Trade Candidates: Jannik Hansen
The Vancouver Canucks can choose from a few different reasons why they should trade Jannik Hansen. 1) The injuries are becoming a concern; after missing 15 games last year, he’s played in only 18 games this season. 2) They probably won’t end up protecting him in the upcoming Expansion Draft and would then very likely lose him for nothing. Hansen has been a hard-working and loyal contributor, but you don’t risk losing a Sven Baertschi or Markus Granlund to keep an injury-prone 30-year-old. 3) Whether they think so or not, the team is in a rebuild and they can get a quality return for a forward with a year remaining at $2.5MM who scored almost 40 points and posted a +16 in 2015-16. The playoffs always seemed to be out of reach for this Canucks team this season, and despite their best efforts, it just doesn’t seem likely to happen this year. If there is any consolation, Vancouver can become bona fide sellers at the Trade Deadline, of which there are very few, and can find a fair deal for Hansen.
Contract
Hansen is in the third year of a four-year, $10MM extension with the Canucks. While his cap hit will count for under $900K at the deadline, any team that acquires him will be on the hook for another year at a $2.5MM cap hit and $3MM salary.
2016-17
Hansen’s 2016-17 season has been forgettable to this point, due primarily to the fact that he has barely played. Hansen missed all but three games in the month of November with broken ribs and returned in mid-December, only to suffer a knee injury just two weeks later. Hansen has not played since December 22nd, and there has been little noise about an impending return. While you can say he was on a career-high pace with nine points through 18 games, that’s a lot of speculation based on a small sample size. It’s more fair to call this season a wash for Hansen, at least so far. Lucky for him, last season was one of the best of his career and the last five years tell the story of one of the most under-rated players in the NHL. Hansen had 157 points in 348 games over the past five seasons and before that was a key piece of the team’s 2011 Stanley Cup run, all while making under $2MM per year on average.
Season Stats
18 games: 5 goals, 4 assists, 9 points, even +/-, 30 shots, 16:11 ATOI
Potential Suitors
The Edmonton Oilers would be an excellent fit for Hansen. The team is playoff-bound and lacks a right-shot scorer other than Jordan Eberle. They also have a young team, but not much cap flexibility, and a good, affordable veteran for next season and possibly beyond could go a long way. By March 1st, Vancouver should be far enough outside the postseason picture that they would be willing to deal even with their division rival.
However, if the Canucks are uncomfortable with the thought of facing Hansen, a nice bargain that they have kept to themselves all of these years, on a regular basis in 2017-18, they may seek an option outside of the Pacific. The Montreal Canadiens could be willing to move some capital to make Hansen part of the team. Another team in a cap crunch and in desperate need of a right-handed scorer behind Brendan Gallagher, Hansen would be able to help the Habs in the postseason this year and help them to get back to the postseason next year. Other Atlantic teams like the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins could also use another scoring winger, and both have plenty of cap space next season, such that $2.5MM would hardly make a dent. Watch out for the Columbus Blue Jackets as well, who need a right-shot forward this year and may need one even more next year if they are unable to retain Sam Gagner.
Likelihood Of A Trade
Hansen is a rare commodity in this market. He is not an impending free agent, nor does he carry a long and expensive contract. Instead, he has just one year remaining at an affordable cap hit, and with many concerns over the salary cap not increasing next season, that is very valuable. The Canucks are often believed to be disillusioned with the state of their franchise, seemingly trying to build a contender when their success implies a need for a rebuild. It’s possible that Vancouver passes on moving Hansen and decides to protect him over a younger asset in the Expansion Draft. However, GM Jim Benning is not that short-sighted. If he can figure out a way to keep Hansen without hurting his squad, he probably will, but the odds are that his best bet is to trade the career Canuck a get a good return for him. Teams may not be lining up for a player with only 18 games under his belt this season, but Hansen’s value extends past the stretch run and the postseason and several squads will surely jump at that opportunity.
Predators Activate Josi From IR
After demoting frustrated forward Mike Ribeiro today, the Nashville Predators used the roster spot to bring a much better personality back into the lineup: star defenseman Roman Josi. Josi was activated from the injured reserve after missing the team’s last nine games. He had originally sustained the upper body injury after taking a big hit from Bruins rookie Anton Blidh back on January 12th. Josi left the game and did not return and was swiftly placed on IR the next day.
Boosted by the return of P.K. Subban, the Predators were able to survive Josi’s absence, going 6-2-1 while he was sidelined. However, they are now back to full strength and continue to fight for position in the Central Division with Josi leading the charge. Although he got off to a slow start this season (so did the entire team), even before the injury, with just 22 points through 42 games, Josi is as dynamic as any defenseman in the NHL. Last season, Josi trailed only superstars Erik Karlsson, Brent Burns, and Kris Letang in defensive scoring with 61 points. He is one of only a handful of defensemen with 40 or more points in each of the last three seasons. In a system specifically designed to run its offense through its defense, Josi is capable of putting up monster numbers, especially when he is surrounded by other possession players like Subban, Mattias Ekholm, and Ryan Ellis. Josi should easily reach 40 points again if he can stay healthy through the end of the season.
However, his focus will not be on scoring stats but on leading the defensive corps and the team overall in their quest for the Stanley Cup this season. A dark horse pick by many before the season, the Predators had a miserable start to 2016-17, but have begun to stack up wins and pull away from the Western Conference’s fringe playoff teams. Benefiting from the collapse of the St. Louis Blues, Nashville now sits in third in the Central with a three point lead on the Blues and more points and games in hand on both the Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars. If the Predators keep winning, they can turn their focus toward chasing the Chicago Blackhawks, who are nine points up, but two games ahead as well. With Josi back in the fold and the team currently rolling on all cylinders, it’s not impossible for Nashville to get home-ice advantage on the ‘Hawks by playoff time.
Maple Leafs Claim Alexey Marchenko From Red Wings
According to Chris Johnston’s tweet, the Toronto Maple Leafs have claimed Alexey Marchenko off waivers from the Detroit Red Wings. Detroit placed him on waivers yesterday due to a roster crunch with the return of defenseman Brendan Smith from injury. Johnston also tweets that the Leafs waived Frank Corrado after picking up Marchenko. According to Cap Friendly, Corrado is given Non-Roster status until he is claimed or passes through waivers.
Marchenko played 30 games this season for the Wings, but fell out of favor after the emergence of Nick Jensen. Marchenko who suffered an injury, never found his way back into the lineup and had been a healthy scratch. In 30 games, Marchenko had six assists with as many points. He is also a +6.
The Detroit Free Press’ Helene St. James reported that Red Wings general manager Ken Holland indicated someone had to go with Smith and Jimmy Howard returning soon. Corrado, meanwhile, had been cemented in Mike Babcock’s doghouse, playing only two games this season. His release does not come as a surprise. James Mirtle tweets that the acquisition of Marchenko is an upgrade for the Maple Leafs at only 25 years old. Babcock is also familiar with Marchenko from his days in Detroit.
Snapshots: Mazanec, Vermin, Howard
The Nashville Predators have recalled goaltender Marek Mazanec and returned Juuse Saros according to a press release. Mazanec has appeared in four games this season with Nashville, posting a 0-2-0 record and a .839 save percentage. With AHL affiliate Milwaukee, he’s 12-10-0 and a .910 save percentage. Saros is 5-3-2 with a .910 save percentage in 10 starts for the Preds.
- Fan Rag Sports’ Joseph Nocco reports that the Tampa Bay Lightning have called up Joel Vermin from Syracuse. The Tampa Bay Lightning tweeted the announcement as well. Vermin has 17 points in 27 games with Syracuse. Nocco writes that this will be Vermin’s tenth game with the Lightning, though he has seen ice time sparingly in Tampa when with the big club.
- Jimmy Howard begins his first game in net for the Grand Rapids Griffins tonight in a conditioning stint that will get him one step closer to the Red Wings. Since suffering an MCL sprain in December, Howard told MLive’s Ansar Khan that he hasn’t thought about his knee at all as he prepares to come back onto the ice. From Howard:
“I haven’t given it a second thought, even when I’m out there, so that’s a great sign. Next step here is to see some game action.”
The Red Wings benefited from Howard’s strong play this season, until a groin injury and the MCL sprain bumped him out of the lineup. His numbers outperformed expected starter Petr Mrazek by a long shot. In 17 games, Howard has a 1.96 GAA and a .934 save percentage. If given goal support, Howard might be the catalyst to the Red Wings getting on a roll.
Jason Spezza Injured, No Timeline For Return
The injury bug has run rampant in Dallas this season, and now another top-six forward has been claimed. According to head coach Lindy Ruff, Jason Spezza is set to miss significant time due to an injury sustained last night. Spezza was the recipient of a big open-ice hit from the Winnipeg Jets’ Adam Lowry in the contest. Spezza took the shot in the right shoulder and then twisted, landing hard on his left hip and elbow. Likely trying to avoid frightening fans with yet another nightmare diagnosis, the Stars have not identified what Spezza’s injury is, nor what the timeline for his return might be. Ruff indicated that it would be “probably more than days”, but that seems likely to be an understatement.
Spezza has already missed some time due to injury earlier this season, when he was out for a few games with a lower-body issue. Stars beat writer Mark Stepenski doesn’t think that will have an effect though, as he reports that it is an upper-body injury this time around. However, he also states that Ruff believes the injury could keep Spezza out for a week or two or even longer, the uncertainty of which should remind fans of Spezza’s long history with back problems. While Spezza could have just as easily have injured his right shoulder or left elbow on the fall, the twisting motion with which he took the check and hit the ice could have re-aggravated his long-time back condition. The scoring center has dealt with lingering issues throughout his career, which came to head in 2012-13 when he played in only 5 games with the Ottawa Senators, missing the rest of the season due to back surgery.
Spezza’s absence from the Dallas lineup will substantially hinder their attempts to get back into the playoff picture. The team has already been without Mattias Janmark for the entire season and will not get him back this year. Similarly, Ales Hemsky has missed all but one game in 2016-17 as well and there is little hope of a return. The Stars are also without defensemen Johnny Oduya, who missed ten games earlier in the year as well as the past six, and Jamie Oleksiak, who has now missed ten straight. Overall, Dallas has had disproportionate injury struggles this season, having lost the fourth-most man-minutes to injury halfway through the season, and are only adding to that total in the second half. Luckily, Patrick Sharp, Jiri Hudler, and Cody Eakin, all of whom have missed significant time this season, are back and healthy and will be able to help pick up the slack if Spezza does end being out for an extended period. However, it just doesn’t seem like this is the Stars’ year, as they faced an uphill battle to make the playoffs even with Spezza, as they sit three points behind the St. Louis Blues for the final wildcard spot in the Western Conference, with the Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets, and Vancouver Canucks all blocking their path to the postseason. That task now seems daunting with arguably their third-best player out of the lineup and no timeline for his return.
Panthers Activate Barkov And Huberdeau
After a trying first half, the Panthers are finally getting some claws.
Florida has activated Sasha Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau from Injured Reserve. Both men are expected to return to the lineup for tonight’s game versus Anaheim, according to TSN.
Barkov has been out of the lineup since the end of December with a back injury. In 36 games played, he has nine goals and 18 assists for 27 points. His return will be a big boost for the Panthers. While he was out of action, Vincent Trocheck filled in admirably as the top-line center, leading the Panthers in scoring, but below him either left winger Jussi Jokinen filled in or injury-plagued Nick Bjugstad moved up. Jokinen has 13 points in 41 games while Bjugstad has just one goal and three points in 23 games this season. Barkov is in the first year of a six-year, $35.4MM contract.
Menawhile, Friday’s game versus Anaheim will be the season debut for Huberdeau. He suffered an achilles injury in a pre-season game (Twitter link via @myregularface). Huberdeau was part of a very successful first line last season, alongside Barkov and the legendary Jaromir Jagr. Huberdeau set career highs with 20 goals and 59 points as the Panthers finished first in the Atlantic Division. In his absence, Jon Marchessault and Jokinen filled in.
Despite missing two-thirds of their top line for much of the year and the turmoil surrounding their front office, Florida sits just four points back of Philadelphia for the final wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference. The 22-19-10 Panthers have a game in hand on the Flyers, and will need Barkov and Huberdeau to make hay as they try to get back in the playoff race.
Jonathan Quick Injury Update
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick gets closer and closer to a return, reports LA Kings insider Jon Rosen. Quick took to the ice in full gear this morning for the first time since injuring his groin midway through the season opener. He’s spent the last four months recovering off-ice, respecting the injury and wary of progressing too fast. Kings GM Dean Lombardi has gone back and forth on a planned return date, at times stating early March or mid-February. Having Quick on ice in full equipment by February 1st is right on schedule, at least according to Kings coach Darryl Sutter.
Quick’s injury initially spelled doom for the Kings as the organization had no viable backup ready to take the reins. They had signed former Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Jeff Zatkoff—who was relegated in Pittsburgh to a third-string role after Matt Murray‘s surprise success—but his play quickly indicated that he was not ready for the starting role.
Luckily for the Kings however, veteran Peter Budaj stepped up and manned the crease admirably. Budaj is putting up the best numbers of his career this season. In 44 games Budaj is 24-14-3 with a .922 SV% , a 2.01 GAA, and 6 shutouts. Not bad for a goaltender on the brink of retirement. Budaj’s performance has kept the Kings in playoff contention, and Quick’s return could solidify its ticket down the stretch.
Budaj’s strong performance also allowed Quick to rehabilitate properly and not rush back to action too soon. Groin injuries are incredibly tricky for goaltenders as they rely heavily on lateral side to side movement. Ensuring that Quick is 100% before starting him significantly reduces the chances of him relapsing.
Conor Sheary To Miss Up To Six Weeks With Upper-Body Injury
The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without Conor Sheary, one of their most productive forwards and Sidney Crosby’s wing man, from four-to-six weeks, according to Jonathan Bombulie of the Tribune-Review. Pittsburgh bench boss Mike Sullivan made the announcement following the team’s practice today. It’s unclear when exactly Sheary suffered the injury, but presumably it occurred during Pittsburgh’s 4 – 2 win over Nashville last night.
Sheary, who was originally signed by the Penguins as an undrafted free agent, has developed into a solid winger and currently ranks third on the team in goals with 17. In 42 games this season, the 24-year-old winger has totaled 35 points and posted a plus/minus rating of plus-18.
He made a name for himself after being called up to the team around mid-season last year, providing speed and key goals down the stretch and into the playoffs for Pittsburgh. In 44 appearances in 2015-16, Sheary potted seven goals and 10 points. He added another 10 points in 23 playoff contests, helping the Penguins to a Stanley Cup championship.
Trade Candidate: Jimmy Howard
With the trade deadline quickly approaching, we will be profiling several players in the weeks ahead that are likely to be dealt by March 1st.
Another trade candidate, another Red Wing. This time, we’ll look at veteran netminder Jimmy Howard, who has been the subject of trade rumors since last summer.
Contract
Six-year, $31.750MM deal. Three years remaining. $5.291MM AAV.
2016-17
In a season where the Red Wings have struggled tremendously, Howard has been the antidote to a team hemorrhaging goals. While Petr Mrazek was expected to be the stalwart in net, it’s been Howard and rookie Jared Coreau picking up the slack for Detroit. Howard, however, has succumbed to injury twice this season, but is close to coming back. The real question is which Howard will return? The dominant one? Or the Howard of seasons past, who has struggled to find his groove following injury?
Season Stats
GP: 17 (15 started): 5-7-1; .934 sv%; 1.96 GAA; .667 QS%
Potential Suitors
When healthy, Howard has been extremely good for the Red Wings. This season alone, on a team that is dreadful at both ends of the ice, Howard has stolen games while keeping the Wings in games they should have been out of early.
Dallas is one team to look at, especially since former Detroit assistant general manager Jim Nill is there. Though the Stars are trying to figure out what they are, Howard could be an asset with two years remaining and numbers that are certainly better than that of what the Stars currenly have in Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen. But outside of familiarity, there are few teams on the radar.
While Howard could fetch offers, there is one key reason he will scare off potential buyers.
Likelihood Of A Trade
Howard’s contract is a hinderance to any team interested. Still locked in for two seasons with over $10MM owed, few teams are going to bite on a deal that involves a strong performing, but injury prone goalie. While Howard’s name has been mentioned before, the Wings couldn’t peddle him elsewhere last summer. There are also rumblings that Detroit could be growing impatient with Mrazek, and may dangle Mrazek as trade bait. But that could be speculation in a season that has been disastrous for a franchise not used to losing as often–and as badly–as they have been.
Injury Updates: Avalanche, Malkin, Ducks, Devils, Hansen
The Colorado Avalanche are set to get a boost to their lineup tonight in Anaheim as they have activated defenseman Tyson Barrie and winger Rene Bourque off of injured reserve, reports Mike Chambers of the Denver Post (Twitter link).
Barrie missed the last four games due to a lingering lower body issue. He leads all Avalanche blueliners in scoring with 23 points (3-20-23), a mark that puts him third on the team overall. On the flip side, his -23 rating is tied with New Jersey defenseman Damon Severson for last in the league.
As for Bourque, he has made the most of his successful training camp tryout, scoring nine goals for the Avs this season which is tied for the third most on the team. He had missed the last three contests with a lower body injury and if he can stay healthy over the next month, he’s a potential candidate to be dealt given his low cap hit of $650K.
Other injury news and notes from around the league:
- While Pittsburgh center Evgeni Malkin won’t play tonight against the Predators, head coach Mike Sullivan told Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he is making “significant progress” from a leg injury that caused him to miss their last game before the All-Star break as well as the All-Star Game itself. There is no firm timetable for his return but the fact he skated before practice would suggest that Malkin, who sits third overall in NHL scoring with 54 points (22-32-54) in 47 games, is nearing a return.
- The Ducks will also have some reinforcements tonight against the Avalanche as they will have center Nate Thompson and right winger Jakob Silfverberg back in their lineup, notes Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register (Twitter link). Thompson has missed the entire season after tearing his Achilles’ tendon during the offseason although he got into three AHL games on a rehab stint last week. Silfverberg missed the last three contests with a head injury and is tied for fourth in team scoring this season.
- New Jersey blueliner Andy Greene is targeting Friday’s game against the Flames as a return date from his arm injury, writes Fire and Ice’s Andrew Gross. He took part in the full morning skate today but isn’t quite ready to suit up tonight. Greene has missed the last 11 games as a result of the injury. Gross adds that winger Beau Bennett (lower body) skated on his own the last two days while blueliner John Moore (concussion) has undergone testing the last couple of days but hopes to skate on his own as soon as tomorrow.
- Via the Canucks’ Twitter feed, right winger Jannik Hansen isn’t likely to play on Thursday against the Sharks but is getting closer to returning to the lineup. He has been out since late December after suffering a knee injury. Hansen hasn’t played a whole lot this season but has made an impact when he has been healthy, collecting nine points (5-4-9) in 18 games.