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Mackenzie Blackwood Not Expected To Receive Qualifying Offer

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It wasn’t so long ago that Mackenzie Blackwood was considered an up-and-coming star goaltender for the New Jersey Devils. He was in the conversation for the Canadian Olympic team (before the NHL pulled out), finished sixth in a loaded Calder Trophy race, and earned himself a tidy three-year, $8.4MM extension following his first full season at the highest level.

Now, just a few years later, it appears the Devils will cut him loose.

Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff writes that Blackwood, a pending RFA, is “far and away the most likely player to not be issued a qualifying offer this spring.” He explains that while there’s a chance the Devils trade his rights to a team that wants to take a chance at rebuilding him, “every team knows [Blackwood] is set to become a UFA otherwise.”

That shouldn’t be a surprise, given the string of injuries and poor performances over the last few seasons. Combine that inconsistency with the fact that qualifying him would require a $3.36MM price tag, and you can see why the Devils would decide to move in a different direction.

It’s not like New Jersey has much room for him, anyway. Not only did they trade for and sign Vitek Vanecek, but Akira Schmid has also emerged as a potential star, and Nico Daws remains in the system as another highly-touted prospect. Even if Blackwood played well, there would be a goalie crunch for the Devils that likely ends with him playing somewhere else.

Still, if Seravalli is right and Blackwood hits the unrestricted free agent market this summer, he will be an interesting target for some teams. Just 26, there is a world where he bounces back and can become a legitimate NHL starter again. Given how cheap he’ll likely come in free agency, it may be a worthwhile gamble for clubs trying to find an answer in net.

Oilers Notes: Yamamoto, Bouchard, Ryan, Free Agency

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After a disappointingly early playoff exit, the Edmonton Oilers are headed into another pivotal offseason. Desperate to build a Stanley Cup contender around the team’s two all-world talents, the Oilers don’t have a ton of cap space to add reinforcements to their roster, so they’ll need to get creative in finding ways to support their existing stars. One avenue the team could go down is moving a player taking up a decent amount of cap space, namely 2017 first-round pick Kailer Yamamoto. The 24-year-old is set to make $3.1MM against the cap next season yet provided the Oilers with just 25 points in 58 games this season.

The Athletic’s Daniel Nugent-Bowman reports that the Oilers are “leaning toward moving” Yamamoto and are hoping they can find a team willing to acquire the player “without the Oilers having to retain salary or offer a sweetener.” (subscription link) Yamamoto did manage 20 goals and 41 points last season, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility that a team would have interest in him as a bounce-back candidate. In the case that trade interest does not materialize, though, Nugent-Bowman does note that the Oilers “appear open to buying out Yamamoto,” a move that would save them $2.6MM this season at the cost of $533k in dead cap next summer.

Some other notes regarding the Oilers:

  • One of the significant reasons the team would likely hope to create some cap space via a Yamamoto departure would be to clear room for contract extensions for the Oilers’ top restricted free agent: defenseman Evan Bouchard. The 23-year-old 2018 10th overall pick has hit 40 points in each of the last two seasons and is coming off of an extremely productive playoff run that saw him post 17 points in just 12 games. Nugent-Bowman writes that the Oilers are likely to pursue a bridge contract with Bouchard, as “anything more than two years appears unlikely.” Noah Dobson, another 2018 top pick, had comparable scoring numbers to Bouchard last summer and secured a three-year, $4MM AAV pact. That could be a deal used as a reference point for these negotiations.
  • 36-year-old veteran center Derek Ryan performed admirably as the Oilers’ fourth-line center this past season, scoring 13 goals and 20 points in 80 games while contributing to his team’s penalty kill. Nugent-Bowman reports that “there is mutual interest in Ryan returning to the Oilers,” and that “it’s hard to see how something isn’t figured out there” to bring the 500-game NHL veteran back to Edmonton. Such a move would provide valuable continuity to the Oilers’ bottom-six, while also serving as a nice reward for Ryan’s hard work.
  • While the Oilers have made significant early free-agency investments in recent years, specifically in the signings of Jack Campbell and Zach Hyman, don’t expect a similar move by the time the free agent frenzy comes around later this summer. Nugent-Bowman reports that there will “be no Zach Hyman-type offer issued to anyone” at the start of free agency and that it’s far more likely that the Oilers will target an “undervalued or underperforming young player” who they can add on a cheap contract, or a “bargain bin” veteran talent who can be the right fit for a specific role in head coach Jay Woodcroft’s plans at an affordable cap hit.

Hurricanes Notes: UFAs, Noesen, Svechnikov

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The Carolina Hurricanes had one of the most shocking playoff exits in recent memory, swept out of the playoffs by the Florida Panthers after dropping just three games in the first two rounds combined. The combination of key injuries and some outstanding performances from star Panthers left them searching for answers again.

Now, with free agency right around the corner, news poured out of the Hurricanes’ locker cleanout day:

  • It started with captain Jordan Staal, who explained that he doesn’t plan to play anywhere but Carolina next season. The pending UFA will be 35 before the 2023-24 campaign kicks off, but loves being a Hurricane and wants to come back. He even went so far as to say that he wants to finish his career in Carolina.
  • Frederik Andersen, a pending free agent, also wants to return. That’s his “priority” as the two-year deal he signed in 2021 comes to an end. Both Andersen and fellow veteran goaltender Antti Raanta are set to hit the open market, while Pyotr Kochetkov’s new four-year deal kicks in.
  • There was also some injury news, though, with Stefan Noesen explaining that he suffered a grade three shoulder separation. Fortunately, it isn’t expected to require surgery, meaning he’ll be ready for the start of next year. Noesen, 30, finally found a home in Carolina, scoring 13 goals and 36 points in 78 games.
  • Andrei Svechnikov, who had to watch the entire playoff run after suffering a serious knee injury, was optimistic about his recovery timeline and told reporters he’d be on the ice in a month. His absence was certainly felt in the Florida series, after scoring 23 goals and 55 points in 64 games this season.

Ottawa Senators Sign Nikolas Matinpalo To ELC

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The Ottawa Senators have made a free-agent addition to their defensive lineup, announcing the signing of Finnish defenseman Nikolas Matinpalo to a one-year, entry-level contract. Per PuckPedia, Matinpalo’s deal carries a $855,000 cap hit which includes $800,000 base salary and an $85,000 signing bonus. He’ll earn a salary of $80,000 while in the minors.

During the 2022-23 season, Matinpalo recorded 16 points, including seven goals and nine assists, in 51 regular-season games with Ässät of the Finnish Liiga. Those were all career-highs for Matinpalo, 24, as he’s emerged as a highly-valued shutdown defender in Finnish circles.

Senators general manager Pierre Dorion expressed his enthusiasm for the acquisition in a statement:

Nikolas’ signing represents a good depth addition for us on defense. He took a big step this past season in improving his overall game in a short period of time. He has size, reach, and an active stick. He’s also a very good puck mover who competes and plays with urgency, which has helped him become a reliable defender.

Born in Espoo, Finland, Matinpalo entered the international stage this year, representing his country for the first time at the 2023 IIHF Men’s World Championship. In seven games played thus far, he has recorded three points, including one goal and two assists, helping Finland advance to the quarterfinals.

Matinpalo is the second undrafted free agent signing out of Europe for the Senators this offseason. The team signed 26-year-old Czech forward Jiří Smejkal earlier this month.

A right-shot defender, Matinpalo will be competing with younger names like Jacob Bernard-Docker and Lassi Thomson to crack Ottawa’s roster next year. The 6-foot-3, 207-pound defender certainly has a size advantage over both of them, but it remains to be seen whether Matinpalo can be proficient enough offensively to avoid becoming a liability at the NHL level.

Lukáš Sedlák Signs Multi-Year Extension In Czechia

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After making a short-lived attempt at an NHL return earlier this season, veteran Czech forward Lukáš Sedlák has signed a five-year contract extension with HC Dynamo Pardubice in the country’s top league, as announced today.

Sedlák played for three different teams in two different leagues in 2022-23. The 30-year-old forward signed a one-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche in free agency but played just three games before the team placed him on waivers on October 18, 2022. The Philadelphia Flyers claimed him the following day, where he recorded eight points in 27 games over two months before mutually terminating his contract with the team. This paved the way for him to play professionally in his home country for the first time, where he excelled down the stretch with 27 points in 24 games.

Sedlák had previously spent three seasons in the NHL with the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2016 to 2019. However, after seeing his ice time and role steadily decrease, Sedlák headed overseas for the 2019-20 campaign, beginning a successful three-year stint with the KHL’s Traktor Chelyabinsk.

Now, Sedlák will likely play out the remainder of his career at home. He hasn’t played in a Czech league since his draft year, splitting time between the Czech U18 and U20 levels in 2010-11. He played in North America from then onwards, including two seasons in the QMJHL and three in the AHL before earning his full-time opportunity with Columbus.

In a translated statement, Sedlák expressed excitement about the opportunity:

I am very happy for the [past] six months in Pardubice and I am glad that I can continue here. I think that we got on very well with the people in the cabin and around, and I hope that we will continue our cooperation, work even better and achieve some successes. I hope to restore the confidence of the management and at the same time meet the expectations of the fans, fulfill what they expect from me and be an important part of the team. Wearing the Pardubice jersey is unreal. The way hockey fans live and push us forward exceeded all my expectations. It’s great for us players that we can rely on them every game.

Pardubice also agreed on five-year contract extensions with former Vegas Golden Knights forward Tomáš Hyka and netminder Roman Will, who appeared in one game with the Colorado Avalanche in the 2015-16 season.

Barring a very unexpected return, Sedlák wraps up his NHL career with 18 goals, 17 assists, 35 points, and a +6 rating in 192 games. He’s currently representing Czechia at the 2023 IIHF Men’s World Championship.

Matt Tomkins Terminates SHL Contract, Expected To Sign NHL Deal

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Former Blackhawks prospect Matt Tomkins decided back in 2021 that it was time to try his hand at playing overseas.  However, he didn’t lose his desire to try to play in the NHL and it appears he’ll get another chance at that opportunity as Farjestad of the SHL announced that the netminder has terminated the final year of his deal with them and is expected to sign an NHL contract with an undisclosed team for next season.

The 28-year-old was a seventh-round pick by Chicago back in 2012 and spent four years in their system, never advancing past the AHL level where he had a 3.35 GAA and a .896 SV% in 36 contests.  After his contract expired following the 2020-21 campaign, he went overseas, a decision that worked out well for him.

In 2021-22, Tomkins earned a spot on Canada’s roster for the Olympics where he got into three games before serving as their third-string goalie at the Worlds, making one appearance.  Those opportunities came on the heels of a strong season with Frolunda where he had a 2.46 GAA and a .908 SV% in 33 games.  This past season with Farjestad, his numbers were quite similar, checking in at 2.53 and .911, respectively while splitting time with Maple Leafs prospect Dennis Hildeby.

Considering his track record thus far, it seems reasonable to suggest that Tomkins will be getting a two-way contract wherever he winds up signing.  It’s unlikely that he’ll be in the mix for an NHL roster spot in training camp but if he can lock down a regular role in the minors, he could play himself into the recall mix when injuries arise.  That opportunity appears to be too good for him to pass up on, even if it means leaving what would have been a strong situation with Farjestad where he was in line to be the full-fledged starter with Hildeby leaving for North America early last month.

Canadiens UFA Frederic Allard Signs In Sweden

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Rather than see what might come up in free agency this summer, Canadiens pending UFA defenseman Frederic Allard has found his next team as Lulea of the SHL announced that they’ve signed the rearguard to a two-year contract.

The 25-year-old played in three games with Montreal this season after being acquired from Los Angeles at the trade deadline in exchange for AHL forward Nate Schnarr.  However, Allard only has one other NHL appearance under his belt, that coming back in 2021 with Nashville, the team that drafted him in the third round back in 2016.

For the majority of his pro career, Allard has played at the AHL level, getting into 297 games over six seasons with affiliates of the Predators, Kings, and Canadiens.  Over that stretch, he has 23 goals and 91 assists along with 114 penalty minutes while chipping in with three goals and three helpers in 11 playoff contests.

While Allard certainly would have had NHL offers this summer, they almost certainly would have been of the two-way variety with an eye on him continuing to play in the minors.  Instead, he’s decided that it’s time for a change and will try his hand overseas.  As he has not played in enough AHL contests to qualify for full veteran status, there should be interest in Allard down the road if he decides to give it another go at some point in North America.

Ottawa Senators Sign Jiří Smejkal To Entry-Level Contract

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The Ottawa Senators announced the signing of undrafted Czech forward Jiří Smejkal to a one-year, entry-level contract Friday morning. The 26-year-old, who spent the last seven seasons playing in top professional leagues around Europe, brings an intriguing mix of size and skill to the Senators organization.

Smejkal, who stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 223 pounds, could crack the Senators’ bottom six out of training camp next season. In the release announcing the news, general manager Pierre Dorion expressed excitement about the impact Smejkal could have on the team.

Jiří’s signing is a good addition for us; it improves our depth and provides us with an additional bottom-six option at forward. He’s a big body who’s strong with previous experience playing in North America which should help his transition to a rink with smaller dimensions. We’re pleased that he’s committed to the Senators for the next step in his career.

The North American experience Dorion is referencing came in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons, when Smejkal played junior hockey with the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors and Kamloops Blazers. In 130 games, he recorded 17 goals and 42 assists for 59 points, 102 penalty minutes, and a -25 rating.

In the past two seasons, Smekjal was a standout performer in the Finnish Liiga with Pelicans and in the SHL with IK Oskarshamn, where he recorded a combined 48 goals and 40 assists for 93 points across the two leagues. He also represented Czechia at the 2021 and 2022 IIHF Men’s World Championships, registering three goals and four assists in 18 games.

While Smejkal’s recent goal-scoring production is impressive, his size and physicality could be even more valuable to the Senators in a checking role. With his ability to play a power-forward style of game, he could provide a needed presence in front of the net and in board battles. His point production overseas suggests he’ll bring enough offensive IQ to avoid being a liability on the ice.

Smejkal, who can play left wing and center, is a classic low-risk, high-reward acquisition, especially at a one-year term. Per CapFriendly, Smejkal will be an unrestricted free agent in 2024.

Florida Panthers Sign Uvis Balinskis

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The Florida Panthers have made an interesting free agent addition, signing Uvis Balinskis to a one-year entry-level contract. The deal is for the 2023-24 season, since he would not be eligible to play for them this year.

General manager Bill Zito released the following:

Uvis is a productive defenseman who has proven his impressive two-way skillset at an elite level in Europe. We look forward having a player of his caliber in our system.

Balinskis, 26, has been linked to the NHL for years now. In 2017, when Dan Milstein was hired as his agent, he said that the “NHL is next” for the Latvian defenseman after an impressive performance at the World Championships.

A contract in North America never materialized, and he kept playing in the KHL and then the Czech pro league for the next several years. While suiting up for Liberec Bili Tygri HC this season, he scored 35 points in 50 games. He also took part in the Olympics last year for Latvia, and is a very experienced puck-mover.

Whether he can crack an NHL lineup remains to be seen. The undersized defenseman will have his work cut out for him, though there will be some opportunity in Florida. Radko Gudas, Anthony Bitetto, and Marc Staal are all scheduled for unrestricted free agency, impacting the team’s depth chart.

It seems like a longshot, although it is a very low-risk one. The Panthers will lose a contract slot and a few hundred thousand dollars for the chance to see if Balinskis can make a smooth transition to North America.

The Unleashed 2023: Potential Group VI Unrestricted Free Agents

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Though most players have to wait until after their 27th birthday to become an unrestricted free agent, able to sign with any team in the league without compensation, there are a few other ways to get to the open market. Players that complete seven full seasons in the NHL are eligible for UFA status, as are restricted free agents that do not receive qualifying offers.

There is another way, however, offered to those players who don’t get many opportunities in the NHL but have put in several years at the professional level: Group VI unrestricted free agency.

Earlier today, CapFriendly compiled a complete list of players on track to become free agents through this category. To refresh your memory on how a player qualifies for Group VI free agency, they must meet three requirements:

  1. The player is 25 years or older (as of June 30th of the calendar year the contract is expiring).
  2. The player has completed three (3) or more professional seasons – qualified by 11 or more professional games (for an 18/19-year-old player), or one (1) or more professional games (for a player aged 20 or older). This can include NHL, minor league, and European professional league seasons played while under an SPC.
  3. The player has played fewer than 80 NHL games, or 28 NHL games of 30 minutes or greater for a goaltender. This games played requirement is subject to pro-rating due to the shortened 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.

The entire list of players at risk can be found below, but make sure you check out CapFriendly for more detailed information on how they could avoid the designation this summer.

Anaheim Ducks

Olli Juolevi
Justin Kirkland

Arizona Coyotes

Bokondji Imama
Connor Mackey

Boston Bruins

Jack Ahcan
Matt Filipe**
Joona Koppanen
Nick Wolff

Buffalo Sabres

Joseph Cecconi
Austin Strand
Jeremy Davies

Calgary Flames

Matthew Phillips
Nicolas Meloche
Kristians Rubins

Carolina Hurricanes

Maxime Lajoie*
Jack Dugan
Zachary Sawchenko

Chicago Blackhawks

(none)

Colorado Avalanche

Mikhail Maltsev*

Columbus Blue Jackets

Joona Luoto
Justin Richards
Lane Pederson*

Dallas Stars

Riley Tufte
Ryan Shea
Fredrik Karlstrom
Ben Gleason
Dylan Wells

Detroit Red Wings

Chase Pearson
Victor Brattstrom

Edmonton Oilers

Cam Dineen
Tyler Benson

Florida Panthers

Casey Fitzgerald*
Henry Bowlby
Connor Bunnaman
Lucas Carlsson*

Los Angeles Kings

(none)

Minnesota Wild

Mitchell Chaffee

Montreal Canadiens

Otto Leskinen
Anthony Richard
Frederic Allard

Nashville Predators

Austin Rueschhoff
Devin Cooley

New Jersey Devils

(none)

New York Islanders

Parker Wotherspoon

New York Rangers

Timothy Gettinger
Wyatt Kalynuk
William Lockwood

Ottawa Senators

(none)

Philadelphia Flyers

Jackson Cates

Pittsburgh Penguins

Drew O’Connor*

San Jose Sharks

Nikolai Knyzhov*
Jeffrey Viel

Seattle Kraken

Alexander True
Carsen Twarynski
Joey Daccord*

St. Louis Blues

(none)

Tampa Bay Lightning

Michael Eyssimont
Sean Day

Toronto Maple Leafs

Erik Kallgren*

Vancouver Canucks

Noah Juulsen*

Vegas Golden Knights

(none)

Washington Capitals

Garrett Pilon

Winnipeg Jets

Axel Jonsson Fjallby*
Mikhail Berdin

*Indicates that the player could technically still play enough games this season to become ineligible for Group VI free agency, though in some cases this will be impossible because of injury.

**If Filipe does not play a game in 2022-23, he will not have the three professional seasons and will not qualify for Group VI status.

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