Blues Notes: Chychrun, Perunovich, Toropchenko
Ever since Jakob Chychrun made it clear that he wants a chance to play for a winning team, speculation has run rampant around the St. Louis Blues. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet touched on it during the latest 32 Thoughts podcast, noting that the Blues are “around” on Chychrun. That led to a number of other reports downplaying the link between the two teams, including Andy Strickland of Bally Sports Midwest, who tweets that there has not been “any serious dialogue” with St. Louis and Arizona regarding Chychrun.
The 24-year-old defenseman is eventually going to be moved somewhere but it doesn’t seem to be the Blues – at least right now.
- Of course, a recent injury only fed the flames. Scott Perunovich was taken out of a preseason game recently and the discussion around him is certainly not encouraging. Head coach Craig Berube told reporters including Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic that Perunovich is still being evaluated but that he feels bad for the young defenseman, and explained that “now he has to wait.”
- In some better injury news, Alexey Toropchenko appears to be ahead of schedule in his rehab from offseason shoulder surgery. Strickland tweets out that Toropchenko is not ruling out playing on opening night and notes that it “won’t be long” until he’s in the lineup. The 23-year-old forward had two goals in 28 regular season games for the Blues last year and played in 12 playoff matches.
Waivers: 09/29/22
Waivers will officially open today, meaning teams around the league can start cutting eligible players with the purpose of sending them to minor league clubs. While the full list will come out at 2 pm ET, some have already started announcing their initial placements. You can see all of the day’s cuts here, but we’ll also keep track of just the waiver portion in this post.
Arizona Coyotes
F Michael Carcone
F Jean-Sebastien Dea
Colorado Avalanche
F Charles Hudon
F Spencer Smallman
D Andreas Englund
D Brad Hunt
D Joshua Jacobs
G Jonas Johansson
Los Angeles Kings
New York Islanders
F Richard Panik
G Kenneth Appleby
New York Rangers
This page will be updated throughout the day
Ilya Mikheyev Out Week-To-Week
Sep 29: After initial fears that he may have suffered a torn ACL, it looks as though Mikheyev avoided serious injury altogether. Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK TV reports that he had two opinions and could resume skating as soon as tomorrow.
Sep 27: One of the big free agent signings for the Vancouver Canucks is in danger of missing the start of the season, as Ilya Mikheyev is out “week-to-week” according to head coach Bruce Boudreau. Mikheyev suffered a lower-body injury in his preseason debut with the team on Sunday.
Signed to a four-year, $19MM contract in the offseason after a 21-goal campaign with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mikheyev has been one of the impressive players at Canucks camp, with J.T. Miller referring to the Russian’s speed as “humbling.” The 27-year-old forward has had some pretty unfortunate injury luck in his short NHL career so far, including a sliced wrist and a broken thumb.
That has limited him to just 146 regular season games in three years, though it was his production in those matches and his versatile profile that made him such an appealing target in free agency. With 21 goals in just 53 games last season, he is the kind of perfect secondary scoring option that teams crave. His speed, length, and puck protection make him a great option on the penalty kill, and he can often create offense without the help of teammates.
Still, at some point, he’s going to need to be able to put together a full campaign, especially now that he is carrying a cap hit of $4.75MM. The Canucks need him to be everything he was last season and more if they are going to get their money’s worth, especially given he will play this season at 28 and the final season of this contract at 31. The hope was that they were buying his best years – a weeks-long injury isn’t a great start.
Given the team will also be without Brock Boeser after he underwent hand surgery, there will be plenty of minutes up for grabs in Vancouver.
Training Camp Cuts: 09/29/22
With the regular season just 12 days away, waivers will open today. That means players who require waivers to be sent to the minor leagues or loaned elsewhere can officially be placed on them, likely leading to quite a few training camp cuts today. The waiver priority will be set by last year’s standings, for the time being, meaning the Montreal Canadiens have the first crack at anyone exposed. Here are today’s cuts:
Anaheim Ducks (via team release)
F Nathan Gaucher (to Quebec, QMJHL)
F Sean Tschigerl (to Calgary, WHL)
D Olen Zellweger (to Everett, WHL)
D Tyson Hinds (to Sherbrooke, QMJHL)
G Gage Alexander (to Swift Current, WHL)
Arizona Coyotes (via team release)
F Adam Cracknell (released from PTO, assigned to Tucson, AHL)
F Liam Kirk (to Tucson, AHL)
F Ryan McGregor (to Tucson, AHL)
F Nathan Smith (to Tucson, AHL)
F Colin Theisen (to Tucson, AHL)
F Reece Vitelli (to Tucson, AHL)
F Julian Lutz (to Munich, DEL)
D Lukas Klok (to Tucson, AHL)
D Ronald Knot (to Tucson, AHL)
D Noah Laaouan (to Tucson, AHL)
D Maksymilian Szuber (to Munich, DEL)
D Jeremy Langlois (to Cape Breton, QMJHL)
G David Tendeck (to Tucson, AHL)
G Christopher Gibson (released from PTO)
Chicago Blackhawks (via team release)
F Gavin Hayes (to Flint, OHL)
Colorado Avalanche (via team release)
F Oskar Olausson (to Colorado, AHL)
F Alex Beaucage (to Colorado, AHL)
F Jean-Luc Foudy (to Colorado, AHL)
F Sampo Ranta (to Colorado, AHL)
D Keaton Middleton (to Colorado, AHL)
D Mitchell Vande Sompel (to Colorado, AHL)
G Justus Annunen (to Colorado, AHL)
F Charles Hudon (placed on waivers)
F Spencer Smallman (placed on waivers)
D Andreas Englund (placed on waivers)
D Brad Hunt (placed on waivers)
D Joshua Jacobs (placed on waivers)
G Jonas Johansson (placed on waivers)
Columbus Blue Jackets (via team release)
F Ben Boyd (to Saint Mary’s University, USports)
F Luca Del Bel Belluz (to Mississauga, OHL)
F Mikael Pyyhtia (to TPS, Liiga)
F Martin Rysavy (to Moose Jaw, WHL)
D Denton Mateychuk (to Moose Jaw, WHL)
D Stanislav Svozil (to Regina, WHL)
F Liam Hawel (released from PTO)
F Samuel Huo (released from ATO)
F Evan Vierling (released from ATO)
Dallas Stars (via team release)
D Artem Grushnikov (to Hamilton, OHL)
Detroit Red Wings (via team release)
F Ivan Ivan (released from ATO)
F Jake Uberti (released from ATO)
F Riley Piercey (released from ATO)
Edmonton Oilers (via team release)
F Matvey Petrov (to North Bay, OHL)
F Tyler Tullio (to Bakersfield, AHL)
G Ryan Fanti (to Bakersfield, AHL)
F Dino Kambeitz (released from PTO)
F Filip Engaras (released from ATO)
D Yann Kaldis (released from PTO)
D Darien Kielb (released from PTO)
Nashville Predators (via team release)
F Zachary L’Heureux (to Halifax, OHL)
New York Islanders (via team release)
G Tristan Lennox (to Saginaw, OHL)
F Collin Adams (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Erik Brown (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Blade Jenkins (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Jeff Kubiak (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Daylan Kuefler (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Jimmy Lambert (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Kyle MacLean (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Matthew Maggio (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Reece Newkirk (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Chris Terry (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Trevor Cosgrove (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Ryan MacKinnon (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Connor McCarthy (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Vincent Sevigny (to Bridgeport, AHL)
G Henrik Tikkanen (to Bridgeport, AHL)
New York Rangers (via team release)
F Easton Brodzinski (to Hartford, AHL)
F Christiano Digiacinto (to Hartford, AHL)
F Tanner Fritz (to Hartford, AHL)
F Zach Jordan (to Hartford, AHL)
F Ryder Korczak (to Hartford, AHL)
F Ryan Lohin (to Hartford, AHL)
F Matt Rempe (to Hartford, AHL)
F Austin Rueschhoff (to Hartford, AHL)
F Bobby Trivigno (to Hartford, AHL)
F Alex Whelan (to Hartford, AHL)
D Zach Giuttari (to Hartford, AHL)
D Louka Henault (to Hartford, AHL)
D Blake Hillman (to Hartford, AHL)
D Luke Martin (to Hartford, AHL)
D Matthew Robertson (to Hartford, AHL)
D Hunter Skinner (to Hartford, AHL)
G Talyn Boyko (to Hartford, AHL)
G Parker Gahagen (to Hartford, AHL)
G Dylan Garand (to Hartford, AHL)
Philadelphia Flyers
F Antoine Roussel (released from PTO)
F Theo Rochette (released from ATO)
This page will be updated throughout the day.
Toronto Maple Leafs Sign Rasmus Sandin
After losing two more depth defensemen last night, the Toronto Maple Leafs have finally reached an agreement with restricted free agent Rasmus Sandin. The two sides have agreed to a two-year, $2.8MM contract ($1.4MM AAV) which will pay Sandin $1.2MM this season and $1.6MM next season.
The team had Alexander Kerfoot and Calle Jarnkrok filling in on defense last night after losing Jordie Benn and Carl Dahlstrom to injury early in the game, making it even more critical to get Sandin signed and in camp as quickly as possible. While the young defenseman has been worried about his place with the organization, there is a massive opportunity in front of him.
Not only did those two go down but Jake Muzzin is dealing with a back issue, and Timothy Liljegren is set to miss six weeks with hernia surgery. It is Liljegren that is the comparison for this deal, as he signed the exact same two-year $2.8MM contract earlier this summer. Sandin will get a slightly higher qualifying offer, given the $1.6MM salary in 2023-24, but this is basically the contract that was offered to him months ago.
Notably, the team is now quite a bit over the salary cap ceiling but with Liljegren and John Tavares potentially starting the year on long-term injured reserve, there’s a little bit of flexibility. Getting Sandin signed now gives him the best chance of a good start to the season, as he will still have time to get up and running in training camp.
Getting him to sign a two-year deal is even better, as the Maple Leafs will secure another relatively cheap year from the young defender. Filled with promise, Sandin has still only played 88 regular season games in the NHL, including 51 last season. He does have 28 points in those games, and has flashed potential top-four upside, but to this point, very little is proven. He’ll get the chance to do so this season, one way or another.
Training Camp Cuts: 09/28/22
Preseason action continues tonight with a handful of matches, giving young players and veterans another chance to show off their skills. As we get closer to the start of the regular season, teams will continue to reduce their rosters and send hopefuls packing. Here are today’s cuts.
Boston Bruins (via team release)
F Joey Abate (to Providence, AHL)
F Samuel Asselin (to Providence, AHL)
F Justin Brazeau (to Providence, AHL)
F Curtis Hall (to Providence AHL)
F Georgii Merkulov (to Providence AHL)
F Matthew Poitras (to Guelph, OHL)
F Luke Toporowski (to {Providence AHL)
F Eduards Tralmaks (to Providence AHL)
F Alex-Olivier Voyer (to Providence AHL)
D Josiah Didier (to Providence AHL)
D J.D. Greenway (to Providence AHL)
D Jacob Wilson (to Providence AHL)
G Francois Brassard (to Providence, AHL)
G Brandon Bussi (to Providence, AHL)
Buffalo Sabres (via team release)
F Josh Bloom (to Saginaw, OHL)
D Mats Lindgren (to Red Deer, WHL)
D Vsevolod Komarov (to Quebec, QMJHL)
D Spencer Sova (to Erie, OHL)
Calgary Flames (via team release)
F Lucas Ciona (to Seattle, WHL)
Colorado Avalanche (via team release)
F Alex Galchenyuk (released from PTO)
F Callahan Burke (to Colorado, AHL)
D Nate Clurman (to Colorado, AHL)
D Rob Hamilton (to Colorado, AHL)
G Trent Miner (to Colorado, AHL)
F Justin Scott (to Colorado, AHL)
F Dalton Smith (to Colorado, AHL)
F Ben Tardif (to Colorado, AHL)
F Ryan Wagner (to Colorado, AHL)
G Ivan Zhigalov (to Kingston, OHL)
D Danila Zhuravlyov (to Colorado, AHL)
Florida Panthers (via team release)
F Liam Arnsby (to North Bay, OHL)
F Josh Davies (to Swift Current, WHL)
F Serron Noel (to Charlotte, AHL) per CapFriendly
F Sandis Vilmanis (to Sarnia, OHL)
D Marek Alscher (to Portland, OHL)
D Evan Nause (to Quebec, QMJHL)
D Braden Hache (to Kingston, OHL)
Los Angeles Kings (via team release)
F Francesco Pinelli (to Kitchener, OHL)
Montreal Canadiens (via team release)
G Riley Mercer (released from ATO)
New York Islanders
F Collin Adams (to Bridgeport, AHL) per CapFriendly
F Blade Jenkins (to Bridgeport, AHL) per CapFriendly
F Jeff Kubiak (to Bridgeport, AHL) per CapFriendly
F Reece Newkirk (to Bridgeport, AHL) per CapFriendly
Pittsburgh Penguins (via team release)
G Taylor Gauthier (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
G Tommy Nappier (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
Seattle Kraken (via team release)
F Jagger Firkus (to Moose Jaw, WHL)
F David Goyette (to Sault Ste. Marie, OHL)
F Kyle Jackson (to North Bay, OHL)
F Jacob Melanson (to Acadie-Bathurst, QMJHL)
F Tucker Robertson (to Peterborough, OHL)
D Ty Nelson (to North Bay, OHL)
St. Louis Blues (via team release)
F Landon Sim (to London, OHL)
D Michael Buchinger (to Guelph, OHL)
D Tyson Galloway (to Calgary, WHL)
D Marc-Andre Gaudet (to Chicoutimi, QMJHL)
G Will Cranley (to Flint, OHL)
This page will be updated throughout the day
Injury Notes: Carrier, Muzzin, Blueger
The Vegas Golden Knights have some good news and some bad news on the injury front. The good news is that captain Mark Stone has “checked all the medical boxes” according to head coach Bruce Cassidy, and should be able to take part in a preseason game in the next few days.
The bad news is that William Carrier will be re-evaluated next week after suffering an upper-body injury over the weekend. The 27-year-old Carrier is in the third season of a four-year, $5.6MM contract signed in 2020 and had 20 points in 63 games last season.
- Jake Muzzin joined his teammates at practice today, after sitting out the last few because of an ongoing back issue. The Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman did leave early as a precaution, but head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters including David Alter of Sports Illustrated that Muzzin could have continued.
- Teddy Blueger left today’s practice with the Pittsburgh Penguins partway through and is now being evaluated for an upper-body injury. Blueger is an important part of the team’s forward depth, especially as Jeff Carter deals with an upper-body injury of his own. Ryan Poehling was skating as the third-line center in their absence.
Sean Couturier Will Not Require Surgery
It appears as though the Philadelphia Flyers have avoided the worst injury outcome (at least for now) in regards to Sean Couturier. According to Chuck Fletcher, who spoke with reporters including Charlie O’Connor of The Athletic, the veteran center will not require surgery for his recent setback but remains out on a week-to-week basis.
There was some speculation that Couturier could miss the entire season when it was announced that he was dealing with a back injury again. This essentially rules that out, though fans of the Flyers who have gone through the Ryan Ellis saga over the last year won’t be satisfied until they see the Selke winner back on the ice.
Couturier, 29, missed all but 29 games last season, which became one of the reasons why the Flyers struggled so mightily. Losing him for this season would likely have the same effect, even if John Tortorella’s new coaching staff can get the best out of the rest of the roster.
One of the most dominant two-way players in the league a few years ago, Couturier hasn’t quite been himself since winning the Selke in 2020. If he can avoid surgery and get close to that level, the team will have a legitimate star at the top of the forward group to build around.
Unfortunately, even if there is no surgery required right now, back issues aren’t something that usually go away completely. Given Couturier is only just beginning an eight-year, $62MM contract extension, which will carry a $7.75MM cap hit through 2029-30, it’s hard to know how much value the Flyers are actually going to receive.
USA Hockey Names Chris Clark GM Of 2023 National Team
After a disappointing fourth-place finish at this year’s World Championship, USA Hockey has made some changes for next year. Chris Clark, director of player personnel for the Columbus Blue Jackets, will take over as general manager, replacing Ryan Martin who served in the role for just one tournament.
Supporting Clark, who is still relatively young in his front office executive career, will be an advisory group that brings a ton of experience. Kevyn Adams, Chris Drury, Tom Fitzgerald, Mike Grier, Bill Guerin, Lou Lamoriello, Chris MacFarland, Don Waddell, and Bill Zito will all be there to help in the player selection process.
John Vanbiesbrouck, assistant executive director of USA Hockey, released a statement explaining the choice:
We’re excited to have Chris leading efforts in building the roster for our team. He knows the player pool extremely well, and as someone who has played at the highest levels of the game and is now in a management role in the NHL. He is well versed in what it takes to win.
Clark has served as general manager of the Cleveland Monsters for the past several seasons and played 11 seasons in the NHL. In fact, he has experience playing the international tournament, even captaining Team USA in 2007.
After his retirement, he joined the Blue Jackets first as a scout, then in the player development department, before receiving his current position in 2019. This appointment is another step on what looks to be a future-GM track, one very similar to the path Drury took over the last several years.
Morning Notes: Robertson, Petry, CHL
Preseason is already well underway and there continues to be no real update in talks between Jason Robertson and the Dallas Stars, according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic. The insider explains that the only thing coming out of either side is that daily discussions are being held.
Robertson, 23, is one of four remaining restricted free agents that needs a contract for this season, and by far the most important of the group. The young forward scored 41 goals and 79 points in 74 games last season. The Stars kick off their season on October 13 against the Nashville Predators.
- Jeff Petry has received a $5,000 fine for roughing in last night’s game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings. The Pittsburgh newcomer played more than every Penguin except Kris Letang, including nearly seven minutes on the powerplay. Despite the nine man-advantage opportunities, the Penguins lost 6-2, with Petry taking a frustration penalty when he punched the back of Jonatan Berggren‘s head.
- The CHL is already off and running, with players all heading back from their NHL camps to compete at the junior level once again. To kick things off, Scott Wheeler of The Athletic has released full previews of each league, with prospects to look out for and rookies that will be building their stock. His pick for Rookie of the Year? Michael Misa, the Saginaw Spirit forward who was granted exceptional status. Misa is eligible for the 2025 NHL draft.