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Blackhawks Prospect Mikael Hakkarainen Leaves Providence College

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The Providence College Friars are just one game into their 2018-19 and have already suffered a significant loss – not from injury or suspension, but simply by choice. Freshman center Mikael Hakkarainen has decided to leave the program after just his first collegiate game. Hakkarainen will return to his USHL club, the Muskegon Lumberjacks, who broke the news this morning by announcing his change of heart. The Providence Journal’s Mark Divver later confirmed the move and added context to Hakkarainen’s decision.

Divver spoke to Providence head coach Nate Leaman, who expressed disappointment in Hakkarainen’s sudden decision. Leaman states that Hakkarainen was unhappy balancing academics and hockey, an obvious aspect of life as a student-athlete. Divver points out the irony of that reasoning, as a return to the USHL would seemingly indicate that Hakkarainen is open to returning to the NCAA later on. Hakkarainen could instead follow in the footsteps of former Muskegon teammate and Buffalo Sabres prospect Matej Pekar, who was selected by the Barrie Colts of the OHL in this year’s CHL Import Draft after making it known the NCAA was no longer in his plans. Hakkarainen could also return home to his native Finland at some point, although he has played in North America now for four years.

Hakkarainen, 20, was a fifth round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks back in June, an overage pick who enjoyed a breakout season last year in the USHL. The No. 6 overall pick in the 2016 USHL Draft out of the NAHL, a slow start at the next level saw him traded away from the team that drafted him, the Chicago Steel. In his first full season with the Lumberjacks last year, Hakkarainen led the team in per-game production with 46 points in 36 games, superior numbers to even Pekar, a fourth-round pick. As such, Hakkarainen was expected to play an important role for the Friars this year and potentially take over as a top scorer down the road. He even anchored the team’s third line in their season opener. Instead, the future remains a mystery for the talented, but uncommitted forward. The Blackhawks may have some incentive to intervene and ensure their prospect gets back on the right track.

Hakkarainen’s departure makes that two on the year for Providence. Swedish import Calle Ehrnberg left the program just last week to return home for what Divver cites as “homesickness”. The freshman defenseman was not nearly the caliber of prospect as Hakkarainen, but nevertheless a capable offensive defender who had a role to play with Providence. In the uber-competitive Hockey East Conference, any loss can be a blow, both this season and in long-term plans, and the Friars have had tough luck this season. They can only hope that those players who have remained committed to the program can pick up the slack in their ex-teammates’ absence.

2018-19 NCAA Players To Watch

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Just like their professional and junior counterparts, the college hockey season is underway. With each passing year, the NCAA’s influence on the world of hockey grows. The NHL boasts more than a few top rookies fresh out of the college ranks this season and those still in school in 2018-19 will soon join them. This year’s crop of talent is sticking with the trend, with several players in need of watching:

The Recent Draft Picks

D Quinn Hughes, Michigan (VAN): Hughes very nearly signed his first pro contract with the Vancouver Canucks this summer before deciding to return to Michigan. The seventh overall pick back in June, Hughes was the second defenseman off the board behind top pick Rasmus Dahlin, and many even saw No. 7 as being a steal for Vancouver. An electric skater who can’t help but draw the eyes of spectators as he moves effortlessly around the ice, Hughes pairs his skating ability with the vision and positioning that makes him a threat in all three zones. Hughes also has an NCAA season under his belt already and should be even more prepared to dominate opponents this season. Hughes is a complete two-way defenseman and the centerpiece of a Wolverines team that was a Frozen Four finalist last year. Hughes himself could be eyeing the Hobey Baker Award this season. Michigan almost had Hughes’ younger brother and presumptive top 2019 pick Jack Hughes joining them this season, before he decided to stick with the U.S. National Development Program for another year before almost certainly turning pro.

F Oliver Wahlstrom, Boston College (NYI): Perhaps the most gifted goal scorer of the 2018 draft class, Wahlstrom was a late addition to BC’s freshman class, changing his commitment from Harvard, and the Eagles could not be happier. Wahlstrom is a rare combination of both high-end skill and hard-nosed play who dominated with the U.S. National Development Program last year. The right winger has had the attention of scouts for his puck-handling ability since he was nine years old, but as he’s grown up he has also filled out his frame and added a menacing physical element to his game. Wahlstrom can skate and possess the puck as well as anyone, but is even more of a threat as the go-to shooter, which he will be skating with a roster of play-makers up front for BC. Wahlstrom could be the next big NHL power forward and may very well be one-and-done in the NCAA if he continues to score at a torrid pace this year and force the hand of the rebuilding New York Islanders, who selected him with the eleventh pick this past year.

F Joel Farabee, Boston Univ. (PHI): Wahlstrom’s teammate with the U.S. National Development program last season, Farabee was the one feeding Wahlstrom most of the time with 43 assists to his linemate’s 48 goals. Farabee is now a cross-town rival of Wahlstrom’s as he joins the uber-talented BU Terriers. Farabee is a threatening presence in the offensive zone, but is even more dangerous due to his two-way ability. An extremely intelligent winger who is beyond his years in terms of decision-making and positioning, Farabee is as responsible a freshman forward as you can find in the NCAA. He may not light up the score sheet right away this year, but will no doubt make a difference for the title-chasing Terriers. Farabee’s style bodes well for an NHL career in Philadelphia, after the Flyers used the No. 14 pick on him in June.

F Jay O’Brien, Providence (PHI): Some considered it a reach when the Flyers used their second first-round pick on O’Brien, another college-bound forward and one who was coming from the prep school ranks with Thayer Academy. However, the 19th overall pick more than earned his draft slot after scoring 80 points in 30 games while also displaying an impressive two-way game. O’Brien now bring his talents to Providence, a program that lost their top two scorers from last season and are looking for their next star forward. O’Brien could emerge as both the top scoring threat and dependable defensive forward for the Friars in his first collegiate season. O’Brien is also ready to take on Hockey East competition with a gritty games that all Philly and Providence fans will appreciate.

The Soon-To-Be NHLers

D Cale Makar, UMass (COL): Few will argue that Makar isn’t the best prospect in the NCAA, if not the best drafted player not playing in the NHL. The smooth-skating defenseman was the fourth overall pick in 2017 by the Colorado and would be skating on the Avs’ top pair right now if he had not committed himself to Amherst and to entering the pros as well-rounded as possible. Makar possesses elite puck-handling skills and vision and can out-skate almost anyone in the college ranks. Makar should improve upon his 21 points in an up-and-down freshman campaign and could flirt with point-per-game production from the blue line. The newly-named UMass captain, along with talented fellow defenseman Mario Ferraro (SJS) and top forward John Leonard (SJ) have the Minutemen thinking NCAA Tournament for the first time in years, while Makar could easily be a Hobey Baker candidate.

G Jake Oettinger, Boston Univ. (DAL): Oettinger nearly turned pro this off-season, but returns to BU with his sights set on backstopping the team to a national championship. A first-round pick at No. 26 in 2017, Oettinger was selected by the Dallas Stars with the expectations that he would be the heir apparent in net. Even with the emergence of Colton Point, the Dallas job is still there for the taking. The team’s veteran duo of Ben Bishop and Anton Khudobin won’t be around forever and Oettinger could conceivably compete for starts as early as 2020. Expect the big goaltender to put up stellar numbers behind a deep Terrier defense this season before joining the pro ranks next year.

F Ryan Poehling, St. Cloud (MTL): Poehling was drafted for his intelligent, professional, two-way style and Montreal hoped he would develop into a capable bottom-six center. However, they have to be pleased with the improvement in his offense, after he registered 31 points in 36 games for a St. Cloud team that was top seed in the NCAA Tournament. Poehling lacks the high-end skill of other first-round prospects, but the 2017 No. 25 pick makes up for his skating and hands with positioning and composure. Poehling should again improve this season while maintaining his elite defensive play and could be in the running for the Hobey Baker Award, especially if the Huskies are dominant yet again. The Canadiens prospect should then compete for a roster spot right away next season.

The Trade Return

F Josh Norris, Michigan (OTT): The recent centerpiece prospect of the Erik Karlsson trade, a lot of eyes in Ottawa will be on the performance of Norris this season. The entire top line of the Michigan Wolverines’ Final Four roster has moved on to the pros, leaving Norris as the team’s top center. The No. 19 pick in 2017 by the San Jose Sharks, Norris is a freak athlete who can hold his own against anyone in the NCAA. The Senators’ new addition also has a deceptively quick release on his shot and is deadly accurate with both passing and shooting. Norris simply needs to embrace his role for Michigan, both carrying the puck and shooting more often. Some more experience, specifically as the team’s top scoring option, should go a long way for the promising center’s development.

F Shane Bowers, Boston Univ. (COL): Of course, who can forget the top center prospect that Ottawa recently traded away themselves. Bowers, part of the regrettable package that the Senators sent to the Colorado Avalanche for Matt Duchene, is set to be the go-to guy up front for BU this season. Bowers’ 32 points in 40 games last season ranked third last season for the Terriers, but with Jordan Greenway and Brady Tkachuk now gone, Bowers should be the top option and could be a dark horse Hobey Baker candidate on a talented BU team that should provide plenty of scoring chances. Bowers is quick-thinking and quick-skating offensive presence who is especially dangerous on the power play and works the puck down low perhaps better than anyone in the college ranks. A breakout campaign for Bowers should give the 2017 No. 28 pick an opportunity to compete for a spot among the Avs’ young forward corps next year.

D Adam Fox, Harvard (CAR): Fox, entering his junior year with the Harvard Crimson, has already seen his NHL rights traded. Fox had allegedly expressed a resistance to signing with the Calgary Flames, but so far no such sentiment has been associated with his new team, the Carolina Hurricanes. Fox is a mature, intelligent defender who has been a point-per-game player in college and especially excels as a power play quarterback. However, Fox is more than capable on the back end as well. Assuming he is yet again producing a Hobey Baker campaign for Harvard this year, Fox seems like a prime candidate for a late-season contract and brief tryout with the Hurricanes. Carolina’s depth on defense may block him from being a full time NHLer for a few years, but when Fox finally does land that job, he has the complete game to be a dangerous presence on any blue line.

The Top Prospect

D Ben Brinkman, Minnesota: If there is one thing that the 2018-19 NCAA class lacks, it is many standout draft-eligible prospects. Brinkman alone is a candidate for early selection next June, but the Minnesota native is a surefire first-rounder. The Gophers have rarely given a true freshman defenseman the role and minutes expected of Brinkman this season, but the teen blue liner is a special talent. A smooth skater who excels with the puck on his stick, it will be no surprise to see Brinkman frequently carry the puck up and start the rush for Minnesota and he should see ample power play time as well. Brinkman is no slouch in his own zone either, as he plays a competent game that allowed him to shut down high school competition. The adjustment to the college level will come with some lumps for the young defenseman, but Brinkman should emerge from this season as a bona fide NHL prospect.

Snapshots: Canucks, Watson, Olson

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The Vancouver Canucks will not have free agent addition Antoine Roussel in the lineup when the regular season begins. Roussel has been sidelined since the start of training camp due to a concussion, but the hope was that without preseason action, he would have the time and rest to be ready for the real thing. However, in speaking to head coach Travis Green, Ben Kuzma of the Province has confirmed that Roussel will not be ready for the start of the season. Green gave no timeline for his return, only stating that a comeback in time for opening night had been ruled out. Green did add that young goaltender Thatcher Demko has also been dealing with concussion symptoms. He has entered the league’s concussion protocol and there is no word on when he will be ready to play or whether he will begin the season on the injured reserve or in the AHL. Kuzma writes that Demko collided with the Calgary Flames’ Mikael Backlund during last Saturday’s preseason match, but his condition deteriorated to the point of being diagnosed ahead of the Canucks’ next game on Monday night. Considering bottom-six forward Roussel and current third-string goalie Demko have been the only training camp casualties in Vancouver, the team has had relatively good luck. They hope it stays that was as the team needs a healthy and positive start to the season given their struggles over the past few years.

  • Another player missing to star the 2018-19 season in Nashville Predators forward Austin Watson. Watson was suspended for the first 27 games of the campaign for his role in a domestic abuse incident this off-season. Watson pled no contest to the assault charges an the NHL felt that a third of the season was fitting supplemental punishment. However, Watson did appeal his suspension and that hearing with a neutral arbitrator took place yesterday, according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.  LeBrun suggests that, unlike in salary arbitration, this decision could take up to a couple weeks. If Watson is successful in his appeal, an unlikely outcome, the arbitrator will choose a new, shortened length that he sees fit. If not, Watson will be eligible to return to the Predators on December 3rd.
  • Quinn Olson, the younger brother of Anaheim Ducks prospect Kyle Olson, has made a decision on where he wants to start his next season. The younger Olson will pass up the major junior route that his brother, a forward for the WHL’s Tri-City Americans, took and will instead opt to go the college route. Olson has committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth, the NCAA’s reigning champion, reports College Hockey Inc. The undersized but effective 17-year-old forward is playing this season for the Okotoks Oilers of the junior-A Alberta Junior Hockey League and could possibly play one more season with the team, but if he continues to score at a point-per-game pace, as he has for much of the last season plus, the Bulldogs will probably try to bring him in next year instead. Olson is a draft-eligible prospect for the upcoming 2019 NHL Draft and is likely to join his brother in an NHL pipeline shortly.

College Notes: Perbix, Barnaby, Summers

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Anaheim Ducks prospect Jack Perbix has made a decision on his hockey future. The Minnesota native announced on his personal Twitter yesterday that he has committed to the flagship school of his home state, the University of Minnesota. Perbix, who dominated Minnesota high school hockey last year with 61 points in 25 games at Elk River, earned himself a fourth-round selection back in June. He now heads to the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL this season, before joining the Gophers next year. The only question that remains is just how long Perbix remains at the college level. While he may not be an extraordinarily high draft pick, Perbix has the skill to break out in the NCAA and could then press for an opportunity in Anaheim. Right wing is a long-term position of need for the Ducks and one that would grow more dire should they lose Jakob Sifverberg to free agency this year. If Perbix continues to improve and show that he can handle tougher competition, he could be joining the NHL far sooner than after four years at school.

  • Matt Barnaby, who shares his name with father and former NHLer Matthew Barnaby, has also committed to his school of choice. The 20-year-old forward announced via Twitter that he has decided to join Penn State University next season. While the Nittany Lions have vastly improved since joining the NCAA level in 2012, Barnaby is nevertheless one of the bigger names to join the program. Last season, Barnaby finished third in scoring in the junior-A Central Canada Hockey League, recording 76 points in 62 games for the Pembroke Lumber Kings. The Buffalo native has since joined the USHL’s Chicago Steel with high expectations for the campaign. Although Barnaby was undrafted through three years of NHL Draft eligibility, he will still join Penn State with substantial buzz and will be a player to watch for in the NCAA for years to come.
  • Former Clarkson University standout defenseman Kelly Summers has not had the off-season that he hoped for or many expected. One of the top unsigned college free agents to hit the market in August, Summers was coming off a 30-point campaign for the Golden Knights and seemed headed for an entry-level contract or at least a promising AHL situation. After all, frequent Clarkson pair mate – and one with slightly less production – Terrance Amorosa signed with the San Diego Gulls early on. However, that never came to fruition and now Summers has had to settle for an AHL tryout, as he was included on the Belleville Senators’ camp roster. Ironically, Ottawa was the team that initially drafted Summers in the seventh round in 2014, so Summers really has not made much progress at all in a disappointing free agency experience.

College Free Agent Michael Prapavessis Signs With AHL’s Cleveland Monsters

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Former RPI Engineers defenseman Michael Prapavessis has found his next team. An unsigned Dallas Stars draft pick, Prapavessis became a free agent in August after completing his collegiate career. With training camps ongoing, he has finally reached an agreement with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters on a one-year contract, the team announced. Prapavessis, an Ontario native, is set to stay in the Great Lakes region, moving to Ohio after four years in Rochester, New York.

Prapavessis, 22, was always a candidate for an AHL contract, though given his lengthy free agency, the ECHL was beginning to look more likely. A four-year starter on the blue line for RPI, Prapavessis was a productive puck-mover, as well as a locker room leader, taking on the captaincy as a senior. Although RPI is not an elite NCAA program, he proved that he could play a major role at a high level – then looked competent in a short stint with the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones – which is likely what an earned him a shot with the Monsters. Prapavessis may not be ready to play an immediate top-six role in Cleveland, but when called upon there is a degree of trust that the coaches of the Columbus Blue Jackets affiliate can have in his ability and intelligence.

With Prapavessis’ signing, the majority of the August college free agent market is now under contract. Prapavessis, Clarkson’s Terrance Amorosa, St. Cloud’s Judd Peterson, and Boston University’s John MacLeod have signed in the AHL, while New Hampshire’s Shane Eiserman, Minnesota-Duluth’s Avery Peterson, Minnesota’s Jack Glover, and Brown’s Tyler Bird have inked ECHL deals. Two very talented defensemen – Clarkson’s Kelly Summers and Minnesota’s Steven Johnson – as well as Western Michigan forward Aidan Muir, remain unsigned and it will be interesting to see how long the trio remain unemployed.

Connor Hurley Signs With Norfolk Admirals

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The ECHL Norfolk Admirals (affiliate of the Arizona Coyotes) today announced that they have signed forward Connor Hurley to a contract for the 2018-19 season, which brings with it quite a bit of intrigue for a relatively low-level minor league deal. A year ago John Vogl—then with the Buffalo News, and now of The Athletic—reported that Hurley, who had played three seasons with Notre Dame had transferred to the University of Minnesota. Due to NCAA transfer rules, Hurley was forced to sit out the 2017-18 season but was expected to play in 2018-19 with the Gophers. Now, with a contract in hand, Hurley has apparently left the collegiate ranks which also means that the Buffalo Sabres have either lost, or will lose his exclusive negotiating rights.

Hurley was selected 38th overall in 2013 by the Sabres, but played a year in the USHL before heading off to college. That meant the Sabres would retain his draft rights through his graduation, unless he was no longer a student according to the NHL Central Registry. This deal with the Admirals seems to confirm that he is not, though no one had previously listed him among the 16 players who saw their exclusive draft rights expire in August, nor was there a report of his official status change with the league.

Buffalo fans should be familiar with the process of a player leaving college early, given the situation with Cal Petersen just last summer. Petersen left Notre Dame after just three years with an intention to turn pro, and thus was granted his unrestricted free agency 30 days after informing the Central Registry of his decision. That only works for players who are at least four years out from their draft year, but since Petersen—like Hurley—played a year in the USHL before heading to college he was eligible for free agency before the usual August 15th threshold. The goaltender eventually signed with the Los Angeles Kings on July 1st, 2017.

Hurley, selected the same year as Petersen, is now almost surely an unrestricted free agent himself and could be signed by any team in the NHL. That is unlikely given his performance in college and new deal with the Admirals, but is still a possibility if someone sees potential in him. In 2016-17, the last time he played hockey at a high level, the 6’2″ center recorded 16 points while playing in only 21 games for Notre Dame.

Poll: Who Will Win The Calder Trophy In 2018-19?

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The Athletic’s NHL Draft and prospects guru Scott Wheeler has released the first definitive list of candidates for the Calder Trophy in 2018-19, and the order may surprise some people. Admittedly, the list is in the context of fantasy hockey, but Wheeler’s rankings are true to how he thinks Calder voting will unfold if each rookie hits their stat projections. As such, it’s not this year’s first overall pick, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, at the top of the list, but presumptive top-six center for the Vancouver Canucks, Elias Pettersson. Pettersson will be put in a much better position to rack up points than will Dahlin, the next-best candidate, as potentially one of the three best scoring forwards for the Canucks and traditionally productive forwards have a better shot at the Calder than (relatively) equally productive defensemen.

Coming in at number three is Boston Bruins forward Ryan Donato, who led both the NCAA and Olympics in goals last season and will look to win a top-six role for Boston and continue to find the back of the net at an alarming rate. Playing alongside either Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron or David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk is an easy way for Donato to quickly become an elite scorer at the NHL level. The fourth-ranked candidate is second overall pick Andrei Svechnikov of the Carolina Hurricanes, who – like Pettersson – will be given an immense amount of responsibility right away as a top-six winger who is arguably already one of the three most skilled forwards on the team. However, Svechnikov is one of three Hurricanes rookies on Wheeler’s list, which could take away from his case. Rounding out the top five is Dahlin’s fellow rookie in Buffalo, center Casey Mittelstadt, who scored at nearly a point-per-game pace in the college ranks and in a brief stint with the Sabres to end the year. Mittelstadt should face favorable match-ups this season with the lines anchored by Jack Eichel and Patrik Berglund drawing considerable attention from the opposition.

Wheeler’s top twenty Calder Trophy candidates are as follows:

  1. C Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
  2. D Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres
  3. RW Ryan Donato, Boston Bruins
  4. RW Andrei Svechnikov, Carolina Hurricanes
  5. C Casey Mittelstadt, Buffalo Sabres
  6. RW Filip Zadina, Detroit Red Wings
  7. C Dylan Strome, Arizona Coyotes
  8. C Henrik Borgstrom, Florida Panthers
  9. C Martin Necas, Carolina Hurricanes
  10. D Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars
  11. RW Dylan Sikura, Chicago Blackhawks
  12. RW Eeli Tolvanen, Nashville Predators
  13. C Filip Chytil, New York Rangers
  14. LW Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators
  15. LW Valentin Zykov, Carolina Hurricanes
  16. RW Kailer Yamamoto, Edmonton Oilers
  17. C Anthony Cirelli, Tampa Bay Lightning
  18. LW Kristian Vesalainen, Winnipeg Jets
  19. C Sam Steel, Anaheim Ducks
  20. RW Vitaly Abramov, Columbus Blue Jackets

Honorable Mentions: C Vladislav Kamenev, Colorado Avalanche; LW Jordan Greenway, Minnesota Wild; C Robert Thomas, St. Louis Blues; LW Andreas Johnsson, Toronto Maple Leafs; C Michael Rasmussen, Detroit Red Wings; C Lias Andersson, New York Rangers; D Sami Niku, Winnipeg Jets; D Evan Bouchard, Edmonton Oilers; RW Daniel Sprong, Pittsburgh Penguins

What do you think? Who will be the NHL’s Rookie of the Year and take home the Calder Trophy at the end of the season? The favorite? The first overall pick? Another top candidate? Or a name not even mentioned here?

Training Camp Notes: Sharks, Motte, Betker, Kuhlman

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The San Jose Sharks had quite a few unfamiliar names listed when they released their training camp rosters. All in all, the Sharks have invited five unsigned junior prospects to camp: goalie Max Paddock, defenseman Keaton Middleton, and forwards Kyle Topping, Jake Gricius, and Justin Brazeau. Paddock is the youngest of the group at just 18 and has only one junior season under his belt with the WHL’s Regina Pats. The Sharks may be looking at Paddock, who still has draft eligibility remaining, as a potential long-term project signing, but will have to work quickly to get him signed within a limited window or else will have to hope they can select him in next year’s draft. Middleton, a fourth-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs back in 2016, has been the captain of the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit for the past two years and has proven to be a reliable two-way defender. Middleton has played significant minutes in 60+ games in each of his four junior seasons and is likely ready to make the jump to the pro level. Up front, Brazeau highlights the forward invites. The 6’6″ power forward registered 75 points in 68 games last season for the OHL’s North Bay Battalion and, if given the opportunity, the 20-year-old Brazeau could possibly be a difference-maker in the minor leagues with an NHL ceiling. Gricius, of the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks, is another big forward, but younger than Brazeu at 18 and more raw. He has yet to show the same offensive upside and may have limited potential, but the Sharks will judge that for themselves in camp. Finally, Topping is coming off a strong point-per-game season with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets, but the 18-year-old has more developing to do. Both he and Gricius remain draft-eligible and San Jose could simply be thinking ahead to next June.

  • The Minnesota Wild have decided to add another goaltender to the mix in camp, listing minor league keeper C.J. Motte on their training camp roster. Motte, the older brother of Vancouver Canucks forward Tyler Motte, is a former college standout at Ferris State University and has been playing in the minor leagues for the past three seasons. Motte was under contract with the Quad City Mallards, ECHL affiliate of the Wild, for the past two years, although his play earned him several AHL loans as well, including to the Iowa Wild. Minnesota’s coaches and front office may want a closer look at what they have in the organization, as Motte could potentially be fighting for a two-way AHL deal in camp.
  • The Vancouver Canucks have invited defenseman Ben Betker to camp. A former sixth-round pick and project prospect of the rival Edmonton Oilers, Betker did not receive a qualifying offer this off-season and has been unable to land an NHL contract. Although the 6’6″, 230-lb. defenseman has great size and physical ability, as well as some modest puck-moving ability, his PTO with Vancouver doesn’t necessarily imply that he is fighting for a contract with the team. Betker has struggle to produce in the minors and could use some more seasoning. However, the 23-year-old could definitely land with the team’s AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets.
  • Although the Boston Bruins are already bursting with pro-ready prospects, including Calder hopeful Ryan Donato, three centers fighting for a job in Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson, Trent Frederic, and Jack Studnicka, Anders Bjork and Peter Cehlarik returning from injuries, and recent high picks on the blue line in Urho Vaakanainen, Jakub Zboril, and Jeremy Lauzon, The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa suggests that a first-year pro free agent addition could actually end up having an impact this year. Karson Kuhlman, the captain of the reigning NCAA Champion Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, has impressed in camp so far. Shinzawa spoke with Providence Bruins head coach Jay Leach and watched Kuhlman dominate with two goals in the Bruins’ rookie game on Saturday and has formed the opinion that the young winger could be one of the first players called up by Boston this season. Although smaller and less skilled than some of his competition, Shinzawa states that his effort and two-way intelligence is evident and the team loves his hard-nosed style and natural leadership. Kuhlman seems like a nice fit as a bottom-six forward in the NHL and could realize that ceiling sooner rather than later. The embarrassment of riches in the Boston pipeline continues as another name to watch is added to the list.

Minor Transactions: 9/10/18

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With training camps soon to open and PTO offers heating up, the race is on for players to make a decisions on their careers and if and where they will play this season. Here are some of the minor moves made in the past 24 hours:

  • Former Vancouver Canucks goaltender Michael Garteig has signed with the ECHL’s Newfoundland Growlers for the upcoming season, the league’s newest team announced today. While Garteig will likely be given the bulk of the starts in the coming season as the Growlers’ presumptive starter, the contract marks a continued decline in the former Quinnipiac University standout’s pro career. A top collegiate goaltender in his three years as a starter for the Bobcats, Garteig held the opposition under two goals per game at the NCAA level. An undrafted free agent out of Quinnipiac, Garteig signed a one-year deal with the Canucks and entered the 2016-17 season as the team’s fourth-string goaltender. Despite spending time in both Vancouver – although he did not make an appearance – and in the AHL with the Utica Comets, Garteig spent the majority of his first season in the ECHL. The Canucks did not make him a qualifying offer and he opted to return to Utica last year on a two-year AHL contract. Again, he made most of his appearances in the ECHL. Now, it appears that he could be there permanently, at least for the coming season, after signing with Newfoundland.
  • After recently noting that it was somewhat strange that elite college goaltender Tanner Jaillet had signed in Germany, it comes as even more of a surprise that he has failed to turn a temporary contract with Grizzlys Wolfsburg of the DEL into a full contract. The club reports that team leadership were not happy with the fit and that Jaillet failed to meet expectations. He has been released from his temporary contract to search for a new opportunity. Wolfsburg worked quickly to replace him, announcing that they have signed American keeper David Leggio to a one-year contract. Leggio, 34, was a member of the U.S. Olympic team last year has played for EHC Munchen of the DEL for the past three seasons as the team has taken home the German title each year. Prior to that, Leggio had played in the AHL for six years, most notably as one of the league’s top goalies with the Rochester Americans in 2012-13. He now faces a new challenge with the Grizzlys and is hoping for a fourth straight DEL championship.
  • One of the best names in hockey has decided to hang up his skate. According to beat writer Michael Fornabaio of the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Kane Lafranchise has decided to retire. Last season, at age 29, Lafranchise finally received his first NHL contract, a two-way deal from the New York Islanders, after seven seasons in the AHL and ECHL. Although he played a full season in the AHL for just the second time in his minor league career, Lafranchise did not see any NHL action and felt that both a need to move on and health concerns meant that the time had come to call it quits. Fellow Tigers defenseman Patrick Cullity, a nine-year minor league veteran in his own right, also decided to retire and move on with a new career.

Matej Pekar Expected To Play In OHL

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When the Buffalo Sabres selected USHL standout Matej Pekar with their fourth round pick (94th overall) in June’s draft, it seemed that his path was set to eventually play in the NCAA at Miami University (Ohio). Pekar was likely going to play another season in the USHL before heading to college, but there was a clear route laid out for his development. Now, in a turn of events, Brad Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald is reporting that Pekar will play in the OHL this season instead of the USHL. Pekar’s rights in the Canadian junior ranks are owned by the Barrie Colts after they selected him 108th overall in the most recent CHL Import Draft.

Pekar, 18, was named USHL Rookie of the Year last season after scoring 54 points in 56 games and was a key player for the Czech Republic at both the U18 World Juniors and Ivan Hlinka (now Hlinka-Gretzky) tournament. The shifty forward actually plays much bigger than he is and can fit into several different roles including agitator and top line playmaker. He was ranked as the 55th best North American skater by Central Scouting prior to the draft, but other services had him going ahead of his eventual selection. The Sabres looked like they were going to have to wait to try and sign him until after he felt he was finished with college, but now might have him right under their nose in the OHL.

Barrie of course is losing import forward Andrei Svechnikov to the NHL after being selected second overall by the Carolina Hurricanes, and have room for another import on the roster. If Pekar does end up there, he would be a huge addition to a group that already has quite a bit of talent and should compete for the OHL playoffs once again. Pekar will also take part in the Sabres upcoming Prospects Challenge, alongside other talent like Casey Mittelstadt, Brendan Guhle and Alexander Nylander.

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