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Islanders Keep Dal Colle, Send Ho-Sang Back To AHL

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The New York Islanders have made the decision on which of their young forwards to keep for the time being, changing Michael Dal Colle’s emergency recall to a regular one and assigning Joshua Ho-Sang back to the minor leagues.

Dal Colle, 22, is finally making good on the fifth-overall selection the Islanders spent on him in 2014. For two years the big winger struggled in the minor leagues, but this season seemed to turn a corner with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers before eventually finding his way to the NHL. Now with 22 games played for New York this season, it looks like he could be carving himself out a full-time role.

Though he has just five points in those 22 games, Dal Colle has been a positive possession player and has earned himself more ice time of late. Though he’s not going to supplant one of the Islanders’ top options at the moment, he’s setting himself up to be a real contributor in the future. Obviously you want more than just a warm body from such a high draft pick, but sometimes players just take longer to work out what makes them successful at the next level. Dal Colle is a restricted free agent this summer, which makes the next month or so very interesting from a contract negotiating standpoint.

Ho-Sang meanwhile continues to bounce up and down without any real consistency. The 23-year old forward is obviously a skilled player, as evidenced by his 103 points in 144 games at the minor league level, but can’t seem to find a role on the Islanders. Another first-round pick from 2014, Ho-Sang is also a restricted free agent this summer and has been considered a trade candidate in the past.

Poll: How Many Top Free Agents Will Re-Sign With Their Current Club?

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Back in January, PHR published our Midseason UFA Power Rankings: 1-10, 11-20, and several honorable mentions. With the NHL Trade Deadline now passed, the next chance that teams have to shake up their rosters is the off-season, with the majority waiting until July 1st, when the free agent market officially opens. However, the question always is how many would-be free agents actually make it to the open market? Mark Stone, Eric Staal, and Jakob Silfverberg – three of our top 20 –  have already signed or agreed to extensions. Will many more follow suit? With the trade deadline shaking up the status quo for several teams and players, how many more top free agents will skip free agency and sign extensions?

The Columbus Blue Jackets are now the team to watch for not just two but four of the best potential UFA’s. Artemi Panarin (No. 2) and Sergei Bobrovsky (No. 6) have long been expected to test the market, perhaps even as a package deal. Ottawa Senators imports Matt Duchene (No. 5) and Ryan Dzingel (No. 16) could now join them. The conditional first-round pick tied to re-signing Duchene would seemingly make it less likely that Columbus opts to extend him, while Dzingel, and Ohio State University alum, looks like a more natural long-term fit.

Another team of interest are the San Jose Sharks. Superstar defenseman Erik Karlsson (No. 1) and respected veteran forward Joe Pavelski (No. 7) are both heading for free agency and the Sharks may be hard-pressed to sign both. There’s also now deadline addition Gustav Nyquist (No. 14) to consider. How the season ends for the Cup contending Sharks could determine if any of the trio return to San Jose. The same could be said for the Western Conference rival Winnipeg Jets. Between rental center Kevin Hayes (No. 8) and big defenseman Tyler Myers (No. 10), the Jets have a pair of coveted free agents on the roster, but their impending cap crunch is severe and could make bringing back just one of the two nearly impossible.

After losing John Tavares last summer, going through the same with top forward Anders Lee (No. 9) would be devastating for the New York Islanders franchise. For that reason, it is fair to put faith in the team coming to a new agreement with their captain. However, that line of thinking if awfully reminiscent to last year. Less likely to return are center Brock Nelson (No. 11) and winger Jordan Eberle (No. 15), although either one could opt to re-sign after a strong playoff run. The big question is resurgent goalie Robin Lehner (No. 23). Will the Islanders lock up the young keeper who has been so solid this season? Or will they refuse to pay market value for a player that has benefited from their system while splitting time with Thomas Greiss?

Generally, playoff rentals proceed to hit the free agent market rather than re-up with their new teams. In addition to Duchene, Dzingel, Hayes, and Nyquist, Nashville’s Wayne Simmonds (No. 13), Dallas’ Mats Zuccarello (No. 21), and Colorado’s Derick Brassard (No. 24) could very well be headed to yet another destination. Some may also consider Toronto defenseman Jake Gardiner (No. 12) and Carolina forward Micheal Ferland (No. 18) as “own rentals” given the high likelihood that both leave. However, there is room for a surprise or two in this group to sign an extension.

Safer bets to land a new deal rather than test free agent waters are a pair of long-time veterans and a breakout star. If there was any doubt that the Buffalo Sabres couldn’t re-sign Jeff Skinner (No. 4), there would have been talk of his availability at the trade deadline. Instead, it was dead quiet. Skinner has been a great match with Jack Eichel and certainly looks like a long-term fit in Buffalo. Vancouver’s Alexander Edler (No. 22) and Detroit’s Jimmy Howard (No. 25) both stated their preference not to be dealt at the recent deadline and are known to be working on new contracts. Yet, until pen meets paper they are still impending free agents. Similarly, Semyon Varlamov (No. 17) has expressed an interest in remaining with the Colorado Avalanche, but it’s unclear if the feeling is mutual.

Compared to recent years, this impending free agent class does look to have fewer locks for extensions among top players. Any of these 22 names could hit the market, although odds are they won’t all choose to do so. Regardless, this could be a healthy market come July 1st. Just how deep could it be? That’s for you to guess. How many of these top free agents will sign extensions? [Mobile users click here to vote]

New York Islanders Recall Christopher Gibson

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The New York Islanders won in a shootout over the Ottawa Senators last night, but may have lost a key part of their team in the process. Robin Lehner was injured on a collision with Brady Tkachuk, and though there is no word yet on how serious the injury is, Christopher Gibson has been recalled from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Gibson’s recall is under emergency conditions, meaning it won’t take up one of the post-deadline recalls but also means Lehner is still dealing with an injury of some sort.

Gibson, 26, has played in one game with the Islanders this season but has once again spent the majority of his year in the minor leagues. Originally selected in the second round of the 2011 draft, he has never quite been able to crack an NHL roster for very long. In his career, Gibson has played in just 13 NHL contests and has a .901 save percentage.

If Lehner’s injury keeps him out for any length of time, it will be Thomas Greiss who attempts to guide the Islanders to a Metropolitan Division title. The Washington Capitals are currently tied with the Islanders at 83 points (with an identical record to boot) while the Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets are all still within striking distance. Lehner has been outstanding this season and is a huge reason the Islanders are where they are, posting a .927 save percentage through 38 games.

Minor Transactions: 03/05/19

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It’s a busy night in the NHL with ten games on the schedule including an epic matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Winnipeg Jets. The two teams are considered top contenders from each conference and very well may end up battling for the Stanley Cup down the road. As teams prepare for action tonight we’ll be right here keeping track of all the minor moves.

  • The Philadelphia Flyers have recalled Justin Bailey from the minor leagues, his second call-up since being acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in mid-January. Bailey, 23, played five games for the Flyers during that first recall but failed to score a single point.
  • Joshua Ho-Sang and Michael Dal Colle are back up for the New York Islanders under emergency conditions, likely meaning a pair of New York Islanders forwards are dealing with injury or illness. The pair of youngsters have been playing together in the minor leagues and still have plenty of potential.
  • Goaltender Collin Delia has been recalled under emergency conditions by the Chicago Blackhawks, and announced later on that Cam Ward will be out 7-10 days with a knee injury. Delia has played quite a bit for the Blackhawks this season and could potentially be a candidate to take over an NHL role next year.
  • The Ducks announced the recalls of center Sam Steel and defenseman Jacob Larsson from San Diego of the AHL.  Steel has had a productive rookie season with the Gulls while Larsson has seen action in 38 games with Anaheim this year while logging over 16 minutes per night of ice time.

No Substantial Extension Talks Between Islanders And Brock Nelson

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Earlier this week, it was noted that the Islanders have some concerns about the term that winger Anders Lee is seeking on his next contract.  He’s far from the only notable pending unrestricted free agent that they have but it doesn’t appear they’re rushing to get into discussions with those players just yet either.  Speaking with Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post, center Brock Nelson indicated that he’s yet to have substantial negotiations with the team on a new deal yet, something that doesn’t appear to bother him at this time:

There hasn’t really been any talks or any indication one way or the other. That’s a good thing for all parties, take it day-by-day. Everybody wants to win and we’re in a good spot to do that right now.

The 27-year-old is in the midst of a career season with 20 goals and 23 assists in 65 games so far this season.  Accordingly, he is lining himself up nicely for a raise on the $4.25MM he signed for to avoid salary arbitration back in July.

While Nelson could make a case for a long-term deal, Cyrgalis suggests that a long-term deal is something that GM Lou Lamoriello would like to avoid, hinting that teammate Josh Bailey’s six-year term is considerably longer than he’d like to give Nelson.  In order to get him to take a shorter deal, the Islanders would likely need to up the AAV of the contract which could push his cap hit closer to the $6MM per season range.

Winger Jordan Eberle is also eligible for free agency this summer and like Nelson, there have yet to be any talks of significance on a new deal.  He has 30 points in 61 games this season which won’t help his cause for beating his current $6MM AAV on his next deal.

With less than $48MM tied up in 16 players for next season, the Islanders figure to be big players this offseason.  With that in mind, it wouldn’t be surprising if Lamoriello is willing to slow-play things with his existing UFAs in an effort to see if he has a realistic opportunity at going after some of the top players that are eligible to hit the open market including winger Artemi Panarin and defenseman Erik Karlsson.  After losing John Tavares last summer, the Islanders figure to be much more active in free agency this time around, even if they come to terms with Nelson or others beforehand.

Metropolitan Notes: Mueller, Patrick, Martin, Flyers, Blackwood

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The New Jersey Devils got some good news on the injury front as defenseman Mirco Mueller was recently released from the hospital after taking a scary hit Wednesday against Calgary, which required him to be stretchered off, according to NJ.com’s Chris Ryan.

Mueller stated that the injury won’t keep him out long-term. Head coach John Hynes stated that Mueller didn’t suffer any significant head or neck injuries and Mueller would likely play again this season. Mueller has played a career-high 47 games this year, putting up a goal and 10 points.

  • With Jakub Voracek already out, the Philadelphia Flyers lost another forward as Nolan Patrick was hit in the head with a shot and is unlikely to return to the game against the New York Islanders, according to Philly.com’s Sam Donnellon. Patrick has had a rough few days as he was boarded by New Jersey’s Kurtis Gabriel Friday, which cost Gabriel a one-game suspension. No word on how serious the injury is.
  • The New York Islanders played without forward Matt Martin today, who is out with an upper-body injury. However, Newsday’s Andrew Gross reports that Islanders head coach Barry Trotz said that the injury isn’t long-term and that he was a real possibility to play today. Martin, a key bottom-six forward, has five goals and 13 points in 52 games this season.
  • One downside to the Philadelphia Flyers trading away the physical Wayne Simmonds is that teams are taking advantage of them more on the ice, according to Sam Carchidi of Philly.com. Nolan Patrick was hit hard into the boards by New Jersey’s Kurtis Gabriel, who got a one-game suspension for the hit, but the team knows it has to show that they are physical even without Simmonds around. “But we’re still the same team. We still stick together,” Travis Konecny said. “I think Simmer left a lot of that with us. He taught us young guys to stick up for our teammates.”
  • With the impressive play of New Jersey Devils goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood, the team might have an opportunity for him to compete for the Calder Trophy next season. Blackwood has appeared in 15 games for New Jersey, but with just 16 games remaining in the season for the Devils, The Athletic’s Corey Masisak writes that if Blackwood plays in 10 or fewer games, he’d be eligible for the Calder Trophy next year.

Matt Martin Day-To-Day With An Upper-Body Injury

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  • Islanders winger Matt Martin is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, notes Arthur Staple of The Athletic (Twitter link). It’s not known when the injury occurred as he logged more than 13 minutes in their victory over Toronto on Thursday night.  Martin’s return to New York has been a successful one as his ice time has jumped by more than four minutes a night over last season while he has chipped in offensively with 13 points, more than he had in either of his two years with the Leafs.

Islanders Concerned Over Term Of Anders Lee's Extension Request

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For the second straight season, the Islanders are in a situation where their captain is currently slated to hit unrestricted free agency.  Winger Anders Lee is having a good season but his numbers are down quite a bit from last season, especially in the goal department where he reached 40 for the first time in 2017-18.  There’s no doubt that New York has interest in keeping him around but Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman notes in the latest 31 Thoughts: The Podcast (audio link) that there is some concern about the term of the deal that Lee is seeking.  He’ll turn 29 in early July so it’s quite possible that he’s looking for close to the maximum eight years in the hopes of making it his final contract which is something the Isles would likely want to avoid if they could.

Andrew Ladd, Thomas Hickey Activated From Injured Reserve

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The New York Islanders didn’t make a big splash at the trade deadline yesterday, but it may still feel like it to the dressing room. Today the team officially activated Andrew Ladd and Thomas Hickey from injured reserve and both are expected to be in the lineup tonight against the Calgary Flames.

Ladd hasn’t played in a game since November 13th but was actually off to an excellent start under new head coach Barry Trotz. After two seasons of struggles in New York, Ladd had seven points in his first 14 games while playing a reduced role and will hopefully bring some of that success back to the ice tonight. The veteran forward is regarded well for his leadership qualities and defensive acumen, but will need more than just that to help the Islanders run the table and hold onto first place in the Metropolitan Division.

While Ladd may be the more notable name, Hickey certainly brings more impact. The 30-year old is a reliable two-way defenseman that can play in almost any situation for the Islanders and has been out more than two months with an upper-body injury. He’d been averaging the most ice time of his career under Trotz, and could very well work his way into the top group of defensemen once again.

Both players will feel like deadline additions given their long absences, and the team is relying on them to be competitive assets to them down the stretch and into the future. In fact, both Ladd and Hickey are signed long-term and will be a part of this team as they continue to grow. Ladd is under contract through 2022-23 at a cap hit of $5.5MM, while Hickey will earn an average of $2.5MM per season through 2021-22.

Minor Transactions: 02/25/2019

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With the trade deadline upon us, roster restrictions have now been lifted so there should be an influx of recalls today.  On top of that, there should be plenty of “paper transactions” post-deadline as teams send down and then recall players in order to preserve their AHL postseason eligibility. Only players on AHL rosters at 3pm ET are eligible to play in the league’s playoffs. While all eyes are on the deadline, today is also one of, if not the, busiest day of the season for minor transactions. Try to keep up right here:

  • The Canadiens announced the recall of winger Dale Weise from Laval (AHL). He was sent down last week to accommodate the return of Paul Byron from IR but this move was expected with the 23-man roster limit now removed.  Weise played in three games with the Rocket, scoring twice.  He will likely battle for fourth line ice time down the stretch.
  • The Devils have shuffled their forward group, announcing that they have sent wingers Joey Anderson and Brett Seney to AHL Binghamton while recalling forwards Michael McLeod, Nathan Bastian, and John Quenneville. Anderson has just three points in 19 NHL games this season while Seney has spent the bulk of the year in New Jersey, collecting 13 points in 50 NHL contests.  McLeod, a 2016 first-rounder, has played just once with the big club this season but sits second on Binghamton in scoring and should now get a longer look to assess his development.  Bastian has also played just once in New Jersey but leads Binghamton in goals with 17 in 56 games.  They also announced that goalie MacKenzie Blackwood has been recalled from Binghamton following the trade of Keith Kinkaid, as well as defenseman Egor Yakovlev, with Eric Gryba heading back to the AHL.
  • For the time being at least, the Senators have re-assigned defenseman Cody Goloubef, centers Logan Brown and Filip Chlapik, and winger Drake Batherson to Belleville of the AHL, per a team announcement.  The team also made forward Rudolfs Balcers and defenseman Christian Wolanin paper transactions for the inevitable reality of last-place Ottawa having an early end to their season, but Belleville continuing on to the postseason.
  • The Flyers have brought back defenseman Samuel Morin from his conditioning stint with AHL Lehigh Valley.  He has been working his way back from ACL surgery from an injury sustained in the minor league playoffs back in May and played in a pair of games with the Phantoms.  It’s likely that Morin won’t be thrown into action with Philadelphia right away but with the roster limit gone, they can have him on the active roster from here on out. The team also made defenseman Philippe Myers and forward Corban Knight paper transactions. The young Myers was the top defender for the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantom prior to his recall, while Knight is an experienced AHLer who can lead a team. Their return for the postseason would be a major boost for the Phantoms.
  • The Nashville Predators have recalled Matt Donovan from the AHL, placing Dan Hamhuis on injured reserve. Donovan is leading all Milwaukee Admirals defensemen in scoring with 29 points through 55 games, but hasn’t played an NHL game since 2014-15.
  • Christian Dvorak has officially been recalled from his conditioning stint with the Tucson Roadrunners, meaning he’ll be back on the ice for the Arizona Coyotes soon. The young forward has missed the entire season up to this point, but could give the Coyotes a much needed offensive boost down the stretch.
  • Matt Luff was recalled by the Los Angeles Kings today, only to be returned to the AHL’s Ontario Reign later on alongside Michael Amadio. It’s unclear if this move was intended for AHL postseason means, seeing as the Reign are in last place in the entire league and aren’t going to be heading to the postseason.
  • The Vancouver Canucks have returned goaltender Marek Mazanec and forward Zack MacEwen to the AHL’s Utica Comets, the team announced. Mazanec’s demotion is good news for the Canucks; Thatcher Demko has been cleared for action and will dress for the Canucks as the backup tonight.
  • Teddy Blueger has been reassigned to the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins, but could be on his way back up shortly. With Tanner Pearson shipped out of town, Pittsburgh needs another forward and Blueger has been the next man up. He should get a chance at regular minutes down the stretch.
  • Collin Delia will return to the minors upon the activation of Corey Crawford, Chicago announced. Delia has performed admirably in net during Crawford’s absence and even earned a contract extension with his play, but needs the starts available in the AHL rather than sitting behind Crawford and Cam Ward.
  • With the Toronto Maple Leafs trading away Par Lindholm today, stating their desire to open up regular NHL minutes for Trevor Moore, it is no surprise that Moore was an emergency recall by the team. Moore has been the epitome of consistency through his time with the University of Denver and AHL Marlies and now hopes to bring that same dependable production to the NHL.
  • The Arizona Coyotes made a pair of paper transactions, assigning defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin and forward Conor Garland to the AHL’s Tuscon Roadrunners – to ensure their AHL postseason eligibility – and then called them back up.
  • The Carolina Hurricanes followed suit, making forwards Saku Maenalanen and Warren Foegele paper transactions, so that they may compete with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers if need be.
  • The Dallas Stars are without Mats Zuccarello after just one game with the trade addition. To fill his roster spot for the time being, the team has recalled Denis Gurianov from AHL Texas. Gurianov has shown flashes, but inconsistency in the pros, but now Dallas needs him to be a reliable option over the next four weeks.
  • Daniel O’Regan seemed like a likely trade candidate as a young impending free agent who has not been a fit in Buffalo. The Sabres even showcased him this past week, but to no avail. The deadline has come and gone and Regan is still a Sabre, or more accurately a Rochester American after being demoted today. Tage Thompson was a paper transaction for the club.
  • Dylan Sikura was made a paper transaction by the Chicago Blackhawks, as well. While the team would like to see what he can do in the NHL over the next month, the Blackhawks are trending away from the postseason, making Sikura’s best bet at postseason play a return to the AHL’s Rockford Ice Hogs. The move today maintains his eligibility to do so.
  • The Colorado Avalanche made dependable depth forward Sheldon Dries a paper transaction, but the reassignments of fellow forwards A.J. Greer and Andrew Agozzino were not just formalities. The pair will head back to the AHL’s Colorado Eagles, having presumably lost their roster spots to the healthy Colin Wilson and the acquisition of Derick Brassard.
  • Goaltender Harri Sateri, defenseman Filip Hronek, and forward Filip Zadina were all made paper transactions by the Detroit Red Wings. Sateri and Hronek are currently filling in as injury replacements and will likely return to the AHL for real in short time, but Detroit wants to see what top prospect Zadina can do in the NHL down the stretch. The Red Wings surely won’t be making the playoffs though, so they made sure the trio can all still experience a postseason run this year.
  • The Edmonton Oilers made veteran minor league forwards Brad Malone and Josh Currie paper transactions. The duo is currently helping out in the NHL, but with the Oilers’ playoff hopes all but dead, their major role the rest of the way will likely be as experienced leaders guiding the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors into the postseason.
  • Jordan Greenway, Luke Kunin, and new addition Ryan Donato were all made paper transactions today by the Minnesota Wild. The trio is very much part of the Wild’s immediate plans this season, as well as their future, but Minnesota may not make the playoffs this year and the forwards could benefit from making a run with AHL Iowa.
  • New York Islanders defenseman Devon Toews was another paper transaction. Toews has carved out a role for himself with the club, which currently leads the Metropolitan Division, but should be be available to the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers come playoff time, a return to the team at a critical time would only further his development.
  • Lukas Radil was a paper transaction for the San Jose Sharks today. The Sharks are hoping to make a deep playoff run this year, but on the off chance that doesn’t materialize, the experienced forward Radil would be of benefit to the AHL Barracuda.
  • The Vancouver Canucks currently have defensemen Ashton Sautner and Guillaume Brisebois on the roster as the team battles injuries. However, to make sure the AHL’s Utica Comets were not stripped of two of their top defenders this season, Vancouver made the pair paper transactions today.
  • The Winnipeg Jets announced that they have reassigned defenseman Tucker Poolman to the AHL’s Manitoba Moose today. The move was expected after the Jets traded for not one but two defenseman today. The move also serves to ensure Poolman can play in the AHL postseason if need be. The same goes for forward Mason Appleton, who was also sent down.
  • Peter Cehlarik and Karson Kuhlman have both been returned to the AHL’s Providence Bruins, but it remains unclear if this is a paper transaction or an actual move by Boston. With the deadline passed and roster restrictions nullified, one would think that Cehlarik and Kulhman – who have both player regular minutes for the Bruins of late – would be back up. However, no such move has been made and perhaps the team simply wants to give the duo some more ice time in the minors now that their NHL roster includes several more veteran members up front.
  • The Anaheim Ducks have demoted defenseman Andy Welinski and forward Sam Steel in favor of defenseman Korbinian Holzer and goaltender Angus Redmond. The move may have something to do with AHL playoff eligibility, but more than anything it is about Redmond’s recall. The Ducks, who continue to struggle with injuries in net, will dress Redmond as their backup tonight with Ryan Miller sidelined with a lower-body injury. It is the first NHL experience for a keeper who has played almost exclusively in the ECHL as a pro.

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