Injury Updates: Bruins, Ducks, Flames
The Boston Bruins issued two injury updates, one of which could have a major impact on the team’s calculations for their opening-night roster. Bruins coach Jim Montgomery told the media today that top prospect Fabian Lysell was out day-to-day, with a target returning to play Wednesday against the New York Rangers. He also revealed that star winger Taylor Hall was injured and would be out with a week-to-week designation.
It’s the Hall injury that’s most significant here, especially since the team is already without winger Brad Marchand due to injury. This leaves the Bruins without their top two left wingers to start the season, absences that could significantly alter the complexion of the team’s top-six early in the year. With Hall and Marchand out, it’s possible that players such as Jake DeBrusk and Pavel Zacha are leaned on more heavily to create offense, and this injury could also increase the odds of Lysell making the team for at least a nine-game trial.
Some other injury updates from across the NHL:
- The Anaheim Ducks issued injury updates on two of their players: Trevor Zegras and Urho Vaakanainen. For Vaakanainen, the team said that he was released from the hospital on Friday and “continues to improve.” For Zegras, the team revealed that he is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury but will be on the ice for today’s activities. This is good news for Vaakanainen, who hopefully is on the path to a safe recovery after he suffered a scary injury Friday when he was stretchered off the ice.
- The Calgary Flames issued three injury updates today, regarding forwards Emilio Pettersen and Martin Pospisil, as well as defenseman Dennis Gilbert. Per the team, all three players are considered day-to-day as they continue to battle for roles in training camp.
Training Camp Cuts: 10/1/22
Even after nearly 150 players were cut yesterday, many teams will be paring down their training camp rosters further today. We’ll keep track of today’s cuts here.
Anaheim Ducks (via team release)
F Bryce Kindopp (to San Diego, AHL)
F Ben King (to San Diego, AHL)
Arizona Coyotes (via Twitter)
G Ivan Prosvetov (to Tucson, AHL)
Buffalo Sabres (via team release)
F Brandon Biro (to Rochester, AHL)
F Filip Cederqvist (to Rochester, AHL)
F Mason Jobst (released from PTO)
F Aleksandr Kosakov (to Rochester, AHL)
F Tyson Kozak (to Rochester, AHL)
F Jiri Kulich (to Rochester, AHL)
F Michael Mersch (released from PTO)
F Brett Murray (to Rochester, AHL)
F Kohen Olischefski (released from PTO)
F Josh Passolt (released from PTO)
F Isak Rosen (to Rochester, AHL)
F Lukas Rousek (to Rochester, AHL)
F Matt Savoie (to Portland, WHL)
F Brendan Warren (released from PTO)
F Linus Weissbach (to Rochester, AHL)
D Zach Berzolla (released from PTO)
D Mitch Eliot (released from PTO)
D Oskari Laaksonen (to Rochester, AHL)
D Ethan Prow (released from PTO)
D Peter Tischke (released from PTO)
G Michael Houser (released from PTO)
G Beck Warm (released from PTO)
Chicago Blackhawks (via team release)
D Nolan Allen (to Prince Albert, WHL)
D Ethan del Mastro (to Mississauga, OHL)
G Jaxson Stauber (to Rockford, AHL)
D Adam Clendening (released from PTO)
G Dylan Wells (released from PTO)
Dallas Stars (via team release)
F Riley Barber (to Texas, AHL)
D Joseph Cecconi (to Texas, AHL)
F Rhett Gardner (to Texas, AHL)
D Ben Gleason (to Texas, AHL)
F Tanner Kero (to Texas, AHL)
D Jerad Rosburg (to Texas, AHL)
New York Rangers (via team release)
F Will Cuylle (to Hartford, AHL)
D Ty Emberson (to Hartford, AHL)
F Tim Gettinger (to Hartford, AHL)
F Lauri Pajuniemi (to Hartford, AHL)
D Andy Welinski (to Hartford, AHL)
Ottawa Senators (via team release)
F Angus Crookshank (to Belleville, AHL)
F Philippe Daoust (to Belleville, AHL)
F Roby Jarventie (to Belleville, AHL)
F Egor Sokolov (to Belleville, AHL)
F Cole Reinhardt (to Belleville, AHL)
D Maxence Guenette (to Belleville, AHL)
D Kristians Rubins (to Belleville, AHL)
D Lassi Thomson (to Belleville, AHL)
D Jorian Donovan (to Hamilton, OHL)
G Kevin Mandolese (to Belleville, AHL)
F Michael Dal Colle (released from PTO)
St. Louis Blues (via team release)
F Andrei Bakanov (to Springfield, AHL)
F Brayden Guy (to Springfield, AHL)
F Mathias Laferriere (to Springfield, AHL)
D Griffin Luce (to Springfield, AHL)
D Brady Lyle (to Springfield, AHL)
F Hugh McGing (to Springfield, AHL)
F Dylan McLaughlin (to Springfield, AHL)
Tampa Bay Lightning (via team release)
F Jack Finley (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Felix Robert (to Syracusa, AHL)
F Grant Mismash (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Gage Goncalves (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Lucas Edmonds (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Bennett MacArthur (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Jaydon Dureau (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Ilya Usau (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Simon Ryfors (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Daniel Walcott (to Syracuse, AHL)
D Jack Thompson (to Syracuse, AHL)
D Declan Carlile (to Syracuse, AHL)
D Trevor Carrick (to Syracuse, AHL)
D Darren Raddysh (to Syracuse, AHL)
D Dmitry Semykin (to Syracuse, AHL)
G Hugo Alnefelt (to Syracuse, AHL)
G Maxime Lagace (to Syracuse, AHL)
Vegas Golden Knights (via team release)
D Layton Ahac (to Henderson, AHL)
F Jakub Brabanec (to Charlottetown, QMJHL)
F Brendan Brisson (to Henderson, AHL)
D Lukas Cormier (to Henderson, AHL)
D Daniil Chayka (to Henderson, AHL)
F Zach Dean (to Gatineau, QMJHL)
F Pavel Dorofeyev (to Henderson, AHL)
F Byron Froese (to Henderson, AHL)*
D Zack Hayes (to Henderson, AHL)
G Michael Hutchinson (to Henderson, AHL)*
F Sakari Manninen (to Henderson, AHL)
F Maxim Marushev (to Henderson, AHL)
F Ivan Morozov (to Henderson, AHL)
D Brayden Pachal (to Henderson, AHL)*
G Jiri Patera (to Henderson, AHL)
F Gage Quinney (to Henderson, AHL)
F Sheldon Rempal (to Henderson, AHL)*
Winnipeg Jets (via team release)
D Tyrel Bauer (to Manitoba, AHL)
F Wyatt Bongiovanni (to Manitoba, AHL)
D Declan Chisholm (to Manitoba, AHL)
F Michael Eyssimont (to Manitoba, AHL)*
D Leon Gawanke (to Manitoba, AHL)*
F Nick Jones (released from PTO)
F Alex Limoges (to Manitoba, AHL)
F Chaz Lucius (to Manitoba, AHL)
D Simon Lundmark (to Manitoba, AHL)
F Jeff Malott (to Manitoba, AHL)*
F Cole Meier (released from PTO)
F Henri Nikkanen (to Manitoba, AHL)
F Evan Polei (released from PTO)
G Oskari Salminen (to Manitoba, AHL)
D Ashton Sautner (to Manitoba, AHL)*
F Daniel Torgersson (to Manitoba, AHL)
*-pending waivers
This post will be updated throughout the day.
Ducks Sign Nathan Beaulieu
Another defenseman has turned a PTO into a full contract as the Ducks announced that they’ve inked Nathan Beaulieu to a one-year contract. Eric Stephens of The Athletic reports (Twitter link) that Beaulieu receives a one-way deal worth $850K.
The 29-year-old spent last season in a limited role with Winnipeg where he played in 24 games, recording four assists while logging just 10:46 per game, well below his career average of 16:26 per contest. Pittsburgh acquired him at the trade deadline to give them extra depth for the playoffs once he recovered from his lower-body injury but he never suited up for the Penguins.
Beaulieu has played in 419 NHL contests spanning a 10-year career between Montreal, Buffalo, and Winnipeg, picking up 12 goals and 82 assists. With Urho Vaakanainen being injured in yesterday’s game against San Jose, it certainly looks as if he’ll be out for a little while at least so Beaulieu will have a shot at landing a full-time spot on the roster on what is a new-look back end with John Klingberg and Dmitry Kulikov being added earlier this offseason.
Urho Vaakanainen Taken To Hospital After Suffering Injury
There was a scary moment partway through the first period in Friday’s preseason contest between the Ducks and Sharks. After setting up a goal, Anaheim defenseman Urho Vaakanainen hit his head into the boards and had to be stretchered off the ice.
The team announced (Twitter link) that the 23-year-old was taken to hospital for evaluation but “has full movement in his extremities and is fully conscious and alert”. Speaking to reporters postgame, head coach Dallas Eakins didn’t have any updates on Vaakanainen’s condition.
Vaakanainen is in his first full season with the Ducks after being acquired near the trade deadline last season as part of the Hampus Lindholm trade. He signed a two-year, $1.7MM contract back in July and was hoping to land a full-time spot in Anaheim’s lineup this season. Unfortunately, it appears those plans are on hold for the time being as the team waits to see how long he’ll be out of the lineup.
Also on the injury front in Anaheim, center Trevor Zegras will be undergoing a second MRI as the team looks to get more information about the upper-body injury he sustained on Wednesday, relays Lisa Dillman of the Orange County Register (Twitter link). Zegras was injured in the second period against Arizona on a hit from Jan Jenik. The imaging is happening today so the team should have an idea of how long the 21-year-old will be out of the lineup in the near future.
Tyson Hinds Signs With Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks have signed defenseman Tyson Hinds to a three-year, entry-level contract, per a team release. Financial terms have not been disclosed.
Hinds, selected 76th overall by the Ducks in the 2021 NHL Draft, has been an impressive performer throughout rookie camp and preseason. The team made an extra effort to select him at the draft, trading their 2022 third-round selection to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for the pick.
A 2003-born player, Hinds will return to the QMJHL for 2022-23, where he’s spent the last three seasons of his career with three different teams (Shawinigan, Rimouski, Sherbrooke). In 2021-22, split between Rimouski and Sherbrooke, Hinds had 12 goals, 23 assists, and 35 points in 61 games. He added a goal and three assists for four points in 11 playoff games for Sherbrooke.
Anaheim Ducks Forward Max Jones Out Day-To-Day
According to Anaheim Ducks assistant coach Mike Stothers and relayed by The Athletic’s Eric Stephens, forward Max Jones is out day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
Jones, the team’s 24th overall selection in the 2016 NHL Draft, played just two games last season before suffering a torn chest muscle and missing practically the entire campaign. While this lower-body injury has nothing to do with that chest injury, Stephens notes the team is exercising extra caution with Jones, and rightfully so.
With a career-high of just 12 points and having never played more than 59 games in a season, Jones hasn’t exhibited the offensive potential you’d hope for out of a first-round pick. High-end scoring was never Jones’ appeal, though. Rather, his 6′ 3″, 216-pound frame and willingness for physicality made him an attractive prospect for the Ducks at the time.
If he can manage to stay healthy, Jones is again expected to contend for a role in the team’s bottom six. With some added offensive depth over the offseason, Jones could get a chance to have a breakout season with some better linemates.
Pavel Mintyukov Sent To OHL
There won’t be a surprise NHL appearance by the tenth overall pick this year, as the Anaheim Ducks have sent Pavel Mintyukov back to the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL. His entry-level contract will slide forward, meaning he is now signed through 2025-26 at a minimum.
Mintyukov, 18, actually should be entering his third season with the Spirit, after agreeing to come to North America in 2020. Unfortunately, the year that would have been his rookie season in the OHL was canceled, due to the league’s COVID restrictions. That lost development certainly didn’t slow the Russian defenseman down. Mintykov exploded onto the junior scene with 17 goals and 62 points in 67 games, flying up draft boards and finding himself creeping into the top ten.
While there has been concern about selecting Russian players because of the country’s invasion of Ukraine, Mintyukov has shown a clear desire to play in North America. Not only had he come over to play in the OHL but he signed his entry-level contract with the Ducks just a few days after being selected. Returning to the Spirit for another season should allow the team to have at least a bit of oversight on his development, even though they won’t be directly coaching him.
With how well he did last season, there is a good chance that Mintyukov dominates the league this year and sets himself up to compete for a spot with the Ducks a year from now. At that point, he also may be eligible for AHL action, depending on how his OHL status was determined. As an import player, if the NHL lists him as “on loan” to the CHL during his draft year, he will qualify for the AHL even before the age of 20, as others such as Filip Zadina and Rasmus Sandin have in the past. One factor likely not in his favor is that he did not play professional games before joining the Spirit, only suiting up in the Russian MHL (junior equivalent).
Ducks Won't Work On Trevor Zegras Extension In-Season
Despite some of the on-ice drama Trevor Zegras causes with his goals, there won’t be any off-ice drama this season regarding a contract extension. During media availability today, Anaheim Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said that he’ll wait until after the 2022-23 season ends to work out a contract extension with the team’s budding no. 1 center.
Anaheim Ducks Issue Injury Updates On Sam Carrick, John Moore
With the team releasing their training camp roster today, the Anaheim Ducks released injury updates on forward Sam Carrick and defenseman John Moore. Carrick underwent previously unreported left hip surgery to repair a torn labrum back in May, and he won’t be expected to rejoin the team until November. The Ducks also confirmed that Moore remains injured following his acquisition from the Boston Bruins in February when Moore was on injured reserve dealing with a concussion.
Carrick signed a multi-year extension this offseason after the minor-league veteran put up a solid, impressive performance in a fourth-line role for Anaheim this season. He had 11 goals and 19 points last season in 64 games, marking his first time eclipsing the ten-goal mark at the NHL level. In his absence, the Ducks will likely try out younger players in NHL roles such as Benoit-Olivier Groulx and Jacob Perreault.
Moore, 31, is in the final year of a five-year, $2.75MM cap hit contract that’s spent a solid amount of time buried in the AHL over the past few seasons. In fact, he’s played just 36 NHL games over the last three seasons combined, largely due to a combination of injuries and poor play. With Anaheim having strong organizational depth at defense and acquiring players like Colton White and Olli Juolevi (and Nathan Beaulieu on a PTO), there isn’t much of a spot for Moore within the organization when healthy anyways.
Anaheim Ducks Sign Rocco Grimaldi To PTO
After spending most of the 2021-22 season in the minor leagues, Rocco Grimaldi has agreed to a professional tryout with the Anaheim Ducks to try and show he can still compete in the NHL, according to CapFriendly.
The 29-year-old forward has suited up 203 times at the highest level, and was a lineup regular with the Nashville Predators as recently as 2019-20. That season in 66 games, the undersized forward scored ten goals and 31 points, despite playing fewer than 13 minutes a game. Last year in 44 games with the Milwaukee Admirals, he was a force of nature, scoring 26 goals and 52 points.
There’s a fine line between NHL regular and AHL superstar, and Grimaldi has found himself on the wrong side of it too many times in the past. His diminutive stature – he stands just 5’6″ – is likely the cause of that, despite relatively strong results whenever he has played. In Anaheim, where they are continuing the transition to a young, exciting lineup, perhaps there will be some extra ice time for a veteran like Grimaldi. He’ll have a chance to show off his skills at camp this week, and likely play in some preseason action.