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Lucas Wallmark To Sign With Chicago Blackhawks

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Lucas Wallmark was surprisingly not issued a qualifying offer by the Florida Panthers, despite being the perceived centerpiece of the Vincent Trocheck trade, and became a UFA. One of the more intriguing names available, the young forward has decided to take his talents to Chicago, as TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports he has agreed to terms with the Blackhawks. It is expected to be a one-year, $950K deal, a great value for a budding two-way center.

Wallmark’s lack of a qualifying offer has been one of the biggest head scratchers of the off-season thus far. Wallmark’s qualifying offer would have only cost the Panthers about $743K. For that much, the team could have retained a player who recorded 28 points as a rookie with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2018-19 and 25 points in just 67 games with Carolina and Florida this year. Not only are his offensive numbers well worth a minimal salary, but Wallmark is also a good defensive forward. A plus face-off man who is comfortable defending in his own zone, Wallmark has the awareness and ability to be match-up asset and penalty killer, often hard to find in a young player.

Florida’s loss is Chicago’s gain, as Wallmark is still a bargain at $950K. With the guidance of Jonathan Toews, Wallmark could improve as a two-way centerman and has some fellow young, talented players to skate with in the Blackhawks’ bottom-six. Although he is only on a one-year term, it would not be a surprise to see this pay off as a long-term investment for Chicago.

Nashville Predators Sign Brad Richardson

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The Nashville Predators have added an accomplished veteran to their bottom-six group, announcing that they have signed Brad Richardson. Richardson’s price tag comes in at one year and $1MM, a good value for the two-way center and locker room leader.

Richardson, 35, is entering his 16th year in the NHL, the past of which have been spent with the Arizona Coyotes. A career bottom-six forward, Richardson has still managed to be an impact player for a decade and a half. While Richardson usually maxes out around 15-20 points and managed just 11 this past season, his 27 points in 66 games in 2018-19 was one of the top scoring rates of his career. Depending on line mates and ice time in Nashville, Richardson could still be capable of a 30-point campaign.

Of course, the real value in Richardson is his defensive ability. An elite face-off man and a disruptive force in the forechecking game, Richardson is an asset as an experienced, capable two-way player. Nashville has needed a strong fourth line center for some time, a need emphasized further by the loss of solid, two-way third line center Nick Bonino. Richardson should fill that role seamlessly and should prove to be a good value at a minimal salary.

Philadelphia Flyers Sign Erik Gustafsson

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Another top free agent defenseman is off the board. After being linked to several of those blue liners who have been signed or traded so far this off-season, the Philadelphia Flyers have found their man. The team has announced a one-year, $3MM contract with Erik Gustafsson. At No. 19 overall, Gustafsson was the second-ranked left defenseman among PHR’s Top 50 UFA’s.

Gustafsson, 28, has a high ceiling and a low floor, making the one-year term on his deal a smart play by the Flyers. In 2018-19, Gustafsson was an offensive dynamo, recording 17 goals and 60 points for the Chicago Blackhawks. He logged 22:35 of ice time per night in 79 games, was one of the top power play quarterbacks in the league, and even accumulated high totals in blocked shots and hits. However, he regressed substantially this past season. Gustafsson played in 66 games between the Blackhawks and Calgary Flames, managing only six goals and 29 points. His ice time fell off, his power play efficiency declined, and he was ineffective defensively. Following the trade to Calgary in particular, Gustafsson failed to score a goal in the regular season or postseason, saw limited even strength ice time, and was a complete non-factor defensively.

Gustafsson may return to form in Philadelphia, but that will likely rely heavily on his opportunity on the power play. With a number of talented defensemen with offensive instincts, Gustafsson may need to fight for a spot on the top unit, especially if Shayne Gostisbehere – also a power play specialist – remains on the roster. If his performance does not warrant such a role, it will cap his offensive potential. Gustafsson will likely need to be sheltered defensively as well, another reason why the Flyers have to hope that his offense returns.

Given their fair amount of cap flexibility, the Flyers could take the risk on Gustafsson to fill out their blue line. On offensive ability alone, he may end up being a bargain or at the very least a valuable specialist. However, there is just as good a chance that his power play dependency and lack of a complete game could make $3MM hurt down the line if the Flyers are looking to add. Again, a one-year flier was the way to go in this case.

Colorado Avalanche Acquire Devon Toews

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Just two days after trading away Nikita Zadorov, the Colorado Avalanche have replaced him with a new top-six defenseman. The New York Islanders announced that they have traded Devon Toews to Colorado in exchange for second-round picks in 2021 and 2022. Toews is an unsigned restricted free agent.

Toews, 26, only broke into the NHL in 2018-19, but has made a great first impression. As a rookie, Toews recorded 18 points in 48 games, claimed a role on the power play, and held his own defensively in a third pair role. This past season, he showed even more growth. In 68 games, he improved to 28 points, made an even bigger impact on the power play, improved defensively, and along the way ended up earning a top-four role with over 20 minutes of ice time per game. A slick puck-mover with great hockey IQ, Toews is a well-rounded defenseman whose relative inexperience has kept him underrated compared to his actual ability. Even at the cost of two high picks, this seems like a shrewd deal by GM Joe Sakic.

Unfortunately for the Islanders, someone had to go and Toews fit the bill. Working with just under $9MM in cap space, the Islanders needed to re-sign core contributors Mathew Barzal and Ryan Pulock, as well as Toews. Trading away Toews, who had filed for salary arbitration, is now one less contract that the team needs to squeeze in. With their depth on defense – Pulock, Johnny Boychuk, Nick Leddy, Adam Pelech, Scott Mayfield, Thomas Hickey and prospects Sebastian Aho and Noah Dobson – Toews was expendable, even if he played a major role this season. In fact, it would not be a surprise to see another defenseman move as the Isles make an effort to re-sign Barzal and Pulock without damaging the roster too much.

Flyers Sign Zayde Wisdom To Entry-Level Contract

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The Philadelphia Flyers have worked quickly to sign a recent draft selection. The team has announced that 2020 fourth-round pick Zayde Wisdom has signed his entry-level contract. It is a three year deal with an $826K cap hit and the following salary breakdown, according to CapFriendly:

2020-21: $700K base salary and $92.5K signing bonus ($70K minors)
2021-22: $750K base salary and $92.5K signing bonus ($70K minors)
2022-23: $750K base salary and $92.5K signing bonus ($70K minors)

Wisdom, 18, is likely to return to the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs, in which case his ELC could slide. Playing another year or two in junior doesn’t mean that the Flyers don’t see the skilled forward as a promising prospect though – in fact, quite the opposite. Philadelphia traded up to the top of the fourth round to select Widsom, who finished second in goals and points for the Frontenacs last season, improving greatly on his previous season’s totals.

In the Flyer’s press release, GM Chuck Fletcher again reiterated the team’s excitement to have Wisdom. “Somewhat surprising to us, Wisdom was still available in the late third and we scrambled to try to pick up an extra pick there to select him,” said Fletcher. “I think he’s got an understated skill level. His hands are pretty good. He has a good shot. He has good instincts. He goes to the right places on the ice. When you combine that with his relentless pursuit of pucks, his ability to forecheck and finish checks, it’s a pretty attractive package.”

 

Tampa Bay Lightning Re-Sign Ben Thomas

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Minor league defenseman Ben Thomas is coming back for another year with the Tampa Bay Lightning, or more accurately the Syracuse Crunch. The Lightning have announced a one-year, two-way extension with Thomas, who has spent the past four seasons with the organization playing in the AHL. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Thomas, 24, has yet to make his NHL debut, but has 274 AHL games to his credit. He skated in 56 games for the Crunch during the 2019-20 regular season, totaling three goals and 16 points. Thomas has been good for around 20 points in each of his four pro seasons. He’s also a dependable defensive presence. A 2014 fourth-round pick and WHL standout, Thomas’ performance thus far in his pro career has been good, but hasn’t quite put in a position for NHL opportunities.

However, the Lightning currently have slim pickings on the blue line. Right up against the salary cap, the Bolts are trying to figure out how to sign their restricted free agents, including defensemen Mikhail Sergachev and Erik Cernak. For now though, the team only has four defensemen signed to one-way contracts and only two two-way defensemen with NHL experience in Luke Witkowski and recent import Andreas Borgman. Unless Tampa Bay can find a way to add to the blue line this off-season, Thomas could be in line to finally see some NHL action as one of the top options in the AHL.

Carolina Hurricanes Sign Joakim Ryan

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The Carolina Hurricanes have added even more experience to their deep blue line. The team has announced a one-year, two-way deal with Joakim Ryan, who has played in nearly 150 NHL games over the past three seasons. The deal carries the minimum $700K NHL salary, making him an affordable option in a pinch, and a $150K salary in the AHL.

Ryan, 27, is a balanced defenseman who can step into the lineup without issues. A mobile blue liner, Ryan does not produce many points but moves the puck well. Similarly, he does not put up big defensive numbers, but is a sound defender. While his role with the San Jose Sharks in his first two NHL seasons was limited, Ryan played over 19 minutes per games last season with the Los Angeles Kings, albeit only in 35 games.

Ryan has not played in the AHL in the past two seasons and spend only two games in the minors the year prior, but that is likely set to change in Carolina. Ryan’s two-way contract combined with the Hurricanes’ depth implies that Ryan could be the next man up in the minors, rather than a full-time NHLer. As of right now, Jaccob Slavin, Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce, Brady Skjei, Jake Gardiner, and RFA Haydn Fleury are locked in for roster spots while Jake Bean could push for a role, and you can never quite rule out the ’Canes acquiring another defenseman as well. Ryan seems like the odd man out, but is a quality option when injuries occur.

Vegas Golden Knights Sign Danny O’Regan

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The Vegas Golden Knights have added a depth option to the mix up front. The team has announced a one-year deal with young journeyman forward Danny O’Regan. The contract carries the NHL minimum $700K salary. It is assumed that this is a two-way contract, but AHL salary figures were not disclosed.

O’Regan, 26, is already onto the fourth NHL organization of his young pro career and is still seeking some real opportunity. A San Jose draft pick who starred at Boston University, O’Regan played his first season and part of his second with the Sharks. He put up impressive numbers in the AHL both years and by the time he was dealt had earned 19 games with the Sharks in the 2017-18 season. Yet, when he was traded away to the rebuilding Buffalo Sabres, he was inexplicably buried in the minors rather than given more opportunity. O’Regan played in just three NHL games over a season and a half with Buffalo. He left the team as a Group 6 UFA last season, signing with the New York Rangers. The Rangers also felt O’Regan wasn’t worthy of NHL opportunity and he did not make an appearance at the top level last year.

Yet, O’Regan continues to produce in the minors and has been in demand as a free agent. The Golden Knights are a relatively deep club at forward, but their AHL depth might be even better. With a number of experienced pros and promising prospects on the newly-minted Henderson Silver Knights, O’Regan may struggle to stand out. However, if he can find a way to out-produce his teammates, he should find the chance to play in Vegas this year.

Predators Loan Egor Afanasyev To CSKA Moscow

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One of the Nashville Predators’ top prospects is headed to one of the best teams in Europe. Egor Afanasyev, the Predators’ second-round pick in 2019, has been loaned to CSKA Moscow of the KHL, Nashville announced. The club did not specify whether the loan is for the entire 2020-21 season or merely until NHL training camp begins.

Afanasyev was born in Russia, but this will be his first time playing at a competitive level in his native country. Afanasyev moved to the United States earlier in his life and came up through the USHL before jumping to the OHL this past season. However, this move to the KHL – short or long term – could be a major benefit to Afanasyev’s development. The 6’4″, 200-lb. winger recorded 31 goals and 67 points in 62 games in his first OHL season and looked like he had already outgrown the junior ranks. Playing against older competition, and some of the best outside of North America, in the KHL will only help prepare Afanasyev to make the jump to Nashville sooner rather than later.

CSKA Moscow is not a bad place to start your pro career either. The 2019-20 regular season champs and 2018-19 Gagarin Cup champs are an elite squad. Afanasyev will be joining a roster that is flush with NHL experience and has made an effort to get younger. While he may not get significant ice time, Afansysev will be able to compete for opportunities and to learn from a number of player who know what it takes to break into the NHL.

Washington Capitals Sign Daniel Carr

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The Washington Capitals have added a nice depth piece to the organization in a former AHL MVP. The team has announced a one-year, two-way contract with Daniel Carr. The deal carries a minimum $700K salary in the NHL, but a sizeable $415K salary in the AHL. Carr is currently playing with HC Lugano in Switzerland’s NLA, which will continue after the club announced that a loan agreement has already been reached.

Carr, 28, has always been an elite scorer in the minors, but has struggled to translate that ability to the NHL. In the past with the Montreal Canadiens, he put up good numbers as a part-time player but was never elevated to a full-time role. The past two years, playing with the Vegas Golden Knights and Nashville Predators and their respective affiliates, he has been relegated to a full-year AHL role, making just a few appearances on recall. This is likely the part he will play in Washington as well; the Capitals are deep up front in the NHL, but lack difference-makers in the AHL. Carr will likely play a major role for Hershey will making a handful of appearances in Washington.

Of course, the status quo could shift depending on how the Capitals resolve their salary cap woes. The team is currently over the upper limit and that is accounting for just 20 players per CapFriendly, not including one-way contracts belonging to the likes of Daniel Sprong and recent signing Paul LaDue. Washington also need to re-sign RFA defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler. The team must move out some salary before the new season begins, and if that happens to be a top-nine forward then Carr could instead wind up with a permanent place in Washington as an experienced, affordable option.

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