West Notes: Blackwood, Reaves, Shaw
In a somewhat surprising move, the San Jose Sharks opted not to qualify goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood today, just days after acquiring his rights from the New Jersey Devils for a 2024 sixth-round pick. According to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, the Sharks and Blackwood were not close in their brief contract discussion prior to today’s qualifying deadline. Discussions between the two parties remain ongoing, but the 26-year-old netminder could absolutely land with another NHL team after the market opens Saturday.
The Devils moved on from Blackwood with better options available internally. He was due a rather rich qualifying offer of $3.36MM, a number he won’t come close to on the open market after his performance last season. The Sharks would surely like to keep him – after all, they do have a vacant spot in their goalie tandem with James Reimer not returning – but it doesn’t seem they’re prepared to pay over market value to keep him around and would rather have just thrown away the draft pick.
Some other Western Conference tidbits as free agency looms:
- As expected, Minnesota Wild enforcer Ryan Reaves will hit the free agent market tomorrow, as confirmed by his agent, Kevin Epp. With essentially no cap space to speak of, Minnesota doesn’t have the luxury of spending on a player who’s main impact is felt in the locker room and before trips to the penalty box. Reaves did record a respectable five goals and 15 points last season, though, his most in three seasons. He’s expected to command some interest – namely from the Toronto Maple Leafs, says The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta.
- Another player who won’t be re-signing in Minnesota, at least for now, is forward Mason Shaw, who was also not issued a qualifying offer today. Shaw suffered the fourth ACL tear of his career this season, putting his long-term playing future in extreme jeopardy, and The Athletic’s Michael Russo notes the team won’t be making the decision to re-sign him until he’s completed his rehab. The team would like to extend a contract offer to him in the meantime, but with their limited cap flexibility, it’s not a feasible gesture. He is free to sign if another NHL team comes calling before he completes his recovery.
Los Angeles Kings Re-Sign Taylor Ward
The Los Angeles Kings have also re-signed an AHL prospect after not qualifying them a few hours ago. Per PuckPedia, the team has re-signed 25-year-old forward Taylor Ward to a one-year deal worth $775K in the NHL and $95K in the minors.
Ward, 25, just completed his first full pro season with the AHL’s Ontario Reign. The son of longtime NHLer Dixon Ward played in 71 of the team’s 72 regular-season games, recording nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points.
He was brought into the organization last year as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Nebraska-Omaha, where he registered 39 points in 38 games during his senior season. Ward then impressed in the minors on an ATO with the Reign to end 2021-22, recording 10 points in 16 games. However, he was never able to earn a recall to the NHL roster this season.
Ward left his career at Nebraska-Omaha as one of the top scorers in the program’s history, accumulating 57 goals and 58 assists for 115 points in 131 games. It’s been a sharp rise for Ward, who recorded just nine points in 56 games with the BCHL’s Penticton Vees in his draft year, the 2015-16 season – numbers that may not have even put him on the NHL Central Scouting mass list.
He’ll now have another chance to try and climb up the Kings’ ranks before becoming a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next offseason.
St. Louis Blues Sign Tyler Tucker
The St. Louis Blues have signed defenseman Tyler Tucker to a two-year, one-way contract with a cap hit of $800K, the team announced today.
Tucker, a 23-year-old hailing from Thunder Bay, Ontario, was originally selected by the Blues in the seventh round of the 2018 NHL Draft but has already far exceeded his draft billing. Last season, he made his defensive, physical presence felt in a 26-game callup with the Blues and, as a result, is a very strong candidate to make the team out of camp next fall.
He contributed four points in those 26 games for St. Louis, posting rather strong advanced defensive metrics in the process. He’s the furthest thing from flashy, but there are much worse options for a young, budding shutdown defender at the bottom of your lineup.
That’s not to say he will never put up points. He did have some offensive success in the minors, especially this season, playing 41 regular-season games for the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds and tallying 21 points (three goals, 18 assists).
He’ll be fighting for an everyday spot in the lineup, especially if the Blues are able to clear out one of their defenders via trade. He’s able to play both the left and right sides.
Arizona Coyotes Sign Cameron Crotty
After deciding not to issue him a qualifying offer, the Arizona Coyotes have kept defenseman Cameron Crotty in the organization regardless. The team announced a one-year, two-way contract for the 24-year-old today. Per PHNX Sports’ Craig Morgan, he’ll earn $775K in the NHL and $90K in the minors next season.
Standing at a rather imposing 6-foot-3 and weighing 212 pounds, Crotty maintained a bottom-of-the-lineup role for the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners last season, playing in 64 games. The Ottawa, Ontario product registered a goal and 12 assists for 13 points, a career-high.
Crotty has spent the last three seasons in Tucson since completing his collegiate career at Boston University, amassing six goals, 20 assists, and 26 points in 164 games from 2020-21 onwards. He was selected by the Coyotes in the third round, 82nd overall, of the 2017 NHL Draft directly out of the CCHL, a Canadian Junior A league.
He’ll be a restricted free agent again with arbitration rights in 2024.
Columbus Blue Jackets Extend Marcus Bjork
The Columbus Blue Jackets have solidified their defensive ranks for next year by signing defenseman Marcus Bjork to a one-year, two-way contract extension, the team announced today. The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline reports the contract carries an NHL cap hit of $775K, an AHL salary of $375K, and a minimum guarantee of $450K.
Bjork, a 25-year-old hailing from Umea, Sweden, enjoyed a successful rookie NHL campaign with the Blue Jackets this year. In 33 appearances, he contributed three goals and eight assists for a total of 11 points – an impressive rate for a first-year defender who averaged north of 18 minutes per game.
The defenseman wasted no time making an impact in his NHL debut, netting a goal on November 12 against the New York Islanders. He followed up with his first career assist just three days later in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Bjork also compiled solid numbers with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters, registering seven goals and eight assists for 15 points in 44 contests. That’s where he’ll likely return, at least to start the season, with Columbus making multiple significant adds to their defense corps.
He was a shrewd undrafted free agent signing by general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, who brought him into the organization last May.
Metro Notes: Pacioretty, Mayfield, Penguins
It seems that unrestricted free agent forward Max Pacioretty is generating substantial interest on the open market after back-to-back instances of a ruptured Achilles tendon within months of each other. Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reports Friday the Carolina Hurricanes, for whom Pacioretty played only five games in the 2022-23 season due to the ruptures, have granted him permission to explore early negotiations elsewhere before the market opens tomorrow.
The likelihood of re-injury has certainly diminished his chances of earning a lot of cash on his next deal, especially considering a much longer injury history that predates his Achilles issues. But when healthy, the 34-year-old left wing is still a threat for 25 to 30 goals in a season and can handle top-six minutes. He did light the lamp three times in his abbreviated stint with Carolina and has shot above 10% in every season since 2018. We predicted Pacioretty to receive a one-year, $2MM bonus-laden deal on our list of this summer’s top 50 UFAs, although it seems it won’t be with his former club.
More from the Metropolitan Division today:
- As the Saturday deadline looms, the New York Islanders are actively negotiating with defenseman Scott Mayfield‘s representatives in an effort to secure a contract extension before he becomes a UFA, Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic says. Mayfield, who recorded a career-high 24 points this season, is likely to earn a significant raise on his current $1.45MM cap hit. Now 30, the 6-foot-5 Mayfield is still a very effective two-way defender who doesn’t shy away from the physical side of the game, also incurring a career-high 83 penalty minutes in 2022-23.
- The Pittsburgh Penguins and goaltender Tristan Jarry have shown mutual interest in reaching a new deal before 11 am CT tomorrow, but the term of the deal is a point of contention, The Athletic’s Rob Rossi says. Jarry carries his flaws as a long-term starter, especially when it comes to the injury department, but he’ll be the best goalie available if he does hit the market tomorrow. He’s posted 20 wins in four straight seasons and averaged a .915 save percentage over that timeframe, numbers certainly reflective of a starting-caliber netminder.
- In a related development, Rossi says there are strong indications that the Penguins are close to securing a contract extension with forward Jake Guentzel. Don’t expect it to be announced soon, though, as both Guentzel and interim general manager Kyle Dubas recognize the Penguins have much more pressing offseason matters to handle, such as Jarry’s potential extension. Guentzel, a bonafide top-line winger, has averaged over a point per game over the past five seasons and would have been one of the top wingers available on the UFA market in 2024.
List Of Players Not Receiving A 2023 Qualifying Offer
The deadline to issue a qualifying offer to pending restricted free agents is today at 4 pm CT, making any player who has not received one eligible to become an unrestricted free agent tomorrow. This does not mean a team is cutting ties with a player entirely, as they’re eligible to re-sign with the team at a different salary than their qualifying offer dictates. However, some have already signed contracts overseas for 2023-24. Below are the players who will not be issued a qualifying offer, listed by team:
This is a complete list as of 6:00 p.m. CT, two hours after the deadline.
Anaheim Ducks
F Bryce Kindopp, F Josiah Slavin, F Max Comtois, D Axel Andersson, D Simon Benoit, G Olle Eriksson Ek
Arizona Coyotes
F Christian Fischer, D Cameron Crotty, G David Tendeck
Boston Bruins
F Samuel Asselin, D Kai Wissmann
Buffalo Sabres
F Matej Pekar, F Tyson Jost, D Kale Clague
Calgary Flames
(none)
Carolina Hurricanes
F Dominik Bokk, F Jesse Puljujarvi, F Stelio Mattheos
Chicago Blackhawks
F Anders Bjork, F Austin Wagner, F Cameron Hillis, F Maxim Golod, D Caleb Jones, D Hunter Drew, D Jakub Galvas
Colorado Avalanche
F Denis Malgin, D Ryan Merkley
Columbus Blue Jackets
(none)
Dallas Stars
F Marian Studenic, D Dawson Barteaux, D Oskari Laaksonen, G Adam Scheel
Detroit Red Wings (report)
F Jasper Weatherby, F Klim Kostin, F Matt Luff, F Pontus Andreasson, D Gustav Lindstrom, D Seth Barton
Edmonton Oilers
(none)
Florida Panthers
F Colin White, F Givani Smith, F Serron Noel, D Max Gildon
Los Angeles Kings
F Aidan Dudas, F Jaret Anderson-Dolan, F Lias Andersson, F Nathan Schnarr, F Taylor Ward, F Zack MacEwen, D Tobie Paquette-Bisson, G David Hrenak, G Jacob Ingham, G Matt Villalta
Minnesota Wild
F Damien Giroux, F Mason Shaw, F Sam Steel
Montreal Canadiens
F Denis Gurianov, F Joel Teasdale
Nashville Predators
F Isaac Ratcliffe, F Jimmy Huntington, F John Leonard, F Markus Nurmi, F Rasmus Asplund, D Callan Foote, G Tomas Vomacka
New Jersey Devils
F Aarne Talvitie, F Jesper Boqvist, F Michael McLeod, F Nathan Bastian, F Timur Ibragimov, D Jeremy Groleau, D Zack Hayes, G Zachary Emond
New York Islanders
F Blade Jenkins, F Collin Adams, D Bode Wilde
New York Rangers
F Patrick Khodorenko, D Cooper Zech, D Libor Hajek
Ottawa Senators
F Dylan Gambrell, F Julien Gauthier, F Viktor Lodin, D Jonathan Aspirot, G Dylan Ferguson,
Philadelphia Flyers
F Evan Barratt, F Kieffer Bellows, D Wyatte Wylie
Pittsburgh Penguins
F Ryan Poehling, D Colin Swoyer, D Joshua Maniscalco, D Peter DiLiberatore
San Jose Sharks
F Evgeny Svechnikov, F Jonah Gadjovich, F Noah Gregor, G Mackenzie Blackwood, G Strauss Mann
Seattle Kraken
F Daniel Sprong, F Morgan Geekie
St. Louis Blues
F Logan Brown, D Brady Lyle, D Dmitri Samorukov
Tampa Bay Lightning (report)
F Grant Mismash, F Rudolfs Balcers, D Dmitri Semykin
Toronto Maple Leafs
D Filip Kral, D Mac Hollowell, D Victor Mete
Vancouver Canucks
F Carson Focht, D Ethan Bear, D Travis Dermott
Vegas Golden Knights
F Maxim Marushev, F Nolan Patrick, D Connor Corcoran
Washington Capitals
F Kody Clark, D Gabriel Carlsson
Winnipeg Jets
F Alex Limoges, F Kevin Stenlund, G Arvid Holm
Dallas Stars Sign Jerad Rosburg To Extension
The Dallas Stars have locked in some AHL depth, signing defenseman Jerad Rosburg to a one-year, two-way contract extension for 2023-24, the team announced today. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Rosburg, 27, was limited to just 12 games with the Texas Stars in 2022-23 before missing the rest of the season with an injury, but Dallas has evidently seen enough from him over the past three years to warrant keeping him around for another season. Signed to a one-year entry-level deal by Dallas in 2020 after recording 17 points in 36 games during his final season with Michigan State University, Rosburg has since skated in 115 games in Texas, recording six goals and 20 assists.
He’s yet to see an NHL recall but remains in the organization as a serviceable bottom-pairing option to round out their AHL roster. He’ll complement a group of Stars prospects eligible for AHL time that includes 2021 second-round pick Artem Grushnikov, 2022 second-round pick Christian Kyrou, and 2022 fourth-round pick Gavin White.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Rosburg hails from Clarksville, Maryland but underwent initial development in the Columbus Blue Jackets youth hockey system, followed by USHL stints with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and Sioux City Musketeers before joining Michigan State in 2015. After staying out of the lineup during his freshman season entirely, Rosburg recorded 12 goals, 43 assists, and 55 points in 141 games across four seasons with the Spartans.
Mattias Janmark Signs Extension With Edmonton Oilers
2:02 pm: Per a release on Twitter from the team, the agreement between Janmark and the Oilers on a one-year extension is now official.
1:05 pm: Per reports from Edmonton Oilers insider Jason Gregor and TSN’s Ryan Rishaug, the Edmonton Oilers are extending winger Mattias Janmark on a one-year deal worth $1MM.
Janmark had a rocky start to 2022-23 after signing a one-year, $1.25MM deal with Edmonton in last year’s free-agent period. The 30-year-old veteran of 486 NHL games unexpectedly failed to make the team out of camp and cleared waivers at the beginning of the season, recording four points in four games with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors over the first month of the season. Injuries forced Edmonton to recall Janmark under emergency conditions early in November, though, and he was able to stick around on the NHL roster for the remainder of the season.
After the November recall, Janmark provided some solid depth scoring for a team that sorely needed bottom-six production, scoring 10 goals and adding 15 assists in 66 games, posting good defensive impacts in the process. It’s the level of production we’ve come to expect from the Swedish winger, who’s recorded between 21 and 25 points in each of the last five seasons.
No one will complain about retaining a defensively responsible winger who can likely provide a double-digit goal total for just $225K over the league minimum. With prospect Dylan Holloway gunning for a top-nine spot next season, though, Janmark could see his minutes decrease if he drops to a fourth-line role, although he should still see some time on the penalty kill.
Vancouver Canucks Sign Noah Juulsen
The Vancouver Canucks have agreed to terms with defenseman Noah Juulsen on a two-year, two-way contract, the team announced today via Twitter. CapFriendly reports Juulsen’s deal carries a $775K average annual value with the following structure:
2023-24: $775K NHL salary, $450K AHL salary
2024-25: $775K NHL salary, $475K AHL salary
Juulsen, a former first-round pick of Montreal, appeared in 12 NHL games for the Canucks this season, his highest total since he skated in 21 with the Canadiens in 2018-19. Between Vancouver and AHL Abbotsford, the 26-year-old played 61 regular-season games in 2022-23 – his most since turning pro in 2017. Once a highly touted two-way defense prospect, Juulsen’s pro career has been derailed by multiple severe injuries.
Playing in 49 regular-season games with the Abbotsford Canucks, Juulsen recorded a career-high 17 assists and 20 points, good enough for third on the team among defenders. Vancouver/Abbotsford is Juulsen’s third stop in his NHL career after the Florida Panthers claimed him on waivers to begin the 2020-21 campaign. Vancouver acquired him in a swap involving another first-round pick that failed to pan out, Olli Juolevi, nine months later.
Juulsen likely doesn’t have much of an NHL future ahead of him, but it’s a good story to see him get significant compensation and (hopefully) continue a major role in the minors. That’s what Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin expects of the British Columbia-born defender over the next two seasons:
We are happy to have Noah back with our hockey club. He showed last season that he can step up and compete for a spot at the NHL level and also was a key leader and contributor in Abbotsford both on and off the ice.
Along with reigning AHL defenseman of the year Christian Wolanin, Juulsen will provide a high-end veteran presence to Vancouver’s developing defense prospects, including recent undrafted college free agent signings Cole McWard and Akito Hirose.