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Boston Bruins Sign Kai Wissmann

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The Boston Bruins are bringing over a big defenseman from Europe, signing Kai Wissmann out of the DEL to a one-year entry-level contract. The deal carries an NHL cap hit of $825K and will represent Wissmann’s first opportunity to play hockey in North America after a long successful run in Germany.

Hockey fans on this side of the pond may have recently seen Wissmann suit up for Germany at the World Championship, where he racked up seven points in eight games, continuing a bit of an offensive breakout that started late in the DEL season. He had 20 points in 55 games this season for Eisbaren Berlin but then went on to rack up seven more in 12 playoff games, winning the league championship for the second year in a row. While his league-leading plus-minus shouldn’t carry as much weight as it once did, a +31 rating in 55 games is still mighty impressive.

Wissmann, 25, went undrafted out of the German junior leagues, despite some strong numbers and obvious raw tools. The 6’4″ right-shot defenseman will be an interesting player to watch in the Bruins system next year, especially given the early-season absence of Charlie McAvoy. While the team already has quite a few NHL options, this isn’t necessarily just a minor league signing. Wissman has been playing in the DEL for years, first making his debut in the 2014-15 season.

Zachary Bolduc Assigned To AHL

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With the Quebec Remparts eliminated a few days ago, Zachary Bolduc is now free to get a taste of the professional ranks. The St. Louis Blues prospect has been assigned to the Springfield Thunderbirds of the AHL, who are in the midst of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Laval Rocket.

Bolduc, 19, was the 17th overall pick in last year’s draft and emerged as one of the most dynamic offensive players in the QMJHL this season. He finished tied for second in league scoring with 55 goals, 22 ahead of his nearest teammate. His 99 points also put him near the very top of the list, and he continued it into the playoffs with strong performances through three rounds.

Given he only turned 19 in February, Bolduc is another one of those top prospects that will face a difficult challenge next fall. It’s either the NHL or junior for him as he will not be eligible to play full-time in the AHL, meaning this action with Springfield will be his only taste of the minor leagues for quite a while.

The Thunderbirds will play game three of their series tomorrow night, and it remains to be seen whether Bolduc will actually get into any game action at this most important juncture.

Columbus Blue Jackets Extend Jack Roslovic

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The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed Jack Roslovic to a two-year, $8MM contract extension, avoiding restricted free agency. The young forward will carry a cap hit of $4MM through the 2023-24 season, after which he will become an unrestricted free agent at the age of 27. Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen released the following statement:

Jack is an offensively gifted player with great speed and vision who has increased his production each season during his NHL career. He has made great strides in his all-around game, especially during this past season, and we are very pleased that he will continue to be an important part of our team as we move forward.

Roslovic, 25, hasn’t quite become the first-line center that some hoped he could be on draft day but did set new career-highs with 22 goals and 45 points this season. Doing that amount of damage with barely over 14 minutes a night is a pretty impressive feat, though he did receive heavy offensive deployment from the Blue Jackets coaching staff to get there.

Still, there is even more upside yet to unlock in the talented center, and this contract brings very little risk on the Blue Jackets’ end. The team had some cap space to play with even considering Patrik Laine’s upcoming deal, and a $4MM cap hit will be easily moved if they aren’t competitive by the time the deal is set to expire. It’s perhaps not ideal to be walking him directly to unrestricted free agency but Columbus is focused on the young core and will need to pay Cole Sillinger and Kent Johnson in the same summer.

The short term allows for lots of flexibility down the road, and some earning potential for Roslovic if his offensive output continues to improve. Should he hit the open market at 27 with a few 20+ goal seasons under his belt, there will be many teams clamoring to add him on a long-term deal. Columbus is giving themselves a way to cash in at that point if the right deal is there, or work out an extension if the group is competitive at that point.

Notably, this contract is going to be brought up in other RFA negotiations this summer around the league. There are many other players who have similar production to Roslovic, whose previous high was just 12 goals, and likely wouldn’t have normally been looking for a $4MM hit. Nicolas Roy, for instance, had six fewer points for the Vegas Golden Knights and is also a 25-year-old pending RFA. Pavel Zacha with the New Jersey Devils had 36 points in 70 games and has a longer history in the league, despite being the same age.

Other wingers like Denis Gurianov, Kasperi Kapanen, and Lawson Crouse have all had their own 20-goal seasons at some point, and are in the same age group. Roslovic’s contract could be a template for a safe extension that gets them to the open market or ammunition for the player to try and get a longer-term deal.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Wyatt Johnston Named OHL Most Outstanding Player

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Despite a disappointing playoff exit, a coaching departure, and some key names hitting free agency, there are still things for the Dallas Stars to look forward to. One of those things is Wyatt Johnston, the team’s 2021 first-round pick and superstar for the Windsor Spitfires. Today, Johnston was named the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player, taking home the Red Tilson Trophy, after leading the league in scoring.

Johnston, 19, was the 23rd overall pick in 2021, and like so many other prospects had missed the entire 2020-21 season because of the OHL shutdown. His training in the year off must have been spectacular, as he went from scoring 30 points in 53 games during his rookie season to 124 points in 68 games this year. It didn’t stop at the end of the regular season either; Johnston leads the OHL in playoff scoring with 37 points in 21 games and has his Spitfires up 2-1 in the league final.

Incredibly, that breakout season did not include an invitation to Team Canada’s World Junior team, something that will likely be rectified if given the chance when the event is rescheduled this summer. Of course, Johnston may also have bigger plans on his mind when August rolls around.

Like many other star draft picks, there will be a big decision for the Stars when next season starts. Johnston cannot be loaned to the AHL on a full-time basis because of his age (he only turned 19 a few weeks ago), meaning it’s either the NHL or the OHL in 2022-23. With his Windsor head coach Marc Savard getting linked to Dallas’ coaching search, perhaps the former is a real possibility for the young forward.

It’s hard to fathom what he could do if he returned for another year, seeing as the OHL already couldn’t contain him this season. Already signed to his entry-level contract, he’ll be able to play in nine games before burning the first year of the deal.

Bruins Notes: Coaching Staff, Buyouts, Rebuild

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After the Boston Bruins made news last night by relieving head coach Bruce Cassidy of his duties, general manager Don Sweeney met with the media today to explain the decision. Sweeney told reporters including Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic that it was time for a new voice, and that he and Cassidy had already decided assistant coach Kevin Dean would not be returning.

Chris Kelly and Joe Sacco, however, are currently still under contract. It obviously remains to be seen whether they are kept on by whoever the Bruins hire next, but they were not relieved of their duties with Cassidy. Here are some more notes from Sweeney’s presser:

  • The team is not expected to buy anyone out this offseason, despite lots of speculation about Nick Foligno after his poor debut with the club. The 34-year-old forward (35 in October), is signed for one more season at a $3.8MM cap hit and scored just two goals in 64 games this season. The Bruins already have more than $80MM committed to next season, though with the injury timelines of players like Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy, long-term injured reserve can obviously give them some flexibility to start the year.
  • Of course, that also doesn’t include Patrice Bergeron, who is an unrestricted free agent this summer after winning his record-setting fifth Selke Trophy. Matt Porter of the Boston Globe relays comments from Sweeney which suggest a “directional shift” if Bergeron doesn’t return, or if the injured players struggle to get back to full strength. It seems unlikely that a full tear down is on the horizon, given the team just recently traded for and extended Hampus Lindholm, but Sweeney already seems to be preparing for the possibility of a down year in 2022-23.

Montreal Canadiens Hire Marie-Philip Poulin

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The Montreal Canadiens have added one of the most clutch goal-scorers of all time. Marie-Philip Poulin, arguably the brightest star in women’s hockey today, has taken a position as a player development consultant. The part-time position will be in addition to her role as captain of the Canadian national team, as her playing career is not yet complete.

In a statement, Canadiens president Geoff Molson explained why the team is bringing Poulin aboard:

It is a privilege to add someone as competent as Marie-Philip Poulin in our ranks. She is the best in her field, and her accomplishments will help us build a winning culture within the Canadiens. Her arrival is another step towards achieving the diversity that we want to establish within our organization.

Poulin, 31, has already had one of the most historic careers imaginable, being named captain of Boston University, winning three Olympic gold medals (and one silver), two World Championship gold medals (and six silvers), and two CWHL championships (and multiple MVPs). It isn’t just being lucky enough to play on good teams either–Poulin has an uncanny knack for showing up at the biggest moments. Whether it is a late-period tying goal or overtime winner, it’s usually her.

In the release, the Canadiens indicate that Poulin will be joining players “on the ice and in video sessions to work on their individual and collective skills” and will work under the direction of Rob Ramage and Adam Nicholas. While this isn’t a full-time position, one is likely waiting for her when she eventually hangs up her skates.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Injury Notes: Kadri, Strome, Laine

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Nazem Kadri has returned to Denver for further evaluation according to Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar, who spoke with reporters including Peter Baugh of The Athletic today. The injured forward has already been ruled out for the rest of this series and is reportedly dealing with a broken thumb that could require surgery.

That means the pending free agent forward could potentially have already played his last game for Colorado, but teammate Jack Johnson knows that he’ll do “everything he can to get back” as soon as possible. The Avalanche have a chance to sweep the Edmonton Oilers tonight, something that could give them more than a week off, given reports today that the Stanley Cup Final is set to begin on June 15 or 18.

  • Ryan Strome will be back in the New York Rangers lineup tomorrow night according to head coach Gerard Gallant, who told reporters including Dan Rosen of NHL.com that “he should be fine to go.” Strome left yesterday’s game partway through the second period and finished with just over seven minutes of ice time in the loss. The Rangers are looking to take a stranglehold in the series before they head back home for game five and Strome has been a big part of their success so far. The pending free agent center is averaging nearly 19 minutes a night and has eight points through 17 games.
  • Patrik Laine is fully recovered from his back injury, according to Brian Hedger of the Columbus Dispatch, though there are no further updates on a potential contract. Laine played just 56 games this season for the Blue Jackets, but was exceptional, recording 26 goals (including seven game-winners) and 56 points. The 24-year-old will be a restricted free agent this summer coming off his one-year, $7.5MM contract for 2021-22.

Dylan Holloway To Make NHL Debut

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With their backs against the wall, the Edmonton Oilers are trying something new. Dylan Holloway will make his NHL debut according to several reports including Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff. The Oilers are also expected to dress Brad Malone in the do-or-die game four, with Kailer Yamamoto unavailable due to injury and Evander Kane suspended.

Holloway, 20, was the 14th overall pick in 2020 and made his professional debut this season with the Bakersfield Condors. The former University of Winsconsin winger had eight goals and 22 points in 33 regular season games, before adding four points in five postseason contests. He figures to challenge for a full-time role with the Oilers next season, given players like Kane, Josh Archibald, Derick Brassard, Colton Sceviour, and Kyle Turris are all scheduled for unrestricted free agency this summer.

Making your NHL debut in the playoffs is something not a ton of players get to experience, though there is a shining example on the other side of the ice. Cale Makar jumped right into the 2019 postseason with the Colorado Avalanche and made an impact immediately, scoring what ended up being the winning goal.

Currently, Holloway is the third highest pick from the 2020 draft to have yet to suit up for an NHL game, following just Jake Sanderson and Yaroslav Askarov. That will change tonight, when he tries to help keep the Oilers alive in the Western Conference Finals.

Dallas Stars Sign Matej Blumel

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The Dallas Stars have inked Matej Blumel to a two-year entry-level contract, giving the Czech forward his first chance in North American pro hockey.

Originally selected 100th overall in 2019 by the Edmonton Oilers out of the USHL, Blumel became an unrestricted free agent when he failed to sign a contract with the team in the years since. After returning to the Czech pro leagues, the young forward took several steps in his development, eventually becoming a reliable offensive option for Pardubice HC.

Over the last two years, he has racked up 56 points in 98 games for his club team, but it was his outstanding performance at the World Championship that really made him stand out. In ten games for Czechia, he racked up four goals and eight points to help them to the bronze medal, obviously catching the eye of at least one team.

Because he is already 22, Blumel was limited to a two-year deal, meaning he’ll be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2024. Where he fits into the Stars depth chart remains to be seen, but his extensive experience at the pro level and previous time playing in North America with the USHL should help him transition more easily.

2022 NHL Draft Combine Results

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The NHL held its annual Draft Combine over the past week, with players able to speak with their potential teams and participate in fitness testing. The physical part of the week was held on Saturday (with a select few tests occurring the day before), with 85 prospects trying their best to show off their strengths in the gym.

Here are the results of the tests, thanks to NHL Central Scouting:

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