Mikhail Sergachev Re-Signs With Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning have locked up one of their incredible young talents for another few years, signing Mikhail Sergachev to a three-year contract. The deal will carry an average annual value of $4.8MM. Sergachev was a restricted free agent without arbitration rights. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reports the full breakdown:
- 2020-21: $2.4MM
- 2021-22: $4.8MM
- 2022-23: $7.2MM
Technically, this move takes the Lightning about $2MM over the $81.5MM salary cap ceiling for the upcoming season, with Anthony Cirelli and Erik Cernak still to sign. Still, getting Sergachev under contract for a reasonable amount was imperative, especially with the threat of an offer sheet still theoretically out there.
Make no mistake, even at $4.8MM, Sergachev still represents some excess value for the Lightning. The 22-year-old defenseman, who the Lightning acquired in exchange for Jonathan Drouin in 2017, would likely be a top-pairing player already on many of the teams around the league. That hasn’t been required in Tampa Bay where Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh continue to soak up huge minutes on the blue line, but Sergachev has still seen substantial increases in playing time each season. This year, his third with the Lightning, he recorded a career-high 10 goals in 70 games, racking up 34 points and logging more than 20 minutes a night. That performance carried over to the postseason where he was even more effective, averaging more ice time than any Tampa player not named Hedman or McDonagh en route to a Stanley Cup victory.
Not only could Sergachev probably shoulder a heavier offensive load, but his defensive game has also improved enough to believe he could be an all-situations star. He became a legitimate option on the penalty kill this season, producing excellent results whenever trusted to be out there short-handed, while still playing a strong second fiddle to Hedman on the team’s powerplay units. Financially, he’ll now slot in behind Hedman ($7.875MM cap hit) and McDonagh ($6.75MM) in a tricky cap puzzle for GM Julien BriseBois.
That puzzle has a few extra pieces right now, making it even more challenging to finish. The team will have to at some point move out one or more of their expensive contracts like Tyler Johnson, who was shopped and placed on waivers earlier this summer. There is of course the chance that a player could be injured and placed on long-term injured reserve to help them become compliant, but with Cirelli and Cernak to come the team simply can’t afford everyone.
Sergachev will still be a restricted free agent when this contract expires, though he’ll be just one year away from UFA status and arbitration-eligible. If his career continues down its current path, he’ll have an incredible amount of leverage in his next negotiation. One would have thought the offer sheet scenario would have been extremely enticing to a player like him, who could have certainly made more elsewhere, but Joe Smith of The Athletic reports that Sergachev actually agreed to a three-year structure with the Lightning shortly after the season ended and wanted to “give it another go” with the Cup champions in Tampa.
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Johnny Boychuk Will Not Play Again
The New York Islanders will not have Johnny Boychuk in the lineup this season, as the veteran defenseman’s playing career has come to an end. Though he is likely not actually retiring thanks to the two years (and $8MM) left on his contract, the serious eye injury that he suffered this season will force him off the ice.
Boychuk was initially injured when Artturi Lehkonen‘s skate hit him in a regular season game, creating a frightening scene in New York. Amazingly, the veteran defenseman actually returned for the playoffs but was injured again when he took a high hit from Mike Matheson. In the release, the Islanders state that Boychuk suffered two injuries to the same eye. When speaking to reporters including Arthur Staple of The Athletic, he explained that he has been diagnosed with optic nerve damage.
A veteran of over 800 NHL games, the 36-year-old Boychuk has been a solid contributor for more than a decade. His best offensive season came with the Islanders in 2014-15 when he recorded 35 points, but he was never much of a headline-maker. Instead, he calmly ended rush after rush and moved the puck up to his teammates, averaging more than 20 minutes a night through his long career. He won a Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011, playing a pivotal role and even scoring a game-winning goal to eliminate the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round.
Quite importantly, Boychuk does not appear to be giving up the remaining money on his contract, but will be moved to long-term injured reserve if the Islanders need extra cap space. With Mathew Barzal still to sign, suddenly getting a $6MM cap hit off the books is an incredible break for New York, even if it comes at the expense of a savvy veteran defenseman. Boychuk’s career was winding down anyway and the Islanders have more than enough defensemen to fill the roster, meaning this is something of a convenience for the team as they prepare for next season and finish negotiations with Barzal.
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NWHL Will Hold 2021 Season In Bubble
The National Women’s Hockey League has announced its plans for the 2021 season, which will be played inside a bubble in Lake Placid, New York. The six teams will gather and play a shortened season between January 23 and February 5. Interim commissioner Tyler Tumminia released a statement explaining the decision:
The NWHL is excited to provide hockey fans a fast-paced schedule of thrilling games on the road to the Isobel Cup. The continued challenges brought by the pandemic resulted in a mandate for our league, players and partners to collaborate on creating a controlled environment protecting the health of everyone involved. At a time of hyper-growth for girls’ and women’s hockey, we see this season as a celebration of the sport. This will be a historic moment as the hallowed arena that was the site of the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980 hosts its first women’s professional championship. It is a proud moment for the NWHL, the players, and all hockey fans.
Though the league will not be able to play in front of fans and is compressing their season into just a few weeks, it does allow them to actually hold a 2021 campaign in these uncertain times. It will also mean that the league’s newest team, the Toronto Six, will not be delayed any further. Toronto will join the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, Metropolitan Riveters, and Minnesota Whitecaps in the bubble.
Despite the condensed schedule, all contracted players will be paid in full for the upcoming season. The players, like those in other professional leagues this year, were also given the opportunity to opt-out without any financial ramifications.
Minor Transactions: 11/24/20
Coronavirus updates will dominate the hockey headlines today, but teams around the world are still working to fill out rosters while players desperately try to find employment for the upcoming season. As always, we’ll keep track of any notable transactions right here:
- After former NHL goaltender Glen Hanlon decided to resign from his job as head coach of the Krefeld Pinguine before the DEL season even got underway, there have been several other departures from the team. Colin Smith, who played one NHL game for the Colorado Avalanche in 2014-15 and was a solid AHL contributor for years, has decided to leave the German club to pursue an opportunity in Sweden. Smith, 27, has spent the last two seasons playing in the DEL.
- The Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL have snapped up a pair of college players, signing Derek Lodermeier and Jacob Panetta to minor league contracts for this season. Lodermeier, 25, was the captain of the University of Vermont team for the last two seasons, scoring 11 points in 34 games this year.
- Michael Joly will have to settle for a step down this season, signing an ECHL contract with the Wheeling Nailers after playing the last two seasons entirely in the AHL. Joly, 25, won the Kelly Cup with the Colorado Eagles the last time he played in the ECHL, leading the league in goals and earning playoff MVP honors. He moved up to the AHL with the Eagles in 2018 and had 49 points over the last two seasons.
Dan Vladar Loaned To HC Dynamo Pardubice
Just a few months after his eye-popping three-year extension, Dan Vladar will soon be back on the ice. The Boston Bruins have loaned the young goaltender to HC Dynamo Pardubice in the Czech Republic until training camps open in North America. His new Czech team has been dealing with injuries at the goaltending position, but may not actually get Vladar for that long, depending on when the Bruins believe he’ll have to come back to prepare for the upcoming AHL season. Some prospects around the NHL have already terminated their loan agreements and are coming to North America (though, usually those are for Canadian teams with stricter traveling quarantine protocols).
Vladar, 23, was absolutely outstanding for the Providence Bruins in 2019-20. He posted the AHL’s best goals-against average, 1.79, and save percentage, .936, in 25 appearances, going 14-7-1 in the process. He also played one game for the Atlanta Gladiators of the ECHL and even made his NHL debut by entering a postseason game for Boston.
Selected 75th overall in 2015, Vladar has a chance to be the future starter for the Bruins, who are currently going with a mid-thirties tandem of Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak, both on expiring deals. To get there, he’ll have to continue on the strong development track he’s shown so far, meaning game action is crucially important. With no clear timeline for the AHL, getting some ice time in Europe can only help him prepare for the upcoming season.
No Talks Between Montreal Canadiens, Phillip Danault
The Montreal Canadiens have done quite a bit of work this offseason, reshaping their roster while also locking up a couple of their core pieces. Tyler Toffoli, Josh Anderson, Joel Edmundson, and Jake Allen will provide a new look for the team next season, while Brendan Gallagher and Jeff Petry were both given expensive, long-term extensions. One other name that some have hoped would earn an extension is Phillip Danault, who is heading into the final season of his three-year, $9.25MM deal and coming off another strong two-way performance.
Danault, 27, will likely never be a 30-goal scorer or top offensive producer at the NHL level, but has provided quite a bit of value for the Canadiens in other ways. Finishing seventh in Selke voting in 2019 and sixth this past year, he has also managed to record 165 points in 286 games over the last four seasons. One of the best faceoff men in the league, an excellent penalty killer, and a strong role model for the Canadiens younger centers, a long-term extension could be a good fit for both sides.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear as though those talks have happened yet. Danault spoke with reporters today including Eric Engels of Sportsnet and told them “at this point, there’s no negotiations” going on regarding his next contract. Of course, it’s not even clear if he wants to stay in Montreal given the fact that his role may eventually be reduced, with the emergence of Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Nick Suzuki. After the Canadiens were eliminated from the 2020 postseason—where coincidentally Kotkaniemi and Suzuki both played well and outscored Danault—he told reporters that he doesn’t necessarily want to be relegated to a purely defensive role on the team and believes he has even more offensive ability to contribute.
For the Canadiens, having Danault as a third-line option would be a luxury, one perhaps they’re not willing to pay for. The team traded away Max Domi this offseason because there wasn’t a clear fit for him down the middle and he was going to need a big raise. A similar departure may happen to Danault if the team believes there isn’t a financial match for the role they want him to play.
There is good reason to believe other teams would be willing to give him that increased opportunity though, even if his career-high of 13 goals isn’t very impressive. Strong possession numbers and solid production at even-strength—just 12 of Danault’s 175 career points have come on the powerplay—are exactly what many are looking for down the middle.
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Juho Lammikko Signs With Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers have signed Juho Lammikko to a one-year, two-way contract, bringing him back into the organization. Lammikko played last season overseas but the Panthers had retained his exclusive RFA rights by issuing him a qualifying offer. He was recently playing in the KHL with Magnitogorsk but terminated his contract a few days ago, likely in order to return to North America. CapFriendly reports that the deal is worth $725K at the NHL level.
Lammikko, 24, actually played 40 games for the Panthers in 2018-19, serving as the team’s fourth-line center for the first half of the year. Unfortunately he wasn’t able to score a single goal during that time, recording just six assists in his limited minutes. Perhaps that’s why the 6’2″ forward returned to Finland, where he showed he can be much more than a defensive presence, scoring 22 goals and 51 points in just 57 games for Karpat. Things haven’t gone quite as smoothly through 22 games in the KHL, but there should still be some hope that Lammikko can make it back to the NHL.
The question will be whether he can log 40 games this season, given the reduced schedule and different looking Panthers depth chart. If he doesn’t, Lammikko would become a Group VI unrestricted free agent in 2021 (though the playing time requirements could be tweaked if the league plays a drastically reduced season).
Vegas Golden Knights, Columbus Blue Jackets Confirm Positive COVID-19 Tests
Last night, the Vegas Golden Knights confirmed to Frank Seravalli of TSN that four players recently tested positive for COVID-19. The team explained that all four have been self-isolating and are recovering, but that the off-ice player areas at the Golden Knights facility would be closed through the Thanksgiving weekend. That includes the locker room, lounge, gym, training room, and video room. Seravalli adds that several family members of Golden Knights players have also tested positive.
Today, Seravalli has more coronavirus news. The Columbus Blue Jackets have had a “significant” number of players test positive over the last seven to ten days. The team has released this statement:
The Blue Jackets had several players recently test positive for the COVID-19 virus. Those players immediately began to quarantine and the club closed its off-ice facilities at Nationwide Arena beginning the week of November 16. No voluntary workouts were scheduled this week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The organization has and will continue to follow all recommended guidelines aimed at protecting the health and safety of our players, staff and community at large as set by the NHL, local, state and national agencies. The club anticipates players returning to our facilities next week for voluntary on- and off-ice workouts.
Obviously, the desire is to have all of the players safely prepare for the upcoming season without contracting the disease, but as we’ve seen with other sports this year, that is unlikely. The MLB got through a 60-game season and playoffs, eventually crowning the Los Angeles Dodgers as World Series champions despite several COVID-19 outbreaks that were contained and dealt with around the league. The NFL is continuing their own season, despite many players testing positive for the disease throughout the season.
The NHL, if it is to hold its season outside of a bubble, will likely have to deal with the same situations. When teams were originally preparing for the return to play postseason this summer, there were several outbreaks that kept players off the ice and away from the rink. The St. Louis Blues for instance explained after being eliminated that around one-fifth of their roster had tested positive at some point before entering the bubble. The Golden Knights and Blue Jackets will likely not be the last to announce outbreaks as things start ramping up again.
Boston Bruins Re-Sign Jake DeBrusk
The Boston Bruins have finally signed Jake DeBrusk, inking the restricted free agent forward to a two-year deal. The new contract will carry an average annual value of $3.675MM. DeBrusk was not eligible for salary arbitration. PuckPedia reports the salary breakdown:
- 2020-21: $2.5MM
- 2021-22: $4.85MM
It’s hard to know exactly what DeBrusk is for this Boston team. Is he the fourth musketeer behind David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron, and Brad Marchand, able to elevate a second line and provide enough secondary scoring to make the Bruins perennial Stanley Cup contenders? Or is he the inconsistent winger that scored just 35 points last season and bounced all over the lineup? After his 27-goal output in just 68 games during the 2018-19 season many may have answered the former, but this bridge deal proves that it is not yet decided.
Now 24, DeBrusk is a scouts dream, armed with speed, skill, and an in-your-face attitude that can knock opponents off their game (or into the press box). He has all the tools to be a top scoring threat in the NHL but is still frustratingly inconsistent and disappears too often. There’s no doubt that he can be an asset to any team, especially one like the Bruins who can usually (at least in recent times) look ahead to the playoffs before the season even begins. The postseason is where DeBrusk should thrive and he has shown he can be a difference-maker there, scoring 14 goals and 23 points in 49 games.
But the idea of signing him to a long-term, big-money deal still seems risky for the Bruins. This two-year bridge deal will give DeBrusk a chance to prove exactly what he is in the NHL and give Boston a better idea of how their financial situation will look down the road. Brandon Carlo will need a new contract after the upcoming season and Charlie McAvoy‘s will now expire at the same time as DeBrusk—who, notably, will still be an RFA at the end of this deal. With Bergeron now firmly in his mid-thirties, David Krejci on the final year of his deal, and Zdeno Chara not even re-signed this fall, the veteran core of the Bruins could look very different by the time the team negotiates another contract with DeBrusk. If he has taken another step forward, perhaps he can be a part of the new core that takes over.
Of course, if there was any thought of moving on from the inconsistent winger this offseason, it probably went out the window when the Bruins received injury updates on Pastrnak and Marchand. Both players are expected to miss the beginning of the season after undergoing major surgery, meaning DeBrusk may actually get a chance to play next to Bergeron on the top line. At the very least he should receive increased minutes and a chance to prove he can produce at the very top of a lineup.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Henderson Silver Knights Hire Joel Ward, Jamie Heward
The Henderson Silver Knights, who will serve as the new AHL franchise for the Vegas Golden Knights, have rounded out their coaching staff today. The Silver Knights hired Joel Ward and Jamie Heward to serve as assistant coaches for Manny Viveiros, who will be the team’s first head coach.
Ward, 39, is very familiar to NHL fans who watched him suit up for more than 800 games over the last 15 years, playing his final three seasons with the San Jose Sharks under head coach Pete DeBoer, who now leads the Golden Knights. He announced his retirement earlier this year and will now jump right into the coaching ranks with the Silver Knights. If there is someone that knows what it takes to grind your way up from the minor leagues and make an impact at the NHL it’s Ward, who went undrafted out of the OHL, spent four years playing Canadian college hockey at the University of Prince Edward Island and then finally got a chance with the Houston Aeros. Ward would end up scoring 133 goals and 304 points in his 726 regular season games, twice cracking the 20-goal mark in the NHL.
Heward meanwhile only played 394 games in his NHL career, but has already spent quite some time in the coaching circuit. An associate coach for the Vancouver Giants the last two seasons, he had previously spent five years as an assistant and director of player development with the Swift Current Broncos. During two of those years in Swift Current, Heward worked under Viveiros, including when they won the WHL championship in 2018.
The Silver Knights were relocated and rebranded from the San Antonio Rampage when the Golden Knights purchased the franchise in February. They are expected to play at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas whenever the AHL season begins, while they wait on the construction of their own facility in Henderson.