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David Backes Suspended Three Games For High Hit

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The Department of Player Safety has had their hearing with Boston Bruins forward David Backes and has opted not to be lenient with the respected veteran. Instead, Player Safety announced a three-game suspension for Backes, resulting from an “illegal check to the head” on New Jersey Devils forward Blake Coleman late in the third period of Thursday night’s game. The response from Player Safety is as follows:

As Coleman releases the puck, Backes delivers a shoulder to the head of Coleman, making the head the main point of contact, and knocking him to the ice. This is an illegal check to the head… (T)he brunt of the impact on this hit is delivered to Coleman’s head. It is also important to note that the head contact here was avoidable… If Backes wishes to deliver this check, he must take an angle of approach that hits Coleman’s shoulder and core. Instead Backes takes an angle of approach that cuts in front… making it the main point of contact.

Backes is a repeat offender by NHL standards, but also specifically for this type of hit. The power forward delivered a similar high hit to the head of Detroit Red Wings forward Frans Nielsen late last season and received a similar three-game suspension. At that time, a three games on his Backes’ violation seemed like a harsh penalty from Player Safety. This time around, so soon after the last incident and so similar in nature, anything less than three games likely would have been too lenient. The absence will also cost Backes approximately $220K.

Backes is set to miss a divisional bout with the Buffalo Sabres tomorrow night, as well as a tough match-up with the Calgary Flames on January 3rd, but Backes’ biggest regret is likely that he will not be able to participate in the Winter Classic on New Years Day, when the Bruins face the Chicago Blackhawks at Notre Dame Stadium. While this likely opens the door to young Bruins forward Anders Bjork earning a call-up in time to make a homecoming of sorts at his alma mater, the 34-year-old Backes may have cost himself his last chance to play in an outdoor game in his NHL career.

Coaching Notes: Robinson, Huffman, Ruutu

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When the St. Louis Blues removed Mike Yeo as head coach last month and replaced him with assistant Craig Berube in the interim, experienced hockey mind Larry Robinson left his front office post to assist with the transition behind the bench. Robinson, the Blues’ Senior Consultant to Hockey Operations, took over as an temporary assistant coach, with GM Doug Armstrong noting that it would be for “three weeks to a month”. The brief change of duties lasted a bit longer than expected, but St. Louis has now announced that Robinson has returned to his front office role. A legendary player with the Montreal Canadiens and Los Angeles Kings, Robinson was a nine-time Stanley Cup champion, two-time Norris Trophy recipient, and a Conn Smythe Trophy winner, and holds the NHL record for plus/minus at +730. Robinson was also a member of the New Jersey Devils coaching staff that won three Stanley Cups in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. While his coaching experience was surely a big help in the successful changeover process behind the St. Louis bench, the team clearly wants to make use of his full set of hockey knowledge back up in the front office.

  • Another interim head coach, Scott Gordon of the Philadelphia Flyers, left an opening at the AHL level, where he had been the head coach of team’s minor league affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. When Gordon was promoted earlier this month, assistant Kerry Huffman took over temporarily while the organization decided on its next steps. Today, the Phantoms announced that the decision has been made to keep Huffman as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Huffman has been an assistant for the Lehigh Valley for three years after making a big jump from the junior level as the head coach of the NAHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights. He also skated in more than 400 NHL games with the Flyers, Quebec Nordiques, and Ottawa Senators, bringing ample experience as a pro player. The Flyers have brought in some outside help for Huffman though, adding that Terry Murray has returned to the organization as an assistant for the Phantoms for the rest of the year. Murray, a long-time NHL and AHL coach, has previous stints as the head coach of the Flyers as well as the Phantoms, not to mention time as the bench boss for the Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers, and Los Angeles Kings. Murray brings an incredible amount of experience and intelligence to Lehigh Valley which should help the team and its young players through this transition.
  • One of the more recognizable names at the ongoing World Junior Championships is not on the ice, but behind the bench. Team Finland counts recent NHLer Tuomo Ruutu as one of their assistants at the tournament, which by all accounts is Ruutu’s first official coaching experience. Ruutu, 35, last played in the NHL in 2015-16 and retired from playing after a year abroad in the NLA in 2016-17. A veteran of 735 NHL games, Ruutu was a hard-working, intelligent two-way player over many seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, Carolina Hurricanes, and New Jersey Devils. Ruutu has all the makings of a good coach and it will be interesting to see where the next stage of his hockey career goes after this World Juniors experience.

Minor Transactions: 12/23/18

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While the official roster freeze is already in effect, tomorrow the real freeze begins. There are no games scheduled from the 24th through the 26th of December and teams are prohibited from practicing or traveling. The language of the CBA even prevents teams from granting permission to players to hold player-only workouts. The NHL is truly committed to a holiday break for all. However, they were also sure to load up the preceding weekend with action before the three-day hiatus. Today, 16 more teams take the ice, highlighted by the Carolina Hurricanes honoring their Hartford Whalers history as they play host to the former regional rival Boston Bruins. Five other contests are divisional battles, including an Original Six match-up between the Red Wings and Maple Leafs, while the Blackhawks look to extend a season-high three-game winning streak into the break as they take on the visiting Panthers. With multiple games on the docket ahead of an extended absence, expect a high volume of minor roster moves today:

  • Tyler Lewington is on his way back to the minors after making his NHL debut last night, CapFriendly reports. The 24-year-old defenseman made his presence felt for the Washington Capitals last night, contributing four hits and a positive rating in his first big league appearance. Lewington has worked his way up from a seventh-round draft pick and ECHL cast-off to back-to-back strong seasons with the AHL’s Hersey Bears and now an NHLer. Yet, with the break upcoming, the Caps will send Lewington back down simply to shave off a small amount of salary cap expenditure.
  • The Colorado Avalanche are moving substantially more salary cap contribution, as recent call-ups Pavel Francouz, A.J. Greer, and Anton Lindholm have all been reassigned to the AHL’s Colorado Eagles, per CapFriendly. Francouz, a free agent import from the Czech Republic, looked stellar in his NHL debut last night, making 21 saves on 22 shots in relief of Philipp Grubauer. However, behind Grubauer and starter Semyon Varlamov, Francouz is not guaranteed any more play time this season barring injury, even if the veteran keeper is deserving. Greer and Lindholm are no strangers to the Colorado lineup, but join Francouz back in the minors over the break.
  • After several teases of NHL action, Trevor Moore is finally getting his chance. The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect has been recalled on an emergency basis per a team release and will fill in for the injured Tyler Ennis. The University of Denver standout has been very productive in three pro seasons with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, especially so far this year, and has earned a shot with the Leafs.
  • The San Jose Sharks announced they have recalled center Rourke Chartier from the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL. The 22-year-old was sent down Saturday morning to get some work in with the Barracuda as he contributed an assist in the Barracudas’ win. He has played 13 games for the Sharks, posting one goal this season.

Minor Transactions: 12/22/18

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After just three games yesterday, the NHL has a full slate of 14 contests today. Bruins-Predators and Blue Jackets-Flyers begin the day as matinee match-ups, with several more afternoon games on the docket and even more teams squaring off later tonight. The league may be on a roster freeze, but teams are still busy preparing for a loaded weekend ahead of the holiday break. As they do, those minor moves not prevented by the freeze are bound to happen throughout the day:

  • A day after going back to the minors, CapFriendly reports that the Colorado Avalanche have recalled Sheldon Dries from the AHL. Dries, 24, has been frequently reassigned back and forth between the Avs and Colorado Eagles this season. The undersized forward has four points in 16 NHL games and only two points in ten AHL games. He’s set to take the place of Colin Wilson who sustained a shoulder injury on Friday night against Chicago and has been placed on IR.  In addition, the Avs have brought up winger A.J. Greer and goalie Pavel Francouz, per the AHL’s Transactions Page.  Greer has averaged a point per game in 21 contests with the Eagles but is scoreless in four NHL contests.  Meanwhile, this will be Francouz’s first NHL recall after signing with Colorado in May.  The 28-year-old has fared well in the minors, posting a 2.61 GAA and a .921 SV% in 21 games.
  • The San Jose Sharks sent forward Rourke Chartier back to the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda late yesterday, the team announced. Chartier has spent much of the season up with the Sharks but has been very productive in limited action with the Barracuda. in nine AHL games, the 22-year-old has logged eight points and a +8 rating. However, he has just one lone goal and no assists through 13 NHL games. Chartier has had no problem scoring in the minors so far in his pro career but needs to work on translating that ability to the next level.
  • With Jake McCabe and Lawrence Pilut back to full health, the Buffalo Sabres announced that they have returned defenseman Brendan Guhle to the AHL. Guhle, 21, has been a major asset for the Rochester Americans this season with 13 points in 25 games and has especially stepped up alongside vet Zach Redmond since Pilut took on a full-time role in Buffalo. However, in two brief NHL appearances, Guhle has been a non-factor and still seems in need of seasoning in the minors.
  • The Chicago Blackhawks have flipped forwards, announcing that they have recalled winger Jacob Nilsson from AHL Rockford while assigning center Luke Johnson to the IceHogs.  Nilsson signed with Chicago back in May following a decent season in the SHL but he has yet to make much of a mark, collecting just 14 points in 31 minor league games this season.  Meanwhile, Johnson has split the season between the Blackhawks and IceHogs.  He has been productive in the minors with seven points in ten games but has just a single assist in 15 NHL contests.
  • The Ottawa Senators revealed that have recalled goaltender Marcus Hogberg from AHL Belleville.  Craig Anderson took a hard hit on Friday and didn’t finish the game so this appears to be some insurance if he’s unable to dress tonight.  Hogberg has been the backup with Belleville this season, posting a 2.55 GAA with a .906 SV% in seven appearances.  The Sens had an extra roster spot available so they don’t have to designate this as one of their two allowable 48-hour emergency recalls that would have allowed them to exceed the roster limit.
  • When the Los Angeles Kings activated Ilya Kovalchuk today, the team had to free up a roster spot. The team announced they have placed defenseman Dion Phaneuf on injured reserve, retroactive to Dec. 11, with an upper-body injury that he suffered during the team’s game against the Buffalo Sabres on that date. The veteran defenseman has struggled mightily this season after being a significant addition when the team acquired him in a midseason trade from Ottawa. Phaneuf has just one assist in 32 games this season and averages just 14:58 per game this season, well under his career averages.
  • The Nashville Predators announced that they have returned forward Tyler Gaudet to the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL. Gaudet was recalled Thursday and was a healthy scratch today against Boston.

Predators Notes: Sissons, Burakovsky, Fabbro

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The Nashville Predators have taken another hit up front, announcing today that forward Colton Sissons has been placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury. While it’s unclear when Sissons suffered the injury, he was not in  the lineup when the Predators faced the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night. The team did not give any timeline for Sissons’ return, but any extended absence will hurt Nashville, who are also still without Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson. Sissons has been a key contributor while those two have been sidelined, recording seven goals and nine assists in 35 games, tied for eighth on the team in scoring. Sissons also has a tremendous +17 rating and is an invaluable defensive presence among the forward corps. For the Predators’ sake, hopefully Sissons will return after the minimum ten days on the IR.

  • With yet another starting forward out of commission, Predators GM David Poile may feel even more pressure to land some help via trade. Nashville was already expected to pursue scoring help before the trade deadline to help out their middling offense and was one of the teams speculated to have interest in Washington Capitals forward Andre Burakovsky, who hit the trade block last week. The Capitals are reportedly looking to make a deal that would bring back a player that can help them immediately this season, of which the Predators have options. Pressed into regular action due to the rash of injuries, Miikka Salomaki and Frederick Gaudreau have both played well at times this season and could be of interest to Washington. The team could even be willing to dangle Calle Jarnkrok if they’re high on Burakovsky. The two teams would seemingly be a good fit for a deal, although there still could be lingering feelings from the last time the Capitals traded a young winger to the Predators (see Forsberg-for-Martin Erat).
  • Speaking of reinforcements, Predators fans should be excited to see defensive prospect Dante Fabbro listed on the Team Canada roster for the upcoming Spengler Cup. The team’s first-round pick in 2016, Fabbro has been a productive member of the Boston University blue line for three seasons now and has even evolved into the Terriers’ captain. However, playing alongside pros at the Spengler Cup is the next step for Fabbro and could give the young defenseman the experience needed to step in to the Predators’ lineup later this season. Although Fabbro has another season of NCAA eligibility remaining, he is heavily expected to leave school when BU’s season is over. A strong showing in Switzerland could convince Poile and company that Fabbro is worth signing and playing immediately this year. The young puck-mover could be a nice depth addition for a Nashville team that is looking to make it back to the Stanley Cup Final this year.

Several KHL Stars Eyeing Return To NHL

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The Kontinental Hockey League is well past the midway point of their season and players are beginning to look ahead to next year. The NHL off-season is still a ways away, but many KHLers are already hoping to get a chance at the highest level next year. While few European pros who would like to play in the NHL actually possess the name value or ability to do so, those with experience in the league stand a far better chance. In his latest “31 Thoughts” article, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman identified three former NHLers currently excelling overseas who have the interest and the talent to end up back in the league next season: Mikhail Grigorenko, Nikita Nesterov, and Victor Antipin.

Of the trio, Grigorenko stands out as truly shining this season in the KHL. The CSKA Moscow star has 34 points through 35 games, leading the team in scoring and in the top ten league-wide in per-game production. Grigorenko looks far better in his second season in the KHL than he did last year and could be catching the eye of NHL teams. The 2012 No. 12 overall pick possesses immense skill, as well as good size and physical ability. However, in stints with the Buffalo Sabres and Colorado Avalanche over five seasons, he could never quite put it all together. Grigorenko was traded away by Buffalo as part of the Ryan O’Reilly trade in 2015 and improved substantially during two seasons in Denver, but nevertheless bolted for his native Russia after he was not qualified by the team and became a free agent two years ago. CSKA is thankful that he did, as Grigorenko’s play has fueled the team to the top spot in the standings as of now. Grigorenko has likely matured as a player  and leader since his NHL days and could be an intriguing option this summer.

Nesterov also has his fair share of NHL experience, skating as the sixth or seventh defenseman for the Tampa Bay Lightning for parts of three seasons before being dealt to the Montreal Canadiens ahead of the 2017 NHL Trade Deadline. Nesterov showed good two-way ability in his limited roles with the Bolts and Habs, but was also prone to poor stretches and bad mistakes. He signed with CSKA the same off-season as Grigorenko, but was able to make an immediate impact in his first season, posting 19 points in 42 games while often playing top-pair minutes. Yet, Nesterov is already about to surpass that mark this season, with 18 points through 35 games. Nesterov is within the top ten defensemen in the KHL in scoring this season and his play is also part of the reason that CSKA has allowed far fewer goals than nearly every other team in the league.

One of few blue liners with more points than Nesterov this season is Antipin, who unlike the other two is just one year removed from the NHL. However, he also has just the one season in the league to his credit and it was far from impressive. Antipin made his NHL debut last year after signing with the Buffalo Sabres. He skated in 47 games with the team, but failed to score a goal and only added ten assists. It was far from a surprise that he left Buffalo to return home this summer. A failed first NHL season won’t stop the hype over the swift skating defenseman though; Friedman reports that the speculation of an Antipin return is fueled more so by interest from NHL teams than the player’s own desire to play in the league. Antipin has 21 points in 40 games this year for Metallurg Magnitogorsk, fourth-best on the team. A balanced two-way game, especially in the offense-heavy KHL, is often a good way to impress NHL scouts and Antipin may get his second chance far sooner than he might have expected.

Sergei Shumakov Signs With KHL’s Avangard Omsk

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Sergei Shumakov was applauded for sticking with North American hockey when his contract with the Washington Capitals was terminated earlier this month. It turns out he wasn’t that committed to staying on the continent. Just eleven days after signing with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds, Shumakov has jumped ship in favor of a return to the KHL. Avangard Omsk have announced that they have signed Shumakov to a three-year contract.

Shumakov, 26, made headlines when he signed with the Capitals this off-season. The talented forward had been playing for Sibir Novosibirsk of the KHL since he was a teenager, before moving to CSKA Moscow last year. Shumakov helped CSKA to a finals appearance behind a 40-point effort and +28 rating in 47 regular season games and another four points in eleven postseason games. Many felt that would be a good fit in Washington, a team that has had great success with Russian players. However, Shumakov was unable to earn a spot on the Capitals roster in training camp and was relegated to beginning his North American career with the AHL’s Hershey Bears. Shumakov recorded four points in ten games with the Bears before requesting his release from Washington. Shumakov then joined the Thunderbirds, perhaps hoping he might earn another shot at the NHL with their parent club, the Florida Panthers, or another team, and added one point in three games.

However, when Avangard came calling with a lucrative, long-term contract, Shumakov likely couldn’t resist a return to the league that he so recently excelled in. Omsk is currently a top five team in the KHL and leading the Chernyshev Division. They add Shumakov to a roster that already boasts a number of NHL alumni, including veteran defensemen Cody Franson, Alexei Emelin, and Evgeny Medvedev and experienced scorers Sergei Shirokov, David Desharnais, Maxime Talbot, and Viktor Stalberg. Shumakov should fit right in with this group and make Omsk and even more dangerous team this season and beyond in the KHL.

NCC Terminates Relationship With Eugene Melnyk, RendezVous LeBreton Group

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The hopes of Ottawa Senators fans that their team could be moving closer to the city in the near future were dashed today. The NCC, the National Capital Commission, is responsible for urban development and controls the use of the land located in the LeBreton Flats area of Ottawa. The organization had previously partnered with Senators owner Eugene Melnyk and Trinity Development executive John Ruddy of the RendezVouz LeBreton Group, to allow the team to begin plans to build a new arena. However, given the recent fallout between the two, with Melnyk suing Ruddy and Ruddy submitting a counterclaim yesterday, the NCC has lost faith in their initial choice. The organization has opted to terminate the preferred proponent sheet, which had named the RendezVouz LeBreton Group as the preferred developers of the LeBreton Flats area.

The NCC noted in their announcement that they were apprised of the “unresolved internal issues” between Melnyk and Ruddy in November and decided at their most recent meeting to move forward with a different plan of action – “The NCC remains committed to redeveloping LeBreton Flats to the highest standards of design, accessibility, sustainability and connectivity”.

One would assume that as long as Melnyk is the owner of the Senators, the LeBreton Flats area is no longer a viable location for a new arena in Ottawa. The much maligned owner has seemingly burned his bridges with the NCC and will have to look elsewhere. The Senators continue to struggle with attendance, ranked 27th so far this season and last among Canadian clubs, at the Canadian Tire Center in Kanata, close to 15 miles from downtown Ottawa. LeBreton Flats, only about a mile from downtown, would have been a far superior location. Of course, arena location is just one of many struggles for Melnyk and the Senators. With yet another knock on him now, the NCC’s decision could be the final straw for commissioner Gary Bettman and the league to step in sooner rather than later.

Edmonton’s Jujhar Khaira Suspended Two Games For Cross Checking

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The decision was prompt by the Department of Player Safety and Edmonton Oilers forward Jujhar Khaira will now take a seat. Player Safety announced a hearing with Khaira this afternoon and apparently already had time to meet with the winger and make their decision already. The department has now announced a two-game suspension for Khaira for cross checking, stemming from an incident with St. Louis Blues defenseman Vince Dunn last night.

In the third period of Tuesday night’s contest, Dunn and Khaira went back and forth in front of the St. Louis net following a hard, but legal check by Khaira in the corner. Dunn made first contact, appearing to cross check Khaira in the shoulder. For his part, Player Safety already issued Dunn a maximum $1,942.20 fine for cross checking. However, in response, Khaira hit Dunn with a much harder cross check aimed at the head and neck area. In their descriptive video, Player Safety ruled the following:

While Dunn is the first player to deliver a cross check on this play, his cross check does not land as forcefully or directly as the one delivered by Khaira… Illegal actions by one player do not mean that their opponent can retaliate however they see fit. On this play, while Khaira is justifiably angered by Dunn’s illegal and unnecessary response to a legal hit, raising his arms to head level and delivering a sharp, forceful blow to his opponent’s head with his stick is not excusable.

This is Khaira’s first incidence of supplemental discipline, somewhat impressively given his hallmark physical style. However, the optics on this cross check did not work in his favor, as the shot to Dunn was far worse than the one he received himself. A two-game suspension is well within the realm of a reasonable response by player safety. Khaira will now miss the next two match-ups for the Oilers, as they continue their home stand against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday and the Vancouver Canucks next Thursday. Khaira is seventh in scoring for Edmonton, fifth among forwards, and his production will be missed in addition to his checking game while he sits for a week.

Canucks’ Olli Juolevi Out For Season Following Knee Surgery

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Olli Juolevi continues to defy expectations, but not in a good way. The Vancouver Canucks’ first-round pick in 2016, No. 5 overall, was unable to win a roster spot with the team last season and was loaned back to his native Finland. So far this year, Juolevi had played exclusively with their AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets. Last month, the young defenseman suffered a knee injury, but was only expected to miss a couple of weeks. Juolevi even returned to practice with the Comets last week. Yet, the Canucks announced this evening that Juolevi underwent surgery on his knee today and will miss the remainder of the season.

Whether Juolevi’s knee injury was more severe than originally indicated or whether the team was simply playing it safe, the fact of the matter is that the recent top-five pick will go yet another season without making his NHL debut and could wait even longer. Vancouver does expect that he will make a full recovery by training camp, but in no way is he guaranteed a roster spot and will most likely have to prove that he is game-ready by beginning another season in the minors. The team press release stated that the Canucks’ medical staff felt that “surgery was… the best option for Juolevi’s long-term health and career”, but the decision also must have weighed whether or not the team felt they would need him this season or early next season, with the answer apparently being no.

If there was any question as to whether University of Michigan defenseman Quinn Hughes had bypassed Juolevi as Vancouver’s top defensive prospect, that debate is now over. Hughes, the seventh overall pick in June, is expected to step into a starting role with Canucks next season, if not sooner. Meanwhile, Juolevi’s future is a question mark, with his development now marred by injury in addition to underwhelming performance.

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