Ondrej Vala Placed On Unconditional Waivers
The Dallas Stars have placed Ondrej Vala on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a contract termination. Vala’s entry-level contract was set to extend through the 2020-21 season, but after finding himself playing mostly in the ECHL the past two seasons he will likely pursue other opportunities.
Vala, 22, is a Czech-born defenseman who spent three seasons in the WHL before signing with the Stars as an undrafted free agent. During his time in the organization he has played just a handful of games at the AHL level, instead spending most of his time with the Idaho Steelheads. In 115 career ECHL games, the 6’4″ defenseman has 28 points and 85 penalty minutes.
A two-time representative for the Czech Republic at the World Juniors, he is likely headed back to Europe to continue his career.
Metropolitan Notes: Devils, Capitals Affiliate, Hurricanes Arena
While the opening of free agency is still almost certainly several months away, it certainly seems as if the Devils will be looking for help on the wing on the open market. They’ve moved from Taylor Hall, Blake Coleman, and Wayne Simmonds in trades this season and as Corey Masisak of The Athletic notes (subscription required), there are some questions surrounding the current NHL readiness of some of their prospects. With Kyle Palmieri and Nikita Gusev each just a season away from unrestricted free agency as well, adding some help on the open market would serve as insurance if New Jersey can’t come to terms on extensions with those two between now and next offseason. Of course, Hall is arguably the top winger that will be available while others like Mike Hoffman, Evgenii Dadonov, and Tyler Toffoli will also garner plenty of interest.
More from the Metropolitan Division:
- After getting an extension done with their AHL affiliate in Hershey, the Capitals now have to turn their focus to doing the same with their ECHL team in South Carolina. The Stingrays team owner Todd Halloran told NBC Sports Washington (audio link) that he expects that they will get a deal done in the coming weeks. Washington has been affiliated with them since 2014 and previously had been with them from 2004-2012 as well with a two-year stint in Reading in between.
- The Hurricanes are nearing an agreement on a five-year extension on their current arena lease, reports Luke DeCock of the Raleigh News & Observer. The deal would overwrite their current one that is slated to expire in 2024 and would run through 2029. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is expected to delay the official announcement while any potential arena renovations are now on hold.
Minor Signings: McLaughlin, Windsor, Schneider
The Vegas Golden Knights have finally announced the signing of Jake McLaughlin to an AHL contract for the 2020-21 season, something that had been previously reported. The news is notable—as the team points out—because it is the first AHL signing since being approved for the purchase and relocation of the San Antonio Rampage to Henderson.
Some other minor league signings from today:
- The Syracuse Crunch have signed Clint Windsor to an AHL contract, interestingly for the rest of the 2019-20 season and all of 2020-21. Obviously Windsor may not get a chance to play this season depending on when the AHL resumes from their current “pause” but signing does make a difference. The ECHL, where Windsor had been playing, stopped paying their players on March 16th after the league season was canceled entirely. Though there have been some assistance funds for the ECHL, it would seem that a deal with an AHL organization—a league that was instructed by the NHL to continue to pay their players during the pause—would be more lucrative.
- Cole Schneider, who was having one of the best seasons of his career for the Milwaukee Admirals, will get a chance to do it again next year. The 29-year old forward has signed a one-year extension with the Nashville Predators’ AHL affiliate. Schneider had 46 points in 54 games for the Admirals before the shutdown and has been a consistent offensive producer for nearly a decade.
Alex Belzile Agrees To Terms With Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens have decided to reward minor league forward Alex Belzile with a one-year contract extension, agreeing to terms on a two-way deal for the 2020-21 season. Belzile will earn $700K at the NHL level and $225K in the minor leagues, with a $250K guarantee. That’s an impressive accomplishment for a player who went undrafted and toiled in the ECHL for years before developing into an AHL regular.
Belzile, 28, has still never seen a game in the NHL but you can bet that he’s still working towards that goal. The Canadiens clearly think he can contribute to the organization, as GM Marc Bergevin explained:
Since joining our organization, Alex has continued to impress us with his determination and work ethic. He’s a role model for the younger players we have developing in Laval. His on-ice skillset combined with his leadership qualities will help him battle for a roster spot at training camp next season.
After earning his first NHL contract just over a year ago, Belzile has unfortunately dealt with injury and was limited to just 20 games for the Laval Rocket this season. He did record 14 points in that time, but will hope to be fully healthy and contributing a full season whenever hockey resumes.
In 74 games with the Rocket in 2018-29, the Saint-Eloi, Quebec native was the team’s most consistent offensive threat, leading the club with 19 goals and 54 points.
NHL, AHL Not Likely To Follow Same Course For Potential Return
While it has been clear that the AHL would follow suit to the same policies that the NHL would put in place when it came to the suspension of play and how they would operate beyond that, Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston reports that in the wake of the ECHL cancelling their season due to the COVID-19 epidemic, it’s likely that the AHL will not mirror the NHL when it comes to a potential return to the ice this season as they would have some big challenges in front of them.
Whether that means that the AHL will also cancel their season in the upcoming days is unknown. However, Johnston points out that while the NHL has the reserves and the power to push the playoffs off to the summer, if necessary, the AHL may not have that ability. The league has a number of obstacles, which includes travel and revenue issues that it would have to deal with to postpone the rest of the 2019-20 season and the Calder Cup playoffs further into the season.
The AHL has a number of upper-level teams hoping their season will continue with the Milwaukee Admirals, the Nashville Predators’ affiliate, leading the way with a league-leading 90 points this season as it hopes to get a chance to win the Calder Cup. The AHL decided to suspend their season on Thursday.
ECHL Expected To Cancel Season
The ECHL announced that the league will be shutting down for the rest of the season. The ECHL Board of Governors approved the cancelation of both their remaining regular season games as well as the playoffs due to the Coronavirus.
ECHL commissioner Ryan Crelin released a statement:
“The decision by the ECHL to cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 Season does not come lightly, as this is an emotional time for our Players, Coaches, Member Teams, Fans and Staff. At this point in the Season, there has been immense dedication and countless hours committed in moving towards what is traditionally the most exciting part of the hockey year.
With that said however, as each passing day raises additional concerns for the safety of those in the ECHL community and as we take precautionary measures in conjunction with our local authorities across the continent to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, it has become apparent that this is the prudent decision. Our game and our product are based on our Fans and their ability to cheer on their favorite ECHL team and Players at one of our many facilities around the continent. Without that social environment and game atmosphere, the ECHL simply isn’t the same.
“On behalf of the ECHL and our Board of Governors, we appreciate the Professional Hockey Players’ Association for their assistance during this unprecedented time and working as partners in hockey to reach this decision for the best interest of the ECHL and its Players. This decision allows our Players the opportunity to return to their homes and removes the uncertainty that currently exists.
“While we are hopeful that this period ceases and an opportunity to return to normalcy for the hockey calendar presents itself, in the interim, we ask all Fans, Players, Coaches, Officials, and Staff to continue to abide by the measures put in place by their local authorities and follow precautionary protocols for their safety, as we will begin preparations for the 2020-21 ECHL Hockey Season.”
While the AHL and NHL both currently have suspended their seasons, the ECHL is the first of the three to cancel their season. The ECHL announced on Thursday that they had suspended their season due to concerns about the COVID-19 epidemic. The ECHL is the first league in North America to have cancelled their season, although several leagues in Europe have already cancelled their seasons.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was the first to report the news.
NHL Cancels Practices, Will Issue Update On Season Status
The NHL has issued a directive for teams to cancel all practices, morning skates and media availability today while they continue to work through their response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The league’s board of governors is scheduled to have a conference call at noon according to Darren Dreger of TSN, after which there will likely be an announcement.
Last night, the NBA suspended their season indefinitely after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). The Jazz and several other NBA teams that had recently played them were instructed to self-quarantine, but there are also concerns that it could spread to the NHL given that teams in several cities use the same arenas for both basketball and hockey. Since then another Jazz player, Donovan Mitchell, has also tested positive.
The AHL and ECHL have also not made an announcement yet, but are expected to follow the NHL’s lead.
Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post has tweeted that teams around the league have been told the season will be suspended, while Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic has heard that on-ice officials have been told to book flights home.
Minor College Signings: O’Leary, Beaudoin, Michigan State
While many of the NCAA’s elite can jump right into an NHL contract, and sometimes the NHL itself, the majority must work their way up through the pro ranks. Minor league contracts and amateur tryout (ATO) contracts are common at this time of year and after a number of those deals were signed yesterday, a few more rolled in today:
- From preseason contender to unranked and out in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, it was a season to forget for Notre Dame. However, senior forward Mike O’Leary enjoyed the best campaign of his collegiate career, recording 23 points in 37 games. The two-way winger is now on his way to the AHL, signing a contract with the Hartford Wolf Pack.
- Another four-year starter up front has found a spot in the pros. Brown senior Brent Beaudoin will stay close to home, joining the ECHL’s Worcester Railers. The New Hampshire native recorded 14 points in 31 games to lead all Brown forwards in scoring.
- Perhaps the best team to have already called it a year, Michigan State sent Patrick Khodorenko to the New York Rangers yesterday and today saw fellow seniors Logan Lambdin and Butrus Ghafari head to the ECHL. Lamdin will stay nearby, as he has inked a deal with the Kalamazoo Wings. Meanwhile, Ghafari joins the Toledo Walleye. The Lebanese-American defender was a dominating stay-at-home presence at times this year.
Minor College Signings: Zimmer, Lodermeier, Giuttari
While some college players will step right out of the NCAA and into professional organizations under NHL contracts, many others will have to go another route. Those who aren’t able to secure an NHL deal right away can jump into the minor leagues under amateur tryout (ATO) contracts, trying to prove they can produce at the higher level. There have been several of those today:
- Max Zimmer from the University of Wisconsin has signed an ATO with the Charlotte Checkers, now that his NCAA career is over. In four years with the Badgers, Zimmer totaled 45 points in 115 games. A 2016 fourth-round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes, his draft rights will expire in August.
- Derek Lodermeier has inked his ATO with the Manitoba Moose, following four years at the University of Vermont. The 25-year old forward had just 11 points in his senior season but has served as captain since 2018.
- Zach Giuttari from Brown University has signed an ATO with the Hartford Wolf Pack, giving him a chance to play in the AHL after four years in the NCAA. The undrafted defenseman served as captain for the team this season, scoring 15 points in 31 games.
- Sometimes it isn’t even the AHL, as Matt Alvaro and Nick Hutchison have found out. The two collegiate forwards have signed with the Orlando Solar Bears and Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL respectively. Alvaro is coming off four years at the University of Vermont, while Hutchison recently completed his senior season at Canisius College.
Snapshots: Islanders, Stone, D’Aoust
Randi F. Marshall of Newsday is reporting today that New York governor Andrew Cuomo will announce tomorrow the New York Islanders will play any playoff games this season at Nassau Coliseum. Not only that, but the team will also play the entire 2020-21 season at the Coliseum, while waiting for the new arena at Belmont Park to be completed.
That would mean the Islanders’ unfortunate stay at the Barclays Center will end in less than two months. Through all of the frustration and uncertainty, the Islanders have rebuilt their organization and found success on the ice. The team seems prepared to start the era at Belmont off on the right foot.
- The Vegas Golden Knights have lost Mark Stone to a lower-body injury, though it’s not clear for how long. Head coach Peter DeBoer told reporters today that his star forward is still being evaluated, but this couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Golden Knights. On a seven-game winning streak, the Golden Knights have finally established themselves as the leaders in the Pacific Division. Stone is a huge part of that as the team’s leading scorer and best defensive forward.
- The Charlotte Checkers, short on forwards after a busy NHL trade deadline, have acquired Alexis D’Aoust from the Manitoba Moose in exchange for future considerations. The 23-year old D’Aoust has 26 points in 36 games for the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen this season, but does have more than 100 games of AHL experience.