Snapshots: McNeill, Tolchinsky, Borgstrom
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.
Minor Moves: Caamano, Wilcox, Ullmark
After previously signing Nicholas Caamano to an amateur tryout, the Dallas Stars have inked the prospect to a three-year entry-level deal. The contract will begin during the 2017-18 season, though Caamano is expected to go back to the OHL for next season. A fifth-round pick in 2016, Caamano put together his best season this year with 64 points in 67 games for the Flint Firebirds. Though they were knocked out of the playoffs early, it was a solid step for the development of the young forward.
Registering a point in his first AHL game, Caamano will unfortunately have to either make the NHL team or return to the OHL next year. His age restricts him from playing in the AHL. With some older players likely leaving the Firebirds for bigger and better things next season, Caamano should be counted on as their top offensive weapon. An increase in responsibility should benefit his growth, as the Stars look to turn a late-round pick into a professional player.
- The Florida Panthers have sent Adam Wilcox back to the AHL, signalling a return for James Reimer. Wilcox only backed up Reto Berra during his NHL stint, and will now return to the Thunderbirds where he had found a ton of success since being acquired at the trade deadline. Unfortunately, Springfield won’t be heading to the Calder Cup playoffs this year, meaning the end is close for Wilcox this season. The goaltender is a restricted free agent this summer for the first time, as his entry-level deal will expire.
- The Buffalo Sabres have also sent a goaltender back down, re-assigning Linus Ullmark to the AHL today. Anders Nilsson‘s injury had been deemed minor, and he should be back in net for one of the final two games this weekend. The Sabres face off against the Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning on back-to-back nights, ending what has been a frustrating season. Ryan O’Reilly put it into words yesterday when he told Joe Yerdon of NHL.com “it’s so frustrating coming to the rink right now. Practicing, there’s no purpose right now. You’re seeing other teams gearing up for the playoffs and seeing teams, like Toronto who’s young too, seeing them in the spot we should be in.”
Minor Moves: Ingram, Backman, Khaira
When the Kamloops Blazers were eliminated from the WHL playoffs by the Kelowna Rockets on Sunday, Connor Ingram became a goalie without a net. That limbo won’t last long, as Bob McKenzie reports that Ingram has signed an amateur tryout contract with the Syracuse Crunch—Tampa Bay’s AHL affiliate—for the rest of this season, and an entry-level deal with the Lightning starting next season.
Ingram played exceptionally well this season, posting a .922 save percentage in the regular season before increasing that number to .946 for their short playoff run. While he didn’t have the best tournament at the World Juniors, his inclusion on a team that has a long history of elite goaltending goes to show how highly regarded he is in the CHL. Ingram was selected in the third round by Tampa Bay last summer, and has all the makings of an NHL starter one day.
- Sean Shapiro of NHL.com tells us that the Dallas Stars organization expects Mattias Backman to return to Sweden next season. At the AHL trade deadline, the Stars loaned Backman to Hershey for their playoff run but he has only played a handful of games since then. The former fifth-round pick never did make it to the NHL, and will now return home to compete in the SHL next season.
- The Edmonton Oilers have sent Jujhar Khaira back to the AHL, ending what has been a long stretch of NHL time without much NHL action. Playing in just 10 games this season, the young Khaira has registered just a single goal. With Bakersfield in a battle for the final playoff spot in the Pacific Division, Khaira will provide some depth up the middle. The 22-year old was drafted in the third round in 2012, and has struggled to make an impact at the NHL level.
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.
Morning Notes: Panarin, Dowling, Bindulis
Last year Artemi Panarin exploded onto the scene in the NHL, scoring 30 goals and 77 points in 80 games, winning the Calder trophy along the way. With that performance, he achieved all his entry-level bonuses (explained here, using Mitch Marner as an example), meaning the Blackhawks carried a cap penalty over this season. As Chris Hine of the Chicago Tribune points out, the “Breadman” is close to achieving those bonuses once again.
Panarin will easily secure all of his Schedule A bonuses, and is well positioned to activate his Schedule B bonus as well, worth $1.725MM if he should finish in the top-10 in scoring. With 72 points, Panarin sits tied for tenth in the league with Evgeni Malkin and three games left to play. With games against the Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings left, the sophomore could easily jump a few spots into the top and cause Chicago to suffer another $2MM+ penalty next season.
- Steven Stamkos won’t play again tonight, in what is the definition of a must-win for Tampa Bay. A regulation loss for the Lightning at the hands of the Bruins, combined with a Maple Leafs win would clinch a playoff position for both Toronto and Boston, and leave only Ottawa as an outside target for Tampa Bay. It’s looking more and more like the captain won’t return this season in time to help his club get back into the playoffs.
- The Dallas Stars have brought Justin Dowling back up, after just a night in the AHL. The move must have been just a paper transaction, as the Texas Stars didn’t play last night. They’ll take on the Bakersfield Condors tomorrow night, likely without Dowling in the lineup.
- The Hershey Bears have released Kristofers Bindulis from his amateur tryout, without the NCAA forward actually playing a game for the team. Bindulis was signed to a contract by the Washington Capitals earlier this spring, but will now head to the World Championships for Latvia before starting the first year of his ELC next year.
- The Bears have also signed Beck Malenstyn to an ATO for the remainder of the year. Selected in the fifth round of the 2016 draft, Malenstyn had been playing for the Calgary Hitmen this season. Having just turned 19, he’ll likely head back to the OHL next season and try again to earn an entry-level deal.
PHR Originals: 3/27/17 – 4/1/17
Pro Hockey Rumors had a number of original articles this week as the regular season winds down and the playoffs beckon. Here are a few from the past week:
- Brett analyzed the Edmonton Oilers’ first line dominance and how it has played a tremendous role in the success of the team this season. While the Oilers’ renaissance certainly got its jumpstart from Connor McDavid, it’s the play of others who have certainly helped the team reach the playoffs for the first time in 11 years.
- Meanwhile, I took a closer look at the rebuild situation that the Red Wings are facing and some concerning elements that have arisen over the past few years that GM Ken Holland will have to navigate.
- Gavin highlighted the surprising yet impressive performance by Patrick Eaves, who has notched 29 goals this season between the Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks. He also notes that no one in the hockey world–including your humble writers here at PHR–saw this performance coming. In addition to Eaves, Gavin wrote about Toby Enstrom and how after going through a season ending knee surgery, it may be in the Jets best interest to find a way to have him waive his no movement clause.
- Finally, Gavin also answered many of your questions during a live chat. In addition to providing sound hockey analysis, he’s also open to fantasy baseball advice for replacing Jeurys Familia.
Ken Holland And The Red Wings Rebuild
Two postseasons ago before he left Hockeytown for hockey’s Mecca in Toronto, head coach Mike Babcock made a blunt assessment of the Red Wings’ future following a bitter 2-0 loss in Game 7 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Babcock said this:
“Our team is not as good as it was. It’s very evident. We battled our butt off just to get in the playoffs. You are what you are. [Tampa Bay] had a young team that have been around long enough to rebuild it. They’ve got young players at key positions. Three of our best players are 34, 35, 37. Any way you look at it, we’re a team that has changed a ton of players and added a lot of youth to our lineup, but nobody on the outside picked us to be a Stanley Cup contender.”
Missing the playoffs for the first time in a quarter century didn’t come as a surprise to many in Detroit. And while Babcock has his Maple Leafs on an accelerated path for what was supposed to be a “painful” rebuild, the Red Wings find themselves older, injured, and looking on the outside of the playoffs for the first time since Steve Yzerman wore the C.
Those in Detroit hoping for a Toronto-like teardown might be disappointed, however, as general manager Ken Holland believes his team needs a few tweaks to compete again. Though this is admirable for a general manager to fight for his team, it doesn’t seem all that reasonable as the Red Wings struggled to score goals, had major players regress, and find themselves financially strapped with several long term, high priced contracts. Curiously, senior vice president Jimmy Devellano was quoted as saying “the rebuild is on” which spoke opposite to what the general manager of the club said.
Holland, who spoke with Toronto’s Fan 590 and also the Hockey News’ Ken Campbell, made it abundantly clear that he is not in it for a tear down. With only a year remaining on his contract, Holland may not view it as viable when success in Detroit is measured with Stanley Cups and playoff appearances. But the fact of the matter is that the Red Wings have been sputtering for some time. Specifically:
- Since the retirement of Nicklas Lidstrom, the Red Wings only advanced once beyond the first round. The surprising run in 2013 that saw them squeak into the playoffs and nearly upend eventual champion Chicago seemed more of a red herring than truth when it came to the ability level of the team.
- Elite free agents have avoided Detroit, and those who have signed were nearing the end of their career, like Daniel Alfredsson or Brad Richards. Others, like Stephen Weiss or the second go around with Mikael Samuelsson were massive miscalculations that did little to help the team and in many ways, hindered the progress of younger players.
- Holland, who was the undisputed king of trades before the salary cap, has appeared gun shy to make moves via trade. Instead, he’s been loyal, re-signing the likes of Justin Abdelkader, Darren Helm, Danny DeKeyser, and Jonathan Ericsson to long, expensive deals while seeing little in the way of return. Holland told Campbell that while he’ll work the phones to try and improve the team, other GMs may not “like our players or contracts.” Ironically, many of those contracts they wouldn’t like were offered to current Red Wings by Holland.
The USA Today’s Kevin Allen offered his own take and believes Detroit must rely on youth, and realize that their brand is “stale.” Allen is a non-partisan national writer without any bias to the Wings. If a pair of eyes outside the organization can see this, Holland may want to consider it.
A rebuild provides a chance to change the image of the Detroit Red Wings, which is now one without stars, on the decline, and appears resistant to change. Reading what Holland says now is nearly identical to what he’s said in the past, when the Red Wings were already showing signs of sinking.
Babcock foretold a fall for the Red Wings. Holland has a chance to change course and put the team back on an upward trajectory. But it goes beyond signing older veterans and current players in moving the Wings beyond a fringe playoff team and back into the status of contenders.
Dallas Stars Recall Gemel Smith, Justin Dowling From AHL
After the Dallas Stars lost 2-0 at the hands of the Boston Bruins last night, they’ve recalled both Gemel Smith and Justin Dowling. Each player has spent time with both the NHL and AHL clubs this season. With Curtis McKenzie headed back to Dallas for treatment on his eye, and Ales Hemsky back on the mend with an injured hip, the team needed reinforcements for their matchup tomorrow night against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Smith, 22, has made the bigger impact at the NHL level this season playing in 12 games and registering three points. After Dustin Byfuglien attacked Antoine Roussel at the end of a game in November, Smith tried to get at the big defender but was held off by Brandon Tanev. After dropping the gloves with Tanev, both were sent off for five and a game misconduct. At the AHL level, he’s been an effective scoring threat with 30 points in 50 games.
Dowling, 26, also made his NHL debut this season and got into five games with Dallas. Registering two assists, he’s still looking for his first NHL goal after several successful years with the Texas Stars. The former Swift Current Broncos center signed with the Stars as an undrafted free agent in 2014 after playing on an AHL deal for a few seasons. He has 28 points in 49 AHL games this season, a step back from his previous years.
30 After 30: Patrick Eaves And Career Highs
When Patrick Eaves re-signed with the Dallas Stars last summer, it didn’t seem like anything spectacular. He was a 32-year old third line winger taking another one-year deal to stay in Dallas. He’d done it the past two years, and was actually taking a pay cut this season. We even included him on the “Minor UFA Signings” list, because of all the bigger deals that happened on July 1st. We were wrong, and so was just about everyone else. 
You can forgive us though, as after all Eaves’ previous career high in goals was 20, and had happened over a decade ago during his rookie season at age 21. He hadn’t even cracked 15 since, with several seasons in single digits. He quite simply was a minor UFA signing at this point, able on the penalty kill but not expected to do much else. A defensive forward who could be relied on to work the tough minutes and allow players like Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn to produce offensively against weaker opponents.
Instead, Eaves won a job alongside those superstars and on the powerplay, resulting in immediate production. In his first 25 games, Eaves had 10 goals and 18 points, almost half of which came with the man advantage. Dallas had found something, and despite their team struggles this season Eaves has had a year to remember.
At the deadline Eaves was sold off to the highest bidder, that team proving to be the Anaheim Ducks, who were desperate for a winger to play with Ryan Getzlaf. The Stars would recoup a second-round pick—that could become a first—for what was initially considered a “minor signing”. Eaves wouldn’t disappoint as through 15 games with his new club he has another seven goals, all of which coming at even strength. He’s up to 28 now on the season, and with just two more in the final five games he could join some rare company.
Since the NHL came back in 2005-06, there have only been 28 players to score 30 or more goals in a season after the age of 30. Of that group, only five—Radim Vrbata, Mike Sillinger, Mike Knuble, Chris Clark and Mikael Samuelsson—were cracking 30 for the first time in their careers, as Eaves would be this season.
It’s interesting to note though, that the group doesn’t set a fantastic precedent. Three of those players were either immediately ineffective or out of the game entirely soon after, with only Sillinger and Vrbata providing any staying power. Perhaps Eaves will be an exception, but his performance this year should not signify some sort of newfound ability that will make him an effective option down the line. Both Sillinger and Vrbata both had much more previous offensive success, if falling short of the 30 goal mark. Teams should be wary of paying for this year’s production in the future.
But for now, Anaheim should be happy they jumped on board during his career year and Dallas should be ecstatic for selling high on a minor asset. For Eaves, it might never happen again.
Snapshots: Protected List, Stalock, Fritz
The NHL has announced that it will now release publicly both the protected and available lists for the upcoming expansion draft when they are distributed to teams around the league. This comes as a reversal of their previous decision, and one that fans will embrace. While the front offices of many teams likely didn’t want the list to become public because of potential public relations or player morale problems—incessant critiquing of their jobs is something they live with, but not something they enjoy—it is something that fans of the sport wanted so overwhelmingly that the league will now consent.
Expected to be released on June 18th, the actual date of the release has not yet been announced. Either way, it will be an exiting day for fans and media members alike that will have a few days to pick through the rosters and project who will be picked by the Vegas Golden Knights. Teams must submit their protected list on the 17th, while the team will be announced at some point on the 21st.
- Alex Stalock has been recalled by the Minnesota Wild, and he is expected to make the start tomorrow night against the Ottawa Senators. The team will give Devan Dubnyk three days off before he returns Saturday, given his struggles this month. After leading the league in save percentage for much of the season, Dubnyk has posted an .889 number in March as the team has fallen out of first place in the Central Division. Stalock will be making his first NHL start since February of last season.
- The New York Islanders have signed Tanner Fritz to a two-year extension starting next season. It will be a two-way deal, and Fritz had been playing on an AHL deal with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers up to this point. The former Ohio State Buckeye broke out this season in the AHL, scoring 40 points in 61 games. The 25-year old is still waiting for his NHL debut, but this is a solid step in that direction.
- Dallas has recalled young defenseman Julius Honka from the AHL, bringing him back up for the end of the season. Honka, the team’s first-round pick from 2014, played ten games for the team earlier this year and did not look overmatched. He has excelled in his three years at the AHL level, recording at least 31 points in each season and generally moving the puck with swift, crisp passes. He’ll get another tryout this spring before likely being installed full-time on the blue line for the Stars next year.