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Blackhawks President John McDonough Discusses His Team

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2015-16 was shaping up to another big year for the Blackhawks.  Not only were they coming off a Stanley Cup victory, they also added a core player in Artemi Panarin on a cheap entry-level contract.  On top of that, they added Andrew Ladd, Dale Weise, and Tomas Fleischmann in advance of the trade deadline in the hopes of making another deep postseason run.  Unfortunately for Chicago, they were ousted in the first round by St. Louis, ending their year on a sour note.

David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune sat down with team President John McDonough to discuss the year that was and Chicago’s offseason moves thus far.  Here are some of the highlights:

On trading Andrew Shaw to Montreal in a draft day deal:

“That was a tough one for a lot of reasons. He’s a wonderful young man.  He had an organic grittiness that really struck a nerve with Chicagoans, maybe more than any athlete I’ve been associated with. He represented what people wanted this franchise to embody.”

On head coach Joel Quenneville and how long he may stick around:

“I have never had a conversation with anybody about Joel’s successor. He has four years left on his contract, is an energetic 58 and a very, very powerful figure. Joel has the same thing as Shaw — that relatable characteristic people are drawn to.”

On general manager Stan Bowman:

“I’m really proud of Stan because he’s not afraid to make the tough decisions. Stan is a prolific listener. He’s very thorough and he gets a lot of information from a lot of people…  You better have a plan in case you need to change the plan. And Stan had to look at things differently. He couldn’t be more committed or engaged. He’s understated, subdued, measured. I have to check his pulse from time to time.”

On Patrick Kane’s decision to stay in Chicago for the offseason to training instead of going home to Buffalo:

“That was completely his choice. I care for him deeply. We’ve been through a lot together. I want him to succeed and not just on the ice. He’s in such a good place right now. He looks great, looks clear and healthy. I think he has good relationships and is on a good path.”

Chicago has close to a full roster under contract and has inked all of their restricted free agents.  They have just shy of $2.4MM in cap space according to Cap Friendly, enough money left that they could make a run at one more free agent forward to shore up their depth.  Here is a look at their projected depth chart, courtesy of Roster Resource.

Chicago Blackhawks Sign Mark McNeill

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According to a team release, the Chicago Blackhawks have come to terms with pending RFA Mark McNeill on a new one-year contract.  The 23-year old will stay another season with the team that drafted him 18th overall in 2013.

After being a prolific scorer for the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL, McNeill has brought those soft hands to the AHL where he has recorded back-to-back 20-goal seasons. The 23-year old made his NHL debut this past season, suiting up for a single game for the Blackhawks.

Though McNeill has shown he can dominate in the AHL, he may still need to wait for a real opportunity with the Blackhawks, after they brought in names like Jordin Tootoo and Nick Schmaltz for this season. He’ll head to camp trying to force his way onto the roster, and prove that he can continue to produce at the next level.

Central Notes: Blackhawks, Jets, Wild

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The Chicago Sun Times Mark Lazerus reports on the prospects in the Blackhawks pipeline. For every Andrew Shaw and Brandon Saad who made an impact on the Hawks at a young age, there are other players who didn’t quite make it as quickly. He writes that Nick Schmaltz and Ryan Hartman are two of many prospects looking to stake their presence in Chicago, but also notes that they have been invited to their fair share of prospect camps already. Schmaltz finally turned pro, indicating that he sees his best opportunity to make the team. Meanwhile, Vinnie Hinostroza, Tyler Motte, and  Dylan Sikura also look to fill the remaining voids on the Hawks roster. Lazerus reports that while coach Joel Quenneville, and general manager Stan Bowman may feel frustration with affording the kids the roster spots, it’s best if they make their mistakes with a strong core still intact. Without cap room, and only what Lazerus calls “two and a half lines,” the kids appear to be the Hawks’ best answer.

  • Tim Campbell writes that Blake Wheeler and the Jets are looking to take a giant step forward in the 2016-17 season. Wheeler talks about how the late season surge for the Jets, where they went 6-2-2 on the West Coast, it showed the resolve of a franchise that didn’t tank for a higher draft pick. Adding to the optimism is a number of exciting young players, which includes recent draft pick, and second overall pick Patrik Laine. Campbell also reports that the Jets have yet to make a decision on their next captain. He writes that Wheeler isn’t concerned about what letter is sewn on his jersey. Instead, he’s more focused on helping those young players take the next step at the NHL level.
  • Puck Daddy’s Josh Cooper spoke with  Eric Staal on his decision to choose the Wild over other suitors in free agency. Staal feels that the Wild offer him a great opportunity to improve on a down season for him in 2015-16. He also talked about how he feels better centering a line and that the talent on the wing in Minnesota will be beneficial for both him and the team. Cooper writes that while advanced stats reveal Staal’s worth, his goals and assists have left much to be desired. Staal believes it begins with confidence, and that he feels that he still have a productive NHL career ahead of him. Staal signed a three-year, $10.5MM deal with the Wild.

 

Snapshots: Blackhawks, Islanders, Blue Jackets

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The Chicago Sun Times’ Mark Lazerus writes about the new young talent in Chicago, one of which includes an un-signed and undrafted gem. Alexandre Fortin, the nephew of former NHL netminder Jean-Sebastien Giguere, has turned some heads in camp. Fortin leads all scorers with five goals in three scrimmages, and the 19-year-old forward could be another great find by the Hawks front office. Fortin had 19 goals last season with Rouyn-Noranda of the QMJHL. Lazerus reports that the center posted 43 points but struggled with confidence and injuries. Lazerus also writes about towering goalie Wouter Peeters, who stands at 6 foot 5. Peeters was a third round pick of the Hawks, and is only 17-years-old. He will play in Sweden during the 2016-17 season, but is a prospect Lazerus believes the Hawks will be watching closer than others as their goaltending depth is thin.

In other news:

  • NBC’s Jason Brough reports that the New York Islanders ownership will spend every dollar they can in order to win a Stanley Cup. New owners Jon Ledecky and Scott Malkin assumed control of the team July 1 from Charles Wang and Ledecky started by telling Peter Motte of the Daily News that they would not only be a “cap-max” team if necessary, but that the Isles would be staying in Brooklyn for the time being. Ledecky also stated that the focus would be on the fan experience as the ownership team works to bring a consistent Cup contender in.
  • The Bluc Jackets have hired Cameron Scholvin as a senior vice president and Chief Revenue Officer according to Aaron Portzline. Portzline adds that Scholvin served as the senior vice president of corporate development for the Jackets from 2008-12. Scholvin was working with IMG College as a Regional Vice President prior to his new position with Columbus.

Free Agent Profile: Brandon Pirri

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Now that Shane Doan is officially off the market – although no one really expected the veteran winger to leave the desert – there are few options remaining for teams looking to add offense to their lineups. Yesterday we profiled five of the top forwards remaining in free agency that could conceivably fit the bill. One of those players, Brandon Pirri, noticably stuck out on that list due to his relative youth compared to his unemployed peers.

It’s not usually surprising that aging veterans whose best seasons are clearly in the rear view mirror might linger on the market well into the summer. In fact, many will either be forced to accept training camp invites or face the prospect of retirement. However, it’s exceedingly rare for one of the league’s most prolific goal scorers – based on rate stats – and who is still just 25-years-old, to be waiting for his next contract into the middle of July.

Pirri tallied 14 goals and 29 points last year in 61 games, splitting the season between Florida and Anaheim. The Ducks had acquired the 6-foot, 183-pound forward from the Panthers at the trade deadline in exchange for a sixth-round draft choice. The year prior, Pirri netted 22 goals in 61 contests, albeit with an amazingly low 2 assists, for the Panthers.

Over the last three seasons, Pirri has averaged 0.95 goals for every 60 minutes of ice time he sees at five-on-five play. That rate places him 30th in the NHL among all forwards who have suited up for a minimum of 120 games during that span. In terms of even-strength goal scoring prowess, Pirri is certainly among the best in the game.

Based on overall point-production, however, Pirri ranks just 203rd over the past three seasons in points-per-hour, due in large part to his 2014-15 tally of just two helpers. That ranking would seem to place him outside of a top-six role when it comes to offensive contributions.

Goal scoring is typically sought after and usually rewarded in free agency. Pirri’s continued presence on the open market is a bit of a mystery. It’s possible teams are scared off due to his low assists total from two seasons ago. Though it should be noted, if we remove that outlier from his career numbers, Pirri actually has two more assists than goals scored in his career and typically teams don’t pay as much attention to extreme statistical outliers.

Whatever the reason, it seems clear teams are hesitant about employing Pirri. He’s suited up for three NHL clubs over the last three campaigns and despite quality offensive numbers at the time of the trade, the Ducks obtained him from Florida for the lowly cost of a sixth-round draft pick. After the season, Anaheim elected not to qualify Pirri, a move that may have struck some as a bit surprising. He was eligible for arbitration and goals tend to be given extra weight when arbitrators decide on a player’s salary. It’s possible the Ducks wanted to avoid that process altogether. Nonetheless Pirri is free to sign with any team willing to give him a chance to show off his goal scoring acumen.

Potential Fits

New Jersey – The Devils finished last in the NHL in scoring this past season but have already added top-line LW Taylor Hall to the mix and expect their best returning offensive player, Mike Cammalleri, to be healthy at the outset of the upcoming campaign. A look at the club’s depth chart, courtesy of our partner site, Roster Resource, indicates the Devils have plenty of forward options so their interest in Pirri would likely be tepid at best.

Edmonton – Even though the Oilers have filled the hole they created when shipping the aforementioned Hall to Jersey by signing Milan Lucic, they could still use an upgrade over Mark Letestu at the third-line pivot position. Edmonton finished 25th in scoring and didn’t necessarily improve in that department by swapping out Hall for Lucic.

Columbus – If the Blue Jackets are ever able to offload winger Scott Hartnell they could be in the market for another goal scorer. But it’s possible the team would rather reinvest any savings from a Hartnell move into their defense as they have a number of quality forward prospects ready to make the jump to Columbus.

Los Angeles – Currently the Kings list Dwight King, Kyle Clifford and Dustin Brown as top-nine wingers. King’s career best in the goal socring department is 15 while Clifford has never tallied more than seven in any single season. Meanwhile, Brown’s days as a productive player capable of adequately manning a top-nine role may well be over. On a cheap contract the Kings could make sense for Pirri.

Expected Contract

Considering Anaheim passed on qualifying Pirri at just more than $1MM annually and given how late in the free agent season it is now, it’s not likely Pirri is going to find a deal representing much of a raise over the $925K he earned this past season. As such, a team like the Kings might be a terrific fit for Pirri on a one-year, make good deal at right around $1MM.

 

Are Offer Sheets A Thing Of The Past?

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This summer’s restricted free agent (RFA) list is quite impressive, with nine 20-goal scorers and 13 players who scored more than 40 points last season. Forwards Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau, Nikita Kucherov, Marcus Johansson, and Mike Hoffman headline the forwards; while Hampus Lindholm, Tyson Barrie, Rasmus Ristolainen, Danny DeKeyser, and Jacob Trouba are the top defensemen. Detroit’s Petr Mrazek is the only big-name RFA goalie remaining.  Most of the above players are eligible for offer sheets.

According to Elliotte Friedman, compensation for offer sheets is as follows:

  • Less than $1.239MM (average annual value of contract) – Nothing;
  • $1.239-$1.878MM – Third-round pick;
  • $1.878-$3.755MM – Second-round pick;
  • $3.755-$5.633MM – First and third-round picks;
  • $5.633-$7.510MM – First, second and third-round picks;
  • $7.510-$9.388MM – Two first, a second and third-round picks;
  • Over $9.388MM – Four first-round picks.

With this in mind, teams could target rival teams top young players, with both outcomes having their benefits to the aggressive team: either they acquire a good young player for only picks, or they mess up a rival’s salary cap by inflating the player’s salary.

The threat of an offer sheet was evident last summer, with the Blackhawks trading Brandon Saad to the Blue Jackets and the Bruins trading Dougie Hamilton to the Flames. Both players were pending RFAs and in line for a big raise before being shipped out to prevent their teams from being subjected to an offer sheet. However, this summer has been the complete opposite, with teams taking their time to sign the above-mentioned stars, apparently not overly worried about offer sheets.

Why could that be?

The last time an NHL team successfully acquired a player via an offer sheet was in 2007. Then-Oilers-GM Kevin Lowe signed Anaheim Ducks LW Dustin Penner to a 4-year, $21.5MM contract. The Ducks did not match, and the Oilers forked over their first three rounds of draft picks in 2008. Penner enjoyed varying degrees of success in three-and-a-half seasons in Edmonton before being traded to Los Angeles where he won a Stanley Cup. The Penner offer sheet is most fondly remembered by then-Ducks-GM Brian Burke and Lowe’s escalating war of words which nearly lead to a fist-fight in a rented barn in Lake Placid. Commissioner Gary Bettman was forced to have a conference call with the two GMs to get them to stop.

It’s perhaps this sort of reaction that prevents GMs from making offer sheets. Earlier this summer, ESPN and TSN reporter Pierre LeBrun quoted an unnamed GM as threatening opposing GMs with an offer sheet per year for the next ten years as retribution for a potential offer sheet. There appears to be an unspoken agreement between GMs to leave RFAs alone. There hasn’t been an offer sheet tendered since 2013 when Colorado matched Calgary’s contract with Ryan O’Reilly, saving the Flames from an embarrassing and costly mistake.

So despite several fan bases calling for offer sheets, it seems unlikely that any players will be switching sweaters this summer because of one.

Development Camp Notes: Matthews, Bertuzzi, Pokka

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After two crazy weeks in the NHL that saw blockbuster trades and nearly a billion dollars spent on the free agent market, teams now hold development camps for their young prospects, evaluating what they have and allowing the recent draftees to get their first taste of an NHL organization.

In Maple Leaf camp, much of the speculation has been around Auston Matthews and his yet-to-be-signed contract. With GM Lou Lamoriello being staunchly against performance bonuses, it’s been opined many times that this is the sticking point.  Lamoriello tried to put and end to that today, speaking with Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun:  “We’re certainly talking to his representative. I don’t think this is something that’s going to take long. I have total confidence that he’ll be under contract. He’s an elite player and will be (in the NHL). No one’s going to be rushed here.”

As we outlined this past week, Matthews could earn upwards of $3MM if he were to max out all the usual bonuses given to top draft picks.  Here’s more from around the league’s development camps:

  • Tyler Bertuzzi, nephew of former Red Wings forward Todd Bertuzzi is absent from camp today due to overall soreness, reports Brendan Savage of MLive. The former second-round pick is the elder statesman at Detroit’s camp as he tries to work his way into a bottom-six role in the NHL. After putting up 98 points in his last year of junior, Bertuzzi made an impact at the AHL level last season, scoring 12 goals and 30 points in 71 games.
  • In Chicago, the Blackhawks are holding camp without one of their top prospects in Ville Pokka, reports Scott Powers of The Athletic. The Finnish defenseman was injured during the World Hockey Championship (in which Finland earned a silver medal), after spending last season with the Rockford Icehogs of the AHL. With 75 points in 144 games at that level, Pokka has turned into the puck-moving defenseman the Islanders hoped for when they made him their second-round pick in 2012.  He joined the Chicago organization after being the centerpiece of a deal for Nick Leddy in 2014.

Are NHL Super Teams Possible?

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Puck Daddy’s Ryan Lambert writes that the idea of an NHL super team in the mold of the new NBA craze is simply unattainable due to the economics and setup of the league. Lambert shows that while an NBA team can sign a young, future hall of fame player who can immediately impact a team, hockey does not have the same luxury. Lambert uses Sidney Crosby as an example. Should Crosby end up in Detroit, his impact would be felt, but would not guarantee Detroit as a Cup contender. Instead, it would take other pieces to solidify such a dominating force.

The setup of the sports are different as well. Lambert shows that a Pittsburgh team comprised of Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel and Kris Letang struggled at times to get past teams that were not nearly as deep with talent. Lambert even went as as far to show “death lineups” of players who dominated while on the same side. Though they wore the same jerseys, their impact was different because in hockey, it’s rare that all of those players will appear on the ice at the exact same time. Of those six death lineups, five won a Cup. Only the 2012-13 Bruins, who lost in the Stanley Cup Final to the Blackhawks (also another death lineup), fell short.

Lambert doesn’t discount that having eight high end, perennial all-star caliber players could heavily favor a team. It’s just that the restrictive nature of the salary cap prevents it from happening. At best, Lambert writes, a team can have four or five high end players at a time.

Perhaps the bigger issue revolves around finances and marketing.

The financial structure of the league is significantly different than the NBA. Lambert shows that the league revenues have remained flat, and shows a gate revenue that is all but maxed out. The NBA, on the other hand, has seen a significant increase in revenue and also enjoy lucrative television deals. Additionally, the Canadian dollar, according to a Globe and Mail report, may have cost the NHL nearly $200MM in revenue. Though the numbers are from 2014, Fox Sports wrote up a report, along with graphics, that show the stark discrepancy in revenue between the NHL and other major sports.

Where Lambert really hits the point home is how the sport is marketed. It’s no secret that hockey is a niche sport. As parity has reigned during the salary cap era, the differences between a top team and a bottom feeder, while sometimes large, still afford the ability for an upset to occur.

Whether it’s fair or unfair, the lesser known teams in a Stanley Cup Final could be horrendous for the league as well. The idea of a Tampa Bay-San Jose Final this year would have wreaked havoc on ratings. Even though both teams boast high caliber players, they are both “non-traditional” markets that outside of their respective area, would generate little interest. Contrast that with a possible Pittsburgh-Chicago Final and it underscores the issue with the NHL: lack of familiarity in non-established markets.

As Lambert pointed out, Steph Curry jerseys are everywhere and his presence on television is a must see event. Ovechkin? Crosby? McDavid? Toews? Sure, hockey fans know them. But ask the average sports fan where Conor McDavid plays, and you might get a blank stare. Some might struggle to even say who he is.

Until revenues explode and familiarity is bred, superteams, whether they are a good or bad thing, are just not possible with the structure of today’s NHL.

Central Notes: Blackhawks, Stars

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Enter the Chicago Blackhawks into the number of teams interested in Jimmy Vesey reports Mike Harrington. Harrington cites the Providence Journal story that placed Hawks general manager Stan Bowman at the Foxboro Sports Center watching Vesey compete. Additionally, Harrington uses Chicago’s signing of Artemi Panarin as another clue into the Hawks’ interest in the Hobey Baker Trophy winner.

Chicago reaped the benefits of inking Panarin who complemented Patrick Kane well on a line, notched 77 points (30-44) and won the Calder Trophy as the league’s best rookie. Vesey would be an intriguing signing as the Hawks can promise ice time and instant success since the Blackhawks window to win remains wide open with Jonathan Toews, and Kane still being in the prime of their careers. As it stands, the Blackhawks remain just one of many teams looking into Vesey’s services. Harrington reports that Vesey seems willing to listen to every interested team before he inks a deal, and not just signing with the Sabres because they hold his rights.

Other Central news:

  • The Blackhawks have added Derek King as an assistant coach for AHL affiliate Rockford. Tracey Myers tweets that King spent 2009-2015 on the Toronto Marlies coaching staff. The Blackhawks also released a statement announcing King’s hiring with the Icehogs.
  • Mike Heika answered a number of questions about the Stars goaltending situation during a chat session. Among the several goaltending questions he received, Heika indicated that while the Stars are apparently content with their situation in net for now, it shouldn’t be ruled out that they could try to upgrade later. Heika says that while rumors cannot be discounted about Ben Bishop or Marc-Andre Fleury, Heika is “guessing” when he thinks the Stars would pass on Fleury due to playoff inconsistencies. He also speculates that a mid-season deal for Bishop would be more likely, especially if the Lightning cannot come to terms with him.
  • Heika also writes extensively about who the Stars need to develop between the pipes as the Stars dealt former prospect Jack Campbell after years of trying to make him the organization’s franchise goalie. Heika lists Max Lagace, Philippe Desrosiers, and Landon Bow as the three prospects the Stars must bring along in order to solve their goaltending woes. Both Bow and Desrosiers are both invitees to the Stars development camp and then the prospects tournament in Traverse City. Lagace intrigues because it was him who usurped Campbell, and helped the decision to jettison him to Los Angeles. Heika also lists Lagace as the favorite to be the #1 goalie in the AHL.

Jordin Tootoo Signs With Blackhawks

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According to a team release, the Chicago Blackhawks have signed free agent forward Jordin Tootoo.  It’s a one-year contract for Tootoo, who played last season with the New Jersey Devils.  General Fanager reports that the deal is worth $750K, though are still waiting on confirmation on whether it is a two-way deal.

The long-time Nashville Predator scored four goals and nine points for the Devils last season his 12th in the NHL. Tootoo, now 33, was the first player of Inuit decent ever to play in an NHL game when he made his debut on October 9th, 2003.

While Tootoo is getting into his mid-thirties, he’s still regarded as an effective agitator and fourth line player that is tough to play against.  As the league moves away from fighting, Tootoo has remained among the league leaders, dropping the gloves nine times last season.

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