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LA Kings Sign Defenseman Kirill Kirsanov To Entry-Level Deal

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The Los Angeles Kings have signed 22-year-old defenseman Kirill Kirsanov to a two-year entry-level deal, the team announced today. Kirsanov, the team’s third-round selection in the 2021 draft, spent last season split between the Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the KHL and the Torpedo-Gorky NN in the VHL (Russia’s top developmental league). His contract will run through the 2026-27 season.

At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Kirsanov already has the physical traits NHL teams covet and profiles more as a prototypical defensive-minded blueliner than an offensive one. In 34 games in the KHL last season, he posted three goals and seven points to go along with eight penalty minutes and a plus-five rating. He scored seven points in 28 VHL regular season games and added five points in 19 playoff games for Torpedo-Gorky NN, who would go on to win their first VHL Championship in club history.

The Kings appear to have most of their defensive spots locked up for next season with Drew Doughty, Mikey Anderson, Joel Edmundson, Jordan Spence, and Brandt Clarke all set to return, and Kyle Burroughs and Jacob Moverare also in the mix. While Kirsanov will more than likely begin his North American career in the AHL, his development will be crucial for a team facing several question marks on the blue line in the not-too-distant future. Spence and Clarke both have one year remaining on their current contracts and are due for significant raises, while Moverare and Burroughs are also entering the final year of their deals. If Kirsanov can put all the pieces together, he could push for an NHL spot sooner rather than later.

Goalie Jack Ivankovic Commits to University of Michigan

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One of the top goaltending prospects heading into the NHL draft has found a home in the NCAA, as Jack Ivankovic has committed to the University of Michigan, per Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff. The 18-year-old Ontario native spent last season in the OHL with the Brampton Steelheads, where he compiled a 25-12-5 record to go with a .903 save percentage and two shutouts. He shined at the IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship this spring, where he went 6-0 with a .961 save percentage, leading Canada to a gold medal. Ivankovic also helped Canada hoist the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

If Ivankovic heads to Michigan, he’ll get the best of both worlds, joining a strong program while also having a chance to compete as a freshman. Despite his listed size at 5-foot-11, Ivankovic has positioned himself as a first-round option ahead of the draft. The Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis sees Ivankovic as potentially the next Dustin Wolf, a fellow undersized goaltender who has flourished despite his perceived physical disadvantages.

As Ellis notes, despite Wolf going 41-15-4 with seven shutouts and a .936 save percentage for the WHL’s Everett Silvertips ahead of the 2019 draft, he slid all the way to the Calgary Flames’ 214th overall pick, largely due to his six-foot, 166-pound frame. Since being drafted, Wolf has done nothing but excel all the way up to the NHL, where he currently finds himself as a Calder Cup Finalist after going 29-16-8 on the season with a .910 save percentage and three shutouts. His 29 wins were 14 more than any other rookie netminder on the season.

So, can Ivankovic make a rise similar to the one Wolf has achieved? That’s the debate NHL front offices face, but a team thin on goaltending prospects might be eager to take a chance on Ivankovic late in the first round.

Stars’ DeBoer, Oettinger Haven’t Spoken Since Elimination

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Dallas Stars head coach Pete DeBoer told reporters he hasn’t spoken to all-star goalie Jake Oettinger since pulling him early in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final — a revelation that left TSN Hockey analyst and former NHL goaltender Martin Biron puzzled.

The 26-year-old Oettinger opened the playoffs on a strong note but struggled against the Oilers, fading as the series wore on. His postseason came to a sudden end in Game 5, when he surrendered goals on the first two shots in a 6–3 loss that knocked the Stars out. DeBoer noted that the coaching staff discussed potentially sitting Oettinger for Game 4 of the Western Conference Final, citing his heavy playoff workload and the fact that he was dealing with an “upper-respiratory thing.” Despite all of this, Baron still finds it strange that DeBoer didn’t seek to discuss the situation with his star goaltender.

“My first reaction is that it’s mind-boggling. I get that you’re not going to talk to him Thursday night after the game. And Friday, no one is in the office. But Saturday morning, you know you’re going to talk to the media. So, you need to have that conversation and clear the air. Then you can address the media. I don’t know what they were thinking. And I think this is on Pete DeBoer and the organization. Jake Oettinger isn’t going to knock on the door and ask to talk. Imagine if Scott Arniel doesn’t go and talk to Connor Hellebuyck in this type of situation. Or if Jon Cooper doesn’t go and talk to Andrei Vasilevskiy in a situation like this. That would never happen,” Biron said.

For his part, Oettinger told reporters Saturday that while he was surprised to be pulled so early in Game 5, he understood the decision, noting that if he had made a save on either of the first two shots, he likely would have stayed in the game. Oettinger, who noted the illness he was dealing with didn’t hinder his performance, said he will use the setback as a learning opportunity and even joked about how often he was shown on the jumbotron after being pulled. “I don’t know why they kept showing me. I hadn’t even moved in like 30 minutes,” he joked.

He would go on to add, “It sucks. It’s embarrassing. Any time you get pulled, whether it’s the playoffs or regular season, you just want to get off the ice and crawl under your bed and not talk to anyone. But especially in a moment like that, it’s embarrassing.”

When asked directly whether he had any concerns about his relationship with DeBoer moving forward, Oettinger again chose to focus on his own performance rather than address his dynamic with the coach.

“I think for me it’s just the whole experience is something I’m going to learn from, and it’s just going to help me grow and be a better person and a better goalie. My job is to stop the puck, and I feel like I’m one of the best in the world when I’m playing well. So that’s all I’m going to focus on. All the extra stuff is just extra stuff. If I go out there next year and I’m the best goalie in the world, then this stuff doesn’t matter. One of (the media) could be coaching, and it wouldn’t matter,” he said.

Luostarinen, Lundell Set To Play Game 1 For Panthers

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Forwards Eetu Luostarinen and Anton Lundell missed Saturday’s practice for the Florida Panthers, but coach Paul Maurice said afterward that both are expected to play in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers, per George Richards of NHL.com. Maurice did, however, note that forward A.J. Greer’s availability may be in question.

“I think the only question mark is Greer. We will list him as day-to-day. The other guys are fine. They’ll be back on the ice tomorrow when we do a little bit of an optional,” Maurice said.

Greer and Luostarinen were both injured in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Hurricanes. There was no explanation given for Lundell’s absence from practice, but he played a key role in closing out the Hurricanes, scoring a goal in the Panthers’ 5–3 win in Game 5, while also winning 62 percent of his faceoffs. Lundell put up a career-high 45 points in the regular season and has added five goals and 12 points during the playoffs.

In his first season with the team, Greer has made a significant impact despite averaging just 9:36 of ice time per game. He appeared in 81 regular-season games, posting 17 points while leading the team with 222 hits. The physical forward has added two goals and three points during the playoffs.

Luostarinen has elevated his game in the playoffs, recording 13 points in 18 games after tallying just 24 points in 80 regular-season games. His availability for Game 1 is a major boost for the Panthers, especially given that he ranks second on the team this postseason in hits (71) and leads all forwards with 19 blocked shots.

Dallas Notes: Benn, Hintz, Lundkvist, Oettinger

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For the first time in his career, longtime Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn is heading for free agency. That said, Benn told reporters he intends to play next season — and plans to do so with the Stars, per Taylor Baird of NHL.com.

The Stars’ captain said, “I’m going into the summer planning on playing next year. I don’t see myself going anywhere else. This is all I know. Hopefully, we can figure something out.”

Benn has played all 1,192 of his games in Dallas. The soon-to-be 36-year-old ranks second only to franchise legend Mike Modano in several key categories, including games played, points, goals, and shots on goal. He also secured the franchise’s only Art Ross Trophy when he posted 87 points during the 2014-15 season.

This past season, Benn proved he can still contribute in a bottom-six role, finishing with a respectable 16 goals and 49 points. However, his production dipped in the postseason, where he managed just three points in 18 games.

Elsewhere with the Stars:

  • GM Jim Nill confirmed that forward Roope Hintz sustained a foot fracture after being slashed by Edmonton Oilers’ defenseman Darnell Nurse in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final, according to Lia Assimakopoulos of the Dallas Morning News. The injury kept Hintz out of Game 3, and while he was on the ice for Games 4 and 5, the injury limited the defensively responsible forward. The slash was originally called a major penalty; however, the referees later downgraded it to a minor, much to the frustration of coach Pete DeBoer. Nill also confirmed that defenseman Nils Lundkvist was recently cleared by his surgeon for full contact in practice. Lundkvist underwent shoulder surgery in February that was originally labeled as a season-ending procedure. However, DeBoer noted at the start of the playoffs that Lundkvist could have potentially returned if the Stars made a deep enough run. While Lundkvist ultimately wasn’t able to return, it appears he’ll have a clean bill of health heading into next season.
  • DeBoer also noted that the coaching staff discussed potentially sitting goalie Jake Oettinger for Game 4 of the Western Conference Final, citing his heavy playoff workload (more than any other goalie) and the fact that he was dealing with an “upper-respiratory thing,” per Assimakopoulos. The 26-year-old started strong in the playoffs but cooled off considerably against the Oilers. His postseason ended abruptly in Game 5, when he allowed two goals on the first two shots he faced in a 6–3 loss that eliminated the Stars.

Free Agent Focus: Chicago Blackhawks

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Free agency is just over a month away, and teams are looking ahead to when it opens. There will be several impact players set to hit the open market in July, while many teams also have key restricted free agents to re-sign. We continue our look around the NHL with an overview of the free agent situation for the Blackhawks.

Key Restricted Free Agents

F Philipp Kurashev – As the Blackhawks continue to navigate through a rebuild, holding onto a 25-year-old forward with a 50-plus point season on his résumé makes plenty of sense, and that’s exactly what they have in soon-to-be restricted free agent Philipp Kurashev. But after a breakout 54-point campaign in 2023–24, Kurashev took a step back this past season, managing just 14 points in 51 games. So, who is the real Kurashev? And what is his value to the Blackhawks, or potentially other teams? These are the questions the Blackhawks’ front office must answer as they weigh his next contract.

D Wyatt Kaiser – No pending free agent, restricted or unrestricted, may be more important to the Blackhawks than Wyatt Kaiser, who took a clear step forward this past season. The 2020 third-round pick appeared in a career-high 57 games, recording four goals and eight points, and finishing third on the team with 93 blocked shots. Just as notable, his even plus-minus rating was the best among all Blackhawks defensemen and second-best on the roster overall, behind only forward Ilya Mikheyev’s plus-four. At just 22 years old, Kaiser may be the kind of defenseman the Blackhawks look to sign long-term as they aim to solidify their blue line for the Connor Bedard era.

G Arvid Soderblom – Despite being buried on the depth chart heading into the last season, Soderblom ended the season with more games between the pipes than any Blackhawks goalie. With Laurent Brossoit missing the season with a meniscus tear, and veteran Petr Mrázek being traded at the deadline, Soderblom saw action in 36 contests, compiling a 10-18-7 record to go with a .898 save percentage. While those numbers are unflattering by league standards, Soderblom statistically outperformed Mrazek and Spencer Knight, who came over in a blockbuster trade that sent Seth Jones to the Florida Panthers. Knight appeared in 15 games for the Blackhawks, finishing with a 5-8-2 record and .893 save percentage. While the Blackhawks may like the idea of keeping Soderblom in the mix, they already have $7.8MM committed to Brossoit and Knight next season. If Soderblom is now viewed in the league circles as a legitimate backup, another team could step in with a solid offer.

Other RFAs: D Louis Crevier, D Victor Soderstrom, F Antti Saarela, F Aku Raty, F Jalen Luypen

Key Unrestricted Free Agents

D Alec Martinez – On April 13, the day of the Blackhawks’ last home game of the season, Martinez announced that he would be retiring following the season. A three-time Stanley Cup champion, the 37-year-old was signed last offseason to a one-year, $4 million deal to bring leadership and experience to a young Chicago lineup. And while it’s difficult to measure the impact of his presence in the locker room, Martinez’s on-ice performance left much to be desired. He finished the year with 12 points and a minus-15 rating in 44 games. Martinez will finish his career with 862 games played, 289 points, and, of course, those three Stanley Cups.

F Pat Maroon – Similar to Martinez, veteran Pat Maroon is hanging up his skates after a 14-year career. Back in March, Maroon announced he would be retiring, citing a desire to start a new chapter with his family. He signed a one-year, $1.3MM contract with the team in free agency last summer, and like Martinez, was brought in to provide mentorship and leadership. In 68 games on the season, Marron totaled five goals and 19 points in a bottom-six role. He’ll finish his career with 323 points in 848 games. Like Martinez, he can also boast three Stanley Cups (winning in three consecutive years with the St. Louis Blues and Tampa Bay Lightning).

F Ryan Donato – Donato, coming off a career-best season with 31 goals and 62 points, is among the top centers headed for unrestricted free agency. If the Blackhawks hope to keep him, they’ll likely have to fend off interest from around the league. At the trade deadline, the Blackhawks held discussions with Donato about a possible contract extension and did not end up dealing him for future assets. Scott Powers of The Athletic reports (subscription link) that the deal the team put on the table was a three-year offer worth somewhere around $4MM per season, essentially doubling his expiring contract. Donato did exactly what any player on an expiring contract hopes to do — post career-best numbers and set himself up for a sizable payday. The reported $4MM per season may not be a large enough figure to keep Donato in Chicago.

Other UFAs: F Andreas Athanasiou, F Zach Sanford, F Brett Seney, F Cole Guttman

Projected Cap Space

General manager Kyle Davidson will have plenty of financial flexibility this summer, as the team has nearly $30MM in cap space, per PuckPedia. If the team is serious about keeping Donato and Kaiser in Chicago long-term, their new contracts would certainly put a dent into that space, but would still leave Davidson with ample flexibility to pursue additional free agents.

Injury Notes: Walker, Chatfield, Brown, Clutterbuck

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As the Carolina Hurricanes continue their quest to come back from a 3-0 series deficit, they’ll have to continue to do so without defenders Jalen Chatfield and Sean Walker, as neither is available for Game 5, per a team release.

Both defenders remain out with undisclosed injuries. Chatfield has been out since the final game of last round’s matchup against the Capitals. While the 29-year-old has been a full participant at practice for some time, he hasn’t been able to return to the lineup. Walker, who was injured during the second period of Game 2, has also returned to practice but not to game action.

In their place, rookies Scott Morrow and Alexander Nikishin are back in the lineup for Game 5. While the two struggled mightily to start the series, they stepped up their performance in Game 4’s shutout victory. Nikishin, who began his NHL career during these playoffs, was particularly impressive in Game 4. He logged a career-high 18:53 of ice time, recorded his first career assist, and led the team with five hits.

In other injury news:

  • Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters today, including Joshua Clipperton of The Canadian Press, that forward Connor Brown will be unavailable for Game 5 against the Stars. Brown was injured during Game 3 and was unable to suit up in Game 4. Knoblauch added that Brown is getting better and should be able to return soon. Brown’s return will be key for the Oilers’ forward depth, especially after news that Zach Hyman will miss the remainder of the playoffs due to a wrist injury.
  • NHL all-time hit leader and recently retired Cal Clutterbuck appeared on the Cam and Strick Podcast to discuss a variety of topics, including a scary injury he sustained in 2019. Clutterbuck, known for his grit, confirmed that his left wrist’s median nerve was severed by a skate, requiring surgery and three months of physical therapy to regain motion in his hand. Clutterbuck said his left hand remains completely numb to this day. “It took me like three months of hand therapy so I could get to a point where I could grip a stick. And they told me the feeling would come back after a month or two. But it hasn’t. It’s been six years now.” Clutterbuck retired with 4,029 career hits, 292 points, and 698 penalty minutes.

Rangers Testing The Market For K’Andre Miller

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With new head coach Mike Sullivan at the helm, the New York Rangers are ready to begin the next chapter in their franchise’s story—one that may not include a key defender from recent seasons.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said on his 32 Thoughts Podcast that the Rangers are gauging trade interest in pending restricted free agent K’Andre Miller. Friedman compared Miller’s situation to that of the Sabres’ Bowen Byram, another young, high-pedigree defender who could benefit from a change of scenery. As Friedman notes, “It’s not a guarantee, but they are testing the market.”

The 25-year-old Miller is coming off a down year, mirroring the performance of many members of the Rangers’ core who disappointed this season. In 74 games, Miller scored seven goals, 27 points, and posted a zero plus/minus rating. While he tied his career high with 21:57 of ice time per game, Miller also set a career high with 97 giveaways. Moreover, his 107 hits and 110 blocked shots were his lowest totals since his rookie season.

GM Chris Drury will need to decide if trading Miller is the best move for the team, but if a trade doesn’t bring a defender back to New York, the Rangers will likely have to target the position in free agency. As the roster currently stands, the Rangers have five defensemen under contract for the 2025-26 season, which includes Adam Fox, William Borgen, Braden Schneider, Carson Soucy, and Urho Vaakanainen. And like Miller, Matthew Robertson and Zachary Jones are set for restricted free agency, while veteran Calvin de Haan is set to become an unrestricted free agent.

While Miller didn’t have the season he’d hoped for heading into restricted free agency, he could benefit from playing under Sullivan, especially if the coach brings his patented style that helped the Pittsburgh Penguins win two Stanley Cups. In Pittsburgh, Sullivan favored a fast-paced style of play that relied on mobile defenders—something Miller excels at.

USA Wins Gold At World Championship On Thompson’s OT Winner

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With a heroic goal from Tage Thompson in overtime, the United States beat Switzerland 1-0 to capture the country’s first gold medal in the IIHF Men’s World Hockey Championship since 1933.

As Andrew Podnieks of IIHF.com reports, Thompson beat goalie and tournament MVP Leonardo Genoni to the blocker side with 17:58 remaining in overtime to score the game’s only goal. Thompson erupted in celebration, jumping into the corner boards before being mobbed by his teammates. Unsurprisingly, Thompson was named Player of the Game. The goal was assisted by Logan Cooley and Brady Skjei.

The U.S. controlled the game and led in shots 40-25, but Genoni continued to turn aside quality scoring chances until Thompson was able to deliver the golden goal. His saves included stopping Conor Garland on a penalty shot. Incredibly, Thompson’s goal broke Genoni’s 243:27 shutout streak that spanned five games and included three consecutive shutouts.

On the other end, Boston Bruins netminder Jeremy Swayman stopped every shot that came his way, backstopping his country to a gold medal. After falling 3-0 to Switzerland earlier in the tournament, the U.S. got its revenge in the rematch thanks in large part to Swayman’s performance.

In a touching tribute following the contest, U.S. players draped a Johnny Gaudreau jersey over the trophy. Gaudreau, who tallied 43 points in five appearances in the tournament, remains a key source of inspiration for U.S. teams. As team leaders posed for photos before lifting the trophy, Gaudreau’s number 13 stood front and center—a fitting symbol of his impact on American hockey.

The championship victory represents America’s first major win in international play since the 1996 World Cup.

Jalen Chatfield And Sean Walker Unlikely For Game 4

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After missing Game 3 against the Florida Panthers, the Carolina Hurricanes will appear to be without two key defenders for Game 4. Coach Rod Brind’Amour announced he doesn’t expect to have either Jalen Chatfield or Sean Walker, per NHL.com reporter Dan Rosen.

Both defenders remain out with undisclosed injuries. The 29-year-old Chatfield has been out since the final game of last round’s matchup against the Capitals. While Chatfield has been a full participant at practice for some time, he hasn’t been able to clear the final hurdle to return to the lineup. Chatfield averaged a career high of 18:53 of ice time per game during the regular season, and that figure has climbed to 20:24 during the playoffs. He has contributed one goal and a plus-six rating in nine playoff games thus far.

Walker, who appeared to suffer his injury in the second period of Game 2 (he didn’t return for the third), took part in Saturday’s practice but wasn’t back in the lineup for Game 3.

“I don’t know because I haven’t even been down to the medical part yet, but if they couldn’t play (Saturday), it’s probably doubtful they play,” Brind’Amour said Sunday.

With that said, it does appear the coach is holding out hope. He said he hopes he’s wrong about their availability, though that may be more a reflection of the team’s desperation down 3-0 than genuine optimism about their chances of returning.

“That’s my guess. I hope not. Maybe I’m wrong. But that one, we won’t know until (Monday) on that,” he said.

Rookies Scott Morrow and Alexander Nikishin filled in for the two veterans during Game 3, but both struggled mightily, combining for a minus-six rating. In three games this postseason, Morrow has a minus-five rating and no points while averaging just 12:04 of ice time per game. Nikiskin, who has been thrown into the fire by starting his NHL career during these playoffs, has skated in two games with a minus-four rating.

While the Hurricanes have run into the buzzsaw that is the defending champions, they may still wonder how the series might have unfolded with a healthy Chatfield and Walker, especially with their replacements being talented but inexperienced rookies.

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