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Slater Koekkoek Assigned To AHL

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Last month, as training camp was set to begin, the Edmonton Oilers announced that Slater Koekkoek would be away from the team for mental health reasons. Since then, they also put him on waivers to clear him from the roster.

Yesterday, Koekkoek was loaned to the Bakersfield Condors, and today he was added to the roster according to the AHL transactions portal.

The 28-year-old defenseman played in 19 games for the Oilers last season, registering four points on the second season of a two-year one-way contract, he will earn $1.1MM regardless of which level he plays. His $925K cap hit, meanwhile, will be completely buried while assigned to the AHL.

After trading Dmitri Samorukov for Klim Kostin, the Oilers could certainly use the added depth at the position but have explained that they fully supported Koekkoek taking time away. Hopefully, being added to the Bakersfield roster means he’s on his way back and can resume his hockey career at some point soon.

Matej Pekar Loaned To AHL

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After starting the season on injured reserve, Matej Pekar has now been loaned to the Rochester Americans by the Buffalo Sabres, according to the AHL transactions portal.

Pekar, 22, was not listed on the Americans opening roster yesterday but his assignment today suggests he is now healthy enough to join the club. The young forward is still waiver-exempt and could be assigned at any time after missing much of training camp.

Selected in the fourth round in 2018, Pekar has spent the last two seasons in the AHL playing a defensive role. In 72 minor league contests, he has just 12 points but 106 penalty minutes. Those haven’t really come from fighting (Pekar has three fighting majors in the AHL), but they do come from a physical, in-your-face style.

While he will probably never offer much offensive upside at the NHL level, his future is still something of interest. As a potential fourth-line option, he could even see some time with the big club this season once healthy.

Evening Notes: Price, Laine, Panik, Oilers Injuries

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When Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price was announced at tonight’s home opener, the standing ovation he received from the crowd was about the least surprising bit of news this evening. Price, who is one of, if not the best goaltender of his generation, has been a staple in the Canadiens lineup since his debut in 2007-08. His recent injury woes have forced him to take a step back from the game in order to try to return to full health not only on the ice, but off of it. Whether he is able to come back and play in the NHL again remains to be seen, but for now Montreal will have to proceed with Price on the sidelines.

Recently, The Athletic’s Arpon Basu had a chance to speak with Price about his health and where he stands right now. Unfortunately, the update was far from ideal. As Price said, “[a]gain, my knee still isn’t doing great. Like, I’m still not walking up a set of stairs pain-free yet. I still don’t feel like my knee’s in a place where I’m going to be able to play hockey.” Price’s own words seem to indicate that for now, the focus isn’t necessarily on hockey, but a quality of life at the moment. Price added that he’s also focusing on being able to do things in the future such as skate and play sports with his children (recall Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom discussing similar issues a couple of months ago). Interestingly, Price said those are things he wants to do “when I’m, you know, officially done,” language Basu points to as perhaps significant given the line between Price being ’officially done’ and where he is now is a very thin one.

  • The Columbus Blue Jackets announced forward Patrik Laine left tonight’s game at the Carolina Hurricanes with an upper-body injury and will not return. The forward appeared to be in some discomfort after being sandwiched along the boards by Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce. Laine had already contributed a goal in tonight’s contest prior to leaving, the only Blue Jackets tally at the time of writing.
  • According to CapFriendly, the New York Islanders have loaned forward Richard Panik to Lausanne HC of Switzerland’s National League. Panik, 31, had been with the Islanders organization since he was acquired from the Detroit Red Wings in the deal that sent Nick Leddy to Detroit in the summer of 2021. Outside of a brief four game stretch on Long Island, the team had buried Panik and his $2.75MM salary in the AHL last season, which he otherwise split between the Bridgeport Islanders and Chicago Wolves. While on loan, Panik’s buried cap hit of $250,000 (Detroit retained $1.375MM in the deal, $1.125MM is buried) will continue to count against the Islanders cap. By going to Lausanne, the veteran forward should have a chance at more consistent minutes far closer to home and should give the Islanders more opportunities to get younger players into the Bridgeport lineup.
  • The Edmonton Oilers will be without forwards Kailer Yamamoto and Warren Foegele for tonight’s opening night matchup against the Vancouver Canucks. It’s unclear what injuries either player is suffering from. However, because Edmonton began the season with just 21 players on its roster for cap compliance purposes, they will only be able to dress 17 skaters – all that are left on the roster after Yamamoto and Foegele. Sportsnet’s Bob Stauffer was the first to report.

Columbus Blue Jackets Loan Kent Johnson To AHL

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In a move that they certainly didn’t want to have to do, the Columbus Blue Jackets have loaned star prospect Kent Johnson to the minor leagues. The reason? Jet Greaves has been recalled under emergency conditions as Elvis Merzlikins is out with an illness. Greaves will serve as backup for Daniil Tarasov as the team opens the season.

While losing Merzlikins is noteworthy, the headline here will be Johnson’s demotion. It had been trending this way already during the preseason, as he appeared to be on the outside looking in as the final roster cuts approached. But then when things were finalized, Johnson was staying with the Blue Jackets after all. Head coach Brad Larsen told reporters that “Kent is here because he deserves to be here, period” and that even if he is a scratch for the first few games he was “not gonna sit on the shelf long.”

Now, with this emergency recall of Greaves, it shows how precarious Johnson’s position on the roster really was. As a waiver-exempt player due to his young age (Johnson will turn 20 in a few days), he can be bounced back and forth without issue. That yo-yo-ing isn’t usually a good strategy for a player of his skill level, but perhaps it will only happen for a few days as they get Merzlikins healthy enough to return to action.

Either way, how Columbus develops Johnson will have a huge effect on their future, as his offensive ceiling is as high as any other prospect in the league. Selected fifth overall in 2021, his time will come soon.

Training Camp Cuts: 09/29/22

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With the regular season just 12 days away, waivers will open today. That means players who require waivers to be sent to the minor leagues or loaned elsewhere can officially be placed on them, likely leading to quite a few training camp cuts today. The waiver priority will be set by last year’s standings, for the time being, meaning the Montreal Canadiens have the first crack at anyone exposed. Here are today’s cuts:

Anaheim Ducks (via team release)

F Nathan Gaucher (to Quebec, QMJHL)
F Sean Tschigerl (to Calgary, WHL)
D Olen Zellweger (to Everett, WHL)
D Tyson Hinds (to Sherbrooke, QMJHL)
G Gage Alexander (to Swift Current, WHL)

Arizona Coyotes (via team release)

F Adam Cracknell (released from PTO, assigned to Tucson, AHL)
F Liam Kirk (to Tucson, AHL)
F Ryan McGregor (to Tucson, AHL)
F Nathan Smith (to Tucson, AHL)
F Colin Theisen (to Tucson, AHL)
F Reece Vitelli (to Tucson, AHL)
F Julian Lutz (to Munich, DEL)
D Lukas Klok (to Tucson, AHL)
D Ronald Knot (to Tucson, AHL)
D Noah Laaouan (to Tucson, AHL)
D Maksymilian Szuber (to Munich, DEL)
D Jeremy Langlois (to Cape Breton, QMJHL)
G David Tendeck (to Tucson, AHL)
G Christopher Gibson (released from PTO)

Chicago Blackhawks (via team release)

F Gavin Hayes (to Flint, OHL)

Colorado Avalanche (via team release)

F Oskar Olausson (to Colorado, AHL)
F Alex Beaucage (to Colorado, AHL)
F Jean-Luc Foudy (to Colorado, AHL)
F Sampo Ranta (to Colorado, AHL)
D Keaton Middleton (to Colorado, AHL)
D Mitchell Vande Sompel (to Colorado, AHL)
G Justus Annunen (to Colorado, AHL)
F Charles Hudon (placed on waivers)
F Spencer Smallman (placed on waivers)
D Andreas Englund (placed on waivers)
D Brad Hunt (placed on waivers)
D Joshua Jacobs (placed on waivers)
G Jonas Johansson (placed on waivers)

Columbus Blue Jackets (via team release)

F Ben Boyd (to Saint Mary’s University, USports)
F Luca Del Bel Belluz (to Mississauga, OHL)
F Mikael Pyyhtia (to TPS, Liiga)
F Martin Rysavy (to Moose Jaw, WHL)
D Denton Mateychuk (to Moose Jaw, WHL)
D Stanislav Svozil (to Regina, WHL)
F Liam Hawel (released from PTO)
F Samuel Huo (released from ATO)
F Evan Vierling (released from ATO)

Dallas Stars (via team release)

D Artem Grushnikov (to Hamilton, OHL)

Detroit Red Wings (via team release)

F Ivan Ivan (released from ATO)
F Jake Uberti (released from ATO)
F Riley Piercey (released from ATO)

Edmonton Oilers (via team release)

F Matvey Petrov (to North Bay, OHL)
F Tyler Tullio (to Bakersfield, AHL)
G Ryan Fanti (to Bakersfield, AHL)
F Dino Kambeitz (released from PTO)
F Filip Engaras (released from ATO)
D Yann Kaldis (released from PTO)
D Darien Kielb (released from PTO)

Nashville Predators (via team release)

F Zachary L’Heureux (to Halifax, OHL)

New York Islanders (via team release)

G Tristan Lennox (to Saginaw, OHL)
F Collin Adams (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Erik Brown (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Blade Jenkins (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Jeff Kubiak (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Daylan Kuefler (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Jimmy Lambert (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Kyle MacLean (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Matthew Maggio (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Reece Newkirk (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Chris Terry (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Trevor Cosgrove (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Ryan MacKinnon (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Connor McCarthy (to Bridgeport, AHL)
D Vincent Sevigny (to Bridgeport, AHL)
G Henrik Tikkanen (to Bridgeport, AHL)

New York Rangers (via team release)

F Easton Brodzinski (to Hartford, AHL)
F Christiano Digiacinto (to Hartford, AHL)
F Tanner Fritz (to Hartford, AHL)
F Zach Jordan (to Hartford, AHL)
F Ryder Korczak (to Hartford, AHL)
F Ryan Lohin (to Hartford, AHL)
F Matt Rempe (to Hartford, AHL)
F Austin Rueschhoff (to Hartford, AHL)
F Bobby Trivigno (to Hartford, AHL)
F Alex Whelan (to Hartford, AHL)
D Zach Giuttari (to Hartford, AHL)
D Louka Henault (to Hartford, AHL)
D Blake Hillman (to Hartford, AHL)
D Luke Martin (to Hartford, AHL)
D Matthew Robertson (to Hartford, AHL)
D Hunter Skinner (to Hartford, AHL)
G Talyn Boyko (to Hartford, AHL)
G Parker Gahagen (to Hartford, AHL)
G Dylan Garand (to Hartford, AHL)

Philadelphia Flyers

F Antoine Roussel (released from PTO)
F Theo Rochette (released from ATO)

This page will be updated throughout the day.

Minor Transactions: 09/02/22

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Just a few weeks from now, NHL teams will be taking the ice to do battle in the preseason. Meanwhile, minor league and European clubs continue to make additions to their own rosters in preparation for the regular season. As always, we’ll keep track of today’s notable minor moves right here.

  • Max Martin, who played 13 games for the Texas Stars last season, has signed a new one-year deal with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits for 2022-23. The WHL champion went undrafted out of junior but had inked a deal with Texas to make the jump to the AHL. After just 22 games, he’ll now compete in the ECHL for the upcoming season.
  • CapFriendly completed a bit of housekeeping today, moving Bogdan Trineyev, Adam Sykora, Adam Edstrom, Shakir Mukhamadullin, Dmitri Ovchinnikov, Marco Kasper, Noah Ostlund, and Mikael Pyyhtia to the “loaned” designation, indicating they will be playing overseas this season. There are no real surprises among the group, though it does include some top prospects that should be in North America in the coming years.
  • Alex D’Orio, who had been on an entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins until this summer, has signed with IF Bjorkloven of the Swedish second tier. D’Orio became an unrestricted free agent when the Penguins decided to not issue him a qualifying offer.

This page will be updated throughout the day.

Prospect Notes: Clang, Feuk, Veinbergs

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John Gibson’s name is beginning to come up in trade rumors more and more, and, while it seems like the Anaheim Ducks might be in a lot of goaltending trouble without him, that’s not entirely true. Behind Gibson, the team has one of the best one-two goalie prospect punches in the league, quietly adding to their prospect pool this season via trade.

That trade was the Rickard Rakell deal, where the Ducks acquired goalie prospect Calle Clang from the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of the return. Today, they’ve officially loaned Clang to Rögle BK of the SHL for the 2022-23 season, per a team tweet. Clang was the backup for Team Sweden at the 2022 World Juniors, only so due to the brilliance of Jesper Wallstedt. In two games, Clang had a .944 save percentage, complementing what was a strong rookie season for him in the SHL (2.28 GAA, .915 SV%, 10-5-0 record). While he’ll be staying there for another season, it’s probably the best for his development — the team has another high-end goalie prospect in Lukas Dostal who will receive the lion’s share of the starts for the San Diego Gulls in the AHL.

  • Calgary Flames prospect Lucas Feuk is heading to North America on an AHL contract with the Calgary Wranglers, according to his former league in Sweden, HockeyEttan. A 2019 fourth-round pick, the Flames have Feuk’s exclusive signing rights until June of next year. The 21-year-old had 27 points in 32 HockeyEttan games last year split between Väsby IK and Nybro Vikings IF. HockeyEttan is Sweden’s third-tier professional league, sitting behind the SHL and Allsvenskan.
  • Another prospect is heading to North America, according to his former team — Tampa Bay Lightning 2022 draft pick Klavs Veinbergs will suit up for the USHL’s Lincoln Stars in 2022-23. Veinbergs, 19, was drafted from Zemgale in the Latvian league and represented his country at the 2022 World Juniors. He’ll head to the USHL to continue his development, which is becoming a popular destination among Latvian players.

Nashville Predators Loan Joakim Kemell To Finnish Team

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Joakim Kemell was one of the brightest stars for Team Finland in their silver medal effort at the 2022 World Junior Championship. After the Nashville Predators drafted him 17th overall in 2022 and signed him to his entry-level contract earlier this summer, though, he’ll be headed back to JYP in the Finnish Liiga for another season next year, per the team.

As Kemell wasn’t drafted out of the Canadian Hockey League, he could, in theory, have suited up for the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals next season if Nashville and Kemell believed that was the best solution for him. However, it appears all parties involved believe another season in his home country against some more seasoned players is the better option for Kemell.

An unexpected faller in the 2022 draft, Kemell showed why the teams that passed on him were wrong with 12 points in seven games at the World Juniors earlier this month. He had 23 points in 39 Liiga games last season with JYP as well, and he’ll be expected to play an increased top-six role next season.

Dmitri Ovchinnikov Heading To KHL

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The Toronto Maple Leafs won’t have Dmitri Ovchinnikov in North America this season. After the young forward signed his entry-level contract in February and made his AHL debut with the Toronto Marlies at the end of the year, he has now signed a new one-year deal with Sibir Novosibirsk and will transfer to the club for the upcoming season.

This loan does not cancel Ovchinnikov’s contract with the Maple Leafs, only delays his debut as a full-time member of the AHL club. The talented 20-year-old forward scored twice in his seven games with the team this spring, after rarely seeing the ice in his 17 KHL appearances.

Hopefully, he’ll be able to claw out a bigger role for his Russian club and start contributing as he has at the MHL level, where Ovchinnikov has been better than a point-per-game player the last three seasons. The fifth-round pick is under contract with the Maple Leafs for two more seasons.

Calgary Wranglers Announce Name, Sign Five Players

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After announcing their name yesterday, Calgary’s AHL affiliate has signed five players to AHL contracts for 2022-23. Formerly known as the Stockton Heat, the Calgary Wranglers will begin play at the Scotiabank Saddledome next season.

The five players signed were goalie Daniil Chechelev (whose NHL rights are owned by Calgary), defenseman Simon Lavigne, center Mitch McLain (signed to a two-year deal), defenseman Rhett Rhinehart, and center Brett Sutter.

Chechelev, just 21, was Calgary’s 96th overall selection in the 2020 draft. He played last season in Stockton on an AHL deal, having yet to sign his entry-level contract. He was sent to the ECHL’s Kansas City Mavericks for the vast majority of the season, where he compiled a 12-12-5 record, 3.64 goals against average, .894 save percentage, and one shutout. He sits fifth on the organization’s depth chart behind Oscar Dansk and Dustin Wolf, and he’ll likely be loaned back to the ECHL this season.

Lavigne joins the Wranglers after serving as the captain of the QMJHL’s Blainville-Boisbriand Armada last season, notching six goals and 30 assists for 36 points in 65 games. McLain, 28, signs a two-year pact in Calgary after scoring 17 goals in 76 games last season with the Milwaukee Admirals. Rhinehart posted 27 points in 53 games last year as an alternate captain with the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades. Sutter joins his father’s organization after spending the last five seasons as the captain of the Ontario Reign.

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