Eric Nystrom Making A Comeback
The last word out of Eric Nystrom was that his NHL opportunities had dried up and he was considering retirement. The ten-year NHL veteran had been bought out by the Nashville Predators and cut from his preseason tryout deal with the St. Louis Blues, and could not find a contract – NHL, AHL, PTO or otherwise – in North America. He was considering joining his father, former NHLer Bobby Nystrom, in the insurance business. That was in early November; fast-forward to now and there has been no noise out of the Nystrom camp as no NHL teams have come calling due to injury and no foreign teams have lined up for his services. That is, until now.
Nystrom officially signed with the Oilers today (spoiler: link in Norwegian). No, not the Edmonton Oilers, but the Stavanger Oilers in Norway. Nystrom played with the team in 2012, prior to the resolution of the NHL lockout, and is now set to return. When Nystrom was there five years ago, the fans fell in love with him as he scored 14 points in just six games and dazzled the home crowd. The team is very excited to bring back not just a great talent, but also a “solid character” (translated from Norwegian). The Oilers currently sit atop the Norwegian Elite League, or “Get Ligaen” with 77 points, eight points ahead of their closest competitor. They also boast two of the league’s top three scorers in fellow Americans Mark Van Guilder and Dan Kissell, teammates at Notre Dame University in the mid-2000’s whose NCAA success didn’t translate to the pro game. However, Nystrom should step in and become the best player on the team and in the entire league right away, as the Stavanger Oilers appear poised to roll to a league championship.
Should Nystrom really impress in Norway, which in terms of international leagues is likely outside the top five in competition level, he might be able to get another shot at the NHL. He will have to really light it up, though. The tenth overall pick by the Calgary Flames in 2002, Nystrom had a long, successful career, but nowhere near the one expected of him with that selection. Nystrom made a living off of being a reliable bottom-six forward, capable of scoring 10-15 goals a year, but not much more. A hard-working, gritty player who excelled on the penalty kill and could hit and block shots, Nystrom’s value came in his two-way ability. He certainly is a “solid character” as well. However, aging defensive forwards are not at the top of NHL wish lists, and Nystrom is fresh off being bought out by Nashville after seeing his ice time cut and scoring just seven goals in 46 games last season. Unless Nystrom can change everyone’s minds with a strong offensive and defensive stint in Norway, his comeback may be limited to just the Stavanger Oilers. However, a great veteran leader with strong work ethic can often find a way.
Cody Bass Out For The Season
While the Nashville Predators are happy to get P.K. Subban back tonight, they also found out that they will be without the services of grinder Cody Bass for the remainder of the 2016-17 season. Predators beat writer Adam Vignan reports that Bass required surgery on a lower-body injury and the recover will keep him out for the year. The injury occurred while Bass was playing for the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals back in December, and a recent re-evaluation in Nashville and subsequent decision to move forward with surgery has ruled out any possible return.
Bass, while definitely not the most successful NHLer, has been a valued depth asset for many seasons. A fourth-round selection of the Ottawa Senators in 2005, Bass broke into the league at the age of 21 in 2007-08 and had his best NHL season as a rookie. In a career-high 21 games, Bass picked up four points and looked at home in an energy line role. He even notched a goal in the Senators’ first-round playoff series. However, Bass missed the majority of 2008-09 with an injury, and by the time he returned, his role in Ottawa was all but gone. Bass’ brand of hard-nosed hockey did not develop into anything more than just gritty checking play in limited ice time while in Ottawa. He moved on to Columbus in 2011-12 and appeared poised for a breakout year. Through 14 games, Bass was playing a career-best nine minutes per night and had carved out a role as the Blue Jackets’ main enforcer, racking up hits and obviously plenty of penalty minutes as well. However, another shoulder injury ended Bass’ season and kept him out nearly all of 2012-13 as well. Just like in Ottawa, during his absence, Bass lost his role in Columbus. After a strong AHL season with the Blue Jackets then-affiliate, the Springfield Falcons, Bass signed with the Chicago Blackhawks hoping for another shot at the NHL. Instead, he played the entire year in the minors and made the move to Nashville ahead of the 2015-16 season. Last year, Bass enjoyed his best NHL season in some time with the Predators. Again, not much of a scorer, Bass failed to register a point in 17 regular season games, but instead contributed with gritty defensive play, strong forechecking, and winning battles along the boards, while keeping his time in the box under control. His two-way play was so valued, that the Predators started Bass in six playoff games, almost a third of what he had played in the regular season. He rewarded them with a strong postseason performance. So far in 2016-17, Bass had again been used sparingly in the regular season, with just nine (scoreless) games. However, Bass has also been out since December and very likely would have seen more time in the second half of the season for a Predators team that is often in need of grit and two-way ability in its bottom-six.
Though few likely put two and two together, with the announcement that veteran grinder Bass is done for the year, it makes even more sense that Nashville recently claimed another veteran grinder, Derek Grant, off of waivers and traded for yet another experienced two-way player, Cody McLeod, from the Colorado Avalanche. Though Grant is five years younger than Bass, their career numbers are eerily similar. Grant is not much of a scorer himself, with just seven assists in 79 games, including his four assists in 39 games this season with the Predators and Buffalo Sabres. However, since Grant’s arrival in Nashville four games ago, he has already dropped the gloves once and made a few key defensive plays. McLeod is not as much of a pure-checking player as Bass or Grant, as he can contribute on the scoreboard occasionally as well. In ten seasons with the Avs, the 32-year-old has 117 points in 659 games and already has a goal for the Preds. McLeod can also hit as well as anyone in the league and isn’t afraid to fight either. While McLeod spends a lot of time in the penalty box, he will more than make up for the loss of Bass with his veteran experience and hard-working, aggressive play. McLeod and Grant will make most Nashville fans forget about Bass, but a speedy recovery and healthy return is certainly wished. Bass will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Subban Activated Off IR, Expected Back Tonight
In a surprising move, the Nashville Predators announced that superstar defenseman P.K. Subban has been activated from the injured reserve and is expected to make his return to the lineup tonight on the road against the Edmonton Oilers. Subban has missed the Predators’ last 16 games after suffering a herniated disk in his back in mid-Decmeber. Opting to go the non-surgical route, Nashville placed Subban on IR on January 1st and it was anticipated that he would remain inactive until such a time that he had been able to rest and let his body heal itself. Subban had only resumed light skating last week and was expected to only be re-evaluated at this point in time, with an immediate return unlikely. Instead Subban appears to be ready to lace ’em up for tonight’s contest.
Subban’s return to the lineup is much-needed for the Predators. With fellow star blue liner Roman Josi also on IR and depth defenders Petter Granberg and Anthony Bitetto sidelined as well, Nashville has been struggling to put together an NHL lineup on defense every night. Matt Irwin, who spent nearly the entire season in the AHL in 2015-16, has been playing major minutes. Rookie Alexandre Carrier was recently recalled despite being a fourth-round pick in just his first pro season. Just last night, the Predators acquired AHL defenseman Andrew O’Brien due to their need for bodies on the blue line. With the return of Subban, most of these defensive worries will be lessened, as he, Ryan Ellis, and Mattias Ekholm can hold down the fort until Josi returns and the defense is at full strength. Carrier has already been returned to the AHL and Irwin can return to his bottom-pair role shortly. The Predators have had a disappointing season relative to the lofty expectations many had for them, but have fought their way into a playoff spot as of now. The return of Subban and a fully healthy defense will go a long way in holding on to that spot.
After being traded to Nashville this summer in the blockbuster deal that sent Shea Weber back to the Montreal Canadiens, Subban has looked pretty good as he adjusts to his new surroundings. Subban has 17 points in 29 games so far, which is off his typical pace, but his play has also been affected by his health. When healthy, Subban has played well and will continue to carve out a role for himself on his new team, which relies heavily on puck movement by defensemen. Despite missing so much time in his first season, Subban is already a fan favorite in Nashville and around the NHL. Selected as the captain of the Central Division team (and sole Predators representative) for the upcoming All-Star weekend, a return to health should allow Subban to participate in an event that he very much enjoys. Then it will be back to work for the Norris Trophy-winner, as he will be looked upon to score a lot of points down the stretch and lead the Predators into the playoffs.
Predators, Ducks Trade Prospects
Late last night, the Nashville Predators and Anaheim Ducks came to terms on a swap of minor league players. The Predators announced (in the middle of their 4-3 win over the Calgary Flames) that they had acquired defenseman Andrew O’Brien from the Ducks, with forward Max Gortz going the other way to Anaheim. As of now, both players are expected to remain at the AHL level.
With Roman Josi, P.K. Subban, and Petter Granberg all sidelined with injury and Anthony Bitetto struggling to stay healthy as well, the Predators have been in desperate need of some additional defensive depth. In acquiring O’Brien, Nashville receives a player without much flash or offensive upside, but who has grown into a more responsible defender in the past couple of seasons. The 24-year-old was a fourth-round pick by the Ducks in 2012 from the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the QMJHL. He had performed well in his first two junior seasons with the team, but not enough to draw much attention. The following year, O’Brien was traded to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, where began to build a reputation as a physical, shutdown defenseman. At 6’4″, 200 lbs., O’Brien hulked over much of his QMJHL competition and was a difficult match-up. It showed in his team-leading +19 rating (and 113 penalty minutes). However, when O’Brien joined the pro ranks in 2013-14, this physical advantage made less of an impact against bigger, stronger, and more experienced competition. As a result, he spent much of his first season down in the ECHL. The past two seasons, O’Brien has become a mainstay on the blue line for the Ducks’ AHL affiliates, again racking up penalty minutes but also contributing modest offense and learning how to better use his strength and frame in his own zone. Thus far in 2016-17 though, O’Brien has not seen much action, appearing in just ten games while buried under Anaheim’s notoriously deep defensive depth. Trading O’Brien is not much of a loss for the Ducks, but is an opportunity for him to show how he has grown as a player and to carve out a new role for himself with the Milwaukee Admirals and maybe even the Predators themselves eventually.
Unlike Nashville, Anaheim has no immediate need for forward depth, but in acquiring Gortz the team has obtained some great future potential. The 23-year-old Swedish product is in just his second pro season in North America and opened some eyes in his first year. Gortz was a sixth-round pick of the Predators in 2012, but was tied up playing in the Swedish Hockey League until 2015-16. He immediately showed how playing against men in an elite pro league can benefit young players, as he overcame the adjustment to North American hockey rather quickly. Gortz scored 18 goals and 29 assists for 47 total points last year, while playing to a +14 rating as well. At 6’2″, 200 lbs., Gortz’s size was apparent, but his ability to use that size in front of the net and on the forecheck came as a pleasant surprise to many. However, perhaps disappointed in the lack of opportunity to earn a spot in Nashville or potentially just due to the changes in the team around him, Gortz has struggled to replicate last year’s success in 2016-17. He has just a goal and three assists in 30 games so far, and instead of pushing for an NHL job has likely become an afterthought for the Predators. If it meant getting much needed defensive support, Nashville was probably happy to move the disappointing forward. A change of scenery with the San Diego Gulls may be exactly what Gotz needs though, and with great size and skill could still reach his NHL goals with the Ducks in the near future.
Snapshots: Coyotes, Bruins, Ellis
The Arizona Coyotes swapped forwards with their AHL affiliate on Friday morning, according to GM John Chayka.
Laurent Dauphin is making his way to the Tucson Roadrunners while Christian Fischer will take his place on the NHL roster. Fischer has 16 goals and 32 points in 31 games in the AHL, which puts him first in goals and second in points on the Roadrunners. The 32nd-overall pick in the 2015 draft has been named to the AHL All-Star Classic. Meanwhile Dauphin has three points in 24 games with the big club.
The Coyotes have lost four games in a row, and are currently in 29th with a 13-26-6 record.
- The floundering Boston Bruins will publicly address their coaching situation tomorrow, according to Bruins reporter Jimmy Murphy. Murphy quotes “numerous sources” as saying the team will speak regardless of the outcome of tonight’s game versus the Chicago Blackhawks. The Bruins have 52 points, which has them third in the Atlantic Division as of today, but they have played five more games than the teams above and below them. They have four wins in their past 10 games. Murphy tweets that the team’s management has “created a PR mess” by not publicly addressing the situation. This is Claude Julien‘s 10th season as head coach of the Bruins.
- Adam Vingan of the Tennessean tweeted an interesting fact, via Elias Sports. When Ryan Ellis scored twice against Calgary on Thursday night, he lost out on a Predators’ team record. Ellis had the most goals (35 before last night) in his Predators career without having a multi-goal game. That record now belongs to former Predator Dan Hamhuis, who had 32 goals during his six seasons with Nashville.
Evening Snapshots: Oduya, Watson, Fast, Puempel
It appears that Dallas Stars defenseman Johnny Oduya has experienced a recurrence of the lower-body injury which cost the veteran blue liner 10 games earlier this season, according to Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News, via Twitter. The 11-year veteran will miss Thursday’s contest on the road against the Islanders but it’s unclear if he will be sidelined beyond that.
The 35-year-old Oduya and Dan Hamhuis, 34, provide veteran experience to a predominantly young Stars blue line spearheaded by 24-year-old Swede John Klingberg. Oduya has appeared in 782 NHL regular season games and another 102 postseason contests during his career. He was part of two Stanley Cup winning teams while with the Blackhawks and has also spent time in the New Jersey and Winnipeg/Atlanta organizations.
Elsewhere in the NHL:
- Generally speaking, high expectations are attached to any prospect chosen in the first round of his respective entry draft. However, history has taught us that a prospect’s development is not linear and in many cases the player never fully lives up to his advanced billing. As Adam Vingan of The Tennessean writes, that has certainly proven to be true for Austin Watson of the Nashville Predators, who the team chose with the 18th overall pick in the 2010 draft. After three seasons spent mainly in the AHL and a stint on waivers in October, Watson appears to finally be carving out a regular role in the NHL six years after embarking on his pro career.
- The New York Rangers announced today that checking winger Jesper Fast will be out from seven to 10 days with an upper-body injury. Steve Zipay of Newsday adds that it appears to be an issue with his left shoulder. Though left wing Matt Puempel, out since December 31st with a concussion, is nearing a return and practiced with the team today, he won’t travel with the club. Instead it will be Oscar Lindberg, a healthy scratch last night with Mika Zibanejad‘s return, drawing back into the lineup in place of Fast.
Minor Transactions: 1/17/2017
The Anaheim Ducks continue to use frequent promotions and demotions to their advantage. With their AHL affiliate now right down the road, and not somewhere on the Eastern seaboard, it has become much easier and less costly to swap young players in and out and the Ducks are at it once again. Anaheim announced last night that defenseman Shea Theodore and forward Stefan Noesen are heading to the San Diego Gulls. Theodore has been back and forth a few different times so far in 2016-17, as he searches for consistency. In 19 NHL games last season, Theodore had three goals and five assists and was a +7. Through 23 games this year, he has just one goal and six assists while playing to a -7. With all of the blue line depth that the Ducks enjoy, they can afford to let Theodore find his game in the AHL (nine points in eleven games) and still call him up when necessary. Noesen, a 2011 first-round pick of the Ottawa Senators who was acquired alongside Jakob Silfverberg in the Bobby Ryan trade, has not panned out like Silfverberg has. Noesen has played in just eleven NHL games, nine of which have come this season, and has recorded just a single point. Quickly approaching 24-years-old, Noesen appears to be a bona fide bust.
Update (1:00pm CT): After demoting Theodore and Noesen last night, the Ducks have promoted the same pair this afternoon. Anaheim continues to be the poster-team for AHL transactions in 2016-17, squeezing ever little bit of salary cap savings they can out of numerous moves.
Elsewhere around the NHL:
- The Penguins announced that they have recalled defenseman Cameron Gaunce from their AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. They also re-assigned fellow blueliner David Warsofsky to the minors. This will be Gaunce’s first stint with Pittsburgh after joining the team in the offseason. He has two goals and six assists with the Baby Pens this season. As for Warsofsky, he got into two games with Pittsburgh since last being recalled. On the season, he has suited up in six games with the team, being held off the scoresheet. In 24 AHL games though, he has fared much better, tallying 28 points.
- The Oilers announced that they have re-assigned blueliner Jordan Oesterle to Bakersfield of the AHL. He did not get into a game with Edmonton after being recalled by the team on Sunday. In 18 minor league contests this year, he has three goals and eight assists.
- Having already claimed defenseman Brad Hunt and placed defenseman Petter Granberg on the injured reserve, a busy morning continued for the Nashville Predators as they re-assigned rookie forward Kevin Fiala to the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals. The Swiss winger has six goals and three assists on the season and has shown flashes of brilliance, but could use some more seasoning in order to build a more complete game. When the Predators can find him some extra play time down in the AHL, it only stands to help his development.
- The Montreal Canadiens have sent impressive prospect Michael McCarron back down to the St. John’s Ice Caps of the AHL. The 2013 first-rounder was called up to help Montreal deal with a slew of injuries, but with the team getting healthier he has been returned to the minors. In 15 games with the Canadiens, McCarron registered a goal and three assists and didn’t look out of place at all. However, the 21-year-old will benefit more this season from top-six time with the Ice Caps than bottom-six play with the Canadiens. Look for McCarron to challenge for a full-time spot on the team next season. Or, if Montreal’s injury luck continues, it will be much sooner that he returns to the NHL.
- Tim Heed and Ryan Carpenter will have to change locker rooms again, as the San Jose Sharks announced that the pair have been demoted to the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda (down the hall to the right). The 25-year-old defenseman Heed is fresh off of his NHL debut last week, having been recalled due to his excellent AHL numbers. Heed is second in the minors in defenseman scoring with 31 points in 28 games with the Barracuda. Carpenter played three games for the Sharks back in November, skating on the team’s energy line, but has not made it into a game in any of his subsequent call-ups in 2016-17.
- The Tampa Bay Lightning announced that they have recalled young defenseman Jake Dotchin from the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch. This is the first career call-up for Dotchin, who has become relevant within the organization as he enjoys a career year. In his third season with the Crunch, Dotchin is on pace to shatter his pro career-high of 20 points, set back in 2014-15, and is also a +10 after back-to-back minus seasons. The big, two-way defenseman only put up modest numbers in his OHL junior career as well and was a sixth-round selection back in 2012, so he has had to put in a lot of hard work to get to where he is and has earned a promotion. If Dotchin suits up for the Lightning tonight, he will be the 30th different player to line up for Tampa this season.
- Following last night’s legendary contest, the Washington Capitals have returned Chandler Stephenson to the Hershey Bears of the AHL. However, Stephenson didn’t play in the game against the Penguins, or any game for that matter, in this most recent call-up, nor did he play in his earlier promotion this season. After being held scoreless in nine games in Washington last season, it seems the Capitals are in no rush to get the play-making forward back into the NHL lineup.
Predators Claim Brad Hunt
It’s a new team, but the same division for veteran defenseman Brad Hunt. After being placed on waivers by the St. Louis Blues yesterday, TSN’s Bob McKenzie now reports that Hunt is headed to the Central rival Nashville Predators. The small, puck-moving defenseman has scored five points in nine games with the Blues this season, his first with the team, and has 29 points in 23 games with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves.
The St. Louis Blues continue to have bad luck with waivers, as just last week they lost Ty Rattie to the Carolina Hurricanes when they tried to move the young forward to the minors. This time they’ve lost some valuable blue line depth, as the 28-year-old Hunt had finally showed signs of breaking through at the NHL level this season. Prior to 2016-17, Hunt had toiled in the AHL for years, unable to make much of a difference when called up to the NHL by the Edmonton Oilers. His numbers in the minors have been impeccable, a total of 204 points over the past four-plus seasons, and as a defenseman no less, but he had just three points in 21 games over three seasons with the Oilers. However, Hunt signed on with the Blues this summer and in nine games with the team has already surpassed his previous NHL career total.
He’ll now get a chance to replicate that production on a Nashville team that runs its offense through its defense. With stars Roman Josi and P.K. Subban injured and Anthony Bitetto banged up for much of the season, the Preds were in need of some depth with the likes of Matt Irwin and Petter Granberg (who is also headed to IR) currently playing major minutes. They get a similar size and skill set to Ryan Ellis in Hunt, who is likely to fit in well in Nashville. It appears to be another shrewd pick-up by Predators GM David Poile, one of the NHL’s best. This is the Predators’ third waiver claim this season, having already gained and lost Reid Boucher and recently added Derek Grant.
Lineup Notes: Neal, Gostisbehere, Predators
News and notes from around the NHL this afternoon:
- The Nashville Predators have activated forward James Neal from the injured reserve, reports the Tennesean’s Adam Vingan. Neal has been out since January 3rd with an upper body injury. So far this season Neal has 14G and 6A in 33 games for Nashville, but went pointless in his last five games before his injury. Neal’s return is good news for the Predators as they continue to battle injuries elsewhere. P.K. Subban, Roman Josi, and Colin Wilson are all out right now as the Predators struggle to stay afloat in the NHL’s Central Division
- Philadelphia Flyers scratched defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere once again this season, as first reported by the Courier-Post’s Dave Isaac. This is the sophomore’s second healthy scratch this season, but it comes off of a decent performance against the Vancouver Canucks. Points-wise Gostisbehere performs fine—4G and 15A in 42 games—but his defensive play leaves coach Dave Hakstol wanting more.
- The Nashville Predators announced that they called up defenseman Petter Granberg and reassigned forward Pontus Aberg to the AHL Milwaukee Admirals. The move makes room for the returning James Neal, and also shores up Nashville’s bleeding blue line. Nashville plays the Colorado Avalanche tonight riding a two game winning streak.
- The San Jose Sharks have recalled Ryan Carpenter prior to their game tonight against the St. Louis Blues. Carpenter has 18 points in 28 AHL games this season. Kevin Kurz of CSN thinks that it’s a sign that Joonas Donskoi, who missed yesterday’s practice, will be out for tonight.
Predators Place Roman Josi And Colin Wilson On IR
The Nashville Predators that they have placed defenseman Roman Josi and left winger Colin Wilson on injured reserve, reports Adam Vingan of The Tennessean.
Josi was injured last night on a high hit from Bruins winger Anton Blidh late in the first period. Blidh was assessed a major penalty for interference but will not receive any supplementary discipline from the league, CSNNE’s Joe Haggerty reports via Twitter.
As a result of the IR placement, Josi will be out for at least a week as a result of his upper body injury. The timing of the injury is far from ideal for the Predators as the team already is without P.K. Subban for likely another week at a minimum although he skated for the first time on Thursday. Josi leads all Nashville blueliners in points (22) and average ice time (25:15) this season.
As for Wilson, he has missed the last three games with a lower body injury and last played on January 6th. As a result, he’s eligible to be activated following their next game. In 38 games this season, he has six goals and 11 assists and has already matched his goal output from last season. GM David Poile doesn’t believe Wilson will be out long-term but there is no firm timetable for his return.
Wilson’s spot on the active roster will likely go to winger Cody McLeod, who was acquired from Colorado earlier today. As for Josi’s replacement, the team will likely need to bring someone up from their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee.