Snapshots: Kadri, Brown, Michigan State
The injury situation for the Colorado Avalanche’s top six forwards went from bad to worse over a week ago when Nazem Kadri went down with an upper-body injury. While the team did expect Kadri to be healthy before the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Colorado Hockey Now’s Adrian Dater reports that he could be back well before then, potentially returning to the lineup within the next week. Kadri actually still leads the Avalanche with 83 points, a mark he’s held as Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog have both missed significant time with injuries this year. The team’s actually only played three games without Kadri, as a sparse schedule over the past week and a half has done them favors. J.T. Compher has filled in Kadri’s spot, registering two points in three games (both came against Pittsburgh on April 5th). With Colorado having a stranglehold on the Western Conference regular-season title, the Avalanche hope to get Kadri back in order to continue building chemistry among their new acquisitions as the playoffs near.
A couple of other hockey-related notes:
- With Logan Brown expected to draw into the St. Louis Blues lineup again tonight, the Blues will no longer receive the conditional fourth-round pick sent to them by the Ottawa Senators in the trade in which they acquired him. The pick, slated to be Ottawa’s 2022 fourth-round selection, is retained by Ottawa if Brown plays in 30 regular-season games this season, which is the mark he’ll hit tonight. The trade will rest as a one-for-one swap for Brown and Zach Sanford, who the Senators flipped to the Winnipeg Jets at this year’s Trade Deadline for a 2022 fifth-round pick. The Blues remain with their own 2022 fourth-round pick.
- There’s coaching news regarding a Big Ten school, but maybe not the one some have been bracing for. Michigan State University announced today that the team has parted ways with head coach Danton Cole, who’d been behind the bench for five seasons with a record of 58-101-12. The team failed to make the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament under his tenure, and they haven’t been there since 2012. They’ve only made the tournament twice after winning the national championship in 2007, led by future NHLers Justin Abdelkader, Tim Kennedy, and Chris Mueller.
Seattle Kraken Sign Matty Beniers
The Kraken’s first-ever draft pick is arriving in Seattle. The team has announced that 2021 second-overall pick Matty Beniers has signed a three-year entry-level contract to join the Kraken. Beniers is expected to join practice with the team Monday and travel with the squad on their road trip to Calgary and Winnipeg. Kraken GM Ron Francis made the following statement on Beniers’ signing:
We’re excited to officially welcome Matty to our organization. He capped off a productive career at Michigan with a trip to the Frozen Four and has impressed our staff over the past couple of years with his leadership and strong two-way game. We’re looking forward to working with him as he takes the next step in his development.
With this signing of his professional contract, Beniers, 19, ends his college career at the University of Michigan. Beniers played two seasons with the team, starring as an offensive dynamo, two-way stalwart, and heart-and-soul leader. Beniers finishes his Michigan career having scored 67 points in 61 games. The Hingham, Massachusetts native is a coach’s favorite and has impressed with his all-around game and work ethic at every level he’s played at.
In addition to his success at Michigan, Beniers also caught the eye of selectors for the United States’ Beijing 2022 Olympic squad. Beniers played in four games at the Olympics and recorded two points. Beniers is a natural center and could become the first true star player in Kraken history if he lives up to the lofty expectations set by his number-two overall draft slot. He may take some time to adjust to the rigors of the NHL, but given the state of the Kraken and their lackluster forward corps, Beniers has a strong opportunity to quickly become an impact NHL player as well as a fan favorite.
Philadelphia Flyers Sign Bobby Brink
After winning a National Championship with the University of Denver last night, third-year NCAA player and Hobey Baker Award finalist Bobby Brink has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. In a statement, Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher had this to say about Brink:
We’re very excited to have Bobby under contract after an outstanding career in college hockey that concluded with a National Championship. Bobby possesses a high compete level combined with terrific hockey sense and offensive skill that has led him to succeed at every level he has played in his young career.
Brink, 20, was the 34th overall pick in the 2019 draft and broke out this past season at Denver. Brink’s first two NCAA seasons were good, especially for a player standing at five-foot-eight and 159 pounds, but this season he reached another level of production. He led the NCAA in points with 57 in 41 games and flashed significant offensive upside game after game. As with many undersized players who score boatloads of points as prospects, Brink will face question marks about how well his scoring will translate given the ruthlessness of professional hockey. But all Brink has done so far in his career is score, so it’s hard to imagine he won’t find a way to continue that as a professional.
For Philadelphia, the signing of Brink represents a moment to celebrate for a fanbase that has had little go right this season. Coach Alain Vigneault was fired earlier this year and the team faces heavy questions about its long-term future. But regardless of all of those issues, the signing of Brink means that the Flyers have added a supremely talented forward who should be able to dazzle the crowds at Wells Fargo Center sooner rather than later.
Anaheim Ducks Sign Blake McLaughlin
Despite the disappointment of his team being unable to capture the NCAA’s National Championship, having been eliminated in the semifinals, there is some good news coming for Minnesota Gophers winger Blake McLaughlin. The Grand Rapids, Minnesota native has signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks, the team announced. His deal begins in the 2022-2023 season and McLaughlin will join the AHL’s San Diego Gulls for the rest of this season on an amateur tryout agreement.
McLaughlin, 22, was the 79th overall selection in the 2018 draft and has played four seasons at the University of Minnesota. He was an instantly meaningful scorer for the team, scoring 20 points in 35 games as a freshman, and he finished this season as one of the team’s most important players, tying Toronto prospect Matthew Knies for second in team scoring with 33 points. (in 39 games) McLaughlin has impressed coaches throughout his career as a prospect with his work ethic and all-around ability, and the transition to the professional game should be more seamless for him than it is for some other prospects.
For the Ducks, by signing McLaughlin the team gets a well-developed prospect who is either already or close to being NHL-ready. The team already boasts significant young talent up front, led by stars such as Trevor Zegras and Troy Terry, so McLaughlin won’t be expected to shoulder a significant load, but with the game he plays, it wouldn’t be surprising if he got a look next to some more talented players to see if they have chemistry. Given that McLaughlin is a senior player and could have had the opportunity to hit the open market and sign wherever he pleased, securing McLaughlin’s signature on an entry-level deal is a nice bit of work by new GM Pat Verbeek.
Prospect Notes: Misa, Savoie, Struble, Busdeker
Is another “exceptional” player arriving early to the OHL? Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek reports that Hockey Canada and the Ontario Hockey Federation are currently considering an application for Exceptional Player Status for 15-year-old forward Michael Misa. Those players granted Exceptional Status are allowed to join a CHL league a year early due to their generational talent. Previous OHL exceptions include John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid, Sean Day, and presumptive 2022 first overall pick Shane Wright. While Exceptional Status was clearly the proper decision in most of these cases, Day was a considerable error and has caused decision makers to tread more carefully in recent years. As a result. Marek notes that the applications for Misa and two others were expected to be declined. However, Misa’s recent efforts at the OHL Cup for his Mississauga Senators U-16 team have pushed the envelope. Misa recorded 10 goals and 20 points in seven games during the tournament en route to a championship and MVP honors, looking like a player ready to take his talents to the top junior level. A decision from Hockey Canada and the Ontario Hockey Federation is expected soon, with the OHL Draft coming up on April 29. If granted Exceptional Status, Misa would be the favorite to go first overall in the draft. If he is denied, Misa is expected to play in the USHL next season. Either way, the promising prospect is already a name to keep an eye on for the 2025 NHL Draft.
- Marek also reports that newly-anointed NCAA champ Carter Savoie is also eager to move to the next level. Although only a sophomore with two years of NCAA eligibility remaining, Savoie is expected to turn pro and sign with the Edmonton Oilers. A fourth-round pick in 2020, Savoie performed well with Denver last year but took his game to new heights this season, jumping out to an early scoring lead in the NCAA and ending the season with 23 goals and 45 points in 39 games. A key cog for the National Champion Pioneers, Savoie will hope to play a similar role in Edmonton before too long. The Oilers are always in need of affordable scoring and Savoie could play that part perfectly on his entry-level contract if he can make a quick transition to the pro game.
- One player who will not be leaving school early is Northeastern defenseman and Montreal Canadiens prospect Jayden Struble. When the Habs selected Struble in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft directly out of the prep school level, he was expected to be more of a long-term project. Instead, Struble went directly to Northeastern the following year and developed into a capable two-way defenseman. However, it seems that the two sides disagree one whether he is pro ready just yet. Sportsnet’s Elliott Friedman reports that Struble is expected to return to the Huskies next season for his senior year rather than turn pro. It does not seem as though this is related to Struble not wanting to play for the Canadiens, though he will be able to elect free agency after next season if he so chooses.
- Rockford IceHogs forward D.J. Busdeker has signed a one-year extension, the AHL club announced. It’s a nice move for the team, as Busdeker has been a reliable presence this season in just his second pro campaign. Busdeker leads the IceHogs in games played and is among the top scorers in points and assists. However, it begs the question of when or if Busdeker might earn an NHL contract from the Chicago Blackhawks. Just 22 and translating his ability well from the OHL, where he was also a consistent scoring threat for the Saginaw Spirit.
Denver Wins NCAA National Championship
The college hockey season came to a conclusion on Saturday night and a champion was crowned. The University of Denver prevailed over Minnesota State University with a offensive outburst in the third period. Down 1-0, the Pioneers rallied with three unanswered goals against Hobey Baker winner Dryden McKay and added two late empty netters to take a 5-1 win that was much closer than it looked on the scoreboard. It marks Denver’s ninth NCAA title, tying Michigan for the most all-time and surpassing NCHC rival North Dakota.
There is no doubting that No. 3 Denver earned the title this season. In a three-day span at the Frozen Four in Boston, the Pioneers took down No. 2 Michigan, the season-long tournament favorite, and No. 1 Minnesota State, the near wire-to-wire top-ranked team this season. Goaltender Magnus Chrona (SJS) got hot at the right time, limiting two of the top offenses in the country to just three total goals, only allowing six goals overall in the Pioneers’ four NCAA Tournament games.
Hobey Baker runner-up Bobby Brink (PHI) got the last laugh over winner McKay with the ultimate trophy at the end of the season. Brink was the most productive scorer in the nation this season by a wide margin, making Denver one of the most dangerous offensive teams in college hockey. He was not alone though; forwards Carter Savoie (EDM), Cole Guttman (TBL), and Brett Stapley (MTL) as well as defenseman Michael Benning (FLA) all had terrific seasons. Benning was the star in the National Championship game, recording the game-winning goal and adding an assist.
The question now is how much of the Pioneers’ core returns next season. Seniors Guttman and Stapley and junior standout Brink will be gone, but will junior keeper Chrona and sophomore sensations Savoie and Benning stick around or turn pro? Fortunately, much of Denver’s championship roster is young and will be back to defend the title in 2022-23. Sophomores Antti Tuomisto (DET) and McKade Webster (TBL) and freshmen Shai Buium (DET), Sean Behrens (COL), Carter Mazur (DET), Massimo Rizzo (CAR), and Jack Devine (2022 NHL Draft eligible) should return and will be bolstered by a promising recruiting class that includes Samu Salminen (NJD), projected 2022 second-rounder Rieger Lorenz and a number of other draft-eligible prospects. Speculation also suggests that top Transfer Portal name Ty Smilanic (MTL) could be bound for Denver as well. The Pioneers will remain relevant again next year.
Snapshots: Meyers, Penguins, Fehr
College free agent center Ben Meyers is expected to begin interviewing with NHL teams on Sunday, reports Michael Russo of The Athletic (subscription link). The 23-year-old is widely viewed as the top player in this year’s NCAA free agent class and to that end, Russo notes more than two dozen teams are interested in signing Meyers with his hometown team in Minnesota certainly among them. Meyers, who was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, had 17 goals and 24 assists in 34 games for the Golden Gophers this season plus four points in four contests in the Olympics. He’s expected to sign a two-year, entry-level deal that will begin this season although he will not be eligible to play in the playoffs if he signs with a team that’s heading for the postseason.
Elsewhere around the hockey world:
- The Penguins may opt to keep their better prospects in the minors instead of using them to replace injured players over the final few weeks of the season, suggests Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL finds themselves in a close battle for a playoff spot (or play-in position, potentially) and the developmental value of having those prospects in a close race could be more beneficial than sprinkling them into the NHL lineup on a Pittsburgh team that is comfortably in a playoff spot and is simply playing for positioning.
- Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli examines the future of NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr. He has officially been at the head of the association since December of 2010 and isn’t on a fixed-term contract; the post is his until he chooses to leave or is asked to. Fehr himself indicated that a plan to transition to his successor “won’t be soon” but Seravalli suggests there is a level of discontentment that could necessitate a change before Fehr wants to step aside.
Dryden McKay Wins Hobey Baker Award
Minnesota State goaltender Dryden McKay didn’t take home the Mike Richter Award for the best goaltender in college hockey on Friday (Northeastern’s Devon Levi, a Buffalo prospect, got the nod there as well as the Tim Taylor Award for Rookie of the Year). However, he earned an even bigger award as the NCAA announced (Twitter link) that the netminder has won the Hobey Baker Award which is presented annually to the most outstanding men’s college hockey player in the United States. He beat out Minnesota center Ben Meyers and Denver winger Bobby Brink (a Philadelphia prospect) for the honor.
McKay actually was a finalist for the award last season that went to then-Wisconsin winger Cole Caufield. This season, the 24-year-old has had yet another dominant campaign with the Mavericks, posting a 1.27 GAA along with a .934 SV% in 42 games (where he has a 38-4 record with 10 shutouts). Of course, they have one more game to go as they will take on Denver for the national championship on Saturday.
After that game, several NHL teams are expected to try to sign McKay. His numbers throughout his four-year college career have been nothing short of stellar (a 1.45 GAA, a .932 SV%, and 34 shutouts in 139 games). While he’s a bit small compared to a lot of goalies nowadays as teams tend to prefer taller netminders – McKay stands 6’0 – this is a player that many should be willing to make an exception for.
Buffalo Sabres Sign Owen Power
Another Michigan Wolverine has decided to make the transition from college hockey to the NHL. Along with teammate Kent Johnson, Owen Power has decided to ink his NHL deal as the Buffalo Sabres announced the signing of the 2021 first-overall pick on his entry-level contract. He could join the team and enter the lineup before the end of this season.
Power, 19, was as previously mentioned the first pick of the 2021 draft and has been the Sabres’ top prospect since. Standing at six-foot-six and 213 pounds, Power has coveted physical tools for a defenseman. He has flashed offensive upside to his game and has produced well at Michigan where he had 32 points in 33 games this season. Power had 16 points in 26 games as a freshman. It is a widely-held opinion across the league that Power has serious potential to become a do-it-all number-one blueliner, and he joins a surging Buffalo team that already boasts another number-one pick defenseman in Rasmus Dahlin.
Beyond his exploits at Michigan, Power proved his NHL readiness by being selected for the Beijing Olympics, where he registered one assist. While the Sabres, who are 5-2-3 in their last ten games, have run out of runway to make the playoffs this season, the signing of Power adds another jolt of optimism for a market that has to be feeling very confident about their squad going into next season. With top prospects such as Power and Jack Quinn set to enter a lineup that already posts strong young talent such as Dahlin, Peyton Krebs, and Dylan Cozens, perhaps the Sabres’ NHL-record eleven-year playoff drought can finally come to an end in 2022-23.
ESPN’s Kevin Weekes was the first to report the signing.
Blue Jackets Sign Nick Blankenburg
One of Kent Johnson‘s Michigan teammates is joining him on the Columbus Blue Jackets. After the team inked the 2021 fifth-overall pick, Columbus announced they also signed the captain of the Michigan Wolverines, Nick Blankenburg. Blankenburg, 23, went undrafted and chose to sign with Columbus as a college free agent. His entry level contract is a one-year deal, lasting for the remainder of the 2021-22 season, and he is expected to join the team alongside Johnson on Monday.
Blankenburg is a veteran of four seasons at the University of Michigan, where he has collected 68 points in his 133-game career. Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen referred to Blankenburg as “a talented, smart, really competitive player with great leadership qualities” and stated that the Blue Jackets organization is “thrilled to welcome him.”
While Blankenburg is a bit undersized, standing at five-foot-nine and 175 pounds, it’s not his physicality that has earned him an NHL contract. Blankenburg is a right-shot defenseman who flashed offensive upside in his most recent season as a Wolverine and could help the Blue Jackets as a puck-mover. It remains to be seen if Blankenburg has a true NHL future, but his signing today should afford him the opportunity to make his case to Columbus’ management team that he deserves to be in their future plans as they rebuild their squad.