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CHL Notes: Speers, Fiore, Constantine

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The New Jersey Devils have re-assigned Blake Speers from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds to the Albany Devils for their playoff run, reports Andrew Gross of The Record. The 20-year old forward played three games with New Jersey to start the year before heading back to the OHL and suiting up for Canada at the World Juniors. After tallying just a single goal in the OHL playoffs, he’ll try to help Albany get past the second round for the first time in their history.

Last year, the Devils were the second best team heading into the postseason but were dethroned by an devastating Toronto Marlies team that was carrying half the current Maple Leafs team. Speers will try to fit in alongside John Quenneville and the rest of the young Devils this time around.

  • The Anaheim Ducks have signed Giovanni Fiore to a three-year entry-level contract, though no financial details were released. Fiore played this season Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and easily led with 52 goals and 90 points in 61 games. The 20-year old undrafted forward led the entire QMJHL in goals, making him an easy target for teams looking at overagers in the CHL. He’ll try to keep that scoring touch at the next level, where time and space are reduced. Unlike many overlooked talents, he actually has the size 6’1″ 195-lbs to make it in the NHL should he ever develop his game that far.
  • The Everett Silvertips of the WHL have declined to extend Kevin Constantine past this season, a very unexpected move after going 44-16-12. Constantine was a head coach of the San Jose Sharks, Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils for a time, but never could get past the second round of the playoffs. Perhaps that’s the same thing that has haunted him here in Everett, as the Silvertips were knocked out—swept in fact—in the second round for the third consecutive year. Constantine shouldn’t have trouble finding work as an assistant in the NHL should he desire, and will be an interesting name to keep an eye on with the other vacancies around the league.

Expansion Requirements Still Needing Attention

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For teams outside the playoffs, preparation for the summer months starts early. Free agency, coaching staffs, prospect profiles and this year, another interesting workload: the Expansion Draft. For many teams, much of the work to prepare for the expansion draft was already done during the season. We saw extensions for players like Michal Rozsival, trades for fringe forwards like Eric Fehr, and goaltenders given contracts without ever really making an NHL impact.

But still there remains much to be done in preparation for the draft, and contracts should come out over the next month to protect teams from an unexpected loss. Each team must expose at least two forwards and one defender who is both a) under contract for 2017-18 and b) played either 40 games in 2016-17 OR a total of 70 games in 2015-16 and 2016-17 combined. They must also expose one goaltender who is either under contract for 2017-18 or will be an RFA this summer. While much of this depends on who each team decides to protect, these are the situations that will likely see a move or extension handed out before the deadline.

Arizona Coyotes

The Coyotes currently have just three forwards who could fill this requirement: Jamie McGinn, Tobias Rieder and Brad Richardson. While Richardson is an easy choice, the other two don’t deserve to be exposed even if McGinn did have a disappointing year. The easy way to solve it would be extend Josh Jooris, who qualifies but doesn’t have a contract past this season currently. Peter Holland could also be sacrificed, though it’s unclear whether the front office believes in him as a piece going forward for this team.

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Minor Moves: Canucks, Devils, Sabres, Red Wings

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With the Utica Comets two points out of a playoff spot with three games remaining, their parent club the Vancouver Canucks have sent them some reinforcements. Nikolay Goldobin, Richard Bachman and Yan-Pavel Laplante have all been sent down to the AHL. The trio were all up with the Canucks for the final game of the season, but will now try to go on a Cup run of their own.

Despite never having suited up for the Comets, Goldobin is actually playoff eligible thanks to a paper transaction on March 1st. In fact, the same type of transaction was needed for Bachman because he was up with the club at the time. Goldobin should provide a solid offensive presence for the Comets, after he scored 41 points in 46 games for the San Jose Barracuda before being traded for Jannik Hansen at the deadline.

  • New Jersey has sent their own troops down to try and hold off those Comets, as the Albany Devils will welcome back Joseph Blandisi, Blake Coleman, Ben Thomson and Miles Wood from the NHL. Albany is the team just two points ahead of the Comets for the last playoff spot in the North Division. Coleman and Blandisi especially will help the offense of the Devils, with both scoring nearly a point-per-game during their AHL time this season. The group will try to improve on a round two exit last season, despite a much worse record heading into the playoffs.
  • Buffalo has returned Alexander Nylander, Evan Rodrigues and Linus Ullmark to the Rochester Americans, though the team is not headed for the playoffs. The trio will play the last few games before hanging up the skates for the summer and working to win full-time jobs again next fall. All three are in contention for the NHL come September, with Ullmark hoping the team decides not to bring back pending UFA Anders Nilsson.
  • Matt Lorito, Tomas Nosek, Ben Street and Robbie Russo are all headed to Grand Rapids for their own Calder Cup run, as Detroit sends them down to keep playing. The quartet should be welcomed into the second place Griffins who look as dangerous as anyone in the AHL this year. Head coach Todd Nelson will be happy to get the group back after a recent 4-5-1 stretch that has seen them lose their first place standing to the Chicago Wolves.

NCAA All-American Teams Named

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Prior to the reveal of University of Denver defenseman Will Butcher as the 2017 Hobey Baker Award-winner and ahead of the NCAA championship game tomorrow night, the American Hockey Coaches Association released the rosters of this year’s collegiate All-American Teams. The teams, first and second squads from either side of the country, are listed below with their NCAA teams as well as NHL-drafted or signed organization, if applicable:

East All-Americans

First Team:

RW Zach Aston-Reese, Northeastern (Pittsburgh Penguins)

RW Spencer Foo, Union

C Mike Vecchione, Union (Philadelphia Flyers)

D Adam Fox, Harvard (Calgary Flames)

D Charlie McAvoy, Boston University (Boston Bruins)

G Charles Williams, Canisius

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Snapshots: Lyubimov, Beck, Devils, Foligno

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Since the Olympic decision came down, details have continued to come out about Russian-born players and their desire (and pressure) to play in the Games anyway. We heard from Nikita Zaitsev on the matter yesterday, saying that it hasn’t changed his plans on staying in North America, but now one Flyers’ forward isn’t so clear. Roman Lyubimov, the former CSKA Moscow winger who signed a one-year deal with Philadelphia this summer and has suited up for 46 games told Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer that it will be a “tough decision” whether or not to return to the KHL next year.

Zaitsev of course has a huge contract extension waiting for him, while Lyubimov has been a healthy scratch for much of the year. The 24-year old forward likely isn’t sure of his place in the NHL after struggling this year and sometimes only seeing five minutes of ice time. He’s a restricted free agent at the end of the year, and if there isn’t a clear role for him in Philadelphia, it may just not fit for him anymore.

  • Taylor Beck has been recalled by the New York Rangers for the first time since being acquired at the trade deadline. The 25-year old forward is having a huge year at the AHL level, with 63 points in 54 games. He’ll likely draw into the lineup as the Rangers give some key players the night off heading into the playoffs.
  • The New Jersey Devils, on the other hand have sent both Steven Santini and Luke Gazdic back down to the Albany Devils as they prepare for the Calder Cup playoffs. The AHL Devils are in third place in the North division but haven’t actually locked up a spot just yet as Utica and St. John’s are right on their tail. With just five games remaining for the team before the end of the regular season, both Santini and Gazdic will help their chances of making it into the postseason.
  • Marcus Foligno’s season is over, according to John Vogl of the Buffalo News. The forward has been given a 7-10 day timeline on his knee injury, which will take him through the end of the year. Foligno set a career high in goals with 13 and has found a niche as a fast, physical presence in the league. His 279 hits rank fifth in the league and second among forwards behind only Matt Martin of the Maple Leafs. A restricted free agent in the summer, he’ll be looking for a slight raise over the $2.25MM he earned this season, and could earn a long-term deal if he agrees to a sub-$3MM salary.
  • The Vegas Golden Knights have sent their only player to the Chicago Wolves on a professional tryout, as Reid Duke starts his journey into pro hockey. The Wolves have been long rumored as the future affiliate of the Golden Knights, and though this doesn’t guarantee that it is another hint that there is already a handshake deal in place. Duke should get used to his surroundings, as he’ll have a tough time cracking the NHL roster next year even if his name is already in the history books.

Philadelphia Flyers Recall Samuel Morin From AHL

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Another top prospect is on his way up to the NHL, as the Philadelphia Flyers have recalled Samuel Morin from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The 11th-overall pick in the 2013 draft will make his NHL debut should he make it into the lineup tonight against the New Jersey Devils. With the Flyers eliminated from playoff contention, it is expected they’ll give Morin and Mike Vecchione a look in the last few games to see if they are viable options for next season.

The fact that Morin hasn’t made a mark on the league yet shouldn’t be seen as red flag, as the 6’7″ 227-lbs defenseman needed time to grow into his frame and develop the raw talent he had shown in the QMJHL. After two excellent seasons in the AHL, it looks like he is ready to take that next step. Never an offensive producer, his 15 points in 62 games represent the kind of production he’ll see in the NHL as he is deployed in more defensive situations. Though he make look at first glance like Chris Pronger physically on the ice, it’s clear that he’ll never have the first pass ability or offensive instincts to be that type of defender.

What he can do though, is dominate in his own end with a long reach and immeasurable strength. His body position and footwork has all improved over the past few years, to the point where he should rarely be taken advantage of by quicker players. Instead, he’ll be the one using his size advantage to remove attackers from the front of the net and win the puck back in the corner. In Philadelphia, where Shayne Gostisbehere is the polar opposite of Morin, they’ve been waiting for a big shutdown defender to come in and provide lock down minutes against top competition.

Dalton Prout Suspended Two Games For Interference

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The New Jersey Devils will be without defenseman Dalton Prout for the next few days, as he has received a two game suspension from the league for his hit on Radko Gudas last night. The Department of Player Safety’s video explanation is clear in why Prout was both kicked out of the game and now suspended:

Prout comes off the bench, makes no attempt to join the play in any manner and instead targets a vulnerable player for the sole purpose of exacting retribution for an earlier play.

Prout, acquired at the deadline from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Kyle Quincey, was previously suspended for sucker punching Nikita Kucherov in a game last March. That time, he got just a single game but is now considered a repeat offender. While the league admits this incident wasn’t particularly violent, Gudas isn’t even looking up when he gets hit and could have easily suffered an injury.

Though it doesn’t matter much for the Devils as they struggle through the end of the 2016-17 season, Prout will now be on the list with two suspensions and under an even closer magnifying glass going forward. As he tries to stay relevant in the NHL, that history will make it even more difficult to play the physical brand of hockey he is known for.

Dalton Prout To Face Player Safety Hearing

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The NHL Department of Player Safety has scheduled a meeting with New Jersey Devils defenseman Dalton Prout. Following the physical blue liner’s big hit on Philadelphia Flyers counterpart Radko Gudas in Saturday’s game, Player Safety announced that Prout would face a hearing on Monday. The hit in question was high and came well after Gudas had moved the puck and resulted in a scrum between the teams. Prout was given a pair of major penalties for interference and fighting and a game misconduct.

This isn’t the first time that Prout has had trouble with the NHL law. The former Columbus Blue Jacket defender was suspended one game last season for a sucker punch on Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov. The two incidents share a common theme: going too far to avenge or protect a teammate by injuring an unsuspecting opponent. Kucherov was the third man in on a fight and was roughing up Nick Foligno when Prout came in and blindsided him with a shot to the face. Similarly, Prout’s hit on Gudas yesterday came after the big defenseman laid a massive hit on Devils’ rookie John Quenneville. Just as Prout got a suspension in 2015-16, he will likely get yet another this year for this more recent incident.

Interestingly, Prout’s hit was not the only questionable one of the game. Following Prout’s ejection, Flyers’ enforcer Dale Weise was called for a retaliatory hit on Devils’ star Kyle Palmieri not long after. Weise was also ejected from the game, but it was announced that he would not face any further discipline. Given that Palmieri was not involved with the any of the previous aggressions, it seems strange that such blatant targeting of a talented player would not warrant the same scrutiny as Prout’s initial infraction.

Morning Snapshots: Stamkos, McDonagh, Sherwood, Panarin, Quenneville

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News and notes from around the NHL this morning:

  • Despite reports that Steven Stamkos may return to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Times writer Joe Smith reports that Stamkos will not play tonight against the Dallas Stars. Stamkos took part in the morning skate but confirmed that he will not lace up the skates this weekend. The Lightning have four games left on the schedule, including one each against the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs—two teams the Lightning are chasing for the East’s final wildcard spot. If Stamkos returns from his knee injury, expect him to play in those high-stakes games.
  • The New York Rangers will most likely be without captain Ryan McDonagh for a second straight game. NHL.com’s Dan Rosen reports that McDonagh did not skate with the team this morning ahead of its game against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Rangers captain suffered an undisclosed injury this week and missed Friday’s game. Coach Alain Vigneault did not expand on McDonagh’s injury, but assured reporters that it is day-to-day rather than something serious. Leaving McDonagh out may be nothing more than precautionary as the Rangers have all but locked up the first wild card slot in the East.
  • The Columbus Blue Jackets have assigned forward Kole Sherwood to the AHL Cleveland Monsters this morning. The Blue Jackets signed the undrafted free agent in July 2015, and the Ohio native lit up the OHL with the Flint Firebirds this season. Sherwood scored 33G and 52A in 60 games, and an additional 4G and 1A in 5 playoff games. The Blue Jackets prospect may make his professional debut today against the Iowa Wild.
  • According to TheAthletic’s Scott Powers, Chicago Blackhawks forward Artemi Panarin would hit his $1.75MM Schedule B bonus as of today. Panarin can trigger that bonus by finishing in the top-ten forward in scoring this season. If the season ended today, Panarin would sit 11th overall, but because Brent Burns is a defenseman, Panarin remains the tenth highest-scoring forward this season. Panarin may be looking over his shoulder, however, as both Winnipeg Jets’ Blake Wheeler and Dallas Stars’ Tyler Seguin are only one point behind.
  • The New Jersey Devils have reassigned forward John Quenneville to the AHL Albany Devils. The Devils rookie has 1G and 3A in 12 NHL games, but 12G and 29A in 53 AHL games this season. With the New Jersey Devils well outside the NHL playoff picture, the organization now focuses on Albany, where the Devils hold a playoff spot by only two points.

Patrik Elias Announces His Retirement After 21 Years

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Just a day before April Fools comes a headline that is hard to believe. Patrik Elias has retired from the NHL after 21 years. Though he hadn’t played at all this season, he had been skating with the New Jersey Devils and was considering a comeback should the team need him at some point. The Czech winger played his entire career for the Devils after being drafted 51st overall in 1994. Patrik Elias

Making his debut as a 19-year old in early December 1995, Elias would go on to be an important player on the Devils for the next two decades. Suiting up in 1240 games during his career, he held every role imaginable at one point or another, including captain for one season in 2006-07. His 1025 points place him second all-time among Czech-born players behind only Jaromir Jagr and easily first among New Jersey players. He sits more than 300 points ahead of John MacLean for the franchise lead.

Elias won two Stanley Cups with the Devils (00, 03) and played in an amazing 162 playoff games throughout his career. He increased his play when it mattered most, scoring 125 points in those games and helped fuel the New Jersey machine through the early 2000s. It wasn’t all goal-scoring though, as Elias was an excellent defensive forward, receiving Selke trophy votes four times in his career. He never did win a major trophy, but was selected to the all-star team four times.

His best season would come in 2000-01 when he scored 40 goals and registered 96 points, finishing sixth in Hart trophy voting and leading New Jersey to their second Stanley Cup final in two years. They would lose in seven games to the Colorado Avalanche, but not because of Elias; his 23 points in 25 games led the team.

He’ll likely be remembered by raising his #26 to the rafters at some point next season, as though he may be just outside the Hall of Fame, he goes down as the greatest New Jersey Devils forward of all-time. PHR wishes you luck Patrik, in whatever you choose to do now.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

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