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Training Camp Cuts: 10/01/23

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As the calendar turns to October, more cuts to NHL training camp rosters are expected. As always, we’ll keep track of any of those moves here.

Boston Bruins (via team release)

F Alex Chiasson (released from PTO)
D Frederic Brunet (to Providence, AHL)
F Brett Harrison (to Providence, AHL)

Chicago Blackhawks (via NBC Sports Chicago’s Charlie Roumeliotis, The Athletic’s Mark Lazerus)

G Mitchell Weeks (to Rockford, AHL)
F Antti Saarela (to Rockford, AHL)
F Michal Teplý (to Rockford, AHL)
F Marcel Marcel (to Rockford, AHL)
D Nolan Allan (to Rockford, AHL)

Florida Panthers (via team release)

F Skyler Brind’Amour (to Charlotte, AHL)
F Kai Schwindt (to Charlotte, AHL)
F Wilmer Skoog (to Charlotte, AHL)
F Patrick Giles (to Charlotte, AHL)
G Evan Cormier (to Charlotte, AHL)
G Mack Guzda (to Charlotte, AHL)

Los Angeles Kings (via team release)

F Koehn Ziemmer (to Prince George, WHL)
D Angus Booth (to Shawinigan, QMJHL)
F Martin Chromiak (to Ontario, AHL)
F Samuel Helenius (to Ontario, AHL)
D Cole Krygier (to Ontario, AHL)
D Kim Nousiainen (to Ontario, AHL)
F Francesco Pinelli (to Ontario, AHL)
G Erik Portillo (to Ontario, AHL)
F Taylor Ward (to Ontario, AHL)
G Ryan Bednard (to Ontario, AHL)
G J.F. Berube (to Ontario, AHL)
F Jacob Doty (to Ontario, AHL)
F Ryan Francis (to Ontario, AHL)
F Charles Hudon (to Ontario, AHL)
D Tyler Inamoto (to Ontario, AHL)
G Jacob Ingham (to Ontario, AHL)
F Isaac Johnson (to Ontario, AHL)
D Jacob Modry (to Ontario, AHL)
C Nikita Pavlychev (to Ontario, AHL)
D Wyatte Wylie (to Ontario, AHL)

Minnesota Wild (via team release)

F Adam Beckman (to Iowa, AHL)
F Joël Teasdale (released from PTO and assigned to Iowa, AHL)
F Mike O’Leary (released from PTO and assigned to Iowa, AHL)
D Carson Lambos (to Iowa, AHL)
D Ryan O’Rourke (to Iowa, AHL)

Montreal Canadiens (via team release)

F Riley Kidney (to Laval, AHL)
F Sean Farrell (to Laval, AHL)
D William Trudeau (to Laval, AHL)
D David Reinbacher (to Kloten, NL)
G Jakub Dobes (to Laval, AHL)

Nashville Predators (via team release)

F Egor Afanasyev (to Milwaukee, AHL)
F Anthony Angello (to Milwaukee, AHL)
F Tye Felhaber (to Milwaukee, AHL)
F Carson Gicewicz (to Milwaukee, AHL)
F Joakim Kemell (to Milwaukee, AHL)
FJachym Kondelik (to Milwaukee, AHL)
F Zachary L’Heureux (to Milwaukee, AHL)
F Navrin Mutter (to Milwaukee, AHL)
F Cal O’Reilly (to Milwaukee, AHL)
F Reid Schaefer (to Milwaukee, AHL)
F Fedor Svechkov (to Milwaukee, AHL)
F Kevin Wall (to Milwaukee, AHL)
F Jasper Weatherby (to Milwaukee, AHL)
D Kevin Gravel (to Milwaukee, AHL)
D Jordan Gross (to Milwaukee, AHL)
D Jake Livingstone(to Milwaukee, AHL)
D Griffin Luce (to Milwaukee, AHL)
D Jack Matier (to Milwaukee, AHL)
D Roland McKeown (to Milwaukee, AHL)
D Luke Prokop (to Milwaukee, AHL)
D Spencer Stastney (to Milwaukee, AHL)
D Keaton Thompson (to Milwaukee, AHL)
D Adam Wilsby (to Milwaukee, AHL)
G Yaroslav Askarov (to Milwaukee, AHL)
G Gustavs Grigals (to Milwaukee, AHL)
G Troy Grosenick (to Milwaukee, AHL)
G Dylan Wells (to Milwaukee, AHL)

New York Rangers (via team release)

F Brett Berard (to Hartford, AHL)
G Dylan Garand (to Hartford, AHL)
F Adam Edstrom (to Hartford, AHL)
F Matt Rempe (to Hartford, AHL)
D Matthew Robertson (to Hartford, AHL)
D Brandon Scanlin (to Hartford, AHL)

St. Louis Blues (via team release)

F Sam Bitten (to Springfield, AHL)
F Keean Washkurak (to Springfield, AHL)
D Leo Lööf (to Springfield, AHL)
G Colten Ellis (to Springfield, AHL)

Vancouver Canucks (via team release)

F Danila Klimovich (to Abbotsford, AHL)
F Aatu Räty (to Abbotsford, AHL)
F Vasily Podkolzin (to Abbotsford, AHL)
F Max Sasson (to Abbotsford, AHL)
F Linus Karlsson (to Abbotsford, AHL)
F Arshdeep Bains (to Abbotsford, AHL)
F Tristen Nielsen (to Abbotsford, AHL)
F Josh Bloom (to Abbotsford, AHL)
F Aiden McDonough (to Abbotsford, AHL)
F Chase Wouters (released from PTO, will report to Abbotsford, AHL)
F John Stevens (released from PTO, will report to Abbotsford, AHL)
D Akito Hirose (to Abbotsford, AHL)
D Filip Johansson (to Abbotsford, AHL)
D Quinn Schmeimann (released from PTO, will report to Abbotsford, AHL)
G Nikita Tolopilo (to Abbotsford, AHL)
G Arturs Silovs (to Abbotsford, AHL)

Washington Capitals

F Pierrick Dubé (to Hershey, AHL)
F Ethen Frank (to Hershey, AHL)
F Ryan Hofer (to Hershey, AHL)
F Henrik Rybinski (to Hershey, AHL)
F Alexander Suzdalev (to Hershey, AHL)
F Bogdan Trineyev (to Hershey, AHL)
D Logan Day (to Hershey, AHL)
D Nick Leivermann (to Hershey, AHL)
D Jake Massie (to Hershey, AHL)
D Jon McDonald (to Hershey, AHL)
D Aaron Ness (to Hershey, AHL)
G Garin Bjorklund (to Hershey, AHL)
G Mitchell Gibson (to Hershey, AHL)

The biggest-name cut here comes from the Montreal Canadiens, who have sent 2023 fifth-overall pick Reinbacher back to his club in the Swiss league, EHC Kloten. It’s not exactly a surprising decision, as the Canadiens had before commented on Kloten being the best place for Reinbacher’s development in 2023-24, though there was belief by some that he may have received a nine-game trial in the NHL. He impressed with his poise and calmness in the preseason and training camp, and even managed to earn his first point in North America with an assist on a Josh Anderson goal.

But with the Canadiens’ blueline already well-stocked with talent meriting placement on the NHL roster, it seems that simply letting Reinbacher get back to Kloten where he’ll resume the minutes-eating all-situations role he played last year was the decision Montreal felt was most appropriate.

Beyond Reinbacher, Trudeau had also impressed at training camp, but fell victim to the same defensive roster crunch that likely cost Reinbacher a shot at a nine-game trial. Since he’s still exempt from waivers, the Canadiens have opted to let Trudeau get a head start in Laval, where he’ll potentially be the team’s number-one defenseman.

In years past, when the talent in the Canadiens’ pipeline of young blueliners was less abundant, a player like Trudeau may have been able to parlay his exceptional training camp and preseason performance into an immediate NHL opportunity.

A big wave of cuts hits the Canucks as they inch closer to the roster they’ll bring into their opening-night contest. Some big names were sent to Abbotsford, including 2019 10th overall pick Podkolzin. The hope was that Podkolzin would seize a regular NHL role and begin to deliver on the promise that got him drafted so high, but it wasn’t to be. He’ll instead start the year in the AHL, where he scored 18 points in 28 games last season.

Alongside Podkolzin is Hirose, who impressed in a short cameo with the Canucks late last season. The 24-year-old Minnesota State-Mankato product registered three assists and figures to be a top callup option should injuries strike the right side of Vancouver’s defense.

One other storyline to monitor regarding the Canucks is the fact that former Michigan Wolverine Cole McWard has survived this round of major cuts. He has spent training camp stapled alongside franchise defenseman Quinn Hughes, and the undrafted 22-year-old could now be under serious consideration to remain in that role for the start of the regular season.

This page may be updated throughout the day. 

Injury Updates: Palmieri, Tarasov, Savoie

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Newsday’s Andrew Gross has reported more details on Kyle Palmieri’s preseason absence for the New York Islanders, writing that while Palmieri has begun skating once again, he hasn’t begun practicing yet and is still dealing with an undisclosed injury suffered before training camp. (paywall link) It’s difficult to ascertain the true implications of Palmieri’s current health status, as so much about where he is in terms of readiness to play in the NHL is unknown.

But what is known is the opportunity his absence is giving to other Islanders forwards. Palmieri, who scored 16 goals and 33 points in 55 games last season, is a regular in the Islanders’ top six, and now with him out of commission, the Islanders have slotted Hudson Fasching into Palmieri’s usual second-line role next to Brock Nelson and Pierre Engvall. It’s also possible another winger such as Simon Holmström, Oliver Wahlstrom, or Julien Gauthier could get a shot in the Islanders’ top-six if Palmieri remains injured.

Some other injury updates from across the NHL:

  • Columbus Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekäläinen commented on the knee injury backup goalie Daniil Tarasov is currently dealing with, telling The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline that they “don’t have a timeframe on Tarasov’s injury right now; it’s a work in progress.” (paywall link) Portzline writes that the knee issue could very well keep Tarasov out into the regular season. Kekäläinen was asked whether the Blue Jackets would consider rostering three goalies (Tarasov, Spencer Martin, Elvis Elvis Merzļikins) once Tarasov returned, to which Kekäläinen replied “that’s not a plan,” meaning recent waiver claim Spencer Martin could very well find himself on the waiver wire once again whenever Tarasov returns to full health.
  • Chicago Blackhawks prospect Samuel Savoie suffered an ugly injury in last night’s preseason game against the Minnesota Wild. After an attempted hit on Wild blueliner Alex Goligoski, Savoie slammed into the boards awkwardly and ended up needing to be stretchered off the ice. The Blackhawks announced today that Savoie “remains in Minnesota for further medical care” and have confirmed that Savoie has suffered a lower-body injury.

Minor Transactions: 10/01/23

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Not only are NHL clubs hard at work preparing for the start of their regular seasons via the training camp and preseason process, but so are clubs in the various North American minor leagues, such as the AHL and ECHL, who also have a regular season to prepare for.

As a result, the transaction wire is expected to be active in those leagues, just as it is in overseas leagues, where the regular season has begun in most top leagues. Teams have injuries to respond to, underperforming squads in dire need of reinforcement, and other events occurring that prompt player movement. As always, we’ll keep track of the resulting transactions here.

  • Former NHL defenseman Madison Bowey was traded in the KHL, shipped away from the struggling Dinamo Minsk to a middle-of-the-pack Traktor Chelyabinsk side. In exchange for Bowey, former AHL blueliner Robert Hamilton was sent to Minsk. This has been Bowey’s first KHL season, and he finishes his time in Belarus with eight games played and two points. Hamilton, 29, was beginning his second season with Chelyabinsk after scoring 18 points in 32 games last season. He has scored one point in nine games so far this year and will now receive a fresh start in Minsk.
  • The AHL’s San Diego Gulls have signed prospect forward Davis Codd to a one-year contract, just in time for the early portion of the club’s training camp process. Codd hasn’t played very much over the last two seasons, skating in a total of just 36 games. His development was further impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting shutdown of the 2020-21 OHL season. He likely is chomping at the bit to get some games under his belt so he can continue his development, and that’s exactly what he’ll get in California thanks to this one-year deal.
  • Former ECHL Playoff MVP Stephen Harper has signed in Slovakia, joining HK Nitra after a strong first season overseas. The former Tucson Roadrunner scored 31 points in 54 games for Düsseldorfer EG in the German DEL, helping the club reach the postseason, where he scored six points in seven games. Nitra are in need of urgent assistance as they currently are mired at the bottom of the Slovak league’s standings and have not yet registered a regulation victory, so the hope is likely that Harper can make an instant impact.
  • The ECHL’s Greenville Swamp Rabbits have signed defenseman Max Coyle, who was an invite to the Los Angeles Kings’ 2023 prospect tournament roster, to an ECHL contract. Coyle, 25, dipped his toes into the waters of pro hockey last season by playing in three games for the ECHL’s Indy Fuel. Before those three games, Coyle was a steady blueliner for Bowling Green State University, skating in a total of 127 games for the program. The 2018-19 BCHL champion will get his first chance as a full-time pro hockey player in Greenville.
  • Former NHLer Brandon McMillan has signed a one-year contract to play in China with the KHL’s Kunlun Red Star. A longtime KHLer, McMillan has spent the last two seasons HC Ambrì-Piotta in the Swiss National League. He struggled immensely last year, scoring just 10 points in 40 games. But the 33-year-old did score three goals in 4 games to help his team win the Spengler Cup last December, and has had success in the KHL before, so there’s reason for optimism that this signing could work for the Red Star.

This page will be updated throughout the day. 

Training Camp Cuts: 09/29/23

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It’s another day in the NHL preseason, meaning it’s another day of cuts and reassignments. Yesterday was a busy one for player movement across North American hockey’s various preseasons, and today could be no different. We’ll track those transactions here.

Boston Bruins (via team release)

D Jackson Edward (to London, OHL)
D Ryan Mast (to Providence, AHL)

Buffalo Sabres (via team release)

F Christopher Brown (released from PTO, to Rochester, AHL)
F Filip Cederqvist (to Rochester, AHL)
F Riley Fiddler-Schultz (released from PTO, to Rochester, AHL)
D Brandon Fortunato (released from PTO, to Rochester, AHL)
F Damien Giroux (released from PTO, to Rochester, AHL)
G Michael Houser (released from PTO, to Rochester, AHL)
D Chris Jandric (released from PTO, to Rochester, AHL)
F Mason Jobst (released from PTO, to Rochester, AHL)
F Aleksandr Kisakov (to Rochester, AHL)
F Tyson Kozak (to Rochester, AHL)
F Dominick Mersch (released from PTO, to Rochester, AHL)
F Michael Mersch (released from PTO, to Rochester, AHL)
D Zach Metsa (released from PTO, to Rochester, AHL)
F Olivier Nadeau (to Rochester, AHL)
F Viktor Neuchev (to Rochester, AHL)
D Nikita Novikov (to Rochester, AHL)
D Ethan Prow (released from PTO, to Rochester, AHL)
D Nicolas Savoie (released from PTO, to Rochester, AHL)
F Graham Slaggert (released from PTO, to Rochester, AHL)
F Brendan Warren (released from PTO, to Rochester, AHL)
F Linus Weissbach (to Rochester, AHL)

Calgary Flames (via team release)

F Parker Bell (to Calgary, AHL)
D Mikael Diotte (released from ATO)
D Jarrod Gourley (to Calgary, AHL)
D Etienne Morin (to Moncton, QMJHL)
F Brett Sutter (to Calgary, AHL)
F William Stromgren (to Calgary, AHL)

Chicago Blackhawks (via NBC Sports Chicago’s Charlie Roumeliotis)

D Josh Healey (released from PTO, to Rockford, AHL)
F Jalen Luypen (to Rockford, AHL)
D Ross MacDougall (released from PTO, to Rockford, AHL)
D Josh Maniscalco (released from PTO, to Rockford, AHL)
D Andrew Perrott (released from PTO, to Rockford, AHL)

Colorado Avalanche (via team release)

F Henry Bowlby (to Colorado, AHL)
F Tanner Kero (to Colorado, AHL)
F Matthew Stienburg (to Colorado, AHL)

Columbus Blue Jackets (via team release)

F Roman Ahcan (to Cleveland, AHL)
F Tyler Angle (to Cleveland, AHL)
D Ole-Julian Bjorgvik-Holm (to Cleveland, AHL)
F Cameron Butler (to Cleveland, AHL)
D Cole Clayton (to Cleveland, AHL)
F Luca Del Bel Belluz (to Cleveland, AHL)
G Eric Dop (released from PTO, to Cleveland, AHL)
F Jake Gaudet (to Cleveland, AHL)
D Samuel Knazko (to Cleveland, AHL)
D Nicolas Meloche (released from PTO)
F Mikael Pyyhtia (to Cleveland, AHL)
F Martin Rysavy (released from PTO, to Cleveland, AHL)
D Thomas Schemitsch (released from PTO)
F Owen Sillinger (to Cleveland, AHL)

Los Angeles Kings (via team release)

F Kaleb Lawrence (to Owen Sound, OHL)
F Nathan Burke (released from tryout)
F Sean Tschigerl (released from tryout)
F Ty Thorpe (released from tryout)
D Max Coyle (released from tryout)

Minnesota Wild (per team release)

F Kale Kessy (released from PTO, to Iowa, AHL)
D Simon Johansson (to Iowa, AHL)
D Kyle Masters (to Iowa, AHL)
F Greg Meireles (released from PTO, to Iowa, AHL)
F Pavel Novak (to Iowa, AHL)
D David Spacek (to Iowa, AHL)

Nashville Predators (via team release)

D Tanner Molendyk (to Saskatoon, WHL)

New Jersey Devils (via team release)

G Tyler Brennan (to Utica, AHL)
F Filip Engaras (to Utica, AHL)
D Colin Felix (to Utica, AHL)
F Josh Filmon (to Swift Current, WHL)
F T.J. Friedmann (to Utica, AHL)
F Joseph Gambardella (to Utica, AHL)
F Timur Ibragimov (to Utica, AHL)
D Will MacKinnon (to Utica, AHL)
F Xavier Parent (to Utica, AHL)
D Robbie Russo (to Utica, AHL)
F Ryan Schmelzer (to Utica, AHL)
D Topias Vilen (to Utica, AHL)

New York Islanders (via team release)

D Isaiah George (to London, OHL)
F Justin Gill (to Baie-Comeau, QMJHL)
G Tristan Lennox (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Zsombor Garat (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Blade Jenkins (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Artem Kulakov (to Bridgeport, AHL)
G Brent Moran (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Dmytro Timashov (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Sam Asselin (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Cole Bardreau (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Tanner Fritz (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Jeff Kubiak (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Seth Helgeson (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Ashton Calder (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Joseph Cipollone (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Riley Piercey (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Jake Pivonka (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Trevor Cosgrove (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Christian Krygier (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Vincent Sevigny (to Bridgeport, AHL)
G Henrik Tikkanen (to Bridgeport, AHL)

New York Rangers (via team release)

D Nikolas Brouillard (to Hartford, AHL)
D Adam Clendening (released from PTO)
F Karl Henriksson (to Hartford, AHL)
D Blake Hillman (released from PTO, to Hartford, AHL)
F Ryder Korzcak (to Hartford, AHL)
F Bobby Trivigno (to Hartford, AHL)

Ottawa Senators (via team release)

F Angus Crookshank (to Belleville, AHL)
F Philippe Daoust (to Belleville, AHL)
F Tarun Fizer (released from PTO, to Belleville, AHL)
D Ryan MacKinnon (released from PTO, to Belleville, AHL)
F Graham McPhee (released from PTO, to Belleville, AHL)
G Leevi Merilainen (to Belleville, AHL)
F Brennan Saulnier (released from PTO, to Belleville, AHL)
D Donovan Sebrango (to Belleville, AHL)
G Mark Sinclair (released from PTO, to Belleville, AHL)
D Djibril Touré (to Belleville, AHL)

Philadelphia Flyers (via team release)

F Alexis Gendron (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
D Adam Karashik (released from PTO, to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
G Nolan Maier (released from PTO, to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
D Mason Millman (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
D Ethan Samson (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F Zayde Wisdom (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
D Will Zmolek (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)

Pittsburgh Penguins (via team release)

F Jonathan Gruden (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Rem Pitlick (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
D Ty Smith (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
D Taylor Fedun (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
D Xavier Ouellet (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)

Seattle Kraken (via team release)

G Jack LaFontaine (to Coachella Valley, AHL)
F Jacob Melanson (to Coachella Valley, AHL)
F Logan Morrison (to Coachella Valley, AHL)
F Ville Ottavainen (to Coachella Valley, AHL)
F Tucker Robertson (to Coachella Valley, AHL)
F Ryan Winterton (to Coachella Valley, AHL)

St. Louis Blues (via team release)

F Mikhail Abramov (to Springfield, AHL)
D Jeremie Biakabutuka (to Springfield, AHL)
F Drew Callin (to Springfield, AHL)
G Will Cranley (to Springfield, AHL)
F Tanner Dickinson (to Springfield, AHL)
D Joseph Duszak (to Springfield, AHL)
D Marc-Andre Gaudet (to Springfield, AHL)
F Andre Heim (to Springfield, AHL)
F Mitch Hoelscher (to Springfield, AHL)
D Austin Osmanski (to Springfield, AHL)
F Nick Ritchie (released from PTO)
D Hunter Skinner (to Springfield, AHL)
D Andy Welinski (released from PTO)
G Vadim Zherenko (to Springfield, AHL)

Vegas Golden Knights (per CapFriendly)

F Jakub Brabenec (to Henderson, AHL)
D Daniil Chayka (to Henderson, AHL)
D Lukas Cormier (to Henderson, AHL)
D Christoffer Sedoff (to Henderson, AHL)
G Jesper Vikman (to Henderson, AHL)

Washington Capitals (per team release)

F Andrew Cristall (to Kelowna, WHL)

This page may be updated throughout the day. 

Injury Notes: Guentzel, Klingberg, Olivier

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The Pittsburgh Penguins got some good news this morning, as star winger Jake Guentzel was on the ice today at Penguins practice, sporting a non-contact jersey. Guentzel has been recovering from offseason ankle surgery.

While he’s presumably not fully ready for game action, Guentzel’s return is a crucially important development for the Penguins’ competitive hopes in a cutthroat Metropolitan Division. He’s the team’s best winger, and has scored 76 goals and 157 points in 154 games over the last two seasons. Getting him back up to full speed and into their lineup would do wonders for the Penguins’ top six and the chances of success for their entire offensive attack.

Some other injury updates from across the NHL:

  • The Toronto Maple Leafs announced that blueliner John Klingberg will not practice today due to an upper-body injury, and is considered out on a day-to-day basis. Although this injury isn’t at this moment expected to keep Klingberg out of commission for any extended time, an injury at this point in the training camp and preseason could impact Klingberg’s ability to build early chemistry with his new teammates. The 31-year-old six-time 40-plus point defenseman played for two teams last season and is looking for a bounce-back year in Toronto.
  • Columbus Blue Jackets team reporter Jeff Svoboda wrote on X that forward Mathieu Olivier hit the ice today at Blue Jackets practice for the first time this training camp, having been held out to that point by a leg injury. Olivier, 26, has two years and $1.1MM AAV remaining on his current contract, and is fighting for a depth role on head coach Pascal Vincent’s opening-night roster. The former Nashville Predator scored five goals and 15 points last season to go alongside 81 penalty minutes.

Minnesota Wild Sign Mats Zuccarello To Two-Year Extension

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The Minnesota Wild have re-signed forward Mats Zuccarello to a two-year, $4.125MM AAV contract extension, set to begin in 2024-25. The deal carries a no-move clause for its entire duration, according to The Athletic’s Michael Russo.

Zuccarello, who turned 36 on the first day of the month, commits the next two years of his playing career to the Wild, the place where he’s enjoyed the most productive seasons of his career.

Zuccarello has had quite a bit of chemistry with Wild franchise superstar Kirill Kaprizov, and as a result Zuccarello has flown past his previous career highs in Minnesota.

Zuccarello scored 79 points in just 70 games in 2021-22, his first season above the point-per-game mark in his career. Last season, Zuccarello scored 22 goals and 67 points in 78 games.

Even though Zuccarello has been exceptional in Minnesota since the arrival of Kaprizov, this contract does carry some risk. The Wild are in a brutal cap situation thanks to the buyouts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, and those buyouts will remain on their books to a degree of over $14MM combined in the first year of Zuccarello’s extension.

While Zuccarello could provide an immense amount of surplus value on a $4.125MM cap hit (a pay cut from his current $6MM cap figure) that only happens if he can maintain his current level of play or decline only slightly. If age starts to really catch up with Zuccarello and he has a poor 2023-24, Zuccarello’s $4.125MM cap number could quickly become a burden.

But from the Wild’s perspective, it’s understandable that they’d avoid taking the pessimistic view of Zuccarello’s next two seasons and instead reward a valued veteran who has more than repaid former GM Paul Fenton’s original investment from the summer of 2019.

There’s risk involved to this deal, but there’s also major upside if Zuccarello can remain a valuable top-six scorer.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Minor Transactions: 09/29/23

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It’s another busy day for player movement in the world of hockey. Not only are more reductions to the size of NHL training camp rosters expected, but numerous teams in both top European leagues and North American minor leagues are expected to add and/or subtract players for the 2023-24 campaign. As always, we’ll keep track of those moves here.

  • Former NHLer and original Vegas Golden Knights expansion draft choice Teemu Pulkkinen signed a one-year contract to return to the KHL, landing with the Kunlun Red Star. The 31-year-old has an exceptional track record outside the NHL, honored as an AHL All-Star twice and named the Liiga rookie of the year. He’s been solid in the KHL as well, with 159 career points in 258 games. Pulkkinen spent last season with Traktor Chelyabinsk, scoring 15 goals and 27 points in 63 games. Kunlun have gotten off to a decent 6-6 start so far in KHL play, and are likely hoping Pulkkinen’s scoring can give their offense the boost it needs to help the club reach the playoffs for just the second time in franchise history.
  • After impressing with the Ottawa Senators’ prospect tournament team, 22-year-old undrafted free agent Tarun Fizer has signed a one-year, one-way AHL contract with the Belleville Senators. The signing is a big opportunity for the former Victoria Royals center, as it’s a chance for him to become a full-time AHLer after spending most of his pro career thus far in the ECHL. Fizer scored 27 goals and 50 points in 62 games for the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies last season, and has now earned a spot in one of the best leagues in the world.
  • Former OHL star Shawn Lalonde made his NHL debut in 2012-13, capping off three consecutive years of hard work and development in the AHL. That offseason, though, rather than stay another year in North America Lalonde made the choice to continue his career overseas, and since that point he’s become an accomplished, well-traveled veteran of the European pro circuit. Two days ago, HC Slovan Bratislava of the Slovak top league terminated its contract with defender Matt Murphy with just one game played, and today the club has announced the addition of Lalonde as his replacement. In Lalonde, Slovan is receiving a player who was once a top offensive defenseman in the DEL and a stable offensive contributor in the KHL. After spending all of last season with the KHL’s Dynamo Minsk (scoring 14 points in 48 games) Lalonde should be able to make a positive impact at a bit of a lower level of competition with Slovan.
  • Yesterday, former ECHL MVP Shawn Szydlowski returned to his old stomping grounds, signing a contract with the Fort Wayne Komets. The former Erie Otters star, 33, has had an exceptional ECHL career, taking home numerous awards (such as an MVP and multiple All-Star honors) as well as a Kelly Cup championship. He has scored 519 points in 528 career ECHL games, which ranks him inside the all-time top-40 of players with the most career points in North America’s third-tier league. Szydlowski took home a Kelly Cup with Fort Wayne in 2021, and now after a season away in Orlando he’s returned with the goal of taking home another one.
  • Defenseman Rinat Valiev, who once played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens, has reached a contract termination agreement with his club Neftyanik Almetievsk of Russia’s second-tier VHL. Valiev, 28, has struggled in recent seasons, bouncing between three clubs across the top two levels of Russian pro hockey. Last season, he played in 18 KHL games with Dinamo Minsk, and now he will look for another opportunity after playing in four games for Neftyanik.

This page may be updated throughout the day. 

Ottawa Senators Appoint Steve Staios As President of Hockey Operations

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The Ottawa Senators have made a big move at the top of their hockey operations department, naming former NHLer Steve Staios to be their new President of Hockey Operations.

According to the team announcement, Staios will report directly to new owner Michael Andlauer, and “will preside over the Senators’ hockey department.” A statement on the hire was given by Andlauer, which reads:

I am so excited that Steve is joining me in Ottawa to lead our hockey operations. I have worked with Steve for many years and know first-hand that he will strengthen our team with his hockey acumen, attention to detail, commitment to excellence and enthusiasm for the game and its players. In hockey you can never accumulate too much talent. Having Steve and Pierre leading our hockey department gives us a formidable team.

This move isn’t one that comes as a complete surprise, in large part due to the deep existing ties between Andlauer and Staios. Before he became a special assistant to the GM for the Edmonton Oilers, Staios served as President and General Manager for the Hamilton Bulldogs (Andaluer’s OHL franchise) starting in 2015-16.

Staios’ NHL experience extends beyond his year in Edmonton, as he also worked in player development for the Toronto Maple Leafs and does bring 1,001 NHL games of experience from his playing days.

What this addition means for the Senators is that it’s a first look at how an Andlauer-managed hockey operations department could differ from how the Senators’ hockey operations have been organized for many years. For years, GM Pierre Dorion has been at the top of Senators hockey operations, the unequivocal leader of that department.

Now, there’s another voice of importance there, and one that reports directly to ownership rather than Dorion. While it’s unclear whether this change will materialize into any concrete hockey operations decisions in the near future, this is a hire with significant long-term implications for the Senators franchise.

West Notes: Mukhamadullin, Jets Injury Updates, Blackhawks Camp Battle

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When the San Jose Sharks dealt star forward Timo Meier to the New Jersey Devils last season, a centerpiece asset the team received in return was young blueliner Shakir Mukhamadullin. The 2020 20th overall pick is a rangy six-foot-four, 185-pound defenseman who has spent the bulk of his time developing since his draft date with Ufa Salavat Yulayev in the KHL. Although some fans might be optimistic that Mukhamadullin might break camp with the Sharks’ NHL roster, it appears in reality he’s ticketed for the Barracuda.

Sharks head coach David Quinn told the media today, including Bay Area News Group’s Curtis Pashelka, that Mukhamadullin will almost assuredly start the season in the AHL. Quinn cited a desire for Mukhamadullin to play big minutes in the AHL and develop more confidence on North American ice. Mukhamadullin does, after all, have just 15 games of experience in North American pro hockey, though even if he does begin the season with the Barracuda it would be no surprise to see him eventually make his NHL debut in 2023-24.

Some other notes from the Western Conference:

  • The Winnipeg Free Press’ Ken Wiebe relays word from Winnipeg Jets Head Coach Rick Bowness on the health status of several Jets players. Mason Appleton, Nate Schmidt, Kyle Capobianco, Nikita Chibrikov and Danny Zhilkin are all out on a day-to-day basis due to lower-body injuries, while Nikolaj Ehlers is nearing a return to the ice with the aim of playing in Monday’s preseason contest against the Calgary Flames. While no injury seems to be a long-term issue for any of the players listed, the health of these names will be something to monitor as the Jets ponder how to construct the roster they’ll open the regular season with next month.
  • Chicago Sun Times’ Ben Pope took a look at a fierce battle for a roster spot currently underway at Chicago Blackhawks training camp, with forwards MacKenzie Entwistle, Boris Katchouk, Reese Johnson, Joey Anderson and Colin Blackwell all battling for a job as one of the team’s spare forwards, looking to avoid a waiver placement and potential assignment to the AHL. Each player spent notable time on the Blackhawks’ NHL roster last season, but currently find themselves out of head coach Luke Richardson’s top-four lines. It’s an open question as to which player ends up winning the job, though what is known for certain is that a few players who played regular NHL minutes last season will be available on waivers thanks to the Blackhawks’ many offseason additions up front.

Andrei Vasilevskiy Out Two Months After Back Surgery

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ESPN’s Kevin Weekes has reported that Tampa Bay Lightning superstar goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy underwent successful back surgery, and is expected to be out of commission on an eight-to-ten-week timeline. The Lightning confirmed the news, with GM Julien BriseBois stating that Vasilevskiy is expected to miss “the first two months of the regular season.”

Vasilevskiy hasn’t been a regular participant in Lightning camp in recent days, with head coach Jon Cooper previously telling reporters that Vasilevskiy was out day-to-day with an undisclosed injury.

This is obviously a major blow to the Lightning, who have come to rely on the brilliant goaltending provided by Vasilevskiy in order to remain among the top teams in a highly competitive Atlantic Division.

While this development is something of a surprise, it doesn’t come completely out of nowhere.

Vasilevskiy has in the past commented on how his high workload has impacted his body, which is something to be expected given the number of deep playoff runs the Lightning have made in recent seasons, led by Vasilevskiy in the crease on a nightly basis. The hope here will be that Vasilevskiy can make a full recovery before the new year, and get back to playing like one of the league’s best netminders.

The 2018-19 Vezina Trophy winner’s injury thrusts new backup Jonas Johansson into an unfortunate spotlight. It’ll be up to him to keep the Lightning competitive in the Atlantic for the first two months of the regular season, which is something of a tall task for a player with a career .887 save percentage in the NHL.

That being said, Johansson’s more recent form does provide reason for optimism. He posted a .932 save percentage playing in parts of three NHL games last season, and had a .920 save percentage in the AHL.  But with only 35 total games of NHL experience, a massive test is coming up for the 28-year-old.

Behind Johansson on the depth chart is Hugo Alnefelt, who has just 20 minutes of NHL experience, and Matt Tomkins, a player who represented Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing but has never skated in an NHL game.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

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