Bruins’ David Backes To Miss “At Least” Three Weeks
The Bruins are already without Patrice Bergeron and Torey Krug, and it sounds like one of their teammates is about to be out for a month. The team announced tonight that forward David Backes is set to miss “at least” three to four weeks as he recovers from diverticulitis (an infection in the digestive tract). The veteran has been undergoing treatment at MGH and he will be reevaluated in approximately two weeks.
The 33-year-old was set to be the team’s third line right wing alongside center Sean Kuraly and left wing Matt Beleskey. With Backes out of the lineup for the team’s season-opening matchup against the Predators, the Bruins replaced him with Frank Vatrano. The team could shuffle their lineup once again when Bergeron, who is expected to be back in the next few games, returns.
Following a decade with the Blues, Backes signed a five-year, $30MM deal with Boston prior to the 2016 season. After having compiled at least 50 points in five of his NHL campaigns, the veteran slightly struggled during his first year with the Bruins. In 74 games, he finished with 17 goals, 21 assists, and 39 penalty minutes. He also appeared in each of his team’s six playoff contests, collecting one goal and three assists.
Krug Progressing Well In Recovery From Broken Jaw
- Although he has been placed on injured reserve, Bruins defenseman Torey Krug is progressing well in his recovery from a broken jaw, GM Don Sweeney told Stephen Hewitt of the Boston Herald. The team plans to have him go for further testing on Friday but the hope is that he won’t be out much longer than a week.
Vegas Golden Knights Claim Malcolm Subban
The Vegas Golden Knights have gotten into the waiver action today, as according to Bob McKenzie of TSN, the team has claimed goaltender Malcolm Subban from the Boston Bruins. Subban was placed on waivers yesterday when the team decided to keep Anton Khudobin as their backup.
Subban was an extremely divisive player among fans in Boston since being selected in the first round five years ago. Though he continues to show all the ability in the world and potential to be a top-flight goaltender in the NHL, his game has been marred by inconsistency since turning professional. Though he’s posted strong numbers throughout his AHL career, he’s prone to give up back-breaking goals at the most inopportune times and has struggled in his two chances at the NHL level.
While all of that is true, Subban is only 23 years old and could still develop into a legitimate NHL player. His reflexes, size and athleticism are all still above average, and if the Golden Knights can find a way to harness all of those things, they could have a potential goalie of the future. Still, they have challenges to deal with right now. The team will have to keep three goaltenders on the roster for the time being, as Marc-Andre Fleury and Calvin Pickard are not going anywhere unless through trade. That would leave Subban as a scratch most nights, which isn’t likely the best thing for his development.
That fact will lead to much speculation about a Vegas roster that already seems destined for a trade. They didn’t place anyone on waivers today, and now have 26 players on their roster. While Shea Theodore and Vadim Shipachyov are waiver-exempt, it’s unlikely either of them are being cut from the final roster. That means either some of their players are being put onto injured reserve, or a trade is in the works to get them down to 23 by today’s deadline.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Training Camp Cuts: 10/02/17
Training camp is over for all the clubs around the NHL, and the season begins on Wednesday. By tomorrow evening, all teams must submit their cap-compliant 23-man roster, meaning there will be several cuts today. We’ll keep track of them all right here, as teams try to slip players through waivers or send them back to junior and European clubs.
Anaheim Ducks
F Giovanni Fiore – San Diego (AHL)
F Kalle Kossila – San Diego (AHL)
F Scott Sabourin – San Diego (AHL)
D Jacob Larsson – San Diego (AHL)
Boston Bruins
F Jordan Szwarz – Providence (AHL)
F Tommy Cross – Providence (AHL)
F Jakub Zboril – Providence (AHL)
F Peter Cehlarik – Providence (AHL)
F Danton Heinen – Providence (AHL)
F Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson – Providence (AHL)
F Teddy Purcell – Released from PTO
G Malcolm Subban – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Calgary Flames
D Rasmus Andersson – Stockton (AHL)
G Jon Gillies – Stockton (AHL)
F Luke Gazdic – Waivers for purpose of assignment
F Garnet Hathaway – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Carolina Hurricanes
F Lucas Wallmark – Charlotte (AHL)
F Phillip Di Giuseppe – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Chicago Blachawks
F Vinnie Hinostroza – Rockford (AHL)
F Jordin Tootoo – Waivers for purpose of assignment
F Tomas Jurco – Waivers for purpose of assignment
G Jean-Francois Berube – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Colorado Avalanche
F Gabriel Bourque – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Dallas Stars
F Remi Elie – Texas (AHL)
F Roope Hintz – Texas (AHL)
F Jason Dickinson – Texas (AHL)
F Curtis McKenzie – Waivers for purpose of assignment
D Patrik Nemeth – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Detroit Red Wings
D Libor Sulak – Lahti (Finland)
F Matt Lorito – Grand Rapids (AHL)
F Ben Street – Grand Rapids (AHL)
D Brian Lashoff – Grand Rapids (AHL)
D Dylan McIlrath – Grand Rapids (AHL)
F David Booth – Waivers for purpose of assignment
D Ryan Sproul – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Los Angeles Kings
F Brooks Laich – Released from PTO
Minnesota Wild
F Luke Kunin – Iowa (AHL)
D Ryan Murphy – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Montreal Canadiens
G Charlie Lindgren – Laval (AHL)
F Andreas Martinsen – Waivers for purpose of assignment
F Byron Froese – Waivers for purpose of assignment
New Jersey Devils
F Brian Gibbons – Waivers for purpose of assignment
D Brian Strait – Waivers for purpose of assignment
New York Islanders
F Devon Toews – Bridgeport (AHL)
F Stephen Gionta – Waivers for purpose of assignment
F Steve Bernier – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Philadelphia Flyers
F Matt Read – Waivers for purpose of assignment
San Jose Sharks
F Brandon Bollig – Waivers for purpose of assignment
F Brandon Mashinter – Waivers for purpose of assignment
G Troy Grosenick – Waivers for purpose of assignment
St. Louis Blues
F Sammy Blais – San Antonio (AHL)
D Jake Walman – Chicago (AHL)
G Jordan Binnington – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Tampa Bay Lightning
F Cory Conacher – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Toronto Maple Leafs
F Carl Grundstrom – Frolunda (SHL)
F Miro Aaltonen – Toronto (AHL)
F Frederik Gauthier – Toronto (AHL)
F Andreas Johnsson – Toronto (AHL)
F Kasperi Kapanen – Toronto (AHL)
F Tobias Lindberg – Toronto (AHL)
F Trevor Moore – Toronto (AHL)
F Nikita Soshnikov – Toronto (AHL)
F Dmytro Timashov – Toronto (AHL)
F Mason Marchment – Toronto (AHL)
D Travis Dermott – Toronto (AHL)
D Justin Holl – Toronto (AHL)
D Andrew Nielsen – Toronto (AHL)
D Michael Paliotta – Toronto (AHL)
D Rinat Valiev – Toronto (AHL)
G Kasimir Kaskisuo – Toronto (AHL)
F Colin Greening – Waivers for purpose of assignment.
F Chris Mueller – Waivers for purpose of assignment.
F Kerby Rychel – Waivers for purpose of assignment.
F Ben Smith – Waivers for purpose of assignment.
D Vincent LoVerde – Waivers for purpose of assignment.
G Garret Sparks – Waivers for purpose of assignment.
Vancouver Canucks
D Andrey Pedan – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Vegas Golden Knights
F Teemu Pulkkinen – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Washington Capitals
F Anthony Peluso – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Winnipeg Jets
F Jack Roslovic – Manitoba (AHL)
F Brendan Lemieux – Manitoba (AHL)
F Michael Spacek – Manitoba (AHL)
F J.C. Lipon – Waivers for purpose of assignment.
Khudobin Sharp In Preseason
- Cam Tucker of NBC Sports writes that Boston Bruins’ backup goaltender Anton Khudobin had an excellent preseason and is forcing the Bruins to make a tough decision at that position. Khudobin, who struggled in limited backup minutes last year, was thought to be in heavy competition with Malcolm Subban as Tuukka Rask‘s backup. Subban, who has also played well in camp, would have to go through waivers if they send him back to the AHL and there is fear a team in need of a backup goaltender might grab the 23-year-old netminder. Khudobin’s solid preseason of allowing just three goals in two games could keep the 31-year-old in Boston another year.
New Jersey Devils Sign Jimmy Hayes
The first tryout-turned-contract of 2017-18? That belongs to forward Jimmy Hayes. While the New Jersey Devils have yet to make an announcement, Mark Divver of the Providence Journal was the first to report that Hayes has indeed made the team and has signed a one-way contract with the team. TSN’s Bob McKenzie has since added that the deal is for one year and $700K.
Divver, who not only covers the Boston Bruins and AHL’s Providence Bruins, is also very involved with the junior and college hockey landscape in New England. When it comes to Hayes, a Dorchester, Mass. native and former Bruin and Boston College Eagle, Divver is as reliable a source as anyone. So even though it comes as a surprise that Hayes has earned a one-way contract, it appears to be true, as corroborated by McKenzie. Hayes was bought out by Boston back in June after a disastrous two-season stint with his hometown team. Acquired from the Florida Panthers for Reilly Smith in 2015, Hayes scored only 34 points in 133 games with the Bruins after recording 35 in his final season in Florida alone. In 2016-17, Hayes posted only five points in 58 games while playing less than ten minutes a night. The fans in Boston turned on one of their own and few were upset when he was cut earlier this off-season.
Yet, Hayes has managed to find a new home in New Jersey. Hayes scored two goals and added an assist in five preseason games and did enough to impress GM Ray Shero and head coach John Hynes. Perhaps the front office and coaching staff see the 20-goal potential that Hayes showed in Florida but which disappeared in Boston. Regardless, Hayes will join a Devils team which could certainly use some added depth and will get the chance to play alongside former Bruins teammate Drew Stafford, who himself was a late, affordable depth addition for the Devils. Hayes could have a bounce-back season and play a solid bottom-six role for New Jersey, but could just as easily be pushed by the Devils’ young prospects and find himself on waivers sooner rather than later.
Atlantic Notes: Sergachev, Chara, Kronwall
Mikhail Sergachev has done everything that he can do on the ice. Now it’s a question of whether Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper plans to keep the 19-year-old on their roster or send him back for another year of juniors. The 6-foot-3 top-prospect defenseman, who came over to the Lightning this offseason as the key piece in the Jonathan Drouin trade, must wait until Tampa Bay brass finalizes their roster, according to Tampa Bay Times’ Joe Smith.
The scribe writes that Sergachev has played major minutes in four preseason games so far as the team scrutinizes whether they plan to keep him. Smith believes that evaluation will continue for the first nine games of the season, the most that Sergachev can play in the NHL before his entry-level contract kicks in and begins his NHL service time. Whether the team keeps him from that point on is up in the air.
Training Camp Cuts And Recalls: 09/30/17
With season-opening rosters due on Tuesday, teams are in the process of making their final cuts before the 2017-18 campaign gets underway. As always, we’ll have all the movement right here throughout the day.
Buffalo Sabres
F Justin Bailey – Rochester (AHL)
F Nicolas Deslauriers – waivers for purpose of assignment
D Taylor Fedun – waivers for purpose of assignment
D Cody Goloubef – release
Detroit Red Wings
D Robbie Russo – Grand Rapids (AHL)
D Filip Hronek – Grand Rapids (AHL)
F Corey Elkins – released from PTO
Los Angeles Kings
D Chris Lee – released from PTO
Montreal Canadiens
F Daniel Carr – waivers for purpose of assignment
D Jakub Jerabek – Laval (AHL)
F Michael McCarron – Laval (AHL)
F Peter Holland – waivers for purpose of assignment
New Jersey Devils
G Ken Appleby – Binghampton (AHL)
D Viktor Loov – waivers for purpose of assignment
F Kevin Rooney – Binghampton (AHL)
Vancouver Canucks
F Anton Rodin – waivers for purpose of assignment
Some teams will also be recalling players to suit up for their final preseason game. Here are those moves.
D Tommy Cross (BOS)
F Jordan Szwarz (BOS)
D Jakub Zboril (BOS)
D Devon Toews (NYI)
Training Camp Cuts: 09/29/17
The last Friday before the season begins, and just a few more days until teams have to submit their final rosters. As we head into the final few preseason contests, some teams are still holding onto a huge roster. The waiver wire is sure to be filled over the next few days as teams make their final cuts. As always, we’ll have all the movement right here throughout the day.
Anaheim Ducks
F Sam Steel – Regina (WHL)
F Max Jones – London (OHL)
F Jack Kopacka – Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
D Josh Mahura – Regina (WHL)
Arizona Coyotes
F Emerson Etem – Tucson (AHL)
G Hunter Miska – Tucson (AHL)
Boston Bruins
F Kenny Agostino – Waivers for purpose of assignment.
Chicago Blackhawks
F David Kampf – Rockford (AHL)
F Laurent Dauphin – Rockford (AHL)
D Erik Gustafsson – Rockford (AHL)
D Ville Pokka – Waivers for purpose of assignment.
Colorado Avalanche
D Duncan Siemens – Waivers for purpose of assignment.
Florida Panthers
F Henrik Haapala – Springfield (AHL)
D Ed Wittchow – Springfield (AHL)
G Harri Sateri – Springfield (AHL)
Minnesota Wild
D Carson Soucy – Iowa (AHL)
F Ryan Malone – Released from PTO, will join AHL camp
Montreal Canadiens
F Chris Terry – Laval (AHL)
New York Rangers
F Matt Puempel – Hartford (AHL)
Pittsburgh Penguins
F Tom Sestito – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL)
Tampa Bay Lightning
F Alexander Volkov – Syracuse (AHL)
San Jose Sharks
D Jacob Middleton – San Jose (AHL)
D Nick DeSimone – San Jose (AHL)
Vancouver Canucks
F Nikolay Goldobin – Utica (AHL)
D Philip Holm – Utica (AHL)
D Olli Juolevi – Assignment team TBD
F Anton Rodin – Will be placed on waivers tomorrow.
F Scottie Upshall – Released from PTO
Vegas Golden Knights
F Stefan Matteau – Chicago (AHL), cleared waivers
Boston Bruins Sign Jack Studnicka To ELC
The Boston Bruins have inked another prospect to a three-year entry-level contract, signing Jack Studnicka today. The 18-year old was selected just a few months ago in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft, and is already back with the Oshawa Generals this season where he serves as captain.
Studnicka is a prototypical top-six forward, who has dazzled at times but works hard to contribute at both ends of the rink. His 52 points in 64 games last year was a nice total for his age-17 season, but he should easily improve on them with added responsibility. Already in the first two games of the season, Studnicka has five points and is showing off an impressive skill set.
Selected 53rd-overall, some of the criticism launched towards Studnicka was his thin frame and whether it would hold up at the professional ranks. He measures in at almost 6’2″ these days according to his coaching staff, but remains listed at 171-lbs. That frame will have to get heavier, but with an impressive wingspan and a lightning-fast release, he’s already on his way to being a deadly goal-scoring talent.
Studnicka will likely have to wait another year to play in the U20 World Juniors for team Canada, but he could be one of the leaders on that team in 2018. Able to play all three forward positions already, he’s a versatile option for the Generals and his future professional teams.