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Snapshots: Egle, Handemark, Cehlarik

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Over the past two years, Clarkson University forward Haralds Egle has been one of the best and most consistent scoring forwards in college hockey. An undrafted prospect out of the USHL, the Latvian-born winger just completed his final collegiate season but truly began to hit his stride last year. In total, Egle accumulated 33 goals and 72 points in 71 games over the past two seasons, leading a national contender. Now, Egle is ready to take on the pros. The AHL’s Manitoba Moose have announced a two-year deal for the 23-year-old scoring forward. Latvia remains an under-represented nation in the NHL, but if Egle’s NCAA ability translates to the AHL its very possible that his he could be the next name from his country to join the ranks of the elite.

  • Swedish forward Fredrik Handemark is no stranger to the NHL rumor mill, with the most recent reports naming the Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks as suitors should the SHL veteran choose to make the jump this off-season. It appears he has made his choice though, as Swedish news source Aftonbladet reports that Handemark is expected to sign with the Sharks this summer. After posting a career-high 14 goals and 38 points this season, the 26-year-old Malmo Redhawks captain has decided to take the next step in his career with San Jose. While the terms have not been confirmed, Aftonbladet expects Handemark to sign a one-year entry-level contract with a $900K AAV, which could prove to be a bargain for the Sharks if the Swedish star can replicate his production at the next level.
  • Boston Bruins forward Peter Cehlarik may be eyeing a move to the opposite side of the Atlantic. Slovakian news source TA3 reports that the local product may be considering a move to Europe, namely the SHL, after another season in which he was unable to secure a consistent NHL job. Cehlarik, 24, played his developmental years in Sweden and was drafted by Boston from Lulea HF in 2013. In his four years since coming over from Europe, Cehlarik has played in at least three NHL games each season, including a career-high 20 in 2018-19. However, his considerable scoring ability – 136 points in 185 career AHL games – has not translated to the NHL, where he has just 11 points in 40 games. Beyond just his production, Cehlarik has struggled to find a natural fit in the Bruins’ lineup and has been passed up on the organizational depth chart. A restricted free agent this summer, Boston may qualify Cehlarik as a useful minor league depth player, but he could opt instead to chase a starring role back in the SHL.

Jets Notes: Woodcroft, Moose, Heinola

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The Winnipeg Jets will likely be looking for a new assistant coach next season, as John Buccigross of ESPN reports that Todd Woodcroft has been offered the head coaching position at the University of Vermont. Murat Ates of The Athletic believes Woodcroft will take the position and notes how much time the coach spent practicing with the younger Jets players.

Woodcroft has been part of several organizations around the NHL, spending time as a video coach, scout, director of scouting and assistant coach. He has also been part of several different World Championship coaching staffs, but will now get his chance to lead a college program.

  • The Manitoba Moose, AHL affiliate of the Jets, have signed two forwards to minor league deals for 2021-22. Westin Michaud and Biagio Lerario have both agreed to AHL contracts, giving them a chance to move to the professional ranks. Michaud recently finished his fourth NCAA season and first at the University of North Dakota, where he recorded 28 points in 35 games. The 24-year old had previously transferred from Colorado College. Lerario meanwhile played four seasons at Northeastern University, occupying a bottom-six role to support the more flashy offensive players the program has seen come and go. In 122 NCAA games, the 24-year old Lerario scored 29 points and recorded 173 PIM.
  • When you look at the Jets depth chart for next season it’s easy to pencil in Ville Heinola as a full-time roster player, given the fact that Dmitry Kulikov, Nathan Beaulieu, Dylan DeMelo, Luca Sbisa and Anthony Bitetto are all headed for unrestricted free agency. Heinola was impressive in his debut at the beginning of the season before returning to Finland, but GM Kevin Cheveldayoff cautioned against making any assumptions when speaking with Ken Wiebe of The Athletic (subscription required). The then-18-year-old defenseman recorded five points in eight games with the Jets at the beginning of the year, before starring once again for Finland at the World Juniors. He’ll have to perform just as well at next season’s training camp to secure his spot. Selected 20th overall in 2019, even if they have to wait another year, it seems as though the Jets found another steal in the latter part of the first round.

Kings Sign Cole Hults

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Cole Hults has decided to forego his senior season and turn pro as the Kings announced that they’ve signed him to a two-year, entry-level contract that will begin in the 2020-21 season.  Per CapFriendly, the deal breaks down as follows:

2020-21: $925K salary (including signing bonus), $125K in performance bonuses, $70K AHL salary
2021-22: $925K salary (including signing bonus), $125K in performance bonuses, $70K AHL salary

The 21-year-old recently wrapped up his junior year with Penn State and had a strong season offensively.  He picked up eight goals and 22 assists in 34 games for the Nittany Lions, setting new career bests in both goals and points.  Those numbers helped him earn a spot on the NCAA West’s second All-American team.

Los Angeles drafted Hults back in the fifth round (134th overall) back in 2017 and he has outperformed that selection so far.  It’s likely that he will require some development time at the minor league level before making the jump to the NHL so he will almost certainly begin next season with the Ontario Reign of the AHL.

Scott Perunovich Named 2020 Hobey Baker Award Winner

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Late on Saturday night, the NCAA announced (Twitter link) the winner of the 2020 Hobey Baker Award for the top NCAA men’s ice hockey player.  Blues prospect Scott Perunovich took home the prize, beating out Bruins prospect Jeremy Swayman and undrafted free agent Jordan Kawaguchi.

Perunovich becomes the sixth player from Minnesota-Duluth to win the award which is a record among NCAA teams.  The 21-year-old was named the NCHC’s top offensive defenseman for the third straight season after recording six goals and 34 assists in 34 games this season for the Bulldogs.

It has been an interesting journey for Perunovich when it comes to his NHL path.  Initially undrafted in his first two years of eligibility, he was vaulted onto the radar after his first college year which convinced St. Louis to pick him in the second round (45th overall) back in 2018.  Since then, his stock has only risen and he now stands as one of their top prospects.

Last month, Perunovich agreed to terms with the Blues on two separate entry-level deals, foregoing his senior season in the process.  Which contract ultimately gets signed will depend on what happens to the current season which is on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  If play resumes, Perunovich will burn the first year of his deal this season and will be eligible to play for St. Louis in the playoffs if they want to use him.  If not, the contract will begin in 2020-21.

Snapshots: Bilyalov, Jaskin, Combs

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While the NHL has assured fans that the 2020-21 season will not be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and a number of international players and college prospects have signed contracts for next season based on that premise, KHL goaltender Timur Bilyalov is not feeling as comfortable with the league’s unknown future. Despite garnering interest from NHL teams, Bilyalov has opted to re-sign with Ak Bars Kazan on a one-year deal, citing doubts as to when the new NHL league year will begin. However, the 25-year-old specifically noted that he has not ruled out pursuing an NHL career in the future. Bilyalov was one the best goalies in the KHL this season, recording a .943 save percentage and 1.45 goals-against average in the regular season and even better numbers in an undefeated playoff run prior to the KHL’s cancellation of the season. Interest will undoubtedly renew this time next year if his top performance continues.

  • Former NHLer Dmitrij Jaskin also appears poised to re-sign in the KHL. RIA News in Moscow reports that Dynamo Moscow has come to terms on an extension for their star forward. Jaskin recorded 31 goals and 63 points in a dominant first season in the KHL. The power forward made the jump last off-season after failing to find a job in the NHL. He had played the previous six seasons with the St. Louis Blues and Washington Capitals, totaling 27 goals and 69 points in 303 games, a mark he nearly topped in just one season back in Russia. Despite his impressive production this combined with previous experience in the league, Jaskin appears content to continue starring for Dynamo rather than seeking out another NHL opportunity.
  • The college transfer market is mostly used to make depth additions, but occasionally a program can find a diamond in the rough. Michigan State may have a good one on their hands in forward Charlie Combs. Combs announced that he will leave Bemidji State and join the Spartans for his senior season. The former BCHL standout had a slightly down 2019-20 campaign, but was one of the Beavers’ best players a season ago. He has compiled 60 points in three collegiate seasons and was on his way to an NCAA Tournament appearance this season with Bemidji State prior to the cancellation of the postseason. He will look to make the most of his final college season with a Michigan State team that was competitive in the Big Ten Conference this year.

Jacob Bernard-Docker Returning For Junior Season

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The curtailed NCAA season seems to have had an adverse effect when it comes to NHL teams signing their top collegiate prospects. David Farrance recently announced that he would be returning to Boston University for his senior season thanks to some unfinished business, and now Jacob Bernard-Docker is making a similar decision. The Ottawa Senators draft pick has told the organization he intends on returning to the University of North Dakota for his junior season, according to Brad Elliott Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald.

Bernard-Docker told Schlossman that the “way the season ended didn’t sit well” with him and his teammates, likely a good part of the reason why other UND players like Jordan Kawaguchi have already announced they will be going back for another year.

The 19-year old Senators pick is a highly-coveted prospect and one that has only continued to improve since he was the 26th overall pick in 2018. He registered 25 points in 32 games for UND while also suiting up for Canada at the World Juniors, where he took home the gold medal. His defensive ability was polished by the end of his freshman year, but only improved even further with quicker decision making and crisper outlet passes this season.

Bernard-Docker’s not going to be the next Erik Karlsson for the Senators, but his game seems perfectly fit to be the kind of long-term partner the team desperately needs for Thomas Chabot. Erik Brannstrom, another highly-touted young defenseman in the system is much more offensive and could potentially feast on easier minutes.

For now, those roster dreams will have to wait as Bernard-Docker returns to UND for some unfinished business of his own. The Senators will have to try and convince him to sign next time around.

Arizona Coyotes Sign Cameron Crotty

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The Arizona Coyotes have convinced one of their interesting college prospects to turn pro, signing Cameron Crotty to a three-year entry-level contract. Crotty recently completed his junior season at Boston University, where he wore an “A” as an alternate captain.

Instead of returning for his senior year, the 20-year old defenseman will join a Coyotes organization that selected him 82nd overall in 2017. While it may not seem like Crotty has very much offensive upside after scoring just 27 points in 102 NCAA games, the 6’3″ defender can actually move the puck quite efficiently and may be able to improve at the next level.

Though the Coyotes already have a solid veteran defensive core in the NHL, four of those reliable names are heading into their final years under contract and are scheduled for unrestricted free agency in 2021. Out of Alex Goligoski, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Jason Demers and Jordan Oesterle there are bound to be some departing names, meaning Arizona will need to find some replacements in the near future. That opportunity may be perfect for Crotty, who needs some more time but has serious NHL potential.

Jordan Kawaguchi Receiving NHL Interest From A Handful Of Teams

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Of the three players that were named as a Hobey Baker Hat Trick Finalist earlier today, only one of them is an undrafted player in center Jordan Kawaguchi.  The 22-year-old recently told Postmedia’s Steve Ewen that he has had interest from a “handful” of NHL teams but that he is still considering returning to North Dakota for his senior year as well.

Kawaguchi’s third season was certainly his best as he easily surpassed his career highs across the board with 15 goals and 30 assists in 33 games.  His 45 points made him the second-leading scorer in the NCAA behind only Jack Dugan, a fifth-round pick of Vegas back in 2017.

So with that type of production, why aren’t more teams going after him?  He’s listed at just 5’9 which will scare some teams away while his skating isn’t at that top level for a smaller player.  Kawaguchi’s playmaking will be his calling card at the next level but evidently, not every team is sold on that just yet.

That could be part of the reason that Kawaguchi is considering staying at North Dakota for his final season.  A repeat or improved performance with a chance to work a bit more on his skating could certainly help garner more interest than he has now.  Of course, it could also backfire as it’s hard to top a season that made him a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.

If he does decide to go the professional route, Kawaguchi would be forced to either sign a two-year, entry-level deal that begins next season or hold out hope that the NHL resumes play and allows him to burn the first year right away.  Alternatively, he could agree to terms on both types of deals as a handful of players have done in recent days but with only a small group of teams showing interest, does he have the leverage to command that?  It probably won’t be too much longer before we find out.

Ryan Shea Not Expected To Sign With Blackhawks

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Soon after a report surfaced that Luke Martin was unlikely to sign with the Carolina Hurricanes, news that another top collegiate defenseman will test free agency has popped up. According to Rinkside Rhode Islander reporter Mark Divver, Ryan Shea will not sign with the Chicago Blackhawks and instead will become an unrestricted free agent later this summer. Shea recently completed his senior season at Northeastern University, where he served as captain.

Unlike Martin, whose game almost entirely revolves around his defensive play, Shea has blossomed offensively over the years at Northeastern and recorded 31 points in 34 games this season. The left-handed defenseman was a fourth-round pick of the Blackhawks back in 2015 but played a year in the USHL before heading to college. He can become an unrestricted free agent after August 15th—though that date may change depending on how the league ends up scheduling the coronavirus-delayed offseason.

Chicago announced four signings earlier today, including Evan Barratt, one of their more highly-touted college prospects, but Shea shouldn’t be completely overlooked. The 23-year old has improved his skating and defensive play every year and was relied on in all situations by the Huskies.

Earlier this year, Scott Powers of The Athletic (subscription required) spoke to Shea and asked him if he felt any loyalty to the Blackhawks organization. At that point, the young defenseman told Powers that his relationship with Blackhawks director of player development Mark Eaton was “very strong” and that Chicago felt like the right spot by “all indications.” Obviously, things haven’t gone exactly according to that plan.

Luke Martin Not Expected To Sign With Hurricanes

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Every summer, some of the college players that were drafted several years ago end up becoming unrestricted free agents. They have spent four years in their NCAA program and only have to wait a few months to earn the right to sign with whichever team they want. While the day that draft rights expire is usually in the middle of August, it’s not clear how that will work this year thanks to the current pause.

Still, news is bound to start coming out about which prospects intend to test free agency. Luke Martin appears to be one of those players, as Andy Strickland of Fox Sports Midwest reports that the University of Michigan defenseman is not expected to sign with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Martin, 21, was the 52nd overall pick in 2017—slightly higher than his ranking on several lists before the draft. He ended up ranked 61st among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, but the Hurricanes clearly liked what they had seen in his first year of college hockey. Martin had previously been a member of the national team development program and had registered seven points in 35 games as a freshman with the Wolverines.

The 6’2″ defenseman never really has taken a step forward offensively. His junior season resulted in just nine points in 36 games, but he has logged big minutes against top opponents since his freshman season and could be an interesting depth addition for an NHL organization later this year.

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