Injury Notes: Boeser, Blidh, McDavid
The Vancouver Canucks have announced that both Brock Boeser and Oscar Fantenberg have been placed in the concussion protocol, but gave no update on their recovery timeline. Boeser was crunched into the boards by Ottawa Senators forward Chris Tierney last night, which is likely when he suffered the concussion. The Ottawa player received a two-minute minor, but Boeser did return to the game.
This is terrible news for a team looking to compete for the playoffs this season and a player that has struggled with injury throughout his young career. Boeser has still not played 70 games in a single season and is now in trouble of missing at least the end of preseason with this latest injury.
- Anton Blidh has a much longer recovery timeline, as the Boston Bruins announced the prospect underwent surgery on his right shoulder yesterday and will be out for four months. Blidh, 24, has played just 21 games at the NHL level but was a mainstay in the Providence Bruins lineup last season with 23 points and 94 penalty minutes in 74 games. He’ll have a long road back if he wants to battle for a spot in the NHL at any point this season.
- Connor McDavid has already fought that battle, and is expected to be in the lineup for the Edmonton Oilers tonight when they take on the Arizona Coyotes in preseason action. McDavid injured his knee at the very end of the 2018-19 season and had to slowly rehab it through the summer, missing out on informal skates and his normal training practices. The fact that he’s ready to go a week before the season begins is extremely good news for the Oilers as they try to instill a new identity under head coach Dave Tippett.
Jimmy Hayes, Griffin Reinhart Among Notable AHL Camp Invites
It’s a position that no NHL veteran wants to find himself in, but sometimes it’s the only way to stay employed in North America. With NHL training camps starting to cut mass amounts of participants, AHL camps are opening for another round of evaluation and to prepare young pros for the start of the minor league season. However, these AHL camps can also be a last-ditch source of hope for older players looking to stay relevant with an NHL affiliate. Every year a few recognizable names opt for this route, and this year is no different.
Of the many invites announced thus far, Jimmy Hayes stands out as the top AHL camp participant. The Iowa Wild specifically acknowledged the veteran winger’s presence in camp when announcing their roster. Hayes, 29, has 334 NHL games and over 100 points to his credit over eight seasons with five different NHL teams. However, Hayes’ two-way contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season saw him play exclusively in the AHL. While he was productive, recording 30 points in 72 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, it wasn’t enough to earn another two-way deal. To this point, Hayes hasn’t even earned an AHL deal. He’ll work to earn a contract, and hopefully the attention of the Minnesota brass, when he takes part in Iowa camp.
Griffin Reinhart is another name that sticks out among the crowd of AHL camp invites. Like Hayes, Reinhart is a player whose trade value far outweighed what he ever produced on the ice in the NHL. The 25-year-old was drafted fourth overall in 2012 by the New York Islanders, who dealt him to the Edmonton Oilers a few years later for a first- and second-round pick. Yet, Reinhart has just two points in 37 games to show for his NHL impact. Even in three straight seasons of exclusive AHL action, Rienhart has failed to impress. However, on name value alone he will be able to find a shot somewhere. This time around, the Belleville Senators have invited the young defenseman to camp. Former Vancouver Canucks prospect Cole Cassels, the son of long-time NHLer Andrew Cassels, will also join the junior Senators in camp after playing in Germany last season.
Among the other recognizable faces in minor league camp is veteran forward Lance Bouma. After missing almost all of last season due to injury, Bouma signed a PTO with the Los Angeles Kings and seemed like a dark horse candidate to earn a contract. The 29-year-old has a proven track record as a checking forward in the NHL and has flashed offense from time to time as well. However, the Kings opted to go with their younger options, but not before asking Bouma to take part in AHL camp with the Ontario Reign, the team announced. Bouma could still earn a spot with the organization yet. Talented young goaltender Hayden Hawkey surprisingly remains a free agent searching for a landing spot. The property of both the Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers during his four years at Providence College, Hawkey nevertheless ended up without an NHL team after graduation and became a UFA in August. He recently took part in training camp with the Washington Capitals, but was cut. He will now join the Stockton Heat in camp, the team revealed, and could prove to be a sneaky addition to the organization for the Calgary Flames. Hawkey posted a 2.19 GAA or lower in each of his four dominant collegiate seasons. Finally, Connor Brickley seems determined to stay with the New York Rangers organization at all costs. Brickley, 27, is a big, capable bottom-six forward who performed well down the stretch for the Rangers last season following a deadline trade. However, New York would not commit to a contract extension for the former second-round pick. Instead, he accepted a PTO to join the team in camp. When that ended today with his release from Rangers camp, the team announced that he will still participate in minor league camp with the Hartford Wolfpack and could stay in the organization after all.
None of these players are likely happy with their current predicament, but if they work hard in camp and in the AHL regular season, the fastest way back to NHL relevance is through production and consistency at the minor league level. Even for veterans and especially for those still considered prospects, AHL training camp can still be a valuable stepping stone toward a return to the top level.
Pacific Notes: Anaheim Roster, Pirri, Yamamoto, Bjornfot, Soderstrom
The Anaheim Ducks are clearly in a rebuilding phase this season. Afterall, they bought out Corey Perry earlier this summer, the team lost Ryan Kesler for the season and the Ducks hired their AHL coach, Dallas Eakins, who is familiar with many of the team’s prospects. Regardless, Eakins has made it clear, that the best players on the ice are the ones that are going to make the team and no favoritism will be given to the young players, according to Elliott Teaford of the Orange County Register.
“Do we all quietly hope our draft picks work out? Yeah,” Eakins said. “We’ve got scouts who’ve put in thousands of miles and countless hours driving around everywhere looking at these players. They’ve got their names on them and our organization has invested in them. But nothing is going to be given here. We’re not just going to shuffle people out of the way and give our young people jobs. They’ve going to have to earn it. We’re not interested at all in any kind of breaking this down and shuffling out real good players and hand the team over to a younger group.”
- The Vegas Golden Knights have a few significant roster battles, but the most intriguing may who wins the third line wing opening, according to Jesse Granger of The Athletic (subscription required). The job belongs to Brandon Pirri to lose as Pirri was brought back with a two-year, $1.55MM deal over the summer. The 28-year-old was impressive in a short run with Vegas last year, scoring 12 goals over 31 games. Many expected Pirri to leave for a better opportunity, only for him to come back. However, Pirri is getting quite a battle from Valentin Zykov, who spent the summer training in Vegas with the team and has been equally as impressive as Pirri. Tomas Nosek has also looked solid and most recently, prospect Cody Glass has shown that he might be ready for a third-line role as well.
- Sportsnet’s Marc Spector reports that the Edmonton Oilers forward Kailer Yamamoto is in Bakersfield where he will continue to rehab his post-wrist surgery that he had this summer. Yamamoto, the team’s first-round pick in 2017, has struggled to break through with the Oilers in two separate stints. He appeared in 17 games last year, scoring one goal. Spector also notes that defenseman Logan Day will have to undergo hand surgery and will be forced to miss time. Day spent last season in Bakersfield.
- The Los Angeles Kings are considering keeping defenseman Tobias Bjornfot, one of their first-round draft picks this summer, on their opening day roster, according to The Athletic’s Lisa Dillman (subscription required). The team could be considering keeping him around for a few games before sending him back like they did with Jaret Anderson-Dolan last season. However, the team has been impressed with Bjornfot’s two-way game and head coach Todd McLellan compared the 18-year-old to a young Marc-Edouard Vlasic.
- Another player who could stay with the team would be Arizona Coyotes first-round pick Victor Soderstrom, who The Athletic’s Craig Morgan suggests could remain with the team, much like center Barrett Hayton did last season, to get a feel for the NHL. Soderstrom was the 11th-overall pick in the 2019 draft.
Training Camp Cuts: 09/20/19
Like always, we’ll keep track of all the training camp cuts right here. It is important to note that today is the first day teams can place players on waivers for the 2019-20 season, meaning a flood of moves will likely come in over the next few days. Keep checking back to see the updated list:
Chicago Blackhawks (per team release)
F Nathan Noel (to Rockford, AHL)
F Graham Knott (to Rockford, AHL)
F Tim Soderlund (to Rockford, AHL)
F Dylan McLaughlin (to Rockford, AHL)
F Kris Versteeg (to Rockford, AHL)
F Tyler Sikura (to Rockford, AHL)
D Chad Krys (to Rockford, AHL)
D Jack Ramsey (to Rockford, AHL)
D Jake Ryczek (to Rockford, AHL)
Columbus Blue Jackets (per team release)
F Egor Sokolov (released from PTO)
Dallas Stars (per team release)
F Tony Calderone (to Texas, AHL)
F Josh Melnick (to Texas, AHL)
D John Nyberg (to Texas, AHL)
D Ondrej Vala (to Texas, AHL)
G Colton Point (to Texas, AHL)
F Diego Cuglietta (released from ATO)
F Parker MacKay (released from ATO)
D Tanner Jago (released from ATO)
F Corey Elkins (released from PTO)
F Brad McClure (released from PTO)
F Anthony Nellis (released from PTO)
G Tomas Sholl (released from PTO
Edmonton Oilers (per team release)
F Tyler Benson (to Bakersfiled, AHL)
F Cameron Hebig (to Bakersfiled, AHL)
F Kirill Maksimov (to Bakersfiled, AHL)
F Cooper Marody (to Bakersfiled, AHL)
F Ryan McLeod (to Bakersfiled, AHL)
F Anthony Peluso (to Bakersfiled, AHL)
D Caleb Jones (to Bakersfiled, AHL)
D Dmitri Samorukov (to Bakersfiled, AHL)
G Dylan Wells (to Bakersfiled, AHL)
Minnesota Wild (per team release)
F Will Bitten (to Iowa, AHL)
F Connor Dewar (to Iowa, AHL)
F Brandon Duhaime (to Iowa, AHL)
F Ivan Lodnia (to Iowa, AHL)
F Dmitry Sokolov (to Iowa, AHL)
D Brennan Menell (to Iowa, AHL)
D Stepan Falkovsky (to Iowa, AHL)
G Dereck Baribeau (to Iowa, AHL)
G Kaapo Kakhonen (to Iowa, AHL)
G Mat Robson (to Iowa, AHL)
F Alexander Khovanov (to Moncton, QMJHL)
F Olivier Archambault (released from PTO, will report to AHL training camp)
F Kyle Bauman (released from PTO, will report to AHL training camp)
F Mitch McLain (released from PTO, will report to AHL training camp)
F Tyler Sheehy (released from PTO, will report to AHL training camp)
D Nicholas Boka (released from PTO, will report to AHL training camp)
D Alex Breton (released from PTO, will report to AHL training camp)
D Jack Sadek (released from PTO, will report to AHL training camp)
New York Rangers (per team release)
F Jake Elmer (to Hartford, AHL)
D Brandon Crawley (to Hartford, AHL)
D Vincent LoVerde (to Hartford, AHL)
D Darren Raddysh (to Hartford, AHL)
Ottawa Senators (per team release)
D Maxence Guenette (to Val-d’Or, QMJHL)
F Tristan Scherwey (to Bern, NLA)
F J.C. Beaudin (to Belleville, AHL)
F Michael Carcone (to Belleville, AHL)
F Mark Kastelic (to Belleville, AHL)
F Jack Rodewald (to Belleville, AHL)
F Andrew Sturtz (to Belleville, AHL)
D Jonathan Aspirot (to Belleville, AHL)
D Nick Ebert (to Belleville, AHL)
D Hubert Labrie (to Belleville, AHL)
Philadelphia Flyers (per team release)
F Kyle Criscuolo (to waivers on 09/21)
D Tyler Wotherspoon (to waivers on 09/21)
D Nate Prosser (to waivers on 09/21)
D T.J. Brennan (to waivers on 09/21)
D Reece Wilcox (to waivers on 09/21)
F Cal O’Reilly (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F Greg Carey (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F Maksim Sushko (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F Gerry Fitzgerald (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F David Kase (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F Pascal Laberge (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F Isaac Ratcliffe (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F Matthew Strome (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F Rob Michel (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
D David Drake (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
D Josh Couturier (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
G Felix Sandstrom (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
G Kirill Ustimenko (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
Pittsburgh Penguins (per team release)
F Chase Berger (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Jordy Bellerive (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Jan Drozg (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Ben Sexton (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
D Matt Abt (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
D Michael Kim (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
D Jon Lizotte (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
G Alex D’Orio (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
G Dustin Tokarski (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
D Calen Addison (to Lethbridge, WHL)
St. Louis Blues (per team release)
F Cameron Darcy (to San Antonio, AHL)
F Zach Nastasiuk (to San Antonio, AHL)
F Evan Polei (to San Antonio, AHL)
F Nolan Stevens (to San Antonio, AHL)
F Alexei Toropchenko (to San Antonio, AHL)
D Jake Christiansen (to San Antonio, AHL)
D Rob O’Gara (to San Antonio, AHL)
Vegas Golden Knights (per team release)
F Paul Cotter (to Chicago, AHL)
F Lucas Elvenes (to Chicago, AHL)
F Ben Jones (to Chicago, AHL)
F Jake Leschyshyn (to Chicago, AHL)
F Jermaine Loewen (released from ATO, assigned to Chicago, AHL)
F Tye McGinn (to Chicago, AHL)
F Gage Quinney (to Chicago, AHL)
F Jonas Rondbjerg (to Chicago, AHL)
D Brayden Pachal (to Chicago, AHL)
Training Camp Cuts: 09/18/19
Like always, we’ll keep track of all the training camp cuts right here. Keep checking back to see the updated list:
Arizona Coyotes (per team release)
D Kevin Bahl (to Ottawa, OHL)
Buffalo Sabres (per team release)
F Matej Pekar (to Barrie, OHL)
Columbus Blue Jackets (per team release)
F Tyler Angle (to Windsor, OHL)
D Eric Hjorth (to Sarnia, OHL)
Dallas Stars (per team release)
D Dawson Barteaux (to Red Deer, WHL)
Edmonton Oilers (per team release)
F Luke Esposito (to Bakersfield, AHL)
F Ostap Safin (to Bakersfield, AHL)
F Beau Starrett (to Bakersfield, AHL)
F Nolan Vesey (to Bakersfield, AHL)
D Vincent Desharnais (to Bakersfield, AHL)
D Jake Kulevich (to Bakersfield, AHL)
Los Angeles Kings (per team release)
F Aidan Dudas (to Owen Sound, OHL)
F Arthur Kaliyev (to Hamilton, OHL)
D Jordan Spence (to Moncton, QMJHL)
G Jacob Ingham (to Kitchener, OHL)
G Lukas Parik (to Spokane, WHL)
F Jonathan Yantsis (released from ATO)
D Billy Constantinou (released from ATO)
Montreal Canadiens (per team release)
D Gianni Fairbrother (to Everett, WHL)
New York Islanders (per Blainville-Boisbriand team release)
D Samuel Bolduc (to Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL)
Philadelphia Flyers (per team release)
F Egor Serdyuk (to Victoriaville, QMJHL)
D Egor Zamula (to Calgary, WHL)
D Mason Millman (to Saginaw, OHL)
D Wyatte Wylie (to Everett, WHL)
F Max Golod (released from ATO)
F Ben McCartney (released from ATO)
F Mika Cyr (released from ATO)
D Sean Comrie (released from ATO)
Tampa Bay Lightning (per team release)
F Gabriel Fortier (to Baie-Comeau, QMJHL)
F Maxim Cajkovic (to Saint John, QMJHL)
D Quinn Schmiemann (to Kamloops, WHL)
F Eli Zummack (released from ATO)
D Louis Crevier (released from ATO)
D Cody Donaghey (released from ATO)
Vegas Golden Knights (per team release)
D Xavier Bouchard (to Baie-Comeau, QMJHL)
D Connor Corcoran (to Windsor, OHL)
D Kaedan Korczak (to Kelowna, WHL)
F Mason Primeau (to North Bay, OHL)
West Notes: Tkachuk, Krebs, McDavid
While Mikko Rantanen and Patrik Laine have joined a European team to continue their training while waiting on a new contract, Matthew Tkachuk has taken a different route. The Calgary Flames restricted free agent has started skating with the London Knights according to Ryan Pyette of the London Free Press, taking the ice with some former teammates in Ryan Rupert and Matt Rupert.
Tkachuk spent just one season with the Knights before being drafted by the Flames in 2016, but formed one of the most dominant lines the OHL has seen in many years alongside Mitch Marner and Christian Dvorak. The trio each totaled more than 100 points that season en route to a Memorial Cup championship. Both Marner and Dvorak have signed long-term extensions with their respective NHL teams, but for the Flames to do the same with Tkachuk might be tricky. The team currently projects to have just over $6.3MM in cap space and would likely have to make an additional move of some kind before signing the star winger to any deal buying out unrestricted free agent years.
- Speaking of impressive junior players, Vegas Golden Knights first-round pick Peyton Krebs has been named captain of the Winnipeg Ice for their first season after the recent relocation. Krebs served in that role last season when the team was still located in British Columbia as the Kootenay Ice, and scored 68 points in 64 games. The 18-year old forward was expected to go even higher than his eventual draft position of 17, but suffered an Achilles injury just a few weeks before the draft and ended up falling out of the first half of the round. The Golden Knights certainly weren’t disappointed to get a player of his caliber that late, and they’ll be keeping a close eye on him in Winnipeg this season.
- Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland told reporters he is “pretty optimistic” that Connor McDavid will be fully recovered from his knee injury in time to suit up for opening night, and that there is a chance that he gets into at least one preseason game. While it hasn’t been officially decided, having McDavid in the lineup to start the year is huge for an Oilers team that needs every point they can get this season as they look to try and get back into the playoffs. The Pacific Division is packed with teams that believe they can represent the division in the postseason this year, and the Oilers will have to get off to a strong start if they want to keep pace.
Anton Burdasov To Attend Edmonton Oilers Training Camp
As expected, Anton Burdasov will try to land a job in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers this fall. The Russian winger has signed a professional tryout with the Edmonton Oilers. Igor Eronko of Sport-Express reported last month that there was interest from several teams. Burdasov has spent the last decade playing in the KHL, most recently with Ufa Salavat Yulayev.
Burdasov, 28, was never drafted by an NHL team, but slowly became one of the more consistent offensive pieces in the KHL. The 6’2″ 227-lbs winger not only scored 19 goals last season in 50 games, but he also led the KHL in penalty minutes with 114. With the Oilers desperately searching for answers on the wing, that kind of size and scoring ability could be very useful.
With Edmonton sitting close to the cap, they couldn’t commit to Burdasov without seeing him in action on an NHL rink. Bringing him in on a tryout basis will give them a much closer look at what he can offer, and whether or not he could fit into their group. He’s already reported to camp and is in uniform, giving him plenty of time to make an impact on the coaching staff and players.
Training Camp Cuts: 09/15/19
After just two teams made cuts Saturday, more are likely to come today, and even more early this week. We’ll keep tabs of any cuts right here:
Detroit Red Wings (per press release)
F Mathieu Bizier (released from ATO)
F Thomas Casey (released from ATO)
D Marc-Olivier Duquette (released from ATO)
D Owen Lalonde (released from ATO)
F Cody Morgan (released from ATO)
G Anthony Popovich (released from ATO)
F Owen Robinson (released from ATO)
G Sean Romeo (released from ATO)
F Chad Yetman (released from ATO)
Edmonton Oilers (per team Twitter)
F Raphael Lavoie (assigned to Halifax, QMJHL)
G Olivier Rodrigue (assigned to Moncton, QMJHL)
Florida Panthers (per press release)
D Gustav Bouramman (assigned to Springfield, AHL)
D Vladislav Kolyachonok (assigned to Flint, OHL)
D John Ludvig (assigned to Portland, WHL)
D Dylan MacPherson (released from PTO, assigned to Springfield, AHL)
F Matt Marcinew (released from PTO, assigned to Springfield, AHL)
F Greg Meireles (assigned to Springfield, AHL)
F Liam Pecararo (released from PTO, assigned to Springfield, AHL)
F Henry Rybinski (assigned to Seattle, WHL)
F Cole Schwindt (assigned to Mississauga, OHL)
F Matthew Wedman (assigned to Springfield, AHL)
Ottawa Senators (per press release)
F Francois Beauchemin (released from PTO, assigned to Belleville, AHL)
F Michael Brodzinski (released from PTO, assigned to Belleville, AHL)
F Adam Capannelli (released from ATO)
F Chris Clapperton (released from ATO)
D Jack Dougherty (released from PTO, assigned to Belleville, AHL)
F Jonathan Gruden (assigned to London, OHL)
G Kevin Mandolese (assigned to Cape Breton, QMJHL)
D Connor McDonald (released from ATO)
G Mads Sogaard (assigned to Medicine Hat, WHL)
F Maxim Trepanier (released from ATO)
St. Louis Blues (per press release)
F Nikita Alexandrov (assigned to Charlottetown, QMJHL)
G Colten Ellis (assigned to Rimouski, QMJHL)
F Jeremy Michel (assigned to Val-d’Or, QMJHL)
D Tyler Tucker (assigned to Barrie, OHL)
F Keean Washkurak (assigned to Mississagua, OHL)
Toronto Maple Leafs (per press release)
F Mikhail Abramov (assigned to Victoriaville, QMJHL)
F Matthew Bradley (released from PTO, assigned to Toronto, AHL)
F Justin Brazeau (assigned to Toronto, AHL)
F Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (assigned to Peterborough, OHL)
F Giorgio Estephan (released from PTO, assigned to Toronto, AHL)
F Brady Ferguson (released from PTO, assigned to Toronto, AHL)
D Alex Gudbranson (released from PTO, assigned to Toronto, AHL)
D Ryan Johnston (released from PTO, assigned to Toronto, AHL)
D Michael Kapla (released from PTO, assigned to Toronto, AHL)
D Filip Kral (assigned to Spokane, WHL)
D Kalle Loponen (assigned to Sudbury, OHL)
F Aaron Luchuk (assigned to Toronto, AHL)
F Tanner MacMaster (released from PTO, assigned to Toronto, AHL)
F Zach O’Brien (released from PTO, assigned to Toronto, AHL)
D Marc-Antoine Pepin (released from ATO)
F Scott Pooley (released from PTO, assigned to Toronto, AHL)
F Marcus Power (released from PTO, assigned to Toronto, AHL)
D Segei Sapego (released from PTO, assigned to Toronto, AHL)
F Nicholas Robertson (assigned to Peterborough, OHL)
G Ian Scott (assigned to Toronto, AHL)
F Riley Stotts (assigned to Calgary, WHL)
G Maxim Zhukov (released from PTO, assigned to Toronto, AHL)
Western Notes: Leschyshyn, Nurse, Sekera
The Colorado Avalanche and Joe Sakic have brought in another former NHL player into the fold to work in the organization. Colorado Hockey Now’s Adrian Dater reports that the Avalanche have hired Curtis Leschyshyn as a pro scout.
Leschyshyn, 49, started his career with the organization, playing for the Quebec Nordiques for the first seven years and then moving with the team to Colorado when they became the Avalanche. He played one full season in Colorado before being traded in his second year in the city. The former blueliner, played more than 1,000 games (1,033) and scored 47 goals and 212 points.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal reports that Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland isn’t ready to talk about an extension with Oilers’ defenseman Darnell Nurse yet. The GM said he wants to get more familiar with his team and what he has before committing to a player. Nurse has one year remaining on his two-year, $6.4MM deal he signed last year. The 24-year-old stepped up last season and had a breakout deal, posting career highs in goals (10) and points (41). The blueliner will be a restricted free agent again in 2020-21. Matheson writes that the contract that Josh Morrissey signed with Winnipeg at eight years and $50MM could be a template for Nurse.
- The Dallas Stars made quite a few headlines this summer when they went out and signed Joe Pavelski and Corey Perry this summer to free-agent contracts. However, one signing that flew somewhat under the radar was the team signing defenseman Andrej Sekera. The 33-year-old blueliner has dealt with injuries the past couple of years while in Edmonton, but was their top shutdown defender before being beset by injuries. Due to his extravagant contract, the Oilers opted to buy him out, making him a free agent. NHL.com’s Mike Heika writes that Sekera is drawing rave reviews, however, in training camp so far and it looks like the veteran will be paired with 20-year-old Miro Heiskanen on Dallas’ second pairing on defense. “I actually think he’s going to be the one guy who is going to be a surprise,” said Stars general manager Jim Nill. “You talk about Perry and Pavelski, I think people are going to be surprised with what he brings to us.”
Pacific Notes: Kase, McDavid, Virtanen, Juolevi, Simek
While the rumors that the potential deal between the Carolina Hurricanes and Anaheim Ducks involving Justin Faulk and Ondrej Kase was unlikely to happen came in earlier today, Anaheim general manager Bob Murray declined comment, but did express displeasure in Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon (without mentioning his name), according to Elliott Teaford of the Orange County Register. Murray blames the Hurricanes’ owner for leaking out Kase’s name in the trade negotiations.
“When things are out there and haven’t happened and some owner decides he’s going to garner some friendship with the media, and he’s going to get close to the media, and he puts things out there, some of these people, I wish they were players at some point in their lives,” Murray said. “Obviously, they weren’t.”
Kase doesn’t seem affected by the trade talk as the 23-year-old winger is trying to recover from surgery to repair a torn labrum that allowed him to appear in just 30 games last season. The winger said he hopes to play in one exhibition game and expects to be ready for the start of the season.
- Edmonton Oilers fans who attended practice Saturday held their breath when star center Connor McDavid went down during a back-checking drill when he collided with linemate Zack Kassian. McDavid picked himself back up, but was shaking his leg as he headed back to the bench, worrying many around the rink. The good news is that he’s fine, according to Edmonton Sun’s Jim Matheson. “Kass is doing everything he can to stay on that line (McDavid and Leon Draisaitl) and he hits his centreman. That’s not going to keep Kass on that line,” kidded Oilers’ coach Dave Tippett. “Nah, he’s (McDavid) fine. They (McDavid and Kassian) were laughing about it.” McDavid, who was injured in the Oilers’ final regular season game last season, is being brought along slowly in training camp. While the injury didn’t require surgery, there is talk that McDavid likely will see either one or possibly be held out of all preseason games to keep him as healthy as possible.
- Postmedia’s Ben Kuzma reports that it’s been an interesting training camp already for Vancouver Canucks winger Jake Virtanen. The 23-year-old failed his physical and was immediately demoted to the training camp’s third group on Friday, finding himself in head coach Travis Green‘s doghouse due to his lack of conditioning. He was then elevated on Saturday and had a dominant performance in camp. “You want young players to take responsibility and part of developing players is hoping they learn from lessons. Sometimes tough ones sink in the most,” said Green.
- Patrick Johnston of The Province writes that Canucks defenseman Olli Juolevi struggled in practice Friday, especially after the training camp ritual: the full-out, full-burn bag skate, a hated skating drill that players laugh about later. However, Juolevi, who is still recovering from a knee injury he suffered in November, struggled with the drill and was in obvious discomfort after the drill. Kuzma added that Juolevi looked a little better, but was put into the third group to allow him time to recover. “A bit of a load-management day,” said Green. “He had a tough day yesterday and he’s feeling better today and we just want to make sure that we bring him along well. We’ll see how he feels today after skating (third group).”
- Mercury News’ Curtis Pashelka writes that San Jose Sharks head coach Pete DeBoer said that defenseman Radim Simek continues to skate, but the team is being cautious and is “taking it slow. There is no rush right now. But he skating and he looks good,” said Simek. The 26-year-old has been out of the Sharks’ lineup since March after having his leg crushed in a collision with Winnipeg’s Andrew Copp and was forced to have surgery to repair his ACL, MCL and his meniscus.