Dryden McKay Signs With Toronto Marlies
The interesting saga of Dryden McKay is heading to Toronto, as the free agent goaltender has signed a two-year AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies. Of note, McKay is currently serving a six-month sanction for breaking anti-doping rules by unknowingly ingesting a banned substance. He will be eligible to practice with a team in August and play in early October, meaning his professional career will not be significantly affected.
McKay, 24, is the reigning Hobey Baker winner after another outstanding college season, where he posted a .931 save percentage in 43 games for Minnesota State-Mankato. He led the group all the way to the national championship game (eventually losing to the University of Denver) and went 38-5 overall. Those kinds of numbers are nothing new for McKay, who posted a .932 save percentage and 113-20-4 record over 140 career appearances at the NCAA level, and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker in each of the previous two seasons.
It’s easy to see why he would choose Toronto. The Maple Leafs have had goaltending issues all season long after free agent signing Petr Mrazek never really got off the ground, and are facing the potential loss of Jack Campbell to unrestricted free agency in the summer. The team is currently using 25-year-old Erik Kallgren as the backup, who is signed through next season on a two-way deal, and also have the oft-injured Joseph Woll in the organization along with Mrazek. That doesn’t represent a ton of depth at the position, meaning McKay will have a clear path to playing time in the AHL if he shows his performance from college can carry over to the next level.
That’s by no means a certainty, though the Maple Leafs also have a strong development and support system to help him along the way. The organization has done exactly that for fellow college free agent Keith Petruzzelli, who decided to sign a similar minor league deal with Toronto last summer and has progressed nicely through the system. It appears as though the Maple Leafs are trying their hardest to add depth at the position in any way they can, including even trying to bring over KHL netminder Harri Sateri at the trade deadline; Sateri was eventually lost on waivers to the Arizona Coyotes.
This contract means he is not call-up eligible and will still need to sign an entry-level deal in order to play in the NHL.
Snapshots: Byron, Team Canada, Perbix
Paul Byron can’t catch a break. The veteran forward has been limited to just 26 games this season due to injury. While many of these absences came while Byron was recovering from hip surgery, he has continued to be in and out of the lineup ever since he returned. The Montreal Canadiens announced that he was returning to the lineup on Tuesday night – but the return was short-lived. Less than two periods into the game, the Habs revealed that Byron has left the game and would not return due to a lower-body injury. Its unclear if this is another new injury or a reoccurrence of his hip issue. Either way, with just five games remaining in a lost season, it might be time for Montreal to simply shut Byron down for the year. Byron has one year remaining on his contract and will be back with the Canadiens in 2022-23 if he isn’t traded or bought out.
- The Canadian entry into the upcoming IIHF World Championship may look very familiar to the fans of a Canadian NHL team. Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun writes that Senators head coach D.J. Smith, who will be an assistant for Team Canada, has recruited several of his star players to join the tournament. If healthy, Drake Batherson, Connor Brown, and Thomas Chabot will suit up for Canada. Health is a question though; Chabot is currently on the injured reserve with a fractured hand and Batherson and Brown have both missed time due to injury this season and may not rush to play extra games if those issues flare up.
- Another notable name has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. Defenseman Jack Perbix, an Anaheim Ducks fourth-round pick in 2018, is leaving the University of Minnesota. Most would have expected that if Perbix was leaving the Gophers, it would be for the NHL. Older brother Nick Perbix, a Tampa Bay Lightning prospect, signed his entry level contract last month after four years at St. Cloud State University. Rather than follow suit, Jack will instead stay in college for his senior year but will don a different jersey and have a different name on his degree.
Dryden McKay Accepts Six-Month Sanction For Anti-Doping Rule Violation
In a very unexpected turn of events, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has announced that undrafted free agent goaltender and recent Hobey Baker winner Dryden McKay has accepted a six-month period of ineligibility for an anti-doping rule violation. McKay tested positive for Ostarine, a non-specified substance in the class of anabolic agents that is prohibited.
Normally, it could have resulted in a ban of up to four years, but as the press release indicates, McKay was found to have ingested it from a supplement that did not list Ostarine on the label. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet spoke with McKay’s representative Paul Greene, who explained:
The only reason we got the reduction is because we figured out where it came from, and his degree of fault was very low. He’d been very careful about looking at the label.
Friedman goes on to explain that though there was immediate NHL interest in the free agent goaltender as soon as his college season ended, word had started to spread that “something was up.” He reports that McKay will be able to resume practicing with a team on August 25 and play on October 11. There is still interest, though notes McKay will have to start in the AHL and “work his way up.”
The 24-year-old goaltender had an incredible college career at Minnesota State-Mankato, culminating in a national championship appearance this season. Through 140 NCAA appearances, he posted a 113-20-4 record and a .932 save percentage, earning a shutout in 26 different games. In a lengthy statement released on Twitter addressing his situation, McKay indicated that he is looking forward to starting his professional career in the fall. He does not currently have a contract for the 2022-23 season.
Carter Savoie Signs AHL ATO
After just two years at the college level, Carter Savoie has decided to turn pro. The Edmonton Oilers prospect has signed an amateur tryout with the Bakersfield Condors for the rest of the 2021-22 season, allowing him to play AHL games down the stretch. Had he signed an entry-level deal with the Oilers for this season, he would not have been eligible to be assigned to the minor leagues. Instead, his ELC will likely follow for 2022-23.
Savoie, 20, is fresh off a national championship with the University of Denver, where he quickly turned himself from a fourth-round afterthought to a legitimate NHL prospect. At times considered just “the older brother” of Matthew Savoie, a top prospect for the 2022 draft, Carter quickly showed he should also be considered a future NHL option. In 39 games for DU this season, he scored 23 goals and 45 points, earning a Hobey Baker nomination and now a chance to hit the professional ranks.
It’s not like offensive success is anything new for the young forward. In his final year in the AJHL, a junior league that allowed him to maintain his NCAA eligibility, Savoie racked up 53 goals and 99 points in just 54 games for the Sherwood Park Crusaders. Even as a freshman at Denver he scored 13 times in 24 games, showing off his uncanny ability to arrive in the right spot at the right time in order to finish plays.
For an organization that has had so much trouble developing mid-round picks over the last decade-plus, Savoie looks like something of an anomaly in the Oilers’ system. He’ll now face his biggest test to date, transitioning to the AHL level where his size–he stands just 5’9″–still could be an obstacle.
Minor Transactions: 04/17/22
NHL roster movement has slowed considerably with the trade deadline passed and the postseason just around the corner, but notable transactions continue in other leagues around the globe. While those moves often fly under the radar, especially at this time of year, here are some familiar names and worthwhile prospects to keep track of:
- Tobias Rieder is staying in Sweden. The 29-year-old journeyman forward left the NHL for the first time in his pro career this season, signing on with the SHL’s Vaxjo Lakers. After a successful season, recording 22 points in 36 games, it seems Rieder is willing to bypass any potential NHL interest this summer in exchange for some career stability. Vaxjo has announced a new two-year extension with Rieder, keeping the two-way forward through the 2023-24 season. Assuming he plays out the contract with the Lakers, it would mark the first time in his pro career that Rieder plays exclusively with one team for three consecutive seasons. Rieder began his NHL career in 2014-15 with the Arizona Coyotes, but split his rookie season with the AHL’s Portland Pirates. Then, after two more seasons with the ‘Yotes, he was traded midway through the 2017-18 campaign to the Los Angeles King and proceeded to play with a different team in each of the following three seasons: Edmonton, Calgary, and Buffalo. While Rieder has proved himself to be a serviceable depth forward in the NHL, the German forward is understandably content with playing a top-six role in Europe instead, especially if it means sticking with the same team.
- Joey LaLeggia seems to be in the same boat as Rieder, albeit without the established NHL resume. LaLeggia, 29, is a former University of Denver standout and Edmonton Oilers prospect who played five seasons in the AHL before departing for Sweden in 2020-21. This year, LaLeggia stayed in the SHL but moved to Timra IK, a move that yielded strong results. LaLeggia recorded 38 points in 52 games, a top-three scorer on the team and the club’s all-time leader in single-season points from a defenseman. Playing a key role alongside another name familiar to NHL fans in Ty Rattie, LaLeggia has found an ideal fit in Timra. As a result, the team has announced a one-year extension with the capable blue liner, which could very well lead to a long-term deal if he continues to produce. LaLeggia may have had a case to try again in North America, but seems happy with his role in the SHL.
- Twin brothers Ty and Dylan Jackson have left Northeastern and are headed across the country to Arizona State University. Brad Elliott Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald reports that the pair will join the Sun Devils, where they should step into major scoring roles for the next two or three years. Though undrafted, the duo have been effective players for the Huskies and their entry onto the NCAA Transfer Portal was a surprise. High-scoring forwards for the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints, the Jackson brothers arrived at Northeastern last year and made an immediate impact, both finishing as top-six scoring forwards. Dylan finished with more points than Ty as freshmen, but was limited to just eight games and three points this season. Ty was back in the top-six as a sophomore, recording 20 points in 28 games and leading all forwards with a +19 rating. There has been no word as to why the twins decided to move on from the Huskies, but will welcomed by a less talented Arizona State team looking to make their mark on college hockey as an independent. Depending on how their time at ASU goes, the Jackson brothers should have pro ambitions and may perhaps even draw NHL interest.
Snapshots: Orlov, Toropchenko, Athanasiou, LaCombe
6:03 pm: Orlov will be in the lineup tonight for the Capitals.
4:36 pm: According to the Athletic’s Tarik El-Bashir, Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov could return to the lineup tonight in Montreal against the Canadiens (Tweet Link). Capitals’ Head Coach Peter Laviolette told El-Bashir that he hopes Orlov will be in the lineup tonight, but did not appear certain on the issue. Orlov has missed two games with a lower-body injury, last playing on April 10th.
Getting the veteran Orlov back in the lineup will certainly be a boost for the Capitals as they look to finish their season strong, and potentially catch the Boston Bruins in the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, or the Pittsburgh Penguins for third place in the Metropolitan Division, five points back of either, and with three games in hand on Pittsburgh. Orlov has long been a staple of Washington’s defense and locker room, and his presence could have a strong impact as the team plays important games from here on.
- As the Capitals may get Orlov back, the Blues are going to be without forward Alexey Toropchenko, at least for today’s game against the Minnesota Wild, reports Tom Timmermann of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Toropchenko was injured Thursday when he took a puck in the leg in the Blues’ game against the Buffalo Sabres. Fortunately for St. Louis, Toropchenko appears only to be day-to-day, so he should be able to return soon for the Blues down the stretch of the season. Forward Dakota Joshua took Toropchenko’s place in the lineup against Minnesota Saturday.
- The Los Angeles Kings announced that they have activated forward Andreas Athanasiou ahead of tonight’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at home. Athanasiou’s return to the lineup is impactful for the Kings, as they deal with injuries while trying to hang on to playoff position in the Pacific Division. The forward has played in just 22 games this season, dealing with injuries, last playing March 10th, but he does own an impressive nine goals and five assists in that time.
- The University of Minnesota announced that All-American defenseman Jackson LaCombe would be staying with the Gophers for next season, his fourth and final of NCAA eligibility. LaCombe was the Anaheim Ducks second round selection, 39th overall, in 2019, and would be eligible to become a free agent after this coming season if he chooses not to sign with Anaheim. While that is clearly of-note on LaCombe, it’s not yet apparent if that is of concern to Anaheim. LaCombe’s return could easily be a bit of unfinished business with Minnesota, much the same as it is for Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Matthew Knies, who is also returning to the Gophers. Minnesota lost in the semifinals of the Frozen Four to Minnesota State, who was then defeated by the University of Denver in the final. In three years on Minnesota’s blueline, LaCombe has 10 goals and 54 assists in 103 games.
Stars Prospect Ben Brinkman Transfers To Notre Dame
Dallas prospect Ben Brinkman has decided to take advantage of the fifth year of eligibility. However, it won’t be where he spent his first four seasons. In a move first reported by Jess Myers of The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead (Twitter link), the blueliner is off to the University of Notre Dame after recently entering the transfer portal.
The 21-year-old was a sixth-round pick (173rd overall) back in 2019 after his freshman year at the University of Minnesota. Brinkman had a minor role that season but the hope was that his role and ice time would increase over the years. That didn’t exactly materialize as he had just two goals over his four seasons with the Golden Gophers and while he had a career high in points this season, it was still a pretty low number at eight.
Brinkman is certainly hoping that an opportunity with a new school will give him a better chance to showcase himself to Dallas or another professional team as he will need a big year to have a shot at landing an entry-level deal.
Julian Napravnik Signs In AHL
The NCAA scoring race this season was won by Philadelphia Flyers prospect Bobby Brink, who outpaced Arizona Coyotes prospect Nathan Smith‘s 50-point campaign with 56 of his own. Two undrafted free agents were tied for third at 49–Bobby Trivigno, who signed an entry-level contract with the New York Rangers, and Julian Napravnik, who has now found his own home for the 2022-23 season. Napravnik has signed an AHL contract with the Hershey Bears for next year, while also agreeing to an amateur tryout agreement for the rest of this season.
Napravnik, 24, is a German winger who came to North America in 2016 to join the USHL’s Des Moines Buccanneers, where he quickly found success. By 2018 he was joining Minnesota State-Mankato, and as a junior had developed enough to score at a better than a point-per-game pace. This season, his 49 points came in just 40 games, coming in just behind Smith for the team lead.
Given he will turn 25 next month, it’s not entirely surprising that Napravnik had to settle for an AHL deal, but he’s still a pretty substantial acquisition for the Bears. At the very worst, the team is adding a player that can help on the powerplay and add some offensive punch to the depth chart. At best, he could quickly become a strong contributor at the AHL level and be a name on NHL radars by next season.
Minor Notes: McNeely, Savory, Sillinger
After coming oh-so-close to a national championship, Jack McNeely is off to the professional ranks. The Minnesota State-Mankato alternate captain has signed an amateur tryout with the Stockton Heat, ending his college career after five seasons with the Mavericks. The 25-year-old defenseman had an excellent 2021-22, racking up a career-high 17 points in 44 games while continuing his physical, defensive game. A four-time WCHA champion and former Clark Cup winner in the USHL, the 6’3″ McNeely will get a taste of pro hockey down the stretch before ultimately needing a contract for next season.
More minor moves around the hockey world:
- The Laval Rocket have signed Owen Savory to a professional tryout, ending his own college career after an outstanding season for UMass-Lowell. The 24-year-old goaltender posted a .926 save percentage in 29 appearances, going 20-7-2 and earning a nomination for the Hobey Baker award. Originally recruited by RPI, Savory transferred to UMass in 2020 and will leave college with an overall save percentage of .922 over 86 NCAA appearances. The next part of his hockey journey starts with the Rocket, who needed another goaltender with Cayden Primeau in the NHL.
- If the Sillinger brothers are all going to be in the same organization, it’ll have to wait at least another year. Lukas Sillinger has transferred from Bemidji State to Arizona State for the upcoming season, following his breakout campaign where he scored 17 goals and 38 points in 37 games. His younger brother Cole Sillinger is a rookie for the Columbus Blue Jackets, while older brother Owen Sillinger joined the Cleveland Monsters a few weeks ago, also leaving Bemidji State. Perhaps Cole will be able to meet up with Lukas next season when the Blue Jackets visit the Arizona Coyotes–who will be sharing a building with the Sun Devils.
Jerry York Retires As Head Coach Of Boston College
The winningest coach in NCAA hockey history is hanging up his whistle. Jerry York, head coach of Boston College for the past 28 years, has announced his retirement. Director of Athletics Patrick Kraft released the following statement:
It is difficult to put into words all that Jerry York means to Boston College. His record as the winningest coach in NCAA men’s ice hockey and BC hockey speak for themselves, but it is his humility, decency, unwavering commitment to his players, fellow coaches, and all of us in the BC family, and the quiet ways in which he contributes to this community that make him so beloved. He is a legend and one of the classiest individuals to ever coach in college sports. It has been a joy to work with him, and on behalf of all of us in the BC community I wish him, Bobbie, and his entire family the very best in his retirement years.
In 1993, York left Bowling Green State for BC, and found a program that was in trouble. In the years since, he turned it into one of college hockey’s powerhouses, winning the national championship in 2001, 2008, 2010, and 2012. His team won the Hockey East Tournament nine times, and was named Hockey East Coach of the Year on five different occasions. Nearly countless NHL and AHL players have come through the BC program with York at its helm, including names like Johnny Gaudreau, Cam Atkinson, Kevin Hayes, Noah Hanifin, Chris Kreider, Alex Tuch, and many, many more. Jack McBain, who debuted last night for the Arizona Coyotes, is the latest product to hit NHL ice.
One of the most well-respected and well-liked coaches in all of North American hockey, York was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019 in the builder category, and the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2020. There are few people who have had a bigger impact on the game in the U.S.
In his retirement, York explained that he told his coaches and players of his retirement today. It is based on a desire to “travel more with his wife, Bobbie, play golf for the first time during a weekend in the fall, spend more time with his family, and watch his two grandchildren play hockey, lacrosse, and soccer games in Pittsburgh.”