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Brendan Guhle Out Six Weeks

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Though it may get lost in the shuffle as the league deals with COVID-19 outbreaks, the Anaheim Ducks had some unfortunate news of their own today. Brendan Guhle has been ruled out for the next six weeks with a sprained MCL, essentially ending the training camp battle he was in for a roster spot.

The 23-year-old Guhle came to Anaheim in a trade nearly two years ago that saw Brandon Montour go to the Buffalo Sabres. Splitting time between the NHL and AHL, he performed adequately and looked to have an inside track on a roster spot (even if it was perhaps as the seventh defenseman) this season. The Ducks even put Christian Djoos on waivers today, indicating that he’ll likely start on the taxi squad or in the AHL.

Now, Guhle faces a tough rehab and the idea of overtaking a teammate mid-season if he wants to secure playing time. Six weeks puts him back on the ice deep into February, when a good chunk of the season has already passed. That’s a tough break in an already shortened schedule and could very well mean that Guhle will not eclipse the career-high of 30 games played he set last season.

Large Group Of Players Placed On Waivers

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With just a few days before the start of the regular season, a huge number of players have been placed on waivers. The full list includes:

Anaheim Ducks: 

Anthony Stolarz
Andy Welinski
Christian Djoos
Andrew Poturalski
Chase De Leo
Vinni Lettieri
Sam Carrick
Andrew Agozzino
David Backes

Carolina Hurricanes:

Antoine Bibeau
Steven Lorentz
Spencer Smallman
Jeremy Bracco
Gustav Forsling
Drew Shore
Max McCormick

Colorado Avalanche:

Jacob MacDonald
Dan Renouf
Kyle Burroughs
Mike Vecchione
T.J. Tynan
Miikka Salomaki
Jayson Megna
Sheldon Dries

Toronto Maple Leafs:

Nic Petan

These massive waiver placements are no different than the normal training camp cuts that would occur in late-September in a normal year. Should they clear, these players will be eligible to report to the taxi squad or AHL. There are a few names that stand out from the crowd though.

Backes, a veteran of 950 NHL games, still carries a $6MM cap hit on the final season of the five-year, $30MM contract he signed with the Boston Bruins in 2016. As Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reports, this is not a move by the Ducks to try and rid themselves of Backes, but create some additional flexibility. At any rate, his contract basically makes him waiver-proof as no other team would want to take it on at this point in the season.

Bracco, a former top prospect that scored 79 points in 75 games for the Toronto Marlies of the AHL as recently as 2018-19, has seen his development stall and finds himself on the outside looking in for the Hurricanes once again. Djoos, once an up-and-coming defenseman in the Washington Capitals system, is now 26 and available to the whole league, should they want to take a chance.

Ducks Sign Anthony Stolarz To Two-Year Extension

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Thursday: Anaheim officially announced the two-year extension for Stolarz.

Wednesday: The Ducks have locked up their insurance goalie and fulfilled an expansion draft requirement in the process.  CapFriendly reports (Twitter link) that they have signed netminder Anthony Stolarz to a two-year contract extension worth $950K per year.  It is a one-way pact in both seasons.

The 25-year-old joined Anaheim last offseason after signing as a Group VI unrestricted free agent from Philadelphia.  He ultimately had a similar role as he did with the Flyers as he was their third-string option and spent the majority of the season with AHL San Diego as a result, compiling a 2.66 GAA with a .922 SV% in 39 games.  He did get into one game with the Ducks, allowing two goals on 36 shots in a losing effort to St. Louis back in March.

Stolarz has 26 career NHL games under his belt so it’s quite possible that he’ll be in the mix for the number two spot behind John Gibson with Ryan Miller going year-to-year at this stage of his career.  However, the primary impetus for this contract would appear to be the looming Seattle expansion draft.  The only signed goalie that was eligible for exposure (each team must leave one unprotected) was Gibson and clearly, they intended to protect him.  Giving Stolarz a new deal paves the way for them to unprotect him and ensure Gibson stays put and for agreeing to do so, Stolarz gets a small raise and a couple of years of job security, even if he winds up being as the third-string option throughout.

Snapshots: Bratt, WJC Prospects, Kerfoot

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The New Jersey Devils could be without Jesper Bratt to start the season, as the restricted free agent is still unsigned. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports that the 22-year-old forward is still in Sweden, noting that it would be tough even now to get in on time with visa complications and quarantine. Even those things would need a contract to be worked out first, something that may not be all that close. Friedman writes that though the two sides are still communicating there is “not a ton of talk, and there’s a bit of a gap at this time.”

Bratt, who was a sixth-round pick just a few years ago, has been one of the bright spots on a Devils team that has struggled the last few seasons. Though his play has certainly not been consistent, he still put up 16 goals and 32 points in just 60 games last season and figures to play a top-six role on the team this year once he signs. Of course, every day he misses leaves the door open for other players to impress, including newcomer Andreas Johnsson who has been skating next to Jack Hughes and Kyle Palmieri so far.

  • Speaking of missing time, several prospects at the World Junior Championship will waste none at all after their championship game this evening. Bob McKenzie of TSN reports that Trevor Zegras, Jamie Drysdale, Quinton Byfield, Alex Turcotte, Arthur Kaliyev, and Tobias Bjornfot will all be on a chartered flight back to Southern California to join the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings respective training camps. Because they are coming out of the bubble and will not be flying commercial, McKenzie reports that these players will likely not have to quarantine for seven days (though they will still have to adhere to NHL testing protocols). The same process will take Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn to Buffalo Sabres camp.
  • Injuries are already popping up around the league and in Toronto the Maple Leafs could be without Alexander Kerfoot the next few days. Head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters including Kristen Shilton of TSN that Kerfoot is day-to-day after suffering an injury today in practice. The Maple Leafs had split their training groups quite distinctly, meaning if Kerfoot is held out it would open the door for one of the expected non-roster players to get a chance.

NHL Will Not Require Blanket Quarantine Period For AHL Recalls

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Alongside the news of three teams opting out, four teams temporarily relocating, and realigned divisions for the coming season, more information continues to emerge following today’s AHL Board of Governors meeting. Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston reports that NHL clubs and their AHL affiliates have been informed that there will be no blanket quarantine period for player recalls and reassignments this season. Instead, quarantine measures will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis considering the totality of the circumstances. This will include team protocols, travel logistics, and accordance with local COVID-19 health guidelines.

As Johnston notes, this will make AHL recalls much easier for those teams whose affiliates share a city or even a state or province. Short, safe travel ability and uniform local policies will allow for much shorter quarantine periods. Teams in this situation may even ask their affiliate to maintain the same NHL-level of day-to-day quarantine protocols to make recalls even easier, perhaps even without any quarantine. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, Vegas Golden Knights, and San Jose Sharks (if and when the team returns home from Arizona) all share a city with their AHL affiliate, as do the New Jersey Devils temporarily. The Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, Boston Bruins (temporarily), Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins all have their AHL affiliates within state or provincial lines as well.

For those teams with some distance between themselves and their minor league clubs, recalls could remain difficult. Especially for those Canadian teams whose affiliates remain in the U.S. – the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks – quarantine logistics will be a struggle. Johnston points out that for these teams and the American clubs with affiliates elsewhere in the country, travel will be a major obstacle. The one blanket policy for all NHL and AHL players this season is that a seven-day quarantine period is required following a commercial flight. This could also stand to effect any team on a long-term road trip that is desperate enough to make a recall.

However, while this policy will help a great number of teams, it is important to remember that  taxi squads were established for this season to reduce the reliance on AHL recalls, at least as a frequent measure. Regardless of each NHL team’s location relative to their AHL affiliate, most teams will largely use their six-man taxi squad for emergency substitutions and will have options in the meantime should they decide to recall a player who must quarantine.

Anaheim Ducks Re-Sign Ryan Miller

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As many expected, the Anaheim Ducks have come to terms on a new contract with veteran goaltender Ryan Miller. CapFriendly reports that the 40-year-old has signed a one-year extension to stay with Anaheim, very likely for the final season of his long, successful career. The contract carries a $1MM AAV, all in guaranteed base salary.

All signs pointed to one final year of Miller in Anaheim, but the two sides sure took their time getting there. After the goalie market thinned quickly when free agency began in October, the Ducks were left with very few legitimate options to solidify a depth chart in net that featured only Anthony Stolarz and a trio of untested prospects behind starter John Gibson. Miller remained unsigned, but this was at least partially due to his unwillingness to move far from his family in southern California. With Arizona, L.A., Vegas, and San Jose all appearing set in net, it seemed like a reunion with Anaheim was the only real option for Miller to extend his career.

Miller had earned another shot if he wanted one, too. Even in his 17th NHL season, Miller still managed to record a winning record for a poor Ducks team in 23 appearances last year. Admittedly, his .907 save percentage and 3.10 GAA were career lows, but they were still superior to the numbers of the other options left on the market. If Gibson can stay healthy, he is an elite, workhorse goalie that Anaheim can lean on and Stolarz is capable of contributing as well, meaning Miller will not be asked to do too much in his first (and likely last) season in his forties, but if the Ducks need a spot start they can rely on the experience and veteran IQ that Miller brings.

While the Ducks are improved this season with the addition of Miller, they are still facing a conundrum in net with the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft on the horizon. The Ducks need an eligible goaltender signed beyond this season to expose in the draft, but right now only Gibson fits the bill and he certainly won’t be the choice. This one-year deal for Miller, while completely reasonable, does not help the situation. His presence may also block Stolarz from the opportunities needed to prove whether he is worthy of an extension. Miller himself seems unlikely to sign another deal simply for the purpose of being exposed in the draft as well. One way or another, Anaheim will need to sign an eligible goalie, internal or otherwise, to a contract through at least 2021-22 before July’s draft.

Philip Broberg Named Captain For Team Sweden

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Team Sweden was released from quarantine today at the World Juniors and will be practising later today. Yesterday, the team announced the leadership group for the tournament which will be led by Edmonton Oilers prospect Philip Broberg. Broberg will wear the “C” as captain of the squad and will be joined by alternates Tobias Bjornfot, Victor Soderstrom and Albin Sundsvik.

Broberg, 19, is set to spend this season in Sweden again after the tournament concludes but is a top prospect to keep an eye on for the Oilers. Selected 8th overall in 2019 he has already represented Sweden twice at the WJC and should be a force on the blueline once again. An incredible skater, Broberg has been criticized at times for his decision making but shows signs of quickly turning into a top defenseman for Edmonton. He was so impressive this summer that he actually made the Oilers postseason bubble roster, playing in one of the exhibition games. Though he didn’t actually suit up for his NHL debut, it’s not far off.

Bjornfot meanwhile has already made that debut, suiting up for three games with the Los Angeles Kings at the start of the 2019-20 season. The 19-year-old was the 22nd overall pick in 2019 and is also a returning member of the Swedish WJC team. Bjornfot spent last season with the Ontario Reign as one of the youngest defensemen in AHL history, scoring 19 points in 44 games. He has been playing with Djurgardens IF this year and has three points (and 33 penalty minutes) in 15 games.

Soderstrom, another defenseman, is also one of the top prospects in the world, selected 11th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in 2019. He was a dynamic offensive presence for the Swedes at last year’s tournament, recording six points in seven games. He’s been on loan this season to AIK in the Swedish second tier and has six points in 12 games. Alongside Broberg and Bjornfot, Soderstrom forms a trio of outstanding defenders who could take over the tournament.

Sundsvik is perhaps the most interesting choice, given he was not at the tournament last year and isn’t a top prospect. The 19-year-old center was selected 160th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in this year’s draft (his second year of eligibility) and has just three points in 23 games at the SHL level this year. Perhaps this honor is a sign of things to come and the Ducks landed a steal in the late rounds.

Minor Transactions: 12/19/20

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With news of a tentative agreement to begin the 2020-21 season, in less than a month nonetheless, the gears have begun to turn once again for NHL clubs. With many players on loan overseas needing to be recalled and others who are ready to get an early start to their season with an assignment to the ECHL, transactions are picking up and should continue grow in number over the coming weeks. Stay tuned for the many minor moves on the way:

  • One player who is not getting ready to start his season in any regard is Nathan Paetsch. After 17 pro seasons, the skilled defenseman has decided to hang up his skates at 37. The AHL’s Rochester Americans, with whom Paetsch played parts of seven seasons, including the past three, announced the veteran’s decision. Paetsch initially signed with the Buffalo Sabres back in 2003 after being drafted out of the WHL and spent his first seven pro seasons with the organization. Outside of one season in Germany, Paetsch has spent the past decade in the AHL playing mostly with Rochester and the Grand Rapids Griffins. He totaled 167 NHL games between Buffalo and the Columbus Blue Jackets and another 651 AHL games (and over 250 points) in a long, successful career.
  • The Edmonton Oilers have recalled Tyler Benson from his loan to Switzerland’s GCK Lions, the club announced. Benson was an impactful play-maker in his short time overseas, recording a team-leading 19 points in 15 games.  While the Oilers have added some depth this off-season, they still hope the well-regarded prospect can carve out an NHL role for himself after making his debut with seven games in Edmonton last season.
  • Nick Wolff has been recalled by the Boston Bruins from his loan to Hungary’s DVTK of the Slovakian Extraliga, the team announced. It was Wolff’s first pro experience after signing with the Bruins out of the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Wolff recorded five points in 18 games and racked up a fair amount of penalty minutes as well. The physical defenseman is not expected to compete for an NHL roster spot, but should take part in training camp. Wolff could potentially spend some time with the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen, a team that already has a number of Bruins prospects, most recent addition being free agent goaltender addition Callum Booth.
  • The Anaheim Ducks have assigned first-year pro prospect Jack Badini to the ECHL’s Tulsa Oilers. The Harvard product was a third-round pick in 2017 and had been a productive player for the Crimson. However, the cancellation of the Ivy League winter season left Badini without a team and fast-forwarded his plans. It remains to be seen whether the two-way forward is truly ready for the pros just yet, so the Ducks will give him an early look at the “AA” level.

Snapshots: Dubois, Granlund, Ducks, Lee

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With progress finally being made toward starting the 2020-21 season, the pressure is mounting back up on those teams who still have players to sign and payrolls to manage. One of those teams is the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Jackets have plenty of salary cap space with nearly $9.25MM of remaining room for a 22-man roster, but they have yet to sign perhaps their most important forward, restricted free agent center Pierre-Luc Dubois. Coming off his three-year entry-level contract, in which he recorded 18+ goals and 48+ points each season, culminating in a point-per-game showing in the 2020 postseason, Dubois has established himself as a centerpiece for Columbus and the team hopes he will serve in that role for many years still to come. Whether Dubois signs that lucrative long-term extension this off-season or instead opts for a shorter bridge deal remains to be seen. Either way, the team needs to get the talented young pivot under contract soon before the new season begins. Fortunately, NBC Sports’ Adam Gretz reports that the Blue Jackets are not concerned about coming to terms on a new deal with Dubois. GM Jarmo Kekalainen stated that he is “confident” that Dubois will have a new contract not only before the puck drops on the new season, but even before the first day of training camp. This would likely mean that a deal is expected before the end of the month, with training camps projected to open shortly after the calendar flips to January. Kekalainen compared the situation to that of star defenseman Zach Werenski last season; Werenski went much of the off-season with seemingly little progress on a contract extension, but signed a new deal just days before training camp. Gretz notes that the Blue Jackets have shown that they are not afraid to play hardball with their restricted free agents, but will have to be careful with Dubois. The young center is a pivotal piece of the team moving forward. Columbus has the cap space to lock Dubois up long-term at a higher cap hit now, but if the two sides do agree to a shorter term deal the hope is that there is a mutual goal to sign that long-term deal down the road.

  • Gretz also reports that one of the top remaining unsigned free agents, forward Mikael Granlund, is expected to make a decision on his next team sooner rather than later. In fact, a contract could be signed in the coming days. Gretz writes that Granlund would like to get his family settled before the season, possibly even before the Christmas holiday, which could lead to an impending resolution to his free agency. Depending on the asking price, Granlund should have no shortage of suitors. The Blue Jackets have actually been cited by many as a top option for Granlund. If they do sign a more affordable, short-term deal with Dubois as many expect, Columbus could use their remaining cap space to add Granlund. The team had hoped to add at least one if not two top-six forwards this off-season which they have failed to do so far, only swapping out Josh Anderson for Max Domi. 
  • The Anaheim Ducks are another team with moves to make before the season begins. The Ducks are currently over the salary cap upper limit according to CapFriendly and that is with a roster that currently excludes a backup goalie. Anthony Stolarz is the favorite for the job behind starter John Gibson, but the team is likely to make an addition given their lack of depth behind that duo and their need for a goaltender with term on his contract beyond this season to expose in the upcoming 2021 NHL Expansion Draft. If the Ducks do not add another goaltender, the pressure will fall on Roman Durny, who Anaheim assigned to the ECHL’s Tulsa Oilers today, and Olle Eriksson Ek, who started in Tulsa’s season opener this weekend. Eriksson Ek and Durny shared the net in the ECHL last season, but would be slated to do so this year in the AHL if no further moves are made and would battle to be the next man up to the NHL behind Gibson and Stolarz. Durny, 22, Eriksson Ek, 21, and Lukas Dostal, 20, are all talented prospects but their lack of experience does not inspire much confidence in Anaheim’s net depth if an addition is not made. The Ducks should be scouring the free agent and trade markets for help, even as they work to cut salary from the NHL roster.
  • Even as the NHL and NHLPA close in on an agreement to begin the new season, there hasn’t been much concrete information in the media on the actual start dates of training camp and the safety procedures leading into those camps. Perhaps the teams of those players on loan are hearing more than everyone else though. HC Slovan Bratislava of the Slovakian Extraliga has announced that Pittsburgh Penguins defensive prospect Cam Lee has been returned from his loan. In doing so, the club stated that Lee will begin his quarantine later this week and that training camp physicals will take place before the end of the month. At the very least, that makes it sound as though camps will be up and running in early January as hoped, if not sooner.

Ducks Assign Maxim Golod To ECHL

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Maxim Golod’s professional career will get started at the ECHL level as the Ducks prospect was assigned to Tulsa today, per the ECHL’s transaction log.  Anaheim signed the undrafted free agent to an entry-level deal back in October shortly after the conclusion of the draft.

The 20-year-old winger spent the last three seasons with Erie of the OHL and took a big step forward offensively in 2019-20 to really get himself on the NHL radar.  After picking up just 68 points over his first two years with the Otters, he notched 25 goals and 53 assists in 63 games to lead the Otters in scoring last season.

Whenever training camps get underway (which could be later this month with Anaheim getting a few extra days after not being part of the Return to Play), it’s doubtful that Golod will be among the invitees.  With the AHL campaign still being two months away, this assignment will give him a good chance to get his feet wet in the pros and get some playing time before trying to contend for a roster spot with AHL San Diego in February.

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