Nazem Kadri Suspended For Rest Of First Round
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without one of their most physical players for the rest of their first-round series against the Boston Bruins. The Department of Player Safety announced today that forward Nazem Kadri has been given a suspension of up to five games for his cross-check on Jake DeBrusk in Saturday night’s game. Kadri was responding to a hit on Patrick Marleau, and hit DeBrusk right in the face with his stick. Instead of giving the Maple Leafs forward a determined number of games, the league decided it was best to keep him out for the remainder of the series instead. As the accompanying video explains:
This is not a hockey play. Instead, this is a player retaliating against an opponent by using his stick as a weapon to make forceful and direct head contact. While we understand that Kadri took offense to DeBrusk’s hit against Marleau, players are simply not permitted to flagrantly violate league playing rules because they feel that retribution is justified. It is also important to note that Kadri has an extensive disciplinary track record that must be considered when issuing supplemental discipline.
This will be Kadri’s fifth suspension and one that is eerily similar to his last. Almost exactly a year ago the Maple Leafs center was suspended for a check on Boston’s Tommy Wingels in their first round series and was given a three-game ban. Toronto would eventually lose that series in seven games and many consider Kadri’s absence a contributing—if not ultimately determining—factor.
Though the league has not handed out many suspensions that can vary in length before, this is not entirely without precedent. In 2013, San Jose Sharks forward Raffi Torres was suspended for the rest of his series against the Los Angeles Kings after a hit to the head of Jarret Stoll. Torres similarly had a long history of discipline, which included at that point a 21-game suspension (reduced from the original 25) for another head shot. Torres would eventually receive an even longer suspension in 2015 when he was banned for half a season.
While Kadri doesn’t have quite the reputation that Torres built over his playing career, that is the kind of discipline he’ll have to be wary of in the future. The Department of Player Safety has been clear that they will not tolerate repeat offenders especially when incidents are similar in nature. In fact, the Kadri video today brought up a similar cross-checking incident from his past when he struck Luke Glendening in the face with his stick in retaliation. His discipline will only increase unless he finds a way to stop these retaliatory incidents from occurring.
Buffalo Sabres Sign Jacob Bryson
The Buffalo Sabres have signed defenseman Jacob Bryson to a three-year entry-level contract. The deal will begin for the 2019-20 season, but Bryson has signed an amateur tryout to join the Rochester Americans for the rest of this year. The 21-year old recently completed his junior season at Providence College, but will not be returning to the NCAA.
Bryson may not be a household name, but he certainly shouldn’t be overlooked as an NHL prospect. The 5’9″ 178-lbs defenseman was selected 99th overall in 2017 and has developed into one of the better college players in the country. Recording 28 points in 42 games this season for Providence he was named to the Hockey East Second All-Star team (he was a First All-Star last year) and won the conference Sportsmanship award for the second consecutive year. There are few players in all of college hockey that can skate as well as Bryson, who uses elite acceleration and edge work to make up for his lack of size in the defensive zone.
The Sabres have several young defensemen in the organization now, including NHL stalwarts Rasmus Dahlin, Rasmus Ristolainen and Brandon Montour. While Bryson has a long way to go to be considered part of that group, his addition only strengthens the positional depth for the Sabres and gives them another option to break camp with as early as next season. More likely the youngster will have to spend some more time and the AHL level, but as contracts for Zach Bogosian, Marco Scandella and Matt Hunwick start to expire—all three are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents in the summer of 2020—Bryson will surely get a chance to show what he can do at the NHL level
Philadelphia Flyers Hire Alain Vigneault
The Philadelphia Flyers have hired Alain Vigneault as their new head coach, signing him to a multi-year contract. Vigneault is currently set to coach Team Canada at the upcoming IIHF World Championship but will be behind the bench for the Flyers in 2019-20. GM Chuck Fletcher released a statement about the hiring:
We are extremely excited to have Alain join this franchise and lead our team behind the bench for many years to come. He brings a tremendous amount of success over an extended period of time that will prove valuable to our team to take the next steps in returning the winning culture to the Philadelphia Flyers organization.
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic tweets that Vigneault’s deal is worth $25MM over five years, making him one of the more expensive head coaches in the league. That may seem like a big commitment given Vigneault didn’t coach anywhere this season after being fired by the New York Rangers last year, but he does have an extensive resume of success. The 57-year old coach comes to Philadelphia with a career 648-435-35-98 regular season record which puts him 12th all-time in terms of wins. He was awarded the Jack Adams trophy as the league’s top bench boss in 2007, but unfortunately has failed to carry much of that success over to the postseason.
Vigneault actually has a losing record in 139 career playoff games and was defeated both times his team reached the Stanley Cup Final. Still, he should bring some stability to an organization that has used four coaches since the beginning of the 2013-14 season and failed to reach the playoffs in four of the past seven years. Scott Gordon, who took over after the team decided to fire Dave Hakstol earlier this season, ended up with a 25-22-4 record but will not be retained as the team’s head coach.
The Flyers are not in the process of a rebuild despite their solid farm system, and expect to compete for the playoffs again next season. Captain Claude Giroux is now 31 and has just three years remaining on his current contract, while other players like Jakub Voracek and James van Riemsdyk are also closing in on their thirties. With young Carter Hart expected to take over the full-time starting goaltending duties and other young prospects ready to make the jump to the NHL, the time is now for the Flyers to contend. The hiring of Vigneault is just another sign that they’re willing to spend to get there, though only time will tell if he can finally take that next step and lead his team to a championship.
Wayne Simmonds, Brian Boyle Out Week-To-Week
The Nashville Predators will be without two of their trade deadline acquisitions for awhile, as the team announced today that both Wayne Simmonds and Brian Boyle will be out on a week-to-week basis. Simmonds is dealing with a knee injury, while Boyle underwent “an appendix procedure.”
Nashville has their hands full in a first round matchup with the Dallas Stars and needed all the help they could get. The team will now turn to Rocco Grimaldi on the fourth line and could even see the return of Miikka Salomaki in game three. Salomaki hasn’t played for the Predators since early January due to injury, but could end up playing a big role if Simmonds and Boyle aren’t able to return quickly. The team still has incredible depth at the forward position, but will need to get production from all four lines if they want to break the suffocating Dallas defense and goaltending.
It’s a tough break for the Predators and GM David Poile, who spent heavily on the pair of in-season additions. Boyle cost the team a second-round pick despite having just 19 points in the first half of the season, and Ryan Hartman was the price to acquire Simmonds. The former Philadelphia Flyers forward ended up with just three points in 17 games for the Predators down the stretch and was routinely limited to minimal even-strength ice time. He’ll now have to wait and watch from the press box and hope he gets another chance to prove his worth in the postseason.
Cale Makar To Make NHL Debut
The Colorado Avalanche are not hesitating with top prospect Cale Makar. The 20-year old defenseman will make his NHL debut tonight for the team, replacing the injured Samuel Girard. Makar will be paired with Patrik Nemeth, though he may be moved around a bit as he gets his footing at the NHL level.
Makar only just signed his entry-level contract with the Avalanche on Sunday, but will jump right into a series with the Calgary Flames that is tied at one game apiece. It just so happens that Makar is a Calgary native, though he’ll make his debut on home ice in Colorado.
Just by signing his deal for this season Makar had burned the first year of his three-year contract, but playing tonight has further consequences. As Bob McKenzie of TSN noted when the young defenseman signed yesterday, playing in just a single game for the Avalanche will make Makar eligible for the 2021 expansion draft. While that shouldn’t overshadow what is sure to be an incredible night for the top prospect, it certainly had to come into consideration for the Colorado front office who will have plenty of decisions to make ahead of that draft.
The Avalanche already have several defensemen that will deserve protection but also will be required to use one of their slots on veteran Erik Johnson given his no-movement clause. There are ways around a clause like that, but it could force the Avalanche to make a move prior to the draft instead. Either way, Makar making his debut tonight has complicated things and hopefully it will be worth it as the Avalanche try to fell a giant in the Western Conference bracket.
Snapshots: Kane, Bruins, Thornton
USA Hockey has announced their captain for the upcoming IIHF World Championship and it will once again be Chicago Blackhawks superstar Patrick Kane. Kane served as captain of the team last year when they took home a bronze, and has competed several times internationally.
The club is expected to release their preliminary roster later this week, but it appears as though they will be one of the favorites again. The American squad will also feature Kane’s teammate Alex DeBrincat, along with others like James van Riemsdyk and Quinn Hughes. The group will be led by Jeff Blashill behind the bench, and play their first official game on May 10th against Slovakia.
- When the dust settled on game two between the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs, it appeared as though both teams would lose players for their next matchup. Nazem Kadri is expected to be given a long suspension for his cross-check to the face of Jake Debrusk, but the Bruins forward was back on the ice today at practice and is expected to play tonight. The same can be said about Torey Krug, who will take part in the game despite looking severely injured after taking a big hit from Jake Muzzin. Kadri meanwhile is having his in-person hearing in New York with the league.
- After Kadri’s hearing the league will also be looking at Joe Thornton‘s hit from the San Jose Sharks-Vegas Golden Knights game according to David Schoen of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Thornton made considerable contact with Tomas Nosek‘s head, and received a two minute minor penalty for it. It’s not clear if the hit will rise to the level of supplemental discipline, as the Department of Player Safety has not yet announced a hearing for Thornton. UPDATE 1:15pm: The league has announced a hearing for Thornton. It will happen today.
NHL Central Scouting Releases Final 2019 Rankings
The NHL Central Scouting has released their final rankings for the 2018 Entry Draft, listing the best prospects in both North America and the rest of the world. Though Jack Hughes is still expected to be taken with the first-overall pick, Kaapo Kakko is giving him a run for the top spot while the rest of the top ten is anyone’s guess.
At this year’s Draft Lottery, the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks were able to secure the top three selections. The full draft order can be found here. These scouting lists will help to inform who your team might have a chance at, though obviously anything can happen. The top-5 North American and International skaters are listed below:
North America:
- Jack Hughes, USA U-18, NTDP
- Bowen Byram, Vancouver Giants, WHL
- Kirby Dach, Saskatoon Blades, WHL
- Alex Turcotte, USA U-18, NTDP
- Dylan Cozens, Lethbridge Hurricanes, WHL
International:
- Kaapo Kakko, TPS, Finland
- Vasily Podkolzin, Neva St. Petersurg, Russia
- Victor Soderstrom, Brynas, Sweden
- Ville Heinola, Lukko, Finland
- Philip Broberg, AIK, Sweden
While Hughes and Kakko leading their respective lists doesn’t come as much of a surprise, there are some interesting other rankings to be found. Byram’s rise to the second spot for North America is sure to draw plenty of attention, as he passes over his WHL rivals in Dach and Cozens from the midterm ranking. Byram has had an incredible season for the Giants with 71 points in 67 games and offers real first-pairing NHL upside. Arguably the best defenseman available in the class, he won’t have to wait long to hear his name on draft day.
Not to be outdone, undersized defenseman Heinola jumps up several spots from the midterm after a similarly excellent season in Finland. Though the doesn’t have the eye-popping point totals that Byram does—Heinola scored 14 points in 34 games—the fact that he recorded a regular shift in a professional league is impressive enough. Add that to a World Junior gold medal and things have gone quite well for the left-handed defenseman this season. He could potentially be the second defenseman off the board if his stock keeps rising.
Central Scouting also released their rankings for the top goaltenders, but there is no doubt that Spencer Knight leads the way at the position. The USNTDP netminder has a chance to be one of the highest selected goaltenders in several years, and should go at some point in the middle of the first round.
Detroit Red Wings Agree To Terms With Filip Larsson
The Detroit Red Wings have added some goaltending depth to their system, agreeing to terms with Filip Larsson on a three-year entry-level contract. The deal will kick in for the 2019-20 season, meaning Larsson will not be returning to the University of Denver for his sophomore year.
Larsson’s freshman season came to a disappointing end recently as the Denver Pioneers were ousted from the NCAA Frozen Four by UMass. Larsson had posted shutouts in the opening two rounds of the tournament, and had a .932 save percentage in 22 appearances during the season. The sixth-round pick from 2016 has developed quite nicely in his time in North America, dominating the USHL and NCAA ranks while also bringing home a silver medal at the World Juniors.
Minor Transactions: 04/15/19
The NHL playoffs have brought excitement, surprise and wonder through the first few days of the postseason. The Tampa Bay Lightning have fallen to the brink of a historic collapse, while the New York Islanders are close to eliminating a division rival with little trouble. Tonight will see four series get back underway including three that are tied, and should provide plenty of memorable moments. As teams prepare, we’ll keep track of the minor moves.
- Zac Dalpe has been recalled by the Columbus Blue Jackets, who haven’t needed a lot of help through the first three games. Dalpe finished his AHL season on the weekend with 33 goals in 55 games and could serve as an additional offensive piece for the Blue Jackets tomorrow night. The Cleveland Monsters, who rely heavily on Dalpe’s presence in the AHL, don’t start their playoff series until Friday—notably against the Syracuse Crunch, the AHL affiliate of Tampa Bay.
- Eric Comrie has been recalled by the Winnipeg Jets, giving the team a third goaltender as they prepare for their next game against the St. Louis Blues. Comrie’s Manitoba Moose failed to qualify for the Calder Cup playoffs this season meaning he can join the NHL club as an extra body for their postseason run.
Todd McLellan No Longer In Consideration For Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres conducted interviews with Todd McLellan this week as the coach was in town for the Frozen Four, but will not be hiring him to be their next head coach. Bob McKenzie of TSN reports that McLellan is no longer in consideration for the position and that the team never did formalize an offer for him. Instead, McLellan is expected to be hired by the Los Angeles Kings, though that has not been formally announced either. The Sabres will continue their search for a new head coach.
If McLellan does end up with Los Angeles, it would be his third Pacific Division team in five years after previously coaching with the San Jose Sharks and Edmonton Oilers. The Kings are looking for a coach to help turn around their franchise after a dreadful season, and informed interim coach Willie Desjardins that he would not be getting the job. The 51-year old McLellan was fired by Edmonton after going 9-10-1 through the first 20 games of this season, but has an overall coaching record of 434-282-90.
The Sabres meanwhile are looking to replace Phil Housley after just two seasons on the job. The Hall of Fame defenseman was considered an outstanding assistant coach with the Nashville Predators but failed to put together much success in his time in Buffalo. The Sabres rode a winning streak all the way to first place in the NHL early in the 2018-19 season, but ended up with an overall record of 33-39-10, a huge disappointment for GM Jason Botterill and his staff.
While Buffalo hasn’t had much success over the last several years, there are definitely parts of the roster that should appeal to any prospective head coach. Captain Jack Eichel set a career high with 82 points in 77 games this season while first-overall pick Rasmus Dahlin was as advertised and stepped into a top-pairing role almost immediately. The 18-year old defenseman—he’ll turn 19 tomorrow—recorded 44 points in 82 games while logging more than 21 minutes a night and should be in consideration for the Calder Trophy.
Still, there will be immense pressure on whoever the Sabres do bring in to replace Housley as the team hasn’t experienced a winning season since 2011-12 and hasn’t made the playoffs since 2010-11.