Training Camp Cuts: 09/27/19
We’re getting closer and closer to the start of the regular season and teams are making their final cuts. We’ll keep track of them right here. Keep checking back throughout the day as this page will be updated regularly.
Arizona Coyotes (per team release)
F Lane Pederson (to Tucson, AHL)
D Jordan Gross (to Tucson, AHL)
D Kyle Capobianco (to Tucson, AHL)
Dallas Stars (per team release)
F Nicholas Caamano (to Texas, AHL)
F Rhett Gardner (to Texas, AHL)
F Jason Robertson (to Texas, AHL)
D Thomas Harley (to Mississauga, OHL)
Detroit Red Wings (per team release)
G Kaden Fulcher (to Toledo, ECHL)
F Matthew Ford (released from PTO)
F Josh Kestner (released from PTO)
F Troy Loggins (released from ATO)
F Tyler Spezia (released from PTO)
D Marcus Crawford (released from PTO)
D Charle-Edouard D’Astous (released from ATO)
D Alec McCrea (released from ATO)
G Pat Nagle (released from PTO)
Los Angeles Kings (per team release)
F Jaret Anderson-Dolan (to Ontario, AHL)
F Rasmus Kupari (to Ontario, AHL)
New Jersey Devils (per team release)
F Nathan Bastian (to Binghamton, AHL)
F Michael McLeod (to Binghamton, AHL)
New York Rangers (per team release)
F Steven Fogarty (to Hartford, AHL)
Minnesota Wild (per team release)
F Gerry Mayhew (to Iowa, AHL)
F Nico Sturm (to Iowa, AHL)
F Drew Stafford (released from PTO)
Vancouver Canucks (per team release)
F Zack MacEwen (to Utica, AHL)
D Jalen Chatfield (to Utica, AHL)
F Tyler Graovac (placed on waivers before AHL assignment)
G Richard Bachman (placed on waivers before AHL assignment)
Winnipeg Jets (per team release)
F Andrei Chibisov (to Manitoba, AHL)
F Michael Spacek (to Manitoba, AHL)
F Kristian Vesalainen (to Manitoba, AHL)
D Logan Stanley (to Manitoba, AHL)
D Cameron Schilling (placed on waivers before AHL assignment)
Minnesota Wild Searching For Help At Center
The Minnesota Wild are looking for a top-six center according to Darren Dreger of TSN, who explained what new GM Bill Guerin is looking for on the latest edition of Insider Trading:
He’s willing to be aggressive but he’s also a realist. He wants a top center, or a second-line center. How do you acquire that piece? The Minnesota Wild have an abundance of wingers, they have a good draft pile in terms of prospects and they also have a good picks list. So he’s willing to use all of that as bait, but again, he’s also careful knowing that the market just doesn’t throw a player like that out there.
Former GM Paul Fenton was probably looking for the same thing when he sent Nino Niederreiter to the Carolina Hurricanes last season for Victor Rask, but the 26-year old center hasn’t been able to accomplish anything in Minnesota and is now fighting to even have a roster spot on the team. Ryan Donato, another one of Fenton’s acquisitions from last season is being tried at center, while Eric Staal is the only real lock down the middle while Mikko Koivu fights his way back from ACL surgery.
Getting another player in one of those top two spots would obviously be ideal, but those kind of centers don’t come cheap. Matt Duchene has been traded twice over the last couple of seasons, both times for substantial packages without any real guarantee he would re-sign (he ended up taking the free agent route). If Guerin and the Wild want someone on that level with any term, it will likely take even more than the Avalanche and then Senators received.
It’s a tough situation to be in, and though Dreger suggests they have a stockpile to deal from, that isn’t really the case. The Wild don’t have any additional draft picks for the next three seasons past their own, and actually already moved their 2020 third-round selection for a pick in June. Sure they have some promising prospects in the system, but for a team that has a huge amount of money tied up in players well on the wrong side of 30, they’ll need some cheap options to fill in the gaps on entry-level deals in the coming years.
Jimmy Hayes, Griffin Reinhart Among Notable AHL Camp Invites
It’s a position that no NHL veteran wants to find himself in, but sometimes it’s the only way to stay employed in North America. With NHL training camps starting to cut mass amounts of participants, AHL camps are opening for another round of evaluation and to prepare young pros for the start of the minor league season. However, these AHL camps can also be a last-ditch source of hope for older players looking to stay relevant with an NHL affiliate. Every year a few recognizable names opt for this route, and this year is no different.
Of the many invites announced thus far, Jimmy Hayes stands out as the top AHL camp participant. The Iowa Wild specifically acknowledged the veteran winger’s presence in camp when announcing their roster. Hayes, 29, has 334 NHL games and over 100 points to his credit over eight seasons with five different NHL teams. However, Hayes’ two-way contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season saw him play exclusively in the AHL. While he was productive, recording 30 points in 72 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, it wasn’t enough to earn another two-way deal. To this point, Hayes hasn’t even earned an AHL deal. He’ll work to earn a contract, and hopefully the attention of the Minnesota brass, when he takes part in Iowa camp.
Griffin Reinhart is another name that sticks out among the crowd of AHL camp invites. Like Hayes, Reinhart is a player whose trade value far outweighed what he ever produced on the ice in the NHL. The 25-year-old was drafted fourth overall in 2012 by the New York Islanders, who dealt him to the Edmonton Oilers a few years later for a first- and second-round pick. Yet, Reinhart has just two points in 37 games to show for his NHL impact. Even in three straight seasons of exclusive AHL action, Rienhart has failed to impress. However, on name value alone he will be able to find a shot somewhere. This time around, the Belleville Senators have invited the young defenseman to camp. Former Vancouver Canucks prospect Cole Cassels, the son of long-time NHLer Andrew Cassels, will also join the junior Senators in camp after playing in Germany last season.
Among the other recognizable faces in minor league camp is veteran forward Lance Bouma. After missing almost all of last season due to injury, Bouma signed a PTO with the Los Angeles Kings and seemed like a dark horse candidate to earn a contract. The 29-year-old has a proven track record as a checking forward in the NHL and has flashed offense from time to time as well. However, the Kings opted to go with their younger options, but not before asking Bouma to take part in AHL camp with the Ontario Reign, the team announced. Bouma could still earn a spot with the organization yet. Talented young goaltender Hayden Hawkey surprisingly remains a free agent searching for a landing spot. The property of both the Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers during his four years at Providence College, Hawkey nevertheless ended up without an NHL team after graduation and became a UFA in August. He recently took part in training camp with the Washington Capitals, but was cut. He will now join the Stockton Heat in camp, the team revealed, and could prove to be a sneaky addition to the organization for the Calgary Flames. Hawkey posted a 2.19 GAA or lower in each of his four dominant collegiate seasons. Finally, Connor Brickley seems determined to stay with the New York Rangers organization at all costs. Brickley, 27, is a big, capable bottom-six forward who performed well down the stretch for the Rangers last season following a deadline trade. However, New York would not commit to a contract extension for the former second-round pick. Instead, he accepted a PTO to join the team in camp. When that ended today with his release from Rangers camp, the team announced that he will still participate in minor league camp with the Hartford Wolfpack and could stay in the organization after all.
None of these players are likely happy with their current predicament, but if they work hard in camp and in the AHL regular season, the fastest way back to NHL relevance is through production and consistency at the minor league level. Even for veterans and especially for those still considered prospects, AHL training camp can still be a valuable stepping stone toward a return to the top level.
Central Notes: Tolvanen, Koivu, Chibisov
A few people were surprised when the Nashville Predators assigned top prospect Eeli Tolvanen to the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL Sunday. Many believed with a solid training camp that Tolvanen was close to earning a full-time job with Nashville.
Nashville Post’s Michael Gallagher reported that it was a tough decision for Nashville staff, but with Tolvanen being waiver exempt and a team that is vying for a Stanley Cup, the team wasn’t ready to take a chance yet on Tolvanen, despite the progress he’s made since last year.
“He’s closer (to being NHL ready); let’s put it that way,” said Predators assistant coach Kevin McCarthy. “The biggest thing for him were the strides he’s made physically and coming in in better shape”
- The Minnesota Wild got good news on Saturday when injured forward Mikko Koivu returned to the ice and played in his first preseason game, playing 16:41 and showing that his season-ending injury is a thing of the past, according to The Athletic’s Michael Russo (subscription required). Koivu won 10 of 18 faceoffs and played 6:34 on the penalty kill, two key elements that Minnesota was lacking without him last season. “He did what we missed last year,” head coach Bruce Boudreau said. “He won faceoffs in our zone, he defended really well, he was responsible. For his first game in eight months, I thought that was really good.”
- In an early prediction of what the Winnipeg Jets opening day roster might look like, Winnipeg Sun’s Scott Billeck writes that it looks like Russian forward Andrei Chibisov has already earned a spot on the fourth line and with restricted free agents Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor still holding out, Chibisov might be able to earn a spot on the team’s third line. The 26-year-old signed with Winnipeg this summer on a one-year, entry-level contract and can be an unrestricted free agent next season. He played in the KHL for five years already and scored seven goals and career-high 20 points last season for Magnitogorsk Metallurg.
Central Notes: Crawford, Dach, Fiala, Stars Prospects
After two concussion-plagued seasons that Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford has gone through, much doubt has been cast on whether the two-time Jennings Trophy winner might be able to bounce back and become the team’s No. 1 goaltender again. The Blackhawks even took another step to insure themselves against another injury this summer when it signed Masterson and Jennings Trophy winner Robin Lehner to share the net. However, NHL.com’s Chris Kuk writes that Crawford said he feels great and is ready to continue his career.
“You kind of have an idea if you’ve been injured enough of what he’s feeling and just the constant, over and over and over,” Crawford said. “That’s what it is. You have to have that will to battle back and go through it again during those tough days. So, right now, I still have that will to keep pushing and get back to where I need to be.”
The Blackhawks will wait and see how Crawford fares this season before deciding on his long-term future. His six-year, $36MM deal will expire at the end of this season and with Lehner also signed to a one-year deal, Chicago will likely choose between the two netminders next summer. Regardless, Crawford says he is eager to play in the future.
“I would like to keep playing,” Crawford said. “This is like the first time for me to be in this situation and I haven’t really thought about it that much to be honest. It’s just kind of, play the next game. I think my play and my health will probably determine my future here, for sure, like it always has. If you’re not at the right level and the team feels like you’re not helping then the chances are you won’t stay here. That’s good. I’ve always been a competitive guy, confident in what I can do. It’s another challenge.”
- The Chicago Tribune’s Jimmy Greenfield writes that Chicago Blackhawks first-round pick Kirby Dach (third-overall) made his on-ice debut Friday in training camp after having to sit out with a concussion that he sustained in the final game of the NHL Prospect Tournament. While there was no guarantee that Dach would have made the opening night roster anyway, it would seem more challenging now. However, Chicago head coach Jeremy Colliton said that Dach is still being considered for a roster spot even though he missed a week of training camp and four preseason games. If he doesn’t make the team, the Blackhawks will have to return him to his junior team in the WHL.
- Michael Russo of The Athletic (subscription required) writes that Minnesota Wild forward Kevin Fiala, who finally signed his deal on Sept. 11, finally arrived in training camp Saturday after spending this whole time filling out paperwork so he can work in North America. He is expected to undergo medical tests and will fly with the team in Colorado where head coach Bruce Boudreau will determine whether he plays Sunday or whether he will wait to put Fiala into the lineup next Thursday in Dallas.
- The Dallas Stars have two top prospects in similar situations who have impressed in training camp in Ty Dellandrea and Thomas Harley. Both players are likely ready for the next step in their development, but the both must either make the Dallas squad or be returned to their junior team as the AHL is not an option for the two. However, NHL.com’s Mike Heika writes because of that, he would be surprised if Dallas keeps either on the roster.
Kevin Fiala To Join Minnesota Saturday, No Timeline For Greg Pateryn's Return
- Wild winger Kevin Fiala’s immigration paperwork has finally been finalized, paving the way for him to rejoin the team today, the team announced (Twitter link). He signed a two-year bridge deal back on September 11th but has still wound up missing the first week of training camp.
- Still with the Wild, there is no timetable for defenseman Greg Pateryn to return from his lower-body injury, notes Rachel Blount of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. He has yet to play in the preseason as he deals with what head coach Bruce Boudreau is classifying as a minor but persistent lower-body issue.
Training Camp Cuts: 09/20/19
Like always, we’ll keep track of all the training camp cuts right here. It is important to note that today is the first day teams can place players on waivers for the 2019-20 season, meaning a flood of moves will likely come in over the next few days. Keep checking back to see the updated list:
Chicago Blackhawks (per team release)
F Nathan Noel (to Rockford, AHL)
F Graham Knott (to Rockford, AHL)
F Tim Soderlund (to Rockford, AHL)
F Dylan McLaughlin (to Rockford, AHL)
F Kris Versteeg (to Rockford, AHL)
F Tyler Sikura (to Rockford, AHL)
D Chad Krys (to Rockford, AHL)
D Jack Ramsey (to Rockford, AHL)
D Jake Ryczek (to Rockford, AHL)
Columbus Blue Jackets (per team release)
F Egor Sokolov (released from PTO)
Dallas Stars (per team release)
F Tony Calderone (to Texas, AHL)
F Josh Melnick (to Texas, AHL)
D John Nyberg (to Texas, AHL)
D Ondrej Vala (to Texas, AHL)
G Colton Point (to Texas, AHL)
F Diego Cuglietta (released from ATO)
F Parker MacKay (released from ATO)
D Tanner Jago (released from ATO)
F Corey Elkins (released from PTO)
F Brad McClure (released from PTO)
F Anthony Nellis (released from PTO)
G Tomas Sholl (released from PTO
Edmonton Oilers (per team release)
F Tyler Benson (to Bakersfiled, AHL)
F Cameron Hebig (to Bakersfiled, AHL)
F Kirill Maksimov (to Bakersfiled, AHL)
F Cooper Marody (to Bakersfiled, AHL)
F Ryan McLeod (to Bakersfiled, AHL)
F Anthony Peluso (to Bakersfiled, AHL)
D Caleb Jones (to Bakersfiled, AHL)
D Dmitri Samorukov (to Bakersfiled, AHL)
G Dylan Wells (to Bakersfiled, AHL)
Minnesota Wild (per team release)
F Will Bitten (to Iowa, AHL)
F Connor Dewar (to Iowa, AHL)
F Brandon Duhaime (to Iowa, AHL)
F Ivan Lodnia (to Iowa, AHL)
F Dmitry Sokolov (to Iowa, AHL)
D Brennan Menell (to Iowa, AHL)
D Stepan Falkovsky (to Iowa, AHL)
G Dereck Baribeau (to Iowa, AHL)
G Kaapo Kakhonen (to Iowa, AHL)
G Mat Robson (to Iowa, AHL)
F Alexander Khovanov (to Moncton, QMJHL)
F Olivier Archambault (released from PTO, will report to AHL training camp)
F Kyle Bauman (released from PTO, will report to AHL training camp)
F Mitch McLain (released from PTO, will report to AHL training camp)
F Tyler Sheehy (released from PTO, will report to AHL training camp)
D Nicholas Boka (released from PTO, will report to AHL training camp)
D Alex Breton (released from PTO, will report to AHL training camp)
D Jack Sadek (released from PTO, will report to AHL training camp)
New York Rangers (per team release)
F Jake Elmer (to Hartford, AHL)
D Brandon Crawley (to Hartford, AHL)
D Vincent LoVerde (to Hartford, AHL)
D Darren Raddysh (to Hartford, AHL)
Ottawa Senators (per team release)
D Maxence Guenette (to Val-d’Or, QMJHL)
F Tristan Scherwey (to Bern, NLA)
F J.C. Beaudin (to Belleville, AHL)
F Michael Carcone (to Belleville, AHL)
F Mark Kastelic (to Belleville, AHL)
F Jack Rodewald (to Belleville, AHL)
F Andrew Sturtz (to Belleville, AHL)
D Jonathan Aspirot (to Belleville, AHL)
D Nick Ebert (to Belleville, AHL)
D Hubert Labrie (to Belleville, AHL)
Philadelphia Flyers (per team release)
F Kyle Criscuolo (to waivers on 09/21)
D Tyler Wotherspoon (to waivers on 09/21)
D Nate Prosser (to waivers on 09/21)
D T.J. Brennan (to waivers on 09/21)
D Reece Wilcox (to waivers on 09/21)
F Cal O’Reilly (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F Greg Carey (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F Maksim Sushko (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F Gerry Fitzgerald (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F David Kase (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F Pascal Laberge (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F Isaac Ratcliffe (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F Matthew Strome (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F Rob Michel (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
D David Drake (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
D Josh Couturier (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
G Felix Sandstrom (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
G Kirill Ustimenko (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
Pittsburgh Penguins (per team release)
F Chase Berger (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Jordy Bellerive (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Jan Drozg (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Ben Sexton (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
D Matt Abt (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
D Michael Kim (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
D Jon Lizotte (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
G Alex D’Orio (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
G Dustin Tokarski (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
D Calen Addison (to Lethbridge, WHL)
St. Louis Blues (per team release)
F Cameron Darcy (to San Antonio, AHL)
F Zach Nastasiuk (to San Antonio, AHL)
F Evan Polei (to San Antonio, AHL)
F Nolan Stevens (to San Antonio, AHL)
F Alexei Toropchenko (to San Antonio, AHL)
D Jake Christiansen (to San Antonio, AHL)
D Rob O’Gara (to San Antonio, AHL)
Vegas Golden Knights (per team release)
F Paul Cotter (to Chicago, AHL)
F Lucas Elvenes (to Chicago, AHL)
F Ben Jones (to Chicago, AHL)
F Jake Leschyshyn (to Chicago, AHL)
F Jermaine Loewen (released from ATO, assigned to Chicago, AHL)
F Tye McGinn (to Chicago, AHL)
F Gage Quinney (to Chicago, AHL)
F Jonas Rondbjerg (to Chicago, AHL)
D Brayden Pachal (to Chicago, AHL)
Central Notes: Spurgeon, Koivu, Thomas, Avalanche, Copp
The Minnesota Wild announced earlier today they signed Jared Spurgeon to a seven-year, $53MM extension that will kick in during the 2020-21 season. The Athletic’s Michael Russo reports that Spurgeon’s deal has a no movement clause this year as well as the first four years of the first contract. After that, Spurgeon has a 10-team modified no-trade clause for the final three years, which will kick in during the 2024-25 season.
- Sticking with the Wild, Minnesota got some good news about injured forward Mikko Koivu, who had surgery to repair a torn ACL back in February. The 36-year-old, who was expected to be eased back into practices and scrimmages in training camp, told coach Bruce Boudreau that he’s ready and is expected to participate in scrimmages on Monday, according to StarTribune’s Sarah McLellan. Koivu was cleared for practice on Thursday, but now looks like he’s ready for full play. He scored eight goals and 29 points in 47 games last season before going down with the knee injury.
- NHL.com’s Lou Korac reports that the St. Louis Blues have been without forward Robert Thomas for a second straight day as he recovers from offseason surgery to repair a tendon in his left wrist. He and Jordan Kyrou, out with a knee injury, are expected to be brought back slowly from their injuries. “We’ve got them in that third group right now,” Blues head coach Craig Berube said. “We’ve got to be a little cautious with them right now.”
- BSN Denver’s A.J. Haefele writes that Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar had quite a few positive to point out after Day 2 of training camp. Bednar pointed out quite a bit of improvement in the play of winger Andre Burakovsky and the standout play of A.J. Greer and the impressive leaderships skills of Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. He also said that he believes that the next step for defenseman Samuel Girard is his offensive game. The 21-year-old scored four goals and 27 points last season. While both were career highs, Bednar would like to see those numbers rise this season.
- The Athletic’s Ken Wiebe reports that the Winnipeg Jets are without a few player at the moment. The team has been without forward Andrew Copp due to a minor groin injury, while Kristian Vesalainen and Sami Niku were stiff Saturday after being in a fender-bender on Friday. They should return soon.
Wild Sign Jared Spurgeon To A Seven-Year Extension
Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon hadn’t hidden his desire to sign a long-term extension with the team but talks didn’t appear to be progressing under former GM Paul Fenton. With new GM Bill Guerin in the fold, the two sides were able to agree to a deal as the team announced that they have signed Spurgeon to a seven-year, $53.025MM contract extension that will kick in for the 2020-21 season. The $7.575MM AAV checks in slightly above that of veterans Ryan Suter and Zach Parise, making him the highest-paid player on the team when the contract kicks in.
The 29-year-old is coming off of a career season in 2018-19. He set new marks in goals (14), assists (29), and points (43) while logging more than 24 minutes a night for the third straight season. That workload was the second-highest on the team behind Suter while his total ice time played ranked eighth overall in the league.
Back in December of 2015, Spurgeon signed his current deal, one that carries a cap hit of just under $5.2MM. At the time, he didn’t have a significant track record so it was perceived to be somewhat of a risk. Instead, it has turned into quite the bargain as he has performed as a quality top pairing player at a rate that third and fourth blueliners have been getting on the open market.
Spurgeon has spent his entire nine-year career with Minnesota after not signing with the Islanders who drafted him in the sixth round back in 2008 but opted not to sign him, a decision they’d clearly like a do-over on. Meanwhile, the Wild’s decision to take a chance on him has certainly worked out better than they could have hoped.
With the deal, Minnesota could have a little bit of stability on their back end as all seven of their NHL defenders would be signed through the 2020-21 season. They also now have more than $70MM in commitments for that campaign although they now have 19 players signed. That should allow them to have some flexibility in free agency one year from now.
Michael Russo of The Athletic (Twitter link) was the first to report that a deal was imminent.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Kevin Fiala Still Waiting On Work Visa, Team Hopes He'll Join Them Early Next Week
- While Wild winger Kevin Fiala recently signed his bridge contract, he has yet to join the team at training camp. Sarah McLellan of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune notes that the 23-year-old is currently awaiting his work visa. The team is hopeful that he’ll be able to join them early next week although it’s likely that this will keep him out of the first couple of preseason games.