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Evening Snapshots: Zaitsev, Polak, Bickell

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News and notes from around the NHL this evening:

  • Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Nikita Zaitsev suffered an injury tonight in a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Columbus captain Nick Foligno hit Zaitsev just as time expired in the first period, and Zaitsev left the ice awkwardly. The young defenseman tried to return in the second before leaving again. The Leafs hope the injury is not serious as they are close to signing Zaitsev to a seven-year deal.
  • Making matters worse for the Toronto Maple Leafs, defenseman Roman Polak also went down with an injury tonight. Polak collided with Blue Jackets’ Boone Jenner in front of the Toronto net and labored back to the bench. He soon after left the bench and went to the dressing room. Polak’s injury leaves Toronto with only four defensemen for the rest of the game. And while this game has no impact for the Blue Jackets, the Maple Leafs’ playoff position depends on whether they gain a point tonight. One point will move the team to 3rd in the Atlantic and set to face the Ottawa Senators. If Toronto fails to gain a point, they will play the Washington Capitals as the second wild card seed.
  • Carolina Hurricanes forward Bryan Bickell plays his last NHL game tonight as the Hurricanes take on the Philadelphia Flyers. Bickell was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and just recently made his return last week. He announced yesterday that he will retire at season’s end. Bickell will finish his career with 66G and 70A in 394 games, and three Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Bryan Bickell To Retire After This Season

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Carolina Hurricanes forward Bryan Bickell will retire from the NHL after this season.

He has only played in nine games this season after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in November. After playing 10 games with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, Bickell returned to the Hurricanes’ lineup two games ago, and will play the final two games of his career this weekend.

Bickell told NHL.com of his decision on Saturday morning. Hurricanes head coach Bill Peters was close to tears when asked about his player’s decision. Peters coached Bickell when the two were with the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate from 2008-2010. Peters called Bickell “a man’s man” and “a pro’s pro,” as well as “unbelievably brave.”

The Hurricanes will wear “29” stickers on their helmets to honor Bickell this weekend. Bickell will be in the starting lineup and on the first unit power-play. His teammates also surprised him this morning by attending a fundraising walk with “Bickell Brave” t-shirts on.

Bickell played parts of nine seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, winning three Stanley Cups. He’s perhaps most-known for his incredible run during the 2013 playoffs, where he scored nine goals and 17 points in 23 games. That included the game-tying goal in Game Six of the Finals, followed by Dave Bolland’s Cup-winner just 17 seconds later.

Everyone at Pro Hockey Rumors wishes Bickell the best in his post-NHL days.

Snapshots: McNeill, Tolchinsky, Borgstrom

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The Dallas Stars have recalled a pair of prospects for their final game of the season tomorrow against the Colorado Avalanche. Mark McNeill and Denis Gurianov are both on their way to Dallas and would be making their Stars debut should they be inserted into the lineup. McNeill, 24, came over in the Johnny Oduya trade at the deadline from the Chicago Blackhawks, where he had been a first-round pick (18th overall) and top prospect. The big center has just one NHL game under his belt and is actually in the midst of his worst (though still effective) AHL season yet. He’ll need a breakthrough at the NHL level soon if he’s to stay in the plans of the Stars long-term, as he’s approaching the end of “prospect status”.

Gurianov is the Stars’ own first round pick from 2015 (12th overall) and has had a solid rookie campaign in the AHL after coming over from Russia this year. With 25 points in 54 games he’s only brushing the surface of his eventual power forward game, and still hasn’t quite filled out into his 6’3″ frame. He’ll be making his NHL debut, and hope to push for a full-time role in the next year or so at the top level.

  • Speaking of young Russian wingers, the Carolina Hurricanes have recalled Sergey Tolchinsky from the Charlotte Checkers, while sending Andrew Poturalski back down. Tolchinsky has 22 points on the year in the AHL and still hasn’t replicated the immense scoring talent he showed for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL. The 22-year old has some of the slickest hands in professional hockey, but has had trouble at times with his big size disadvantage. When he gets the puck in space though, watch out as you might see a highlight every time.
  • The Buffalo Sabres have brought Linus Ullmark back up, likely meaning that Anders Nilsson isn’t quite ready to get back on the ice just yet. Ullmark was sent down yesterday in what was apparently just a paper transaction, as neither the Buffalo Sabres nor the Rochester Americans played last night.
  • Andy Strickland of Fox Sports is reporting that Henrik Borgstrom will return to the University of Denver next season, meaning the Florida Panthers won’t get him into their system just yet. The first-round pick had 43 points in 36 games for DU this year, and will play for the national championship tomorrow night against Minnesota-Duluth. The lanky center has a great shot at the NHL after his college career ends, but the questions from the World Juniors still remain. He disappeared in the tournament for Finland and was held scoreless, not the first time he’s played poorly at an international event. With Finland firing their head coach mid-tournament, perhaps it was just a symptom of a bad system. For Borgstrom, he’ll need to prove his doubters wrong by continuing the consistent play he’s shown this year in the NCHC.

Snapshots: Hughes, Hurricanes, Ekman-Larsson

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It’s not a name that you may be familiar with just yet, but Jack Hughes is one to remember. The 15-year old was captain of the Toronto Marlboros, one of the best midget teams in the country and expected to go first overall in the upcoming OHL draft to the Barrie Colts. Eligible for the 2019 NHL entry draft, Hughes is an early (very early) favorite for the top few picks.

Instead, Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting that Hughes—born in Orlando, Florida—will sign with the US National Development Team for the next part of his hockey career. As Dreger says, it will be interesting now to see how far he falls in the OHL draft as there have been examples before of players telling the league they would be heading somewhere else, only to sign with a stronger team (see: London Knights) after falling in the draft. Regardless of where he plays, Hughes is a phenom that deserves attention even at a young age.

  • In addition to recalling Bryan Bickell less than five months after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the Carolina Hurricanes have brought up Andrew Poturalski from Charlotte and sent Lucas Wallmark and Phillip Di Giuseppe to the AHL. Poturalski went undrafted and signed with the Hurricanes last spring out of the University of New Hampshire. He has shown immense promise in his rookie AHL season, scoring 48 points in 69 games.
  • Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s season has come to an end early, as the team granted him early release to head home and deal with the death of his mother. She had been fighting a battle with cancer all season, something that has weighed on Ekman-Larsson throughout the year. “This has been a very difficult year for me personally,” said Ekman-Larsson in a statement on the team website. “I’d like to thank the Coyotes organization and all of my teammates for their incredible support all season long. I’m sorry that I’ll miss our last three games but family comes first.”
  • The Coyotes won’t be the only team without a top defender for the last few games, as the Florida Panthers will likely shut down Aaron Ekblad for the remainder of the season according to George Richards of the Miami Herald. Ekblad returned from a concussion on March 21st—a move that seemed reckless at the time—only to suffer headaches immediately after the game, causing coach Tom Rowe to admit his mistake. For the Panthers, who are eliminated from playoff contention, protecting your superstar defenseman is more important than winning some meaningless games down the stretch.

Snapshots: Franson, Bean, Senators

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Cody Franson hasn’t had a very successful Buffalo Sabres career. In two seasons marred by injury, the right-handed defender has failed to reach the 30 point mark that he had broken the past two seasons and will miss the playoffs once again. Today, when he was back in Toronto to face the Maple Leafs he was asked about a possible return to his former team in the offseason. Franson is a pending unrestricted free agent, and will have to make a decision on where he wants to try and rebuild his value.

To several reporters including Chris Johnston of Sportsnet, Franson made it very clear that he would be open to a return. “Oh yeah, for sure” he told Johnston, before explaining that playing in Toronto was a “dream come true” for him and his family. Despite having poor point totals and injury concerns, Franson actually still has solid possession numbers and is a candidate for a nice value contract on the open market. He’s clearly not a lock-down defender and never will be, but since he moves the puck so efficiently he doesn’t spend as much time in his own zone. For Toronto fans screaming for the heads of Roman Polak and Matt Hunwick, Franson would likely be welcomed back with open arms.

  • Jake Bean is headed to the Charlotte Checkers to get a taste of professional hockey now that his Calgary Hitmen have been eliminated from the WHL playoffs. The first-round pick (13th overall) of the Carolina Hurricanes last summer, Bean is about as good of a defensive prospect as you’ll find around the league. His 45 points in 43 games this season in junior showed once again that his offensive game is ready for the next level, and he is starting to fill out physically. The 18-year old will have to make the NHL team out of camp next season or return to the Hitmen for a fourth year and anchor a Team Canada blueline at the World Juniors.
  • The Ottawa Senators are in a fight with the Maple Leafs for second place in the Atlantic Division, and they keep getting hit with injuries. According to Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia, Cody Ceci, Marc Methot and Zack Smith will all not return before the end of the regular season, while Erik Karlsson again missed practice today and is out for tonight’s game. The team will have one reinforcement though, as Colin White will make his NHL debut on the fourth line alongside Tommy Wingels and Chris Kelly. Ryan Dzingel will be scratched in favor of the top prospect, who signed his entry-level contract just yesterday.

Carolina Hurricanes Recall Bryan Bickell

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In one of the more inspiring stories in the league this season, Bryan Bickell is on his way back to the NHL. The Carolina Hurricanes have called up the three-time Stanley Cup champion on Monday morning. Bickell had been playing with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers, where he had four points in ten games while maintaining that he’d be back in the NHL this season. Bryan Bickell

Bickell was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in November, which immediately put a halt to his NHL career as he and his family determined how to go about his future. Though he obviously had new challenges to overcome, he was cleared to return to professional hockey in February and cleared waivers in order to play longer than a normal conditioning stint in the minors. At the time, Bickell said that he still planned on making an NHL return this season and Hurricanes’ head coach Bill Peters said to “not bet against him.”

The Hurricanes acquired Bickell along with Teuvo Teravainen last summer from the Chicago Blackhawks in what was basically a salary dump, but have hoped for some contribution from the big winger. Capable of scoring 10-15 goals while providing a physical presence, he is a nice supplementary piece if overpriced at $4MM. While he is headed to unrestricted free agency this summer, it might not be out of the question for the Hurricanes to bring him back at a discounted rate as they look to compete next season. They will be looking for some help for their young talented forwards, and have been extremely supportive to Bickell and his family throughout the diagnosis and treatment.

Even if it’s just for a handful of games before hitting the open market, it will be nice to see Bickell back in an NHL rink. Whatever you may think of him as a player, it is tough to see a young person in what should be the prime of their athletic career be taken away from their passion. PHR welcomes you back ’Bicks’, and hopes the return goes as smoothly as possible.

Foegele, Smallman Sign Three-Year Contracts With Carolina Hurricanes

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The Carolina Hurricanes have signed a couple of their more interesting prospects, inking Warren Foegele and Spencer Smallman to three-year, entry-level contracts. The deals will kick in next season, and paying the pair between $650K and $700K for each of the seasons should they make the NHL. Foegele will earn $70K at the AHL level, while Smallman will receive $65K. Both are already 20, meaning they’ll be heading to the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL should they not make the NHL next season.

Foegele was the Hurricanes’ third-round pick in 2014 and has had a solid season in the OHL this year, scoring 63 points in 61 games split between the Kingston Frontenacs and Erie Otters. He followed it up with six points in Erie’s first round sweep of the Sarnia Sting in the OHL playoffs and will continue his quest for the Memorial Cup next week. A solid skater, Foegele already has the size and strength of a professional player and could slide into the AHL with ease. While he may not have the high-end offensive ability just yet, with a few more years of development he could easily turn into a valuable power forward capable of playing in different situations.

Smallman on the other hand was a fifth-round pick in 2015 that has always been an “intangibles” prospect. Though he does have excellent playmaking ability, his in-your-face style and high hockey IQ led to him being named captain of the Saint John Sea Dogs last season (a role which he reprised this year). With 79 points in 60 games he may just be coming into his own as an offensive player, and should at least be a solid addition to the Checkers for next year.

Saint John also swept their first round series, meaning both prospects are still in the thick of their respective playoff runs. Perhaps a nice reward for their solid play thus far, they’ll have a professional contract to fall back on whenever their seasons do come to an end.

Snapshots: China, Kitchener, Fazio

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After it was announced earlier this month that the NHL would be holding two preseason games in China next season, many linked that to the upcoming Beijing Olympics in 2022. Growing the game prior to sending NHL players to one of the biggest sporting events in the world seemed prudent. In his latest column, John Shannon of Sportsnet walks us through why growing the game in China doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the Olympics and instead is more because of the “virgin market” the country presents.

What’s different and noteworthy about this venture in China is that the Chinese want the NHL there, and not just because the 2022 Olympics will be in Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping has apparently developed a passion for hockey and as a result, 3,000 hockey arenas are to be built in the country.

Shannon goes on to note that several teams in the league already have agreements with companies and leagues in China, including Toronto who apparently have 6000 kids playing Maple Leafs-branded hockey each week. Though it’s just preseason next year, perhaps China will be the next destination for the SAP NHL Global Series. In 2017, the NHL will be headed to Stockholm for two games between the Colorado Avalanche and Ottawa Senators.

  • The Kitchener Rangers of the OHL have a new boss, and it’s a name familiar to hockey fans across North America. Mike McKenzie will take over as GM of the junior franchise after Murray Hiebert has transitioned into the Director of Hockey Operations role. McKenzie is the son of TSN Insider Bob McKenzie, a long-time face of hockey in print and television in Canada and the United States. The Rangers are currently down 3-1 in their OHL playoff series against the Owen Sound Attack.
  • The Charlotte Checkers (affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes) have signed Justin Fazio to an amateur tryout now that his Sarnia Sting have been eliminated from the OHL playoffs. The Sting were swept out of the first round by the powerhouse Erie Otters. The undrafted goaltender will turn 20 in just over a month, and will replace Tom McCollum on the roster as he deals with personal issues. The Checkers have been down their starter Alex Nedeljkovic while he backs up Cam Ward in Carolina after Eddie Lack’s recent injury. Fazio had an .896 save percentage for the Sting this season.

Eddie Lack Released From Hospital; Hurricanes Recall Nedeljkovic

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After a frightening on-ice collision with Detroit Red Wings forward Andreas Athanasiou, Eddie Lack lay motionless for almost ten minutes as paramedics loaded him onto a stretcher and took him to hospital. Though he gave a reassuring thumbs up to the crowd as he was being taken away, Carolina Hurricanes fans were still holding their breath. Late last night, Lack tweeted out what everyone was hoping for:

Thanks for all thoughts and prayers everything looks alright and I’ll be able to go home tonight! Thanks for thinking of me.

The team has called up Alex Nedeljkovic in his stead on emergency conditions from the ECHL. The 21-year old goaltender actually made his NHL debut earlier this year, and has spent much of the season with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. Drafted in the second round in 2014, Nedeljkovic is just starting to mature as a goaltender will need several years of seasoning in the minor league before really making a mark at the higher levels.

With the club taking on Detroit again tonight, in the second of back-to-back matchups due to a rescheduled game, Cam Ward is expected to get the start. The Red Wings will be on their third game in three nights, an exceptional situation in today’s NHL.

Eddie Lack Stretchered Off Ice After Collision

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It was a scary scene in Raleigh, North Carolina following the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night. In the course of scoring the game-winning goal, Wings forward Andreas Athanasiou crashed into ’Canes goaltender Eddie Lack, knocking him down hard into the net. While Detroit celebrated their victory, it was clear something was not right with Lack. Medical personnel were soon at his side and, after several minutes on the ice, Lack was finally loaded onto a stretcher and escorted out of the arena, where he was then swiftly sent to the nearest hospital.

As of right now, there is no word on the specifics or severity of the injury. Lack was conscious as he left the ice; he gave the crowd, and his teammates and opposition, all of whom watched on in concern from the ice, a thumbs up as he was carried off. However, that is no indication of the severity of the injury, only a sign of hope to cling on to. We here at PHR certainly wish Lack the best and will update the article when we know more.

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