New York Rangers Not Expected To Pursue Joel Quenneville
The New York Rangers joined the fray of teams looking for a new head coach next season after parting ways with Gerard Gallant last night after just two seasons. Speculation about Gallant’s firing and potential candidates began days before the announcement, though, with multiple reports drawing connections between the Rangers and storied coach Joel Quenneville.
Late last night, however, Larry Brooks of the New York Post relayed reports from sources that Quenneville will not be part of the Rangers’ search for their next bench boss. It means, for now, Quenneville remains unable to freely take any job in the NHL.
That’s because Quenneville is currently barred from league work by commissioner Gary Bettman after his involvement in the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks’ coverup of former coach Brad Aldrich’s alleged sexual abuse of then-Blackhawk Kyle Beach. For Quenneville to return to coaching, a team would need to initiate the process by requesting Bettman review Quenneville’s eligibility. The Rangers will not pursue this, Brooks said.
One name that could step into the role, Brooks says, is current AHL bench boss Kris Knoblauch. The 44-year-old has guided the Hartford Wolf Pack as their head coach for four seasons and earned himself an appearance at the 2020 AHL All-Star Game.
Boston Bruins Sign Matthew Poitras To ELC
The Boston Bruins have signed forward Matthew Poitras to a three-year entry-level contract starting next season with a cap hit of $870,000, the team announced today.
Poitras, 19, is coming off a wildly successful season with the OHL’s Guelph Storm, where he recorded 95 points (16 goals, 79 assists) in 63 games. He ranked second in the league in assists and was tied for fifth in scoring.
Poitras also had a productive rookie season with Guelph in 2021-22, tallying 50 points (21 goals, 29 assists) in 68 games. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound forward was selected by the Bruins in the second round, 54th overall, of the 2022 NHL Draft.
Born in Brooklin, Ontario, Poitras is an incredibly cerebral center that plays a surgical game, identifying small gaps in the ice to escape defenders and make passes. It’s a style that tracks to translate well to NHL ice, where Poitras will have much less space and time to maneuver around the rink.
Poitras has only played two seasons of junior hockey, however, with his rookie campaign stripped due to the COVID pandemic. In all likelihood, he’s headed back to Guelph for another season of OHL hockey, looking to potentially surpass the 100-point mark in a single season. He would be the first Storm player to do so since Nate Schnarr in 2018-19.
Poitras’ contract is eligible for an entry-level slide due to his age, meaning if he plays less than 10 NHL games next season, the beginning of his contract will defer to the 2024-25 season.
Matthew Knies Likely Out For Second Round
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters today that forward Matthew Knies sustained a concussion in Game 2 of the team’s Second Round series against the Florida Panthers and is unlikely to return for the remainder of the series.
Keefe has already ruled Knies out for Games 3 and 4 as Toronto tries to battle back from a 2-0 series deficit. Knies was injured on contact with Panthers forward Sam Bennett in the first period of last night’s game, skating one shift before leaving the game for good. Bennett was assessed a fine today for a separate incident in the game involving Toronto winger Michael Bunting.
Knies, who just played his 10th NHL game combined between the regular season and playoffs, had registered four points through six previous games for Toronto in the postseason. He’d moved further and further up the lineup with strong play, earning ice time alongside Auston Matthews. Needless to say, it’s a significant loss for Toronto.
The injury opens up opportunity for Calle Jarnkrok to slot back into a top-line role alongside Matthews. Jarnkrok looked more than comfortable in that role down the stretch of the regular season and for a few games against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round, helping Toronto gain some of their most dominant shifts of the series.
Hockey Canada Releases Initial 2023 World Championship Roster
Hockey Canada has released the initial complement of 20 players that will represent their country at the 2023 IIHF Men’s World Championships next week in Finland.
It’s a more experienced roster than their American counterparts released, at least in terms of current NHL caliber. In net, they’re likely the most well-set team in the tournament, with projected rookie sensation Devon Levi sharing the crease with Montreal Canadien Sam Montembeault, who had a strong season in a tandem role with Jake Allen.
While 2023 presumptive first-overall selection Connor Bedard won’t join the team, likely to avoid risking injuries prier to his rookie season in the NHL, projected second-overall pick Adam Fantilli will. After capturing the Hobey Baker award in what’s likely his only season at the University of Michigan, Fantilli will join seasoned NHL veterans such as Milan Lucic, Scott Laughton, and Tyler Toffoli as Canada goes for gold at the Worlds.
Their defense is highlighted by MacKenzie Weegar. Although he had a tough season in Calgary, he’s not far removed from being a top 20 defender in the world and should make a significant impact at the tournament. Youngsters Pierre-Olivier Joseph and Justin Barron will also get a chance to shine for the Canadians.
The full 20-player roster is as follows:
F Cody Glass
F Jack McBain
F Milan Lucic
F Peyton Krebs
F Scott Laughton
F Jack Quinn
F Jake Neighbours
F Lawson Crouse
F Tyler Toffoli
F Sammy Blais
F Joe Veleno
F Adam Fantilli
D Pierre-Olivier Joseph
D Justin Barron
D MacKenzie Weegar
D Tyler Myers
D Ethan Bear
D Jake Walman
Sam Bennett Fined For Cross-Checking
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced Friday morning that Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for a cross-checking incident involving Toronto Maple Leafs winger Michael Bunting in last night’s 3-2 win for Florida in Game 2 of their Second Round series.
DoPS has not made an announcement regarding any discipline for Bennett on a first-period collision that resulted in an injury to Toronto winger Matthew Knies. Knies skated one shift after the play before leaving the game with an injury.
Bennett was assessed a minor penalty on the cross-checking play involving Bunting and no penalty on the play involving Knies. The Panthers center cross-checked Bunting in the side of the head during a net-front battle, causing Bunting to fall to the ice. While on the ice, Bennett again cross-checked Bunting in the lower back.
Among the Toronto fanbase, the play drew comparisons to Auston Matthews‘ cross-check to the face of Buffalo Sabres defender Rasmus Dahlin during last year’s Heritage Classic. Matthews received a two-game suspension as a result of the play.
Lian Bichsel Out 6-8 Weeks After Surgery
Promising Dallas Stars defense prospect Lian Bichsel was involved in a rough collision this week in a tune-up game for the upcoming Men’s World Championship, and Stars radio analyst Bruce LeVine reports Bichsel suffered a broken ankle on the play. LeVine added Friday morning that Bichsel underwent surgery to repair the ankle and is expected to be out of commission for six to eight weeks.
It’s an unfortunate setback for Bichsel, who was well on track to join the Swiss contingent at the tournament. Bichsel, who hasn’t yet signed his entry-level contract with the Stars, is hopeful he can resume training for the 2023-24 season.
Bichsel, who won’t turn 19 until next month, was selected 18th overall by the Stars in the 2022 NHL Draft. He’s one of Dallas’ more promising defense prospects, but nonetheless, his post-draft season was a struggle. Bichsel didn’t display much development in his game from last season, registering six points in 42 games with Leksands IF in the SHL and only three points in eight games with Leksand’s junior club. He recorded a minus rating at both levels of play.
Bichsel does not have a contract for next season to play anywhere, although he’ll likely return to Leksand for another year of development.
Ottawa Senators Sign Jiří Smejkal To Entry-Level Contract
The Ottawa Senators announced the signing of undrafted Czech forward Jiří Smejkal to a one-year, entry-level contract Friday morning. The 26-year-old, who spent the last seven seasons playing in top professional leagues around Europe, brings an intriguing mix of size and skill to the Senators organization.
Smejkal, who stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 223 pounds, could crack the Senators’ bottom six out of training camp next season. In the release announcing the news, general manager Pierre Dorion expressed excitement about the impact Smejkal could have on the team.
Jiří’s signing is a good addition for us; it improves our depth and provides us with an additional bottom-six option at forward. He’s a big body who’s strong with previous experience playing in North America which should help his transition to a rink with smaller dimensions. We’re pleased that he’s committed to the Senators for the next step in his career.
The North American experience Dorion is referencing came in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons, when Smejkal played junior hockey with the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors and Kamloops Blazers. In 130 games, he recorded 17 goals and 42 assists for 59 points, 102 penalty minutes, and a -25 rating.
In the past two seasons, Smekjal was a standout performer in the Finnish Liiga with Pelicans and in the SHL with IK Oskarshamn, where he recorded a combined 48 goals and 40 assists for 93 points across the two leagues. He also represented Czechia at the 2021 and 2022 IIHF Men’s World Championships, registering three goals and four assists in 18 games.
While Smejkal’s recent goal-scoring production is impressive, his size and physicality could be even more valuable to the Senators in a checking role. With his ability to play a power-forward style of game, he could provide a needed presence in front of the net and in board battles. His point production overseas suggests he’ll bring enough offensive IQ to avoid being a liability on the ice.
Smejkal, who can play left wing and center, is a classic low-risk, high-reward acquisition, especially at a one-year term. Per CapFriendly, Smejkal will be an unrestricted free agent in 2024.
Petr Klíma Passes Away At 58
Petr Klíma, a former NHL player who played for five different teams during his career, has passed away suddenly at the age of 58, the NHL announced Thursday. Klíma is most well-known for ending the longest game in Stanley Cup Final history, helping guide the Edmonton Oilers to the 1990 championship by scoring a triple-overtime winner in Game 3 against the Boston Bruins.
Klíma was born on December 23, 1964, in then-Czechoslovakia. He began his professional career playing for TJ Litvínov in his home country before being drafted by the Detroit Red Wings with the 86th overall pick in 1983. In 1985, Klíma became the first player from a country under Soviet control to defect to a United States-based team, leaving his team behind during a training camp in West Germany with the assistance of Red Wings officials and the U.S. government.
Klíma played for the Red Wings for seven seasons, followed by stints with the Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Los Angeles Kings, and Pittsburgh Penguins.
During his time in the NHL, Klíma scored a total of 313 goals and 260 assists in 786 regular-season games. He also played in 95 playoff games, scoring 28 goals and 24 assists. Klíma’s only Stanley Cup win came with the Oilers in 1990.
The Red Wings released a statement on Klíma’s passing, offering condolences to his family. All of us at PHR extend the same to Klíma’s family.
Detroit Red Wings Prospect Albin Grewe Likely To Become Free Agent
Detroit Red Wings forward prospect Albin Grewe has signed a two-year contract with Djurgårdens IF of the Swedish second-tier league, HockeyAllvenskan; the team announced this morning. With Grewe’s exclusive draft rights set to expire on June 1, 2023, the news likely means Grewe will not be signing an entry-level contract with Detroit and will be a free agent when and if he does decide to come to North America.
Grewe, a 22-year-old who can play both wings, was selected in the third round (66th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft by Detroit after a season where he racked up over a point per game and over 100 penalty minutes in just 25 Swedish junior games, also representing Sweden at the U18 Men’s World Junior Championship. In 2020-21, Grewe appeared in 11 games with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins on a tryout contract at the end of the season, registering two assists.
Upon expiration of his contract with Djurgården in 2025, Grewe will be able to sign an entry-level contract with any NHL team if there’s interest. Grewe previously spent five years in the Djurgården organization between 2016 and 2021 before bouncing around between the Allsvenkan’s Mora IK and the Liiga’s Ilves over the past two seasons.
Grewe’s offensive production has been inconsistent since his draft year, but the 2022-23 season was especially tough. He registered 11 points in 41 games with Mora IK, a step back from his previous season, and hasn’t been able to display a consistent development track since his draft year.
East Injury Notes: Meier, Kane, Drury
The New Jersey Devils are entering Game 1 on the road tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes with the status of their main trade deadline acquisition uncertain. Winger Timo Meier is a game-time decision after taking a hard hit from New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba in the team’s Game 7 win on Monday, per head coach Lindy Ruff.
Meier hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations yet, especially with no points in the team’s series victory over New York. He did have nine goals in 21 games for New Jersey down the stretch, however, and has shown to be a valuable offensive weapon in playoffs past with San Jose. If he’s unable to play, one of Curtis Lazar or Jesper Boqvist will draw into the New Jersey lineup.
Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference:
- Now-pending UFA winger Patrick Kane told reporters at the Rangers’ end-of-season availability today that he was never 100 percent healthy after the trade to New York, but praised the team’s training staff for trying to get him there. Kane did not rule out off-season surgery for the lower-body injury that plagued him the entire 2022-23 season. Kane recorded one goal in seven playoff games for the Rangers and posted a career-low 57 points in the regular season (in a full season).
- Carolina Hurricanes winger Jack Drury is expected to return from an upper-body injury tonight when they host New Jersey to start their second-round series. Drury, 23, has slotted into Carolina’s top six with injuries to multiple key wingers. He’ll look to register his first point of the playoffs tonight, expected to flank Jordan Staal and Martin Necas on the team’s second line.