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Central Notes: Blackhawks, Jets, Wild

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The Chicago Sun Times Mark Lazerus reports on the prospects in the Blackhawks pipeline. For every Andrew Shaw and Brandon Saad who made an impact on the Hawks at a young age, there are other players who didn’t quite make it as quickly. He writes that Nick Schmaltz and Ryan Hartman are two of many prospects looking to stake their presence in Chicago, but also notes that they have been invited to their fair share of prospect camps already. Schmaltz finally turned pro, indicating that he sees his best opportunity to make the team. Meanwhile, Vinnie Hinostroza, Tyler Motte, and  Dylan Sikura also look to fill the remaining voids on the Hawks roster. Lazerus reports that while coach Joel Quenneville, and general manager Stan Bowman may feel frustration with affording the kids the roster spots, it’s best if they make their mistakes with a strong core still intact. Without cap room, and only what Lazerus calls “two and a half lines,” the kids appear to be the Hawks’ best answer.

  • Tim Campbell writes that Blake Wheeler and the Jets are looking to take a giant step forward in the 2016-17 season. Wheeler talks about how the late season surge for the Jets, where they went 6-2-2 on the West Coast, it showed the resolve of a franchise that didn’t tank for a higher draft pick. Adding to the optimism is a number of exciting young players, which includes recent draft pick, and second overall pick Patrik Laine. Campbell also reports that the Jets have yet to make a decision on their next captain. He writes that Wheeler isn’t concerned about what letter is sewn on his jersey. Instead, he’s more focused on helping those young players take the next step at the NHL level.
  • Puck Daddy’s Josh Cooper spoke with  Eric Staal on his decision to choose the Wild over other suitors in free agency. Staal feels that the Wild offer him a great opportunity to improve on a down season for him in 2015-16. He also talked about how he feels better centering a line and that the talent on the wing in Minnesota will be beneficial for both him and the team. Cooper writes that while advanced stats reveal Staal’s worth, his goals and assists have left much to be desired. Staal believes it begins with confidence, and that he feels that he still have a productive NHL career ahead of him. Staal signed a three-year, $10.5MM deal with the Wild.

 

Hurricanes Ink Ryan Murphy For Two Years

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The Hurricanes only had one remaining restricted free agent and they locked him up. Carolina announced a two-year, $1.575MM deal with defenseman Ryan Murphy. The deal will pay $750K in 2016-17, and $825K in 2017-18. It will have a cap hit of $787,500.

Last season, Murphy had 10 points (0-10) in 35 games with the Hurricanes. With Charlotte, Murphy registered 24 points (7-17) in 32 games. He was not arbitration eligible. Earlier, the Hurricanes re-signed their other restricted free agents who included defenseman Keegan Lowe,winger Brendan Woods, defenseman Dennis Robertson and forward Brody Sutter.

With their final signing, the Hurricanes still have over approximately $16MM left in cap space.

Snapshots: Subban, Red Wings, Riley

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Yesterday’s news that the Canadiens released analytics guru Matt Pfeffer received more clarification from the young analyst today. Before the trade was consummated, Pfeffer told Sportsnet’s Eric Engels that he never had a meeting with management regarding any movement of Subban. Instead, Pfeffer submitted a report comparing  Shea Weber and P.K. Subban that argued passionately for keeping Subban. The 21-year-old analyst added that management would always make their decisions on different types of information. Earlier reports indicated that Pfeffer made an “impassioned and elaborate presentation to management” for the retention of Subban. The trade was  questioned and lamented by many Montreal fans. General manager Marc Bergevin, on the other hand, still has 100% support of ownership.

  • The four year, $7.2MM extension of forward Luke Glendening crosses off another player for next season’s free agency craze, but still has some wondering what the Detroit Red Wings will do with a glut of forwards. While rumors spin that the Wings would pull the trigger to bring in a defenseman, all is quiet on that front, and with the re-signing of Glendening, it only adds to the intrigue writes the Hockey News’ Jared Clinton. With money committed to so many forwards, Clinton wonders what happens to Anthony Mantha, who can pass through waivers without being claimed. But is it best for the team? Mantha is the Red Wings top prospect, drafted for scoring purposes but rarely given the ice time in the NHL to prove that. General manager Ken Holland’s recent statement that young players must earn their spot only confused after Holland looked ready to give younger players more responsibility. Additionally, it sounded like numerous trades would be made. With the signings of veterans, re-upping current players to long contracts, and no trades as of now, it appears that Holland may be changing his tune. Clinton writes that signing Danny DeKeyser and Petr Mrazek will put the Wings over the cap, and then, more difficult decisions will have to be made. With teams knowing the Red Wings are squeezed financially, it certainly adds a new wrinkle to the many decisions Holland still has to make.
  • The Pittsburgh Penguins released a statement on the passing of the organization’s first general manager, Jack Riley. Riley was hired to build the Penguins, who were brought into the NHL as an expansion team for the 1967-68 season. Riley was 97.

Minor Transactions: 7/14/16

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  • The Los Angeles Kings have signed 2016 fourth round pick Jacob Moverare to a three-year, entry-level deal. The cap hit is $691,667. Jon Rosen writes that the 17-year-old forward has a hockey IQ and awareness of a first round pick, but his skating pulls his stock down. He quotes Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Yannetti as saying he has one of the highest IQ’s in the 2016 draft. Moverare played on HV71’s U20 team, notching 21 points (5-16) in 41 games.
  • The Detroit Red Wings inked defenseman Filip Hronek to a three-year entry-level deal. The 2016 second round choice of the Wings played for HK Hradec Kralove in the Czech professional league, tallying 4  points (0-4)  in 40 games. For the Under 20 junior club, Hronek registered 16 points (4-12) in 13 games. He will most likely play with the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL.
  • The Sharks have re-signed forward Ryan Carpenter to a one-year deal. Carpenter spent 66 games with the San Jose Barracuda, registering 55 points (18-37). He played one game with the Sharks.
  • The Arizona Coyotes have re-upped their affiliation with ECHL club Rapid City for the 2016-17 season. According to the release, the Rush were founded in 2008 and captured the CHL Championship in 2009-10.
  • The Philadelphia Flyers have signed 2016 second-round pick Pascal Laberge to a three-year, entry-level contract. The deal will have a cap-hit of $842.5K each season, according to CapFriendly. Laberge played for the Victoriaville Tigers of the QMJHL last season, scoring 68 points in 56 games.  He’s expected to head back there for the 2016-17 season.

Hurricanes Sign Sutter, Lowe, Robertson And Woods

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The Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to deals with defenseman Keegan Lowe, winger Brendan Woods, defenseman Dennis Robertson and forward Brody Sutter.

Sutter agreed to a one-year, $600K deal. The center played 70 games in Charlotte, netting 24 points (13-11) and appeared in eight games with the Canes.

Lowe’s deal is a one-year, $750K contract. Lowe posted career highs with AHL affiliate Charlotte in 2015-16 with 14 points (3-11).

Woods signed a one-year, $650K deal. The 24-year-old forward spent five games with the big club. While with Charlotte, he had 20 points (9-11) in 59 games.

Robertson inked a one-year, $650K deal. He spent the entire season in the AHL, splitting time with Rockford and Charlotte. In 58 games, he had nine points (2-7).

Minor Transactions: 7/13/16

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  • The New York Islanders have re-signed Alan Quine to a two-year deal tweets Arthur Staple. Staple reports that it’s a one-way deal with a $612.5K AAV. Andy Graziano reports  that the deal is a total of $1.225MM. Quine played in 10 playoff games with the Islanders, notching five points (1-4).
  • The Canucks officially announced the signings of goalie Richard Bachman and forward Michael Zalewski. Zalewski was inked to a one-year, $632.5K deal. Bachman signed a one-year, $575K deal. Jason Brough tweets that Bachman may be the goalie Vancouver leaves exposed in next year’s expansion draft.
  • The Lightning signed Cory Conacher to a one-year, $575K deal. Conacher will return to the team he last played for in 2012-13 before bouncing around the league. Conacher was traded to the Senators for Ben Bishop in 2013. At the time, it was considered a win for both teams, but would turn out a heist for the Lightning. Conacher played for Bern in the Swiss National League last season, and had 52 points (20-32) in 48 games.
  • The Panthers have re-signed F Logan Shaw to a one year, two-way deal according to General Fanager.  Shaw played in 53 games with Florida last season, picking up seven points (5-2).  He also played in 19 AHL games, collecting 14 points (11-3).  Shaw will earn $660K in the NHL and $70K in the AHL.
  • Ducks UFA Charlie Sarault has signed a one year deal with Dornbirner EC of the EIHL, the Austrian team announced on their Facebook page.  Sarault had 62 points in 67 games with Utah of the ECHL last season.
  • Los Angeles has signed Patrick Bjorkstrand to a one year, entry level contract, reports General Fanager.  Bjorkstrand, the older brother of Columbus prospect Oliver Bjorkstrand, spent last season with Zagreb of the KHL, scoring 22 points in 57 games.  He will have a cap hit of $667K in terms of base salary and a signing bonus and can earn up to $257K in performance bonuses.

Rangers Re-Sign J.T. Miller

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Apr 21, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers center J.T. Miller (10) checks Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ian Cole (28) during the second period in game four of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY SportsThe Rangers have announced the re-signing of forward J.T. Miller.  Miller’s agent, Scott Bartlett, announced that the deal carries a cap hit of $2.75MM.  Miller will earn a base salary of $2.5MM in 2016-17 plus a signing bonus of $250K while earning a salary of $2.75MM in 2017-18.  He will be a restricted free agent at the conclusion of the contract with a required qualifying offer of $2.75MM.

The 23-year-old Miller had 43 points (22-21) in 82 games last season, good for a tie for fifth on the team in points. In five playoff games, Miller had three assists which ranked third in team scoring.  In 196 career games with the Rangers, the former first rounder (15th overall in 2011) has 76 points (37-39).

With Miller’s signing, both parties avoid arbitration which had been scheduled for August 2nd. The Rangers now only have Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes, Dylan McIlrath, Tommy Hughes and Marek Hrivik as restricted free agents.  They sit $9.675MM under the salary cap according to Cap Friendly.

Blues Re-Sign Ty Rattie To One-Year Deal

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Feb 28, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; St. Louis Blues forward Ty Rattie (18) watches the play against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The St. Louis Blues defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY SportsThe St. Louis Blues have re-signed forward Ty Rattie to a one-year, 650K deal tweets Norm Sanders. The Blues also announced the deal this afternoon. It is a one-way contract.

The 23-year-old forward spent 62 games with AHL affiliate Chicago, registering 46 points (17-29). Barrie played in 13 games in St. Louis, notching six points (4-2). Rattie has a total of 26 games at the NHL level and posted eight points (4-4).

With the signing, the Blues have just over $8.7MM left in salary cap room. Only Jaden Schwartz remains unsigned. His arbitration date was recently set for July 20.

Las Vegas Hires George McPhee As General Manager

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Speculated yesterday and confirmed today, Las Vegas chose former Washington Capitals general manager George McPhee as its first GM in team history. The announcement was made at 4pm ET press conference with owner Bill Foley. McPhee had been a special advisor with the Islanders.

Foley, tweets Tom Gulitti, was looking for someone with a “take no prisoners” outlook when it comes to team building. McPhee stated that his goal is to be competitive quickly, and to win the Cup. Stephen Whyno tweets that McPhee is in no hurry to hire a coach.

John Shannon tweets that as had been previously reported,  Foley chose between former Coyotes general manager Don Maloney and McPhee.

Oilers Sign Jesse Puljujarvi To Entry Level Deal

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The Edmonton Oilers have signed their 2016 fourth overall pick Jesse Puljujarvi to an entry level deal reports David Staples. It is a three-year deal.

Staples wrote a glowing piece that highlights why Puljujarvi will be a significant boon to the Oilers forward lines. He does caution patience, however, as rushing a prospect who could become another cornerstone could do more damage than good. Staples suggests time with AHL affiliate Bakersfield, but fully expects him in Edmonton by the beginning of 2017.

Puljujarvi was projected to be a top three pick but fell to the Oil.  He will eventually be one of many young players counted on to power an offense without Taylor Hall, who was dealt to New Jersey for Adam Larsson. Though the Oilers needed help at the blue line (which they eventually received in the Hall-Larsson trade),  TSN reported that general manager Peter Chiarelli couldn’t pass up the chance to get the top scoring winger. Puljujarvi dazzled at the World Junior Championships last December, and had 28 points (13-15) in the Finnish Elite League.

Cap Friendly reports that Puljujarvi will receive the maximum base salary of $925,000 (which includes a 10% signing bonus) each season as well the maximum potential ’A’ bonuses of $850,000 per year.  He also will be eligible for $1.65MM in Schedule ’B’ bonuses in each of the three seasons.

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