- The Joshua Ho-Sang move from yesterday was indeed a prelude to Alan Quine’s activation, as the team has moved him from season-opening injured reserve to a conditioning stint. While Quine will have to play a couple of games in the minor leagues, he still counts towards their 23-man roster for the time being.
Islanders Rumors
New York Islanders Send Josh Ho-Sang To AHL
The New York Islanders have decided that Josh Ho-Sang is not quite ready for the NHL, reassigning him to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers today. Ho-Sang had been held out of the last two games, both wins by the Islanders.
Ho-Sang, 21, actually had four points through his six games this season, but wasn’t being used anymore as the team had turned to Anthony Beauvillier instead. The Islanders are also expected to get Alan Quine back soon, though he’s likely headed for Bridgeport on a conditioning stint as well. The team now has just 12 forwards on the NHL active roster, meaning a corresponding move is likely coming before their game tomorrow against the Minnesota Wild.
Many thought that Ho-Sang could challenge for the Calder trophy this season as the league’s best rookie, after registering 10 points in 21 games last year. His role was blocked slightly when Jordan Eberle came aboard, but there is certainly still room on this team for his eventual return. The young forward has excellent offensive skill, and is destined to be a key part of an NHL powerplay someday. That day will just have to wait a little longer.
Metropolitan Notes: Johnson, Rust, Beauvillier
The Blue Jackets have held extension talks with pending UFA blueliner Jack Johnson, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported during an interview with 630 CHED in Edmonton (audio link). He was quick to add that his sense is that the two sides aren’t particularly close to a deal but that there is interest in keeping the 30-year-old in the fold. Johnson is making $5MM in salary this season with a cap hit slightly over $4.35MM and with his production tapering off a bit in recent years, a new contract for him should come in somewhat close to his current deal. It’s known that Columbus is looking to add another impact forward and perhaps locking up Johnson may give them the freedom to deal another defender for that desired help up front at some point.
More from the Metropolitan Division:
- Penguins winger Bryan Rust is setting himself up for a nice payday in the offseason. In a reader chat, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette speculates that the 25-year-old who currently has eight points in as many games this season could find himself in line for a contract similar to the one Conor Sheary received (three years, $9MM) if not more, depending on how long he can hold this level of production. The Penguins have just shy of $61MM committed to 14 players for next season and will likely want to try to bring back pending UFA Patric Hornqvist as well so even though the team has a decent amount of wiggle room this year, that’s not likely to be the case in 2018-19.
- Although Islanders winger Anthony Beauvillier has been a healthy scratch for three straight games and has waiver exemption, the team isn’t planning on sending him down to AHL Bridgeport at this time, head coach Doug Weight told Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post. The 20-year-old had a good rookie season after surprising many by making the team out of training camp but has just one goal in four games in the early going this year. He’s expected to get another chance in the lineup today against San Jose.
Metropolitan Notes: Tavares, Voracek, Bowey
If the New York Islanders’ waiting game with John Tavares didn’t have any more drama, the New York Post’s Larry Brooks writes that the critical deadline in the team’s quest to get state approval for a state-of-the-art arena at Belmont Park is a more than four months away, which will likely come near the NHL trade deadline. Tavares, who has made it clear that he wants to wait for certainty of a long-term home in New York, might not have an answer when he must make a decision.
In fact, Brooks writes that no one he has talked to has any idea if an answer will come before the deadline, let alone before free agency begins on July 1. The approval process has multiple bidders and may need more time than normal estimates. Regardless, owners and even Tavares would probably be more than willing to wait until July 1 to wait for the state’s decision. However, Brooks writes that it’s the trade deadline that will cause the real problem. With likely no idea of whether they will get the state’s approval before the trade deadline, it’s quite possible the Islanders will have to make a decision whether to hope for the best and wait it out with Tavares (with the possibility of losing him for nothing) or trade him before the trade deadline, which could present quite a haul if Tavares plays well this year.
Brooks writes the team might be able to get quality assets from teams that Tavares might be willing to sign with, such as the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs or the Tampa Bay Lightning.
- Charlie O’Connor of The Athletic (subscription required) writes that Philadelphia Flyers wing Jakub Voracek is starting to take his game to a new level this year. After what many referred to as a poor preseason, the 28-year-old veteran has played great and while he hasn’t scored a goal, he has put up nine assists in five games so far and is emphasizing unselfish play. Voracek, always a solid playmaker, had 20 goals and 41 assists last year.
- Troy Machir of NBC Sports writes that Madison Bowey NHL debut isn’t going to be a memorable one for the rookie defenseman after the team lost to the Philadelphia Flyers 8-2. Called up to replaced the injured Matt Niskanen who is likely to be out until early November with an upper body injury, Bowey struggled, making several miscues in his 14:55 of ice time. He finished with a plus/minus of -3 and, according to Machir, didn’t look ready for the big-league club.
Evening Notes: Tavares, Haula, Boston Rookies
With the hopes of avoiding a full-on rebuild, the San Jose Sharks and general manager Doug Wilson are attempting to figure out how to revitalize their team after suffering the loss of free agent Patrick Marleau and the realization that they might be moving on from 38-year-old Joe Thornton. The team still made the playoffs last year and have quite a few solid veterans still on the team, but the team suddenly is lacking in superstars not named Brent Burns.
Paul Gackle of the Mercury News writes that as the San Jose Sharks are set to focus on tonight’s home game against the New York Islanders, don’t be surprised if the Sharks make a run at their star forward John Tavares, either at the trade deadline or free agency itself if it gets very far. Tavares, who is in the last year of a six-year, $33MM deal, has not signed an extension and has made it clear that he is waiting to make sure the Islanders find themselves a permanent home before signing. However, there are some who feel that he will not re-sign with the team and the Islanders will be forced to trade him at the trade deadline or lose the 27-year-old center for nothing.
Gackle writes that San Jose would be a perfect fit for Tavares, who could come in and supply the team with a superstar that can replace Marleau and Thornton. However, despite the great fit and the fact the team should have the cap room to make a deal for Tavares work, the team could struggle at the cap like the Chicago Blackhawks as they already are committed to Burns, Marc-Edouard Vlasic and will have to pay up for Logan Couture in two years. It might still be worth the effort to make a deal like that happen, because the Sharks would like to be a team that could make the necessary changes and stay in the playoffs like the Detroit Red Wings once did when they switched from Steve Yzerman and Brendan Shanahan to Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Nicklas Lidstrom.
- The Vegas Golden Knights issued an update on injured wing Erik Haula, who was placed on injured reserve today with a lower body injury. According to the Golden Knights’ website, Haula is expected to miss at least a week with his injury. That will give general manager George McPhee more time to manipulate his roster before he must make a cut to activate Haula.
- Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports writes that the Boston Bruins struggles on offense can easily be looked at the rookies as the team has handed major roles to Anders Bjork, Jake DeBrusk and defenseman Charlie McAvoy this year. And while the scribe points out that there are plenty of veterans who are fighting with their consistency as well, the rookies struggles to consistently play their game could be what holds up early success for the Bruins until they can figure things out. “It’s up to them to do what they do best, which is attack, play inside and get to the net,” said head coach Bruce Cassidy. “Hopefully, they do a little bit more of that as a line. Some guys catch on quicker than others. We knew there would be consistency issues as every young kid goes through them. So we saw highs in the first game and some lows in the second game, and we saw them starting to come out of it in the third period [in Colorado]. We’re going to try to keep them confident, but also on their toes and aware of what needs to be better.”
Clutterbuck Set Return, Quine Nearing A Conditioning Assignment
- Islanders winger Cal Clutterbuck is expected to return to the lineup tonight after missing the last three games with a hip injury, reports Newsday’s Arthur Staple. He may wind up replacing winger Jordan Eberle in the lineup after he missed practice on Friday with an undisclosed injury. Staple adds that winger Alan Quine, who has been out since September 12th with an upper-body issue, was a full participant in practice and that an AHL conditioning stint could be in the works in the coming days.
Robert Bortuzzo Receives Maximum Fine
The NHL Department of Player Safety was working quickly today. During the matinee match-up between the St. Louis Blues and New York Islanders, Blues defenseman Robert Bortuzzo was handed a double-minor for repeated cross-checks to the back of Isles forward Brock Nelson. (video) Not long after the end of the game, Player Safety announced that Bortuzzo would be fined $3,091.40, the maximum fine under the CBA.
While a seemingly random and not overwhelming amount, the fine is not without some effect. Bortuzzo’s salary for the 2017-18 season is just $1.15MM, which prorated to an 82-game schedule, is about $14K a night. Bortuzzo not only served his four minute penalty this afternoon, he also lost nearly a quarter of his game check. It’s not a major loss, but then again for a simple cross-checking penalty following an admittedly major hit from Nelson, it does send a message. The NHL is working toward cleaning up the game and even a small fine such as this may help to eliminate a violent, pointless penalty like Bortuzzo’s.
Nevertheless, St. Louis – and Bortuzzo – will take a fine over a suspension any day. With five starters already on the injured reserve, including defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, the Blues can ill afford another loss. Bortuzzo also saves that other 75% of his per game that he would otherwise lose with a one-game suspension for example. With that said, the bruising blue liner will have to watch his step for the remainder of the season; chances are Player Safety won’t be as nice to a repeat offender.
Morning Notes: Nash, Maple Leafs, Lightning
Even if John Tavares does re-sign with the New York Islanders, next summer’s free agent crop looks to be much more exciting than this year’s. While in-their-prime forwards like Evander Kane and James van Riemsdyk will likely be the focal point of many rumors, the mid-thirties group will also have some very interesting names. One of those, Rick Nash, was profiled by The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, who believes the 33-year old New York Rangers forward can still be among the league’s best.
A two-way game has increased Nash’s value, and though he’ll be 34 by the time July 1st, 2018 rolls around there could be plenty of suitors lined up to add him to the mix. With 416 career goals coming into this season, the 2002 first-overall pick is an interesting name to watch this year.
- The Maple Leafs are apparently working with a straight rotation for at least a couple of positions, as Kristen Shilton of TSN reports that Connor Carrick and Dominic Moore find themselves as the odd men out at the team’s morning skate. Andreas Borgman and Calle Rosen will likely be the team’s third pair, while Eric Fehr will draw back in as the fourth-line center. Still left out in the cold is Josh Leivo, who can’t seem to earn himself a full-time role with the Maple Leafs despite scoring 10 points in 13 games last season.
- Among teams carrying eight defenseman early in the season are the Tampa Bay Lightning who, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times, could dress seven for tonight’s matchup with the Washington Capitals. With Tampa’s decision to keep Mikhail Sergachev on the roster, they put themselves in somewhat of a roster crunch. Sergachev is the only defenseman on the roster who is waiver-exempt, and the team would not risk Jake Dotchin or Slater Koekkoek by sending them down to the minor leagues.
Garrioch: De Haan Likely To Garner Interest At Trade Deadline
- Islanders blueliner Calvin de Haan has been involved in trade speculation before and his one-year, $3.3MM deal signed in the summer won’t do much to change that. The Isles figure to be a bubble team in a highly-competitive Metropolitan Division and if they find themselves on the outside looking in at the playoffs by the trade deadline, de Haan should be one of the most sought-after rental players around the league. While he won’t put up the points, the 26-year-old can log top-four minutes and serve as an important shut-down player which is something many contenders covet in late February as the deadline approaches.
[SOURCE LINK]
Final Training Camp Cuts: 10/03/17
Hockey is back. Tomorrow night the NHL will begin its 2017-18 season and the long wait will be over. Today, however, teams have one last job to do: reduce their roster to a cap-compliant 23 players by 5pm EST. Several teams are already there, but many have one or two more cuts to make. None of this means those players can’t be called back up quickly, but these are the rosters teams will head into opening night with. We’ll keep you up to date right here with all the official final transactions.
Arizona Coyotes
F Mario Kempe – Tucson (AHL)
G Marek Langhamer – Tucson (AHL)
Buffalo Sabres
F Alexander Nylander – Rochester (AHL)
F Brad Malone – Rochester (AHL)
Calgary Flames
F Luke Gazdic – Stockton (AHL)
F Mark Jankowski – Stockton (AHL)
Carolina Hurricanes
D Jake Bean – Calgary (WHL)
Chicago Blackhawks
F Tomas Jurco – Rockford (AHL)
F Alex DeBrincat – Rockford (AHL)
D Gustav Forsling – Rockford (AHL)
G Jean-Francois Berube – Rockford (AHL)
Colorado Avalanche
D David Warsofsky – San Antonio (AHL)
D Duncan Siemens – San Antonio (AHL)
G Joe Cannata – San Antonio (AHL)
Columbus Blue Jackets
F Tyler Motte – Cleveland (AHL)
Detroit Red Wings
D Ryan Sproul – Grand Rapids (AHL)
Edmonton Oilers
F Anton Slepyshev – Bakersfield (AHL)
Montreal Canadiens
F Andreas Martinsen – Laval (AHL)
F Byron Froese – Laval (AHL)
Nashville Predators
F Frederick Gaudreau – Milwaukee (AHL)
F Vladislav Kamenev – Milwaukee (AHL)
New Jersey Devils
F Joseph Blandisi – Binghamton (AHL)
F Nick Lappin – Binghamton (AHL)
F John Quenneville – Binghamton (AHL)
D Brian Strait – Binghamton (AHL)
New York Islanders
F Steve Bernier – Bridgeport (AHL)
F Stephen Gionta – Bridgeport (AHL)
Philadelphia Flyers
F Matt Read – Lehigh Valley (AHL)
San Jose Sharks
F Marcus Sorensen – San Jose (AHL)
F Brandon Bollig – San Jose (AHL)
F Adam Helewka – San Jose (AHL)
F John McCarthy – San Jose (AHL)
F Daniel O’Regan – San Jose (AHL)
F Brandon Mashinter – San Jose (AHL)
F Filip Sandberg – San Jose (AHL)
D Joakim Ryan – San Jose (AHL)
D Nick DeSimone – San Jose (AHL)
D Cavan Fitzgerald – San Jose (AHL)
D Radim Simek – San Jose (AHL)
G Troy Grosenick – San Jose (AHL)
Toronto Maple Leafs
D Calle Rosen – Toronto (AHL)
D Timothy Liljegren – Toronto (AHL)
D Roman Polak – Released from PTO
Vancouver Canucks
F Darren Archibald – Utica (AHL)
D Olli Juolevi – Turku (Finland)
Vegas Golden Knights
F Tomas Hyka – Chicago (AHL)
F Teemu Pulkkinen – Chicago (AHL)
Washington Capitals
D Madison Bowey – Hershey (AHL)
Winnipeg Jets
F Kyle Connor – Manitoba (AHL)