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Training Camp Cuts And Recalls: 10/1/17

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Today marks the end of the preseason for all those NHL teams who haven’t yet wrapped up their exhibition schedules. With games coming to an end, expect lots of action throughout the day and keep track of it all right here:

Arizona Coyotes

D Dakota Mermis – Tucson (AHL)

Colorado Avalanche

D David Warsofsky – waivers for purpose of assignment

Dallas Stars

D Chris Martenet – Texas (AHL)

Detroit Red Wings

F Colin Campbell – released from PTO
G Jared Coreau – waivers for purpose of assignment
F Matthew Ford – released from PTO
D Joe Hicketts – Grand Rapids (AHL)
F Axel Holmstrom – Grand Rapids (AHL)
D Filip Hronek – Grand Rapids (AHL)
D Brian Lashoff – waivers for purpose of assignment
F Matt Lorito – waivers for purpose of assignment
G Thomas McCollum – Grand Rapids (AHL)
D Dylan McIlrath – waivers for purpose of assignment
F P.A. Parenteau – released from PTO
F Michael Rasmussen – Tri-City (WHL)
D Dan Renouf – Grand Rapids (AHL)
D Vili Saarijarvi – Grand Rapids (AHL)
F Dylan Sadowy – Grand Rapids (AHL)
F Dominik Shine – released from PTO
F Ben Street – waivers for purpose of assignment
F Dominic Turgeon – Grand Rapids (AHL)

Edmonton Oilers

D Mark Fayne – waivers for purpose of assignment
F Jesse Puljujarvi – Bakersfield (AHL)

Florida Panthers

F Brandon Pirri – released from PTO
F Harry Zolnierczyk – released from PTO
D Josh Brown – Springfield (AHL)

Los Angeles Kings

G Jack Campbell – waivers for purpose of assignment
F Justin Auger – waivers for purpose of assignment

New York Rangers

F Robin Kovacs – waivers for purpose of assignment

Ottawa Senators

D Thomas Chabot – Belleville (AHL)
D Ben Harpur – Belleville (AHL)
F Max McCormick – waivers for purpose of assignment

Philadelphia Flyers

F Oskar Lindblom – Lehigh Valley (AHL)

Tampa Bay Lightning

F Stefan Fournier – Brampton (ECHL)

Vancouver Canucks

G Richard Bachman – waivers for purpose of assignment
F Michael Chaput – waivers for purpose of assignment
F Jayson Megna – waivers for purpose of assignment

Recalls:

San Jose Sharks

D Nick DeSimone
D Cavan Fitzgerald
F Adam Helewka
F John McCarthy

 

Snapshots: Gelinas, Harper, Iginla

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The Montreal Candiens have yet to cut defenseman Eric Gelinas, in camp on a PTO, but according to TVA’s Renaud Lavoie, an NHL contract is not on the table. Lavoie reports that instead Gelinas has been offered an AHL contract to play with the Habs’ new affiliate, the Laval Rocket. Lavoie is of the opinion that Gelinas will accept the contract and that it could be good for his career. After clearing waivers three separate times last season with the Colorado Avalanche, the league’s worst team, it’s clear that taking a step back and getting a fresh start is not a bad idea for Gelinas. Playing a leadership role in an AHL locker room for a whole season could teach Gelinas consistency and responsibility and a chance at making the Canadian Olympic team would give the 26-year-old the experience of playing an important role in meaningful games.

  • Shane Harper tried the PTO route like Gelinas, but rather than settle for an AHL deal, Harper has decided to take his talents overseas. For the Valencia, California native, who was in camp with the Los Angeles Kings, that means choosing to live in a foreign country rather than a half hour from his home town had he signed with the Kings affiliate, the Ontario Reign. Harper has signed with the KHL’s Lada Togliatti, according to a national news source (link in Russian), where he could easily be the best player on a club that has failed to make the playoffs in each of the past three seasons. Harper scored three points in his 14-game “rookie season” with the Florida Panthers in 2016-17 and added 22 more points in 58 AHL games. The article indicates that the KHL was Harper’s first choice once his NHL hopes were dashed this past week.
  • One player who has no plans to choose the AHL or KHL any time soon is future Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla. In his “31 Thoughts” article this week, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman reveled that the 40-year-old power forward has even denied having any interest in playing for Team Canada in the upcoming Olympics, as his sole focus is on finding a fit in the NHL. Despite a couple good seasons with the Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche, the fact of the matter is that Iginla’s production has been steadily declining since he left the Calgary Flames back in 2013. Last season, Iginla only managed a career-worst 27 points, and that is including a strong showing with the Los Angeles Kings to close out the season. There is always the possibility that someone will come calling for the services – especially the leadership and experience –  that Iginla brings and remaining dedicated to playing one last season will only help his chances of being signed. However, with the regular season about to  begin, the hard truth is that we may have seen the last of Iginla in the NHL, even if he can’t yet accept that.

Training Camp Cuts: 09/27/17

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We’re now just a week away from the start of the regular season, and teams are starting to get down close to their opening night rosters. Over 100 players were cut yesterday, and there will be many more today. Keep it right here for all the cuts as they happen.

Arizona Coyotes

F Emerson Etem – Waivers for purpose of assignment

Boston Bruins

G Dan Vladar – Providence (AHL)

Calgary Flames

F Joseph Cramarossa – Released from PTO

Colorado Avalanche

D Jared Cowen – Released from PTO

Columbus Blue Jackets

F Vitali Abramov – Gatineau (QMJHL)
F Nick Moutrey – Cleveland (AHL)
F Justin Scott – Cleveland (AHL)
F Calvin Thurkauf – Cleveland (AHL)
F Alexander Broadhurst – Cleveland (AHL)
D Andre Benoit – Cleveland (AHL)
D Cameron Gaunce – Cleveland (AHL)
D Dean Kukan – Cleveland (AHL)
F John Mitchell – Released from PTO
D Brady Austin – Released from PTO

Dallas Stars

F Brian Flynn – Texas (AHL)
D Brent Regner – Texas (AHL)
F R.J. Umberger – Released from PTO

Edmonton Oilers

F Ty Rattie – Waivers for purpose of assignment
D Dillon Simpson – Waivers for purpose of assignment

Florida Panthers

F Jayce Hawryluk – Springfield (AHL)
F Maxim Mamin – Springfield (AHL)
F Sebastian Repo – Springfield (AHL)

Read more

2017-18 Primer: Florida Panthers

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With the NHL season now just a couple of weeks away, we continue our look at what each team has done this summer and what to watch for in the year to come.  Today, we focus on the Florida Panthers.

Last Season: 35-36-11 record (81 points), sixth in Atlantic Division (missed playoffs)

Remaining Cap Space: $11.49MM per CapFriendly

Key Additions: F Evgeni Dadonov (free agency, KHL), F Radim Vrbata (free agency, Arizona), F Jamie McGinn (trade, Arizona)

Key Departures: F Jaromir Jagr (free agency, unsigned), D Jason Demers (trade, Arizona), F Reilly Smith (trade, Vegas), F Jon Marchessault (expansion, Vegas), F Jussi Jokinen (buyout), F Shawn Thornton (retired), F Thomas Vanek (free agency, Vancouver)

[Related: Panthers Depth Chart From Roster Resource]

Barkov, HuberdeauPlayers To Watch: F Aleksander Barkov & F Jonathan Huberdeau – Last year was an extreme disappointment for the Panthers, who came into the season with high expectations after winning the Atlantic Division in 2015-16. Even with solid performances from young players like Marchessault and Vincent Trocheck, the Panthers failings resulted from one key thing: Barkov and Huberdeau played just 92 games combined.

When healthy, the pair combined for 78 points in those 92 games, Barkov providing the majority with 52 in 61. While it’s easy to point at injury for many teams, the Panthers lost key players (including Aaron Ekblad) for long stretches and could never recover.

Some people may forget that Barkov and Huberdeau are a couple of the most impressive young players in the league, who each have 60-point, 30-goal potential if they can stay healthy and take a step forward. As just 22 and 24 respectively, it doesn’t seem that far-fetched.

Key Storyline: The Florida Panthers’ front office was one of the battlegrounds in the fight between analytic and traditional scouting methods. The Panthers looked like they were going to be on the forefront of statistical evaluation running the team, but this season fell apart and both Gerard Gallant and Tom Rowe were fired.

Back came Dale Tallon, and with him some of the old-school hockey knowledge that has a slightly different idea in how to improve this team. Demers, Smith, Marchessault were all shipped out of town quickly, before they could do any long-term harm, replacing some of the work Rowe did last summer.

The Panthers have a new direction led by an old face, but should be able to overcome any possible possession regression and still be quite a dangerous team. Whether it really has been an ousting of the “analytics people” from the decision making is unclear, but it will be interesting to see how they bounce back this year. A healthy team could provide a false positive for their new style, and hurt them down the road. Or, like many have believed before, perhaps the old guard really can see something that numbers don’t tell us.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Panthers Sign Defenseman Ed Wittchow

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Despite outward appearances, not all tryouts end poorly in the NHL. Every once in a while, an impressive camp effort can be it all it takes for even the most obscure player, veteran or prospect, to prove that they are deserving of an NHL contract. Such is the case of Ed Wittchow, who today signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Florida Panther, per a team release. Financial terms have not been disclosed.

Wittchow, 24, was actually drafted by Florida back in 2011, a sixth-round selection out of the USHL. The Minnesota-native attended the University of Wisconsin for four years, becoming the captain of the team in his final year. However, the 6’3″ Wittchow is a stay-at-home type who managed to accrue only 17 total points in his time with the Badgers. While a reliable defensive player, he also didn’t turn heads with his checking ability or physicality in the college game either. Thus, upon graduating, the Panthers had lost interest in signing Wittchow to an entry-level deal. However, he stuck around the organization, singing an AHL contract with the Panthers’ affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, for the 2016-17 season. Again, Wittchow was not nothing if not unspectacular, scoring just four points and posting a -6 in 38 games with Springfield and skating in another 14 games with the ECHL’s Manchester Monarchs. Nevertheless, Wittchow’s hard work and dedication – specifically referenced by Flordia GM Dale Tallon in today’s announcement – earned Wittchow an extension with the Thunderbirds and an invitation to camp. After getting another close look at their former prospect, it seems the Panthers again would like to be a part of Wittchow’s hockey future by giving him his first NHL contract.

The Panthers could use some extra defensive depth after their recent trade of solid veteran Jason Demers to the Arizona Coyotes, but expect Wittchow’s role in 2017-18 to be more of a backup to the backups. With just one season of pro hockey under his belt, the Badger blue liner likely needs quite a bit more seasoning before he is ready to challenge for NHL minutes. However, with Springfield teammate Ian McCoshen likely now slated for a starting role in Florida and the likes of Mackenzie Weegar and Josh Brown the next men up, Wittchow should be set to play a leading role on the Thunderbirds’ blue line this season, which can only help his chances of reaching the next level one day.

Training Camp Cuts: 09/21/17

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Like every day, teams have continued to shorten their rosters as the season approaches. Yesterday saw a healthy number of names shaved off the lists, sent back to junior or released into the wild of free agency. Today, we’ll keep track of all the training camp cuts right here.

Boston Bruins

F Jack Studnicka – Oshawa (OHL)
G Kyle Keyser – Oshawa (OHL)

Chicago Blackhawks

F John Mitchell – released from PTO
F Drew Miller – released from PTO
F Tyler Sikura – released from PTO
D Mark Stuart – released from PTO
D Robin Press – released from PTO
F William Pelletier – released from ATO
D Darren Raddysh – released from ATO
G Matt Tomkins – released from ATO
F Mathew Highmore – Rockford (AHL)
F Matheson Iacopelli – Rockford (AHL)
F Luke Johnson – Rockford (AHL)
F Graham Knott – Rockford (AHL)
F Anthony Louis – Rockford (AHL)
D Robin Norell – Rockford (AHL)
D Carl Dahlstrom – Rockford (AHL)
F Radovan Bondra – Prince George (WHL)
D Henri Jokiharju – Portland (WHL)

Edmonton Oilers

D Ethan Bear – Bakersfield (AHL)
D Ben Betker – Bakersfield (AHL)
F Greg Chase – Bakersfield (AHL)
F Braden Christoffer – Bakersfield (AHL)
F Joseph Gambardella – Bakersfield (AHL)
D Ziyat Paigin – Bakersfield (AHL)
F Kyle Platzer – Bakersfield (AHL)
G Shane Starrett – Bakersfield (AHL)
F Chad Butcher – released from ATO
F Evan Polei – released from ATO
F Josh Currie – released from PTO
F Ryan Hamilton – released from PTO
F Zach O’Brien – released from PTO

Florida Panthers

F Curtis Valk – Springfield (AHL)
D Thomas Schemitsch – Springfield (AHL)

Los Angeles Kings

F Drake Rymsha – Sarnia (OHL)
D Jacob Friend – Owen Sound (OHL)
D Jacob Moverare – Mississauga (OHL)
D Markus Phillips – Owen Sound (OHL)

Montreal Canadiens

F Maxime Fortier – Halifax (QMJHL)
F Jordan Boucher – Will attend AHL camp
F Kevin Dufour – Will attend AHL camp
F Alexandre Goulet – Will attend AHL camp
F James McEwan – Will attend AHL camp
D Saverio Posa – Will attend AHL camp
D William Corrin – Will attend AHL camp

Philadelphia Flyers

F Connor Bunnaman – Kitchener (OHL)
F Pascal Laberge – Victoriaville (QMJHL)
F Ivan Kosorenkov – Victoriaville (QMJHL)
F German Rubtsov – Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
G Carter Hart – Everett (WHL)
F Nicolas Aube-Kubel – Lehigh Valley (AHL)
F Radel Fazleev – Lehigh Valley (AHL)
F Tyrell Goulbourne – Lehigh Valley (AHL)
F Danick Martel – Lehigh Valley (AHL)
F Carsen Twarynski – Lehigh Valley (AHL)
F Mikhail Vorobyev – Lehigh Valley (AHL)
D James de Haas – Lehigh Valley (AHL)
D Mark Friedman – Lehigh Valley (AHL)
D Maxim Lamarche – Lehigh Valley (AHL)
D Philippe Myers – Lehigh Valley (AHL)
D Reece Willcox – Lehigh Valley (AHL)
G Leland Irving – Lehigh Valley (AHL)
G John Muse – Lehigh Valley (AHL)

St. Louis Blues

F Alexey Toropchenko – Guelph (OHL)
F Justin Selman – San Antonio (AHL)
D Dmitrii Sergeev – San Antonio (AHL)
F Ty Loney – released from PTO
D Michael McKee – released from PTO

Tampa Bay Lightning

F Boris Katchouk – Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
D Cal Foote – Kelowna (WHL)
D Libor Hajek – Saskatoon (WHL)

Vancouver Canucks

F Jakob Stukel – Calgary (WHL)
F Danny Moynihan – Utica (AHL)
D Anton Cederholm – Utica (AHL)
D Mackenze Stewart – Utica (AHL)

Washington Capitals

F Damien Riat – Geneve-Servette (NLA)
F Kristian Marthinsen – Almtuna (Sweden)
F Beck Malenstyn – Calgary (WHL)
F Garrett Pilon – Kamloops (WHL)
F Robbie Baillargeon – South Carolina (ECHL)
F Tanner Jeannot – Moose Jaw (WHL)
F Brendan Semchuk – Vancouver (WHL)
F Mark Simpson – University of New Brunswick (CIS)
D Dmitri Zaitsev – Moose Jaw (WHL)
F Jimmy Devito – released from ATO
G Adam Morrison – released from PTO

Winnipeg Jets

F Jordy Stallard – Prince Albert (WHL)
F Skyler McKenzie – Portland (WHL)
D Luke Green – Sherbrooke (QMJHL)
D Leon Gawanke – Cape Breton (QMJHL)

Florida Trades Demers To Arizona For McGinn

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The Florida Panthers have traded defenseman Jason Demers to Arizona in exchange for Jamie McGinn, tweets Elliotte Friedman. AZ Sports Craig Morgan confirms the deal is straight up with no other pieces. However, Friedman adds that Florida will retain 12.5 percent of Demers salary in the deal.

Demers is a solid two-way defenseman, finishing last year with nine goals and 19 assists. The 29-year-old defenseman was rumored to be moved several times this offseason, so the trade comes as little surprise.

The Panthers previous management, in hopes of making a Stanley Cup run, signed Demers last summer to a five-year, $22.5MM contract to help man their blueline. However, an 81-point performance last season and with a change in management, the team was suddenly stuck with Demers who no longer fit into their long-term plans and with a remaining four years at $4.5MM annually. In acquiring McGinn, the team almost cuts that cost in half as the 29-year-old wing has just two years remaining at $3.33MM AAV. With his departure, the team may look to several younger possibilities to help fill out their defense.

The 29-year-old McGinn is coming off a regular season in which he put up nine goals and eight assists in 72 games. However, with the team ready to install all of its talented young forwards like Clayton Keller, Christian Dvorak, Christian Fischer, Max Domi, Brendan Perlini and many others into the lineup. McGinn had little place left. It was rumored he was about to have to switch positions in Arizona. Demers, however, would help with a struggling, yet improving blueline. He should solidify the team’s top two pairings on defense, along with Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Alex Goligoski.

Ryan Carter Announces Retirement

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Give Ryan Carter credit. Around this time last year, it seemed as though the veteran forward’s career was already over. Carter had been unable to secure a guaranteed contract for the 2016-17 season, but was working toward a new deal with the Minnesota Wild by way of a PTO. However, when a nagging shoulder injury – a torn labrum to be exact – ended his attempt, Carter decided that he needed to move forward with surgery and, at 33, did not know if he would play again. Yet, Carter underwent his procedure, rehabbed, and by mid-February, he was back skating with the Wild. Carter ended up playing in 18 games with the AHL’s Iowa Wild and was one of Minnesota’s “black aces” come playoff time, though he never did get to fully make his NHL return.

It took a lot of effort just to get close to a comeback in 2016-17 and another try just wasn’t in the cards for Carter this year. The Athletic’s Michael Russo was the first to report that the ten year veteran has decided to hang up his skates. The Minnesota native can rest easy in retirement, knowing that he got to play his final two NHL seasons with his hometown team and gave it all he had to return for a third. Along the way, the Minnesota State standout also suited up for the Anaheim Ducks from 2006 to 2011 and the New Jersey Devils from 2011 to 2014, with brief stops with the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers in between.

A hard-working, two-way threat, Carter was known more as a defensive specialist best-suited for a bottom-six spot and key penalty killing role than he was a point-producers. Yet, Carter finished his career off strong with a career high 15 points with the Devils in 2012-13 and three more double-digit totals to close out his NHL tenure. Carter will also be remembered for a very strong postseason performance for New Jersey in 2012, nearly matching his regular season production as the team charged to a Stanley Cup final appearance. In total, Carter notched 41 goals and 52 assists in 473 NHL games. While his scoring was far from the pace he exhibited in his college days in Mankato, Carter was still able to provide consistent two-way play, work ethic, and character throughout an NHL career built off of solid bottom-six play.

Kings To Bring In Shane Harper On PTO

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Shane Harper is homeward bound. No, he’s not headed to San Francisco (that was the sequel anyway), but close. The Valencia, California native has agreed to a professional tryout with the Los Angeles Kings, based less than forty miles from his home town. Kings beat writer Jon Rosen reported the deal earlier this afternoon.

While Harper is not exactly a household name, the 28-year-old is officially an NHL veteran after debuting with the Florida Panthers last season.  A high-flying scorer with the WHL’s Everett Silvertips back in 2009-10, Harper signed a three-year entry-level deal with the Philadelphia Flyers to kick off his pro career, but was never given a shot at the highest level in Philly, skating instead with their former affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms, for parts of four seasons. Harper then had to spend two seasons on an AHL contract with the Chicago Wolves before getting another NHL deal, this time with the New York Islanders, after a career best 50-point season. While the Islanders also denied Harper his debut, he caught the eye of the Panthers, who signed him to a one-year deal last summer and called him up for 14 games in 2016-17. Harper potted two goals and added an assist in his brief stint, but also showed some grit and two-way ability. The Panthers traded Harper to the New Jersey Devils on trade deadline day, who did not use him down the stretch and did not show interest in re-signing him. Still, it was a major building block season for an older “prospect” making his NHL debut after logging 398 games and 183 points in the AHL to get there.

Harper joins a loaded list of Kings’ PTO roster candidates and has his work cut out for him facing Andrei Loktionov, a younger and arguably more talented player who has the added benefit of being a former King, and grizzly veterans Brooks Laich and Brandon Prust. However, Harper’s local ties and likely willingness to also play with the AHL’s Ontario Reign, which is only another thirty-odd miles from Valencia, could give him an edge on winning a roster spot. Unlike Loktionov and Prust, Harper has also stuck with the North American game and is comfortable with the role of being an AHL depth player. Harper also just got his first taste of NHL action and is likely eager to return, perhaps bringing more of an edge and work ethic than experienced veterans. For now, Harper is at least an interesting story line to follow this fall as a local boy trying to make his hometown team. However, with some luck, Harper could surely be more than that.

Jack Skille Expected To Sign In KHL

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Running out of time to find an NHL contract before the puck drops on the 2017-18 season, another veteran has taken the quiet off-season as a sign to move on. TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that free agent forward Jack Skille is expected to sign with Dinamo Minsk of the KHL in the coming days. The 30-year-old’s decision to continue his career overseas comes a decade after making his NHL debut in 2007.

Skille was selected #7 overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2005 and made the jump to the NHL two years later after a short stint with the University of Wisconsin. Although Skille has never lived up to his draft slot, the two-way winger has nevertheless found an NHL contract in each of the last ten seasons. After three seasons in Chicago, spent mostly with the AHL’s Rockford Ice Hogs, Skille was traded to the Florida Panthers in 2011 and there developed into a bona fide NHLer. Skille has only played in 22 AHL games since his trade to Florida, instead spending parts of three seasons with the Panthers, two seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and most recently a year apiece with the Colorado Avalanche and Vancouver Canucks. Through 368 NHL games, Skille registered 84 points, including a career-high eight goals with the Avs just two years ago, but made his name not by his offense, but by his grit and toughness, his ability to win battles along the boards, and his quickness and tendency to always be in position to make a defensive play. Skille’s impressive ability to find an NHL gig as a reliable depth player is over for now, but may not be over for good, depending on his play in Europe.

With Minsk, Skille steps into a position where he will be relied on more for offense than any other time in his pro career and could also fill a leadership role. He also won’t be alone in Belarus though; he joins a squad with several NHL veterans such as Rob Klinkhammer, Quinton Howden, Justin Fontaine, Marc-Andre Gragnani, and new starting goalie Jhonas Enroth. The team is set to make some moves this season and Skille adds yet another talented contributor to the mix. If Minsk makes a leap up the standings in 2017-18 with Skille leading the charge in all three zones, there is little doubt that he will again draw interest from NHL teams next summer and beyond as a dependable and versatile depth option.

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