NHL Snapshots: Wilson, Gelinas, Quick, Patrick, Ekman-Larsson
Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson could be hearing from the Department of Player Safety again after boarding St. Louis Blues’ Samuel Blais during the Capitals final preseason game on Sunday. The 23-year-old wing, known for his physicality, just served a two-game suspension during the preseason for interference on St. Louis’ Robert Thomas on Sept. 23.
According to Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post, the hit is already reviewing the incident and the penalty could be much harsher this time as Wilson will no be categorized as a repeat offender. Wilson is no stranger to the penalty box, having spent 619 minutes of his four year career there, including 133 a year ago.
The scribe adds that if he does get suspended, the team could find itself in a bind financially as they might not have enough cap space to recall another player. Another complication for the Department of Player Safety is that the game wasn’t televised by either team, but the belief is they can get the footage from someone who filmed it. However, a lack of camera angles might stand in the way of the department being able to get a good look at the hit.
- The Montreal Canadiens announced on their website that defenseman Eric Gelinas has agreed to terms to sign a one-year, one-way contract with the Laval Rocket of the AHL. Gelinas, who attended the Canadiens’ camp on a PTO, scored one goal and four penalty minutes in three preseason games. The 26-year-old blueliner played 27 games for the Colorado Avalanche last season, putting up one assist. He also played 27 games for the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage, where he had three goals and nine assists.
- With health being the Los Angeles Kings’ primary concern, Los Angeles Times’ Curtis Zupke writes the team will be monitoring goaltender Jonathan Quick more this season. Coming off a major groin injury a year ago in the season opener, the team wants to manage his game schedule better this year as he also suffered a groin injury back in 2013. At 31, the team will need to rely on backup Darcy Kuemper just a bit more.
- The Philadelphia Flyers tweeted that general manager Ron Hextall announced that 2017 first-overall pick Nolan Patrick and defenseman Robert Hagg both made the team out of training camp. Patrick had three assists in six preseason games, while Hagg was scoreless in five games.
- Dave Vest of NHL.com writes that Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who has been been hampered with a lower body injury since early in camp, skated the entire practice with partner Niklas Hjalmarsson, which Vest says is a good sign he will be ready for the regular season opener on Thursday. As for Antti Raanta, who has also played little as he is recovering from a lower body injury, did practice, but still needs more time. If he is not ready for Thursday’s game, Louis Domingue will start in his place.
Atlantic Notes: Sergachev, Chara, Kronwall
Mikhail Sergachev has done everything that he can do on the ice. Now it’s a question of whether Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper plans to keep the 19-year-old on their roster or send him back for another year of juniors. The 6-foot-3 top-prospect defenseman, who came over to the Lightning this offseason as the key piece in the Jonathan Drouin trade, must wait until Tampa Bay brass finalizes their roster, according to Tampa Bay Times’ Joe Smith.
The scribe writes that Sergachev has played major minutes in four preseason games so far as the team scrutinizes whether they plan to keep him. Smith believes that evaluation will continue for the first nine games of the season, the most that Sergachev can play in the NHL before his entry-level contract kicks in and begins his NHL service time. Whether the team keeps him from that point on is up in the air.
Jaromir Jagr Talking With Three NHL Teams
According to Andy Strickland of FOX Sports, Jaromir Jagr is currently in talks with three NHL teams. There had been rumors that Jagr would suit up for Kladno, his Czech team this weekend, but those were dispelled by the man himself saying that he was still talking to NHL teams that wouldn’t want him to risk injury. Whether that means a deal is on the table or not is unclear, but teams like St. Louis—who recently admitted they had discussed Jagr previously—could be getting closer to a contract.
The 45-year old winger has been the story of the offseason, unsigned despite another successful season in 2016-17. Though he’s not the 100-point powerhouse he once was, 46 points in the face of the lowest shooting percentage of his career is still good enough for most teams. He’s always been an elite possession player, able to protect the puck down-low better than almost anyone in the history of the sport. His game is slow and methodical, and though that’s clearly not where the NHL is headed it still works for him and the right kind of linemates.
It’s clear that Jagr wouldn’t settle for a professional tryout, but it also isn’t out of the question to get him for a reasonable amount. In 2013 he signed a one-year deal with only $2MM in salary and $2MM in performance bonuses, an easy number to insert into nearly any cap structure. He rewarded the New Jersey Devils with a 67-point season and some Hart Trophy votes. That is extremely unlikely to happen again, but a performance-based contract still represents little risk.
Poll: How Should The Blues Deal With Their Injury Woes?
The St. Louis Blues have been ravaged by injury already this preseason, with no fewer than five key players out long term. Robby Fabbri, Patrik Berglund, Zachary Sanford, Alex Steen and Jay Bouwmeester are all out somewhere between weeks and months, and each was supposed to play a big role on the team this year. So, while discussing Fabbri’s season-ending knee injury at a press conference earlier today, GM Doug Armstrong was asked about the possibility of signing free agent Jaromir Jagr.
He’s a great player, certainly someone we’ve talked about internally as with a number of players. We’re going to have to really dig deep into how our style of play is, and what type of players can come in and compliment that style.
Armstrong was clear he wouldn’t rush to a conclusion, but did reiterate that since the plan he set forth on July 1st, he’s lost nearly a third of his penciled-in roster. That would suggest that a move will have to come to get better, even if it is simply bringing in a young player from inside their own organization.
So what do you think the Blues should do? Should they go after a free agent like Jagr to compliment what is left, make a trade to try and shore up the roster, or rely on some of their young guns to fill in until help arrives healthy. Make sure to leave your comments below!
What should the Blues do to help their injury woes?
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Sign a free agent (Jagr, Gionta) 42% (267)
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Rely on youth (Kostin, Barbashev) 33% (213)
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Make a trade (Anderson, Duchene) 23% (146)
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Other 2% (16)
Total votes: 642
[Mobile users click here to vote!]
Jaromir Jagr “Discussed Internally” By St. Louis
At a press conference to discuss Robby Fabbri‘s season-ending knee injury, St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong was asked about the potential of Jaromir Jagr being signed to help the team up front. The Blues now have several forwards out long-term, and will have to put a lot of pressure on their young players at this point.
In response to the Jagr question, Armstrong said that management had discussed that possibility internally, and that they’d need to take a look at their style of play and see if there could be a fit.
A.J. Greer Out Indefinitely With Concussion
The Colorado Avalanche were dealt an injury blow today when the team announced to reporters that A.J. Greer suffered a concussion and will be out indefinitely. Adrian Dater of BSN Denver had noticed Greer wasn’t at practice, and filled us in afterwards with the news. It’s not Greer’s first injury this training camp, as he’d previously dealt with a hand injury and lacerated lip.
While there is no timetable as of yet, it’s a tough way for Greer to start what was expected to be a big season for him. The 20-year old was penciled into the lineup after impressing at the minor league level and in a short call-up last year, and has all the talent to contribute right away. His size and nose for the net allowed him to score 15 goals last year as an AHL rookie, after leaving Boston University early the year prior.
The Avalanche aren’t expected to compete for the Stanley Cup this year, but players like Greer, J.T. Compher and Mikko Rantanen have things headed in the right direction. The youth of the team up front is impressive, and they could easily climb out of the very bottom of the standings should someone break out. We’ll keep an eye on whether Greer is able to bounce back from this concussion quickly, or whether it lingers and holds him out of the lineup long-term.
Morning Notes: Karlsson, Sanford, Rooney
Erik Karlsson is the key to the Ottawa Senators, and with him still nursing an injury the team may get off to a rough start. Emily Sadler of Sportsnet broke down a Pierre Dorion interview, in which the Senators’ GM talks about a hopeful October return for the team captain.
If Karlsson doesn’t get back into the lineup quickly, the Senators will have to rely on other players to step up into a bigger role. One of the possibilities is Thomas Chabot, who has impressed in camp and looks about as ready as you can be to jump into the NHL. Chabot, one of the premiere prospects in the entire league, plays a different game than Karlsson and is left-handed, but has had a positive impact almost every time he’s touched the ice. The Senators play a very structured defensive system, and if he can familiarize himself quickly he could be an elite possession player right away.
- Zach Sanford underwent successful surgery on his shoulder yesterday, and will be out the expected five to six months. Blues fans had hoped Sanford would push for a full-time spot this season after coming over from the Washington Capitals in the Kevin Shattenkirk deal, but will be out for most of the season after dislocating his shoulder this summer. The 22-year old scored five points in 13 games down the stretch for the Blues, but will have to fight to get back into the lineup in 2018.
- The New Jersey Devils have recalled Kevin Rooney from Binghamton, in what was essentially a paper transaction. Though Rooney was sent down yesterday, he never actually left camp and will likely suit up for the Devils tonight against the Washington Capitals. He won’t crack the opening day roster, but there is potential for Rooney to see some time with the big club at some point this season. He made his NHL debut last year, but was held scoreless through four games.
Snapshots: McDavid, Polak, Dotchin
Connor McDavid has taken over the top spot on TSN’s yearly player rankings, after an incredible eight-year run by Sidney Crosby. McDavid still only edged the former #1 for the top spot, but will try to start a run of his own this year. Several other players made huge jumps, including Nikita Kucherov who jumped from 27 to 7, and Mark Scheifele who improved 35 spots to crack the top 15.
Two top-10 stalwarts in Alex Ovechkin and Jonathan Toews both plummeted down the rankings after disappointing seasons, but could easily see a resurgence should they should it was more an anomaly than a trend. Check out the entire list, then leave below what you think should have been different.
- Roman Polak won’t play tomorrow night for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but according to head coach Mike Babcock (via James Mirtle of The Athletic) he’s making progress and should still get in before the season begins. Polak is technically on a professional tryout with the team, but it does seem like he would be signed by the team should he show that he’s completely healthy after the terrible injury last year. The Maple Leafs already have several players competing for the last few defensive spots, but none of them save for Connor Carrick are right-handed. Since the Maple Leafs are already going with three lefties in their top-4, having a right-handed option like Polak in a depth role seems prudent, even if he’s not an exciting option.
- Jake Dotchin still hasn’t gotten into any preseason action for violating a team issue, and he told Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times that “it’s hurting” him. Dotchin was widely expected to start the year in an increased role with the Lightning after an impressive rookie campaign, but every day he sits out is another chance for someone else to make an impression. The young defender has been known to cross the line physically while on the ice, and though there is no report on what he did yet the team is clearly not happy with him.
Toronto Marlies With Several NHL Veterans In Camp
While many AHL camps have gotten underway in recent days largely with the early cuts from their NHL affiliates and ECHL hopefuls as “campers”, the Toronto Marlies drew some attention today when they announced a 40-man initial roster featuring several familiar names.
Among the many in attendance are NHL veterans Jordan Caron, Brandon Gormley, Matt Hackett, and Mackenzie Skapski. Caron and Gormley are especially interesting as past first-round picks, while Hackett and Skapski are two of the very few remaining free agent goaltenders on the market. All four players have value in their own right, yet end up not on NHL contracts, or in NHL camps, or even on AHL contracts. Why?
Skapski may be the easiest to explain. After two impressive spot starts at the young age of 21 with the New York Rangers in 2014-15, Skapski’s career has been in free fall. The next year, Skapski posted a 3.00+ GAA and nearly a .900 save percentage in the AHL and ECHL. Those numbers continued to plummet this past season, with Skapski making 13 rough starts in the AHL and spending the majority of the season in the ECHL.
The once-promising Hackett also made his NHL debut at 21 years old with the Minnesota Wild back in 2011-12. Hackett made 12 appearances with the Wild in his rookie season and had an impressive 2.37 GAA and .922 save percentage. While that level of performance was unsustainable, Hackett continued to make a living as a backup or third-string option for the Wild and Buffalo Sabres for years, before taking on more of an AHL depth role for the Anaheim Ducks since 2015. However, too much depth in net, as well as injury issues, limited Hackett to only seven starts last season, in which he was less than spectacular. More of an unknown commodity now than the future-starter tag from years ago, Hackett needs to prove himself once again at the pro level.
Gormley, the 13th overall pick in 2010 by the Arizona Coyotes, has not had the career expected of him when he was selected before fellow defensemen like Derek Forbort, Mark Pysyk, and Justin Faulk early in the draft. Gormley has just 58 games of NHL experience and has not played at the highest level since midway through the 2015-16 season. However, Gormley had been a productive AHLer, with 75 points, more than half a point per game, through his first three pro seasons. In the past two seasons? Only 21 points in 91 games. With the points disappearing, Gormley faces the possibility that his career could be coming to an end soon at just 25 years old. Gormley could use a big camp to keep that from coming to fruition.
Caron is probably the most notable player in any AHL camp on a tryout basis, not just the Marlies’, as the Boston Bruins’ 2009 first-rounder was a “black ace” call-up by the St. Louis Blues mere months ago. While Caron has the appearance of having stuck around the NHL, in actuality he has only played in four NHL games since the end of the 2014-15 season. Nevertheless, the 6’3″, 205-lb. power forward is still a veteran of over 150 NHL games and has shown flashes of ability from time to time. If any of these four player can make the Marlies – and make a difference – it is Caron.
Snapshots: Lecavalier, Miller, Rodrigues
The Tampa Bay Lightning will retire the second number in their franchise history this season, when they raise Vincent Lecavalier‘s #4 to the rafters on February 10th. Lecavalier, who last played in 2015-16, is the franchise leader in goals and was once the NHL’s youngest ever captain (since broken by multiple players) when he was given the “C” at just 19.
In 1,037 games with the Lightning, the 1998 first-overall pick scored 874 points and led them to a Stanley Cup in 2004. Twice he was nominated for the Hart Trophy as league MVP, including 2006-07 when he led the league in goals with 52. A prototypical number-one center, Lecavalier played an exceptional all around game that combined speed, power and skill. He finished his career with 949 points in 1,212 games.
- Despite spending time in the middle during the preseason, J.T. Miller will be back in his familiar wing position when the season starts, Alain Vigneault confirmed today to a group of reporters including Dan Rosen of NHL.com. Vigneault has been impressed with the play of 2017 first-round draft picks Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil, as well as former University of Michigan standout Boo Nieves. While it has been expected for a while that just one of the young players would make the roster with David Desharnais taking the other center role, there is a growing suspicion that both Andersson and Chytil could start the year with the Rangers. That would be quite the turnaround for a team that hadn’t even drafted in the first round for several years.
- Buffalo Sabres forward Evan Rodrigues was injured this weekend in a preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs when Andreas Borgman crumpled him into the boards, and will be held out for the time being with a hand injury. Head coach Phil Housley was non-committal when asked if it would linger into the regular season, similar to the way he spoke about Jake McCabe‘s upper-body injury. Both players were expected to be in the lineup for opening night, which now could open spots for some others to start the year in Buffalo instead of Rochester.