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Josh Currie Signs With Edmonton Oilers

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If you’ve been a fan of the Bakersfield Condors for the last few seasons, today is the day you’ve expected for a while. Josh Currie, who was playing for the Condors on an AHL contract, has signed his first NHL contract with the Edmonton Oilers. Because Currie is already 25 he was not held to the entry-level system, and has instead signed a two-year deal with the team.

Undrafted, Currie is an incredible example of the ECHL development system as he worked his way up through the lower minor leagues. The former QMJHL star scored 104 points in his final year of junior but had to wait five more years to get an NHL deal. He’ll almost assuredly play in the minors this season, but has now created the possibility of an NHL call-up should the Oilers experience injury trouble.

The two-year deal will take him to unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2020, but should give him quite the raise on his previous minor league deals.

Snapshots: KHL, Steelheads, Buchberger

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According to Igor Eronko of Sport-Express, Philip Holm has signed with the Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo of the KHL, ending his North American career before it ever really took off. After signing last summer with the Vancouver Canucks, Holm played in one NHL game and was eventually traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Brendan Leipsic. Given no NHL playing time in Vegas, he’s decided to go to the KHL where he should receive plenty of minutes and be able to show off his offensive upside. Holm was given a qualifying offer meaning the Golden Knights will retain his rights.

Former Canucks top prospect Nicklas Jensen will also be remaining in the KHL next year, after agreed to use his one-year option with Jokerit. Jensen scored 37 points to lead Jokerit last season, after failing to carve out a role with the New York Rangers in 2016-17. A talented offensive forward who has dominated the AHL at times, Jensen is now 25 and may not get another chance at the NHL level in his career.

  • The Dallas Stars have reached a two-year agreement with the Idaho Steelheads to continue their minor league partnership, extending a long affiliation with the ECHL club. The Steelheads have won two Kelly Cups during their partnership with the Stars, and will be looking for another one in 2018-19 after going 44-20-8 last season. One of the most successful ECHL teams (and before that WCHL teams) in history, Dallas will continue to supply them with talented players for at least the next two seasons.
  • Kelly Buchberger is the latest New York Islanders assistant coach to find work elsewhere, hired as head coach of the Tri-City Americans of the WHL. When Barry Trotz was brought in as the new head coach of the Islanders it was expected he would bring an entire new staff, and Buchberger has found a nice landing spot as the bench boss of the Americans. Tri-City has been to the WHL playoffs in 14 of the last 15 seasons, though they are still looking for a championship; Buchberger will be asked to take them there.

San Jose Signs Undrafted Forward Vladislav Kotkov

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The San Jose Sharks have employed the window to sign undrafted first-year draft eligible players by inking a promising forward prospect. The team announced this evening that they signed Vladislav Kotkov to an entry-level contract. Kotkov has been attending development camp with the Sharks this past week and did enough to earn a deal.

Kotkov, 18, was ranked 81st among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting heading into the 2018 NHL Draft and was one of the biggest surprises among undrafted players. Kotkov was a first-round pick in the CHL Import Draft last year and enjoyed success in his first season playing major junior, posting 49 points in 61 games for the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the QMJHL.

The hulking winger stands 6’4″, 205 lbs. and plays a heavy power forward game that matches his frame. Kotkov also developed a surprising finesse game given his stature while developing in his native Russia. Kotkov’s skating concerns likely drove down his draft stock this year, but he was clearly a priority undrafted free agent for the Sharks and can now return to Chicoutimi for another year or two now with some additional guidance from his NHL squad. Kotkov is out to prove to the rest of the league that he was worthy of a draft pick. That chip on his shoulder and size that you can’t teach could mean that Kotkov could one day see NHL action.

London Knights Sign Adam Boqvist For 2018-19 Season

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It shouldn’t be a surprise at this point to anyone that follows the Ontario Hockey League, but the London Knights have once again signed an incredible talent that seemed unlikely to ever play in the CHL. Adam Boqvist, selected 109th in the 2017 import draft, has decided to leave Sweden and play for the Knights in 2018-19. This comes after Boqvist was selected eighth-overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL Entry Draft, and quickly signed his entry-level contract.

Boqvist, 17, is an outstanding talent who possesses some of the best goal scoring ability of any defenseman in the most recent draft. His 2017-18 season was split between the junior league in Sweden and the SHL, almost entirely skipping the Allsvenskan where many young players develop. The undersized Boqvist loves to carry the puck and will join Evan Bouchard in London as one of the best 1-2 punches in the entire CHL. Both young defense prospects are right handed and may not play together, but will likely help the Knights push back near the top of the OHL once again.

For the Blackhawks, this allows them to keep a closer eye on Boqvist as he develops this season. Though the SHL would have certainly provided a good opportunity, London is arguably the best organization in the CHL for developing NHL talent, and have seen plenty of players take huge leaps while hitting the ice for them. Should he experience an OHL playoff run and perhaps even a Memorial Cup berth, Boqvist will get to play against many faces who he’ll be up against at the next level in a few years.

2018 CHL Import Draft Results

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The CHL held its annual import draft today, where teams from across the Canadian junior leagues get to select the rights of players around the world. Often these are recently drafted prospects, or those seen to have good chances at next year’s draft. Being selected has no guarantee that the player will actually ever suit up for the team, as Filip Chytil proved last season. Chytil was selected seventh-overall by the North Bay Battalion, but ended up spending the year with the New York Rangers and Hartford Wolf Pack after impressing in his first training camp.

There are clear benefits from picking at the top of the draft though, as the Barrie Colts found out last season. Andrei Svechnikov was the first-overall selection, and ended up scoring 40 goals in 44 games before being the second-overall pick in the NHL draft last week. This year saw Slovakian-born Maxim Cajkovic go first to the Saint John Sea Dogs after tearing up the Swedish junior leagues last season. Cajkovic is eligible for the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Teams are only allowed a certain number of import players, which leads to some passing on their selections even in the early part of the draft. Check out last year’s draft to see some familiar names.

The full results are below:

Round 1

1. Saint John – Maxim Cajkovic (RW, Slovakia)

2. Edmonton – Vladimir Alistrov (LW, Belarus)

3. Sudbury – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (G, Finland/Buffalo Sabres)

4. Shawinigan – Valentin Nussbaumer (C, Switzerland)

5. Prince George – Matej Toman (LW, Czech Republic)

Read more

Bode Wilde Will Not Attend Michigan In 2018-19

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A top prospect expected to go in the first round of the NHL draft has decided to change his plans for the future, as Bode Wilde will no longer attend the University of Michigan in the fall. That’s according to Bob McKenzie of TSN, who reports that Wilde will instead decide where to play after he finds out who drafts him on Friday. Wilde’s rights are owned in the CHL by the Saginaw Spirit, who just last week convinced Cole Perfetti to give up his commitment to Michigan and sign in the OHL.

Wilde, 18, had previously been linked to Harvard as well, and played this season with the US Development Program. The smooth skating defenseman has everything you’d want from a prospect except perhaps an elite playmaking ability. His biggest strength is skating the puck out of trouble, and he has the size and frame to grow into a physical presence on the back end. Interestingly he was recently kept off the roster for Team USA at the upcoming World Junior Summer Showcase, which could hurt his draft stock on Friday night. This decision to avoid the NCAA could improve it again, though teams rarely avoid taking college players that high due to any risk involved with them staying all four years. The prospect of a first-round pick waiting four years to become an unrestricted free agent is possible, but very unlikely given the expectation of playing time.

If Wilde does join the OHL, he’ll be a huge addition to a Saginaw team that looks ready to really turn things around. The team finished with a 29-30-9 record last season, but should expect a sizable step in production from Blade Jenkins and a potential return by overage Keaton Middleton, who failed to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Wilde would give them another elite defenseman that can change a game by himself, something that an NHL team will snap up somewhere in the middle of round one in just a few days.

Nando Eggenberger Eyeing Jump To North America Following Draft

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Sometimes the younger players who look good early on don’t end up being the players who look the best come draft day. Often times, players can stall in their development and never take those next steps that scouts anticipate when evaluating their potential. Such is the case with Swiss winger Nando Eggenberger. The talented power forward was one of the first players of the 2018 draft class to get considerable attention years ago. Now, with the NHL Draft fast approaching, Eggenberger’s stock is at a new low. Perhaps hoping to incite optimism in interested teams, Eggenberger is reportedly considering a move to North America and would be a top target in the CHL Import Draft. His pro team in the Swiss NLA, HC Davos, revealed that the young forward has received interest from teams and is contemplating the jump.

The move could definitely serve to benefit Eggenberger. While still an intriguing prospect, he is no longer in the position that he once was. At one point, Eggenberger’s name was often found in the same sentence as 2017 first overall pick Nico Hischier as pundits evaluated the next wave of elite Swiss youth. Eggenberger is a true sniper and a strong skater and knows how to use his size both in front of the net and to win defensive battles. This time last year, Eggenberger had already played a full season of pro hockey at the highest level in Switzerland – and the NLA is considered one of the top European leagues – and while his low offensive production was foreseeable, pundits applauded his ability to skate and hold his own at that level as a kid not even old enough for the draft. “The Draft Analyst” Steve Kournianos even called Eggenberger a top ten player to watch. However, with the world indeed watching, Eggenberger did not get any better this season. He played in eight more games for Davos this year than last but registered the same amount of points and dropped from a +3 rating to a -12 on a very good team. Playing against competition his own age and ability at the World Juniors, many expected Eggenberger to lead the Swiss squad and show off his ability. Instead he went scoreless and posted a -9 rating in five games as the Swiss won just one game. He continues to play a one-dimensional game that lacks offensive forethought and creativity. A player with incredible tools that can’t put himself in a position to properly use them lacks career upside. As a result, Kournianos has Eggenberger ranked 78th in his final draft ranking and that is still an elevated opinion. Future Considerations ranks him at #88, while the Athletic’s Corey Pronman and Scott Wheeler both declined to put him on their draft boards.

Hoping to at least go in the first half of the draft this month, publicizing a potential move to North America is smart for Eggenberger. In the CHL, he cannot be used as a hired gun for only specific purposes as a pro team like Davos was able to use him. Eggenberger will be forced to play a complete game as his ability would surely make him a top-six forward for nearly any team. This responsibility could do wonders for his development into a more thoughtful, well-rounded player. Adding that potential growth into the calculus of his draft value, teams may be looking to bump Eggenberger back up their draft boards. Even if he doesn’t make the jump, the timing of this rumor from his team suits his draft stock well. Eggenberger will be a player to keep an eye out for during the later rounds on June 23rd.

Golden Knights Ink Three To Entry-Level Contracts

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After re-signing two players yesterday, the Vegas Golden Knights have added three more names to their future plans. The team announced this evening that they have come to terms on entry-level contracts with draft picks Jake Leschyshyn and Ben Jones and free agent Gage Quinney. Leschyshyn and Jones signed three-year deals, while Quinney signed a two-year deal. Financial terms have not yet been disclosed.

Leschyshyn is likely the most familiar name of the group, both due to his actual name and his draft slot. The 19-year-old center was selected in the second round of the draft last year at #62 overall, though he was actually the Knights’ fifth pick of the draft and third center. Leschyshyn plays for the Memorial Cup host Regina Pats of the WHL and scored five points in seven WHL playoff games and added a goal in the Cup tournament. During the regular season, his 40 points in 64 games was somewhat underwhelming on a talented Pats team, but there is still a lot to like about the well-rounded game of the North Carolina native.

If Vegas fans are looking for a prospect with more exciting recent results, look no further than Jones. The Knights took a flier on the raw forward in the seventh round of the draft and it paid off for them. The 19-year-old center scored 79 points in 68 games this season with the OHL’s Niagara Ice Dogs, which was good enough for third on the team in scoring. Jones then took his game to the next level in the playoffs, registering a team-best 12 points in ten games. Jones has take a major step as and NHL prospect and is yet another promising prospect for the Knights.

Quinney appears to be a sentimental pick up more than anything. The Las Vegas native grew up playing youth hockey in the area and is the son of former NHLer and Las Vegas Thunder minor leaguer Ken Quinney. Quinney played four seasons in the WHL before turning pro, during which he only put up modest offensive totals. He played all of last season in the ECHL before landing a starting role with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this year. In both of his pro campaigns, Quinney has continued to be only a moderate offensive producer, but appears to be rounding out his game. The ceiling may not be high for the 22-year-old forward, but he is likely to be a fan-favorite prospect immediately.

Prospect Notes: Coyotes, QMJHL, Team USA

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The NHL Scouting Combine is currently underway, and the Arizona Coyotes are busy interviewing potential draft picks. Team reporter Dave Vest writes that the Coyotes will interview approximately 80 of the 104 players at the combine over the next few days, trying to get an idea of their personal character before heading to the draft on June 22nd. GM John Chayka explained why those interviews are so important:

The Combine is a great opportunity to gather more information on the players of interest. It’s an enjoyable experience to meet the players that have been scouted all year and get to know them better as a person. Drafting character players is important to our organization and is definitely a part of the decision-making process.

That character will come into play when the Coyotes make the fifth selection at this year’s draft, and try to add some more blue chip talent to their prospect pool. With Dylan Strome finally looking like he’s ready to make an impact at the NHL level and Clayton Keller already dominating, there are good times ahead in Arizona. If they’re able to add a player like Quinn Hughes, Oliver Wahlstrom or Adam Boqvist with the fifth-overall selection, those times could come even quicker.

  • Jeff Marek of Sportsnet was keeping an eye on some CHL trades today, as he reports that Cedric Pare (Boston), Mitchell Balmas, Antoine Morand (Anaheim) and Jordan Maher are all on the move in the QMJHL. It’s been a busy few days for Morand, who won the Memorial Cup with Acadie-Bathurst on Sunday and signed his first professional contract with the Ducks earlier today. He’s heading to Halifax along with Maher, meaning he’ll get another chance to play in the Memorial Cup regardless of his performance next year. Halifax will be the host of the 2019 tournament, and are loading up on older talent to make sure they are ready for the competition.
  • Now that David Quinn has taken the New York Rangers head coaching job, USA Hockey needed to find another head coach for the 2019 National Junior Team. Mike Hastings has been hired for the job, after previously serving as an assistant for the program. Hastings is the head coach at Minnesota State University-Mankato, and has guided that program to six straight winning seasons. He’ll be tasked with trying to get the team back to the gold medal game, after ending up with bronze this year.

Aleksi Heponiemi Signs Two-Year Contract In Finland

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When the Florida Panthers selected Aleksi Heponiemi in the second round last summer, he had just finished his first in the WHL where he scored 86 points in 72 games and was named Rookie of the Year. The undersized but extremely skilled center was picked 40th overall, and sent back to the Swift Current Broncos for another year in the CHL. This time around, Heponiemi led the league in assists and registered a staggering 118 points in 57 games. With another 30 points in 26 playoff contests, he was a huge reason why the Broncos won the WHL Championship and attended the recent Memorial Cup.

Now, instead of playing for the Panthers or their AHL affiliate next season, Heponiemi is headed home. The 19-year old forward has signed a two-year contract with Karpat in Finland, meaning Florida will have to wait to sign their prized prospect. Though he was drafted out of the CHL, his return to Europe will extend the Panthers’ draft rights through June 1st, 2021. The team will have to sign him before that point or risk losing him to another team. While that’s not an issue at the moment, the new contract with Karpat does likely mean we won’t see Heponiemi back in North America for at least two years.

Heponiemi is an elite playmaker, able to find teammates and get them the puck through the smallest of windows. His vision and passing ability are among the best in the CHL, and he projects to be an excellent NHL player down the road. Still, he’ll have to prove that he can create space for himself at the next level when players are even bigger and faster, though he’s never had trouble up to this point. Florida will wait patiently, and hope they can bring him over in a few seasons. They may get another good look at him on the international circuit, as Heponiemi won’t turn 20 until January 8th next year, meaning he is still eligible for the World Junior Championship.

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