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Metro Division Snapshots: Rangers, Flyers, Helgeson

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While many believe the New York Rangers need to upgrade their blue line before they can be safely be considered Stanley Cup contenders, head coach Alain Vigneault is content with the team’s current roster, writes Justin Tasch of the New York Daily News.

“For me, right now I like my team,” Vigneault said Friday. “I like the way the guys prepare and their work ethic and how they compete. Jeff (Gorton) and I communicate every day on our team and obviously our needs, etc. But I’m focused on the group that I have now and on the next game that’s coming up, and I’m preparing them. He knows my opinion on our group and if there are areas we can improve. He knows that, he’s known that for quite some time. I’m really focused on this group and what we need to do.

“I’m happy with what we have here. I think we’ve got a good team, a good, young group that’s hungry, and that’s what I’m focused on.”

It’s common for coaches, and in particular Vigneault, to direct much of his focus on the players available to him at the moment and on how to get them playing their best hockey as a group. It’s understandable for the coach to take this public stance, even if the club is actively looking to add ahead of the deadline, as he wouldn’t want to weaken his GM’s position by advertising that the team isn’t comfortable with the roster as is. But the Rangers have been in “go for it” mode for the last several seasons and there is still much doubt whether the team as currently constructed is good enough to go all the way. If Rangers GM Jeff Gorton finds a deal that makes sense, one that improves the team without sacrificing NHL talent and/or mortgaging the club’s future, expect him to pull the trigger.

Elsewhere in the Metro Division:

  • With the Philadelphia Flyers falling further away from a playoff spot (the team is currently five points behind the Islanders for the Eastern Conference’s second wild card slot with two teams to pass) GM Ron Hextall has made it clear his team will not be a buyer at the trade deadline, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Sam Carchidi. Instead, Hextall has indicated he will wait to see where the team resides in the standings after this weekend’s slate of games before determining just how much he is willing to sell off. The team will undoubtedly listen to fair offers for any of their five pending UFA’s, a group that includes Michael Del Zotto, Mark Streit, Nick Schultz, Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth. But should the Flyers fall further out of the race, would Hextall consider dealing away players with term left on their deals? “Not to make us a worse team,” he said. “If we make something happen [with trades] and if we can bring someone up and we take a lateral move, yeah, that’s kind of where you want to get to. That’s why you don’t want to bring up 20-year-olds that aren’t ready to play.” It’s a reasonable tact to take given where the organization is in terms of their rebuild/retool. With plenty of quality young talent yet to come, it makes sense to remain patient and avoid making any impulsive trades, whether to fortify the current roster or to add additional young assets.
  • Seth Helgeson, whom the New Jersey Devils placed on waivers yesterday, has cleared but will remain with the team for the time being, tweets Andrew Gross of NorthJersey.com. In a subsequent tweet, Gross relays that Devils head coach John Hynes indicated the decision to keep the defenseman on the big league roster was made to maintain “roster flexibility.” Helgeson has appeared in nine contests this season for New Jersey, registering his first NHL goal.

 

Devils Trade Kalinin To Leafs For Loov

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The New Jersey Devils had lost faith in Russian center Sergey Kalinin and had not been able to trade him, so they placed him on waivers yesterday. Not long after it was announced he had cleared this afternoon, the trade they were looking for came together. The New Jersey Devils announced that they had found a trade partner in former GM Lou Lamoriello and the Toronto Maple Leafs and that Kalinin had been exchanged for defenseman Viktor Loov. 

A new home for Kalinin is very unsurprising, and in fact was predicted in the Devils’ Deadline Primer. After showing some promise in the KHL at a young age and in his rookie year in North America in 2015-16, Kalinin seemingly hit a wall in his development this year. Kalinin has just four points in 42 games this season, and his valuable two-way game has disappeared. Kalinin was providing no value to a struggling New Jersey squad that would be better served to play younger players that actually have some potential. It was predictable that Kalinin would clear waivers, but also a shrewd move by GM Ray Shero to still get something for him.

By trading for Kalinin after he had cleared waivers, the Maple Leafs no longer have to worry about keeping him in the NHL. Kalinin is expected to report to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, and may not even see action with the Leafs before his contract expires at the end of the year. Kalinin gives Toronto a player who can be physical and has some big-league experience, but his numbers in 2016-17 inspire little confidence to give him substantial ice time down the stretch or in the postseason. The Maple Leafs’ fourth-line center Ben Smith hasn’t been much better this season, but he is just six games away from becoming Expansion Draft eligible and will likely hold on to his spot, at least for the time being. Kalinin will be a restricted free agent at year’s end and the Leafs could retain his services if they so choose.

And what of the return? Loov was a seventh-round pick of the Maple Leafs in 2012 and has exceeded his low expectations thus far in his pro career. The 24-year-old Swedish defenseman is having a down season though, after admirable efforts with the AHL’s Marlies in each of the past two years. Loov even skated in four games with Toronto in 2015-16, contributing two assists and a +4 rating. However, any defenseman unable to supplant the likes of Matt Hunwick and Roman Polak, even for just a few games, has a questionable future at best. Loov is a physical player who skates pretty well, but is a ways off from an NHL gig if he doesn’t work on his vision and puck-moving. Loov is a restricted free agent at the end of the season and New Jersey will use his performance from here on out with the AHL’s Albany Devils as a tryout to gauge if he warrants another contract.

Ty Rattie And Taylor Fedun Placed On Waivers

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Right winger Ty Rattie finds himself back on the wire as the Hurricanes announced Saturday that they have placed him on waivers.  It’s the second time he has been waived in 2017 as Carolina picked him up via waivers from St.  Louis back in early January.

Since being claimed on January 4th, the 24 year old played in just five games with Carolina, picking up two assists while averaging 13:28 per game.  However, he was also a healthy scratch 12 times in that span.  On the season between the Blues and Hurricanes, he has two assists in nine games while logging 10:44 per game in ice time.  In his career, he has five goals and five assists in 35 games.  Rattie is making $650K this season and will be a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration eligibility.

Rattie wasn’t the only player put on waivers on Saturday as the Sabres placed blueliner Taylor Fedun on the wire per Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston (Twitter link).  The defenseman has played in 25 games with Buffalo this season, picking up seven assists while playing a little under 14 minutes per night.  He has been a much bigger offensive threat at the minor league level, recording 17 points (4-13-17) in just 20 games with Buffalo’s AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans.  Buffalo activated fellow rearguard Cody Franson off of injured reserve earlier today, leaving Buffalo with eight defensemen in the active roster.  Fedun carries a cap hit of just $600K and is slated to be an unrestricted free agent in July.

Still with the waiver wire, Devils center Sergey Kalinin cleared, reports Andrew Gross of the North Jersey Record (Twitter link).  He has been assigned to their AHL affiliate in Albany.

Devils Place Sergey Kalinin On Waivers

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As predicted in their recent Trade Deadline Primer, the New Jersey Devils appear to have reached the end of their rope with young forward Sergey Kalinin. TVA’s Renaud Lavoie reports that the Devils have placed Kalinin on waivers today. It’s unknown whether or not GM Ray Shero explored trading the center beforehand, but one way or another, they appear willing to lose him at this point in time.

Kalinin is far from a lock to be claimed on waivers in the next 24 hours, though. After breaking into the KHL at just 19 years old and establishing himself as a consistent two-way player capable of producing decent offensive numbers, many thought that his signing by the Devils was a shrewd move by Shero. When Kalinin contributed 15 points in his rookie year and showed that he could be a dominant physical threat, the future seemed bright for a solid bottom-six role. Yet, just a year later, his development seems to have hit a wall. Kalinin has just four points in 42 games, continues to struggle mightily at the face-off dot, and for some reason has disappeared defensively. The 25-year-old forward has lost the majority of his value since he was an unknown commodity in Russia and now that other teams have gotten a good look at what Kalinin is, they may shy away from taking a chance of their own.

Kalinin will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season, so New Jersey or another team will have some control over his future if they’re interested in retaining him. However, since he is in just his second season in North America, he does not qualify to be exposed in the Expansion Draft, in case any teams hoped to scoop him up and offer him to the Vegas Golden Knights. Without that added bonus, Kalinin seems very likely clear waivers and head to Albany of the AHL by this time tomorrow. If he isn’t able to make up some NHL good will by the end of the season, Kalinin will likely be back in the KHL next year.

Afternoon Transactions: Devils, Sharks

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News and notes from around the NHL this afternoon:

  • The Devils have activated forward Beau Bennett from the injured reserve, the team announced (via Twitter). To make room on the active roster, the team placed defenseman Kyle Quincey on the injured reserve. Bennett, a former first-rounder, has collected three goals, seven assists, and 10 penalty minutes in 40 games this season. The 25-year-old is expected to be in the lineup tonight against the Senators. Following five seasons in Detroit, Quincey joined New Jersey this past offseason. In 51 games this season, the 31-year-old has compiled four goals and eight assists.
  • Defenseman Tim Heed and forward Timo Meier’s time on the Sharks roster was short lived, as Paul Gackle tweets that the organization has reassigned the pair to the AHL. Yesterday, the Sharks promoted the two players (along with forward Nikolay Goldobin) from the Barracudas. Heed was a healthy scratch during last night’s loss to the Panthers, while Meier saw the ice for 10:08. Meier, a 2015 first-round pick, has scored three goals and collected two assists in 26 games for the Sharks this season. Heed, who made his NHL debut earlier this season, has the second-most points among defensemen in the AHL (11 goals, 28 assists).

Evening Transactions: Blues, Oilers, Devils, Sharks

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News and notes from around the NHL this evening:

  • The Blues announced that they have recalled forward Wade Megan from the Chicago Wolves. The 26-year-old made his NHL debut earlier this season, scoring a goal in his first career game. In 50 games with Chicago this season, Megan has collected a league-high 23 goals to go along with 22 assists. Earlier today, the team placed forward Paul Stastny on the injured reserve with a lower-body injury.
  • The Oilers have activated winger Iiro Pakarinen from the injured reserve, the team announced on Twitter. This wasn’t a huge surprise, as Pakarinen was recalled earlier this week following the demotion of forward Anton Lander. After scoring five goals and compiling eight assists last year, the 25-year-old hasn’t played a single game for the Oilers this season.
  • The Devils announced (via Twitter) that they had activated defender Jon Merrill from the injured reserve. After having missed the past four games with an upper body injury, the 25-year-old is expected to play for New Jersey tonight. In 27 games this season, the former second-rounder has accounted for one goal, three assists, and 18 penalty minutes.
  • The Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs AHL affiliate, announced (via Twitter) that they have acquired defender Alex Gudbranson on loan from the Wild. The 22-year-old has spent this season playing with the Quad City Mallards of the ECHL, where he’s compiled four goals and 11 assists in 45 games.
  • As part of their near-daily roster shuffle for cap reasons, the Sharks announced (via Twitter) that winger Timo Meier and Marcus Sorensen, as well as defenseman Tim Heed, have all been sent to their AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda.  Of the three, only Meier has played a semi-regular role in the NHL this season, suiting up in 25 games while recording three goals and two assists.

Trade Notes: Oilers, Krejci, Parenteau, Boyle

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The Oilers are on pace to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2005-2006 season. As a result, there’s some pressure on general manager Peter Chiarelli to make some moves that will help the team secure that playoff birth. While the executive admitted that he doesn’t believe his team is a true Cup contender, he did provide some insight into his pre-deadline strategy.

“I really don’t want to delve into that market,” Chiarelli said (via Sportsnet’s Mark Spector). “I think there are areas we can tinker with; I think the team deserves it. We wanted to be in the conversation. We are.

“(But) we’ve made a lot of moves in the summer, and they’re coming around. I’d rather see those play out…(Deals) fall in your lap … but I don’t see being heavily involved in that market.

“I don’t think it’s the right time for this team, but having said that … once you get into the playoffs, you never know.”

As we anticipate the March 1st trade deadline, let’s explore some other trade notes from around the NHL…

  • An NHL executive told WEEI’s Jimmy Murphy that Bruins center David Krejci has been a target of multiple teams (Twitter link). However, the same sourced wondered whether the veteran could now be off the market due to his and his team’s recent play. The 30-year-old has 14 goals and 25 assists this season.
  • That same executive also told Murphy that Predators general manager David Poile has been “a lot more aggressive” over the past year, and that sentiment apparently applies to this season (Twitter link). Nashville is currently slotted in as the top wild-card team in the Western Conference.
  • It seems like P.A. Parenteau’s name has been floating in trade rumors for the better part of a year, and the Devils winger recently told Andrew Gross of NorthJersey.com that he understands that he could be on the block if the team falls further out of the playoff hunt. “I went through it last year,” Parenteau said. “I was having a really good year and I didn’t get traded. Who knows? The market changes every year. I’m aware of my age, and when I sign a one-year deal like that, if the team is going to be out of playoff contention, there’s a chance I get moved.”
  • Joe Smith of TampaBay.com tweets that he isn’t surprised at the trade talks surrounding center Brian Boyle, citing the veteran’s leadership presence in the locker room. However, Smith says these are the reasons why the Lightning should actually be looking to keep the 32-year-old. In 50 games this season, the veteran has collected 13 goals and seven assists, and he’s on pace to set career-highs in both categories.

Snapshots: Tootoo, Barzal, Parenteau

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It’s not easy to open up about alcoholism and the effect it has on your life and the people around you. Jordin Tootoo has done just that over the past few years, and again to Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune. In a stunningly open interview with Kuc that is reminiscent of the piece done by David Pollock of The Hockey News concerning Devin Setoguchi (who cleared waivers today and was sent to the AHL), Tootoo speaks about the past six years of sobriety and how he has changed from a bottle-swigging teenager to a bottle-feeding parent.

A role-model on the ice and off of it, Tootoo has turned from rampant alcoholism onset by the suicide of his brother to clean living and mentoring of younger players of his Inuit background. Those from his hometown of Rankin Inlet in Nunavut, Canada are starting to follow his lead and leave the bottle for a hockey stick instead. The piece is a wonderful look inside a player who has seen pretty much everything in his NHL career, and is now trying to help the Chicago Blackhawks get back to the Stanley Cup finals.

  • The New York Islanders might not have performed exactly as expected this season, but even if they don’t make the playoffs—which, after an excellent stretch is far from certain—they have some bright spots in their future. Kelsey Smith of NHL.com checks in on some of their prospects, including two that received some league honors this week. Mathew Barzal and Ryan Pulock earned player of the week honors in their respective leagues, and the two first-rounders seem like locks to eventually make it to the NHL on a full-time basis. After starring at the World Juniors, Barzal has 54 points (including 46 assists) in just 29 games for the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL, while Pulock has 22 points in 27 games from the back-end of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL.
  • P.A. Parenteau has found a home in New Jersey after being selected off waivers by the Devils just before the season started. The Islanders had signed the free agent winger prior to the year, but decided he wasn’t cut out for John Tavares’ wing anymore and allowed the Devils to take him for nothing. He’s put up 13 goals and 25 points this year in 53 games and doesn’t want to go anywhere at the deadline. “I want to stay here, they’ve been great to me,” Parenteau told Andrew Gross of The Record, while admitting he understands that his name will surface on March 1st, if not before. Just like last year when Parenteau was in the midst of a 20-goal season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, he’s an expiring contract who can provide goal scoring for almost no money; plenty of teams will be after that at the deadline, if they believe that he is capable of playing a role in their playoff push.

OHL Prospect Watch: Tippett Paces The 2017 Class

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Even though many teams and fans have the upcoming trade deadline on their minds, front offices everywhere are starting to sort out their draft rankings for the upcoming class. The depth in any given year affects how hard teams pursue extra selections, and what round they push for. This season, while the top of the draft doesn’t have the franchise talent of the past two (though Nico Hischier is continuing to turn heads as he inches closer to the top of boards) it does have quite a bit of talent throughout the first and second rounds.

Over at the OHL Prospects blog, they’ve released their annual mid-season media/scout ranking for the Ontario Hockey League, a list that is voted on by people like Mike Morreale of NHL.com, Tony Ambrosio of TSN and Corey Pronman of ESPN among many others. Their list ranks the top ten—with a few honorable mentions—with breakdowns from each writer.

Leading the way is Owen Tippett of the Mississauga Steelheads, a player I’ve mentioned in the past as someone to watch at the upcoming draft. None of the voters had Tippett lower than second, and he got 11/17 first place votes easily pacing the group. Tippett is a natural goal scoring talent that looks like he would have a chance at contributing right away in 2017-18, with an NHL-ready shot from anywhere in the offensive zone. His size and speed have him dominating the OHL ranks already, even more so than teammate Michael McLeod who went 12th overall to the Devils last season.

Other than Tippett, the OHL class has (like most seasons) a lot of talent up front including second-ranked Gabriel Vilardi who might jump over the Mississauga winger because of his position. Centers are often taken higher in the draft, and Vilardi offers size down the middle. With the Windsor Spitfires hosting this season’s Memorial Cup, Vilardi will be guaranteed a chance to show off on junior’s biggest stage.

Among the other eight players ranked six of them are forwards including Matthew Strome, the latest child in the hockey playing family. Like his brothers, Strome is a big skilled forward that can play at both ends of the rink, but has a bit more grit in the corners and a mean streak that the other two don’t possess. His future in the NHL isn’t guaranteed, but the possibility of an excellent checking winger with some big offensive upside will still get him taken relatively early in the draft.

It’ll be interesting to see when the first OHL player comes off the board in Chicago on June 23rd, as the top picks currently look like they’ll be (in some order) Hischier from the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL, Nolan Patrick of the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL and Timothy Liljegren from Timra of the Swedish second league. Last season the OHL had to wait until #5 to send up a player when Olli Juolevi was selected by Vancouver.

John Moore Activated From IR, Will Make Return Today

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Less than two months after being stretchered off the ice, New Jersey Devils defenseman John Moore is set to return to the lineup this afternoon against the San Jose Sharks. The Devils announced that Moore has been activated from the injured reserve and is not only available, but ready to go for their matinee contest. It’s quite the turnaround for Moore, who was the victim of a bad hit from behind by the Washington Capitals’ Tom Wilson on New Year’s Eve.

In that game, Moore was blindsided by the Washington enforcer as he played the puck along the boards in his own zone. Wilson stated that he “tried to let up” and – counter to the opinions of Devils coach John Hynes and enforcer Luke Gazdic – was not issued a penalty, nor did he face any additional supplemental punishment after the fact. Nonetheless, Moore had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher with limited responsiveness and was then transported to the hospital, where he was released with a concussion diagnosis. Considering the apparent seriousness of the concussion, many expected Moore to be out much longer. However, he was cleared to skate last week and has already worked his way back into game shape.

Moore’s return will provide a major boost to a relatively weak Devils defense. At the time of his injury, the 26-year-old led all New Jersey blue liners with five goals and was second in overall scoring with 13 points. He was also on the ice for about 19 minutes per game for the team. His early-season returns had the makings of a career year, and it’s not a stretch to assume he’ll return to that production level right away. In his second season in New Jersey, Moore has proven to be a good fit on the Devils. Moore is a good all-around defenseman and a comforting presence with his responsible play. His presence will immediately be felt by his teammates and coaches.

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