Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Rangers, Zibanejad Exchange Arbitration Numbers

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

With the arbitration hearing for New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad coming up this Tuesday, July 25th, the two sides have exchanged salary figures. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Zibanejad’s side is asking for $5.35MM, while the team is offering $4.1MM.

While there’s been no word thus far on the term either side is requesting, it is reasonable to assume that Zibanejad would like just a one-year award if the negotiations go all the way through the arbitration process. The first year in New York did not go as planned for the 24-year-old pivot, as injury limited him to just 56 games. While the swift Swede was still able to put up 37 points, he snapped his 20-goal season streak and was unable to show off much of his physical game, playing a much more careful style. Nevertheless, Zibanejad still displayed his scoring ability, with a career-high 0.66 points per game and an 11.8% shooting percentage, as well as his two-way ability with a +9 rating and career-best 52% face-off winning percentage. He also skated in 12 playoff games and looked impressive, registering nine points and a +4 rating in nearly 18 minutes of ice time per game.

The Rangers may have expected more from Zibanejad in year one, but when he was healthy he was everything they could ask for. The last thing that New York wants is a short-term deal that exposes Zibanejad to unrestricted free agency anytime soon. Having traded Derick Brassard to acquire Zibanejad just around this time last year, they want to make that deal count. Expect the Rangers to do what they can to lessen the annual average value of the deal based on injury concerns in 2016-17, but in the end do what it takes to secure a long-term deal. New York will likely be the side to budge, despite a strange first season together, and this contract will likely end up as a five or six year pact (or longer) worth somewhere around $4.75MM+ per year, similar to the deal Brassard himself signed with the Rangers back in 2014.

Overseas Notes: Gilbert, Koppanen, Camper

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Veteran NHL defenseman Tom Gilbert is on his way to Germany. After 11 seasons in the NHL, opportunities in North America have dried up for the 34-year-old, who will now take his talents across the Atlantic to the Deutsche Liga (DEL). The Nuremberg Ice Tigers, fresh off a strong 2016-17 season and run to the league semifinals, announced a one-year-deal with Gilbert yesterday, which is easily the biggest free agent acquisition in the DEL this off-season. Nuremberg immediately becomes the favorite in the DEL this season, as they already roster four of the league’s leading scorers from 2016-17, including veteran NHLer Steven Reinprecht, and the league’s top goaltender, Andreas Jenike, and will sure up a weak defense that cost them last season by adding Gilbert and his 655 games of NHL experience to the mix. Gilbert is far removed from his early days as a high-scoring blue liner for the Edmonton Oilers, but can still play reliable defense and was thought of as enough of an asset that the Washington Capitals traded for him from the Los Angeles Kings this February as a depth option down the stretch and in the playoffs. Gilbert when on to play very well for the AHL’s Hersey Bears in the latter half of the season, and should be set to dominate lesser competition in the DEL in 2017-18.

  • Despite signing his entry-level deal with the Boston Bruins back in April and putting on a good showing at the team’s development camp recently, Joona Koppanen will honor his contract with Ilves of the Liiga and return to Finland for the 2016-17 season via loan. Koppanen is yet another Don Sweeney draft pick that appears poised to outplay his draft slot. A fifth-round pick of the Bruins in 2016, part of the same draft class as Charlie McAvoy, Trent Frederic, and Ryan Lindgren, who all exceeded expectations this past year, Koppanen is no different. The 6’5″ Finn stands tall, but skates extremely well for a player of his size. He also has positional versatility and strong hockey intelligence to go along with good scoring ability. Koppanen scored 54 points in 38 games in the Jr. Liiga last year and turned down NCAA offers to pursue his pro dreams sooner. He’ll get that chance with Ilves in 2017-18 and another big season could make him a surprise challenger for a roster spot in Boston come 2018-19.
  • Despite ample overseas offers and rumors of such signings, veteran AHLer Carter Camper has decided to stay stateside. The 29-year-old signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Monsters yesterday and will look to continue his long run of AHL domination. An undrafted, undersized forward out of Miami University in 2011, Camper signed on with the Boston Bruins and proceeded to post big numbers with the AHL’s Providence Bruins for three years, even earning a brief call-up to the NHL. Camper was traded away to the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2014, and has since found one-year, two-way contracts each summer with Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals and, most recently, the New Jersey Devils. This is the first time Camper has had to settle for an AHL deal, as his streak of about or above 50-point AHL seasons has been trending towards 30-points for the past few years. Camper’s days as an NHL prospect are likely over, but don’t be surprised if the diminutive scorer is a Team USA candidate for the 2018 Olympics and back on a two-way NHL contract next season.

Jordan Martinook Re-Signs With Arizona

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Arizona Coyotes and two-way forward Jordan Martinook have avoided arbitration, coming to terms on a new deal today. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that Martinook has signed a two-year, $3.6MM deal to remain in the desert. The two sides have reportedly been close on contract terms for a while, but there was also speculation that Martinook would wait for his arbitration hearing this Wednesday, July 26th, before making a decision. Instead, the big forward has signed on for two more years with the promising young Coyotes, where he could soon take on a larger role for the team.

Martinook, in just his second full NHL season, has already shown that he is a model of consistency and effort. Capable of playing both center and left wing, Martinook is the perfect versatile bottom-six forward. He plays a smart two-way game, including leading the Coyotes’ penalty kill unit, and brings a physical edge and swift defensive style. He can also put up some offense, with 24 and 25 points respectively in his first two full seasons, including 11 goals in 2016-17.

The 24-year-old Martinook is just beginning to show his NHL upside, and should take on a much larger role for Arizona going forward. Amazingly, with Shane Doan and Radim Vrbata now gone, Martinook is second only to Tobias Rieder in games played with Arizona among forwards on the team with just 166 contests. The absence of those veterans will naturally allow for more ice time and scoring opportunity for Martinook, but as full-effort player and one of the longest-tenured forwards on a young term, Martinook could also be in line for a leadership position in the locker room. At just $1.8MM per year for a well-rounded player about to take the next step in his development, GM John Chayka and the Coyotes may have a bargain on their hands with Martinook’s new contract.

Rangers Sign Goalie Alexander Georgiev

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Wednesday: The team has officially announced the contract.

Monday: The New York Rangers have made an interesting off-season move, signing Russian goaltender Alexander Georgiev to an entry-level contract. The 21-year-old keeper, who went undrafted in 2014 and 2015, was a free agent playing in the Finnish Liiga. CapFriendly reports that he’ll now head across the Atlantic to join the Rangers organization on a three-year deal worth $792.5K at the NHL level.

Although undrafted, Georgiev has begun to make a name for himself on the international stage in recent years. Unlike most promising Russian prospects, Georgiev left the country to join TPS in Finland for the 2014-15 season. His performance as the backup for the team – a 2.21 GAA in 14 games in 2014-15 and a 2.28 GAA in 10 games in 2015-16 – caught the eye of the Russian World Junior team. Not only did Georgiev make the team, he started five games at the 2016 tournament. He then took over as the starter for TPS this past season, posting a stellar 1.70 GAA and .923 save percentage in 27 games as just a 21-year-old in a men’s league. The young goalie has plenty of upside to go along with many questions about his game as well.

Yet, his current resume seems to have been enough for the Rangers to give him a shot in the AHL. With Henrik Lundqvist and the newly signed Ondrej Pavelec as a solid one-two punch at the NHL level, Georgiev will certainly head for the minors, where he can compete for starts on the Hartford Wolf Pack. After losing Magnus Hellberg to the KHL and choosing not to re-sign Mackenzie Skapski, there’s definitely room for someone to take control in Hartford. Georgiev will battle incumbent Brandon Halverson, a 2014 second-round pick who struggled in his first pro season, and Bowling Green University’s Chris Nell, who also struggled in his brief AHL showing at the end of last season. Georgiev may just end up as the AHL starter, and candidate to see NHL time, when all is said and done.

Boston Bruins Re-Sign Austin Czarnik

at CDT | by 4 Comments

Tuesday: The team has officially announced the signing.

Monday: A day after extending young goalies Zane McIntyre and Malcolm Subban, the Boston Bruins have come to terms with another one their restricted free agents. According to CapFriendly, two-way forward Austin Czarnik has re-signed with the Bruins on a one-year, two-way deal. Czarnik will make just $675K at the NHL level, which may end up being a bargain for GM Don Sweeney and company after a solid rookie season.

Czarnik, the former captain of the Miami University RedHawks and a highly sought-after college free agent in 2015, has found success in all aspects of the game so far in his pro career. In 2015-16, Czarnik, alongside Boston’s Frank Vatrano and former Bruin Seth Griffith, had a breakout campaign in the AHL with the Providence Bruins, scoring 61 points in 68 games in his first pro season. Czarnik led all AHL rookies in points, and that offensive production earned him an NHL shot last season. The small, shifty center took on an important bottom-six role for the first half of the season, recording 13 points in 49 games and leading the team’s third penalty kill unit. While Czarnik did not show the same offensive explosion, he proved that he had the intelligence, composure, and versatility to be an NHL player. Czarnik was eventually returned to Providence for much of the second half and the postseason, where he again was an offensive juggernaut with 23 points in 22 games, but has earned another shot in Boston in the near future. Czarnik is one of many young forwards who will fight for a roster spot this season, including fellow two-way forwards Noel Acciari and college teammate Sean Kuraly, veteran minor leaguers Tim Schaller and Kenny Agostino, and promising prospect scorers Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson, Zach Senyshyn, Jake DeBrusk, Anders Bjork, Peter Cehlarik, and Danton Heinen. Czarnik may need some luck to hold off a plethora of NHL-ready talent, but has the advantage of NHL experience on his side.

With Czarnik signed, the Bruins’ only two remaining restricted free agents are a couple of notable names: 21-year-old star winger David Pastrnak and play-making third-line center Ryan Spooner. While Boston is high on Czarnik and other young forwards, with more than enough competition as is, many also believe that they could stand to add another veteran winger into the mix as well. However, such a move will likely come after the extensions for Pastrnak and Spooner are over with. Negotiations with Pastrnak have been ongoing for a while now and Spooner has his arbitration date set for July 26th, so it’s only a matter of time before the Bruins have more news to announce. Re-upping Czarnik is another step in the right direction, but there’s still work to be done in Boston.

Overseas Notes: Pirri, Brule, Villacher

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Despite some early reports, it remains unclear whether free agent forward Brandon Pirri is leaving the NHL or not. News out of local sources in Switzerland made it sound as if the young scorer had already come to an agreement with the ZSC Lions of the NLA. However, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, one of hockey’s top news-breakers, did some digging today and has doubts about the deal. Friedman believes that Pirri still plans on staying in North America, despite what is likely ample interest from European clubs. Pirri, still just 26 years old, has not been tendered a qualifying offer in back-to-back years, despite racking up 47 points in 121 games with the New York Rangers, Anaheim Ducks, and Florida Panthers over the past two seasons. Before that, Pirri notched a 22-goal season for the Panthers in 2014-15. Yet, often described as a one-dimensional player, Pirri has been unable to find a long-term NHL home. Will he wait out the market or take a minor league deal, as Friedman suggests, or will eventually succumb to the pressure of overseas offers, like that of ZSC, and leave North America?

  • One former NHLer who first turned to the ZSC Lions when he could not find a new NHL team was Gilbert Brule. The sixth overall pick of the 2005 NHL Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets, Brule left for Swtizerland in 2012 after his once-promising career had produced only 95 points in 296 NHL games over seven pro seasons. Brule attempted a comeback the following year, but found a similar lack of success and moved on to the KHL, where he has played ever since. According to a press release from Russian club Traktor Chelyabinsk, Brule is on the move again, but still within the KHL. Traktor has acquired the now 30-year-old forward for cash compensation from Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Brule is coming off his best pro season in 2016-17, after posting 42 points in 52 games between Neftekhimik and Medvescak Zagreb. Brule will look to stay hot in the final season of his contract after finishing in the top 25 in points per game last season in the KHL.
  • Brule’s former team, Medvescak Zagreb, has now left the KHL and has re-joined the EBEL, a league based mostly out of Austria, but that includes other European clubs like Zagreb, a Croatian team, and others from the Czech Republic, Italy, Hungary, and Slovenia. While league re-alignment has been a major story for the EBEL, another has been the active off-season for Villacher SV, the lowest-placing Austrian team in 2016-17. In the past two days, Villacher has added arguably the two biggest names of any EBEL signings this summer in Rob Flick and Ben Walter. Flick, a fourth-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010 and a well-regarded enforcer, had been unable to crack an NHL lineup despite solid defensive play and moderate offense in the AHL and ECHL. The 26-year-old finally found his scoring touch with the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays last season, notching 63 points in 60 games and will now look to keep that going with Villacher. Walter, a veteran of lower-level European hockey, was one of the top scorers in the EBEL in 2014-15 with 43 points in 50 games. Walter was a fifth-round selection of the Boston Bruins in 2004, and unlike Flick, saw 24 games of NHL action with the Bruins, New York Islanders, and New Jersey Devils. While Flick and Walter may not be massive names by any means to most North American fans, their relative talent level make them huge acquisitions for Villacher.

San Jose Sharks Re-Sign Chris Tierney

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

7/13: The Sharks have officially announced the contract.

7/11: It may not be the fireworks that some Sharks fans are waiting for, but the team has brought back a dependable player for the 2017-18 campaign. TVA’s Renaud Lavoie reports that Chris Tierney, San Jose’s young two-way center, has signed his qualifying offer. The restricted free agent will return to the Sharks on a one-year, one-way contract worth $735K. Tierney will be an RFA again next summer, but has bought himself another year to prove that he is a worthy of a long-term contract, while also keeping the Sharks’ cap flexibility intact so that they can add more talent up front before next season.

Tierney, 23, was San Jose’s second-round selection back in 2012 out of the OHL’s London Knights. After a prolific junior career, he joined the Sharks for the 2014-15 season and immediately carved out a role for himself as a two-way center. A true 200-foot player, Tierney is consistent with his scoring, notching between 20 and 23 points in each of his first three seasons, and is clutch with his offense as well, with several game-winners in his young career and an impressive nine points and +8 rating during the Sharks’ run to the Stanley Cup in 2015-16. Given his moderate ice time, 13 to 14 minutes per night on the fourth line, Tierney’s modest production is more impressive than it may seem. However, where Tierney really excels is in his own end. The team’s checking line center, Tierney has developed great two-way instincts, is an adept shot-blocker, and led all Sharks last year in takeaways per 60 minutes.

Yet, this new contract does bring with it plenty of questions. Why was a valuable, young defensive forward forced to sign his lowly one-year qualifying offer? The only explanation is that one side or the other wanted that deal, otherwise one would think that a longer contract worth closer to Tierney’s true value could have been agreed upon, like many of those signed by restricted free agents in the past week or so. Perhaps the Sharks did not offer Tierney anything more than the qualifying offer, or maybe he is unhappy in San Jose and only wanted to sign on for one year at a time. Either way, this contract (and any possible underlying discontent) could make Tierney trade bait this summer as the Sharks look to improve their offense. Stay tuned.

Flyers Sign Scott Laughton To Two-Year Extension

at CDT | by 1 Comment

The Philadelphia Flyers have agreed to terms on a new deal with an important albeit under-performing depth piece, inking young forward Scott Laughton to a two-year, one-way extension. According to Flyers beat writer Dave Isaac, the contract pays Laughton $875K for 2017-18 and $1.05MM for 2018-19. That comes out to a cap hit of $962.5 for the length of the deal.

Laughton, 23, has been somewhat of an enigmatic player for the Flyers since being drafted 20th overall in the 2012 NHL Draft. Laughton has played in 109 NHL games in his four pro seasons, but skated in just two NHL games last season. Unlike the progression of most young players, Laughton’s role and production increased in the first three years of his career, culminating in a career-best 71 games and 21 points in 2015-16, and then he lost his roster spot entirely last season. Laughton seemed to be developing into a stable bottom six center, but coach Dave Hakstol and the Flyers seemed to quit on him last year. Yet, he has signed a two-year deal that is one-way no less and appears to have his job back.

Even when he was a regular for the Flyers, Laughton was still only given a modest 11 minutes of ice time on average. When sent down to the AHL, Laughton scored at a greater clip, but still nothing overly impressive or anywhere near his junior totals. It’s clear that Laughton is far from the first-round caliber player the Flyers though he was, at least at this point in time. Yet, GM Ron Hextall and company must have a plan for the young center; one that allows him to get NHL ice time and experience while playing in a lineup that has also added well-rounded veteran centers Valtteri Filppula and Jori Lehtera in recent months. Where Laughton thrives is in the two-way checking game and on the penalty kill. If this new contract is going to work out for either side, it seems Laughton will have to embrace his best attributes and dominate as a fourth-line skater and short-hand specialist, or else he could be facing waivers.

Dallas Stars Re-Sign Gemel Smith

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

After locking up Radek Faksa to a new contract yesterday, GM Jim Nill and the Dallas Stars were back at it again today, announcing an extension for forward Gemel Smith. Smith signed a one-year, two-way deal with financial terms not yet disclosed.

Smith made his NHL debut in 2016-17, skating in 17 games and recording three goals and three assists. He also added 33 points in 53 games with the AHL’s Texas Stars. The 2012 fourth-round pick hadn’t found that kind of scoring success since he was a star forward with the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack.

While Smith seemed poised to take on a bigger role with Dallas this season, the additions of Alexander Radulov, Martin Hanzal and maybe even Tyler Pitlick and Brian Flynn could mean even less opportunity for Smith. At just 5’10”, Smith plays a surprisingly hard-nosed, physical game. He may need to focus more on that side of his game than his offensive ability to earn his initial role with Dallas.

Sabres To Wait On Sam Reinhart Extension

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

While new GM Jason Botterill and the Sabres front office are reportedly working diligently on an extension for star center Jack Eichel in hopes of having a deal done this summer, they aren’t placing the same emphasis on a new contract for a fellow young forward. With one year remaining on his entry-level contract, it seems that the Sabres are content to let Sam Reinhart reach restricted free agency next off-season before working out a new deal.

Reinhart, the #2 overall pick in 2014, has not yet performed to the same level as Eichel, the #2 overall pick in 2015, or even the Winnipeg Jets’ Patrik Laine, the #2 overall pick in 2016. While Reinhart has certainly been an important part of the Buffalo offense the past two years, it seems that the jury is still out on his long-term value. Reinhart has played in 79 games in each of the past two seasons, racking up 42 and 47 points respectively. While that is a nice contribution, a near-number one pick is expected, at the very least, to register 20 goals and 20 assists in a season, which Reinhart has yet to do. While Reinhart’s two-way game is coming along nicely, he has also been abysmal at the face-off dot. Reinhart simply has a ways to go to reach his potential and is thus not a priority to re-sign with a year remaining.

None of this is to say that Reinhart is not a valued member of the current and future Sabres, only that he has not reached the level of some of his teammates. A new deal for RFA goalie Robin Lehner and an extension for Eichel, two players that simply play larger roles in Buffalo, are taking precedence. However, when next summer roles around, Reinhart will get his fair share of attention. Still just 21 years old, Reinhart is a power play weapon and an expert sniper. Botterill acknowledged that he’s “excited with Sam”, but added “I don’t think something from a contract standpoint will be happening this summer”. Reinhart has another year to show that he’s still growing as a player and is worth perhaps more than what he’s accomplished so far, and that opportunity may just work out in his favor.

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

scroll to top