Coaching Notes: Cronin, Rallo, Lalonde
Greg Cronin will be the new head coach of the Colorado Eagles as they move from the ECHL to the AHL for the 2018-19 season. Cronin had served with the New York Islanders for the past four seasons, first as an assistant coach and then as an associate with Doug Weight last season. With Barry Trotz coming in and bringing in a new group, Cronin will head to the AHL where the Eagles are trying to follow up incredible ECHL success with a bang in their first year of AHL contention.
Under Aaron Schneekloth—who will remain with the team as an assistant coach—the Eagles have won two consecutive Kelly Cups in the ECHL. They’ll be trying for the Calder this year, but Schneekloth, assistant Ryan Tobler and goaltending coach Ryan Bach will still be there for the journey under Cronin’s leadership. It is experienced leadership, as Cronin has many years of experience in the NHL as well as time spent as a head coach in both the AHL and NCAA.
- Greg Rallo won’t have to wait long for his next career to begin, as the 36-year old has been named an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Admirals. Rallo only finished his playing career recently, suiting up for 29 games with the Texas Stars in the 2017-18 season. He’ll join head coach Karl Taylor—who was an assistant coach with Texas while Rallo played there—as part of a new staff with the Nashville Predators’ AHL affiliate.
- The Tampa Bay Lightning have nabbed a coach from the Minnesota Wild organization, hiring Derek Lalonde as an NHL assistant coach for next season. Lalonde had been the head coach of the Iowa Wild in the AHL for the last two years, and is on a fast track to being an NHL head coach one day. He’s flown quickly through head coaching roles in the USHL, ECHL and AHL with winning records at all stops, and will now join a staff in Tampa Bay that is expected to compete for the Stanley Cup. Lalonde was hired to coach the Green Bay Gamblers just a year after now-Lightning head coach Jon Cooper left that organization following a championship season, only to bring the USHL team another championship in 2012.
Tampa Bay Lightning Sign Ross Colton
The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed NCAA forward Ross Colton to a two-year, entry-level contract, ending his collegiate career after just two seasons. Colton will join the Lightning organization and add another highly skilled forward prospect to a Syracuse Crunch team that was already loaded.
Colton, 21, led the University of Vermont last season with 23 points in 36 games, including 16 goals for one of the weaker teams in H-East. Vermont went just 10-20-7, which could have hidden some of the talent that Colton brings to the table. Selected in the fourth round of the 2016 draft—his second year of eligibility—Colton exploded in the following season in the USHL, scoring 35 goals and 66 points in 55 games. His ability to put the puck in the net shouldn’t be overlooked, especially now as he joins an organization who specializes in developing overlooked, undersized talent.
Puck protection is Colton’s best attribute, using his relatively low center of gravity and good balance to shield the puck in the offensive zone and work a cycle before taking it to the net. He’ll try to bring those skills to the professional ranks, where the competition for spots on the Crunch will be tough.
Austin Czarnik, Daniel Carr Receiving Major Free Agency Interest
Who is the biggest the free agent name on the market that you may have never heard of? That would be Boston Bruins forward Austin Czarnik. Czarnik, 25, signed with the Bruins as an undrafted free agent out of Miami University in 2015 and qualified for Group 6 unrestricted free agency after just three pro seasons. During that time, Czarnik skated in 59 NHL games and recorded 17 points. However, only ten of those games came in 2017-18, as Czarnik was pushed out of the Boston lineup by superior play from young players like Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen, and Anders Bjork.
Czarnik spent almost the entire season in the AHL with the Providence Bruins, where his 69 points in 64 games was good enough for third in overall league scoring and second-best among all players with more than 45 games played. In both Boston and Providence, Czarnik has shown ability and versatility. He has elite puck possession skills, high-end skating and quickness, and strong offensive instincts, can play center or wing, plays a smart two-way game, and can contribute on the power play and penalty kill – at least that is what he has displayed in two full AHL seasons and a partial NHL season.
The Bruins obviously kept tabs on Czarnik and value his ability, but couldn’t find room for him on the roster down the stretch to get him over the requisite games to avoid Group 6 free agency. As such, Boston has the same chances as every other team at signing Czarnik and it’s shaping up to be quite a fight. The Providence Journal’s Mark Divver spoke with Czarnik’s agent, Brian Bartlett, who stated that there has been “overwhelming interest” in Czarnik so far and that he has heard from more than two-thirds of the league in regards to his client. Czarnik is largely unproven in the NHL and his smaller stature could be a concern, but his upside and potential to be an offensive asset in a bottom-six role has most teams vying for his consideration. The only real risk in pursuing Czarnik is if this turns into a bidding war, with the winner inking the young forward to an above-market contract for a player who has yet to prove he can produce at a high level in the NHL.
Bartlett has also been busy fielding calls on another unexpectedly popular client, Daniel Carr. The Montreal Canadiens forward was set to be a restricted free agent this summer, but was not made a qualifying offer today ahead of the deadline. As such, Carr is now an unrestricted free agent. According to TVA’s Renaud Lavoie, the Canadiens declined to make a qualifying offer to Carr after he first declined an initial offer worth $700K per year. Bartlett reportedly came armed to negotiations with an offer from the KHL worth far more than the Habs’ offer and they will look for a similar or superior deal in free agency. Lavoie says that Bartlett feels initial talks with other teams indicate that they will easily surpass the Canadiens’ last best offer on the open market.
Carr, like Czarnik, was an undrafted NCAA free agent out of Union College who has played a part-time role for Montreal over the past three seasons. Carr has posted 34 points in 94 games for the Canadiens while usually playing left wing in the bottom six. Carr also spent ample time watching the Habs play from the press box. However, he still managed to suit up for 20 games with the AHL’s Laval Rocket this season and contributed 19 points. Carr’s exposure has been limited, but the hard-working forward has done enough to impress scouts from the KHL and likely scouts from the NHL as well. He will remain an interesting name to watch this off-season.
Minnesota Notes: Free Agent Targets, No-Trade Lists, Rau, Mittelstadt
In a loaded article for The Athletic today, Michael Russo addresses the Minnesota Wild’s plans for the off-season with new GM Paul Fenton through his first draft and ready for free agency. While Russo speculates that the Wild could look more toward the trade market than the UFA market this summer, he does name a few player who he feels the team has interest in and are likely to be good fits. Among those named are top-six scorers – and two of the biggest names on the market – James Neal and David Perron of the Vegas Golden Knights, as well as two-way contributors Michael Grabner and Jay Beagle. Russo also adds that the team is likely to take a look at upgrading the backup goalie position. Perhaps the deepest free agent position group this summer is at #2 netminder, where some of the league’s best backups from last season, several veteran former starters, and a few young keepers in need of a change compose a large group of possibilities. The Wild used Alex Stalock as their primary backup in 2017-18 and he performed well enough, but the veteran still has a year left on a two-way contract and the team could easily stash him in the AHL if they can woo a superior option to Minnesota.
- While the following information could frighten fans of the Wild, particularly given the team’s interest in exploring the trade market, don’t be too alarmed. Russo reports that Fenton has requested updated No-Trade lists from starting goaltender Devan Dubnyk, top-pair defenseman Jared Spurgeon, and top scorer Eric Staal. However, Russo believes that this is just a formality that the new GM wanted to get out of the way. With Minnesota expected to be a playoff team again next season, it is very unlikely that any of these three star players are likely to be traded any time soon.
- Russo believes that fan-favorite local product Kyle Rau is unlikely to test the free agent market is instead close on a two-year extension with the Wild. There has been no official word on the contract, but Russo believes it is a done deal. A former “Mr. Hockey”-winning Minnesota high school phenom and a star at the University of Minnesota, Rau signed as a free agent with the Wild last summer after two years with the Florida Panthers. Although he only played in three games with Minnesota this season, he was an offensive force with AHL Iowa, posting 50 points in 69 games. The 25-year-old forward would likely draw some interest on the open market, but seems more inclined to re-sign and fight for a roster spot with the Wild
- Over at Rau’s alma mater, the University of Minnesota, the Gophers hope that they have two more future stars on the way. John and Luke Mittelstadt, the younger brothers of former Gopher and top Buffalo Sabres’ forward prospect Casey Mittelstadt, have announced their commitments to the university. John, 16, is a forward who produced well in his first season at Eden Prairie High School and Luke, 15, is a defenseman who will be a freshman at Eden Prairie in the fall. Like brother Casey, the Mittelstadt’s are undersized and not elite athletes, but make up for it with tremendous skill and hockey sense. They will arrive at Minnesota in 2020 and 2021, respectively, and will join the likes of Blake McLaughlin, Bryce Brodzinski and others on a top program that has been gaining some major commitments over the past few months.
2018 Draft Results By Team
The 2018 NHL Entry Draft is now complete. Check out how each team did with accruing talent and filling needs with each of their selections this weekend:
Anaheim Ducks
1-23. F Isac Lundestrom, Lulea (SHL)
2-54. F Benoit-Olivier Groulx, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
3-79. F Blake McLaughlin, Chicago Steel (USHL)
3-84. G Lukas Dostal, HC Kometa Brno (Czech Republic-Jr.)
4-116. F Jack Perbix, Elk River HS (USHS)
5-147. G Roman Durny, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
6-178. D Hunter Drew, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)
Arizona Coyotes
1-5. F Barrett Hayton, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
2-55. D Kevin Bahl, Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
3-65. F Jan Jenik, HC Benatky nad Jizerou (Czech Republic-2)
3-73. D Ty Emberson, U.S. National Development Program (USHL)
4-114. G Ivan Prosvetov, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
5-142. D Mitchell Callahan, Central Illinois Flying Aces (USHL)
5-145. D Dennis Busby, Flint Firebirds (OHL)
6-158. G David Tendeck, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
7-189. F Liam Kirk, Sheffield Steelers (England)
Boston Bruins
2-57. D Axel Andersson, Djurgardens IF (SuperElit)
3-77. F Jakub Lauko, Pirati Chomutov (Czech Republic)
4-119. F Curtis Hall, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
6-181. D Dustyn McFaul, Pickering Panthers (OJHL)
7-212. F Pavel Shen, Mamonty Yugry (MHL)
Buffalo Sabres
1-1. D Rasmus Dahlin, Frolunda HC (SHL)
2-32. D Mattias Samuelsson, U.S. National Development Program (USHL)
4-94. F Matej Pekar, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
4-117. D Linus Lindstrand Kronholm, Malmo Redhawks (SuperElit)
5-125. D Miska Kuukonen, Ilves (Jr.-Liiga)
7-187. D William Worge Kreu, Linkoping (SuperElit)
Calgary Flames
3-105. F Martin Pospisil, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
3-108. F Demetrios Koumontzis, Edina HS (USHS)
4-122. F Milos Roman, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
6-167. F Mathias Emilio Pettersen, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
7-198. F Dmitri Zavgorodny, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)
Carolina Hurricanes
1-2. F Andrei Svechnikov, Barrie Colts (OHL)
2-42. F Jack Drury, Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL)
4-96. F Luke Henman, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
4-104. F Lenni Killinen, Espoo Blues (Jr.-Liiga)
6-166. D Jesper Sellgren, MODO (Allsveskan)
7-197. G Jake Kucharski, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
Chicago Blackhawks
1-8. D Adam Boqvist, Brynas IF Gavle (SHL)
1-27. D Nicolas Beaudin, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
3-69. F Jake Wise, U.S. National Development Program (USHL)
3-74. F Niklas Nordgren, HIFK Helsinki (Jr.-Liiga)
4-120. F Philipp Kurashev, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
5-139. F Mikael Hakkarainen, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
6-162. G Alexis Gravel, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
7-193. F Josiah Slavin, Lincoln Stars (USHL)
Colorado Avalanche
1-16. F Martin Kaut, Dynamo Pardubice (Czech Republic)
3-64. G Justus Annunen, Karpat (Jr.-Liiga)
3-78. F Sampo Ranta, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
4-109. F Tyler Weiss, U.S. National Development Program (USHL)
5-140. F Brandon Saigeon, Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)
5-146. D Danila Zhuravlyov, Irbis Kazan (MHL)
6-171. F Nikolai Kovalenko, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (MHL)
7-202. G Shamil Shmakov, Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk (MHL)Read more
Coyotes, Sabres Swap Brandon Hickey For Hudson Fasching
It looks like another team will take a shot at signing prospect Brandon Hickey. The collegiate defenseman has been dealt for the second off-season in a row, this time from the Arizona Coyotes to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for minor league winger Hudson Fasching. Veteran forward and impending unrestricted free agent Mike Sislo will also head to Buffalo in the deal. Both teams have confirmed the trade and seem optimistic about re-signing their new prospects.
Hickey was originally acquired by the Coyotes last summer from the Calgary Flames as part of the Mike Smith trade. The Flames worried that they would not be able to sign the Alberta native, who they had drafted in the third round in 2014 but at the time had already played three seasons in the NCAA and was not yet looking to leave. A year later, the Boston University captain has graduated and apparently was not keen on signing in Arizona either/ He only has to wait until August to become a free agent, but the Sabres clearly hope to get him signed instead. A smart defensive blue liner with leadership qualities, Hickey would add experience and locker room presence to any pipeline and Buffalo could certainly use the blue line boost.
It’s likely that Buffalo was already given permission to have such contract talks with Hickey before this deal was made, otherwise it’s highly unlikely that they would have traded away a player like Fasching. Granted Fasching is an impending restricted free agent and, like Hickey, needs a new contract, the Sabres would have had more team control over Fasching than they do now with Hickey. Fasching also has pro experience, including 22 NHL games with the Sabres over the past three seasons. The 22-year-old American forward has not found the same offensive production in the pros that he exhibited with the University of Minnesota, but appeared to be back on track this season with a career-high 30 points in the AHL. Fasching brings a physical element that the Coyotes have often lacked and could be one of the top minor league options for the team moving forward.
As for Sislo, the 30-year-old forward put up good numbers in the AHL, but isn’t much of a threat to make a difference at the next level, whether he signs with the Sabres or another team. He may simply be a throw-in in this deal, given his impending free agency. This deal is primarily about two prospects getting a new opportunity to sign with a different team and filling specific, minor needs for each organization. It also continues a trend for each franchise: the BU-to-Buffalo pipeline for the Sabres and the Coyotes taking on high upside prospects that many others have written off.
Snapshots: O’Connell, Meyer, Vermette, Rust
A pair of NHL draft picks have committed to Ohio State for the 2018-19 season. The Buckeyes announced (Twitter links) that defenseman Ryan O’Connell and winger Carson Meyer will be joining them next year. O’Connell, a seventh-rounder of Toronto last June, had previously committed to join Boston University next year and spent this past season with Penticton of the BCHL. Meyer’s case is more intriguing. The Columbus prospect (selected in the sixth round last year) has spent the past two years at Miami-Ohio. After a strong rookie campaign where he posted 26 points in 34 games, his output dipped to just ten points in 34 contests as he dealt with season-long fatigue issues. Typically, a player who transfers is forced to sit for a year but it is expected that Meyer will petition the NCAA for a waiver to allow him to play next season.
Elsewhere around the hockey world:
- Ducks pending UFA center Antoine Vermette acknowledged to TVA Sports’ Mario Morrisette that he may have played his final game. While he’s hopeful to land another contract for next season, he wants to be closer to his family and has already ruled out the idea of going overseas. The soon-to-be 36-year-old had just 16 points in 64 games with Anaheim and got into just a pair of playoff contests where he played just over six minutes per game. However, he won 60% of his faceoffs which could still help him garner some interest in free agency next month.
- Penguins GM Jim Rutherford is well-known for being aggressive when it comes to shaping his roster and after they fell in the second round this postseason, many expect changes are coming. One player that could be on the move is winger Bryan Rust, suggests Mark Madden of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The pending RFA is due a sizable raise after posting 38 points in 69 games but Pittsburgh has good depth on the right side and plans to have Daniel Sprong (also a right winger) in the lineup regularly in 2018-19 which could make Rust expendable. The 26-year-old is arbitration eligible and is one year away from qualifying for unrestricted free agency.
NCAA Notes: Boston University, Illinois, Penn State
Boston University has been on the hunt for a new head coach ever since David Quinn left for the New York Rangers. Although they considered Boston Bruins assistant Jay Pandolfo, former NHLer and current head coach at The Rivers School Shawn McEachern, and Union College head coach Rick Bennett, the team ended up deciding to promote assistant Albie O’Connell. The school announced O’Connell as their twelfth head coach in program history and another in a long line of alumni who have filled the role. O’Connell played four seasons at BU under legendary coach Jack Parker from 1996 to 1999, winning four Beanpot titles and a Hockey East Conference championship and captaining the team as a senior. A fifth-round draft pick of the New York Islanders in 1994, O’Connell never reached the NHL and eventually transitioned into coaching with stops at Colby, Niagara, Holy Cross, Merrimack, Northeastern, and Harvard. He joined Quinn’s staff at BU in 2014 and was instrumental in the recruiting and development of several stars such as Jack Eichel, Charlie McAvoy, and Jordan Greenway. O’Connell inherits a team that was a win away from a Frozen Four berth this year and is set to add potential first round pick Jake Wise to the mix among others.
- Given the success of the Big Ten Conference this year, in particular how well the relatively new Penn State performed, it’s not surprising that Big Ten members in other sports are now beginning to consider adding hockey. University of Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman acknowledged today that he is “increasingly confident” that the school will field a team in the near future. While the scholarship and roster management and Title IX compliance challenges alone are overwhelming, Illinois would also have to raise an estimated $50-60MM to build an arena for the team. However, interest is high and donations are already coming in earmarked for a hockey program that doesn’t yet exist. Whitman feels that the chance to jump into an elite conference and immediately attract high-end athletes is too much to pass up and hopes that the Champaign would be quick to embrace a team. It sounds like it’s only a matter of time before the Fighting Illini are the newest NCAA Division I team.
- Speaking of Penn State, the team got some good news recently when forward Will Cuylle announced his commitment to the program. The 16-year-old Toronto native was recently selected third overall by the Peterborough Petes in the OHL Priority Selection Draft and has great upside as a player, but appears to have chosen against pursuing the major junior route in favor of the college game. The big winger already plays a strong power forward game, equipped with checking ability and a howitzer shot, but seemingly feels that he can develop better outside of the OHL. Cuylle is not eligible for the NHL Draft until 2020 and will not join Penn State until at least 2020-21, so there is time for him to change his mind, but right now it seems like an incredible acquisition for the upstart program.
Tyler Weiss Commits To Nebraska-Omaha
Less than a month before he will hear his name called at the NHL Entry Draft and learns where he may play his pro hockey, Tyler Weiss has announced where he will play his college hockey. The U.S. National Development Team product will play for the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 2018-19 and likely beyond.
Weiss is one of the more polarizing prospects in the upcoming draft. The Raleigh, North Carolina native is well-liked by all, but scouts differ on how they see his pro potential. For example, Corey Pronman of The Athletic saw Weiss play several times this season and has him ranked 66th in his final draft board, indicating that he could even be a second-round pick. On the other end of the spectrum, The Athletic colleague Scott Wheeler ranked Weiss 100th and The Draft Analyst’s Steve Kournianos ranked him 159th, suggesting that they instead see Weiss as a fourth- or fifth-round player. However, Kournianos had Weiss at 85th prior to this season and his production has been solid – 35 points in 58 games with the USNTDP – so it is the lanky forward’s lack of physical development likely driving down his value. Weiss stands 5’11”, but weighs less than 160 pounds. While he’s a strong skater and plays with good skill, with some scouts saying he has top-six NHL upside, his slight frame is apparent in his lack of any physical game or two-way ability and that is understandably a concern.
Yet, the college game is often the perfect track for smaller players who can both thrive in the fast, skilled level of play and concentrate on bulking up. At Omaha, Weiss will likely be looked upon immediately as one of the top players on the roster which should force him to focus on an all-around game and improving his on-ice presence. Whichever team selects Weiss this year should do so knowing that he is a long-term project, but also understanding the upside of his skill should his physical development catch up to his skating, hand, and brain.
Weiss is one of the great stories of the draft, fighting through his family’s financial struggles as a young kid and an untraditional hockey market to become a legitimate NHL prospect. The Athletic’s Sunaya Sapurji details Weiss’ background and more closely examines his draft status in this piece for further reading.
Massimo Rizzo Bound For North Dakota
A top BCHL prospect is following in familiar footsteps. The Penticton Vees announced today that Massimo Rizzo has committed to join the University of North Dakota for the 2019-20 season, extending a trend of Penticton captains continuing their development with the Fighting Hawks. Rizzo was given the “C” for the Vees for the upcoming season earlier this month.
As a rookie last season, Rizzo turned heads with his impressive performance. The 16-year-old finished fourth on the team in scoring with 39 points in 50 games and then really held his own in the postseason with another ten points. The speedy forward showed good balance to his game and the potential to improve into a game-changing talent. His promotion to captain at such a young age also speaks to his leadership and locker room presence. Rizzo also performed well for Team Canada at the U-17 World Championships where he was again fourth in team scoring with four points in five games. As the Junior-A level in Canada continues to gain more recognition, Rizzo could be the next big name to trace his roots back to the BCHL.
Rizzo should take another step forward in Penticton next season before enrolling at North Dakota, where he will try to follow the path of several notable former Vees captains. Three recent Penticton captains have been recruited by the Fighting Hawks and have gone on to have great success in the college ranks and in the pros. Troy Stecher was a three-year star at UND before signing with the Vancouver Canucks and is now a top-four defenseman in the NHL. Tyson Jost was the tenth overall pick out of Penticton two years ago and showed his value in his one college season with more than a point per game with the Hawks. He then played a critical role in the re-emergence of the Colorado Avalanche this season. Finally, like Stecher, Nick Jones was a star with the Vees, but went undrafted; however he showed in his first year for North Dakota that he has the makings of a future pro. When Rizzo joins North Dakota in 2019, he’ll reunite with Jones and draft-eligible defenseman Jonny Tychonick on a team that will draw much of its strength from former Vees.