New York Rangers To Loan Vitali Kravtsov To KHL
The New York Rangers have decided to send Vitali Kravtsov back to the KHL, at least for now. Larry Brooks of the New York Post reports that Kravtsov will be loaned back to Traktor Chelyabinsk for the 2020-21 season.
It’s been a very interesting year for Kravtsov, the ninth-overall pick from 2018. Last September it seemed as though he may challenge for a roster spot in the NHL with the Rangers, but after failing to make the team and being sent to the minor leagues things quickly went awry. Kravtsov was a healthy scratch for the Hartford Wolf Pack and played just five minor league games before exercising his European Assignment Clause to return to the KHL.
Less than two months after arriving in Russia though, he ended up back on a plane to Hartford where he spent the rest of the season. In all, Kravtsov played just 11 games for Traktor (scoring three points) while suiting up 39 times for the Wolf Pack. Splitting 50 games between two different leagues (and continents), while scoring only 18 points certainly isn’t the usual path for a top prospect with as much skill as Kravtsov, but that’s exactly what happened in this case.
Brooks does not specify whether Kravtsov will be back for NHL training camp in a few months, but even if he did there’s no telling for certain at this point. What is important, at least for fans of the Rangers hoping for another top offensive weapon, is that he’s going to be getting into game action quickly and (hopefully) consistently. Still just 20 years old, Kravtsov has a long playing career ahead of him and years of development to go.
Minor Transactions: 08/21/20
We’re just about through the first round of the NHL playoffs and there is now more than half the league looking towards next season. With that in mind, many free agents are making their decisions on where to play. We’ll keep track of any minor deals or moves right here:
- Reece Scarlett has been linked to the KHL for next season, with a report indicating he will sign with Dinamo Riga. The long-time minor league defender has spent the last three seasons with the Texas Stars of the AHL, getting the Calder Cup Final with them in 2018. A sixth-round pick of the New Jersey Devils, Scarlett has never gotten a chance to play an NHL game.
- Axel Andersson has been loaned to Sodertalje SK of the Swedish second league to begin the year, the team announced, returning to Europe after just one year in the CHL. The 20-year-old defenseman was a second-round pick of the Boston Bruins in 2018, but found his way over to the Anaheim Ducks as part of the Ondrej Kase trade earlier this year. Given the Duck’s defensive depth – or lack thereof – in the pipeline, Andersson could be pushing for an NHL job sooner rather than later.
- Former NHL defenseman Taylor Chorney will not be returning to North America this year, after signing a contract with EC Salzburg. A veteran of 166 NHl games, mostly with the Washington Capitals, Chorney spent the last two seasons with HC Lugano in the NLA.
- The AHL’s Hershey Bears have announced a one-year extension for big defenseman Eddie Wittchow. Wittchow, a former Florida Panthers prospect, has had an up-and-down pro career and is likely happy to have found a more permanent home. The 6’5″ defender and former University of Wisconsin standout signed with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds in 2016 and eventually earned an NHL contract from their parent club, the Panthers, the following year. However, another offer did not come and he spent 2018-19 in Finland before landing with Hershey and splitting his season between the AHL and ECHL this year.
Snapshots: Stars-Avalanche, Dubois, Seabrook
The NHL hasn’t even finished the first round, with two series playing game six tonight, but they’re already moving on with at least one second-round series. The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars are set to start their battle tomorrow night according to several reports including Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
The league obviously wants to take advantage of a Saturday night, but also is determined to get through the bubble-playoffs as quickly as possible. Both first-round game sevens, should they be needed, are scheduled for Sunday.
- Pierre-Luc Dubois wasn’t able to carry the Columbus Blue Jackets to a first-round victory but did show that he’s an emerging star in the NHL. That will only help him when he negotiates his next contract this fall. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic examines the young center’s situation, explaining that he believes a three-year deal would make sense. Interestingly though, LeBrun writes that “if Dubois signs longer term, it’s going to be for tangibly more than [William] Nylander.” The Toronto Maple Leafs forward signed a six-year, $45MM deal in 2018.
- The Chicago Blackhawks are still hoping that Brent Seabrook can be an impact player for them in 2020-21, even after his major surgeries limited him to just 32 games this season and took him out of the postseason. Seabrook, who rehabbed hard to try and be a part of the team in the bubble, will have his role “figured out in training camp” according to Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman, who spoke to reporters including John Dietz of the Daily Herald. The 35-year-old defenseman has four years remaining on his contract.
Brandon Dubinsky Unlikely To Play Again
The Columbus Blue Jackets were without Brandon Dubinsky for the entire 2019-20 season thanks to a chronic wrist injury, but he does have another year under contract with the team. Unfortunately, at this point, it doesn’t appear as though he will be able to return at any point. Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen told reporters today including Aaron Portzline of The Athletic that Dubinsky will “most likely” not play again because of the injury.
If that’s it for the veteran forward, he leaves the NHL with quite a successful career. A second-round draft pick of the New York Rangers in 2004, Dubinsky was in the NHL before his 21st birthday and never looked back. A heart-and-soul contributor for the Rangers throughout the first five full seasons of his career, he recorded 213 points in 393 regular season games on broadway.
In 2012 he was part of the massive trade that took Rick Nash to New York, heading back to Columbus beside Artem Anisimov and a first-round pick. Dubinsky would sign a long-term extension with the Blue Jackets in 2014, one that will still pay him $5.85MM next season even as he hits long-term injured reserve.
For the Blue Jackets, this actually may be something of a blessing in disguise, despite the leadership role that Dubinsky serves on the club. The team can move him to LTIR and gain a bit of extra cap flexibility instead of seeing his contract—which carries the second-highest cap hit on the team—anchor their finances next season.
Alternatively, because Dubinsky’s contract still owes him a full $5.85MM in salary, the Blue Jackets could move it to another team. Clubs all over the NHL will be looking to cut costs as revenue plummets, leading to an opportunity for those that are still financially stable. Columbus have made moves like this in the past, initially swapping Nathan Horton and David Clarkson‘s contracts with Toronto because of a difference in insurance coverage, and then giving up draft picks to Vegas in order for them to take Clarkson’s deal off the books as well.
It is unfortunate how it looks like it will end for Dubinsky, but the 34-year-old can look back and be proud of an 823-game career. He is currently sixth all-time in Blue Jackets scoring, and had 438 points overall.
Joakim Nygard Loaned To Farjestad BK
The Edmonton Oilers continue to loan players out all over the world as they wait for the 2020-21 NHL season to begin. This time it’s Joakim Nygard, who has been loaned to Farjestad BK in the SHL. While the announcement doesn’t indicate he’ll be back for training camp, you can assume that the 27-year old will come back to North America for his second crack at making the Edmonton roster.
This season, Nygard looked like might be a useful piece for the Oilers to retain given his speed and forechecking ability. The undrafted winger had nine points in 33 games playing almost exclusively in the bottom-six, but ended up breaking his hand in January which finished his season. The Oilers obviously felt as though he should get another chance though, as they signed him to a one-year contract extension just a few days later.
Now returning to Edmonton with just an $875K cap hit, Nygard could be a useful piece for the roster as they try to continue building a speedier group around Connor McDavid. Getting back into game action is crucial for the Swedish winger, given he hasn’t played meaningful hockey in six months.
Pittsburgh Penguins Sign Josh Maniscalco
The Pittsburgh Penguins have added another undrafted college free agent to their program, signing Josh Maniscalco to a three-year entry-level contract. Maniscalco played just two years at Arizona State University and will forego his junior and senior seasons in order to turn pro. Penguins GM Jim Rutherford released a short statement on the deal:
Josh is a solid puck-moving, offensive defenseman. He jumps into the rush and plays a style that is complementary to our group. We think highly of his character and are happy to add Josh to the organization.
Like they have so many times before, the Penguins hope to turn an undrafted talent into a depth player for the organization that can provide an inexpensive contribution. Names like Conor Sheary, Zach Aston-Reese and Adam Johnson have all turned into NHL players for the club despite not being drafted.
Unlike those forwards however, Maniscalco comes to the Penguins as a high-flying defenseman that put up 32 points in 36 games this season. The 6’2″ right-hander could potentially challenge for a role on the club next season if they make sweeping changes, or be a call-up option over the next few years.
Brendan Gallagher Suffers Broken Jaw
After taking a hard cross-check from Matt Niskanen, Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher has suffered a broken jaw according to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports. Niskanen is having a hearing with the Department of Player Safety for the incident, but no suspension has been given out just yet. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic got word right from the Canadiens GM, as Marc Bergevin confirmed “Gally has a broken jaw.”
There are few players in the NHL that can get under an opponent’s skin like Gallagher, but the 28-year-old isn’t just a pest. He’s also one of the most effective offensive pieces the Canadiens have, as he’s shown this postseason with a league-leading 37 shots on net through nine games. In fact, Gallagher scored a go-ahead goal last night against the Flyers, batting a puck out of the air on the powerplay.
Unfortunately, Lavoie reports that Gallagher will require surgery and is out for the rest of the series against the Flyers. That kind of diagnosis will be taken into account for Niskanen’s suspension, which could potentially take him out for the Flyers as well.
The teams will match-up again tomorrow night for game six, where pleasantries will surely be exchanged early.
Snapshots: Johnson, Boudreau, Hall
The Pittsburgh Penguins were upset by the Montreal Canadiens in the qualification round, meaning they didn’t qualify for the regular 16-team Stanley Cup playoffs. That’s the first time since 2006, meaning it was easy to understand why GM Jim Rutherford wants to make some changes. What might be less easy to understand is Rutherford’s continued defense of Jack Johnson, which continued today in a piece by Josh Yohe of The Athletic.
Here’s my summary of this situation. Maybe Jack Johnson isn’t as good as I think he is. Maybe. But he’s not as bad as all of the anti-Jack Johnson people think he is. I’ll tell you what he is: He’s a solid, third-pairing defenseman if he’s playing with the right guy. He’s a player that I happen to really like and I think he’s a better player than a lot of people want to give him credit for.
Johnson has never had strong analytics behind his play, but through the first part of his career, produced consistent offensive numbers in bigger minutes. Rutherford and the Penguins signed him to a five-year, $16.25MM deal in 2018 that still has three seasons remaining. If changes are coming, it doesn’t currently look like Johnson is one, though Rutherford has been known to reconsider early-offseason comments before.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs have an assistant coach opening beside Sheldon Keefe after Paul McFarland returned to the OHL to take over head coaching and GM duties of the Kingston Frontenacs. Speculation immediately went to former Maple Leafs player Bruce Boudreau, who is looking for work after being fired by the Minnesota Wild this season. Boudreau has long been a candidate to join the Maple Leafs given his ties to and support of the organization, and now James Mirtle of The Athletic reports that the team asked Minnesota for permission to speak with him over the last few months. Boudreau, understandably, is looking for another head coaching opportunity before considering an assistant job, but is “intrigued by the idea” according to Mirtle.
- The Arizona Coyotes were outscored 14-2 by the Colorado Avalanche in their final two games of the postseason and now have plenty of work to do this offseason. Not only do they have Steve Sullivan quickly taking the reins as GM after the departure of John Chayka, but have a huge decision to make on the future of Taylor Hall. The 28-year-old forward is a pending free agent, and Craig Button of TSN doesn’t believe the Coyotes should even entertain re-signing him. Button explains that the Coyotes don’t have the supporting cast to justify signing Hall to an expensive, long-term contract—though he then suggests that Hall should be looking for a one-year deal with a contender to rebuild his value.
Prospect Notes: Thomson, Mysak, Wilkes-Barre
The Ottawa Senators have loaned Lassi Thomson back to his Finnish club for the start of the 2020-21 season to get the young defenseman playing in meaningful games. Thomson, the 19th overall pick from 2019, signed his entry-level contract last year but spent the season playing in Finland with Ilves. Even suiting up at that level as a teenager is impressive, but Thomson recorded 13 points in 39 games while also logging big minutes for the World Junior club. Senators GM Pierre Dorion explains why he’ll be back in Finland to start the season:
Playing league games is beneficial to any young player’s development. To Lassi’s credit, he expressed a desire to do so and it’s something that we very much support. Starting the year with the same Finnish team for which he (Thomson) played last season provides him with his best preparation opportunity ahead of our next training camp.
The important note is ahead of training camp, when Thomson will likely be back on North American ice to show the Senators up close what he can do. As with any rebuilding team, there will be opportunity galore for young players with the kind of upside Thomson possesses, but with plenty of other names on the depth chart he’ll have to really show he’s ready before they burn a year of his entry-level contract by putting him in NHL games.
- After playing a half-season for the Hamilton Bulldogs of the OHL, Jan Mysak will be returning to the Czech Republic for the time being. The 2020 draft prospect scored 25 points in 22 games for Hamilton after coming over midseason and could potentially be picked in the first round come October. NHL Central Scouting ranked him the 28th best skater in North America, but he’ll be back overseas to prepare for his professional career.
- The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have signed Felix Robert and Luke Stevens to AHL contracts for 2020-21, bringing in a pair of prospects that have aged-out of their respective amateur programs. Robert was a linemate of Penguins prospect Samuel Poulin this season with the Sherbrooke Phoenix of the QMJHL and led the team in scoring with 92 points in just 46 games. The 21-year old went undrafted but used his experience to dominate the competition this season even standing just 5’8″. Stevens meanwhile was a fifth-round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2015 but failed to sign a contract with them and became an unrestricted free agent last weekend. Through his four years at Yale, he recorded 35 points in 101 games.
Matt Niskanen To Have Hearing With Department Of Player Safety
The Department of Player Safety has some work to do, announcing a scheduled hearing for today with Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Matt Niskanen. The hearing concerns an incident from last night’s game, in which Niskanen cross-checked Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher. Niskanen was not penalized on the play, while Gallagher has been scheduled for a CT scan to examine the extent of his injury (though he played the rest of the game).
Flyers fans will not be happy with this decision, at least in the context of the rest of the game. Jesperi Kotkaniemi will not receive any supplementary discipline for his check on Travis Sanheim, which earned him a five-minute major and game misconduct. There will also be nothing from the league on the hit at the end of the game which caused a scrum and three more misconducts.
In an arena with no fans with players isolated from the rest of the world, the Flyers and Canadiens are summoning images of another era of hockey. The two teams combined for 67 penalty minutes last night and now a suspension, but will have to get back on the ice tomorrow night.