playoffs again, and prove that he can provide defensive responsibility while still producing in limited minutes. He’s already beat the odds of making it to the NHL, now he’ll try and stick.
Hurricanes Sign Tennyson To One-Year Contract
Defenceman Matt Tennyson and the Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to one year, two-way contract worth $675K at the NHL level and $275K in the AHL. Tennyson put up 4 points in 29 games with San Jose last season.
Hurricanes GM Ron Francis said he believes Tennyson can play at the NHL level, and provides right-handed depth. Despite being an inexpensive depth option, the signing continues the trend of right-handed defensemen being valued additions to teams. At this point in his career, Tennyson figures to be a bottom-pairing or seventh defenceman at the NHL level but was signed early in free agency.
Tennyson was an un-drafted free agent signing by the Sharks in 2012, and has appeared in 60 NHL games over three seasons, totalling 14 points. He also scored 65 points in 169 AHL games with the Sharks’ AHL affiliates Worcester Sharks and then San Jose Barracuda.
Minor UFA Signings: 07/01/16
Along with all of the huge names that went early in today’s free agency period, teams made quite a few smaller moves to shore up the fringes of their NHL lineup. Here are the minor signings:
- Stuart Percy (PIT): One year, $525K (two-way)
- Mike Kostka (OTT): One year, $800K (two-way)
- Anton Khudobin (BOS): Two years, $2.4MM
- Jon Marchessault (FLA): Two years, $1.5MM/yr
- Colton Sceviour (FLA): Two years, $1.9MM
- Michael Bournival (TB): One year, $575K (two-way)
- Casey Bailey (OTT): One year, $874K (two-way)
- Sam Carrick (CHI): One year, $575K (two-way)
- Pierre-Cedric Labrie (CHI): One year, $575K (two-way)
- Adam Clendening (NYR): One year, $600K (two-way)
- David Warsofsky (PIT): One year, $575K (two-way)
- Klas Dahlbeck (ARZ): One year, $750K
Minor Transactions: 06/29/16
Here is where we’ll keep track of the day’s minor transactions:
- The St. Louis Blues have come to an agreement with AHL winger Jordan Caron, reports the team site. The former Boston Bruin had 36 points in 70 games with the Chicago Wolves last season. He has 157 NHL games in his career, tallying 28 points.
- Former NHLer Evgeny Artyukhin signed on to remain with his Russian club Sibir Novosibirsk, says KHL insider Aivis Kalnins. The 33-year old once was a promising youngster in the NHL, but could never catch on. He played in 199 career NHL games, scoring 19 goals and 30 assists.
- The Columbus Blue Jackets, fresh off inking Seth Jones to a long-term deal, have also come to terms with third overall pick Pierre-Luc Dubois on an entry-level contract, per Darren Dreger of TSN. Dubois was a surprise choice at #3, with many expecting the team to draft Finnish winger Jesse Puljujarvi (who eventually went to Edmonton with the next pick).
- The Panthers have reached an agreement with recently non-qualified free agent Greg McKegg per General Fanager. It’s a two-way deal worth $700K at the NHL level, and $115K if he’s in the AHL. McKegg played 15 games for the Panthers last season, putting up two points.
- The Sabres have re-signed RFA Casey Nelson to a two-year deal, the team released. The NCAA standout made his NHL debut last season, adding four assists in seven games down the stretch. He went undrafted and originally signed in March after Minnesota State University’s season ended.
CHL 2016 Import Draft Results
The CHL import draft is an important one for NHL scouts to keep an eye on, as it brings some of the best talent in the world over to play and develop a little closer to home. While not all of the players selected make the trip across the ocean, many of the top draftees eventually make their mark in the NHL draft, as we saw first hand just last weekend.
Olli Juolevi, Alex Nylander and Mikhail Sergachev all were import drafts in 2015 and made their name in the OHL before going in the top-10 on Friday. Others, like German Rubtsov have already gone in the first round (#22 to the Flyers) before even being selected for the CHL. Here is the first round of the 2016 CHL Import Draft:
#1 Kootenay – Klim Kostin (C, Russia)
#2 Guelph – Dmitri Samorukov (LD, Russia)
#3 Baie-Comeau – Ivan Chekhovich (C, Russia)
#4 Vancouver – Filip Zadina (RW, Czech Republic)
#5 Sudbury – Jachym Kondelik (LW, Czech Republic)
#6 Halifax – Nico Hischier (RW, Switzerland)
#7 Saskatoon – Mark Rubinchik (LD, Russia)
#8 Flint – Michal Steinocher (LD, Czech Republic)
#9 Drummondville – Pavel Koltygin (LW, Russia)
#10 Swift Current – Aleksi Heponiemi (LW, Finland)
Toronto Maple Leafs Acquire Kerby Rychel From Blue Jackets
According to Bob McKenzie of TSN, the Columbus Blue Jackets have dealt forward Kerby Rychel to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for defenceman Scott Harrington and a conditional fifth round pick. If Harrington is put on, then claimed off waivers, the Maple Leafs will surrender the 2017 pick.
The 21-year old Rychel, who was drafted in the first round of the 2013 draft, played 32 games for the Blue Jackets last season and tallied just nine points. He has shown his scoring ability in the AHL however, racking up 60 points over the past two seasons (88 games). His pedigree and youth will fit in nicely for the Maple Leafs as they continue their full re-build.
For Harrington, this is the second time he’s been included in a trade despite only having played 25 NHL games. The left-handed blueliner was included in the Phil Kessel trade from last summer and saw limited time this season on the last-place Maple Leafs. He’ll head to Columbus where he is expected to be sent to the Calder Cup winning Lake Erie Monsters and will have to pass waivers to do so.
The Leafs did well turning Harrington into Rychel, if only because of the log-jam they have on their back end for next season. The team currently has between eight to ten young defensemen fighting for NHL playing time, including recent signee Nikita Zaitsev and last year’s second round pick Travis Dermott.
2016 NHL Draft Results
Pro Hockey Rumors will be following and updating every selection of the 2016 NHL Draft. Below are the results of the first round.
Round 1
1. Toronto Maple Leafs: C Auston Matthews (Zurich Lions – SUI)
2. Winnipeg Jets: RW Patrik Laine (Tappara – SM-liiga)
3. Columbus Blue Jackets: LW Pierre-Luc Dubois (Cape Breton – QMJHL)
4. Edmonton Oilers: RW Jesse Puljujarvi (Karpat – SM-liiga)
5. Vancouver Canucks: D Olli Juolevi (London – OHL)
6. Calgary Flames: LW Matthew Tkachuk (London – OHL)
7. Arizona Coyotes: C Clayton Keller (USA NTDP – USHL)
8. Buffalo Sabres: F Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads – OHL)
9. Montreal Canadiens: D Mikhail Sergachev (Windsor – OHL)
10. Colorado Avalanche: C Tyson Jost (Penticton – BCHL)
11. Ottawa Senators (from New Jersey): C Logan Brown (Windsor – OHL)
12. New Jersey Devils (from Ottawa): C Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads – OHL)
13. Carolina Hurricanes: D Jake Bean (Calgary – WHL)
14. Boston Bruins: D Charlie McAvoy (Boston University – NCAA)
15. Minnesota Wild: C Luke Kunin (Wisconsin – NCAA)
16. Arizona Coyotes (From Detroit): D Jakob Chychrun (Sarnia – OHL)
17. Nashville Predators: D Dante Fabbro (Penticton – BCHL)
18. Winnipeg Jets (From Philadelphia): D Logan Stanley (Windsor – OHL)
19. New York Islanders: LW Kieffer Bellows (US NTDP)
20. Detroit Red Wings (from Arizona via New York Rangers): D Dennis Cholowski (Chilliwack (BCHL)
21. Carolina Hurricanes (from LA Kings): RW Julien Gauthier (Val-d’Or Foreurs – QMJHL
22. Philadelphia Flyers (From Winnipeg via Chicago): C German Rubtsov (Team Russia U-18)
23. Florida Panthers: C Henrik Borgstrom (HIFK – SM-liiga Jr)
24. Anaheim Ducks: LW Max Jones (London – OHL)
25. Dallas Stars: LW Riley Tufte (Blaine – USHSW)
26. St. Louis Blues (From Washington): C Tage Thompson (Connecticut – NCAA)
27. Tampa Bay Lightning: C Brett Howden (Moose Jaw – WHL)
28. Washington Capitals (From St. Louis): D Lucas Johansen (Kelowna – WHL)
29. Boston Bruins (from San Jose): C Trent Frederic (USA U-18 NTDP)
30. Anaheim Ducks (from Pittsburgh via Toronto): C Sam Steel (Regina – WHL)
Top Draft Prospects: Pierre-Luc Dubois
With the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft just two days away, we look at the top prospects available Friday night. Previously we took a look at Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine, Jesse Puljujarvi and Matthew Tkachuk; today we’ll look a little closer at Cape Breton Screaming Eagle Pierre-Luc Dubois.
Bio
Position: Center
Birthdate: June 24, 1998
Hometown: Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 205 lbs
2015-16
After scoring 45 points in 56 games as a 16-year old in his first season in the QMJHL, Dubois turned up the offense this year as he continued to grow into his large frame. His 99 points in 2015-16 placed him third in the league, trailing only 20-year old over-agers in Conor Garland and Francis Perron (128 and 108 points respectively) and easily topped Red Wings’ first-round pick Evgeny Svechnikov and the rest of the Screaming Eagles.
The Eagles would go down in the second round of the playoffs, but it wasn’t because of Dubois, as the big center put up 12 points in 12 games despite being suspended for the first round opener after a illegal check late in the season.
Dubois didn’t see any international competition this season, as he was cut from World Junior Championship roster along with fellow top prospect Jakob Chychrun. Perhaps he used it as motivation for the massive season he put up thereafter.
Statistics
Cape Breton: 62 GP, 42 goals, 57 assists, 99 points, 112 PIM, +40 rating
Playoffs: 12 GP, 7 goals, 5 assists, 12 points, 14 PIM, +3 rating
Scouting Report
Seen by many as the second best center available this year (behind Matthews), Dubois provides an excellent power option down the middle. With a combination of strength and skill, he’s an exceptional scoring threat with the puck on his stick as he heads into the zone, or along the boards down low. While his shot isn’t as highly regarded as Laine’s, he gets it off very quickly and with a lot of accuracy, especially in tight.
His skating, while not as developed as Matthews’, is actually a strength as he uses his long stride and powerful lower half to move quickly around the ice. He often catches defenders off-guard with his top gear, despite lacking an elite first few steps.
In the defensive end, Dubois isn’t afraid to use his size to remove attackers from the puck, laying thunderous checks that sometimes toe the line of legality. After the whistle, he’s often involved in scrums because of his style of play, though he has recognized his value to the team and learned to keep his cool. A smart player, he’s usually in a good position defensively, and should be able to handle that part of the game at the next level.
While his offense is driven by a power game similar to Stars’ forward Jamie Benn (who, incidentally, he models his play after), he lacks elite-level creativity and may be limited by it at the NHL level. If he can continue to grow into his frame, and improve his acceleration and defensive game he may eventually become a number 1 center in the NHL, but there is some doubt he’ll stay in the middle long-term. At the very worst, he becomes a big winger with some finishing ability and a lot of nastiness.
Projected Future Role
Top-six power center/front line power winger.
NHL Timeline
Dubois isn’t set to turn 18 until the day of the draft, and because of it isn’t eligible for the AHL until 2018-19. Even with his advanced size and strength, he’s almost a lock to head back to the Screaming Eagles for at least one more season. Look for him to challenge for the CHL scoring title before entering the NHL as a 19-year old in 2017-18.
Coaching Notes: French, Skahan, Lamb
Now that the NHL coaching carousel has ended, lower level leagues are filling their coaching vacancies. Here are the latest coaching developments:
- The Calgary Hitmen have given head coach Mark French a multi-year extension after another successful season. French, the former Calder Cup winning coach of the AHL’s Hershey Bears, is considered an excellent bench boss that would have a few job offers if he decided to head back to the AHL at some point. Blueliner Jake Bean is set to become the latest Hitmen to go in the first round of the NHL draft.
- After spending years with Anaheim and last season with Buffalo, long-time NHL strength and conditioning coach Sean Skahan will be brought on with the Minnesota Wild, Michael Russo reports. He’ll replace the outgoing Kirk Olson, who is yet to sign on with another team.
- Mark Lamb is the new coach of the Tucson Roadrunners, Arizona Coyote’s AHL affiliate. Lamb was the GM and coach of the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos, and previously worked under Dave Tippet’s Dallas Stars as an assistant coach. The Roadrunners also hired Mark Hardy as an assistant coach. Hardy previously served as an assistant coach for both the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings.
Snapshots: Puljujarvi, Lalonde, Backes
With the Entry Draft getting closer and closer, there has been lots of chatter over who will go after Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine go in the top two selections. The expected #3 pick, Jesse Puljujarvi hasn’t exactly helped his stock as Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch reported yesterday that the Finnish winger underwent knee surgery after winning gold at the World U-18’s in April. He will be missing all the summer development camps, but should be ready for the regular season. While Columbus wonders what to do with the third overall pick, here’s more from around the league:
- Up-and-coming coaching prospect Derek Lalonde has been hired on as the newest head coach of the Iowa Wild, reports Jeff Cox of ESPN. Lalonde previously coached in both the USHL and ECHL and is considered by many to be a coach on the rise. The Wild, who finished last in the AHL last season were coached by John Torchetti until he moved up to Minnesota after the mid-season firing of Mike Yeo.
- Although they’d be open to a return, it sounds like the St. Louis Blues will not be re-signing captain David Backes. When asked by Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Dispatch, GM Doug Armstrong related as much: “I think the unrestricted guys will most likely hit the open market. We’d like to have David back…but it has to work for both sides, not just one. We’re willing to invest a little bit of ‘thank you’ money, but it has to make sense.”