Frederik Gauthier Signs With Arizona Coyotes
When his name appeared on today’s waiver list, it was clear that Frederik Gauthier had done enough to earn an NHL contract with the Arizona Coyotes. The big forward had been attending camp on a professional tryout but has now signed a one-year, two-way contract with the team. Though the team did not release the financial details, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports it is worth $700K at the NHL level and $150K in the AHL.
Gauthier, 25, became an unrestricted free agent this offseason when the Toronto Maple Leafs decided not to issue him a qualifying offer as an RFA. The 2013 first-round pick never did develop much of an offensive game, but has still played 168 games at the NHL level and is a capable fourth-line center. Standing 6’5″ and listed at 239-lbs, he offers some size and strength to the bottom of the depth chart—though has been criticized in the past for not using his large frame effectively enough.
It’s unlikely that Gauthier dresses for every game this season, but he can serve as a nice taxi squad member to move in and out of the lineup when necessary. His career-high of seven goals game in 61 games last season and he has registered 31 points in his NHL career.
Mike Hoffman Officially Signs With St. Louis Blues
Though it had been expected for some time, the St. Louis Blues officially signed Mike Hoffman to a one-year contract today. The deal will pay the free agent sniper $4MM and effectively ends his professional tryout. The Blues had to wait to complete some cap gymnastics in order to fit Hoffman in, but the contract is now filed.
Hoffman, 31, was our fourth-ranked player on the annual Top 50 UFA list at the start of the offseason, but after the market quickly turned was left without a long-term deal. Though perhaps other teams offered multi-year pacts, he ended up agreeing to a one-year deal with a strong club in the hopes that his market will be strong again next offseason when things are, hopefully, a little closer to normal. There’s absolutely no on-ice reason for Hoffman’s long wait as he was arguably the best goal-scoring weapon available on the market and now goes to a team that will be in need of a new sniper.
The Blues are without Vladimir Tarasenko for the time being and watched Alex Steen retire due to injury, meaning there’s plenty of opportunity for Hoffman in St. Louis. He’s been playing in camp so far with Jaden Schwartz and Robert Thomas on a dynamic second line, while also being a go-to option on the powerplay.
Taylor Hall also settled for a one-year deal but went to a rebuilding team in Buffalo for the chance to play beside an all-world talent like Jack Eichel. Hoffman took a different approach, joining a strong team that is a lot more likely to bring some playoff time. In his near-500 game NHL career, Hoffman has only played in the postseason three times and that includes Florida’s qualification-round loss to the New York Rangers last summer. In St. Louis, there’s not only a chance he could rebuild some value, but he also might get a chance to raise the Stanley Cup as they did in 2019.
How can they afford him exactly? It’s a complicated dance that will include placing Tarasenko and Steen on long-term injured reserve, while likely maintaining an NHL roster below the 23-man limit. Worth it for a player who has scored at least 22 goals in each of his six full seasons, but still difficult to navigate throughout the season.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Florida Panthers Claim Noah Juulsen
The Florida Panthers have claimed Noah Juulsen off waivers from the Montreal Canadiens according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, adding the young defenseman just before the season begins.
Juulsen, 23, is the second young defenseman the Panthers have claimed off waivers in recent days, following the acquisition of Gustav Forsling over the weekend. Adding those two to a group that already had a lot of offseason turnover is interesting, especially when paired with Keith Yandle‘s recent demotion. Yandle has practiced away from the main roster group for the past two days, spending time with the likely scratches and minor leaguers instead as other players are given a chance to compete.
It’s not clear at all now how things will shake out in Florida, but Juulsen is likely just pleased he’ll get a fresh start somewhere else. The 2015 first-round pick has had nothing but trouble with the Montreal Canadiens, suffering injury after injury at both the NHL and AHL levels. In fact, since arriving in the professional ranks in 2017 he has suited up for just 93 games combined, including just 37 over the past two seasons.
Healthy now and ready to contribute, it will be interesting to see how he will be deployed in Florida. To be placed on their taxi squad he would have to be placed on waivers again, at which point Montreal would have a chance to bring him back. That means a roster spot seems likely, but with such little game experience, it’s hard to imagine him stepping right into the opening night lineup.
Long List Of Players Placed On Waivers
For those players who will not be making the NHL roster but require waivers to be assigned to the taxi squad or minor leagues, this is the final day before the start of the regular season. Because of that, we’ll see a huge number of players on the wire today.
The full list will be updated as reports come in:
Arizona Coyotes:
Michael Bunting
Michael Chaput
Hudson Fashing
Fredrik Gauthier
Dryden Hunt
Dysin Mayo
Aaron Ness
Lane Pederson
Blake Speers
Boston Bruins:
Anton Blidh
Paul Carey
Steven Kampfer
Greg McKegg
Zachary Senyshyn
Calgary Flames:
Oliver Kylington
Derek Ryan
Zac Rinaldo
Carolina Hurricanes:
Joakim Ryan
Chicago Blackhawks:
Anton Lindholm
John Quenneville
Nick Seeler
Matt Tomkins
Columbus Blue Jackets:
Gavin Bayreuther
Adam Clendening
Zac Dalpe
Nathan Gerbe
Cam Johnson
Stefan Matteau
Ryan MacInnis
Dallas Stars:
Tanner Kero
Detroit Red Wings:
Kevin Boyle
Calvin Pickard
Dominic Turgeon
Dylan McIlrath
Brian Lashoff
Joe Hicketts
Turner Elson
Kyle Criscuolo
Riley Barber
Evgeni Svechnikov
Edmonton Oilers:
Jujhar Khaira
Patrick Russell
Joakim Nygard
Anton Forsberg
Alan Quine
Montreal Canadiens:
Michael Frolik
Corey Perry
New Jersey Devils:
Nick Merkley
Colton White
Ben Street
Joshua Jacobs
Brandon Gignac
New York Islanders:
Cole Bardreau
Austin Czarnik
Tanner Fritz
A.J. Greer
Thomas Hickey
Andrew Ladd
Parker Wotherspoon
New York Rangers:
Anthony Bitetto
Colin Blackwell
Jonny Brodzinski
Gabriel Fontaine
Brandon Crawley
Anthony Greco
Keith Kinkaid
Ottawa Senators:
Christian Jaros
Micheal Haley
Filip Chlapik
Rudolfs Balcers
Jean-Christophe Beaudin
Logan Shaw
Matthew Peca
Philadelphia Flyers:
Chris Bigras
Andy Andreoff
Tyler Wotherspoon
Alex Lyon
Nate Prosser
Derrick Pouliot
Samuel Morin
San Jose Sharks:
Trevor Carrick
Fredrik Claesson
Nick Desimone
Kurtis Gabriel
Nicolas Meloche
Antti Suomela
St. Louis Blues:
Sam Anas
Jacob de la Rose
Jon Gillies
Mackenzie MacEachern
Curtis McKenzie
Mitch Reinke
Steven Santini
Jake Walman
Nathan Walker
Tampa Bay Lightning:
Tyler Johnson
Luke Schenn
Spencer Martin
Chris Gibson
Luke Witkowski
Daniel Walcott
Ben Thomas
Gemel Smith
Andreas Borgman
Toronto Maple Leafs:
Kenny Agostino
Travis Boyd
Adam Brooks
Martin Marincin
Calle Rosen
Vancouver Canucks:
Justin Bailey
Sven Baertschi
Guillaume Brisebois
Loui Eriksson
Tyler Graovac
Ashton Sautner
Vegas Golden Knights:
Nick Holden
Jake Bischoff
Patrick Brown
Carl Dahlstrom
Oscar Dansk
Reid Duke
Tyrell Goulbourne
Tomas Jurco
Daniel O’Regan
Dylan Sikura
Washington Capitals:
Daniel Carr
Zach Fucale
Shane Gersich
Lucas Johansen
Paul LaDue
Ernest Schilling
Michael Sgarbossa
Phillippe Maillet
Pheonix Copley
Winnipeg Jets:
Mathieu Perreault
Luca Sbisa
C.J. Suess
Eric Comrie
Nelson Nogier
Arizona Coyotes Hire Shane Doan
The relationship has been mended. Shane Doan, perhaps the most recognizable Arizona Coyotes player of all-time, has rejoined the organization as Chief Hockey Development Officer. He will report directly to team president Xavier Gutierrez and serve as a strategic advisor to the owner Alex Meruelo and GM Bill Armstrong. Gutierrez released a short statement on the hire:
Shane Doan is a Coyotes legend and a Valley icon. For the past 25 years, Shane has been an incredible ambassador for our franchise and has represented the Coyotes with dignity and class. He is beloved by our fan base and we are thrilled to have him back with us where he belongs.
Doan, 44, actually started his career when the franchise was still known as the Winnipeg Jets, playing 74 games in the 1995-96 season before the move to the desert. He would spend his entire career with the organization, captaining the squad from 2003 to 2017, but his departure from the team was a little awkward and contentious. Regardless, he’s back with them now after spending the last three seasons with the league offices and should be a valuable asset for the organization.
Training Camp Cuts: 01/11/21
Camp cuts will come fast and furious today, with the waiver wire taking dozens and dozens of names in the final day before taxi squad assignments must be made. Remember, just being placed on waivers does not necessarily mean you’ve been cut from the team. With that in mind, we’ll keep track of the team-announced cuts right here:
Buffalo Sabres (via team release):
F Brandon Biro (to Rochester, AHL)
F Steven Fogarty (to Rochester, AHL)
F Brett Murray (to Rochester, AHL)
F C.J. Smith (to Rochester, AHL)
D Casey Fitzgerald (to Rochester, AHL)
G Dustin Tokarski (to Rochester, AHL)
D Ryan Jones (to Rochester, AHL)
G Michael Houser (to Rochester, AHL)
Chicago Blackhawks (via team release):
F Andrei Altybarmakian (to Rockford, AHL)
F Evan Barratt (to Rockford, AHL)
F Matej Chalupa (to Rockford, AHL)
F MacKenzie Entwistle (to Rockford, AHL)
F Reese Johnson (to Rockford, AHL)
F Cam Morrison (to Rockford, AHL)
F Tim Soderlund (to Rockford, AHL)
F Michal Teply (to Rockford, AHL)
D Chad Krys (to Rockford, AHL)
D Alec Regula (to Rockford, AHL)
F Michael Krutil (released)
G Cale Morris (released)
Columbus Blue Jackets (via team release):
G Veini Vehvilainen (to Cleveland, AHL)
F Tyler Angle (released)
F Justin Scott (released)
D Thomas Schemitsch (released)
G Brad Thiessen (released)
Los Angeles Kings (via team release):
F Aidan Dudas (to Ontario, AHL)
F Mikey Eyssimont (to Ontario, AHL)
F Samuel Fagemo (to Ontario, AHL)
F Boko Imama (to Ontario, AHL)
F Rasmus Kupari (to Ontario, AHL)
F Tyler Madden (to Ontario, AHL)
F Akil Thomas (to Ontario, AHL)
D Daniel Brickley (to Ontario, AHL)
D Sean Durzi (to Ontario, AHL)
D Jacob Moverare (to Ontario, AHL)
D Markus Phillips (to Ontario, AHL)
G Jacob Ingham (to Ontario, AHL)
G Matt Villalta (to Ontario, AHL)
Minnesota Wild (via team release):
F Mitchell Chaffee (to Iowa, AHL)
F Joseph Cramarossa (to Iowa, AHL)
F Connor Dewar (to Iowa, AHL)
F Brandon Duhaime (to Iowa, AHL)
F Gabriel Dumont (to Iowa, AHL)
F Mason Shaw (to Iowa, AHL)
D Calen Addison (to Iowa, AHL)
D Ian McCoshen (to Iowa, AHL)
G Dereck Baribeau (to Iowa, AHL)
G Hunter Jones (to Iowa, AHL)
New Jersey Devils (via team release):
F Nate Schnarr (to Binghamton, AHL)
F Brett Seney (to Binghamton, AHL)
D Kevin Bahl (to Binghamton, AHL)
D Nikita Okhotiuk (to Binghamton, AHL)
D Reilly Walsh (to Binghamton, AHL)
G Evan Cormier (to Binghamton, AHL)
Pittsburgh Penguins (via team release):
F Josh Currie (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Radim Zohorna (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
D Kevin Czuczman (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
D Cam Lee (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Nathan Legare (to Val d’Or, QMJHL)
F Samuel Poulin (to Sherbrooke, QMJHL)
F Jordan Nolan (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
San Jose Sharks (via team release):
F Lean Bergmann (to San Jose, AHL)
F Alexander True (to San Jose, AHL)
F Joachim Blichfeld (to San Jose, AHL)
F Jayden Halbgewachs (to San Jose, AHL)
D Jaycob Megna (to San Jose, AHL)
D Ryan Merkley (to San Jose, AHL)
G Josef Korenar (to San Jose, AHL)
Tampa Bay Lightning (via team release):
F Alex Barre-Boulet (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Ross Colton (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Jack Finley (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Gage Goncalves (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Jimmy Huntington (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Boris Katchouk (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Taylor Raddysh (to Syracuse, AHL)
D Sean Day (to Syracuse, AHL)
D Alex Green (to Syracuse, AHL)
D Dmitry Semykin (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Daniel Walcott (to Syracuse, AHL)*
F/D Luke Witkowski (to Syracuse, AHL)*
G Spencer Martin (to Syracuse, AHL)*
Toronto Maple Leafs (via team release):
F Kenny Agostino (to Toronto, AHL)*
F Joey Anderson (to Toronto, AHL)
F Pierre Engvall (to Toronto, AHL)
F Nic Petan (to Toronto, AHL)
D Mac Hollowell (to Toronto, AHL)
D Teemu Kivihalme (to Toronto, AHL)
D Timothy Liljegren (to Toronto, AHL)
D Martin Marincin (to Toronto, AHL)*
D Calle Rosen (to Toronto, AHL)*
G Michael Hutchinson (to Toronto, AHL)
F Justin Brazeau (to Toronto, AHL)
F Rourke Chartier (to Toronto, AHL)
F Tyler Gaudet (to Toronto, AHL)
F Scott Sabourin (to Toronto, AHL)
Vegas Golden Knights (via team release):
F Jake Leschyshyn (to Henderson, AHL)
F Lucas Elvenes (to Henderson, AHL)
F Jack Dugan (to Henderson, AHL)
F Ben Jones (to Henderson, AHL)
F Peyton Krebs (to Henderson, AHL)
D Kaedan Korczak (to Henderson, AHL)
D Jimmy Schuldt (to Henderson, AHL)
D Brayden Pachal (to Henderson, AHL)
D Connor Corcoran (to Henderson, AHL)
G Logan Thompson (to Henderson, AHL)
G Dylan Ferguson (to Henderson, AHL)
Washington Capitals (via team release):
F Kody Clark (to Hershey, AHL)
F Brett Leason (to Hershey, AHL)
F Garrett Pilon (to Hershey, AHL)
F Joe Snively (to Hershey, AHL)
F Riley Sutter (to Hershey, AHL)
F Axel Jonsson-Fjallby (to Hershey, AHL)
F Hendrix Lapierre (to Chicoutimi, QMJHL)
Winnipeg Jets (via team release):
F Joona Luoto (to Manitoba, AHL)
F Skyler McKenzie (to Manitoba, AHL)
F Kristian Reichel (to Manitoba, AHL)
D Declan Chisholm (to Manitoba, AHL)
D Luke Green (to Manitoba, AHL)
D Johnathan Kovacevic (to Manitoba, AHL)
G Mikhail Berdin (to Manitoba, AHL)
D Jimmy Oligny (to Manitoba, AHL)
G Cole Kehler (released)
*Must clear waivers first.
Snapshots: Dubois, Sweden, Manitoba
Though they haven’t commented on it, the overwhelming feeling after recent reports is that the Columbus Blue Jackets will have to trade Pierre-Luc Dubois at some point. The young center has requested a change of scenery and that kind of thing rarely seems to change, meaning GM Jarmo Kekalainen‘s phone will likely be ringing all year long.
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic has compiled a list of what he believes would be the seven best suitors, while also noting that he believes at least two-thirds of the league will check-in. Snuck into the bottom of the Dubois piece is also a note on Gabriel Landeskog, noting that the Colorado Avalanche captain is hoping to sign another long-term deal with the team in order to spend his entire career there.
- Sweden has shut down its junior leagues for the rest of the season, ending any chance that scouts have to see some of the prospects for the 2021 draft. Many of those names could make an appearance at the pro level in the coming months if they haven’t already.
- Like Ontario earlier this week, Manitoba has finally given its blessing to the Winnipeg Jets to host NHL games this season. The province joins the four others that house NHL franchises in allowing the professional league to continue, without fans, for the time being. That exemption was the final hurdle for the All-Canadian division, though the league had previously expressed confidence that they would receive permission from all five provinces.
Minor Transactions: 01/08/21
In a few days, the list of daily minor transactions is going to explode, with teams shuffling players up and down to create cap flexibility. For now, things are generally limited to minor league signings and European transactions. Still, these can be important in the right situation, so we’ll continue to highlight the notable ones right here.
- The Belleville Senators have signed Colby Williams to a one-year AHL contract, ending his run with the Hershey Bears after four seasons. Williams, 25, became a Group VI unrestricted free agent this offseason after spending his entire professional career in the minor leagues to this point. Last season he recorded six points in 31 games for Hershey. Williams was linked to the KHL’s Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk earlier this off-season but has opted to stay in North America. The team has also signed Ottawa prospect Cole Reinhardt to an amateur tryout contract. The 20-year-old forward was an overage selection by the Senators in the sixth round of the 2020 NHL Draft and will look to make the jump from the WHL to the pros with a strong showing in camp.
- Dean Stewart, a seventh-round pick of the Arizona Coyotes, has signed with the Wichita Thunder of the ECHL after finishing his college career at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Stewart served as captain of the team last season and recorded 12 points in 34 games, but failed to sign an entry-level contract with Arizona in the summer. That made him an unrestricted free agent, but he’ll have to start the grind in the low minors for now.
- Danny Kristo, who was originally selected in the second round by the Montreal Canadiens, will continue his European adventure in Germany after signing with the Augsburger Panther of the DEL. Kristo last played in North America during the 2016-17 season and has now suited up in the KHL, SHL, NLA, and DEL over the last three seasons. Even his KHL stops have taken him abroad, as instead of playing for the Russian-based teams he was with Dinamo Riga (Latvia) and Kunlun Red Star (China). Quite the traveler.
- Los Angeles Kings standout prospect Jordan Spence has been traded in the QMJHL. The 19-year-old defenseman, a fourth-round pick in 2019, has been dealt to the Val-d’Or Foreurs by the Moncton Wildcats in exchange for young goaltender Vincent Filion, a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2022 third-round pick. The undersized defenseman is no small get for the Foreurs; Spence won the QMJHL’s Defenseman of the Year honors last season with 52 points in 60 games. The offensive blue liner is back at it this season with 16 points through 13 games and will be a major asset for league-leading Foreurs.
Brendan Guhle Out Six Weeks
Though it may get lost in the shuffle as the league deals with COVID-19 outbreaks, the Anaheim Ducks had some unfortunate news of their own today. Brendan Guhle has been ruled out for the next six weeks with a sprained MCL, essentially ending the training camp battle he was in for a roster spot.
The 23-year-old Guhle came to Anaheim in a trade nearly two years ago that saw Brandon Montour go to the Buffalo Sabres. Splitting time between the NHL and AHL, he performed adequately and looked to have an inside track on a roster spot (even if it was perhaps as the seventh defenseman) this season. The Ducks even put Christian Djoos on waivers today, indicating that he’ll likely start on the taxi squad or in the AHL.
Now, Guhle faces a tough rehab and the idea of overtaking a teammate mid-season if he wants to secure playing time. Six weeks puts him back on the ice deep into February, when a good chunk of the season has already passed. That’s a tough break in an already shortened schedule and could very well mean that Guhle will not eclipse the career-high of 30 games played he set last season.
Corey Crawford To Take Indefinite Leave
The New Jersey Devils have announced that goaltender Corey Crawford, who had already been absent from the last several days of training camp, will take an indefinite leave of absence from the club due to personal reasons.
Crawford, 36, signed a two-year, $7.8MM deal with the Devils in the offseason to become the partner and mentor for young Mackenzie Blackwood, who has shown starter-level promise in his short NHL career. The veteran netminder has spent his entire career to this point with the Chicago Blackhawks and actually had a nice bounce-back campaign in 2019-20. After dealing with lingering concussion issues, Crawford returned to post a .917 save percentage in 40 appearances last season.
There’s no information on why he is taking the leave or how long Crawford is expected to be away from the team. About as beloved of a teammate as you can find in the NHL, the entire hockey world is wishing him well.
The Devils will need to find a replacement goaltender for the time being and their depth chart isn’t exactly bursting with NHL options. Scott Wedgewood holds the most experience of the group with 24 NHL games, but hasn’t seen any time at that level since 2017-18. One suggestion from David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period is Scott Darling, who is expected to be released from his professional tryout with the Florida Panthers and would be an unrestricted free agent.