Torey Krug Out With Lower Body Injury
Update 8:21 pm: CSNNE’s Joe Haggerty reported that Krug left Boston’s TD Garden on crutches and wearing a knee brace.
Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug suffered a lower-body injury tonight against the Ottawa Senators and will not return, the team announced. The Boston Globe’s Fluto Shinzawa tweets that Krug may have suffered the injury in a board battle with Ottawa’s Shane Prince, while CSNNE’s Joe Haggerty thinks it came from minor contract with Viktor Stalberg. The Bruins are already missing forward Brad Marchand due to suspension, and now are without two of their top five scorers tonight.
The Bruins hope that Krug’s injury doesn’t carry over in to the playoffs. Krug is fifth in scoring among NHL defenseman with 8G and 43A in 80 games this season. And while the Bruins clinched a playoff spot already, they could use Krug to help jockey for better playoff positioning. No team in the Eastern Conference right now wants to end up with the second wildcard spot and play the Presidents’ Trophy winner Washington Capitals.
Krug’s playoff performance in 2013-14—the last time the Bruins made the postseason—impressed many. Krug had 2G and 8A in 12 games before the Bruins lost to the Montreal Canadiens in seven games.
Evening Snapshots: Sobotka, Roslovic, Karlsson, Team Canada
News and notes from around the NHL this evening:
- By now you’ve heard that Vladimir Sobotka has joined the St. Louis Blues and signed a three-year extension that kicks in next season. The Czech native will play this season under his arbitration-awarded $2.75MM contract. According to CapFriendly, Sobotka will earn $45K for playing in the Blues’ final two games this season. Not bad for a weekend of work.
- Winnipeg Jets forward prospect Jack Roslovic makes his NHL debut tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Making the debut extra special is that Roslovic is from Columbus, and, as Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch points out, becomes the first Columbus-born NHL player. Roslovic has toiled in the minors all year, posting 13G and 32A in 61 games for the AHL Manitoba Moose. The 2015 25th overall draft pick spent last season at Miami University (OH) where he put up 10G and16A in 36 games.
- According to the Boston Globe’s Fluto Shinzawa, Boston Bruins prospect Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson has finally secured his work visa and can join the team professionally. The Bruins signed Karlsson to a three-year ELC a few days ago, but the Swede has been unable to play in a game due to a work visa delay. He has, however, practiced with the team since leaving Boston University. He was successful at BU, posting 14G and 19A in 39 games this season.
- TSN’s Darren Dreger tweeted that Winnipeg Jets’ Mark Scheifele and Colorado Avalanche’s Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon have agreed to play for Team Canada at the 2017 World Championships this spring. As is tradition, players on teams out of the playoff picture will begin to join their respective countries in the World Championships. Teams usually struggle to attract all the big-name players available, however, because some players would rather recuperate than continue to play more hockey.
Minor Moves: Megna, Koppanen, Guhle
The Anaheim Ducks made a predictable move to shore up their defensive group today, calling up Jaycob Megna from the San Diego Gulls. The Ducks are without Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm and Korbinian Holzer as they head into their game tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks. Jaycob, the younger brother of Vancouver Canucks forward Jayson Megna, is a 24-year old who has yet to make his NHL debut.
Selected in the seventh round of the 2012 entry draft, Megna is a hulking defenseman—6’6″ 225-lbs—capable of contributing offensively. His 27 points through 60 games trails just Brandon Montour and Andrew Welinski for the Gulls, despite not possessing any standout offensive skills. Nevertheless, he’s improved over the years and has a legitimate chance to make an impact at the NHL one day, albeit in a depth role. His first chance will come tonight against his favorite childhood team, growing up in Chicago.
- Mark Divver of the Providence Journal reports that Joona Koppanen is expected to turn down interest from the NCAA and “turn pro”. Whether that means the Boston Bruins draft pick will sign an entry-level deal and play in the AHL next season or join the top league in his home country is unknown. He’s currently playing in the junior league in Finland, where he scored 54 points in 38 games this season. Despite being only 19, Koppanen could join the AHL ranks next year to play for the Providence Bruins if the teams feels he’s ready.
- One of the more interesting prospect journeys this year has been that of defenseman Brendan Guhle, who was called up mid-season by the Buffalo Sabres right from the junior ranks. Guhle played three games for the Sabres before being sent back. For his new team the Prince George Cougars, he excelled scoring 29 points in 32 games and another six in their first round exit from the WHL playoffs. He’s now heading to the Rochester Americans for the remainder of the season, according to Ted Clarke of the Prince George Citizen. Guhle will be an interesting candidate for a full-time job next season with the Sabres, but is more likely destined for a top-pairing AHL role to continue his development.
- The Montreal Canadiens have brought up Brett Lernout under emergency conditions, after Alexei Emelin was injured last night. Though Shea Weber took to the ice this morning at practice, there is no expectation that he’ll be ready to play tomorrow night against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and with the Atlantic Division clinched, there is no reason to push him. Lernout, a 21-year old defenseman who was the Canadiens’ third-round pick in 2014 is a big strong defensive presence that has performed well for them in the AHL this year.
Brad Marchand Suspended Two Games For Spearing
The Department of Player Safety has come down on Brad Marchand, issuing a two game suspension for his spear on Jake Dotchin Tuesday night. Marchand will be held out for the remainder of the regular season but—luckily for the Bruins—will be available for game one of the playoffs. This is Marchand’s fifth suspension of his career, while he has also been fined multiple times for dangerous plays.
There will be two very different reactions to this decision. One will point to the fact that Sidney Crosby received no supplementary discipline for a similar spear recently, with the other saying that these two games are meaningless because Boston has already clinched a playoff spot. While it is true the Crosby didn’t even get a hearing from the league for his incident with Ryan O’Reilly, it’s Marchand’s history and forcefulness that makes the punishment more severe. In the video explanation, the league seems to respond directly to the Crosby comparison:
What causes this play to rise to the level of supplemental discipline is the intent, the amount of force used, and Marchand’s substantial history of attacking the lower body of opponents. This is not incidental or inadvertent contact. This is not light contact that, while illegal, does not rise to the level of supplemental discipline.
While it can certainly be argued whether Crosby’s incident was “light contact” it’s clear the league found this much more violent. Regarding the idea that the next two games are meaningless, though the Bruins have locked up their positions the last two games could change where they finish dramatically. The Bruins will face off with the Ottawa Senators tonight, a team they are tied with just one point ahead of the Maple Leafs. Should the Bruins lose their final two games, it is very likely that they could finish in the second wildcard position and have to face the Washington Capitals—who just locked up the President’s Trophy—in the first round.
Because spearing is almost never punished with any supplementary discipline, it makes this case hard to compare. The penalty is basically entirely based on Marchand’s history, and as such two games can be seen as extreme or insignificant from different parties. In a year that has seen more criticism towards the DoPS decisions than usual, this will (hopefully) be the final chapter.
Morning Notes: ISS Rankings, Marchand, Girard
The International Scouting Service (ISS) has released their latest draft rankings, and the center position dominates. Behind Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier—who are still ranked #1-2 respectively—Gabe Vilardi slides into the #3 slot and twelve other centers appear in the top-31 names. While many of the names down the list don’t project as elite first line players, there is a lot of talent to be had to build a team from the middle. Casey Mittelstadt has jumped to number five, and Timothy Liljegren continues to drop down the list.
A name we’ve said to watch before, Owen Tippett, has moved all the way up into the #4 position and is having a strong playoff run with Mississauga. The Steelheads are through to the next round and will face the Oshawa Generals on Friday. Tippett is the best pure goal scorer in the draft, and will have an interesting case for jumping right to the NHL next season.
- Brad Marchand will have a hearing with the Department of Player Safety on Thursday, regarding the spearing incident last night. Marchand used his stick to violently spear Jake Dotchin in the groin and was assessed a five minute major and game misconduct. With the Boston Bruins clinching a playoff spot last night, any suspension that took Marchand out for more than two games would leak into the postseason and possibly be devastating for the club. The Hart Trophy candidate has been suspended three times in the past and fined on multiple occasions. His standing as a repeat offender may mean at least one playoff game will be included.
- The Nashville Predators have assigned Samuel Girard to the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL. The 18-year old defenseman was eliminated from the playoffs when Shawinigan lost to Val-d’Or on Sunday. A second-round pick last summer, Girard had 75 points in 59 games and added another nine in five playoff contests. His offensive potential is incredible, and the Predators defense factory has turned undersized players into excellent all-around defenders before.
- After playing in two games with the Red Wings, Evgeny Svechnikov has been sent back to the AHL. The young winger was held pointless, but scored the shootout winner against the Ottawa Senators on Monday night. He’ll now head down to the Grand Rapids Griffins and try to win a Calder Cup.
Snapshots: Olympics, Gabrielle, Hemsky, Meier
If you thought the Olympic story was over after the league announced yesterday they would not participate in the 2018 Winter Games, you were wrong. Almost every player around the league was asked about their stance on the tournament, and some of the strongest opinions once again came from Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. When Ovechkin was pressed, he repeated his intention on attending the tournament whether the NHL allows him to or not. “Somebody going to tell me don’t go, I don’t care, I just go” Ovechkin told Chris Johnston of Sportsnet before going on to say he believes the NHL is bluffing.
There is chance the NHL will install fines or suspensions for players who do go, and Rick Westhead of TSN reports that Donald Fehr, the head of the NHLPA, is already telling agents that he expects the NHL to try and stop them in one way or another. Westhead expects the players’ union to fight any such “impromptu rule” though.
- The Boston Bruins may get a closer look at prospect Jesse Gabrielle soon, as Mark Divver of the Providence Journal reports that the Prince George winger will join the AHL Bruins as soon as this weekend. Prince George was knocked out of the WHL playoffs after another solid season by Gabrielle. He spent time with Providence last spring before heading back to junior, but next year will likely play all season in the AHL. The young winger has offensive upside and an in-your-face style that Bruins fans both love and expect from their young players.
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News gives us an explanation on the Justin Dowling transaction carousel, reporting that Ales Hemsky will be out for the remainder of the season. The Stars had thought he was ready to return to the lineup, but instead he will sit out the last few games and head into the summer as a pending unrestricted free agent.
- Despite sending Timo Meier to the AHL yesterday, Curtis Pashelka of the Mercury News reports that he has been brought back up by the team today. It must have been a cost-saving measure, though the point still stands that Meier has struggled to get quality chances despite racking up shots on net. The youngster will look to break his goalless drought if he gets back into the lineup.
- Flyers’ prospect German Rubtsov won’t be getting any more time on the ice this year, as he has been shut down following hand surgery to repair a broken bone. The young forward had 22 points in 16 games since coming over from the KHL in January. He signed his first entry-level contract a month ago, and looks like a can’t miss prospect for the Flyers going forward.
Bruins Sign Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson To ELC
With Boston University teammate Charlie McAvoy already committed to going pro, fellow Terrier sophomore Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson has decided to follow suit. However, while McAvoy made his pro debut with the AHL’s Providence Bruins last night, on an amateur tryout contract, it appears that “JFK” will head straight to the big-league club, as Boston announced that they have inked the young Swedish center to a three-year entry level contract and are prepared to burn a year by adding him to the NHL roster right away.
Unlike McAvoy, a right-shot defenseman who would be buried on an NHL team that has four NHL-caliber righties on the blue line, including one rookie already, Forsbacka-Karlsson can fill an immediate need for the Bruins. With Frank Vatrano, Jimmy Hayes, and Tim Schaller currently sidelined with injuries, Boston has been plugging holes up front, most recently with Sean Kuraly in today’s 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. However, Forsbacka-Karlsson presents an upgrade to Kuraly, as well as several other options currently waiting for the call in Providence, and will thus make the jump right from the NCAA to the NHL.
Don’t let the Bruins’ needs imply that the 20-year-old pivot isn’t making his NHL debut right away based on talent; Forsbacka-Karlsson certainly has the skill to be in Boston. A second-round selection of the Bruins in 2015 out of the USHL’s Omaha Lancers, JFK was considered a high-upside project player for Boston as he readied himself for the college game. Instead, Forsbacka-Karlsson has shown nothing but skill, consistency, and a mature, well-rounded game in two seasons at BU. JFK posted 63 points over 78 games in college career, playing a major role in back-to-back strong seasons for the Terriers. He possess both a strong offensive game and the instincts and intelligence to play a defensive game that is unmatched by many his age. For this reason, Forsbacka-Karlsson has often drawn comparisons to a young Patrice Bergeron, while playing right down the street from the man himself. Now, much like Zdeno Chara and Brandon Carlo, the Bruins can have Bergeron mentor JFK and hope for the same quick development and production like they have seen from Carlo. Expect the kid forward to step in right away, likely alongside Ryan Spooner on the team’s third line, and contribute immediately as the Bruins look to extend their five-game winning streak and lock up a playoff spot.
Jimmy Hayes Leaves Game
Boston Bruins forward Jimmy Hayes has left his team’s game against the Florida Panthers.
Hayes suffered a lower-body injury and is unlikely to return, the team announced via Twitter. The big winger played just two shifts before heading down the tunnel, according to Mike Loftus of The Patriot Ledger.
It’s been a trying year for Hayes. After scoring 35 and 29 points in the last two years, he has just five points this season. He’s on a 13-game pointless streak, and has just two assists in his last 28 games before today. Hayes didn’t register a point in his first 19 games of the season. The Boston-native is in the middle year of a three-year pact, worth $2.3MM per season.
We’ll update this story as more information comes available.
Injury Notes: Read, Cunningham, Anisimov, Guentzel
Matt Read will not play again this season, after taking a shot to the arm in Thursday’s victory over the New York Islanders. He’ll be out six to eight weeks according to GM Ron Hextall, meaning it is likely some sort of a broken arm or wrist. Read had just 19 points this season and has really taken a step back in recent years. As a rookie, he scored 24 goals and 47 points, but has never been able to duplicate those numbers.
Read, 30, is signed for one more season with the Flyers at $3.625MM and will likely be relegated to bottom-six duty again next year. What looked like a very promising career after signing as a free agent out of college has taken a downward turn. He’ll try to rehab the injury and improve his play next season.
- In a much more inspiring note, Craig Cunningham was on the ice today for the Tuscon Roadrunners. The last we heard from Cunningham, he was finally walking down a hallway after being fitted with a prosthetic leg. The former captain of both the Providence Bruins and Springfield Falcons, Cunningham collapsed earlier this year and eventually had his leg amputated due to complications. One of the most liked players in the minor leagues, it’s wonderful to see him back lacing up skates.
- The Chicago Blackhawks are still expecting Artem Anisimov back for the playoffs, according to Scott Powers of The Athletic. The injured centerman hasn’t played since March 14th and hasn’t been present at any practices so far for the ‘Hawks. In his stead, Chicago has tried both Nick Schmaltz and Tanner Kero between Artemi Panarin and Patrick Kane.
- Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports that both Jake Guentzel and Ron Hainsey will return to the lineup for the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight. Guentzel will immediately return to the wing of Sidney Crosby, and try to pick up where he left off when he suffered a concussion on a hit from Buffalo Sabres’ defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. Guentzel has 25 points in 35 games since coming up from the AHL, a very successful rookie season.
- Frank Vatrano will not play this weekend for the Bruins as they take on the Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks on back-to-back days. Vatrano has been dealing with an upper-body injury that held him out of Thursday’s game, and missed practice today altogether. As the Bruins fight for their playoff lives, they could use Vatrano for his secondary scoring.
Injury Notes: Stamkos, Penguins, Andersen
Steven Stamkos was present at practice in full today, taking line rushes and participating in powerplay drills. He’s now “day-to-day” according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times, and will continue to be evaluated daily. He won’t play tomorrow against Detroit, but could return soon for the chance to help Tampa Bay into the playoffs.
Stamkos has been out since November and has always put a return this season as a goal in his rehab. Despite trading away two centers at the deadline and three others dealing with various injuries, the team now finds themselves just three points out of a playoff spot with a game in hand over the Boston Bruins. Those two teams will meet on Tuesday in what could be the deciding game for both their playoff lives.
- The Pittsburgh Penguins are finally getting healthier, with Conor Sheary and Chad Ruhwedel both game-time decisions for tonight according to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. While Jake Guentzel and Ron Hainsey won’t be available, both took the ice wearing normal jerseys today for the Penguins option skate. The Penguins have lost three games in a row and are falling out of President’s Trophy contention, and with it an “easier’ matchup in the first round. As things stand currently, they’d take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round.
- After missing just one game, Frederik Andersen may be back in the Toronto Maple Leafs net sooner than later. Kristen Shilton of TSN reports that the goaltender said he feels ready to go for the team tomorrow, but he and the medical staff will talk more after landing in Nashville for their game tomorrow night. Andersen was taken out with a possible concussion from Saturday’s game in Buffalo, but returned to the ice the next day without any symptoms.