What Your Team Is Thankful For: Los Angeles Kings
With American Thanksgiving now behind us and the holiday season coming up, PHR is taking a look at what teams are thankful for in 2022-23. There also might be a few things your team would like down the road. We’ll examine what’s gone well in the early going and what could improve as the season rolls on for the Los Angeles Kings.
Who are the Kings thankful for?
The Los Angeles Kings’ offseason acquisition of Kevin Fiala from the Minnesota Wild, a deal that cost them a first-round pick and top prospect Brock Faber, was seen as a transaction carrying quite a bit of risk.
While Fiala had undoubtedly reached a new stratosphere of production in Minnesota (he scored at a 65-point pace in 2020-21 and scored 85 points in 2021-22) there were some who still believed that he was too inconsistent and his playoff production was too spotty to make acquiring Fiala a shrewd acquisition.
So far, Fiala has proved to be a strong investment for GM Rob Blake and the Kings. After a somewhat slow start, Fiala’s offensive production has really picked up, and he now leads the Kings with 28 points in 26 games, a total helped by a four-assist performance in a game against the division rival Seattle Kraken, a game that featured 17 total goals scored.
While finding the ideal fit for Fiala in the Kings’ lineup has been a bit of an adventure for head coach Todd McLellan, his current spot as the right winger next to Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe could be a smart long-term role.
Fiala is one of those rare wingers in the NHL who can reliably drive play, and as Kopitar, 35, begins to slow down the presence of Fiala should be able to keep the Kings’ offense chugging along.
While there are other players, such as Arthur Kaliyev or Gabriel Vilardi, whose strong performances are perhaps a bit more surprising, Fiala’s strong start to his Kings career is undoubtedly the most important development for the franchise as a whole.
If Fiala can continue to be a point-per-game, play-driving winger in Los Angeles, that seven-year, $7.875MM AAV extension could start to look like a bargain, which is definitely something for the Kings to be thankful for.
What are the Kings thankful for?
Their dynamic second line.
While Fiala and Vilardi have gotten more overall attention for their performances, the bedrock of this Kings’ team and their success so far this season has been their second line. Led by Phillip Danault, that line has been one of the league’s most well-rounded trios since they were first put together.
Danault, 29, arrived from the Montreal Canadiens with serious questions attached regarding his offensive game. Many wondered if the defense-first center would be able to muster enough of an offensive game to warrant his $5.5MM cap hit.
All Danault has done in Los Angeles is prove that he has a quality offensive dimension to his game, one that he hadn’t truly flashed in the NHL since the days when he was an up-and-coming player centering the Canadiens’ top line between Max Pacioretty and Alexander Radulov.
In 79 games last season Danault flew past his previous career high of 13 goals scored to pot 27. This year has been more of the same, as he has 18 points in 26 games. By pairing elite defensive play with the ability to mesh offensively with some quality linemates, Danault has quickly become a quality top-six center in Los Angeles.
But the Kings’ second line is more than just Danault. It also features Viktor Arvidsson, who ranks third on the Kings with 19 points in 24 games this year. Finishing the trio is Trevor Moore, a California native who had a breakout year in 2021-22 after he earned a role next to the two established NHLers. Moore scored 48 points in 81 games last year and has 17 points in 26 games this year.
The consistency and all-around quality of the Kings’ second line is something that sets them apart from many other NHL teams, which is undoubtedly something to be thankful for this holiday season.
What would the Kings be even more thankful for?
Improved play in the crease.
While the Kings are currently sitting in a playoff spot, the success they’ve found this season has come despite their goaltending, not because of it.
That point was made strikingly clear when the team placed Petersen on waivers this week, a transaction that came as a major setback for a player once seen as the Kings’ future at the position.
It’s not often that a team waives an in-his-prime player making $5MM or more, and yet the fact that Petersen found himself available to every other NHL club speaks to just how dire the Kings’ goaltending situation has been this year.
Jonathan Quick‘s reliance on his superb athleticism and unbelievable instincts earned him two Stanley Cup rings and two William M. Jennings trophies. But now a 36-year-old veteran, Quick’s athleticism has waned, and much of his effectiveness has gone with it.
Quick is no longer the elite goalie he once was, and while his .910 save percentage last year was certainly acceptable, his .889 so far this year is not.
Petersen has struggled this year to an even greater extent than Quick. As mentioned earlier, he hit waivers this week after posting a grisly .868 save percentage in 10 games.
The Kings are saddled with Petersen’s backloaded $5MM AAV contract ($11MM of the total $15MM cash is due in the next two years) so getting him back to the level of performance he showed in 2020-21 will be important. If the Kings could pair their current level of play with better play from their goalies, they’d certainly be even more thankful than they are now.
What should be on the Kings’ holiday wish list?
Productive extension talks with Vilardi.
Just a year ago, it looked as though Vilardi was trending toward “bust” territory. On one hand, the 2017 11th overall pick looked to have finally put the injury troubles that came to define his early years as a prospect behind him, and he was productive in the AHL with 38 points in 39 games.
But on the other hand, Vilardi was ineffective in 25 NHL games and scored just seven points in that span. Vilardi’s skating, which had been seen as a potential issue since his days as a Windsor Spitfire, looked as though it was going to hold him back from being an impactful offensive generator in the NHL.
This year, though, Vilardi has flipped that script with a hot start. While a six-game scoreless streak has lowered his overall totals, Vilardi still leads the Kings with 13 goals and is scoring at a 62-point pace.
It looks like Vilardi may have finally found his groove in the NHL, and if he has indeed done so, the price on his next contract will only go up from here. Vilardi will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer, and with that on the horizon, the Kings should have productive extension talks with Vilardi on their holiday wishlist.
Vilardi has worked tirelessly to get past his earlier injury issues and become the productive scorer he has been so far this season.
The Kings never seemed to lose faith that Vilardi would eventually sort things out, and this year Vilardi has rewarded their faith. Next, it could be the Kings’ turn to reward Vilardi.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Colorado Avalanche Recall Andreas Englund
The Colorado Avalanche have recalled defenseman Andreas Englund from their AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. The news was first reported by Colorado Hockey Now’s Adrian Dater.
The recall comes after blueliner Josh Manson missed the third period of yesterday’s game with an undisclosed injury.
The 26-year-old Englund has played in four NHL games for Colorado this season and has played in 37 total NHL games in his career. Englund, a former Ottawa Senator, has spent most of this year so far with AHL Colorado. There, he has three points and 47 penalty minutes in 15 games.
Englund is a 2014 second-round pick who has settled into a role as a minutes-eating, physical AHL defenseman who sits closer to the top of his team’s list in terms of first call-ups in the case of injury trouble.
After not playing at all during the 2020-21 season, Englund re-established himself in North America after being non-tendered by the Senators thanks to his performance with the Eagles.
He earned a one-year two-way NHL contract this past summer and will look to provide the Avalanche with steady play as they await additional news on Manson’s status.
Carolina Hurricanes Activate Teuvo Teravainen
As first reported by Walt Ruff of the Carolina Hurricanes’ team website, Hurricanes forward Teuvo Teravainen has been activated off of injured reserve. Per Ruff, Teravainen’s status regarding tomorrow’s game against the Los Angeles Kings is still to be determined.
Teravainen, 28, has missed the Hurricanes’ last ten games recovering from an upper-body injury. The veteran Finnish forward has no goals and just seven assists in 14 games so far this year, but as recently as last season Teravainen was scoring at a high level.
In 2021-22, Teravainen scored 65 points in 77 games, a total that ranked third on a strong Hurricanes team. With Andrei Svechnikov locking down the Hurricanes’ second-line left winger spot next to Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Teravainen’s return would slot him in as the team’s first-line left winger next to Sebastian Aho and Martin Necas.
Should head coach Rod Brind’Amour choose to deploy Teravainen there, it would likely shift Seth Jarvis out of that first-line left winger spot and into the second-line right winger spot, a role currently occupied by Stefan Noesen. While Noesen has impressed this year with 10 points in 23 games, it’s likely that Brind’Amour would rather find room for Jarvis, one of the team’s top up-and-coming talents, in their top-six over Noesen.
Another option would be for this activation to shift Jack Drury out of the team’s lineup, as Drury has been playing in a fourth-line left winger role. Drury doesn’t have a point in the NHL this season, and the Hurricanes could opt to give him some more time to marinate in the AHL.
Regardless of what Brind’Amour ultimately chooses to do with his lines, the return of Teravainen is undoubtedly a win for Carolina. They add a strong top-six playmaker back to their lineup who should be able to help them as they attempt to catch up with the New Jersey Devils in the race for the Metropolitan Division crown.
Minnesota Wild Recall Joseph Cramarossa
The Minnesota Wild have announced that forward Joseph Cramarossa has been recalled from the team’s AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild.
The move fills a lone vacant spot on the team’s roster, giving them some additional reinforcements as they prepare for a four-game road trip that begins Sunday in Dallas.
Cramarossa, 30, has played in four games for the Wild so far this year and spent most of the season in Iowa. The winger bounced around a bit after a 2017 waiver claim but seems to have found a home in the Wild organization. This will be Cramarossa’s third straight season as a depth forward in Minnesota/Iowa, and he’s clearly valued for that role by Wild brass.
In 15 AHL games so far this year Cramarossa has seven points to go along with 47 penalty minutes. Overall, he has 68 NHL games on his resume and 13 points. While it’s unlikely that Cramarossa sees any major minutes for the Wild, his recall underscores the team’s desire to play with more physicality and grit.
The Wild added some major muscle when they acquired Ryan Reaves from the New York Rangers, and Cramarossa’s recall helps the Wild in the same areas Reaves was acquired to address.
New Jersey Devils Recall Andreas Johnsson
The New Jersey Devils have announced that forward Andreas Johnsson has been recalled from the team’s AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets.
The move puts Johnsson, 28, in the position to make his season debut in New Jersey. Despite scoring 13 goals and 35 points in the NHL last season, the former Toronto Maple Leafs forward didn’t make the Devils’ roster out of camp and was placed on waivers near the start of the season.
His placement on waivers may have been partially financially motivated, though, as it’s likely that Johnsson’s $3.4MM cap hit played a role in the Devils making him available for every other NHL team to claim.
Likely due to his contract, Johnsson went unclaimed on waivers, something that has greatly benefitted the Comets. In 12 AHL games, Johnsson has 13 points, production that supports the idea that despite losing his NHL job in New Jersey he’s still a capable offensive producer.
With Ondrej Palat, Nathan Bastian, and Miles Wood all dealing with injuries, the Devils’ recall of Johnsson gives them a spare forward to work with on their roster. While we don’t yet know if head coach Lindy Ruff will dress Johnsson for games, this recall is certainly an opportunity for Johnsson to re-establish himself as an NHL talent.
Snapshots: Caufield, Dunn, Kindl
After finishing last in the NHL in 2021-22, the Montreal Canadiens have gotten off to a surprisingly strong start this season. Martin St. Louis has his squad sitting above .500 with a 12-10-1 record, and that early success has come in large part thanks to his team’s dynamic top line. Captain Nick Suzuki is leading the way with 25 points in 23 games, while offseason acquisition Kirby Dach looks like he could be beginning a breakout year with 17 points in 23 games. Leading the Canadiens in goals is 21-year-old sniper Cole Caufield, who happens to be playing in the final year of his entry-level contract.
Caufield’s agent, Pat Brisson, confirmed to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun that “preliminary” conversations with the Canadiens on a contract extension have begun. (subscription link) LeBrun writes that his “sense is that [the Canadiens] have entered this negotiation willing to be flexible and do whatever ends up being the best combination of cap hit and term.” Seeing as Caufield has played like an elite scorer since the moment St. Louis stepped behind Montreal’s bench, it seems like pulling the trigger on a long-term pact might be in the Canadiens’ best interests.
Some other notes from across the NHL:
- As part of his larger piece looking at potential RFAs, LeBrun also dove into the contract situation regarding Vince Dunn and the Seattle Kraken. The 26-year-old blueliner is currently scoring at a 57-point pace and is playing over 23 minutes per night. Dunn is currently playing on a $4MM cap hit, and will be an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent before being able to hit unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2024. While the Kraken already have significant dollars pledged to their 2023-24 team, they should have the room on their books to be able to sign Dunn to the sort of major extension his play warrants.
- Former NHL defenseman Jakub Kindl has found a team for the 2022-23 season. Per a team announcement, the 35-year-old veteran of over 33o NHL games has signed with Storhamar, a club in Norway. Kindl spent last season captaining HC Plzen in the Czech league, scoring 10 points in 43 games.
Detroit Red Wings Place Tyler Bertuzzi On Injured Reserve
Dec 2: Bertuzzi underwent successful surgery this morning and will be out for six weeks.
Dec 1: Despite being activated less than a month ago, Detroit Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi is headed back to the injured reserve list. Detroit announced today that they have placed their star forward on injured reserve.
In a corresponding move, they have recalled forward Austin Czarnik from their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins.
This is not Bertuzzi’s first run-in with injury struggles. A back injury caused Bertuzzi to miss most of the 2020-21 season. Earlier this year, Bertuzzi was sidelined with a broken hand, one that he sustained after just two games played.
During Wednesday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres, Bertuzzi’s left hand was struck by a point shot from teammate Ben Chiarot. It’s another moment of poor luck for the 27-year-old power forward, and one that will come as bad news for the Red Wings overall.
When healthy, Bertuzzi is an important part of Detroit’s offensive attack. He scored 30 goals and 62 points in 68 games last season and has four points in nine games so far this year.
Bertuzzi’s replacement on the roster, Czarnik, is also a centerpiece offensive contributor, albeit for AHL Grand Rapids. So far this year Czarnik has 14 points in 12 AHL games, and he has 46 points in 146 career NHL games.
With Bertuzzi out of the picture, Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde will have to decide whether to deploy Czarnik in Bertuzzi’s vacated spot on Michael Rasmussen and David Perron‘s line or to give that opportunity to someone lower on the depth chart.
Despite their injury troubles, the Red Wings are off to a strong start this season and will look to weather Bertuzzi’s absence as they build toward a possible playoff berth.
Alex Formenton Ineligible For Rest Of Season
The NHL’s deadline for clubs to sign restricted free agents to contracts that would allow them to play in the 2022-23 season has now passed. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet confirmed that there has been no contract signed, meaning Ottawa Senators forward Alex Formenton is now ineligible to play in the rest of this NHL season.
Per Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch, the Senators have been trying to find a trade for Formenton but were unable to finalize a deal before this deadline passed. Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reported that the Senators’ asking price for Formenton was a second-round pick, and it appears that no team was willing to meet that asking price in order to acquire Formenton before the 4PM CDT deadline.
On paper, Formenton’s restricted free agency once seemed straightforward. After scoring 18 goals and 32 points last year, the speedy 23-year-old forward looked set to either earn a moderate bridge contract or perhaps even be a candidate for a long-term extension.
But Formenton’s status has become unclear due to potentially significant off-ice complications.
Speculation has continued to surface regarding Formenton’s role in the Hockey Canada World Junior 2018 sexual assault investigation, for which he is one of few players to not release a statement denying involvement.
While TSN’s Darren Dreger has reported that the NHL’s investigation is “substantially complete,” the league did not release its findings before today’s deadline, which may have contributed to the Formenton’s uncertain current status.
With the deadline now passed, it seems that Formenton’s only choice regarding his NHL future is to wait until there is more certainty in the matters that NHL clubs are reportedly concerned about. In the meantime, the Senators will retain Formenton’s rights as a restricted free agent.
Montreal Canadiens Place Mike Hoffman On Injured Reserve, Recall Rem Pitlick
The Montreal Canadiens announced today that forward Mike Hoffman has been placed on injured reserve. In a corresponding move, the team has recalled forward Rem Pitlick from the Laval Rocket, Montreal’s AHL affiliate.
Additionally, the team announced that forward Brendan Gallagher is currently being evaluated for a lower-body injury and won’t play in the Canadiens’ game against the Calgary Flames tonight.
Hoffman, 33, has been out with a lower-body injury for more than a week now. The veteran sniper has gotten off to a so-so start for the Canadiens this season, scoring eight points in 16 games. In Hoffman’s absence, the Canadiens will hope that Evgenii Dadonov can heat up after a slow start and fill in for some of the goal-scoring they’d have expected a healthy Hoffman to provide.
With Gallagher out, the Canadiens needed to create space on their roster to recall a forward to replace him, which led to Hoffman’s placement on injured reserve. The forward they called up is Pitlick, who has had a rough start to the 2022-23 campaign, having gone scoreless in seven NHL games this year.
Pitlick looked like a savvy waiver claim last year as he scored 37 points in 66 games last season, a 46-point pace. But so far this year Pitlick has been squeezed by the Canadiens’ glut of middle-six forward options and has spent time in the AHL as a result.
Now back on Montreal’s roster with a chance to get some game action, Pitlick will hope to re-capture some of the luck and quality play that defined his performance last year.
Injury Notes: Ullmark, Smith, Slafkovsky, Howden
The Boston Bruins today became the first team in NHL history to record twelve straight home wins to start a season, but amid that history-making came some bad news. Number-one goalie Linus Ullmark, whose heroics this season have played a major role in the Bruins’ rise, went down with an injury and needed to be relieved by backup netminder Jeremy Swayman. Additionally, forward Craig Smith also left the game with an injury.
Thankfully for Boston, though, the team is optimistic about the status of their two players. Ty Anderson of 98.5 The Sports Hub reports that the Bruins believe both Ullmark and Smith are out on just a day-to-day timeline. That being said, though, he does add on that they “don’t know anything definitive yet.” While the Bruins remain optimistic about their two injured players, this will definitely be something to monitor moving forward.
Now, for some other injury notes from across the NHL:
- The Montreal Canadiens had a bit of an injury scare today when Juraj Slafkovsky got shaken up by a hit from Chicago Blackhawks forward Jason Dickinson. Slafkovsky did return to the bench by the end of the game to witness his team’s shootout victory, and after the game coach Martin St. Louis sounded optimistic about the state of his team’s prized young forward. While we don’t have full confirmation that Slafkovsky wasn’t injured on the play, it does seem like he and the Canadiens escaped the worst there.
- The Vegas Golden Knights have announced that forward Brett Howden will miss tonight’s game with a lower-body injury. No further details beyond that were released. Howden, 24, has been a bottom-six forward for the Golden Knights this season and has three points 21 games.