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Logan Brown Recalled By Ottawa Senators

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The Ottawa Senators may be looking for another bargain bin addition up front, but for now they’ll give that opportunity to a young forward. Logan Brown has been recalled, giving him the opportunity that his agent complained earlier this month hadn’t been available so far in his career. Brown has scored seven points in five AHL games this season.

Brown, 21, was selected 11th overall in 2016 but has played just six games at the NHL level so far despite being a dominant presence in the minor leagues. The 6’6″ center has 49 points in 61 games overall for the Belleville Senators, an impressive total for any young player stepping into professional hockey.

With other names like Charlie McAvoy, Jakob Chychrun, Alex DeBrincat and Sam Girard finding huge success in the NHL even after being selected later in the draft, Brown has a lot of expectations on him to develop into an impact player for the Senators. Whether he can do that is still to be seen, but in what is expected to be a lost season, why not give him the opportunity to impress?

Brown was needed because the Senators have placed both Colin White and Artem Anisimov on injured reserve. White is expected to miss three to five weeks with a hip flexor/groin injury, while Anisimov is out one to two weeks with a lower-body injury.

Ottawa Senators Seeking Another Trade Addition

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While the Ottawa Senators are fully committed to a rebuild, their recent actions would also indicate that they would like to be more competitive than they currently are. The Senators are off to a 1-6-1 start and, as TSN’s James Duthie noted on the network’s “Insider Trading” segment, the team is in the bottom two in the league in scoring, power play efficiency, and shooting percentage. They tried to remedy their offensive struggles by adding Vladislav Namestnikov in a trade with the New York Rangers earlier this month, but they may only be the beginning.

Duthie’s colleague, Darren Dreger, reports that the team is seeking more help via trade and are looking for another “bargain” acquisition. Ottawa acquired Namestnikov, a former 20-goal and near 50-point scorer for a mere fourth-round pick and AHL defenseman. Since the trade, he has led the Senators with six points in six games. The team would ideally like to find another impact player at a similarly affordable price. Namestnikov’s production in Ottawa is obviously a function of his increased role, but the team seems open to handing another player that ice time and responsibility as well. Dreger notes that the Senators understand that their young players need time to develop and are not going to rush them to the NHL level simply because the team is not expected to make the playoffs this season. The team is trying to find a happy medium between properly developing their prospects and fielding a competitive NHL roster and feel adding another capable name could help.

Nearly every team in the NHL has a player on the outs who could take advantage of an increased role in Ottawa. The question becomes whether GM Pierre Dorion will be looking solely for another impending unrestricted free agent, like Namestnikov, or if he will also consider players with term remaining on their contract. The team could also look into cast-off prospects with NHL experience to take on major roles, as the Edmonton Oilers’ Jesse Puljujarvi and the New York Islanders’ Josh Ho-Sang continue to be available names with upside that could make them affordable additions relative to their potential production.

Snapshots: Wright, Seattle, Percy

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The Canadian rosters for the 2019 World U17 Challenge have been released, a group that includes 15-year old OHL star Shane Wright. Wright was granted exceptional status to join the CHL a year early, following the footsteps of John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid and Sean Day.

While it hasn’t worked out quite so well for Day yet—he continues to play in the New York Rangers minor league system—the other three were first-overall picks and quickly turned into NHL stars. Wright is trying to follow that path and he’s off to a great start, recording nine points in 12 games for the Kingston Frontenacs so far despite being more than five years younger than some of his opponents.

  • The Seattle expansion franchise might not have a name just yet, but they’ve whittled down their options. The team announced today that the final five names were included in the Space Needle’s 100th anniversary time capsule, leading to a new round of speculation. There have been countless suggestions from fans since the team was officially announced, but there hasn’t yet been an indication of what it will be.
  • Stuart Percy has signed a professional tryout with the Belleville Senators, rejoining the team he spent part of last season with. Selected in the first round of the 2011 draft, Percy was once a promising young defensive prospect but never quite found his legs at the NHL level. The 26-year old has scored three points in 12 total games.

Minor Transactions: 10/21/19

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It was another exciting night in the NHL on Sunday, with five games on the schedule. Perhaps most interesting was the Edmonton Oilers-Winnipeg Jets tilt, in which both Mike Smith and Connor Hellebuyck recorded shutouts. That’s right, both goaltenders shut the door on every shot in regulation and overtime, leading Smith to receive a shutout loss after Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine both scored in the shootout. Tonight should have more of the same excitement with four games on tap, including a Western Conference battle between the Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues. As teams prepare for the action, we’ll be right here keeping track of all the minor moves.

  • The Ottawa Senators have recalled J.C. Beaudin for their game tonight against the Dallas Stars. Beaudin was acquired in February from the Colorado Avalanche and has yet to make his NHL debut.
  • The New Jersey Devils have recalled Matt Tennyson from the minor leagues once again, after only being assigned yesterday. Tennyson has played in three games for the Devils this season, actually recording two points. Though that total wouldn’t be notable for many players, Tennyson actually hadn’t registered an NHL point since March of 2017.
  • The San Jose Sharks have recalled Jonny Brodzinski and Trevor Carrick from the minor leagues, continuing their pattern of bouncing players back and forth between game days. Carrick has already been involved in seven transactions since the start of the month, while playing three times for the Sharks.

Minor Transactions: 10/20/19

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After a full slate of games Saturday, the NHL docket has just five matchups today. However, with injuries growing, several teams will be making roster moves today:

  • After being a healthy scratch for the past couple of games, the Florida Panthers announced they have loaned forward Henrik Borgstrom to the Springfield Thunderbirds of the AHL. The Panthers’ first-round pick in 2016 has struggled in Florida’s lineup through four games. He failed to score any points in that time and was averaging just 12:23 when on the ice. Borgstrom, who many felt would be a key prospect for the Panthers, played 50 games for Florida last year, scoring eight goals and 18 points. The hope is that a bigger role in Springfield can allow the 22-year-old to find his game in the minors.
  • The Buffalo Sabres announced they have sent goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to the Rochester Americans of the AHL as he is ready to start his professional career after undergoing offseason hip surgery. The 20-year-old netminder was dominant in his one junior season last year after being taken in the second round in the 2017 draft. He won the OHL’s Most Valuable Player award and was just the sixth goalie to win the award. He finished with 38 wins, a 2.50 GAA and a .920 save percentage for the Sudbury Wolves.
  • After making his NHL debut for the Nashville Predators Saturday, the team announced today that they are assigning forward Yakov Trenin to the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL. The 22-year-old forward, who was dominating early in Milwaukee’s season with four goals in three games, played 12:35 in his debut on Nashville’s third line. He will likely continue to develop his skills in the AHL until the team needs his services again.
  • The Columbus Blue Jackets announced they have assigned forward Markus Hannikainen to the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL. The forward was recalled nine days previously, but served as an emergency forward and never appeared in a game. The 26-year-old will return to Cleveland where he has a goal in two games. Hannikainen played in 44 games for the Blue Jackets last year.
  • The Ottawa Senators announced they have assigned forward Jordan Szwarz to the Belleville Senators of the AHL. The 28-year-old was recalled almost a week ago and saw action in three games, although when he did play, he saw little time on the ice, averaging 4:55 per game. The minor-league veteran will return to Belleville. He scored 23 goals for the Providence Bruins last season.
  • The Vegas Golden Knights added some depth to their team as the team announced they have recalled forward Nicolas Roy from the Chicago Wolves of the AHL, giving the team the maximum 23 players now and 13 forwards. Roy has yet to appear in an NHL game despite already spending some time on Vegas’ roster. The 6-foot-4 forward could be a valuable asset on the teams’ fourth line. He was acquired during the offseason as part of the trade that sent Erik Haula to Carolina. Roy has been scoreless in three appearances with the Wolves.
  • The Calgary Sun’s Kristen Anderson reports that the Calgary Flames have recalled forward Alan Quine from the Stockton Heat of the AHL. The 26-year-old forward has fared well in limited action with Stockton, posting a goal and five points in four games this year. He played 13 games with the Flames, scoring three goals and five points. Anderson writes that head coach Bill Peters suggested there was an injury on the Flames’ roster, but didn’t divulge that information. Fan 960 Radio Host Pat Steinberg reports the Flames consequently assigned defenseman Oliver Kylington to Stockton.

Trade Rumors: Wild, Hurricanes, Ristolainen

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The Minnesota Wild finally picked up their first win of the season on Monday. Yet, they immediately followed that up with a loss on Tuesday and are on their way to another loss tonight. The Wild will likely head home from their Canadian road trip with a 1-6-0 record on the year and their only points coming against the Ottawa Senators. Combine that with last season’s “big” trade acquisitions of Kevin Fiala, Ryan Donato, and Victor Rask all having been healthy scratches at least once and free agent centerpiece Mats Zuccarello being held scoreless through four games prior to an injury, and it is easy to see why the situation in Minnesota this season is already so bleak. Thus, it should come as little surprise that Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports in his “31 Thoughts” column that Minnesota will “listen on everything.” New GM Bill Guerin is likely eager to make his mark on the team and hopeful that he can right the wrongs of his much-maligned predecessor, Paul Fenton. As one might expect from the level-headed Guerin, Friedman writes that he is not willing to rush into anything just for the sake of making a move, despite such a poor start. However, should the opportunity present itself to make a move that he feels is right for the team, Guerin won’t be afraid to pull the trigger and shake things up. Friedman feels that team’s biggest need is to add right-handed forwards. Currently, the team has just two: Ryan Hartman and Luke Kunin. If one exists on the trade market, a young, natural right wing or righty center could be a good long-term investment for Minnesota. However, the Wild are likely to be in more of a seller mode than buyer in the immediate future. Much of their roster is signed long-term, but Jonas Brodin, Eric Staal, Marcus Foligno, and perhaps even captain Mikko Koivu, an impending free agent, could be on the block.

  • The Carolina Hurricanes hoped to land an NHL forward when they traded away defenseman Justin Faulk, but a potential deal with the Anaheim Ducks that would have brought Ondrej Kase to Raleigh fell through and the team settled for defenseman Joel Edmundson and promising, but raw forward prospect Dominik Bokk.  Now, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that the search for a top-nine forward continues for Carolina, despite their red-hot start. Neither of the two names mentioned by LeBrun as players that the ‘Canes have kicked the tires on should come as any surprise. The first is disgruntled young Edmonton Oilers forward Jesse Puljujarvi, who is currently playing overseas. This matches up with a recent report that the Oilers continue to pursue NHL-ready Carolina prospect Julien Gauthier, but turned down a one-for-one offer for Puljujarvi this summer. With both Edmonton and Carolina playing well and wanting immediate help, it could be that the trade now makes more sense for both sides. The second player named is Joshua Ho-Sang, another frustrated young forward who is currently sitting at home waiting to be traded by the New York Islanders, who instructed him not to report to the AHL after he failed to make the team. Both Puljujarvi and Ho-Sang are behavioral question marks, but bring both upside and roster flexibility should reigning GM of the Year candidate Don Waddell decide to make a deal.
  • LeBrun also reports that Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen is likely no longer on the trade block. While at one point both sides had agreed that a change of scenery was a good idea, the Sabres are off to a strong start this season and Ristolainen recently spoke about how much he is enjoying playing for new head coach Ralph Kreuger and his happiness with being in Buffalo. LeBrun doubts that the team wants to upset their early momentum, while noting that trade talks this summer did not bear any fruit anyway. Ristolainen can still be a key contributor for the team and they seem content to maintain the status quo so long as they continue to accumulate points.

Senators Suspend Search For President Of Hockey Operations

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The Ottawa Senators have been seeking a President of Hockey Operations for some time, but they will hold on a while longer to make a hire. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that the team has decided to end their search for a President, at least through this season, although he also casts doubt on whether they will renew the search. To this point, their attempts to find a man for the role have been fruitless and the team is likely to go back to the drawing board.

It was back in March that the team first announced that they were searching for someone to take on the President role. In the midst of a last-place campaign, many felt that it was the death knell of GM Pierre Dorion. However, the team was quick to note that the hiring would not be to undermine or threaten Dorion, but instead to assist and support. Owner Eugene Melnyk has remained consistent in his confidence in Dorion and it is that faith that likely led to the team feeling comfortable in suspending their presidential search.

Well, that and their failure to attract a qualified name. A report in April suggested that the likes of Dean Lombardi, Mike Gillis, Trevor Linden, Joe Nieuwendyk and current NHL GM’s Steve Yzerman and Ron Francis had all been approached about the position, but turned down the opportunity. While many might assume that the current status of the Ottawa roster is to blame for the lack of interest, the Senators actually have a strong pipeline of young talent that should intrigue any hockey mind. Instead, it is likely the reputation of Melnyk and skepticism of his willingness to spend to the salary cap that have scared off the qualified candidates. Rather than rush into a decision on sub-prime option for the job, it is likely that Melnyk and company preferred to stick with the loyal Dorion and continue to ride out this rebuild without addition supervision. Only time will tell how it will all play out and whether the team will circle back to finding a president down the road.

Minor Transactions: 10/14/19

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Get ready for a full day of hockey. Monday’s lineup features four games being held at 1:00pm home team local time, as well as 3:00pm, 5:00pm, and 7:30pm. Among the story lines to watch are the Wild, Devils, and Blackhawks seeking their first wins of the season, the Avalanche and Oilers looking to stay perfect, and a collision of the league’s two stingiest teams, the Ducks and Bruins. Also to watch for are the roster moves made to open up the third week of the season. Keep up with all of the action here:

  • The Ottawa Senators continue to routinely shuffle their forward group around early this season. After giving youngsters like Drake Batherson, Filip Chlapik, and Vitaly Abramov a chance already, the team has recalled a pair of veterans from AHL Belleville. The team announced that Nick Paul and Jordan Szwarz have been promoted to Ottawa. While Paul is a familiar name to Sens fans, Szwarz is a new free agent addition. The long-time AHL veteran and former Providence Bruins captain has played in 47 NHL games in his career, split between Arizona and Boston. His reliable two-way energy game could be more of the boost that the coaching staff feels they need right now rather than the offensive focus of the team’s top young prospects. This recall would also seem to indicate that there is a chance that Mikkel Boedker and Artem Anisimov are not ready to return to the lineup today as expected.
  • After flipping Kyle Capobianco to the AHL for Ilya Lyubushkin on Saturday, the Coyotes are now flopping. CapFriendly reports that Capobianco has been called back up from the AHL’s Tuscon Roadrunners. The move comes on the heels of an injury to Niklas Hjalmarsson on Saturday that will likely push either Capobianco or Lyubushkin into a starting role for the time being.
  • The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a somewhat surprising switch. The team announced that 19-year-old rookie defenseman Rasmus Sandin has been sent down to the AHL’s Marlies, while free agent addition and veteran blue liner Kevin Gravel has been recalled in his place. Sandin, considered by many to be Toronto’s top D prospect, had skated in all six games for the team thus far and recorded a pair of assists, strong possession numbers, and an even plus/minus rating. Although, Sandin’s ice time has been limited and his special teams role has been non-existent, so this could be about putting him in a better position to develop in the AHL. However, this may be more about adding Gravel than subtracting Sandin. The Leafs have surrendered at least three goals in four of their six games so far, including a 7-3 drubbing by the Tampa Bay Lightning. They may simply be looking to tighten things up on the back end and stay-at-home specialist Gravel can help. Gravel has recorded 137 blocked shots and 124 hits in 106 NHL games with the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers.
  • Steven Oleksy worked his way up from the ECHL ranks early in his career and has been on an NHL contract every year since 2012. However, that streak was snapped this summer when the 33-year-old seemingly could not attract another two-way deal. His bad luck now continues, as the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins announced that they have released Oleksy from his tryout agreement. The veteran of 73 NHL games and more than 400 AHL games saw his production fall off somewhat last year in a season split between the San Diego Gulls and Toronto Marlies, but is simply looking for the opportunity to show he can still contribute. In all likelihood, Oleksy will land on his feet elsewhere in pro hockey sooner rather than later.
  • The Vancouver Canucks have granted starter Jacob Markstrom  a leave of absence to attend to a family matter. He is expected to re-join the team later this week. In the meantime, Vancouver announced that Zane McIntyre has been recalled to serve as the backup to Thatcher Demko. McIntyre, a free agent addition, has made eight NHL appearances in his career with the Boston Bruins, all back in 2016-17. Ironically, his lone call-up last season was to serve as backup to Jaroslav Halak while Tuukka Rask took a leave of absence himself. McIntyre was a star at the college level and has strong AHL numbers, but at 27 years old he no longer a prospect that the Canucks would be trying to force into play time. Expect them to lean on Demko until Markstrom returns.

Minor Transactions: 10/13/19

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The Oilers and Avalanche stayed undefeated and the Senators stunned the Lightning on Saturday, which featured a busy slate of 14 games. As usual, Sunday is somewhat quieter, but tonight’s three match-ups feature two Pacific Division rivalry games and a battle between injury-bitten clubs as the Jets host the Penguins. As teams react to yesterday’s games and prepare for tonight and the week ahead, follow along with all of the roster transactions right here:

  • Fresh off of an inspired first win of the season over the reigning President’s Trophy winners, the Ottawa Senators are getting ready to welcome a veteran asset back to the lineup. The team announced that rookie forward Vitaly Abramov has been reassigned to AHL Belleville. In his place, Mikkel Boedker is expected to return to the lineup, reports the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch. Boedker left the team’s season opener with an injury and has not played since, but seems ready to return and contribute. The 29-year-old is hoping to re-discover his 50-point form as he’s expected to play a larger role in Ottawa this year compared to last.
  • The Minnesota Wild are still searching for their first point on the season – they are the only team without one – and are calling in reinforcements. The team announced that they have recalled forward Gerry Mayhew from the minors. Mayhew’s recall has been much-anticipated after he broke records in AHL Iowa last year with 27 regular season goals and nine postseason goals in just eleven games. A standout at Ferris State University, Mayhew’s production has actually improved at the pro level. The 26-year-old recorded 60 points last year for Iowa and already has six points through five games this year. The Wild hope that he again excels against elevated competition in his first NHL call-up. The team could certainly use the help. The Minnesota Wild also announced that prospect Ivan Lodnia has been assigned from the Iowa Wild of the AHL to his junior team, the Niagra Ice Dogs of the OHL. The 20-year-old hasn’t played a game with the Iowa Wild and will instead play an overage season in the OHL. Drafted in the third-round of the 2017 draft, Lodnia appeared in just 41 games last year, posting solid numbers, however, 17 goals and 45 points. Lodnia appeared in six regular season games at the end of the 2018-19 season, but failed to register a point.
  • The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Curtis Lazar from the Rochester Americans of the AHL, according to The Athletic’s Joe Yerdon. With a four-game schedule coming up this week, which includes a three-game road trip to California, the team needed some extra forward depth, especially after the injury to Conor Sheary. Lazar spent all of last season in the AHL with the exception of one game with the Calgary Flames. He’ll likely be used as a healthy scratch, but could work his way into one game.
  • The Carolina Hurricanes announced they have recalled forward Brian Gibbons from the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. The 31-year-old forward has fared well in the AHL with a goal and four points in four games. He spent all of 2018-19 in the NHL, playing 44 games (two goals and five points) with the Anaheim Ducks before being traded to Ottawa where he posted six goals and 14 points in 20 games. He will likely be there to provide depth after the injury to Jordan Martinook.

Ottawa Senators To Hire Basketball’s Dave Smart As Consultant

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The Ottawa Senators have decided to tap into the world of sports to help improve their franchise as the team has hired Canada’s most accomplished men’s basketball coach, Dave Smart, as a consultant, according to Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch. Smart, who won 13 USports Men’s National Championships throughout his coaching career, carried a .925 winning percentage against USports competition, and won the OUA Coach of the Year award 13 times as well, in his time with Carleton University, will be expected to help out with the team’s young core.

“The reason he’s on board is he’s the winningest coach in college basketball with the championships that he has,” said Ottawa head coach D.J. Smith. “Whether it’s hockey, basketball, baseball, football whatever, it’s still coaching and you’re dealing with people. He’s here to kind of help me in a senior role to see ’Are we pushing the guys enough?’ ’Are we pushing them too hard?’ And give us perspective from his side.”

It’s not as unusual as it sounds, however. Smart has actually been brought in by the Senators for several years now to speak to their prospects during the club’s rookie training camp in the summers, according to TSN’s Ian Mendes. An exceptional motivational speaker, Smart’s words truly affected Smith, who was brought in this summer by Ottawa to be the team’s new head coach due to his strong ability to connect with young athletes. With the team in full rebuild mode, Smith convinced Ottawa management to bring him in on a more regular basis.

“I listened to him talk to our young guys at rookie camp and I thought it was exceptional,” said Smith. “Just his view on how you put winning teams together and it’s very similar to what I believe in. I just said that’s a guy I can use.”

Smart, who retired in March of this year, taking a new position over at Carleston University, Director of Basketball Operations. Smart is expected to play the fly-on-the-wall and observe everything from the coaching staff to the players.

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