PHR Originals: 3/27/17 – 4/1/17
Pro Hockey Rumors had a number of original articles this week as the regular season winds down and the playoffs beckon. Here are a few from the past week:
- Brett analyzed the Edmonton Oilers’ first line dominance and how it has played a tremendous role in the success of the team this season. While the Oilers’ renaissance certainly got its jumpstart from Connor McDavid, it’s the play of others who have certainly helped the team reach the playoffs for the first time in 11 years.
- Meanwhile, I took a closer look at the rebuild situation that the Red Wings are facing and some concerning elements that have arisen over the past few years that GM Ken Holland will have to navigate.
- Gavin highlighted the surprising yet impressive performance by Patrick Eaves, who has notched 29 goals this season between the Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks. He also notes that no one in the hockey world–including your humble writers here at PHR–saw this performance coming. In addition to Eaves, Gavin wrote about Toby Enstrom and how after going through a season ending knee surgery, it may be in the Jets best interest to find a way to have him waive his no movement clause.
- Finally, Gavin also answered many of your questions during a live chat. In addition to providing sound hockey analysis, he’s also open to fantasy baseball advice for replacing Jeurys Familia.
Pacific Notes: Redmond, Edler, Couture, Pitlick
The Ducks have joined in the NCAA signing frenzy once again, announcing the signing of goaltender Angus Redmond to a three year, entry level contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The 21 year old Redmond recently completed his first and only season at Michigan Tech, compiling a 22-10-5 record along with a 1.85 GAA, a .917 SV%, and four shutouts in 38 appearances. His goals against average ranked third in Division I among full-time starters while he was named WCHA Rookie of the Week on four separate occasions.
The Ducks are banking on Redmond being a late bloomer as he went undrafted after spending parts of four seasons with Salmon Arm of the BCHL.
Elsewhere in the Pacific Division:
- Canucks defenseman Alex Edler noted to TSN 1040 (audio link) that he hasn’t given any thought to how he might respond if GM Jim Benning approached him about waiving his no-trade clause. Benning has been on record suggesting that he’d be willing to move a blueliner for help up front. Between that and Vancouver’s current situation as a team that appears to be heading for a rebuild, it’s certainly plausible that the team could approach the 30 year old, the elder statesman on their back end, about his willingness to be moved sometime this offseason. Edler has two years left on his deal after this one with a cap hit of $5MM.
- The Sharks will be without center Logan Couture tonight and for at least the next two games after that as he is not with the team on their current road trip, reports CSN Bay Area’s Kevin Kurz. There remains no timetable for his return to the lineup. Couture took a puck to the mouth on Saturday against the Predators and needed a considerable amount of dental work to repair the damage. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him play with a full face shield once he gets the green light to return.
- Oilers right winger Tyler Pitlick has started skating lightly as he continues his rehab from ACL surgery, notes Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal. The injury occurred back in mid-December. Despite the fact that he’s on the ice, he’s not expected to return this season.
30 After 30: Patrick Eaves And Career Highs
When Patrick Eaves re-signed with the Dallas Stars last summer, it didn’t seem like anything spectacular. He was a 32-year old third line winger taking another one-year deal to stay in Dallas. He’d done it the past two years, and was actually taking a pay cut this season. We even included him on the “Minor UFA Signings” list, because of all the bigger deals that happened on July 1st. We were wrong, and so was just about everyone else. 
You can forgive us though, as after all Eaves’ previous career high in goals was 20, and had happened over a decade ago during his rookie season at age 21. He hadn’t even cracked 15 since, with several seasons in single digits. He quite simply was a minor UFA signing at this point, able on the penalty kill but not expected to do much else. A defensive forward who could be relied on to work the tough minutes and allow players like Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn to produce offensively against weaker opponents.
Instead, Eaves won a job alongside those superstars and on the powerplay, resulting in immediate production. In his first 25 games, Eaves had 10 goals and 18 points, almost half of which came with the man advantage. Dallas had found something, and despite their team struggles this season Eaves has had a year to remember.
At the deadline Eaves was sold off to the highest bidder, that team proving to be the Anaheim Ducks, who were desperate for a winger to play with Ryan Getzlaf. The Stars would recoup a second-round pick—that could become a first—for what was initially considered a “minor signing”. Eaves wouldn’t disappoint as through 15 games with his new club he has another seven goals, all of which coming at even strength. He’s up to 28 now on the season, and with just two more in the final five games he could join some rare company.
Since the NHL came back in 2005-06, there have only been 28 players to score 30 or more goals in a season after the age of 30. Of that group, only five—Radim Vrbata, Mike Sillinger, Mike Knuble, Chris Clark and Mikael Samuelsson—were cracking 30 for the first time in their careers, as Eaves would be this season.
It’s interesting to note though, that the group doesn’t set a fantastic precedent. Three of those players were either immediately ineffective or out of the game entirely soon after, with only Sillinger and Vrbata providing any staying power. Perhaps Eaves will be an exception, but his performance this year should not signify some sort of newfound ability that will make him an effective option down the line. Both Sillinger and Vrbata both had much more previous offensive success, if falling short of the 30 goal mark. Teams should be wary of paying for this year’s production in the future.
But for now, Anaheim should be happy they jumped on board during his career year and Dallas should be ecstatic for selling high on a minor asset. For Eaves, it might never happen again.
Minor Moves: Kase, Fischer
The Anaheim Ducks have re-assigned Ondrej Kase to the San Diego Gulls after bringing him up just two days ago. He didn’t get into a game this time around, but has played 51 for the Ducks this season. With 14 points in this his rookie season, Kase has already eclipsed even the highest of expectations from when he was picked in the seventh-round of the 2014 draft. An effective bottom-six player, his possession numbers have been excellent in his short career.
Kase is just 21, and should find his way back to the NHL at some point. The Ducks will likely need him at some point in the playoffs as the grind of the long season takes its victims. Just one point ahead of the Edmonton Oilers for first place in the Pacific, Anaheim has a long road ahead of them if they want to get back to the Stanley Cup final for the first time since 2007.
- The Arizona Coyotes have sent Christian Fischer back to the AHL after a four-game stint. At seven games total on the year, the 19-year old Fischer will see his entry-level contract slide once again, meaning he won’t become a restricted free agent until the summer of 2020. Selected in the second round (but 32nd overall) in 2015, Fischer has dominated the AHL as a rookie. In 51 games at the lower level, the big winger has scored 43 points. He even registered three goals in his short NHL stint this year, despite playing only 12 minutes a night. As he turns 20 next season, his contract will no longer slide and the Coyotes may decide to install him full-time in the NHL. His talent could lead to a top-six future, though he’ll likely have to impress even more to be handed that role right from the start of the season.
Evening Transactions: Ducks, Lightning
Some assorted transactions from around the NHL this evening…
- The Ducks have recalled left winger Ondrej Kase from the San Diego Gulls of the AHL, the team announced. The 21-year-old has played in 51 games this season, compiling five goals, nine assist, and 16 penalty minutes. The former seventh-round pick has also appeared in 11 AHL games, collecting eight points.
- Forward Joel Vermin has been recalled by the Lightning from the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, the team announced. The Bern, Switzerland product has collected three assists in 15 games this year, and he has 21 career games under his belt. The 25-year-old has also appeared in another 43 contests with the Crunch, collecting 12 goals, 16 assists, and 17 penalty minutes. The former seventh-round pick joined the organization back in 2013.
Anaheim Ducks Re-Assign Jhonas Enroth To San Diego
In what is one of the best things an Anaheim Ducks fan can hear—though not because of anything he has done wrong—Jhonas Enroth has been sent back to the AHL. The goaltender didn’t play, but has been with the team for two weeks as John Gibson rehabbed from his latest lower-body injury. The move signals that Gibson is at least healthy enough to backup Jonathan Bernier, giving the Ducks two capable goaltenders.
Since Gibson’s original injury in late February, Bernier has gone 10-2-1 with a .937 save percentage and created somewhat of a goalie controversy where there had previously been none. With Randy Carlyle’s familiarity with Bernier from their time in Toronto coupled with Gibson’s expected rust after being out for so long, it wouldn’t be unfathomable for the team to go with Bernier to start the playoffs (Maple Leafs fans rejoice, as that is good news for you).
Either way, the demotion of Enroth is good for the Ducks who have recently taken over first place in the Pacific Division and are trying to lock up home ice advantage for the majority of the playoffs. If they can finish first in their division, they’ll still likely have to go through a Pacific rival in the first round, meaning they’ll need all the healthy bodies they can get.
For Enroth, he’ll return to San Diego where he has been spectacular this season, putting up a .944 save percentage since being acquired from the Maple Leafs earlier this year. The Gulls have already locked up a playoff spot and are a real threat for the Calder Cup now that they have their best goaltender back.
Clayton Stoner Sent To San Diego Gulls On Conditioning Loan
After last playing in mid-November, Clayton Stoner is returning to professional hockey. The Anaheim Ducks defender has been sent to the San Diego Gulls of the AHL on a long-term injury conditioning loan. Stoner underwent abdominal surgery in December that came with a four to six week timetable, which obviously has extended much further. The 32-year old had rejoined practice with the Ducks in recent weeks, and is now presumably healthy enough to get back into game action. 
Since Stoner’s been out the Ducks have used several defensemen in his spot, most notably Shea Theodore, who has been shuffled up and down between the NHL and AHL so many times it inspired a Sports Illustrated article. The team used Korbinian Holzer Wednesday night, and Brandon Montour the game before that, but none have really stuck in the lineup so far. If Stoner can get back to 100% by the end of the season, it wouldn’t be impossible to see him start the playoffs in the Ducks lineup. His experience would be a welcome addition as the team heads into a tough first round matchup in the Pacific Division.
Signed—somewhat inexplicably—to a four-year, $13MM contract in the summer of 2014, Stoner has another year at $3.25MM left after this one. Should he return and show he can still compete at the NHL level, perhaps the team will retain him to off-set a possible loss of one of their younger defensemen in the expansion draft. If he can’t, he’ll have to be one of the first players out the door to create some cap-space to re-sign some of the Ducks’ upcoming restricted free agents. For now though, he’s focused on one thing: getting healthy.
Evening Snapshots: Olympics, Ducks, Ristolainen
News and notes from around the NHL this evening:
- International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) President Rene Fasal publicly stated today that the NHL has until the end of April to decide whether NHL players will play in the 2018 Winter Olympics, reports The Associated Press. NHL participation in the upcoming games has been a point of contention this year. Most recently, Steve Keating of Reuters reported that Gary Bettman stated that everyone “should assume the players are not going.” Whether or not Fasal’s deadline is a hard deadline or a soft one, Olympic participation may dominate hockey conversation when the League wants the attention focused on its first round playoffs.
- The Anaheim Ducks have reassigned forward Ondrej Kase to the AHL San Diego Gulls, reports Eric Stephens of the OC Register. The move comes as little surprise since Kase was scratched three times in the last four games, and failed to break the eight-minute mark in his last two appearances. In 51 games for the Ducks Kase scored 5G and 9A. In Kase’s nine games with the Gulls earlier this season he scored 3G and 4A, and a similar production streak could have him back up the NHL before the playoffs.
- The NHL Department of Player Safety released its video explanation regarding its decision to suspend Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. Ristolainen received a three game suspension for interference after hitting Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel. The League’s decision was based on two points: (1) Guentzel did not touch the puck before being hit, and (2) the onus was on Ristolainen to alter course after the pass to Guentzel was tipped. The league did not accept Ristolainen’s defense that because he was skating backwards into the hit, he could not move in time. The league retorted that it was Ristolainen’s choice to lead into a hit that way, and he has to take responsibility for the consequences.
Injury Notes: Ferland, Stone, Leivo, Rust
Calgary Flames winger Micheal Ferland has rejoined his teammates in Nashville today after being quarantined for almost a week. The 24-year old had showed signs of the mumps outbreak that had swept through the NHL briefly, but is now symptom free. He’ll be back in on the top line with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan tonight, according to Kristen Odland of Postmedia.
Here are some other injury notes from around the league:
- Josh Leivo will take the spot of the injured Eric Fehr in tonight’s Maple Leafs lineup according to Chris Johnston of Sportsnet. With Nikita Soshnikov still on the mend following a big hit from Zdeno Chara, Leivo will look to get back to his scoring ways tonight. The young winger had nine points in a ten game stretch last month when Mitch Marner was dealing with an injury, and has considerable offensive upside. He’ll slot in on the fourth line tonight beside Brian Boyle and Matt Martin.
- Despite skating with the team in a regular jersey this morning, Cedric Paquette will not return to the lineup for Tampa Bay according to Caley Chelios of FOX Sports. The Lightning center will remain out alongside Steven Stamkos and Tyler Johnson for the time being.
- On Stamkos, he was seen skating again before practice, but admitted to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times that “time is running out” for him to return this season. Stamkos has been skating for weeks as he tries to come back from a meniscus tear in his right knee. The Lightning are currently sitting five points back with ten games to play.
- Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports that Ottawa Senators forward Mark Stone was back skating this morning, though he won’t play tonight. Stone was out early and stayed late at practice as he works hard to get back into the Senators lineup. The team can smell first place in the Atlantic Division, and getting Stone—arguably their best forward—back before the end of the season could help them wrestle the crown away from the Montreal Canadiens. With a matchup against the fourth Metropolitan team looming in the first round, whether they should really want it is a different story.
- Penguins’ forward Bryan Rust is almost back in the lineup reports Bill West of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review after taking part in just about everything at today’s Pittsburgh practice. Though he won’t play tonight, the 24-year old forward will likely be back in a game before the end of the week; the Penguins take on Ottawa tonight, New York (Islanders) tomorrow and Philadelphia on Sunday.
- Three goaltenders were at practice today for the Anaheim Ducks, including John Gibson as he continues to rehab his latest injury. Head coach Randy Carlyle said today that Gibson will definitely play before the end of the regular season, though that still leaves the question of whether he’ll be tested enough to start game one of the playoffs. We’ll see how many games the young netminder gets in before Anaheim has to take on a team like the Edmonton Oilers or Calgary Flames in the first round.
Pacific Notes: Bernier, Meier, Maroon
While no talks have been held regarding a potential contract extension, Ducks goaltender Jonathan Bernier told Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register that he’s hopeful that he’ll be able to stick around with the team beyond this season. Anaheim brought him in early in July after Toronto paid his $2MM signing bonus that was due July 1st and he has had a resurgent season, posting a 2.49 GAA and a .918 SV% in 32 games, much better numbers than he had with the Leafs over the last couple of years.
What may be a challenge is finding the right cap hit for both sides for next season. While it’s a certainty that Bernier will come in below the $4.15MM he’s getting this year, it’s not a given he’ll be willing to accept regular backup money either. However, the Ducks won’t really be able to afford a premium backup as things stand as they already have nearly $70MM committed next season to 19 players which doesn’t leave them a lot of wiggle room to work with. While a potential extension for Cam Fowler will dominate the offseason discussion, Bernier’s case will need to be addressed by then as well.
More from the Pacific:
- Sharks coach Peter DeBoer detailed to CSN Bay Area’s Kevin Kurz the reasoning for winger Timo Meier’s return to the AHL last month. One area in particular that they wanted the 20 year old to focus on was shot selection. While he has done well at getting the puck through to the net (he’s averaging 2.4 shots per game), the coaches have asked him to pick and choose his spots better instead of just putting the puck on net for the sake of doing so. Meier has played in San Jose’s last two games since being recalled but could find himself on the outside looking in once Jannik Hansen (upper body) returns to the lineup.
- Oilers winger Patrick Maroon acknowledged to Robert Tychkowski of the Edmonton Sun that he needs to be more selective in terms of when he drops the gloves. He has long had the reputation of being a willing fighter but as his role increases with Edmonton, the team needs him on the ice more often and not in the box. The 28 year old already leads the team in fights with nine but he also happens to be tied for the team lead in goals with 25. Maroon also noted that his hands are starting to hurt from fighting which may force him to put a stop to that part of his game for a while.