Minor Transactions: 08/27/20
Minor, junior and European leagues continue to prepare for the 2020-21 season with signings, trades and loans. As always, we’ll keep track of the notable transactions right here:
- Andrew Nielsen, whose NHL contract with the Calgary Flames will expire at the end of this season, has decided to take his talents overseas for next year. The 23-year old defenseman has signed in Austria, though the Flames could retain his rights by issuing him a qualifying offer. Nielsen arrived in Calgary via a 2018 trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who had selected him 65th overall in the 2015 draft. Nielsen was part of the 2018 Calder Cup champion Toronto Marlies, but hasn’t seen a single game in the NHL.
- Andrew DeBrincat, the older brother of Chicago Blackhawks forward Alex DeBrincat is on the move in the ECHL, part of a three-way trade between the Kansas City Mavericks, Cincinnati Cyclones and Worcester Railers. The older DeBrincat, who has never played above the ECHL, will play for the Railers this season.
- 2008 third-round pick Mathieu Brodeur has returned to the ECHL for the 2020-21 season, inking a one-year deal with the Adirondack Thunder. Brodeur has spent time playing in France and Slovakia the past two seasons but has extensive experience in both the AHL and lower minors. Like Nielsen, he has never reached the NHL.
Anaheim Ducks Loan Roman Durny To Slovakia
HC Slovan Bratislava is no stranger to having talented payers on their roster, especially since the club previously played in the KHL before returning to the Tipsport Liga, the top league in Slovakia, this past season. Nevertheless, the team was excited to announce that they will begin the 2020-21 season with promising NHL prospect Roman Durny on the roster. The Anaheim Ducks have agreed to loan the young goaltender to Bratislava until at least the start of NHL training camp.
Durny, 22, was a fifth-round pick by the Ducks in 2018 as an over-ager after a standout season in the USHL in his first season in North America. Durny starred for the Des Moines Buccaneers for two years before turning pro this season. Unfortunately, the shift to the pros and to a limited share of the net – just 13 ECHL appearances for the year – were not kind to Durny. While there is still a lot to like about his game, Durny faces stiff competition in 2018 third-rounder Lukas Dostal and 2017 fifth-rounder Olle Eriksson Ek to top the goalie depth chart in the Ducks’ pipeline.
On the other hand, Anaheim has veteran Ryan Miller and reliable minor leaguer Kevin Boyle entering unrestricted free agency this summer, which could thin the depth chart significantly allowing for a young goalie to take on a regular role in the AHL next season. Seeing as how Dostal is the youngest of the prospect trio and has no North American experience, it will likely be between Durny and Eriksson Ek for that AHL slot.
A strong start to his season in Slovakia could go a long way for Durny. Behind a strong roster, led by former NHLer Andrej Meszaros, that finished second in the league last year and has already added another NHL prospect on loan in New Jersey forward Marian Studenic, Durny should be well-protected. The team also lost backup Vladislav Habal this off-season, who played in 27 of 55 games last season, so starts should be available to Durny. This could all add up to a strong start in Slovakia for Durny, potentially followed by a breakout season in the minors for the Ducks.
Snapshots: Spezza, Brind’Amour, Komets
The Toronto Maple Leafs have plenty to talk about following their qualification round exit at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets, including some pending free agent decisions. One of those scheduled for unrestricted free agency is veteran forward Jason Spezza, who came to his hometown of Toronto on a minimum contract to try and chase a Stanley Cup.
Today, when speaking to reporters including Luke Fox of Sportsnet about his future, Spezza explained that “the fire still burns” and that he hopes to be back in Toronto next season. For being a part-time player at the beginning of the season and seeing fourth-line minutes throughout, Spezza was pretty impressive with nine goals and 25 points in 58 games. He even got in a fight during the postseason, trying anything he could think of to wake up the Maple Leafs.
- Rod Brind’Amour didn’t like a call in the Carolina Hurricanes-Boston Bruins game earlier today and voiced his displeasure to several reporters including Sara Civian of The Athletic. Brind’Amour got a quick fine from the league for his comments, earning a $25,000 penalty. He also received a conditional fine of $25,000 which will be collected if Brind’Amour has any other “inappropriate behavior” in the next year.
- The Vegas Golden Knights have signed a new two-year affiliation agreement with the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets, who have been partnered with the organization for the last two years. Fort Wayne was coached this season by Ben Boudreau, son of long time NHL head coach Bruce Boudreau. They went 31-23-6, but weren’t able to take part in the playoffs thanks to the COVID-19 cancelation.
Minor Transactions: 08/07/20
While all eyes today have been and will continue to be on the six elimination games on the postseason schedule and the impending departure of Florida GM Dale Tallon and flurry of European loans have dominated all other headlines, there have been a few small moves worth noting. Here are some minor transactions from the day:
- After a long career in North America, journeyman Carter Camper is finally headed overseas. Leksands IF of the SHL has announced a two-year deal with Camper, who brings over 550 AHL games of experience to Sweden. Camper, an NCAA standout at Miami University, was initially signed as an undrafted free agent by the Boston Bruins in 2011 and spent three seasons with Boston, followed by one-year stops with Ottawa, Washington, and New Jersey. He last played on an NHL contract in 2016-17 but has continued to be an elite AHL producer on minor league deals with several clubs. However, as the 32-year-old continues to score at a high level without getting another shot at the NHL, it is no surprise that he has finally chased a pay day to Europe.
- The AHL’s Providence Bruins poached a physical defenseman from the Charlotte Checkers last off-season in Josiah Didier and he ended up leading the team in games played and plus/minus. As a result, they will try again, as insider Mark Divver reports that the team has signed Derek Sheppard to a one-year deal. While Sheppard is not the caliber of player as Didier, he is a daunting physical presence, recording 67 PIM in just 26 games with Charlotte this year. Sheppard will likely not be an everyday player for Providence, but can be a injection of aggression when the team needs it.
- Brendan van Riemsdyk deviated from the path of his older brothers when he didn’t jump right from the University of New Hampshire to the pros but instead transferred to Northeastern University last year. Unfortunately, his time with the Huskies did not help him earn an NHL contract like his brothers either. Fortunately, he has at least found a place to play next season. The ECHL’s Reading Royals have announced a one-year deal with van Riemsdyk. The Royals are the ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, who of course own James van Riemsdyk, which could increase Brendan’s chance of graduating to the AHL sooner rather than later. This signing also means that if impending free agent Trevor van Riemsdyk signs in Philly, all three brothers would belong to the same organization.
ECHL, OHL, WHL Announce Revised Start Dates
Thursday: The WHL has announced its own adjusted start date, going with December 4 as well. They will also attempt a full 68-game schedule, even going as far as saying “regardless of our start date, the WHL is committed to playing a full regular season and playoffs in 2020-21.”
Wednesday: Two other leagues have announced their plans for a return to play, as the ECHL and OHL released revised start dates for the 2020-21 season.
The ECHL, a professional league used as the low-minors for the NHL, has approved a revised schedule for the upcoming season that will begin on December 4, 2020. The league anticipates holding a full 72-game season, though further adjustments to the schedule will be announced as we get closer to the start. The ECHL was originally scheduled to start their season at the beginning of October.
The OHL meanwhile, one of the three leagues that make up the CHL, announced that it is planning on starting their season December 1, 2020. The 2020-21 season will be a 64-game schedule for the OHL and include a 16-team playoff format.
The Memorial Cup, which will be hosted by either the Oshawa Generals or Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds will be held between June 17-27, 2021.
Like anything else in today’s world, these decisions are subject to change should health recommendations shift over the next few months.
Minor Transactions: 08/03/20
The NHL is back and we’re well into the qualification round. As the hockey world focuses on those playoff matchups, minor league and European teams continue to build their depth for an upcoming season. As minor signings roll in, we’ll keep track of them right here.
- The Iowa Wild have signed Jarrett Burton to a one-year AHL contract, bringing him over from the Rochester Americans. Burton had a dreadful season in 2019-20, scoring just one goal and recording two points in 39 games. The 29-year old went undrafted and has had to grind his way up from the ECHL.
- Ben Freeman has started his professional career, signing with the Maine Mariners of the ECHL after four years at the University of Connecticut. Freeman captained the Huskies in 2019-20, recording 28 points in 33 games.
- The Colorado Eagles have re-signed Kevin Davis and Peter Tischke, bringing both young defensemen back to give them some extra depth. Combined, Davis and Tischke played 18 games for the Eagles last season, spending most of the year in the ECHL with the Utah Grizzlies.
Minor Transactions: 07/28/20
The NHL is back, kicking things off with some exhibition action between rivals. As the hockey world focuses on Pittsburgh-Philadelphia, minor league and European teams continue to build their depth for an upcoming season. As minor signings roll in, we’ll keep track of them right here.
- Swiss journalist Gregory Beaud tweets that Lausanne HC of the NLA will announce two more foreign signings once the NHL season is complete, following their deals with Cory Conacher and Brian Gibbons today. While not confirmed yet, he believes that Mark Barberio of the Colorado Avalanche will be one of those to head to Switzerland next season.
- NHL draft pick Martins Dzierkals will be returning to Dinamo Riga next season, signing a deal with the KHL team after spending last season in Finland. Dzierkals, 23, was picked 68th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2015 but never signed and subsequently saw his draft rights traded to the Vegas Golden Knights earlier this year.
- The Manitoba Moose have signed Nathan Todd to a one-year AHL contract, bringing back a player who spent 16 games in their uniform this season. Todd is an elite offensive presence at the ECHL level, but has just one point in 27 career AHL games.
Minor Transactions: 07/23/20
As the NHL gets ready for their upcoming postseason, minor league clubs are preparing for next season. When some minor signings come in we’ll keep track of them right here.
- Nick Boka and Luke Boka have signed with the Fort Wayne Komets for the 2020-21 season, getting a chance to show what they can do when on the same ice. The Michigan brothers took very different paths to professional hockey, with Nick attending the University of Michigan after being drafted by the Minnesota Wild in 2015 and Luke playing five seasons for the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL, captaining them the last two.
- Steven Ruggiero has signed with the Adirondack Thunder, after spending last season in the Anaheim Ducks organization. The 23-year old defenseman was a sixth-round pick in 2015 but never signed with the Ducks after his college career ended, meaning that even though he was in their system on an AHL deal he was technically an unrestricted free agent. Ruggiero had nine points in 57 games for the Tulsa Oilers of the ECHL last season.
- Those Oilers have grabbed a pair of players from Adrian College, signing Dean Balsamo and Joey Colatarci for the upcoming season. It’s not every day that a pair of teammates from Division III schools get a chance to play professional hockey, but these two each earned DIII All-American honors for 2019-20.
- The Kalamazoo Wings have signed Raymond Brice out of Michigan Tech, where he served as captain during the 2019-20 season. Brice never could get his offense to translate to the college level, meaning professional hockey may serve as an even greater challenge.
Minor Transactions: 07/21/20
As the NHL gets ready for their upcoming postseason, minor league clubs are preparing for next season. As some minor signings come in we’ll keep track of them right here.
- The Manitoba Moose have signed Trent Bourque to an AHL contract for the 2020-21 season. Bourque, 22, spent the vast majority of last season in the ECHL with the Brampton Beast after finishing his OHL career, recording 20 points in 42 games with the minor league club. A sixth-round pick of the St. Louis Blues in 2017, he became an unrestricted free agent in 2019 when the team decided not to sign him to an entry-level contract.
- Ryan Strome‘s name came across the KHL newswire today, but that doesn’t mean the New York Rangers forward is heading to Russia. His KHL rights were dealt in a trade involving Alexander Polunin, a two-time World Junior medalist who spent last season with Yaroslavl. Should Strome ever decide to head overseas to the KHL, that’s who would have exclusive rights to sign him.
- After three years with the Cardiff Devils of the EIHL, Bryce Reddick is coming back stateside. He has signed with the Atlanta Gladiators of the ECHL along with Cody Sylvester, who has been playing in Germany for the last several seasons. Sylvester, 28, was actually a star for the Calgary Hitmen in the WHL before performing quite well at the ECHL level in 2014.
Snapshots: Stingrays, Beaudin, Koivu
The Washington Capitals and South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL have renewed their affiliation, signing a three-year extension that will keep them together moving forward. The Stingrays were first affiliated with the Capitals between 2004-2012, and were reunited in 2014. The two teams, along with the Hershey Bears of the AHL, have experienced plenty of success as one of the strongest three-tiered development system in professional hockey.
Perhaps the best-known success story is Braden Holtby, who spent time with the Stingrays in 2009-10 before eventually moving up the depth chart. The ECHL is routinely used to give raw goalie prospects a chance to hone their talents in game situations and will continue to be a valuable development path for the Capitals.
- With the shortened season the league had to institute a pro-rating system for things like the entry-level slide rule in the new CBA. Previously, players had to eclipse ten games for their entry-level contract to kick in. That changed slightly with the new rules, but according to CapFriendly the new formula will only actually affect one player—Nicolas Beaudin. The Chicago Blackhawks prospect could see his first year burned if he is to play in eight more games, even though he only played one in the regular season. There are still many players who could see their first year kick in should they play enough games in the playoffs, but those thresholds remain at 10 games. CapFriendly has the entire list right here.
- Mikko Koivu is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, but he hasn’t made a decision yet on whether he’ll continue to play. The 37-year old Minnesota Wild captain told Michael Russo of The Athletic that he would make that decision after his season is over. After several major injuries and the slow march of time Koivu isn’t the same two-way monster he was for so many years, but he did still contribute 21 points in 55 games for the Wild this season. He’ll get a chance to strengthen his legacy with a playoff run, but the Wild will have to dispatch the Vancouver Canucks in their qualification round first.