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Senators Will Not Extend Qualifying Offers To Six RFA’s

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The deadline to extend qualifying offers to restricted free agents arrives on Monday, but the Ottawa Senators have already made their plans clear. The young team has no shortage of restricted free agents, but that list is about to be trimmed substantially. As relayed by the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch, Senators GM Pierre Dorion has confirmed that forwards Michael Amadio, J.C. Beaudin, Jonathan Davidsson, and Jack Kopacka, defenseman Brandon Fortunato, and goaltender Marcus Hogberg will not receive qualifying offers. That group of six is nearly half of Ottawa’s current 14 restricted free agents.

The most notable name on the list is Hogberg, who served as the Senators’ primary backup goalie the past two seasons. However, he is also the least surprising inclusion on the list. The team informed the 26-year-old back in May that they would not qualify him and have stuck to that promise. Hogberg has struggled in the NHL and is expected to return to Sweden.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is Amadio, who would only require the minimum $750K salary to qualify. Acquired this season from the Los Angeles Kings for defenseman Christian Wolanin, Amadio has 173 NHL games on his resume including a 2018-19 campaign in which he scored at a full season pace of 12 goals and 25 points. One would think that this could be a useful player for the Senators to hold on to, at least for a full year, but instead they will move on quickly from the 25-year-old winger.

Kopacka was also new to Ottawa this season, acquired from the San Jose Sharks as part of the package for defenseman Christian Jaros, but has never played in the NHL and did little in the AHL to show he was worthy of a new contract. Beaudin, who saw 22 games with the Senators this season, seemingly did not do enough in his audition to stick with the club. Fortunato, the most expensive player to qualify despite having no NHL experience and unspectacular AHL numbers, and Davidsson, who is signed to a multi-year deal overseas, are not surprising inclusions on this list of soon-to-be former Senators.

If anything, this exodus of RFA’s from Ottawa implies that the Senators see better uses for their maximum 50 contract slots. With a deep pipeline of prospects, the team could be looking to bring younger, more exciting options into the fold this season in place of these aging, uninspiring players.

Sabres’ Jake McCabe To Test The Market

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Injury could not have come at a worse time for Jake McCabe. The Buffalo Sabres defenseman had been nothing but dependable in his first five full NHL seasons, establishing himself as a solid two-way defenseman capable of shut-down defense with his checking and shot-blocking as well as transitioning the puck up the ice and contributing modest offense. Entering a contract year at just 27 years old, McCabe looked primed to play a critical role again for the Sabres and then was likely to be a highly sought-after trade deadline target. That all was supposed to conclude with a considerable raise and long-term contract in free agency, from Buffalo or elsewhere.

Instead, McCabe suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus in his right knee in February, just 13 games into the season. In that small sample size, McCabe posted a Corsi For rating that held as the best possession mark on the Sabres this season. He was also on pace for a career high in hits per game. Everything was going according to plan and just like that his season was over. Not only that, but the timeline for recovery was considered six-to-eight months and history has shown that ACL injuries can take even longer to heal for hockey players. McCabe’s season was over and now the following season was in doubt. At best, McCabe will not be healthy until a month after the free agent market opens. At worst, he may not be ready to play through the first month of the season or longer.

This has completely changed the outlook of McCabe’s impending free agency. The hopes of a long-term deal are likely shattered and it will be far harder to make a case for a pay raise. In fact, many had speculated that perhaps McCabe would simply re-sign in Buffalo, the team that knows the most about his current recovery and whose lineup it would be the easiest to transition into post-injury. However, it doesn’t seem like that will be the case. Buffalo Hockey Beat’s Bill Hoppe reports that McCabe will in fact test the market when free agency opens on July 28. Hoppe writes that the Sabres have been in contact with McCabe, but haven’t prioritized an extension with the career Sabre, despite his leadership role in the locker room as well as the recent losses of Rasmus Ristolainen and William Borgen from the back end. GM Kevyn Adams stated that McCabe will enter the market on his own accord though. He noted that the Sabres would welcome McCabe back if he wants to return at a fair price, but that the defenseman is “going to see what’s out there”.

McCabe’s market will certainly be an interesting one. While there are many good defensemen available, there are few great options. McCabe may have to settle for a one-year “show me” deal given his injury, but if a team believes in his ability and instead sees the injury as a way to sign the blue liner at a bargain price, perhaps he could still wind up with a multi-year deal. The Boston Bruins are one club that have been previously linked to McCabe, but there will be no shortage of teams that kick the tires on the defenseman now that it is confirmed that he is interested in testing the waters.

 

Coyotes’ Niklas Hjalmarsson To Retire

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The career of one of the best defensive defensemen of the modern era is coming to an end. Craig Morgan of AZ Coyotes Insider reports that Arizona unrestricted free agent Niklas Hjalmarsson is set to retire after 14 NHL seasons. Morgan notes that the humble veteran is unlikely to make a formal announcement, but multiple sources have confirmed that Hjalmarsson’s NHL career has ended.

While Hjalmarsson is still a capable pro, this move should not come as much of a surprise. The 34-year-old has been in decline over the last few years, more or less since leaving the Chicago Blackhawks in 2017. This season, he refused to waive his No-Movement Clause ahead of the trade deadline, preferring to stay with his family in Arizona rather than compete for a Stanley Cup. It seems that his three titles with Chicago were enough for the respected veteran, and when that drive is gone the career doesn’t last much longer. Recently, rumors emerged that his family would be moving back to his native Sweden, again a sign that Hjalmarsson was ready to move on as well.

While Hjalmarsson never received the accolades of other top defenseman or even his other championship teammates with the Blackhawks, he was quietly one of the best defensive players in the NHL over much of his career. A player whose numbers don’t do him justice, Hjalmarsson played with elite hockey IQ and vision, rarely getting caught out of position. Hjalmarsson could single-handedly shut down an offensive rush or stymie a power play. An incredibly effective shot blocker, Hjalmarsson’s defensive zone presence was the stuff of nightmares for the opposition in his prime. While only ever contributing modest offense, not much of puck-mover, and not a noticeable physical presence, it didn’t matter – Hjalmarsson was an effective top-four defenseman all the same. A dependable player who ate minutes and took on difficult match-ups throughout his career, including 137 career playoff games, Hjalmarsson was a key piece of every team he played for.

While not unexpected, Hjalmarsson’s departure from Arizona is yet another confirmed absence from the Coyotes’ 2021-22 blue line, which is set to look very different. Arizona had seven defensemen play 40+ games this past season. Heading into the off-season, four of those were unrestricted free agents: Hjalmarsson, Alex Goligoski, Jason Demers, and Jordan Oesterle. A fifth, captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson, has since been traded. Hjalmarsson is now confirmed not to return and veterans Goligoski and Demers are not expected to return either. Depth defensemen Aaron Ness and Jordan Gross are also UFA’s and may not re-sign. Jakob Chychrun will lead a new unit that looks to include Shayne Gostisbehere, Ilya Lyubushkin, Kyle Capobianco, and rookie Victor Soderstrom. Chychrun will need to channel Hjalmarrson and other former teammates if he want to play the well-rounded game needed to become a bona fide No. 1  and leader of a young defense corps.

Carolina Hurricanes Re-Sign Spencer Smallman

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The Carolina Hurricanes have taken care of business with a would-be restricted free agent. The team has announced that they have come to terms on a one-year contract extension with forward Spencer Smallman. Smallman has signed a two-way contract that pays him the minimum $750K in the NHL and $75$K in the AHL. The deal comes in slightly below Smallman’s $772K qualifying offer.

Smallman, 24, is still a ways away from seeing any of his NHL salary. Smallman is a gritty, hand-working forward with character, but it will take more than that to advance his career. Smallman was able to produce on talented QMJHL Champion Saint John Sea Dogs team in his final year of junior hockey in 2016-17, but has failed to make an impact at the pro level. The 2015 fifth-round pick has played in only 90 games total over four pro seasons, 65 in the AHL and 25 in the ECHL. Smallman has failed to assert himself as an AHL regular to this point, due in no small part to just three goals and 21 points in his AHL experience (compared to 27 points in 40 fewer ECHL games).

Yet, the Hurricanes like his work ethic enough to re-sign him to an NHL contact, believing that he can still work his way into becoming a potential depth option. With two other important RFA forwards in Andrei Svechnikov and Warren Foegele and just ten players total on one-way contracts heading into next year, Smallman was the least of Carolina’s worries this off-season. They can now move on and focus on what should be a busy summer.

2021 NHL Draft Results

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It may not be a Tuesday in October, but it isn’t the fourth Friday in June either. The 2021 NHL Entry Draft will again be a unique event and it is about far more than just the date. With the COVID-19 pandemic restricting many draft-eligible prospects from competing in full seasons and in some cases at all, as well as limiting NHL scouts from live viewings, this is set to be a very unpredictable draft. While the class is not especially strong at the top, it is deep and teams could have very different opinions on top players based on their incomplete profiles. Some players expected to go early could fall, even by a round or two, while others taken with top picks could come as complete surprises. On top of that, the draft class has also expanded by seven picks, one per round for the NHL’s newest addition, the Seattle Kraken expansion franchise. Beginning on Friday night and through Saturday afternoon, 223 NHL hopefuls will hear their names called. Perhaps more than ever though, it is hard to predict where each of those 223 may fall.

Round One

  1. Buffalo Sabres – D Owen Power, Univ. of Michigan (NCAA)
  2. Seattle Kraken – F Matthew Beniers, Univ. of Michigan (NCAA)
  3. Anaheim Ducks – F Mason McTavish, Peterborough (OHL)
  4. New Jersey Devils – D Luke Hughes, USNTDP (USHL)
  5. Columbus Blue Jackets – F Kent Johnson, Univ. of Michigan (NCAA)
  6. Detroit Red Wings – D Simon Edvinsson, Frolunda HC (SHL)
  7. San Jose Sharks – F William Eklund, Djurgardens IF (SHL)
  8. Los Angeles Kings – D Brandt Clarke, Barrie (OHL)
  9. Arizona Coyotes (from VAN) – F Dylan Guenther, Edmonton (WHL)
  10. Ottawa Senators – F Tyler Boucher, USNTDP (USHL)
  11. Arizona Coyotes – Forfeited
  12. Columbus Blue Jackets (from CHI) – F Cole Sillinger, Sioux Falls (USHL)
  13. Calgary Flames – F Matthew Coronato, Chicago (USHL)
  14. Buffalo Sabres (from PHI) – F Isak Rosen, Leksands IF (SHL)
  15. Detroit Red Wings (from DAL) – G Sebastian Cossa, Edmonton (WHL)
  16. New York Rangers – F Brennan Othmann, Flint (OHL)
  17. St. Louis Blues – F Zachary Bolduc, Rimouski (QMJHL)
  18. Winnipeg Jets – F Chaz Lucius, USNTDP (USHL)
  19. Nashville Predators – F Fedor Svechkov, Ladia Togliatti (MHL)
  20. Minnesota Wild (from EDM) – G Jesper Wallstedt, Lulea HF (SHL)
  21. Boston Bruins – F Fabian Lysell, Lulea HF (SHL)
  22. Edmonton Oilers (from MIN) – F Xavier Bourgault, Shawinigan (QMJHL)
  23. Dallas Stars (from WSH via DET) – F Wyatt Johnston, Windsor (OHL)
  24. Florida Panthers – F Mackie Samoskevich, Chicago (USHL)
  25. Columbus Blue Jackets (from TOR) – D Corson Ceulemans, Brooks (AJHL)
  26. Minnesota Wild (from PIT) – D Carson Lambos, Winnipeg (WHL)
  27. Nashville Predators (from CAR) – F Zachary L’Heureux, Halifax (QMJHL)
  28. Colorado Avalanche – F Oskar Olausson, HV71 (SHL)
  29. New Jersey Devils (from NYI) – F Chase Stillman, Sudbury (OHL)
  30. Vegas Golden Knights – F Zach Dean, Gatineau (QMJHL)
  31. Montreal Canadiens – D Logan Mailloux, London (OHL)
  32. Chicago Blackhawks (from TBL via CLB) – D Nolan Allan, Prince Albert (WHL)

Round Two

  1. Buffalo Sabres – F Prokhor Poltapov, CSKA Moscow (KHL)
  2. Anaheim Ducks – D Olen Zellweger, Everett (WHL)
  3. Seattle Kraken – D Ryker Evans, Regina (WHL)
  4. Detroit Red Wings (from NJD via VGK) – D Shai Buium, Sioux City (USHL)
  5. Arizona Coyotes (from CLB via OTT) – F Josh Doan, Chicago (USHL)
  6. Vegas Golden Knights (from DET) – D Daniil Chayka, CSKA Moscow (KHL)
  7. Ottawa Senators (from SJS) – F Zack Ostapchuk, Vancouver (WHL)
  8. Carolina Hurricanes (from LAK via NSH) – D Scott Morrow, Shattuck St. Mary’s (HS-MN)
  9. Vancouver Canucks – F Danila Klimovich, Molodechno (Belarus)
  10. Los Angeles Kings (from OTT) – F Francesco Pinelli, Kitchener (OHL)
  11. Arizona Coyotes – F Ilya Fedotov, Novgorod (MHL)
  12. Carolina Hurricanes (from CHI via CLB) – D Aleksi Heimosalmi, Assat (Liiga)
  13. Calgary Flames – F William Stromgren, MODO (Allsvenskan)
  14. Philadelphia Flyers – F Samu Tuomaala, Karpat (Liiga)
  15. Dallas Stars – F Logan Stankoven, Kamloops (WHL)
  16. Dallas Stars (from NYR via DET) – F Artem Grushnikov, CSKA (Russia-Jr.)
  17. Ottawa Senators (from STL via BUF, VGK, LAK) – D Ben Roger, London (OHL)
  18. Winnipeg Jets – F Nikita Chibrikov, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
  19. Carolina Hurricanes (from NSH) – F Ville Koivunen, Karpat (Liiga)
  20. New York Islanders (from EDM via DET) – F Aatu Raty, Karpat (Liiga)
  21. Buffalo Sabres (from BOS) – F Alexander Kisakov, Dinamo Moscow (MHL)
  22. Minnesota Wild – D Jack Peart, Fargo (USHL)
  23. Washington Capitals – D Vincent Iorio, Brandon (WHL)
  24. Florida Panthers – D Evan Nause, Quebec (QMJHL)
  25. Toronto Maple Leafs – F Matthew Knies, Tri-City (USHL)
  26. Pittsburgh Penguins – F Tristan Broz, Fargo (USHL)
  27. Los Angeles Kings (from CAR) – F Samuel Helenius, JYP (Liiga)
  28. Arizona Coyotes (from COL via NYI) – D Janis Moser, Biel-Bienne (NLA)
  29. Colorado Avalanche (from NYI via NJD) – D Sean Behrens, USNTDP (USHL)
  30. Chicago Blackhawks (from VGK) – F Colton Dach, Saskatoon (WHL)
  31. Montreal Canadiens – F Riley Kidney, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)
  32. Montreal Canadiens (from TBL) – F Oliver Kapanen, KalPa (Liiga)

Round Three

  1. New York Rangers (from BUF) – F Jayden Grubbe, Red Deer (WHL)
  2. Anaheim Ducks – F Sasha Pastujov, USNTDP (USHL)
  3. Seattle Kraken – F Ryan Winterton, Hamilton (OHL)
  4. New Jersey Devils – F Samu Salminen, Jokerit (Finland-Jr.)
  5. Columbus Blue Jackets – D Stanislav Svozil, HC Kometa Brno (Czech Republic)
  6. Detroit Red Wings – F Carter Mazur, Tri-City (USHL)
  7. St. Louis Blues (from SJS) – F Simon Robertsson, Skelleftea AIK (SHL)
  8. Nashville Predators (from LAK via CAR) – D Anton Olsson, Malmo (SHL)
  9. Dallas Stars (from VAN) – F Ayrton Martino, Omaha (USHL)
  10. Ottawa Senators – F Oliver Johansson, Timra IK (Allsvenskan)
  11. New York Rangers (from ARI via NJD and WAS) – F Ryder Korczak, Moose Jaw (WHL)
  12. Anaheim Ducks (from CHI via MTL) – D Tyson Hinds, Rimouski (QMJHL)
  13. Calgary Flames – F Cole Huckins, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)
  14. Buffalo Sabres (from PHI) – G Alexei Kolosov, Dinamo Minsk (KHL)
  15. Dallas Stars – F Justin Ertel, St. Andrew’s College (HS-CAN)
  16. Washington Capitals (from NYR) – D Brent Johnson, Sioux Falls (USHL)
  17. San Jose Sharks (from STL) – G Ben Gaudreau, Sarnia (OHL)
  18. Winnipeg Jets – D Dmitry Kuzmin, Molodechno (Belarus)
  19. Carolina Hurricanes (from NSH) – G Patrik Hamrla, HC Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic)
  20. Los Angeles Kings (from EDM via CGY) – D Kirill Kirsanov, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
  21. Boston Bruins – F Brett Harrison, Oshawa (OHL)
  22. Minnesota Wild – F Caedan Bankier, Kamloops (WHL)
  23. Montreal Canadiens (from WSH via SJS) – D Dmitri Kostenko, Lada Togliatti (VHL)
  24. Buffalo Sabres (from FLA) – F Stiven Sardarian, CSKA Moscow (Russia-Jr.)
  25. Calgary Flames (from TOR via LAK) – D Cameron Whynot, Halifax (QMJHL)
  26. Edmonton Oilers (from PIT via EDM) – D Luca Munzenberger, Kolner EC (Germany-Jr.)
  27. Chicago Blackhawks (from CAR) – D Taige Harding, Fort McMurray (AJHL)
  28. Colorado Avalanche – F Andrei Buyalsky, Dubuque (USHL)
  29. New York Islanders – G Tristan Lennox, Saginaw (OHL)
  30. Carolina Hurricanes (from VGK) – D Aidan Hreschuk, USNTDP (USHL)
  31. Buffalo Sabres (from MTL) – F Josh Bloom, Saginaw (OHL)
  32. Tampa Bay Lightning – D Roman Schmidt, USNTDP (USHL)

Round Four

  1. Buffalo Sabres – F Olivier Nadeau, Shawinigan (QMJHL)
  2. Anaheim Ducks – F Joshua Lopina, UMass (NCAA)
  3. Seattle Kraken – D Ville Ottavainen, JYP (Finland)
  4. New Jersey Devils – G Jakub Malek, VHK Vsetin (Czech-Jr.)
  5. Columbus Blue Jackets – D Guillaume Richard, Tri-City (USHL)
  6. Vegas Golden Knights (from DET) – F Jakub Brabenec, HC Kometa Brno (Czech)
  7. San Jose Sharks – D Gannon Laroque, Victoria (WHL)
  8. New York Rangers (from LAK) – F Brody Lamb, Green Bay (USHL)
  9. Chicago Blackhawks (from VAN) – D Ethan Del Mastro, Mississauga (OHL)
  10. New York Rangers (from OTT) – F Kalle Vaisanen, TPS (Liiga)
  11. Arizona Coyotes – D Emil Martinsen Lilleberg, Sparta Sarpsborg (Norway)
  12. Chicago Blackhawks – F Victor Stjernborg, Vaxjo Lakers HC (SHL)
  13. Carolina Hurricanes (from CGY via LAK) – F Jackson Blake, Chicago (USHL)
  14. Philadelphia Flyers – D Brian Zanetti, Lugano (Switzerland-Jr.)
  15. Dallas Stars – F Conner Roulette, Seattle (WHL)
  16. New York Rangers – G Talyn Boyko, Tri-City (WHL)
  17. Montreal Canadiens (from STL) – D William Trudeau, Charlottetown (QMJHL)
  18. Detroit Red Wings (from WPG via VGK) – F Red Savage, USNTDP (USHL)
  19. Nashville Predators – D Ryan Ufko, Chicago (USHL)
  20. Edmonton Oilers – F Jake Chiasson, Brandon (WHL)
  21. Boston Bruins – G Philip Svedeback, Vaxjo Lakers HC (Sweden-Jr.)
  22. Minnesota Wild – D Kyle Masters, Red Deer (WHL)
  23. Washington Capitals – D Joaquim Lemay, Salmon Arm (BCHL)
  24. Florida Panthers – D Vladislav Lukashevich, Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)
  25. San Jose Sharks (from TOR) – F Ethan Cardwell, Barrie (OHL)
  26. Arizona Coyotes (from PIT) – G Rasmus Korhonen, Assat (Finland-Jr.)
  27. Ottawa Senators (from CAR) – F Carson Latimer, Edmonton (WHL)
  28. Nashville Predators (from COL via OTT) – D Jack Matier, Ottawa (OHL)
  29. New York Islanders – F Cameron Berg, Muskegon (USHL)
  30. Tampa Bay Lightning (from VGK via MTL) – F Dylan Duke, USNTDP (USHL)
  31. Minnesota Wild (from MTL) – F Josh Pillar, Kamloops (WHL)
  32. Vegas Golden Knights (from TBL via DET) – F Jakub Demek, HC Kosice (Slovakia)

Round Five

  1. New Jersey Devils (from BUF) – D Topias Vilen, Pelicans (Liiga)
  2. Anaheim Ducks – F Sean Tschigerl, Calgary (WHL)
  3. Seattle Kraken – F Jacob Melanson, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)
  4. Columbus Blue Jacket (from NJD) – D Nikolai Makarov, CSKA Moscow (KHL)
  5. Columbus Blue Jackets – F James Malatesta, Quebec(QMJHL)
  6. Detroit Red Wings – F Liam Dower Nilsson, Frolunda HC (SHL)
  7. San Jose Sharks – D Artem Guryev, Peterborough (OHL)
  8. Carolina Hurricanes (from LAK via OTT) – F Robert Orr, Halifax (QMJHL)
  9. Vancouver Canucks – G Aku Koskenvuo, HIFK (Finland-Jr.)
  10. Dallas Stars (from OTT via MTL and DET) – D Jack Bar, Chicago (USHL)
  11. Arizona Coyotes – F Manix Landry, Gatineau (QMJHL)
  12. Vancouver Canucks (from CHI) – D Jonathan Myrenberg, Linkoping HC (Sweden-Jr.)
  13. Calgary Flames – F Cole Jordan, Moose Jaw (WHL)
  14. Montreal Canadiens (from PHI) – D Daniil Sobolev, Windsor (OHL)
  15. Dallas Stars – D Jacob Holmes, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
  16. New York Rangers – F Jaroslav Chmelar, Jokerit (Finland-Jr.)
  17. St. Louis Blues – D Tyson Galloway, Calgary (WHL)
  18. Winnipeg Jets – F Dmitri Rashevsky, Dynamo St. Petersburg (VHL)
  19. Carolina Hurricanes (from NSH) – F Justin Robidas, Val-d’Or (QMJHL)
  20. Anaheim Ducks (from EDM) – G Gage Alexander, Winnipeg (WHL)
  21. Boston Bruins – F Oskar Jellvik, Djurgardens IF (SHL)
  22. Montreal Canadiens (from MIN) – F Joshua Roy, Saint John (QMJHL)
  23. Washington Capitals – F Haakon Hanelt, Eisbaren Berlin (DEL)
  24. Florida Panthers – G Kirill Gerasimyuk, SKA-Varyagi (MHL)
  25. Toronto Maple Leafs – F Ty Voit, Sarnia (OHL)
  26. Pittsburgh Penguins – D Isaac Belliveau, Rimouski (QMJHL)
  27. Detroit Red Wings (from CAR via VGK) – D Oscar Plandowski, Charlottetown (QMJHL)
  28. San Jose Sharks (from COL) – F Max McCue, London (OHL)
  29. New York Islanders – F Eetu Liukas, TPS (Liiga)
  30. Philadelphia Flyers (from VGK) – D Ty Murchison, USNTDP (USHL)
  31. Buffalo Sabres (from MTL) – F Viljami Marjala, Quebec (QMJHL)
  32. Tampa Bay Lightning – F Cameron MacDonald, Saint John (QMJHL)

Round Six

  1. Buffalo Sabres – F William von Barnekow, Malmo (SHL)
  2. Anaheim Ducks – F Kyle Kukkonen, Maple Grove (HS-MN)
  3. Seattle Kraken – G Semyon Vyazovoi, Tolpar Ufa (MHL)
  4. New Jersey Devils – D Viktor Hurtig, Vasteras IK (Sweden-Jr.)
  5. Columbus Blue Jackets – F Ben Boyd, Charlottetown (QMJHL)
  6. Detroit Red Wings – F Pasquale Zito, Windsor (OHL)
  7. San Jose Sharks – F Liam Gilmartin, USNTDP (USHL)
  8. Calgary Flames (from LAK) – F Jack Beck, Ottawa (OHL)
  9. Vancouver Canucks – D Hugo Gabrielsson, Frolunda HC (Sweden-Jr.)
  10. Carolina Hurricanes (from OTT) – D Bryce Montgomery, London (OHL)
  11. Arizona Coyotes – D Cal Thomas, Maple Grove (HS-MN)
  12. Chicago Blackhawks – F Ilya Safonov, Ak Bars Kazan (KHL)
  13. Calgary Flames – F Lucas Ciona, Seattle (WHL)
  14. Philadelphia Flyers – D Ethan Samson, Prince George (WHL)
  15. Dallas Stars – F Francesco Arcuri, Kingston (OHL)
  16. Washington Capitals (from NYR) – D Dru Krebs, Medicine Hat (WHL)
  17. San Jose Sharks (from STL) – F Theo Jacobsson, MODO (Allsvenskan)
  18. Vancouver Canucks (from WPG) – F Connor Lockhart, Erie (OHL)
  19. Nashville Predators – F Simon Knak, Portland (WHL)
  20. Edmonton Oilers – F Matvey Petrov, MHK Kyrlia Moscow (MHL)
  21. Boston Bruins – D Ryan Mast, Sarnia (OHL)
  22. Minnesota Wild – D Nate Benoit, Mount St. Charles (HS-RI)
  23. Washington Capitals – G Chase Clark, Jersey Hitmen (NCDC)
  24. Florida Panthers – F Jakub Kos, Ilves (Liiga)
  25. Toronto Maple Leafs – G Vyacheslav Peska, Irbis Kazan (MHL)
  26. Edmonton Oilers (from PIT) – F Shane Lachance, Tabor Academy (MA-HS)
  27. Carolina Hurricanes – G Nikita Quapp, Krefeld Pinguine (DEL)
  28. Buffalo Sabres (from COL) – D Nikita Novikov, Dynamo Moscow (MHL)
  29. New York Islanders – D Aleksi Malinen, JYP (Liiga)
  30. Vegas Golden Knights – D Artur Cholach, Sokol Kiev (Ukraine)
  31. Montreal Canadiens – F Xavier Simoneau, Drummondville (Simoneau)
  32. Tampa Bay Lightning – D Alex Gagne, Muskegon (USHL)

Round Seven

  1. Buffalo Sabres – F Tyson Kozak, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
  2. Pittsburgh Penguins (from ANA) – D Ryan McCleary, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
  3. Seattle Kraken – F Justin Janicke, USNTDP (USHL)
  4. Tampa Bay Lightning (from NJD) – D Daniil Pylenkov, Vityaz Podolsk (KHL)
  5. Columbus Blue Jackets – F Martin Rysavy, HC Prerov (Czech Republic)
  6. St. Louis Blues (from DET) – F Ivan Vorobyov, Mamonty Yugry (MHL)
  7. San Jose Sharks – D Evgeni Kasnikov, Gatineau (QMJHL)
  8. Carolina Hurricanes (from LAK) – G Yegor Naumov, MHK Kyrlia Moscow (MHL)
  9. Vancouver Canucks – F Lucas Forsell, Farjestad BK (Sweden-Jr.)
  10. Ottawa Senators – D Chandler Romeo, Hamilton (OHL)
  11. New Jersey Devils (from ARI) – Zakhar Bardakov, Vityaz Podolsk (KHL)
  12. Chicago Blackhawks – D Connor Kelley, USNTDP (USHL)
  13. Calgary Flames – G Arseni Sergeev, Shreveport (NAHL)
  14. Philadelphia Flyers – F Owen McLaughlin, Mount St. Charles (HS-RI)
  15. Dallas Stars – F Albert Sjoberg, Sodertalje SK (Sweden-Jr.)
  16. New York Rangers – D Hank Kempf, Muskegon (USHL)
  17. Carolina Hurricanes (from STL) – Nikita Guslistov, Severstal Cherepovets (KHL)
  18. Florida Panthers (from WPG) – D Braden Hache, Kingston (OHL)
  19. Tampa Bay Lightning (from NSH) – F Robert Flinton, St. Paul’s (HS-NH)
  20. Edmonton Oilers – D Maximus Wanner, Moose Jaw (WHL)
  21. Boston Bruins – Andre Gasseau, USNTDP (USHL)
  22. Montreal Canadiens (from MIN) – G Joe Vrbetic, North Bay (OHL)
  23. Pittsburgh Penguins (from WSH) – D Daniel Laatsch, Sioux City (USHL)
  24. Chicago Blackhawks (from FLA) – F Jalen Luypen, Edmonton (WHL)
  25. Boston Bruins (from TOR) – D Ty Gallagher, USNTDP (USHL)
  26. Pittsburgh Penguins – F Kirill Tankov, SKA St. Petersburg (MHL)
  27. Carolina Hurricanes – D Joel Nystrom, Farjestad BK (SHL)
  28. Colorado Avalanche – F Taylor Makar, Brooks (AJHL)
  29. New York Islanders – F Tomas Machu, HC Vitkovice (Czech Republic)
  30. Vegas Golden Knights – G Carl Lindbom, Djurgardens IF (Sweden-Jr.)
  31. Montreal Canadiens – F Sam Lipkin, New Jersey (NCDC)
  32. Tampa Bay Lightning – Niko Huuhtanen, Tappara (Finland-Jr.)

2021 NHL Draft Pick Trade Tracker

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While there has been no shortage of major trades of late, many of the deals that occur during the NHL Draft are simply swaps of draft selections. As the 2021 draft unfolds, with the first round taking place on Friday night and the remaining six following on Saturday afternoon, follow along here for all of these trades as teams move up and down the draft board:

Detroit Red Wings Receive: No. 15 (G Sebastian Cossa)
Dallas Stars Receive: No. 23 (F Wyatt Johnston), No. 48 (F Artem Grushnikov), No. 138 (D Jack Bar)

Minnesota Wild Receive: No. 20 (G Jesper Wallstedt)
Edmonton Oilers Receive: No. 22 (F Xavier Bourgault), No. 90 (D Luca Munzenberger)

Nashville Predators Receive: No. 27 (F Zachary L’Heureux)
Carolina Hurricanes Receive: No. 40 (D Scott Morrow), No. 51 (F Ville Koivunen)

Detroit Red Wings Receive: No. 36 (D Shai Buium)
Vegas Golden Knights: No. 38 (D Daniil Chayka), No. 128 (F Jakub Demek)

Los Angeles Kings Receive: No. 42 (F Francesco Pinelli)
Ottawa Senators: No. 49 (D Ben Roger), No. 136 (traded)

Los Angeles Kings Receive: No. 59 (F Samuel Helenius)
Carolina Hurricanes Receive: No. 72 (traded), No. 109 (F Jackson Blake)

St. Louis Blues Receive: No. 71 (F Simon Robertsson)
San Jose Sharks Receive: No. 81 (G Ben Gaudreau), No. 177 (F Theo Jacobsson)

Nashville Predators Receive: No. 72 (D Anton Olsson)
Carolina Hurricanes Receive: No. 83 (G Patrik Hamrla), No. 147 (F Justin Robidas)

New York Rangers Receive: No. 75 (F Ryder Korczak)
Washington Capitals Receive: No. 80 (D Brent Johnson), No. 176 (D Dru Krebs)

Anaheim Ducks Receive: No. 76. (D Tyson Hinds)
Montreal Canadiens Receive: 2022 third-round pick

Los Angeles Kings Receive: No. 84(D Kirill Kirsanov)
Calgary Flames Receive: No. 89 (D Cameron Whynot), No. 168 (F Jack Beck)

Chicago Blackhawks Receive: No. 91 (D Taige Harding)
Carolina Hurricanes Receive: 2022 third-round pick

Vegas Golden Knights Receive: No. 102 (F Jakub Brabanec)
Detroit Red Wings Receive: No. 114 (F Red Savage), No. 155 (D Oscar Plandowski)

Ottawa Senators Receive: No. 123 (F Carson Latimer)
Carolina Hurricanes Receive: No. 136 (F Robert Orr), No. 170 (D Bryce Montgomery)

Tampa Bay Lighting Receive: No. 126 (F Dylan Duke)
Montreal Canadiens Receive: 2022 fourth-round pick

Minnesota Wild Receive: No. 127 (F Josh Pillar)
Montreal Canadiens Receive: No. 150 (F Joshua Roy), No. 214 (G Joe Vrbetic)

Colorado Avalanche Extend Cale Makar

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One of the most exciting young players in hockey has a new contract. The Colorado Avalanche have announced a six-year, $54MM extension with Norris Trophy finalist Cale Makar. The 22-year-old defenseman chimed in himself to confirm the deal as well. Makar joins Alex Pietrangelo and P.K. Subban as the fifth-highest paid defenseman in the NHL at his $9MM AAV.

A Hobey Baker-winning superstar for the UMass Minutemen not long ago, Makar has proved in just two shortened regular seasons and three postseasons that his ability not only translated to the NHL, but is amplified even further. Makar has been among the elite in the league over the past two seasons, recording 94 points in 101 games with 22:27 average time on ice (and climbing). Makar already has a Calder Trophy, All-Rookie Team selection, and First Team All-Star selection under his belt at 22 and finished just shy of adding the Norris Trophy to the list this year as well. The Avalanche hope that Makar’s growing trophy collection will soon include a Stanley Cup too.

The ceiling for Makar at his age and with his dynamic ability is limitless and the Avalanche knew they needed to lock him up long-term, no matter how much money it took. Amazingly, Makar will still be in the prime of his career at 28 when this current contract expires, likely leading to another long-term deal down the road at an inconceivable financial total if his play keeps up. Despite a small frame and offensive focus, Makar is not afraid to play a physical game and has the defensive tools and IQ to hold his own in all three zones. Even if Makar’s offense starts to tail off from his current torrid point-per-game pace, he should easily maintain his value through this contract and beyond and his defensive play and puck moving continue to develop to be among the best in the league.

While adding a $9MM cap hit to the payroll is not easy, the Avs are actually fortunate that the number was not higher. Surely influenced by the six-year term rather than the maximum eight years but also likely impacted by the current flat cap and Colorado trying to keep their contending roster together, Makar settled for $9MM when he probably had a case to match Erik Karlsson for the top number in the NHL among blue liners at $11.5MM. The deal affords the Avalanche some more flexibility as they try to additionally re-sign Gabriel Landeskog and Philipp Grubauer this off-season. With Makar signed, CapFriendly projects Colorado to have over $20MM in cap space but with only 14 players on that projected roster. Things will be tight this summer and beyond in Denver, but the most important piece is now locked up.

Seattle Kraken Take Matthew Beniers Second Overall

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Fresh off of the NHL Expansion Draft just two days ago, the Seattle Kraken were back in action early in the NHL Draft on Friday night. The winners of the second overall pick in the draft lottery, the Kraken had their pick of every prospect but first overall pick Owen Power of the Buffalo Sabres. They opted to take his University of Michigan teammate Matthew Beniers as the first draft pick in franchise history.

Beniers is the top center prospect in the draft class and an elite two-way talent. The consensus No. 2 pick, Beniers is a high-IQ, well-rounded forward. A talented skater who plays a 200-foot game, Beniers has excelled at every level in both the offensive and defensive aspects of the game. The dynamic center draws comparisons to Patrice Bergeron and Jonathan Toews, not to mention Seattle GM Ron Francis. Beniers has been a point-per-game player in each of the past three years, including in the NCAA with Michigan this season.

One of four 2021 Wolverines selected in the top five picks, Beniers is expected to join his teammates back in Ann Arbor this season as Michigan chases a National Championship. After one more year though, he should be able to jump into the lineup for the Kraken. Due to his two-way focus, Beniers will be a versatile roster option right away for Seattle and could earn a major role quickly in a forward corps that, as of right now, is not especially deep.

Ryan Suter Drawing Interest From Islanders, Bruins

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There was no doubt that veteran defenseman Ryan Suter was going to be a hot commodity on the free agent market after being bought out by the Minnesota Wild. While fair for the Wild to be hesitant about paying the 36-year-old over $7.5MM for four more seasons, especially with cap and Expansion Draft concerns compounding the issue, Suter’s buyout is not an indictment on his play. Suter showed some decline this season, seeing a 13-year low in time on ice and points per game. However, those marks were still impressive at 22:11 per night and an 82-game pace of 28 points. Add in his invaluable experience and leadership and Suter is one of the more valuable names available on the open market.

Two teams who just recently battled in the postseason, the Boston Bruins and New York Islanders, are back at it off the ice, as The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa reports that the clubs are competing for Suter’s services. Boston has been looking for a competent top-pair defenseman who can skate with Charlie McAvoy for several years and that weakness was further exposed this season with the departure of Zdeno Chara. The Islanders just traded away the veteran leader of their defense and a top-four left-hander as well in Nick Leddy. Both contenders could use Suter in a major way and each seem like attractive landing spots for the veteran.

Surprisingly, both teams can engage in a bidding war for Suter as well. The Bruins were under the salary cap this season right up until acquiring Taylor Hall at the trade deadline. Even after re-signing Hall, the Bruins still have their two largest contracts – that of David Krejci and Tuukka Rask – coming off the books this summer. Both could re-sign, but neither at the full amount, leaving more than enough space to add Suter at his asking price. Meanwhile, the Islanders have gone from cap crisis to comfortable flexibility in no time, with Leddy, Andrew Ladd, and Jordan Eberle all out the door, leaving behind newfound space.

While New York and Boston may be in the lead in the race for Suter, Shinzawa notes that they are not alone. The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars are also considered to be contenders for the veteran, each looking to replace a recent departure on the left side, Ryan Graves and Jamie Oleksiak respectively. There are certainly other team in the mix as well. Where Suter ultimately lands could be a domino that impact the rest of the free agent blue line market.

Rangers’ Ryan Strome Drawing Trade Interest

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The New York Rangers’ Expansion Draft protection list contained a surprise inclusion, but it wasn’t Ryan Strome. (Kevin Rooney?) Strome has bounced around during his NHL career, but has found a good fit in New York with back-to-back career years in terms of per-game scoring. Yet, Strome may be protected from selection by the Seattle Kraken, but that doesn’t guarantee that he will be on the Rangers roster next season. Bally Sports’ Andy Strickland reports that Strome is drawing considerable interest on the trade market.

Rosters are currently frozen through Wednesday’s Expansion Draft, but that was preceded by a mini-trade deadline on Saturday that resulted in a flurry of activity and surely far more conversations than what actually came to fruition. Strome’s name apparently came up in these talks and when transactions are unlocked later this week, he may be on the move. Of course, this depends one whether the interest that Strickland reports is being encouraged. If the Rangers are listening to offers or even shopping Strome, then a deal could happen soon. The Rangers are known to be in the market for an improvement down the middle and could be looking to open up cap space and a top-six center spot in one fell swoop by moving Strome. However, if this interest in Strome is developing without any involvement from New York, it could mean nothing. If the Rangers are unsuccessful in trading for an established center, they will have a hard time upgrading Strome on the free agent market this season and could be hesitant to move him.

One team who is eyeing Strome, should he be available, are the Ottawa Senators. Strickland notes that Ottawa in particular is interested in adding the center. This could be a savvy move for the Senators, who are looking to take a step forward in their rebuild this season, but would not have to sacrifice too much for Strome, whose contract expires after next season. Ottawa may also need to replace center Chris Tierney, who was left exposed in the Expansion Draft. If Strome excels playing on the young Ottawa roster, the team has more than enough cap space to extend him. If he struggles or the team falters again this season regardless, the Senators could flip him at the trade deadline to recoup their assets.

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