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Pacific Notes: Kesler, Eaves, Ruggiero, Schueneman, Brassard

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The Anaheim Ducks have struggled with injuries all season and it doesn’t sound like the odds are good for two of their veteran forwards to return this season. GM and interim head coach Bob Murray issued a statement today offering an update on the status of both Ryan Kesler and Patrick Eaves and did so without much optimism. Kesler has missed the Ducks’ past seven games with a hip injury and will meet with team doctors soon to evaluate his recovery. Murray states that Kesler, 34, needs to consider his long-term overall health and that discussions have been ongoing between the team, player, and agent about the best course of action. Murray’s best guess is that “I doubt strongly you’ll see him again this year.” As for Eaves, also 34, the prognosis is similar. Eaves continues to struggle with the effects of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which cost him all but two games last year and seven games this year. Murray revealed that Eaves has “has a setback” and is “struggling”. He states that Eaves’ focus is simply getting back to a normal life before focusing on a return to hockey. Eaves was hardly expected to return to the Anaheim lineup this season, but Murray’s comments all but assure that his year is over.

  • Rather than sign 2015 sixth-round pick Steven Ruggiero to an entry-level contract, the Ducks have opted to sign him to an amateur tryout offer with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls. Ruggiero struggled to make much of an impact at the college level in two years with Providence College and one year at Lake Superior State University before finally enjoying a strong senior season with the Lakers. A U.S. National Team Develop Program product, Ruggiero has ability, but has not shown consistent offense for much of his hockey career. The 6’3″, 216-lb. defender plays a heavy game and could potentially be a a good stay-at-home option at the next level, but the Ducks will first take a look to see how he plays in the AHL down the stretch. A strong performance will likely lead to an ELC, while a disappointing debut will likely lead to Ruggiero becoming a free agent later this summer.
  • The AHL’s Stockton Heat, the affiliate of the Calgary Flames, have signed Western Michigan University captain Corey Schueneman to a contract for the 2019-20 season. The two-way defenseman will join the team on an amateur tryout for the rest of the season in the meantime. Schueneman, a standout in the USHL prior to his college years, has always been a capable contributor on the blue line but can also hold his own defensively. A well-rounded prospect, the Flames will no doubt keep an eye on Schueneman’s development next season.
  • The Vancouver Canucks have gone the opposite way of their divisional rivals today, informing a prospect that he will not be signed. Sportsnet’s Rick Dhaliwal reports that the team has informed OHL defenseman Matt Brassard that they will not offer him an entry-level contract prior to the deadline to do so on June 1st. Per the CBA, a team must tender a contract offer to a junior player within two years after they are drafted or that player may re-enter the NHL Draft. Brassard, a 2017 seventh-round pick, will thus try his hand at another go-round in the draft this June. The Canucks’ decision is somewhat surprising; Brassard has been a point-per-game player for the Niagara Ice Dogs since coming over from the Oshawa Generals earlier in the season. Altogether, he has 56 points in 65 games – his second straight season of 50+ points – to go along with a 6’3″ frame and decent defensive ability. Admittedly, Brassard’s game is not without flaws and he has been sheltered by the immense talent in Niagara this season, but the 20-year-old blue liner still seems like a player worth taking a shot on with an entry-level deal.

Free Agent Profile: Justin Brazeau

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While many observers are caught up in the college free agent market right now, the prize among undrafted free agents hails from the junior ranks. Justin Brazeau, a 21-year-old winger from the OHL’s North Bay Battalion, is ready to be an impact pro player as soon as his season ends, which could be sooner rather than later.

The OHL regular season has ended and the playoffs are set to get underway, beginning on Thursday. Brazeau suited up in all 68 games for the Battalion this season, recording 61 goals and 113 points. The massive output by the North Bay captain was good enough for the league lead in goals and second in scoring behind only top Dallas Stars prospect Jason Robertson. Yet, it wasn’t enough to place the Battalion among the top teams in the league. North Bay finished seventh in the Eastern Conference and face a daunting match-up with Robertson and the Niagara Ice Dogs in the first round.

If Brazeau and the Battalion do indeed make an early exit – a sweep would end the series by the middle of next week – Brazeau could sign his entry-level contract by the end of the month. Of course, as a junior player he could sign an ELC at any time, but at this point Brazeau seems willing to wait until his final year of juniors is officially over. He has likely had conversations with many teams already, but seems poised to look at all options for the next step in his career.

Brazeau should be able to choose freely any team in the NHL he likes for his first contract. The overage forward is more than just numbers; while many before him have dominated the junior level offensively only to flame out at the pro level, those players tend to be smaller in stature and able to skate around their opposition at the junior level. Brazeau is a different type of player entirely. At 6’6″ and 225 lbs., Brazeau is a bona fide power forward. He has great skill and offensive instincts, but can hold his own defensively with great size and strength. In fact, maybe the only weakness that could prevent him from continuing to be a contributor in the NHL is his skating. If he can improve upon his ability to get back and forth, Brazeau can be dangerous in both ends.

Potential Suitors

The short answer is that all 31 teams have likely checked in on Brazeau. A junior player of both this size and production are few and far in between and all of the NHL is on alert that Brazeau could be a special player. At the cost of an entry-level contract, it would be silly for any team not to take a chance on the big scoring forward.

However, there are some leaders in the pursuit. Of course, the Toronto Maple Leafs are always a top contender. An Ontario native, Brazeau could have the opportunity to play on a top team close to home, while the Leafs are desperate for affordable help as they face an impending cap crunch and could afford to add some more size up front as well. Similarly, Brazeau could choose to play relatively nearby in Ottawa, as the Senators need all the help they can get and Brazeau could immediately take on a major role.

Brazeau also has some history with a pair of NHL teams. The undrafted product did spend time at development camp with both the San Jose Sharks and Columbus Blue Jackets over the past few years and may have maintained relationships with those clubs. Both the Sharks and the Blue Jackets are talented teams on which Brazeau could find immediate success.

However, San Jose and Columbus, as well as Toronto, are deep up front. Brazeau wants to play as soon as possible and may not get that chance this season with one of those three teams. The Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins are two top contenders who do have flexibility in the top-nine and could be willing to give Brazeau a shot right away. The New York Rangers aren’t at the same competitive level as those teams, but are shockingly thin at right wing and Brazeau could hypothetically play

Projected Contract

Brazeau is going to sign an entry-level contract, so there is a limit on both base salary and potential bonuses, both of which he will likely max out. It will also be a three-year term, per the CBA. The key to signing the power forward will instead be who is willing or even able to burn the first year of the contract this season. Brazeau has shown that he has the size, skill, and competitive nature to play in the NHL and will want to prove that right away. The potential future star will also want to get another year closer to making real money. If a team can promise Brazeau play time this year, it will go a long way in locking him up. If such a landing spot doesn’t exist, he could opt for a team with which he can play the greatest role next season.

Shane Wright Granted Exceptional Player Status

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The OHL has officially announced their decision to grant Shane Wright exceptional player status, making him eligible for the 2019 OHL Draft. The 15-year old forward will be the fifth OHL player to be granted such a distinction, following John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid and Sean Day.

Like three of the previously distinguished players, Wright has an early birthday giving him an advantage over many of the other players born in 2004. Still, the young forward has proven to be exceptional in every way. Already measuring in at 6’0″ 183-lbs, he has dominated the highly competitive GTHL (Greater Toronto Hockey League) by scoring 66 goals and 150 points in 72 games. Wright plays for the Don Mills Flyers, an organization that has produced plenty of NHL talent including active players like Mitch Marner, Max Domi and Darnell Nurse.

Not eligible for the NHL draft until 2022, Wright has a long road ahead of him to live up to the other players given this distinction. Though Day hasn’t quite found his footing in professional hockey yet, the other three were selected first overall in the NHL draft and have had outstanding careers. The first step for Wright is finding out which OHL team will secure his rights, as the Flint Firebirds and Kingston Frotenacs are battling for the first overall draft pick, where he is widely expected to be selected.

Mac Hollowell Signs Entry-Level Contract

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed one of their impressive defensive prospects, inking Mac Hollowell to a three-year entry-level contract. Hollowell is currently playing for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL. The deal will kick in for the 2019-20 season.

Selected 118th overall last June in his second year of eligibility, Hollowell went back to the OHL for his overage season and currently leads all OHL defensemen in scoring with 72 points in 59 games. The undersized, right-handed defenseman is a natural powerplay quarterback and can move the puck with ease through his junior competition. The big test will come next season though when he will be jumping into professional hockey.

There is an obvious connection between Hollowell and Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas, who ran the Greyhounds before moving to Toronto. The small defenseman also represents Dubas’ vision of a blue line loaded with players capable of moving the puck quickly and effectively up to their talented forwards. Obviously Hollowell has a long way to go to see the NHL—if he gets there at all—but this season certainly proved he could dominate the junior ranks if given the opportunity.

Snapshots: Oilers, Boqvist, Radulov

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The Edmonton Oilers want to start GM interviews in the next two weeks according to CEO Bob Nicholson, who spoke to reporters at the front office meetings in Florida today. Nicholson admitted that he hasn’t yet asked for permission to speak with any currently employed executives, but will be looking into that in the near future after he has all the information. Vegas assistant GM Kelly McCrimmon, who was noted as a top candidate for both the Oilers and Seattle expansion job, will not be allowed to speak with other teams until after the season according to several reports including the latest Insider Trading panel.

On that panel insider Darren Dreger noted that the Oilers have narrowed their short list to somewhere around ten names, a group including McCrimmon, interim GM Keith Gretzky, Dave Nonis, Sean Burke, Mike Futa and Mark Hunter among others. The Oilers simply must get this hire right as they try to turn things around and take advantage of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl’s prime.

  • The Chicago Blackhawks knew they were getting an incredible offensive talent in Adam Boqvist when they selected him eighth overall last June, but Scott Powers of The Athletic (subscription required) believes the young defenseman may benefit from another year in junior hockey in 2019-20. That belief is supported by a source who tells Powers that the Blackhawks are discussing keeping Boqvist in the OHL instead of moving him to the AHL next season. The 19-year old has 56 points in 50 games for the London Knights this year and is second among OHL defensemen in goals with 19. London is well known as an NHL development machine, and could very well give Boqvist some Memorial Cup experience this season.
  • The Dallas Stars won’t have one of their top offensive weapons in the lineup tonight as the team will take Alexander Radulov out despite him being healthy enough to play. Radulov was late to practice this morning and will be punished by missing a game, a pretty meaningful development for a team trying to hold on to a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Radulov has 51 points in 54 games this season but will have to hope his teammates can take down the New York Rangers without him.

Negotiation Notes: Kravtsov, Killins, Signing Deadline

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The New York Rangers are closing in on a contract with one of their top prospects. According to Sportsnet’s Mike Johnston, who relays a report from KHL insider Aivis Kalnins, Russian forward Vitali Kravtsov is expected to sign an entry-level contract with the Rangers sooner rather than later. It’s unclear if Kravtsov, whose current club Traktor Chelyabinsk has been knocked out of the KHL playoffs, intends to play immediately this season or if the contract would begin next season. Either way, Rangers fans will be excited to have the talented teenager pushing for a roster spot. Kravtsov, the ninth overall pick in last year’s NHL Draft, stands 6’4″ and plays a physical game, but also has great speed and high-end skill. A total package on the wing, Kravtsov recorded 21 points in 50 games this season, rare production from a teenager in the KHL, as younger players typically receive little ice time. His size and skill set should translate well to the North American game and Kravtsov should find his way to New York without spending much time in the minors. If Kalnin’s report is accurate and Kravtsov signs in the coming days, he may even make his NHL debut this season.

 

Joey Keane Signs With New York Rangers

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March 4: The Rangers have officially announced the contract.

March 1: The New York Rangers have signed prospect Joey Keane to his entry-level contract according to his agent Keith McKittrick of Gold Star Hockey. Keane is currently playing with the London Knights of the OHL. This contract will be a three-year entry-level deal that kicks in for the 2019-20 season.  CapFriendly reports that the deal will carry a cap hit of just over $809K with games played performance bonuses that could bring the total as high as $925K per year.

Selected with the 88th overall pick of the 2018 draft, Keane has made quite a name for himself over the last eight months. The mobile defender returned to junior after a taste of NHL life in Rangers training camp, and was selected to the preliminary roster for the American World Junior team. He’d gotten off to another excellent start with the Barrie Colts, following up on his Third All-Star selection in 2017-18. Unfortunately, Keane was one of the final cuts and didn’t participate in the international tournament. Instead, he returned to a new OHL organization after the London Knights acquired him just after Christmas.

As part of a crowded (and talented) blue line in London, Keane has recorded 16 points in 29 games and could very well be competing for an OHL Championship in the near future. The two-way defenseman impressed at Rangers camp and could potentially end up with the Hartford Wolf Pack next season. That’s because Keane wasn’t drafted in his first year of eligibility and will turn 20 in July.

Deadline Notes: Ferland, Vaakanainen, Draft Picks

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The 2019 NHL Trade Deadline came and went yesterday and Micheal Ferland remained with the Carolina Hurricanes. Ferland seems destined to test the free agent market this summer, but the ’Canes opted to hold on to the power forward in the midst of a career years as an “own rental”, writes Pierre LeBrun for The Athletic. However, he adds that it wasn’t an easy decision for GM Don Waddell and company. Early on this season, Ferland’s play was exceeding that of his team and the trade market began to develop for the likely deadline casualty. However, Carolina has been one of the league’s hottest teams since the calendar turned to 2019 and they are now in the thick of the Eastern Conference wild card race. That improvement all but took them out of “seller” status, but LeBrun states that the team continued to field calls on Ferland write up until the deadline. Specifically, LeBrun says the Nashville Predators made a hard push and he speculates that Ryan Hartman, who was eventually traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for Wayne Simmonds, was the likely offer. Yet, Waddell stuck with Ferland, who has fit in so well in Raleigh, and hopes that the decision will help the team end their nine-year playoff drought. LeBrun also adds that Carolina, who largely stood pat at the deadline, had interest in Minnesota Wild forward Jason Zucker. Given the early results of the trade those two teams made earlier this season, it’s no surprise that the Wild weren’t eager to make another deal with the Hurricanes.

  • To no surprise, The Providence Journal’s Mark Divver reports that Urho Vaakanainen, Jack Studnicka, and Trent Frederic were hot names in the trade talks that the Boston Bruins had with sellers at the deadline. The trio are arguably Boston’s top three prospects, each one an early draft pick over the past few years. Both Vaakanainen and Frederic have made their NHL debuts this season while mostly playing in the AHL, while Studnicka has been tearing up the OHL. In particular, Divver hears that Vaakanainen was a “non-starter” for the Bruins; the team was unwilling to give him up regardless of the return. The 20-year-old defenseman was the No. 18 overall pick in 2017 and his poise and vision as a two-way, puck-moving defenseman have been apparent both in Providence and with the gold medal-winning Team Finland World Junior Championship entry. With 42-year-old Zdeno Chara potentially retiring at the end of the season and Torey Krug’s contract expiring at the end of next season, the Bruins likely see Vaakanainen as having a regular role on the Boston blue line sooner rather than later. Not only did Boston avoid trading any of these three, but they landed Charlie Coyle and Marcus Johansson without surrendering any of their young prospects. The pair came at the cost of second-, fourth-, and fifth-round picks and Ryan Donato, who will be 23 next month.
  • The Bruins were an outlier in that regard at the deadline, as the trend this season ended up with teams favoring moving players and prospects rather than picks. On deadline day, 35 players were moved compared to just 16 draft picks. In recent years, those numbers have been much closer as teams have been more conservative with their current assets and more willing to move out the unknowns of a draft selection instead. The change of course could be a reflection of the strength of this draft class; after all, of the picks moved yesterday only six were 2019 selections. The upcoming draft class is considered one of the deepest in recent years with high-end talent likely available even into the middle rounds. As such, even deadline buyers weren’t willing to gamble many of their 2019 picks. Except for the Columbus Blue Jackets, of course, who have just two draft picks remaining this June – a third- and seventh-rounder – after their all-out deadline.

Winnipeg Jets Trade For Alex Broadhurst

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The two busiest teams at this deadline just had to squeeze in one last deal. TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that the Winnipeg Jets have acquired forward Alex Broadhurst from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for future considerations. This is the sixth trade of the day for Winnipeg. Broadhurst will report to the AHL’s Manitoba Moose.

Broadhurst, 25, has played exclusively in the minors this season. The two-way center has 29 points through 48 games this year and has produced consistently over his six-year AHL career. Broadhurst is unlikely to play for the Jets this season, but is a decent depth pickup. The Blue Jackets gave Broadhurst a two-game audition in the NHL last season, so he would not be without experience at the top level if called upon by Winnipeg.

Locked in to Group 6 free agency this summer, Broadhurst will have the option of going anywhere in the league if he so chooses. However, if he fits in well with the AHL’s Moose, the former London Knights standout may look to stay in Canada and re-sign with Jets.

Snapshots: Three Stars, Hossa, Draft Rankings

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The NHL has released their three stars for last week, and Nikita Kucherov finds himself on top once again. The Tampa Bay Lightning forward now has 94 points on the season to lead the entire league and has recorded at least two in each of his last four games. That gives Kucherov 28 multi-point games this season and makes him a near lock for his second consecutive 100+ point season. The 25-year old has become an almost unmatched offensive powerhouse the last few seasons and will likely be a finalist for (if not the outright winner of) the Hart Trophy this year.

Fellow Russian sniper Vladimir Tarasenko took home the second star for his ten-point effort, another reason why the St. Louis Blues are the NHL’s hottest team. Tarasenko was included in trade rumors at one point this season, but is now on pace to come close to his career-high in points of 75. Third place went to Sidney Crosby who is having another incredible season even without some of the usual fanfare. Crosby has 72 points in 56 games and will likely continue his streak of point-per-game seasons that has lasted his entire career.

  • When Marian Hossa stepped away from the NHL in 2017 due to a mysterious skin condition, many struggled to accept his explanation. That was because it happened to coincide with Hossa’s salary dropping dramatically, meaning he wasn’t leaving very much money on the table by essentially retiring. Now, in an incredible interview with The Athletic’s Scott Powers (subscription required), Hossa opens up about the condition and how it affected his life and playing career.  After a trade from Chicago, Hossa’s contract remains on the Arizona Coyotes books and will until 2021 when it eventually expires. He won’t be playing hockey again, but his health and life have returned to some level of normalcy.
  • While Powers was busy releasing a feature on Hossa, Athletic colleague Scott Wheeler was releasing his midseason draft rankings (subscription required). Wheeler continues to have Jack Hughes as an easy choice in the top spot and doesn’t see it as “a 1A and 1B” draft with fellow top prospect Kaapo Kakko. Arthur Kaliyev, who scored two more goals today for the Hamilton Bulldogs to give him 47 on the season, sits at 13th and is the top OHL player available. As Corey Pronman of The Athletic points out on Twitter, Kaliyev is in rare (and impressive) territory in terms of draft eligible goal scorers from the OHL.

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