Snapshots: Danault, Simek, Frk
Montreal Canadiens center Phillip Danault has struggled this season as he is one of just two forwards who have yet to record a goal this season. The 27-year-old is coming off of 53 and 47-point seasons that last two years, but the pending unrestricted free agent reportedly turned down a six-year, $30MM deal during the offseason, according to Montreal Gazette’s Stu Cowan, and it looks to be weighing on him.
Danault refused to talk about his contract situation Friday, but Cowan said that ice time might play more of a role in his decision-making than money. Danault, who was playing top-six minutes for much of the past two seasons, is now the team’s No. 3 center behind Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
“I needed some time to adapt,” Danault said. “There are a lot of things that changed at the same time, whether it was my ice time or the way I was being used on the penalty-kill. I’m still playing with the same linemates, though. We try to give everything we have every night. I’m ready to do everything I can to help the team win. It’s going really well right now and we’ll keep on going that way.”
- NHL Player Safety announced that San Jose Sharks defenseman Radim Simek has been fined $5,000 for spearing Anaheim Ducks forward Adam Henrique Saturday (video here). The fine is the most that is allowed by the CBA.The infraction occurred at 6:21 of the second period when the spearing occurred in front of the Sharks’ net. The two players then fought immediately afterwards with both players receiving two-minute penalties for roughing with the spearing getting missed.
- The Los Angeles Kings could be without forward Martin Frk for some time, according to Los Angeles Times’ Jack Harris. While he hasn’t received an update from the team’s training staff, head coach Todd McLellan said that by the look of the injury, he could be “out for a little while.” Frk missed the first nine games of the season with a groin injury and was making his season debut Friday only to be knocked out with another lower-body injury.
Injury Notes: Blues, Armia, Necas, Kase
The St. Louis Blues’ Tyler Bozak, who has been sidelined since January 26th, has finally been retroactively placed on the injured reserve per a team release. Ironically, the Blues waited so long to make the the move that Bozak is already eligible to be activated from IR. However, he is still considered day-to-day and there is not definitive timeline for his return. Bozak has been out with an undisclosed upper-body injury since taking a heavy hit from Vegas’ Mark Stone nearly two weeks ago. Defenseman Marco Scandella has additionally been ruled out for the time being with an upper-body injury, reports Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Scandella was a late scratch for the Blues’ game on Thursday, believed to have been the result of this same nagging injury. Thomas adds that Zach Sanford is also out for the Blues with, of all things in the age of COVID, the flu. Sanford is off to a slow start this season despite playing on the team’s top line recently, but perhaps taking some time to get back to full strength will put him back on track.
- Sanford is not alone in his struggles with the flu. While the virus is certainly the lesser of two evils this season, it is still hampering a return to action for the Montreal Canadiens’ Joel Armia as well. Armia, who was initially sidelined by a concussion, is doing better in that regard, head coach Claude Julien tells TSN’s John Lu. However, he has been unable to skate with the team due to flu symptoms. The team hopes to have Armia back at practice on Monday at the earliest.
- Young Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas has also entered the concussion protocol after suffering an injury on Thursday, reports Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer. However, head coach Rod Brind’Amour is not worried that he will miss a considerable amount of time. Specifically, he tells Alexander that Necas is “going to be out for a little while but I don’t think it’s going to be very long.” His injury is only being termed as an “upper-body” ailment.
- The Boston Bruins are hoping to have Jake DeBrusk and Matt Grzelcyk back before their next game on Wednesday, but it seems Ondrej Kase is still a ways behind in his recovery from a concussion. Head coach Bruce Cassidy tells The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa that Kase has been able to ride the exercise bike, but he has not yet resumed skating. Kase has been out since the Bruins’ second game of the season and is currently on injured reserve. A talented, but injury-prone young forward with a history of head trauma, Kase needs to return to the Bruins lineup and show some durability and consistency and establish chemistry with his team ahead of an off-season in which he will be a restricted free agent and the subject of a difficult Expansion Draft decision.
Trade Rumors: Bennett, DeAngelo, Stepan
As if there weren’t enough whispers surrounding Calgary Flames forward Sam Bennett, his healthy scratch last night did not help. The news emerged well ahead of the Flames’ game on Thursday that Bennett would not play and TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that speculation swelled across the league that this implied Bennett was available for trade. Bennett’s play has improved of late and the player himself even told the media that the scratch came as a surprise. However, with Bennett wanting out of Calgary – though he would not confirm a formal trade request – perhaps the Flames want to look at other internal options who could take Bennett’s place, as well as protect the health of their trade asset. With that said, Dreger warns not to get too excited. He says a trade is certainly not imminent, which harkens back to the Flames own admission that they would not rush to trade Bennett and may not move him at all if they cannot find the right deal.
- As for the possibility of a trade involving Bennett and another player on the block, New York Rangers defenseman Anthony DeAngelo, there are mixed reports. On Wednesday, Bob McKenzie reported on the NBC Sports broadcast that the Calgary Flames were among four or five teams that had interest in the “reclamation project” that is DeAngelo. A talented, but polarizing player, DeAngelo could be of interest to any number of teams, so even a Calgary team with good defensive depth would not be a major surprise. However, Sportsnet’s Flames beat writer Eric Francis dispelled the rumors of Calgary interest in DeAngelo. He also reiterated that the team will take their time with a Bennett trade and will not rush into a deal for another player on the rumor mill.
- The other teams mentioned by McKenzie as kicking the tires on DeAngelo: the Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings, and Los Angeles Kings. As rebuilding teams, taking a chance on the talent and youth of DeAngelo makes a ton of sense for any of these clubs. Considering that DeAngelo has already cleared waivers as well, Detroit or L.A. could also convince New York to add a draft pick to the trade, while Anaheim may be more interested in the Rangers retaining some of DeAngelo’s $4.8MM salary.
- Despite an impressive win over the rival Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, the season has not gone as planned so far for the Ottawa Senators. After adding some veterans to the roster this off-season, the team hoped the influx of experience and talent combined with their considerable youth and upside would result in more wins. Thus far, they have the league’s worst record at 2-8-1. As a result, changes could be coming to the roster. The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch reports that one major change could be a quick flip of veteran center Derek Stepan. Stepan was acquired right before training camp in a trade with the Arizona Coyotes but has failed to make much of an impact for the Senators. He has just three points and -7 rating through ten games, averaging just two shots per game and on pace for the worst possession numbers of his career. It is believed that Stepan is as unhappy with his role in Ottawa as the Senators are in his production. A separation could be coming soon since the veteran still has value across the league, especially on an expiring contract. Stepan, 30, is a durable, two-way center who has scored at a 40-point pace or better in each of nine NHL season prior to last year.
Chris Drury Promoted To Associate General Manager
The New York Rangers have given Chris Drury a shiny new title, promoting him from assistant general manager to associate general manager. He will remain general manager of the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. The team explains that in his role, Drury will “continue to assist Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton on all player transactions and contract negotiations.”
Drury had recently been linked to the Pittsburgh Penguins GM search, before suddenly removing himself from contention earlier this week. In all likelihood, this promotion is the reason why.
For the Rangers, losing a promising young executive like Drury to a rival like Pittsburgh would have been unwise. The 44-year-old Drury was not only a star player in the NHL, with a Stanley Cup championship and two Olympic medals, but he was a Rangers captain and has been a rising star since joining the management side. In 2019 he was even tapped by USA Hockey to GM the World Championship squad and was set to have the same role in 2020 before the tournament was canceled.
At some point down the line, Drury will become a GM in the NHL. It will be interesting to see whether that is in New York at some point, with Gorton either departing or moving into a different role. They won’t be able to keep Drury around forever if he truly wants control of a franchise.
Update On Sam Bennett, Victor Mete
Over the weekend Darren Ferris, the agent for both Sam Bennett and Victor Mete, voiced some displeasure through the media. First Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported that Bennett hoped for a change of scenery, not using the term trade request but implying that the young forward would welcome a move. Then later that evening, several reports surfaced of Mete also wanting out, this time from the Montreal Canadiens where he had not played a single game this season.
Both players obviously want more opportunity, but both the Flames and Canadiens have since denied that formal trade requests were made. Today, Eric Francis of Sportsnet published a piece examining the situation in Calgary, reporting that though the organization does not question Friedman’s report, they were “blindsided” by it. They had not been given a trade request from Bennett or his agent and will not comment on the matter publicly. That’s not to say Bennett doesn’t want out, just that the two sides were not on the same page.
Meanwhile, in Montreal, GM Marc Bergevin quickly told Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic on Saturday that he wouldn’t be trading Mete, but it appears the agent’s gambit may have worked in part. The young defenseman will be in the lineup tonight against the Vancouver Canucks, skating on a pair with rookie Alexander Romanov as Brett Kulak draws out. This could have been Montreal’s plan all along—in fact, head coach Claude Julien tells Eric Engels of Sportsnet exactly that—but it certainly is coincidental that Mete would receive his first game of the season less than 48 hours after the agent went public with his displeasure.
At any rate, it appears as though Mete will get a chance to prove he belongs in the Montreal lineup. Bennett, who was already in the lineup but being deployed on the third or fourth line, is a story to keep an eye on. If he truly wants out, you can bet the situation will likely get worse before it gets better.
North Notes: Virtanen, Dube, Anderson, Chabot
After being scratched two games in a row, speculation is beginning to form around Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen. In fact, with the team being in need of defensive help, the Canucks might be willing to move on from Virtanen and his $2.55MM AAV.
The Province’s Patrick Johnston writes that one possibility might be trading Virtanen to Montreal in exchange for defenseman Victor Mete. Johnston notes that Montreal was interested in Virtanen when the two clubs discussed a deal at the 2019 draft for the now-24-year-old forward. Virtanen, who finished with 18 goals last season, so far has struggled with just one goal in nine games this season, which of course, begs the question of whether Virtanen still has any trade value.
- There will be no hearing for Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube for his hit Saturday(video here) against Montreal Canadiens forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi, according to TVA’s Renaud Lavoie. Dube had a high hit on Kotkaniemi in the head behind Montreal’s net. No call was made. Sportsnet’s Eric Engels adds that the NHL reviewed the hit, but determined, according to Rule 48.1, that head contact was unavoidable.
- While no official word has come from the Montreal Canadiens, Jonathan Bernier of Le Journal de Montreal reports (translation required) that forward Josh Anderson, who was pulled out of the lineup Saturday due to flu-like symptoms, tested negative for COVID-19. It is believed that Anderson’s symptoms were due to something he ate. Anderson has been quite effective this year with four goals and five points in eight games so far this year after being acquired from Columbus during the offseason. Sportsnet’s Eric Engels confirms that the Canadiens told him that Anderson tested negative on Saturday and are awaiting a test from Sunday morning.
- Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot will not play Sunday and is listed as day-to-day, according to Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch. The team recalled Artem Zub earlier today in case Chabot, who was removed from Thursday’s game due to an undisclosed injury, wasn’t able to go, which Garrioch has now confirmed.
Scott Mellanby Won’t Interview For Pittsburgh’s GM Position
Despite getting permission from the Montreal Canadiens to interview assistant general manager Scott Mellanby for their open general manager position, the Pittsburgh Penguins won’t be interviewing him, according to TVA’s Renaud Lavoie. The scribe writes that Mellanby spoke to Canadiens’ GM Marc Bergevin Sunday and informed him that he’s happy in Montreal and wants to enjoy the team’s success and will not interview for any job in the near future.
That’s a big blow to Pittsburgh who had narrowed down their job search to just a handful of candidates with Mellanby and Los Angeles’ Ron Hextall at the forefront. The team is also reportedly expected to give interim general manager Patrik Allvin an interview. Earlier today, it was reported that the Rangers would allow assistant general manager Chris Drury to interview for the post, if asked by Pittsburgh, which hadn’t happened as of Saturday afternoon.
Mellanby has worked for the Canadiens since 2012, but has no experience as a NHL general manager. He was promoted to assistant GM in 2014 and has been mentioned as a candidate for several GM positions, many of which he turned down interviews with. Mellanby did play five-plus seasons as a player in Pennsylvania, but for the rival Philadelphia Flyers.
Snapshots: Anderson, Henderson, Letang
Partway through the game against the Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens forward Josh Anderson‘s absence was noticeable. It wasn’t clear at all what had forced him from the game, but afterward, Claude Julien gave an update that no one wanted to hear.
Anderson had been pulled with flu-like symptoms. The power forward tested negative for COVID-19 but will be tested again tomorrow. Hopefully, further testing continues to come back negative and Anderson will be able to get back into the lineup in the coming days.
- That likely won’t be true for at least one player in the Henderson Silver Knights-San Jose Barracuda preseason contest, given that it was suspended mid-game due to COVID protocols. Henderson was winning 1-0 as the teams came out to start the third period, but they were sent off the ice and the game was canceled. More information will come as the team gets it. UPDATE: The Silver Knights say the game was not suspended because of a positive COVID test from any Henderson players or staff.
- The Pittsburgh Penguins were already down most of their starting defensemen heading into tonight before Kris Letang suffered a lower-body injury and was removed from the game. Head coach Mike Sullivan told reporters that Letang is still being evaluated. The Penguins still managed to win the game in overtime, but losing Letang would be a huge blow for a team already scraping the bottom of their depth chart.
Victor Mete’s Agent Hopes For Trade
Agent Darren Ferris is having an interesting night. After telling Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet that client Sam Bennett would like a change of scenery, now Ferris has told Salim Nadim Valji of TSN that Victor Mete has requested a trade away from the Montreal Canadiens.
Though it seems clear, Ferris clarified exactly why Mete wants out in a comment to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic:
There isn’t opportunity to get in the lineup. It’s best for both the player and the team.
It’s important to note that though Ferris has been clear with reporters, GM Marc Bergevin tells Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports that the Canadiens have not yet received a trade request from Mete or his agent. In fact, Bergevin clarified his position even further to LeBrun, telling him “not true and not trading him.”
While it certainly would be beneficial for Mete to get out of Montreal since he hasn’t been able to get into a single game this season, moving the 22-year-old defenseman doesn’t necessarily make a lot of sense for the Canadiens. Just as the Pittsburgh Penguins—who look like they may have lost Kris Letang as well this evening—about having defensive depth and they’ll tell you don’t throw away an NHL-capable option like Mete just because he wants out.
The fact is, Mete is currently seventh of a deep defensive group that received reinforcements this offseason. Alexander Romanov has looked like a star in the early part of his rookie season, while Joel Edmundson was a top target of Bergevin; acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes and signed to a four-year deal before he hit the open market.
Mete is an injury away from being a full-time member of the Canadiens blue line once again, but obviously, Ferris believes his client would be better off somewhere else. A fourth-round pick in 2016 it didn’t take long for Mete to jump right into an NHL lineup, making his debut in 2017-18 and playing 171 games over the last three seasons. He carries a cap hit of just $735K and will be a restricted free agent again when the season is complete.
Canadiens Allow Scott Mellanby To Interview For Pittsburgh's GM Opening
As for Mellanby, he has been with the Canadiens since 2012 after leaving St. Louis as an assistant coach. He was promoted to assistant GM back in 2014 and has held that role ever since. He has been a candidate for most vacancies around the league the last couple of years although he hasn’t gotten that opportunity just yet.