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Matej Stransky Signs In KHL

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After being rumored to be close to a deal with Severstal Cherepovets recently, the team announced that they had acquired Matej Stransky from CSKA Moscow and signed him to a two-year contract. The Dallas Stars prospect was a restricted free agent this summer.

Stransky has played four seasons with the Texas Stars of the AHL, developing into a powerful scoring threat for the minor league squad. With 27 goals this season, the 23-year old easily paced the Stars and he looked like he could have a chance in the NHL before long. His play has matured since being selected in the sixth round of the 2011 draft, coming out of the WHL where he had dominated for the Saskatoon Blades.

The Czech-born forward is actually a pretty substantial loss for Texas, who already struggled this season and missed the playoffs for only the second time in their history. Dallas too will now have to watch his development from abroad and hope that in two seasons they can coax him back to North America. The team will likely qualify him to retain his rights, and try to bring him back as a 25-year old.

Snapshots: Drouin, Moscow, Fleury

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Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin is one of the most interesting names to follow this summer, as he has continued to be linked in trade speculation all around the league. The latest example comes from Conor McKenna of TSN who while admitting he isn’t a trade-breaker, relayed that he’s heard rumblings of a possible Alex Galchenyuk (plus a first-round pick) for Drouin swap. That would certainly be a substantial kickoff to the trade season, as both players are incredible talents who haven’t quite hit the highs predicted of them.

Drouin especially holds high value after breaking out this season with 21 goals and 53 points, while both former third-overall picks (2012 for Galchenyuk, 2013 for Drouin) are restricted free agents this summer and are candidates for long-term deals. Bob McKenzie chimed in earlier with some thoughts on the Montreal forward, saying that “it’s become clear Montreal doesn’t view [Galchenyuk] as a center.” Keep your eyes peeled for movement on both fronts, as even if they’re not traded for each other they could be moved to other teams around the league.

  • The KHL club Dynamo Moscow has been taken over by new ownership, but with it the players have gone on strike due to unpaid salary. The new owners, according to KHL reporter Slava Malamud are standing firm and saying they are not responsible for the debts. There were previous reports that players haven’t been paid in up to six months, and Jason Brough of NBC adds that the team was raided by anti-fraud police earlier this month. Among the players on Moscow last season was Klim Kostin, a top prospect for the upcoming expansion draft who has already said he plans on coming to North America immediately. After seeing first hand what happened to the more veteran players last season, it’s hard to blame him.
  • Marc-Andre Fleury waived his no-movement clause because it was the “right thing [to do] to help the team, to stay with the team, ” telling Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that it gave the team more flexibility. Always considered one of the very best teammates in the league, Fleury’s waiving of his NMC allowed the Penguins to keep him on the roster for their playoff run, something that certainly came in handy when Matt Murray went down in the warm up of the first game. Fleury would lead the team through the first few rounds putting up an incredible performance and allowing Murray to heal fully before returning. If he is now ticketed for Vegas as many have speculated, his final act in Pittsburgh is one for the ages.
  • The Chicago Blackhawks have hired Sheldon Brookbank as an assistant coach for their AHL affiliate, bringing the former defenseman back to an organization where he won a Stanley Cup in 2013. Brookbank was one of the defensemen that Joel Quenneville has played at forward over the years, but didn’t have a huge role on the team in any capacity. He’ll join new Rockford IceHogs head coach Jeremy Colliton behind the bench next season on what is shaping up to be a very young coaching staff.

Snapshots: Petersen, Kovalchuk, Neal

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The Buffalo Sabres are still patiently waiting on a decision from goaltender Cal Petersen on whether or not he’ll start his professional career with the team, or wait for free agency next month. After Petersen declared he would not be returning to school, the Sabres had a 30-day window in which to sign him. John Vogl of the Buffalo News writes that Petersen’s camp is still quiet on his upcoming decision.

The goaltender will become a free agent on July 1st with everyone else through coincidence, and would be highly sought after as a potential future starting goalie. He would be signing a two-year entry-level contract, but after three outstanding years at Notre Dame is considered more polished than many other goaltending prospects. There is a chance he could be in the NHL before that ELC expires, making him extremely valuable to any team that signs him.

  • New Jersey Devils GM Ray Shero joined TSN 1050 today and was asked a series of questions about Ilya Kovalchuk’s potential return. Shero told Pierre LeBrun and the other hosts plainly once again that it’s Jay Grossman (Kovalchuk’s agent) that is guiding the ship right now in terms of which teams are in contact with the Russian sniper. He’ll wait until they have a deal worked out before reaching out and seeing if there is a trade to be made with the interested team. Shero did confirm that Kovalchuk still does intend on returning, despite any rumors out of the KHL that he’s re-considering his position.
  • The Florida Panthers and New York Rangers have both given promotions to their player development staff. Florida has upgraded former captain Bryan McCabe from Director of Player Development to Director of Player Personnel, while New York has installed Jed Ortmeyer as Director of Player Development. The Rangers have also hired Steve Eminger as a Pro Scout after last playing in the AHL in 2015-16. Eminger spent three seasons for the Rangers during his playing career.
  • James Neal played most of the playoffs with a broken hand, according to Nashville Predators GM David Poile at the final team press conference (via Thomas Willis of the team site). The power forward broke it in game one of the Western Conference final, and came back to score the overtime winner that game. Neal has just one year left on his contract and could potentially be exposed by the Predators in the upcoming expansion draft, something Poile is trying his hardest to avoid.
  • Karl Stollery has decided to take his talents to the KHL, as the free agent defender has signed on with Dinamo Riga. Stollery played 11 games with the New Jersey Devils last season, registering just three points. The former Merrimack College standout has just 23 NHL games under his belt but will now try to take the next step in the Russian league.

Snapshots: Neal, Beck, No. 1

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Among his morning musings, the venerable Pierre LeBrun of TSN mentioned the possibility of the Nashville Predators, fresh off a Stanley Cup Finals loss, could leave James Neal exposed in the upcoming expansion draft. A few months ago, that would have seemed far-fetched but with Calle Jarnkrok’s increased role in the playoffs and incredibly team-friendly contract it might now be a realistic scenario.

The Predators will almost surely protect their top four defensemen, leaving just four remaining protection slots for forwards. With Filip Forsberg, Viktor Arvidsson and Ryan Johansen all being locks, Neal and Jarnkrok are likely battling for the final spot. That is, if the team isn’t working out a side-deal like so many other clubs with Vegas in order to protect more than the allotted number of players.

  • Taylor Beck is headed to the KHL, signing with Avtomobilist today. The 26-year old was set to become a restricted free agent once again, this time with the New York Rangers whose farm team he ended the season with. The once third-round pick of the Predators was traded four times in a two year span, including a deal at the deadline this year. Despite scoring 66 points in 56 games this season in the AHL, Beck got into just five NHL contests and will now try his luck somewhere else. In 92 career NHL games, he has 23 points and always seemed just a step behind what it took to make an impact at the highest level. He’ll try to refine his game in Russia, while possibly returning at some point down the road.
  • In the latest from Mike Morreale of NHL.com, he speaks to New Jersey Devils GM Ray Shero about the upcoming entry draft and the possibility of moving the #1 pick. “What would it get me to trade the No. 1 pick outright? I couldn’t even tell you,” Shero tells Morreale. There has been some speculation that the Devils could trade down to take a defenseman, but with the prospect of taking one of Nolan Patrick or Nico Hischier staring you in the face, it’s hard to pull the trigger. As we’ve examined before, trading the first-overall pick is a risky business.

Snapshots: Foo, Gavrikov, Panthers

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Spencer Foo joined Bob Stauffer on 630 CHED today and the college free agent confirmed that he has whittled down the interest from “over 20” to “under five” teams on where to sign his first NHL contract. The Oilers remain in that group, the childhood team of Foo growing up in Edmonton. Foo also revealed that he would have been named captain of the Union College team, and his younger brother would be have been joining him this season had he stayed.

The Hobey Baker finalist scored 62 points in 38 games during his junior team before deciding to turn pro this summer, and was one of the most dynamic players in the country. He has delayed his decision so far to finish his school year, instead of signing and playing this season like other NCAA players. At 23, he should compete for a spot in the NHL right away wherever he signs.

  • The Columbus Blue Jackets have been trying to convince Vladislav Gavrikov to come over to the NHL for some time, and according to Igor Eronko of Sport-Express the young defenseman is trying to get a visa in order to come over for a medical. According to Eronko Columbus has offered him a deal with an AHL “out clause” meaning that he would be allowed to return to the KHL should they try to send him down. The report also indicates that the contract would include “full bonuses”, though it’s unclear if that means signing, performance or both. Gavrikov played quite well this season for Yaroslavl, suiting up for 54 games. He also played for Team Russia at the World Championships, logging time against top competition.
  • The Florida Panthers have signed six players to AHL contracts, inking Francois Beauchemin (not the one who plays for Colorado), Matt Buckles, Ryan Horvat, Anthony Greco, Matt MacKenzie and Evan Cowley. All six will report to the Springfield Thunderbirds next season. The biggest name may be Cowley, who finished his NCAA career with an incredible .955 save percentage as the backup at DU. The former fourth-round pick is an interesting goaltending prospect for the Panthers down the line, perhaps capable of developing into at least an NHL backup.

Snapshots: Koytk, Kansas City, Wolski

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Chris Drury has made one of his first signings as GM of the Hartford Wolf Pack, inking college free agent Brenden Kotyk to an AHL contract. The huge defender (6’6″ 240-lbs) spent the past three years with the University of Minnesota-Duluth where he continued to develop as a defender. It’s hard to project much for Kotyk as he is already 25 years old and will turn 26 before the season starts, but perhaps he’s turned a corner and can compete professionally.

At the very least he’ll offer a big body who won’t shy away from physical play and could add a presence to the Wolf Pack penalty kill. He’s obviously already big enough to compete at the next level, but whether his skating and decision making is good enough to keep up is still up for debate. In the National Championship game against Denver this spring, Kotyk was on the ice the second Pioneers goal, in which Troy Terry and Jarid Lukosevicius exposed his ability to defend the front of the net. Though it’s just one example, it points to the part of his game that he’ll need to improve and rely upon at the next level.

  • The Calgary Flames have announced a new ECHL affiliation, partnering with the Kansas City Mavericks for the 2017-18 season. Previously known as the Missouri Mavericks, the franchise had been associated with the New York Islanders but will now work with the Flames on a year-to-year agreement. The Flames were affiliated with the Adirondack Thunder last season, who will announce a new affiliation in the coming days.
  • Wojtek Wolski is back in hockey, signing a two-year deal with Kunlun of the KHL. The former NHL forward suffered a career-threatening injury last year when playing with Magnitogorsk, sliding head first into the boards with an opposing player on his back. He suffered spinal cord trauma, fractured vertebrae in his neck and a concussion on the play, and was at risk of never playing again. He’ll return less than a year later, and try to reinvigorate a career that had found new life in the KHL. After several unsuccessful stints with teams in the NHL since his departure from the Colorado Avalanche, Wolski went to the KHL in 2013 and has produced quite well ever since. At 31, there is a chance he could try a comeback to the NHL after this contract expires, but we likely have seen the last of the former first-round pick.

Nikita Nesterov Remains Committed To NHL Future

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Despite rumors that he had signed in the KHL because of his appearance on the Traktor Chelyabinsk roster page, Nikita Nesterov still wants to play in the NHL next season. Dan Milstein, Nesterov’s agent with Gold Star, confirmed as much on Twitter today claiming that the rumors were “absolutely false.” Nesterov remains an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent with the Montreal Canadiens.

Nesterov was acquired by the Canadiens in January for Jonathan Racine and a sixth-round pick, but played just 13 games down the stretch and two in the playoffs. The 24-year old has now played 132 games in his short career, and has generally performed well. While he hasn’t become the top-4 defenseman that Tampa Bay hoped at one point, his play does deserve an NHL contract in the future.

A qualifying offer for the defenseman would cost the Canadiens just over $761K, which would also allow them to retain his rights even if he does head to Russia for next season. He is also eligible for selection in the expansion draft, and doesn’t project to be protected by the Canadiens. He’s at little risk of being selected, as there are other defensemen on the team who would be more appetizing for the expansion team. We’ll see if he reaches an agreement with the Canadiens, as they look to reshape their defense with players like Jakub Jerabek.

Morning Notes: Foo, DeFazio, Stransky

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Spencer Foo has been on the radar of NHL teams for quite some time, and when he declared that he would not return to Union College for his final season the negotiations ramped up. Yesterday on Oilers Now radio with Bob Stauffer (starts around 14:30), Gerry Johansson from The Sports Corporation (Foo’s agency) reported that the undrafted forward has narrowed his list to just a few teams, including the Edmonton Oilers.

Foo grew up in Edmonton and has attended their development camp in the past leading many to believe that they were a front-runner for the Hobey Baker finalist. Foo has a ton of options though, as previous reports indicated that most of the league was interested in him. After scoring 62 points in 38 games as a junior, that interest is hardly misplaced.

  • Mark Stepneski gave us a couple of interesting tidbits today, including that Brandon DeFazio has reportedly signed with Kunlun of the KHL. Stepneski is working off an RSport report that has DeFazio signing a one-year contract with the club. The AHL forward had another 20-goal season this year, his third straight. Despite that, he has just two games of NHL experience and will now test his luck in a different professional league.
  • Another Texas Stars forward is likely on his way to the KHL, as Matej Stransky is close to a deal with Severstal Cherepovets. Though his KHL rights are actually owned by CSKA Moscow, he’d be transferred after signing a deal according to RSport. Stransky was selected by Dallas in the sixth round of the 2011 draft, but has never made it up to the NHL. He did however lead the AHL Stars in goals this year (27) and is a big heavy winger that looked like he may have a future in an NHL bottom six. The 23-year old is a restricted free agent, and should Dallas qualify him they would retain his rights until he would normally hit NHL unresticted free agency.

Latest On Ilya Kovalchuk And The Toronto Maple Leafs

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The saga of Ilya Kovalchuk continued this weekend when a report by Larry Brooks of the New York Post stirred up a few fan bases. Brooks listed St. Louis, San Jose and Toronto along with New York in pursuit of the Russian sniper, and today added that Columbus had thrown their hat into the ring. While each of those teams have interesting connections with Kovalchuk in the past, Darren Dreger was on TSN radio in Toronto this morning to dispel speculation about at least one market.

I don’t believe the Maple Leafs are interested. I saw the reports, and did my work in digging through my Maple Leafs sources and I was told that ’it’s BS’.

I think that Kovalchuk is interested in returning to the NHL, but part of me also wonders if he’s just not trying to ratchet up some leverage to stay in the KHL. But I believe that given the right situation, right contract that yes he’d come back to the NHL. 

The connection to the Maple Leafs did seem tenuous at best, seeming to only hinge on the familiarity between Toronto GM Lou Lamoriello and Kovalchuk from their days in New Jersey. While it’s not clear where that relationship stands after years apart, the Maple Leafs have repeatedly said that they aren’t going to deviate from their plan to slowly build into a contender. If Kovalchuk was looking for anything more than a two-year contract, the Maple Leafs would run into some financial issues as Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Mitch Marner all come up for new contracts.

The 34-year old Kovalchuk scored 32 goals and 78 points in the KHL this season and from all accounts still has much to offer an NHL team looking for scoring help. The idea that he is a 30-goal, top line winger is debatable and as Dreger puts it “if he’s not scoring 25 or more, is it going to be worth it?” The answer to that question will be answered in the coming months as his current negotiations come to an end. Next summer, when Kovalchuk would become an unrestricted free agent at age-35 and won’t require an interested team to give up an asset to the New Jersey Devils may be a better time for many teams to get involved.

Return To NHL For Valeri Nichushkin Still Up In The Air

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Despite having a year left on his contract with CSKA Moscow of the KHL, Mike Morreale of NHL.com relays from Joe McDonnell, the Stars director of amateur scouting that it is still “50/50” if Valeri Nichushkin returns to the NHL for next season. Any return would need a buyout or mutual termination of the final year of his contract in Russia, because of the unwritten agreement between the two leagues to respect each other’s contracts.

Nichuchkin would be a big bonus to the Stars if he found a way to return, as they try to bounce back from a disappointing season and compete again. The 22-year old winger put up 24 points in 36 games in the KHL this season and is starting to really take advantage of his huge 6’4″ frame. After selecting him 10th overall in the 2013 entry draft, Nichuchkin left for Russia last summer after perceived tension with head coach Lindy Ruff. Ruff is gone, Ken Hitchcock is the bench boss now, and the Stars have room up front to hand out some important minutes.

In the upcoming expansion draft, it is almost a given that the Stars will decide to protect the young Russian whether he has plans on returning now or in a year’s time. Meanwhile, CSKA will be trying as hard as they can to extend him and keep him in the KHL long-term. Nichushkin is a restricted free agent in the NHL, and should he come back would need a new contract with Dallas. Even if he doesn’t return this summer, you can bet he’ll be a topic of conversation if the Stars are headed for the playoffs next spring, just as Vladimir Sobotka was this year.

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