COVID Protocol Related Absences: 05/11/21
Each day, the NHL will publicly release the list of players that are unavailable to their respective teams due to being in COVID-19 Protocol. Here is today’s list:
Colorado – Devan Dubnyk
St. Louis – Jake Walman*
Washington – Evgeny Kuznetsov
As a reminder, inclusion on this list does not mean that a player has tested positive for Coronavirus or even that they have been confirmed as a close contact to another positive person. Included in the NHL’s list of possible reasons for someone being on the list is are the following:
(1) an initial positive test which remains unconfirmed until confirmatory testing is completed pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (2) mandated isolation for symptomatic individuals pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (3) required quarantine as a high-risk close contact in accordance with the Positive Test Protocol; (4) isolation based on a confirmed positive test result and/or; (5) quarantine for travel or other reasons as outlined in the COVID-19 Protocol
Players removed today: None
Walman is added to the protocol today following his positive test result yesterday. The Blues have already indicated that they believe it is a false positive because Walman has been vaccinated and pasted the POC test, but he will remain out for the time being.
*denotes new addition
Schedule Notes: North Division, Future, ECHL
The NHL has released the start times for the final three games of the North Division schedule, set to be played between the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks. Both teams are out of the playoff race and will now finish the year with a pair of afternoon tilts. The game on May 19 is especially noteworthy, as its 1:30pm MT start leaves the possibility for the North to start its playoffs that evening. Starting the playoffs the same day the regular season concludes is something deputy commissioner Bill Daly hinted at yesterday as the league tries to get through the 2020-21 season without any further delays.
The other three divisions will already be well into their first-round playoff matchups, with things kicking off on Saturday with the Washington Capitals hosting the Boston Bruins. Those two teams will meet tonight as well, though the Bruins aren’t going to risk any injuries; Boston will rest Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak, Taylor Hall, David Krejci, Craig Smith, Sean Kuraly, Charlie Coyle, Charlie McAvoy, Ondrej Kase, Matt Grzelcyk, Mike Reilly, Brandon Carlo, Jeremy Lauzon, Kevan Miller, and Tuukka Rask this evening.
- As for the future, the league is expected to go back to the schedule matrix and playoff format that was used during the 2018-19 season, according to Nick Cotsonika of NHL.com, with the exception of course of the Seattle Kraken being added to the Pacific Division and the Arizona Coyotes moving to the Central. Past the 2021-22 season though things may change, as Daly explained they are canvassing clubs to find out what it will look like down the line. The deputy commissioner suggested they may be able to release information on the 2022-23 scheduling format before the 2021-22 season starts.
- There are other leagues preparing for a more regular 2021-22 campaign as well, including the ECHL which released its schedule today. The minor league will kick things off on October 21 and play 972 games through April 17, 2022. The ECHL will have 27 teams for next season, including new ones from Trois-Rivières, Quebec, and Coralville, Iowa.
Management Notes: McNab, Hardy, Drury
One of the longest-tenured executives in the league has decided to retire, as David McNab will leave the Anaheim Ducks after 28 years. McNab served as the Ducks’ Senior VP of Hockey Operations and had been with the club since its inception in 1993. Between 1994 and 2008 he was the team’s assistant GM and was previously responsible for the team’s scouting and draft choices. McNab worked for the Washington Capitals, Hartford Whalers, and New York Rangers before joining Anaheim.
Some older fans may recognize the McNab name; David’s brother Peter McNab was a dynamic scorer for the Boston Bruins during a 954-game NHL career, while his father Max McNab won the Stanley Cup as a center for the Detroit Red Wings in 1950 and went on to serve as general manager of the Capitals and New Jersey Devils.
- As one executive leaves the NHL, another may be entering. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports that Ryan Hardy is expected to be hired by an NHL team soon, writing that a number of teams are “circling him” but noting the connection to Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas in particular. Hardy, 35, has served as general manager for the powerhouse Chicago Steel of the USHL and previously operated as the director of player personnel for the U.S. National Team Development Program. Hardy was also employed as an amateur scout by the Boston Bruins at one point.
- Of course, the New York Rangers also have a front office to restructure now that Chris Drury has been put in charge. Friedman writes that there is a “lot of interest in working for him” at this point, which shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Drury has deep ties with USA Hockey and has been a GM-in-waiting for several years. Drury had been serving as associate GM of the Rangers and GM of the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, likely both roles that will now need to be filled.
Taxi Squad Shuffle: 05/11/21
There has been plenty of roster movement between NHL teams and the taxi squad on a daily basis this season. Although some major names may be highlighted in separate articles, this is where you’ll find the majority of that shuffle news each day:
West Division
- The San Jose Sharks have sent Tristen Robins back to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. In a corresponding move, Jacob Middleton was sent back to the minors. Robins, a 2020 second-round pick, spent the season with Saskatoon of the WHL.
North Division
- The Toronto Maple Leafs have cleared some taxi squad room, sending Timothy Liljegren, Stefan Noesen and Michael Hutchinson to the AHL. The team also recalled Mac Hollowell to the taxi squad, giving them three players on it before activating any injured names.
- The Ottawa Senators have reassigned Cody Goloubef and Vitaly Abramov to the AHL, while recalling Logan Brown to the taxi squad. Brown, 23, has played just 23 NHL games since being the 11th overall pick in 2016 and is scheduled to become a restricted free agent this summer.
- The Winnipeg Jets have sent Eric Comrie and Mikhail Berdin to the minors, per CapFriendly. The assignments give them a chance to play in Manitoba’s final three games before they are recalled for the NHL playoffs.
Central Division
- The Carolina Hurricanes have made a pair of moves involving defenseman, per CapFriendly. Joey Keane has been sent back to the minors after making his NHL debut on Monday while Roland McKeown was recalled from the taxi squad.
- With their season over, the Chicago Blackhawks have sent down John Quenneville, Chad Krys, Evan Barratt, and Cam Morrison from the taxi squad to AHL Rockford, per CapFriendly. Of the four, only Quenneville has seen NHL action and his 42 games all game before this season.
- The Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled Christopher Gibson and Ben Thomas from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. The moves give them some extra depth as ‘Black Aces’ for the playoffs.
East Division
- The Washington Capitals have recalled Philippe Maillet from the taxi squad, suggesting he’ll get into his second career game this evening. The Capitals assigned Garrett Pilon to the taxi squad.
- With the Boston Bruins giving basically half of their team the night off, they’ve brought up Jack Studnicka, Jack Ahcan, Greg McKegg, Urho Vaakanainen, Dan Vladar, Cameron Hughes, Oskar Steen, and Zach Senyshyn from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly.
- With their season over, the New York Islanders made their final recalls. Per CapFriendly, they’ve recalled Kieffer Bellows, Austin Czarnik, and Thomas Hickey from the taxi squad while promoting Ken Appleby, Cole Bardreau, Dmytro Timashov, Samuel Bolduc, Anatoly Golyshev, Simon Holmstrom, Grant Hutton, Otto Koivula, and Bode Wilde from the AHL.
- The Philadelphia Flyers have sent Cam York, Felix Sandstrom, and Wade Allison back to the AHL, per CapFriendly. Lehigh Valley has three games left in their season so these moves give the three a chance to get a few more games in before calling it a season.
This page will be updated throughout the day.
Justin Abdelkader, Brian Boyle To Play For Team USA
Sometimes the IIHF World Championship is a great place for those playing overseas to show what they can do against NHL talent. It can operate as a springboard to a North American career for young undrafted talents, or act as a way to prove the worth of a former NHL regular. The latter will be what Justin Abdelkader and Brian Boyle will be after when the international tournament starts later this month. Frank Seravalli of TSN reports that Abdelkader and Boyle will suit up for Team USA at the tournament with the hope of resuming their NHL careers.
Abdelkader, 34, was bought out by the Detroit Red Wings last year, ending his contract with three seasons remaining on it. He ended up playing the 2020-21 season for Zug EV in Switzerland, scoring eight points in nine regular season games and adding another six goals in 13 playoff appearances. Abdelkader was also his usual pesky self, racking up 47 penalty minutes in the postseason.
A return to the 20-goal player he was in 2014-15 seems impossible at this point, but perhaps he can show enough at the tournament to prove he still has some worth on an NHL fourth line. It’ll be a hard sell though; the last time Abdelkader played an NHL season he failed to score a single goal (and recorded just three assists) in 49 games.
Boyle meanwhile has been in contact with NHL teams all season according to Seravalli, with teams showing interest even up to the trade deadline. He didn’t end up signing with any, but hopes to earn a new deal at the Worlds. Boyle played 39 games during the 2019-20 season with the Florida Panthers, scoring six goals and 15 points. Now 36, his size (6’6″ 245-lbs) and playoff experience (118 career games) are certainly factors in his favor.
The tournament is set to begin on May 21, with the first U.S. game the next day against Finland.
Chicago Blackhawks Agree To Terms With Henrik Borgstrom
When the Chicago Blackhawks acquired Henrik Borgstrom at the trade deadline, he came without a contract. The young forward was playing overseas and it wasn’t clear if the team would be able to convince him to come back to North America right away. Turns out there was nothing to worry about. The Blackhawks have agreed to terms with Borgstrom on a two-year contract, according to Scott Powers of The Athletic. PuckPedia reports that the deal will carry an average annual value of $1MM.
Borgstrom, 23, scored 21 points in 30 games for HIFK this season in Finland, after spending nearly the entire 2019-20 season in the minor leagues. Selected 23rd overall in 2016, it has been a rocky road for Borgstrom since he left the University of Denver. In 58 career NHL games, the rangy center has just 19 points, but could be getting a much bigger opportunity in Chicago next season.
The center depth that the Blackhawks have built is interesting. Jonathan Toews missed the whole season with a mysterious medical issue, and top prospect Kirby Dach was out for most of the year with a wrist injury. That left a huge hole for the team to fill down the middle, giving an opportunity to relatively unknown names like David Kampf and Pius Suter. The former struggled to create any offense, scoring just one goal in 56 games, but Suter took full advantage of the minutes and ended up scoring 14 goals and 27 points. Both are restricted free agents this summer and could be brought back, likely as direct competition with Borgstrom depending on what happens with Toews.
The big question mark is really Dylan Strome, who has one year left on his deal but never did step into that top-line center role this year. The 24-year-old ended up with just nine goals and 17 points in 40 games, a huge drop off from his previous numbers with Chicago. There were even whispers that Strome could be available come deadline time, meaning he is a player to key an eye on as the draft and offseason approach. If the Blackhawks believe Borgstrom can fill a third-line center role, perhaps Strome or others become expendable.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Snapshots: Holloway, Corrado, Playoffs
The Edmonton Oilers won’t have Dylan Holloway in the lineup this season as his entry-level contract starts next year, but that doesn’t mean they won’t get a close look at him in the meantime. The young forward has signed an amateur tryout with the Bakersfield Condors and will finish the season in the AHL.
Holloway is coming back after suffering a thumb injury at the end of his college season and will be getting his first taste of professional hockey. Still just 19, he recorded 11 goals and 35 points at the University of Wisconsin, anchoring the second line behind the Cole Caufield-driven top unit.
- Frank Corrado won’t be returning to the NHL anytime soon, as the veteran defenseman signed a contract with Dinamo Riga in the KHL. He spent this season with MODO in the Swedish second league, recording 17 points in 34 games. The Vancouver Canucks draft pick played 76 games in the NHL and several seasons in the minor leagues before taking his game overseas.
- The Stanley Cup Playoffs could start as soon as Saturday, according to NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. Daly spoke with Nick Cotsonika of NHL.com, explaining that though the North Division doesn’t actually finish their regular season schedule until May 19, the other three divisions could start as early as May 15. In fact, the North could actually start their playoff schedule just hours after the regular season concludes, since the last few games are likely between two non-playoff teams in Calgary and Vancouver.
COVID Protocol Related Absences: 05/10/21
Each day, the NHL will publicly release the list of players that are unavailable to their respective teams due to being in COVID-19 Protocol. Here is today’s list:
Colorado – Devan Dubnyk
Washington – Evgeny Kuznetsov
As a reminder, inclusion on this list does not mean that a player has tested positive for Coronavirus or even that they have been confirmed as a close contact to another positive person. Included in the NHL’s list of possible reasons for someone being on the list is are the following:
(1) an initial positive test which remains unconfirmed until confirmatory testing is completed pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (2) mandated isolation for symptomatic individuals pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (3) required quarantine as a high-risk close contact in accordance with the Positive Test Protocol; (4) isolation based on a confirmed positive test result and/or; (5) quarantine for travel or other reasons as outlined in the COVID-19 Protocol
Players removed today: None
The same two players remain out, with Kuznetsov now in the protocol for seven days. The Capitals have just one game left in the regular season, tomorrow night against Boston, meaning the talented center could have to wait until the playoffs begin to get his game legs back under him.
*denotes new addition
Taxi Squad Shuffle: 05/10/21
There has been plenty of roster movement between NHL teams and the taxi squad on a daily basis this season. Although some major names may be highlighted in separate articles, this is where you’ll find the majority of that shuffle news each day:
West Division
- Sam Carrick has been sent back to the AHL by the Anaheim Ducks, now that their season is over. Carrick can take part in the Pacific Division postseason, the only minor league playoffs that will be held this season.
North Division
- The Winnipeg Jets have recalled Eric Comrie and Dominic Toninato from the taxi squad under emergency conditions. Comrie was just announced as the team’s Masterton Trophy nominee, after a season that saw him claimed and then reclaimed on waivers, with very little playing time to show for it.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs have reassigned Denis Malgin to the taxi squad after his outstanding season in Switzerland. The 24-year-old scored 19 goals and 42 points in 45 games for Lausanne HC and is now back in North America to give the Maple Leafs a little more playoff depth.
Central Division
- After clearing waivers, Calvin Pickard has been reassigned to the AHL by the Detroit Red Wings. Pickard has played six games for the Red Wings this season, posting an .874 save percentage.
- The Carolina Hurricanes have recalled Joey Keane from the AHL and expect him to make his NHL debut this evening. The 21-year-old defenseman has 12 points in 21 games with the Chicago Wolves this season.
- With several players sitting out tonight, the Nashville Predators have recalled forwards Rem Pitlick and Michael McCarron, defenseman Tyler Lewington, and goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo from the taxi squad.
East Division
- The Washington Capitals have sent Paul Ladue and Michael Sgarbossa to the AHL, while recalling Pheonix Copley, Martin Fehervary, and Philippe Maillet to the taxi squad.
This page will be updated throughout the day
New York Rangers Extend Ryan Lindgren
After just a few days on the job, New York Rangers GM Chris Drury has completed his first big move. The team has signed Ryan Lindgren to a three-year contract extension. Lindgren was set to become a restricted free agent this summer. Chris Johnston of Sportsnet tweets the full breakdown:
- 2021-22: $2MM salary
- 2022-23: $3MM salary
- 2023-24: $4MM salary
Earlier today, the Rangers named Lindgren this year’s winner of their Players’ Player Award, which is awarded “to the Ranger who, as selected by his teammates, best exemplifies what it means to be a team player.”
Originally selected by the Boston Bruins in 2016, Lindgren was one of the pieces the Rangers received in the 2018 Rick Nash deal. He played in 51 games this season, often pairing with Norris Trophy candidate Adam Fox, and recorded 16 points. While Lindgren didn’t receive any powerplay time, he did trail only Fox in shorthanded ice time this season, averaging 2:30 on the penalty kill every night.
That kind of defensive presence is valuable and obviously worth it to the Rangers as they move forward with new management. The 23-year-old Lindgren would not have been eligible for salary arbitration, but won’t even need to enter into any free agent negotiations.
Importantly, he will still be an RFA at the deal’s expiry, leaving the Rangers with a bit of team control down the road. If his development continues, by the time he’s 26 he’ll be looking for a much more expensive long-term deal. For now, he comes in as the team’s third-highest-paid defender for next season, though Anthony DeAngelo‘s final year is expected to be bought out this offseason. The team has one more year of Fox on his entry-level deal, one of the most valuable contracts in the league right now.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images