St. Louis Blues Re-Sign Dakota Joshua
The St. Louis Blues have announced a one-year extension for restricted free agent forward Dakota Joshua. The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford reports that it’s a two-way deal for Joshua making him the league-minimum $750,000 at the NHL level. The Post-Dispatch’s Jim Thomas further adds that Joshua will be paid $100,000 at the AHL level.
Joshua made his NHL debut this year, getting into 12 contests with the Blues. He tallied his first NHL goal while he was called up, but that was his only point during his short stint. Originally drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the fifth round in 2014, Joshua produced well offensively post-draft at Ohio State University. However, he’s more well-known for his physical brand of play and could be in for a long career in the NHL as a fourth-line forward. Joshua was traded to the Blues on July 12, 2019, for future considerations.
He’s a likely candidate to see some NHL games next season after his previous call-up, but the two-way deal suggests that the team doesn’t envision him making the squad out of camp. He’ll likely start with the Springfield Falcons, the Blues’ AHL affiliate for 2021-22.
Jake Bean Signs Extension In Columbus
The Columbus Blue Jackets announced today that newly acquired defenseman Jake Bean signed an extension with the team. It’s a three-year deal costing Columbus $2.33MM annually. Here is the breakdown:
2021-22: $1.9M
2022-23: $2.2M
2023-24: $2.9M
This could wind up being an outstanding value for the Blue Jackets. Although Bean is only 23 and has just 44 NHL games under his belt, the 2016 first-round pick has shown flashes of immense upside in his young pro career. In his rookie season in 2020-21, Bean recorded 12 points in 42 games despite playing very limited bottom-pair minutes and without a consistent power play role. At 1.18 points per 60 minutes already without prime power play opportunity and playing with bottom-pair talent, Bean will only go up from there with a top-four role seemingly waiting for him in Columbus. At 20+ minutes per night and put in better scoring opportunities, it would not be a surprise to see the young blue liner push for at least 30+ points.
With all that said, Bean does need to continue to grow in the defensive aspects of the game. It is that development rather than his offensive potential that will dictate his ceiling in Columbus. The re-tooling Blue Jackets need well-rounded, all-situations players and Bean is still working on becoming that.
Tampa Bay Lightning Re-Sign Cal Foote
The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed defenseman Cal Foote, the team announced today. The two-year deal carries an average annual value of $850,000. The 22-year-old defenseman will be a bargain for Tampa for now, but has the upside to grow into another impact player (and problematic contract situation) over the course of the next two years.
A first-round pick in 2017, Foote may be the only elite prospect in the entire Lightning organization, who have given picks away left in right in recent years en route to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles. The team is happy to have him, especially since he looks primed to take a step forward this season with even more opportunity on the Tampa blue line. After skating in 35 games last season, Foote only needs to stay healthy and outplay veterans like Jan Rutta and Zach Bogosian and he could be looking at 82 games this year.
A well-rounded defenseman with good size, Foote does not need to be pigeonholed into a certain role for the Bolts. The youngster can hit and block shots and hold his own in the defensive end. He can also move the puck and produce offense. Although Foote only contributed three points in 35 games last year, it was in very limited minutes and affected by a low shooting percentage that should improve. There is a reason why some expected Tampa to make a side deal to protect Foote from Expansion and why others thought the Seattle Kraken would take him; beyond just his age, Foote’s skill set projects top-four upside.
Ottawa Senators Sign Dillon Heatherington, Kole Sherwood
The Ottawa Senators have inked a pair of minor-league veterans to two-way contracts. They’ve signed Dillon Heatherington and Kole Sherwood to one-year, two-way contracts worth $750,000. Heatherington’s deal is worth $250,000 at the AHL level, while Sherwood’s deal is worth $150,000.
Heatherington, a 2013 second-round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets, is now 26 and carries very limited NHL upside. He’s returning to North America after spending one season overseas with the KHL’s Barys Nur-Sultan. His first trip overseas earned him only moderate success, potting seven points in 41 games. A strictly defensive defenseman, Heatherington’s got only 11 career NHL games to his name and just two assists.
Their other signing, Sherwood, is also a former Columbus prospect and an Ohio native. Sherwood has played NHL games for Columbus in every season since graduating from the OHL in 2017-18, but he hasn’t managed to stick a full-time role. He’s yet to find his offensive touch at the pro level, but at 24 years old, still carries some potential late-bloomer upside.
Detroit Red Wings Bring Back Dan Renouf
The Detroit Red Wings have brought a former prospect back into the organization. They announced the signing of defenseman Dan Renouf today to a one-year contract. PuckPedia reports it’s a two-way deal, carrying an $850,000 cap hit with a $325,000 salary at the minor level and $375,000 guaranteed.
Renouf re-joins his first NHL organization, having signed with the Red Wings as an undrafted free agent in 2015-16 after ending his college career at the University of Maine. Renouf’s since spent time with both the Carolina and Colorado organizations, including a career-high 18-game stint last season with the Avs.
With only 19 games of NHL experience in total, Renouf brings limited NHL upside. However, he adds depth to Detroit’s minor-league defense corps in Grand Rapids and proved this season with Colorado that he can be trusted as an injury replacement. It’s fair value for Renouf, who will probably see NHL action at some point this season.
Mathieu Olivier Re-Signs In Nashville
The Nashville Predators announced today that they’ve re-signed forward Mathieu Olivier. It’s a two-year deal with a total of $1.5MM and a cap hit of $750,000.
The 24-year-old native of Biloxi, Mississippi was an undrafted free agent who’s quickly worked his way up the organizational ranks in Nashville. Playing in 38 games over the course of the last two seasons, Olivier’s notched three goals and six points. Joining the Preds organization prior to the 2018-19 season, Olivier’s gotten looks at the NHL level because of his heart-and-soul style of play. It certainly wasn’t for his offense, as he’s scored 10 goals only once at the AHL level and was never point-per-game in his junior career.
Olivier put up very good defensive metrics in limited playing time for Nashville this season, and they’re hoping it can continue. It wouldn’t shock anyone to see him make the team out of training camp this time around, and could end up on the team’s fourth line to start the season.
Pontus Aberg Returns To North America, Signs With Ottawa
Journeyman forward Pontus Aberg is returning to North America. Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston reports that Aberg’s signed a one-year, two-way deal to join the Ottawa Senators.
After spending 2020-21 with the KHL’s Traktor Chelyabinsk, Aberg has decided to make a go of it again the NHL. Aberg’s played just 132 NHL games despite already suiting up for five teams. Ottawa will be his sixth. A 2012 second-round selection of the Nashville Predators, Aberg has yet to display the scoring consistency required for an everyday NHL job. He most notably showed huge flashes of promise with the Anaheim Ducks in 2018-19, scoring 19 points in 37 games, but was dealt to Minnesota at the trade deadline and couldn’t recapture his game.
Ottawa hopes to unlock whatever Anaheim was able to get out of Aberg. While not much can be expected out of him, especially as he comes in on a two-way deal, but long-term, Aberg still carries 25-30 point upside and could be a nice depth piece for an emerging Ottawa core.
Darren Helm Inks Deal With Colorado Avalanche
Longtime Detroit Red Wings forward Darren Helm has signed a one-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche in free agency. TSN’s Darren Dreger reports the deal carries a $1MM cap hit.
Come October, Helm will be playing his first NHL game outside of the Detroit Red Wings organization. After 14 seasons in Detroit, which included 744 games and a Stanley Cup ring, Helm will be departing for Denver for what could be his last season in the NHL. Helm’s dealt with constant injury issues, mainly concussions, throughout his career. He’s still managed to tally over 100 goals and 250 points over the course of his career. Last season was a career-worst for the 34-year-old, however, scoring just eight points in 47 games.
Helm carries limited upside for the Avs, but brings a gritty veteran presence to what is shaping up to be a very youthful and inexperienced bottom-six forward group. While his scoring ability is non-existent, Helm’s still been a good defensive forward on a team that hasn’t played much defense in recent seasons. He likely slots in as the team’s fourth-line center, possibly a direct replacement for Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. It looks to be a solid bet for the Avs, who gain a dependable defensive presence to aid their youth.
Toronto Maple Leafs Sign Michael Amadio, Brett Seney
July 29: The Maple Leafs have officially announced the Amadio contract, but he comes with a partner. Brett Seney has also agreed to a one-year, two-way contract that will carry an NHL salary of $750K. Seney, 25, was a Group VI unrestricted free agent after playing just 53 games through his first three professional seasons. None of those came this season, as he spent the entire year with the Binghamton Devils, scoring 10 points in 30 games.
July 28: The Toronto Sun’s Terry Koshan reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs are bringing in depth forward Michael Amadio. It’s a two-way, one-year deal with a cap hit of $750,000 and $400,000 in guaranteed salary.
Amadio was somewhat of a surprise as a non-qualified restricted free agent of the Ottawa Senators, having come over to the team in a trade for Christian Wolanin earlier this season. Ottawa’s loss is their rival’s gain, as Toronto signs the native of nearby Sault Ste. Marie. Amadio may not have impressed much in his short stint with the Senators, especially since he was only given five games to show what he could do. However, Amadio has previously performed with the Los Angeles Kings and could do so again in Toronto.
With that being said, even for the cap-strapped Leafs there is no guarantee that Amadio will start or even crack the roster. His minimum salary helps, but at 25 Amadio doesn’t appear to have much upside and doesn’t possess any special abilities that would give him a leg up in a competition for play time. Amadio simply appears to be a decent depth option for Toronto with some experience and modest scoring numbers.
St. Louis Blues Sign Brandon Saad
The St. Louis Blues have come to terms with free-agent forward Brandon Saad on a five-year deal, the team announced today. The contract is worth $22.5MM and carries an average annual value of $4.5MM. Bally Sports’ Andy Strickland reports the contract breakdown is as follows:
2021-22: $4.5MM, NTC
2022-23: $4.5MM, NTC
2023-24: $5.5MM, NTC
2024-25: $4.375MM, NTC
2025-26: $3.625MM, M-NTC
Saad joins the Blues, his fourth NHL team, as a veteran of 632 regular-season games, 91 playoff games, and two Stanley Cup-winning Chicago Blackhawks teams. Saad’s been one of the more consistent secondary scoring options in the entire NHL over the duration of his career, scoring at least 15 goals in every season since 2013-14. He spent last year with the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche, potting 15 goals and dishing out nine assists for 24 points in 44 games playing more limited minutes on a deep squad.
The 28-year-old Pittsburgh native will likely see his ice time elevated again with the Blues, who will be moving on from Vladimir Tarasenko eventually this summer. While he’s really not the aptest defensive forward, he provides a play driving upgrade on Mike Hoffman, who departed the team yesterday to sign a deal with the Montreal Canadiens. Still a goal-scoring machine at this point, Saad’s contract looks to provide solid value over the duration of the deal given his track record.