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Minnesota Notes: GM, Free Agents, Whitecaps

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The Minnesota Wild are closing in on their next GM, as Michael Russo of The Athletic (subscription required) reports that team owner Craig Leipold will sit down with Paul Fenton today and Tom Fitzgerald on Thursday before making a final decision. Fenton, the Nashville Predators assistant GM, has been a candidate for countless jobs over the past decade but stayed with his current organization as the right hand of David Poile. Fitzgerald, a rising star in the New Jersey Devils front office, apparently “thoroughly impressed Leipold” in his first interview and is now a legitimate finalist for the job.

Minnesota let long-time GM Chuck Fletcher go after a disappointing first-round exit at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets, and are looking for something of a new direction under their next executive. The team has routinely made the playoffs in recent years, only to quickly bow out and try again the following season.

  • When CapFriendly released their offer sheet compensation yesterday, one couldn’t fault a Minnesota fan from feeling fearful when reading the list of restricted free agents. Two of the very best—Jason Zucker and Mathew Dumba—belong to the Wild, and could potentially draw offer sheet interest. Zucker is coming off a breakout 64-point season and is already 26, while Dumba lived up to his seventh-overall draft position with a 50-point season from the blue line. Both players are integral parts of the Minnesota team, and key negotiations for whoever becomes the next GM. If someone were to sign either to a big-money offer sheet, it may be hard to turn down what would be an expansive compensation package.
  • The NWHL has expanded to the state of hockey for the 2018-19 season, as the Minnesota Whitecaps will become the league’s fifth team. Joining the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale and Metropolitan Riveters, Minnesota will be the league’s first foray outside of the north east. The Whitecaps have operated independently for several years, playing exhibition games against NWHL teams but never being an official part of the league. The organization will initially be owned by the league.

Early Notes: Team Canada, Carolina, Browne

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Team Canada has announced their on-ice leadership group for the upcoming World Championships, with Connor McDavid named team captain. Brayden Schenn and Ryan O’Reilly will serve as alternates for what has turned out to be an impressive roster. It will be O’Reilly’s third time wearing an “A” for the squad.

McDavid previously served as captain of Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey, but has never worn a “C” for Canada previously in any major tournament. His presence makes the Canadians a favorite to take home the gold for the third time in four years, but he’ll have to get through some stiff competition. The tournament begins this Friday in Denmark.

  • Last night during the Winnipeg Jets-Nashville Predators game, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported that Steve Greeley will not be taking the Carolina Hurricanes GM job. That means Don Waddell will continue to lead the club for the time being, as there are “no plans to hire anyone in the near term.” Greeley, an assistant GM of the Buffalo Sabres, was considered the front-runner for a job that has already had several high profile names remove themselves from consideration. Whoever does take the job will get the opportunity to select second in the upcoming draft, after Carolina moved up nine spots in the recent draft lottery.
  • Harrison Browne, the first openly transgender hockey player in North America, has decided to retire from the NWHL to complete his physical transition. Just 25 years old, Browne is a two-time NWHL Champion, most recently winning with the Metropolitan Riveters. In a long exclusive piece for The Athletic, Corey Masisak (subscription required) details just how Browne came to his decision to leave hockey and the impact he’s leaving behind.

Snapshots: Knight, Kirk, Ekman-Larsson

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One of the best female hockey players in the world will be suiting it up for a new team this season, as Hilary Knight has signed with the Montreal Canadiennes of the CWHL for the remainder of the year. Knight is fresh off a gold medal with the US Women’s Olympic team, and will return to the CWHL for the first time since 2015.

Knight has won just about every trophy imaginable in women’s hockey, taking home two NCAA titles during her time at Wisconsin, two Clarkson Cups as a member of the Boston Blades, and an Isobel Cup with the Boston Pride in 2016. She also brings nine World Championship medals (nine gold, two silver) and three Olympic medals (one gold, two silver).

  • Speaking of international standouts, Scott Wheeler of The Athletic (subscription required) provided us with an incredible profile of the next UK born-and-trained player that has NHL potential. Liam Kirk, a forward for the Sheffield Steelers, is likely going to play in the CHL next season and could be drafted this June. Kirk has just recently turned 18, but is already playing in the highest level in Great Britain, and doing quite well. The young forward told Wheeler that Buffalo, Detroit, Edmonton, Vancouver, Arizona and Winnipeg have all expressed interest or attended one of his games, while Boston is expected to do so.
  • Oliver Ekman-Larsson is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2019, but unlike most players might not be swayed by the biggest monetary offer. Ekman-Larsson spoke with Iain MacIntyre of Sportsnet and explained that money isn’t the driving force behind his thought process anymore. “It’s just money. It’s not going to make you happier. It might make your life a little bit easier but it’s not going to make you happier.” Ekman-Larsson explains that he likes it in Arizona and would like to stay, something both sides have maintained all along.

Buffalo Beauts Purchased By Sabres Ownership

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The National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) has operated since 2015, becoming the first North American female hockey league to pay their players a regular salary. Previously, all four NWHL teams were owned by the league itself, but all that has changed. Buffalo Sabres owners Kim and Terry Pegula have purchased the Buffalo Beauts franchise, adding them to their ever-growing Sports and Entertainment brand.

This is a huge step for the Beauts and the rest of the NWHL, who have had to cut salaries in the past to keep the league financially viable. An affiliation with an NHL team will only strengthen their brand, and since the Beauts already play in the Pegula-owned HarborCenter—also the practice facility for the Sabres—the partnership was a perfect fit.

The Beauts are the reigning Isobel Cup Champions, but have fallen well behind the powerhouse Metropolitan Riveters (who have a partnership with the New Jersey Devils) this season. Almost halfway through their season already, the team is in second place at 3-4. Their top scorer and captain, Corrine Buie is the only player to have won two Isobel Cups already, and also boasts a CWHL championship when she was a part of the Boston Blades. She’ll try to three-peat this season, and will have a new ownership group to support her.

Harrison Browne Returns To NWHL

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Last year, Harrison Browne became the first transgender player in North American team sports when he contacted the league and transitioned from being a woman. Browne was a player for the Buffalo Beauts at the time, and had the full support of the NWHL and its commissioner Dani Rylan. In his announcement, he said that he would retire after the season to begin his physical transition and have his name legally changed from Hailey but it seems that retirement won’t stick.

Today, Browne signed a contract with the New York Riveters for the 2017-18 season and will return to the NWHL to try and continue his on-ice success. Last year Browne and the Beauts took home the Isobel Cup as league champions, a feat the Riveters will try to match. Their head coach Chad Wiseman was the one who recruited Browne back into the league, and had this to say on the subject:

Harrison is a veteran NWHL player with an Isobel Cup championship on his resume and a tenacious style and relentless work ethic that makes him a great fit for the Riveters organization. I had the privilege to work with Harrison this summer back home in Canada. He has a great attitude and, in my view, underrated skill level. I believe this could be a breakout year for him on offense.

The NHL announced their “You Can Play” ambassadors this season to reach out to the LGBTQ community and continue their commitment to the idea that “Hockey Is For Everyone.” Browne’s return does nothing but strengthen that stance for the NWHL, and his impact on the community was part of the decision to return. On the subject:

The impact I was able to make as an active pro athlete in the LGBTQ community meant a lot to me. At this time – when rights seem to be getting taken away instead of gained – the platform is something I’m not ready to give up. I want to remain as visible as I can for any LGBTQ youth who may view me as a positive role model. I’m going to continue to share my story.

The NWHL will be lacking in some star talent this year due to the Olympic circuit stealing some of the top names, but there will be several new talents enter with the draft on August 17th. The season will begin in October.

Evening Snapshots: Front Offices, NWHL, and the Islanders

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News and notes from around the hockey world this evening:

  • The Hockey News conducted a survey asking fans to rate the performance of each NHL team’s front office. Over 1300 people participated in the survey and ranked front offices on six distinct categories: roster building, cap management, drafting/developing, trading, free agency, and vision. The Nashville Predators earned the highest public opinion, followed by the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Tampa Bay Lightning. On the other end of the spectrum, the Colorado Avalanche had the worst public opinion ratings, just behind the Vancouver Canucks and the Detroit Red Wings.
  • The National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) has expanded its official rosters from 17 players to 25 players. Previously, the league had two tiers of players: roster players and practice players. Practice players would only play in games if a roster player could not. Moreover, practice players did not get paid for practicing unless they also played in a game. Now, all players are considered roster players, but only 17 will suit up for a game—important because players are now played per game rather than through a salary.
  • The New York Islanders may be one step closer to moving out of the Barclays Center. Randi Marshall of Newsday reports that New York State will officially begin requesting proposals for developing valuable land next to Belmont Park—home of the Belmont Stakes. The Islanders have been rumored to be discussing a Belmont Park-located arena, and the State’s proposal request will propel those talks.

Morning Notes: Dahlin, NWHL, Weal

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Rasmus Dahlin is the early favorite to go first-overall in the 2018 NHL Entry draft, and he’s about to skip another step in his outstanding young hockey career. According to Uffe Bodin of Hockeysverige, the 17-year old Swedish defenseman will skip the Ivan Hlinka U18 tournament and instead join team Sweden at the U20 tournament. Dahlin played last year in the Hlinka and the World Junior Championship, and will be all over the prospect circuit again this year as he tries to clinch that top spot.

A prototypical two-way defenseman, Dahlin has the size, physicality and offensive upside that makes him a dream for whichever team gets the chance to choose him next season. Likely battling with Andrei Svechnikov for the top spot, Dahlin should be seen with franchise-altering upside. He’ll be tracked carefully for the next year.

  • The NWHL has reached a streaming agreement with Twitter to show select games next season, bringing the women’s league to the forefront for the first time. Their games have previously been available to stream on the internet, but they’ll obviously be on a much bigger platform with Twitter for the next season. Last year the Buffalo Beauts took home the Isobel Cup, and just re-signed Corinne Buie the only woman to have won the Cup both years of the league’s existence. She seems to bring victory with her wherever she goes, winning a Clarkson Cup in her last season in the CWHL as well.
  • Tim Panaccio of CSN reports that agent J.P. Barry has spoken to Vegas about all the free agents he represents, mentioning Jordan Weal in particular. Weal is a Group VI unrestricted free agent this summer, and though there have been contract talks between his camp and the Flyers to try and keep him around, he’s unprotected and could easily be a target of the Golden Knights in the free agency period. After playing well down the stretch with the Flyers and putting up another outstanding AHL season, Weal is determined to make an impact at the NHL level next season.

USWNT Ends Boycott, Will Play In World Championships

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Nearly two weeks after the United States Women’s National Hockey Team announced that they’d be boycotting the upcoming World Championships, the squad has reached an agreement with USA Hockey. The two sides announced that they’ve finalized a new four-year deal “that will result in groundbreaking support” for the USWNT. According to Ken Campbell of THN.com (via Twitter), the deal is believed to be between $3.7MM and $4MM.

Previous reports had indicated that the players were looking for better financial support after dedicating years to the team. An ESPN story claimed that the women received only $1,000 for each of their six months of Olympic residency, and nothing during the remainder of the four years of training. With the new deal, the women will receive $2,000 a month and could earn up to $71K in non-Olympic years (via Campbell). The team is also set to receive the same amenities as the men’s team, including flying business class.

It had been a war of words since then, as USA Hockey stated that they were “disappointed” in the player’s demands. On the flip side, captain Meghan Duggan said that USA Hockey’s statements were “incredibly dishonest and misleading.” Following the NHLPA’s public support of the women, there were rumblings that American NHL players may refuse to play in this spring’s World Championships in solidarity. Fortunately, the two sides quickly moved to find a resolution, and reports from this morning indicated that a new deal was close.

“Today reflects everyone coming together and compromising in order to reach a resolution for the betterment of the sport,” said Jim Smith, the president of USA Hockey. “We’ll now move forward together knowing we’ll look back on this day as one of the most positive in the history of USA Hockey.”

“Our sport is the big winner today,” said Duggan. “We stood up for what we thought was right and USA Hockey’s leadership listened. In the end, both sides came together. I’m proud of my teammates and can’t thank everyone who supported us enough. It’s time now to turn the page. We can’t wait to play in the World Championship later this week in front of our fans as we try and defend our gold medal.”

The powerhouse program will return to work immediately, as ESPN’s Craig Custance tweets that the squad will practice on Thursday in preparation for their matchup against Canada on Friday night.

Evening Snapshots: Beauts, DeAngelo, USA Women’s Hockey

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News and notes from around the NHL this evening:

  • The Buffalo Beauts of the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) won the League Championship—called the Isobel Cup—tonight by defeating the Boston Pride 3-2. The top womens league in North America is in its second year and consists of four teams. The NWHL faced controversy this season after announcing midway the season that it would cut players’ salary by 50% due to financial constraints. The league then shortened its season to accommodate the 2017 IIHF World Championships and 2018 Olympic preparation.
  • AZCentral’s Sarah McLellan reports that Arizona Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett expects no supplemental discipline for defenseman Anthony DeAngelo’s boarding penalty yesterday. DeAngelo earned a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct after boarding St. Louis Blues forward Zach Sanford in just the 2nd minute of the game. A suspension would be the second one of DeAngelo’s season. In January he received a three-game suspension for abuse of an official.
  • Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reported today that top executives from USA Hockey will meet with representatives from the Women’s National Team tomorrow to discuss the ongoing wage dispute. Last Wednesday players from the team announced that they would boycott the upcoming World Championships—beginning March 31st in Plymouth, Michigan—if they do not receive a better wage structure. The players say that USA Hockey only pays each player $1,000 a month for the six months prior to the Olympic Games. The players seek something more substantial for the period between the Olympics.

Morning Notes: Byron, Eichel, Kozun

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The rich got richer yesterday, as the Pittsburgh Penguins signed Zach Aston-Reese, arguably the top college free agent in this year’s class. The Northeastern forward led the nation in scoring, and should follow nicely in the footsteps of other NCAA free agents to find success in Pittsburgh. That doesn’t sound like it will be the case for Blaine Byron though, as Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports the University of Maine star will likely wait to become a free agent in August.

Byron was a sixth-round pick of the Penguins in 2013, and broke out this season as a senior for Maine. With 41 points in 36 games, the small center easily paced his team for the second straight year. Incredible vision off the rush is Byron’s calling card, though he will need to add strength to compete at the next level. He’ll likely have several teams after him in the summer, though it shouldn’t be as insane as last year’s Jimmy Vesey sweepstakes.

  • As CapFriendly reports, Jack Eichel triggered a bonus last night when he scored his 20th goal. The Buffalo Sabres forward could receive a $2MM escalator should he finish the season in the top-10 of points per game. He currently sits ninth in the league, meaning the Sabres may face a overage penalty next season. They currently have just under $1.4MM in cap space remaining, meaning the other $600K would be applied as a penalty to next season. While that’s not crippling for a team, it is important to note as the Sabres go into this summer looking to compete next season.
  • Brandon Kozun, a former Los Angeles Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect, has re-signed with his KHL team according to Andrew Walker of Sportsnet. The diminutive forward has found immense success in Russia, scoring 56 points in 59 games this season for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv. A team featuring several former NHL players and prospects, Kozun easily led the squad this year.
  • The United States Women’s National Hockey Team will boycott the upcoming World Championships, as they fight for equitable support. The team released a statement today through several players, including Megan Bozek, the NWHL’s reigning winner of Best Defender. The team simply wants better financial support for their players who dedicate years of training to the international competitions. According to ESPN, the women are given $1,000 for each of the six months of Olympic residency, and nothing during the remainder of the four years of training. If the US team were to not compete in the tournament, it would be a huge blow. The matchups between Canada and the United States are the big draw for the tournament, and without one of the two powerhouses it will likely be a romp for the Canadians through to the gold medal.

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