Snapshots: Brassard, Dahlen, Vilardi
With the news that Ottawa is willing to listen on basically everyone except Erik Karlsson and Mark Stone, rumors have swirled around players like Derick Brassard for the last few days. One of the rumored destinations is Columbus, where Brassard played early in his career and who are in need of center help with both Brandon Dubinsky and Alexander Wennberg still out of the lineup. Brassard spoke to George Richards of the Columbus Post-Dispatch about the idea of going back to the Blue Jackets:
Let’s say it this way: I will play hockey anywhere. I have good memories but my job is to play hockey here. I’ll play anywhere. I wouldn’t refuse to go anywhere in the world or anywhere in the east. I have really good memories of playing in Columbus, we had a lot of fun.
Brassard played 309 games in Columbus to start his career, but really came into his own with the New York Rangers before heading to Ottawa. The center has one more year on his deal after this one, which carries a $5MM cap hit. He also has a partial no-trade clause, but it seems like that wouldn’t be a problem for the Senators if they decided to deal him.
- The Vancouver Canucks went after prospect Jonathan Dahlen last trade deadline, and acquired him when they dealt Alex Burrows to the Ottawa Senators. Now other teams in Sweden are after him this year, as he continues his development. Rick Dhaliwal of NEWS 1130 reports that several teams are making a “big push” to bring Dahlen in, likely to give him a chance in the SHL. The 20-year old forward has scored 27 points in 23 games for Timra in the Allsvenskan (Sweden’s second league) and looks ready to take the next step.
- It’s trade season in the OHL, and Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider believes that top prospect Gabe Vilardi is about to be sent to the Kingston Frontenacs. Vilardi was part of the Memorial Cup-winning Windsor Spitfires team last season, but hasn’t yet made his season debut due to injury. With him close to a return, it seems like he’ll be joining the surging Frontenacs.
Minor Transactions: 12/29/17
After another wild night in the NHL that saw the Vegas Golden Knights defeat their division rival Los Angeles Kings to secure top spot in the Pacific and second in the entire league, you can be sure there will be some roster movement. As always, we’ll keep track of all the minor moves throughout the day right here. Make sure to refresh regularly.
- Gabriel Carlsson has been sent back to the minor leagues by the Columbus Blue Jackets, which could signal a return for Zach Werenski. Werenski had been skating as part of the scratch pair for a few days alongside Dean Kukan, who is the other option to enter the lineup in Carlsson’s absence. The Blue Jackets take on the struggling Ottawa Senators tonight.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled Calvin Pickard from the minor leagues, announcing that Curtis McElhinney has a lower-body injury. McElhinney was the backup last night when the Maple Leafs took on the Arizona Coyotes and didn’t enter the game, but was expected to start in the second half of a back-to-back against the Colorado Avalanche tonight. Instead, it seems likely that Pickard will make his Maple Leafs debut against his old team.
- After recording an assist in his return to action for the the Iowa Wild last night, Zach Parise has been recalled by the Minnesota Wild. His conditioning stint was not expected to be very long, but he remains on long-term injured reserve as he continues to work his way back. It’s not clear when he’ll be activated by the Wild, but it was a good step towards recovery yesterday for the veteran forward.
- With Lee Stempniak not ready to go for the Carolina Hurricanes, the team has recalled Lucas Wallmark from the minor leagues. Wallmark played eight games for the club last season, but hasn’t yet suited up this year. In 20 AHL contests, Wallmark has 23 points and continues to prove that he can nearly score at will in the minor leagues.
- Dalton Prout, having cleared waivers, has been assigned to the minor leagues by the New Jersey Devils. Prout could be called back up in case of injury, but for now will need to ply his trade in the minor leagues.
- With Martin Hanzal dealing with a minor injury, the Dallas Stars have recalled Jason Dickinson from the AHL. Dickinson, 22, has played five games for the Stars this season but is still looking for his first point.
- Washington has once again sent Madison Bowey and Jakub Vrana to the minor leagues, but it is likely just a paper transaction. Both players have full-time roles with the Capitals, and are only sent down on off days as a cap saving measure.
Penguins Announce Multiple Roster Moves
A disappointing season for the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins just took another tough turn. The team announced this afternoon that defensemen Kris Letang and Chad Ruhwedel and forward Bryan Rust have all been placed on injured reserve. There had been indications of possible moves such as these earlier in the day when head coach Mike Sullivan stated that Ruhwedel was “week-to-week” with an upper-body injury and Rust was out long-term with an upper-body injury of his own, as well as confirmed that Letang would remain out of the lineup, but the reality of three starters hitting the shelf on the same day could be jarring for Penguins fans.
In corresponding moves, the team has recalled defenseman Andrey Pedan, forward Garrett Wilson, and goaltender Casey DeSmith after previously calling up rearguard Frank Corrado earlier in the day. Pedan could potentially be making his Penguins debut soon after coming over from the Vancouver Canucks this summer in the Derrick Pouliot trade. Between the 6’5″ Pedan and newly-acquired 6’7″ Jamie Oleksiak, the Penguins certainly have some size on the blue line right now. However, with both Letang and Justin Schultz out of the lineup, it will likely be the more offensively-inclined Corrado looked to for a greater impact. Up front, Wilson seems more likely to be an emergency depth option or occasional fourth-line contributor than any sort of replacement for Rust. The 26-year-old has zero points in 34 NHL games. If scoring becomes a problem with both Rust and Letang now sidelined long-term, it could be time for Daniel Sprong to make his much-awaited return to Pittsburgh.
The most interesting impact of these injury moves could be the effect on the trade status of Letang. The All-Star defender’s availability has been a hot topic recently, but these new health concerns added to the career laundry list for the oft-injured defenseman will surely be a factor in talks.
Mark Scheifele Out Six To Eight Weeks
One of the worst things imaginable for Winnipeg Jets fans has happened, as Mark Scheifele will be out six to eight weeks with an upper-body injury. Scheifele suffered the injury last night when he crashed hard into the boards against the Edmonton Oilers and had to leave the game. He’s been placed on injured reserve already.
With the Jets success this season Scheifele has started to shed his extremely underrated reputation and get some league-wide recognition as one of the very best centers in the league. With 38 points in 38 games he is a huge part of the Jets offensive attack, and plays nearly 21 minutes a night for the club. In his absence the Jets will at least temporarily move Blake Wheeler to the middle, but that’s taking their captain away from his best position and the place where he’s racked up 42 points this season.
The Jets do have depth down the middle, with Adam Lowry, Bryan Little and Mathieu Perreault all capable players that can move up and down a lineup. But without Scheifele, the team’s claim to the top of the Central Division might be hard to make. They currently sit just one point behind the Nashville Predators and two points out of the top seed in the Western Conference, but will have to find some new offensive contributors for the next two months.
One player who could see some additional time is Joel Armia, who scored two goals last night and has yet to really show the powerful presence that made him the 16th-overall selection in 2011. Easily on pace to set a career-high in points and goals already this season, he’s earned himself more ice time of late and is putting up the best possession numbers of his career. As always, one player’s injury is another’s opportunity—perhaps Armia can take advantage.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Latest On Kris Letang Trade Rumors
After Kris Letang‘s name was brought up recently, trade speculation has run rampant. When Letang missed practice before Pittsburgh’s latest game, wild rumors were circulating about a potential deal. Turns out Letang is just out with an injury and is still part of the Penguins organization, but that might not be true in a few months. Matt Gajtka of DK Pittsburgh Sports cites an industry source that tells him Letang is “definitely” available in trade talks, though it’s not clear who those talks would be with.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet discussed a Letang trade and the potential hurdles that would come with it in his latest 31 Thoughts column, and it does still seem like a far-fetched scenario. Letang has been a huge part of the Penguins for quite some time, but perhaps more importantly carries a $7.25MM cap hit and has an extensive injury history that isn’t something any team would take on without a thorough look into his current health. It’s not as if he’s just dealt with broken bones—Letang has had concussion problems, neck injuries and even suffered a stroke in 2014 because of a congenital heart defect.
Still, the rumors persist as the Penguins continue their fight in the Metropolitan Division. Without Letang, they battled back to win an overtime game against the rival Columbus Blue Jackets last night, putting them three points ahead of Philadelphia for last in the division but just eight out of first. If there is any team that believes it can make a second half turnaround, why wouldn’t it be the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions.
GM Jim Rutherford has been candid in his belief that a “big splash” might be needed to turn things around, and any Letang deal would certainly qualify. If Gajtka’s source is correct, and the 30-year old defenseman’s name is being bandied about in negotiations, the entire pool might be emptied with the size of that cannonball.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Minor Transactions: 12/28/17
The roster freeze is over and we’re on to the next part of the season. With the trade deadline less than two months away, rumors and speculation will begin to heat up around the league. We’ll be here to sort through all the noise and bring you the most accurate, reliable information. Like always, we’ll also keep track of all the minor transactions of the day.
- The New York Rangers have recalled Vinni Lettieri from the AHL, perhaps due to the injury Chris Kreider suffered last night. Kreider didn’t come back to the bench for the second period, and is out with an upper-body injury. Lettieri, 22, was signed out of the University of Minnesota last season and would be making his NHL debut if he gets into a game. Lettieri has 21 points in 31 games for the Hartford Wolf Pack this season, and can play both center and wing.
- The Minnesota wild have officially sent Zach Parise down to the minors for his conditioning stint. We heard yesterday that it might just be for one day, while the Iowa Wild play Rockford.
- The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled defenseman Frank Corrado, after going without Kris Letang last night. The Penguins would end up winning the game in a shootout, but had to play with just five defenseman after Chad Ruhwedel left the game early. Corrado could get a chance right away with the Penguins heading to Carolina for a game tomorrow night.
- With Johnny Boychuk headed to injured reserve, the New York Islanders have recalled Sebastian Aho from the minor leagues. No, not the forward who stars in Carolina but the defenseman who was a fifth-round pick in June. Aho was passed over in three drafts before finally being taken, and has made an immediate impact for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers this season with 20 points in 29 games. The smooth-skating, undersized defenseman would be making his NHL debut if he makes it into the lineup.
- As expected when he was claimed back off waivers, Nathan Walker has been assigned to the minor leagues by the Washington Capitals. Walker spent some time in the Edmonton Oilers organization, but is now back with the Hershey Bears where he has made such an impact over the last few years.
- The Colorado Avalanche have recalled Andrei Mironov from the minor leagues in time for their game tomorrow against the Maple Leafs. The team had just six defensemen up with the club, but will now have another option should one be fighting a minor injury.
- Arizona, Toronto’s opponent tonight, also recalled Mario Kempe ahead of their matchup. Kempe has played 18 games with the Coyotes this season in his return to North American hockey, scoring four points. The 29-year old has spent the last three years in the KHL.
Chris Kreider Pulled After First Period With Upper-Body Injury
10:05pm: Exhale, Rangers fans. Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports that it is an upper-body injury for Kreider, and that there will be an update tomorrow on his status.
8:36pm: The rumor mill is in full swing as we near the end of the holiday roster freeze, and it centers on New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider. After playing the first period tonight against the Washington Capitals, the team announced that he would not return to the game. No injury was listed for Kreider, and there was nothing apparent during the game. The trade freeze is lifted at 12:00am ET tonight, though it obviously could still be an injury or illness that’s keeping him out.
Kreider, 26, doesn’t seem like a prime trade candidate after another successful start to his season. After setting career highs with 28 goals and 53 points last season, Kreider has 22 points through 36 games and is logging nearly 16 minutes a night.
Still under contract for two more seasons at a cap hit of $4.625MM, he’s an affordable piece that interestingly does not have any trade protection. Whether it is due to injury or a transaction, losing Kreider for any length of time would put a lot of stress on a Rangers team that is stuck in the middle of the competitive Metropolitan Division.
Injury Notes: Barrie, Kesler, Parise
Tyson Barrie will be out four to six weeks with a hand injury according to Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar, a huge loss for the team as they look to stay competitive in the Western Conference. Barrie was off to a great offensive start this year, recording 27 points through his first 34 games while once again logging more than 21 minutes.
In his absence, Bednar explained that Erik Johnson and Samuel Girard will take most of the powerplay time, though it will be tough to fill Barrie’s shoes with the man advantage. The 26-year old already had 10 powerplay assists on the season, the third time already in his career he’s hit double digits.
- Ryan Kesler will be back on the ice for the Anaheim Ducks tonight, his first game of the season after undergoing hip surgery in the summer. Kesler is a huge part of the Ducks’ two-way game when healthy and playing his best, and should give the team a boost up front. With Ryan Getzlaf back already, and added depth in Adam Henrique, the Ducks are a team to watch in the second half.
- Zach Parise is headed to the minor leagues, if just for a day. The Minnesota Wild forward will play in an AHL contest Thursday as part of a conditioning stint which Michael Russo of The Athletic reports won’t be for very long. Parise is another veteran forward who hasn’t played at all this season, and would be a welcome sight in the Minnesota locker room.
Minor Transactions: 12/27/17
As the NHL gets back to its regularly scheduled programming today, league rosters will start to thaw after the holiday season. At 12:00am on December 28th, teams will be once again allowed to trade, waive and loan any player on the active roster. For now, we’ll have to make do with recalls from the minor leagues.
- Yesterday, the Columbus Blue Jackets made several transactions in order to deal with the injuries to Cam Atkinson and Alexander Wennberg. Both veteran forwards were placed on injured reserve, while recalling Tyler Motte and Dean Kukan. Sonny Milano and Jordan Schroeder are both also up on emergency recall.
- The Arizona Coyotes recalled Lawson Crouse last night, likely to fill in for a potential suspended Zac Rinaldo. Rinaldo was offered an in-person hearing with the league but declined, and could face a suspension of at least five games for his punch of Samuel Girard.
- The Philadelphia Flyers meanwhile loaned goaltender Alex Lyon back to the minor leagues while activating Michal Neuvirth from injured reserve. Neuvirth hasn’t played a game in a month with a leg injury, but will try to continue the solid start he’d been having before going down.
- The Montreal Canadiens have recalled Brett Lernout from the AHL, and will bring him along on their three-game road trip. Lernout played in his first game of the season for the Canadiens just before Christmas, and will remain an option for Montreal while Shea Weber is with a foot injury and David Schlemko deals with the flu.
- Ottawa has brought Ben Harpur back up from the minor leagues, giving them a seventh defenseman once again now that games have resumed. Harpur has played 14 games for the Senators this season, recording a single point.
- Los Angeles has recalled Kevin Gravel after just a few days in the minor leagues. While Christian Folin is slowly working his way back from injury, he won’t be able to suit up just yet. Gravel hasn’t yet played for the Kings this season, after getting into 49 games last year.
Cam Atkinson, Alexander Wennberg Out Four To Six Weeks
The Columbus Blue Jackets are not having a good holiday season. Brian Hedger of NHL.com confirms that both Cam Atkinson and Alexander Wennberg will miss four to six weeks due to injury. Atkinson’s foot was broken by a Seth Jones shot, while Wennberg will miss time with a back injury.
The news couldn’t come at a worse time for the Blue Jackets, who go on the road for eight of their next 12 games and are trying to fight to stay relevant in the Metropolitan. With the entire division separated by just nine points, losing two of your best forwards for a six week stretch can be devastating. Luckily—if you can call it that—Wennberg and Atkinson had already been struggling this season, forcing other young players to step up offensively.
Last season saw the pair lead the Blue Jackets in almost every offensive category, with Atkinson scoring 35 goals and Wennberg recording 46 assists. They finished with 62 and 59 points respectively, and were deadly threats on the powerplay all season. This year, has been a little different.
The two have combined for just 29 points all season, and were a big part of the Blue Jackets early struggles on the powerplay. While in their offensive funk, the team turned to others like Pierre-Luc Dubois and Oliver Bjorkstrand to lead the way and will now have to again. With Brandon Dubinsky still out with a broken orbital bone, even more pressure will be placed on the young Dubois who has quickly gone from roster afterthought to first-line center.
It will be interesting to see if the Blue Jackets are forced to make a move to help their center group, or if they turn to players like Sonny Milano and Tyler Motte to try and plug the holes. With Artemi Panarin looking like himself again—15 points in his last 12 games—there could be enough offense to still carry the team for the time being.