Montreal Canadiens Sign Alex Belzile
The Montreal Canadiens have signed minor league forward Alex Belzile to a one-year, two-way contract worth $700K at the NHL level.
This will be Belzile’s first NHL contract despite having played seven years of professional hockey. The 27-year old forward went undrafted out of the QMJHL despite an impressive 92-point season in 2011-12, and ended up playing in the ECHL for several seasons. Bouncing around from club to club in the minor leagues, Belzile has suited up for the Gwinnett Gladiators, Hamilton Bulldogs, Alaska Aces, Idaho Steelheads, Fort Wayne Komets, San Antonio Rampage, Colorado Eagles and most recently the Laval Rocket.
It was with the Rocket that Belzile really found a home, scoring 19 goals and 54 points last season and being rewarded with an appearance in the AH: All-Star game. That kind of recognition is a long time coming for the veteran minor league forward, who has had great seasons in the ECHL but was rarely given a long opportunity in the higher levels.
That’s not to say that he will play a role on the Canadiens next season. Almost certainly Belzile will be sent back to the Rocket to begin the season and likely will spend the entirety of the contract in the AHL. Still, he provides some experience and depth for the Canadiens if they desperately need an injury replacement for next season.
Pavel Francouz Re-Signs With Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche may have found their NHL backup for next season. The team has re-signed Pavel Francouz to a one-year one-way contract for 2019-20 worth $950K. Francouz was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Colorado signed Francouz out of the KHL in 2018 for just $690K despite his incredible numbers for Chelyabinsk. The Czech goaltender posted a .953 save percentage in 2016-17 and followed that with a .946 in 2017-18, but was somehow not nearly as coveted as fellow free agent KHL goaltender Mikko Koskinen, who signed with the Edmonton Oilers for $2.5MM. The difference in expectation may simply be because of Francouz’ stature, as he stands just 6’0″, much smaller than most NHL goaltenders—Koskinen, for comparison measures 6’7″.
That small stature certainly didn’t stop Francouz from succeeding in North America however. Starting 49 games for the Colorado Eagles of the AHL, the 28-year old goaltender recorded a .918 save percentage and 27-20-1 record, only to post even better numbers during his two NHL appearances. While Koskinen is now signed to a three-year, $13.5MM contract with Edmonton, the Avalanche have managed to bring back Francouz on another bargain-basement contract that gives them plenty of options this summer.
Philipp Grubauer figures to be the Colorado starter next season given Semyon Varlamov‘s pending free agency, but the team could still bring in another veteran to give them more of a tandem look. Grubauer has never started more than 37 games in a single season, though he certainly proved he was capable of playing deep into the year when he posted a .925 save percentage in 12 playoff appearances. Otherwise, they could now use Francouz as the primary backup and use the extra money to go after some other free agents. GM Joe Sakic has admitted he plans on being “more aggressive” in the free agent market this year, and Colorado is set up with oodles of cap room to work with even after some of the incoming restricted free agent deals.
Interestingly, this was a move that was almost a requirement for the Avalanche. The team only has two other goaltenders in the entire organization under contract for 2019-20, and teams are required to have three at all times. That meant someone needed to be signed by July 1st, though an agreement could have been made with RFA Spencer Martin to fulfill those needs. Instead it’s Francouz, who will take over the No. 2 spot on the depth chart for now.
Overseas Notes: Olympics, Jokerit, Nygard
The qualification rules for the 2022 Olympic hockey tournament have been set, with the top eight ranked countries in the world from 2019 will automatically qualify. Those countries are Canada, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, USA, Germany and Switzerland, meaning others like Slovakia, Denmark and Latvia will have to battle to earn a spot.
Interestingly though, host China will also be given a spot in the tournament without further qualification. The Chinese team is currently ranked 33rd (right between Iceland and Israel) in the world will be the lowest ranked team to ever compete in an Olympic hockey tournament. Still, the NHL is trying desperately to expand their footprint in China and if they end up sending players to the tournament it can only help to have them share the ice with the country’s best players.
- Jokerit Helsinki will now be fully owned and operated by Finnish nationals, as legendary forward Jari Kurri has taken over as majority owner and Chairman of the Board. Jokerit joined the KHL in 2014 after decades in Finland’s Liiga, and have found great success even in the higher league. The team finished second to CSKA in the Bobrov division this season with a record of 32-19-6. Kurri, a Hall of Fame player from his days skating beside Wayne Gretzky in Edmonton, has served as general manager of Jokerit in the past and is still extremely involved with hockey in Finland.
- Swedish reports had surfaced that free agent forward Joakim Nygard had picked the Edmonton Oilers as his NHL destination, and Ryan Rishaug of TSN has heard the same. While the team has still not announced a contract, Rishaug notes that the deal will be a one-year entry-level contract and Nygard will be a UFA again after the 2019-20 season. The speedy winger can hopefully step straight into the Oilers lineup and provide some much needed scoring depth on the wing.
Poll: Who Will Win The IIHF World Championship?
The IIHF World Championship held their quarter-final games today and they didn’t disappoint for the fans in attendance. Three of the four contests ended up as one-goal games, with fireworks in the last few seconds of the Canada-Switzerland game taking the highlight of the night. New Jersey Devils defenseman Damon Severson scored with just 0.4 seconds left on the clock in regulation to tie the game, before Mark Stone put Canada through to the semi-final in overtime.
Finland shocked the tournament by knocking off the Swedes in a back and forth game, which needed a tying goal from their captain with the goaltender out of the net. Finland would complete the comeback in overtime, sending Sweden—who many considered a favorite given their star-studded lineup—home without a medal of any color.
Team USA will suffer the same fate, as they were knocked out by the powerhouse Russian squad in a matchup they would’ve avoided if possible. The American squad finished in fourth in Group A during the preliminary round thanks to an unfortunate loss to Slovakia in their first game. Potential first-overall pick Jack Hughes ends his tournament with two assists today (three total) and was named the best player of the game for the USA.
Canada will move on to take on a Czech squad who easily dispatched Germany in the fourth quarter-final game, thanks to a three-point effort from Jan Kovar. While Canada is always a dangerous country in international hockey, their team this year didn’t look dominant on paper. That was shown by them barely squeaking through against Switzerland, meaning the Czech should feel just fine about their chances at this point.
There is no shortage of talent on the Russian squad, including Mikhail Sergachev and Nikita Gusev who both had three points in the game today. That’s not what people were saying about Finland before the tournament started, who have only a handful of players with any NHL experience at all. Still, the Finns are extremely well coached and have a 18-year old star in the making in top draft prospect Kaapo Kakko that can create offense at any moment.
This is the last high level hockey for NHL stars out of the playoffs, meaning they can give their all before having a summer of recovery. Sunday will bring with it the gold and bronze medal games, so get your vote in now for who you think will win!
Who will win the 2019 IIHF World Championship?
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Russia 46% (433)
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Canada 35% (327)
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Finland 14% (128)
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Czech Republic 5% (48)
Total votes: 936
[Mobile users click here to vote]
Snapshots: Thornton, Pavelski, Chelios
The San Jose Sharks have plenty of tough decisions this summer when it comes to unrestricted free agents, but one of the most interesting will be regarding Joe Thornton. The veteran forward will turn 40 the day after free agency opens but is coming off another solid season with 16 goals and 51 points. Thornton spoke to Kevin Kurz of The Athletic today at the season-ending media availability, and told him that he hadn’t made a decision on his future yet but would only play in San Jose if he does continue his career.
The 39-year old now has 1,478 points in 1,566 games during his long NHL career, but hasn’t been able to lift the Stanley Cup a single time. After two major knee injuries and another disappointing finish, who knows whether he wants to suit it up again in 2019-20. Scheduled to become a UFA, Thornton was operating this season on a one-year, $5MM deal.
- Meanwhile, Joe Pavelski is also an unrestricted free agent this summer but is “pretty confident” he’ll be back, according to Kurz. Amazingly, Pavelski had hand surgery two weeks ago but continued to suit up in the playoffs despite that and several other serious injuries. The 34-year old captain of the Sharks had an outstanding season with 38 goals, and was the heart and soul of the team once again in the postseason.
- Jake Chelios won’t be re-signing with the Detroit Red Wings, as he has accepted a two-year contract in the KHL. Chelios is headed to China to play for Kunlun Red Star after making his NHL debut earlier this season. The son of legendary defenseman Chris Chelios, Jake played four seasons at Michigan State University before suiting up in the AHL for the last five years.
Slava Voynov Eligible To Return Early After Arbitration Decision
Slava Voynov will still be suspended for an entire season, but a neutral arbitrator has ruled that he has already served 41 games of that ban. Voynov will now be eligible to return to NHL play at the mid-point of the 2019-20 season after the ruling from arbitrator Shyam Das. The league issued this statement:
We have reviewed Arbitrator Das’ opinion in the NHLPA’s appeal of Vyacheslav Voynov’s suspension for domestic assault, which upheld the Commissioner’s imposition of a one-season (one-year) suspension for Voynov’s off-ice conduct in October 2014. In his decision, Arbitrator Das confirmed that there was substantial evidence to support each of the Commissioner’s material factual findings as well as the quantum of discipline imposed. Arbitrator Das described his decision to grant Mr. Voynov some ‘credit for time served’ for a portion of the 2018-19 season as being due to various ‘highly unusual faces and circumstances [which] were not contemplated by the drafters of [the CBA] and do not easily fit into its procedures.’ While we do not believe Mr. Voynov was entitled to any ‘credit’ for time missed during the 2018-19 season, we accept Arbitrator Das’ conclusion that the precise factual context here was unusual—including the fact that Voynov has not played in the NHL since October 2014, and that he did not play professional hockey at all during the 2018-19 season.
Taken in its totality, we are satisfied that Arbitrator Das’ decision supports our strongly held views that the conduct engaged in by Mr. Voynov in this case was completely unacceptable and worthy of significant League-imposed discipline. The decision also confirms and reaffirms the Commissioner’s braod authority under the CBA and applicable League Rules to establish—and to enforce—appropriate standards of conduct for individuals involved in the National Hockey League.
Currently, the Los Angeles Kings hold the rights to Voynov and would be the only team allowed to sign him. That won’t be happening however, as Los Angeles announced that he will “not be playing for the Kings.” That means in order for him to play this season the Kings would either have to trade his rights or complete a sign-and-trade with another team. Whether they will be open to that is unclear.
In 2014, Voynov was arrested following a domestic violence incident and spent nearly two months in jail after pleading no contest. He was suspended indefinitely by the league and returned to Russia to play in the KHL, where he suited up for three years with St. Petersburg SKA. Last summer he petitioned the court to have his conviction dismissed, and started the process for reinstatement to the NHL.
The incident revolved around Voynov and his wife, Marta Varlamova. It has been detailed and examined countless times since the arrest—perhaps most thoroughly by The Athletic’s Katie Strang (subscription required) last June—and will certainly bring about plenty more media speculation now that his name is back in the news.
Mike Modano Hired By Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild have officially announced the return of Mike Modano to the State of Hockey, hiring former North Stars player as an executive advisor. Modano will work with the upper management and ownership in several capacities not necessarily involved with the hockey operations. Though he doesn’t begin until September, the team is already quite excited about bringing in the Hall of Fame talent. Owner Craig Leipold released a statement:
We are extremely excited to welcome Mike Modano to the Minnesota Wild organization,. His Hall of Fame career was one of the best in the history of the NHL and we look forward to Mike helping our organization build an even greater State of Hockey.
Modano, 48, was originally selected first overall by the Minnesota North Stars in 1988. He immediately became a star upon arrival in the NHL, scoring 75 points in his first season with the North Stars and finishing second in Calder Trophy voting behind only 31-year old Sergei Makarov—an infamous decision that was quite controversial at the time. Even without that hardware, the league was put on notice that Modano could very well be a game-changing force right from the very beginning and he did not disappoint throughout his career.
Following the North Stars to Dallas in 1993, Modano became the face of hockey in the American south and went on to have a Hall of Fame career. In 1,499 career regular season games—all but 40 of which were played with one franchise—Modano recorded 1,374 points and is first among American-born scorers. In 176 playoff games he put up 146 points and helped lead Dallas to a Stanley Cup in 1999.
He held a similar position to this one with the Stars for two years but has lived in Arizona for the last several years. That will change now as he takes this opportunity with the Wild, one that he is happy to have given his history in Minnesota:
I am very thankful for this opportunity and excited to work with Craig and [President Matt Majka] to help support a number of Minnesota Wild business initiatives. I have always felt a special relationship with this community and look forward to reconnecting with all the wonderful fans in the State of Hockey as a member of the Wild organization.
Minnesota, Pittsburgh In Trade Talks Regarding Phil Kessel
2:40pm: Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic has actually heard that Kessel may not waive his clause for a deal to Minnesota. Other teams that are on his small trade list have contacted the Penguins, and LeBrun believes it is a matter of “when not if” for a trade at this point.
1:05pm: The Pittsburgh Penguins haven’t been secretive about their plans to shake up the roster this summer, and Phil Kessel‘s name has been front and center in all of the trade speculation. That seems to be coming to a head, as Josh Yohe of The Atheltic (subscription required) reports that the Penguins are in talks with the Minnesota Wild on a trade revolving around Kessel. Yohe notes that Jason Zucker, who has also been available in recent months, would likely be going the other way if a deal can be reached, while Jack Johnson and Victor Rask have been discussed.
The trade has apparently been “on the table for days” with Kessel’s no-trade clause the only impediment at this point. That trade clause allows Kessel to submit a list of only eight teams he can be traded to, though he can obviously waive it to accept a deal anywhere else.
Kessel, 31, is coming off another point-per-game season that saw him register 27 goals and 82 points while continuing his near decade long iron man streak. The veteran winger is an incredible offensive player but has often been critiqued for his inconsistent defensive effort and prickly personality. While teammates will often speak extremely highly of the Wisconsin native, he has proven difficult to coach at times and has already been traded twice in his career.
Still, his offensive ability and Stanley Cup experience are exactly what the Wild are looking for after failing to make the playoffs this season. Owner Craig Leipold recently made it clear that he wants the team to get back to the postseason tournament next season, and GM Paul Fenton has already done quite a bit of work to break up the former veteran core. Charlie Coyle, Mikael Granlund and Nino Niederreiter have all been shipped out over the last few months, and Zucker could now be on his way out as well.
Yohe’s colleague Michael Russo detailed earlier this week how Zucker was being shopped around, and even listed Kessel first in his examination of potential returns. The fact that Kessel provides a right-handed shot for the Wild forward group, an attribute they are desperately in need of, makes him an even more attractive option.
Obviously if a deal is completed it will likely include more than just the two forwards, but in a vacuum they don’t represent very different financial commitments. Zucker has four years left on his contract that carries a $5.5MM cap hit while Kessel carries a $6.8MM hit over the next three. The Wild would actually end up paying less actual salary, give the front-loading of Kessel’s deal and the fact that the Toronto Maple Leafs are still retaining $1.2MM per season.
Chicago Blackhawks Hire Tomas Mitell
The Chicago Blackhawks aren’t afraid to go overseas to find talent, and that isn’t just limited to players any more. The team has hired Tomas Mitell as an assistant coach to serve under head coach Jeremy Colliton for next season. Mitell is coming off a season as the head coach of AIK Hockey in Sweden’s Allsvenskan (second league), setting franchise records with 109 points and 35 wins.
This isn’t the first time that Mitell will be working with Colliton however, as he previously served under him when the Blackhawks bench boss was working in Sweden. Colliton took a rather unusual path to the NHL, which included transitioning from player to head coach for Mora IK in Sweden after dealing with concussion issues. It is there where he hired Mitell first, working together for the 2016-17 season and earning the team a promotion to the SHL.
Mitell will join Sheldon Brookbank on Colliton’s staff after the former NHL defenseman was promoted earlier this year from the AHL. It’s not clear how the duties will be broken up, but it certainly will be one of the youngest coaching staffs in the league. Colliton, 34, will be flanked by two 38-year old assistants as he tries to right the ship in Chicago and take the Blackhawks back to the playoffs.
Edmonton Oilers Sign Olivier Rodrigue
The Edmonton Oilers have inked another top goaltending prospect, this time signing Olivier Rodrigue to a three-year entry-level contract. Rodrigue played this season for the Drummondville Voltiguers, and could return to the CHL next season to continue his development.
Rodrigue, 18, was a second-round pick of the Oilers in 2018, the fifth year in a row they selected at least one goaltender. He follows the likes of Stuart Skinner, Dylan Wells and Shane Starrett into the pipeline, creating a depth chart that is actually quite formidable, as prospects are concerned. That pipeline will have to prove it can start producing polished NHL talent, but the Oilers have loaded up at a position they’ve struggled at recently in hopes that they can find their next star goaltender.
It very well could be Rodrigue, who went 35-9-1 for the Voltiguers this season before suffering a core muscle injury and being forced out of the lineup for six weeks. He returned in time to help Drummondville push the Halifax Mooseheads to six games in the QMJHL semi-finals, but was unable to get them a shot at the championship. Still, it was a positive season for the young goaltender, who lowered his goals against average and posted that excellent record despite a small decrease in save percentage.
Given his age, Rodrigue will not be eligible to play in the AHL next season meaning he’s likely ticketed back to the junior ranks. The Oilers will hope he can take another step forward physically and really dominate the league before they get him into the professional minor league system, but there is still a long way to go before he can be a contributor at the NHL level.