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Central Notes: Byfuglien, Little, Crawford

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Winnipeg Jets fans can breathe a sigh of relief when they learned that defenseman Dustin Byfuglien will be out Saturday in their game against the Ottawa Senators as head coach Paul Maurice indicated that the injury is a minor one and is in no way related to the ankle injury that kept the 6-foot-5, 260-pound blueliner out of 15 games earlier this season, according to Paul Friesen of the Winnipeg Sun.

“It’s another minor one that’s not going to help the original one,” Maurice said. “The original one’s fine enough to play. It’s strong, and it’s getting stronger. He wasn’t going to be able to perform very well, and we think in a few days he’ll settle right in.”

Winnipeg doesn’t play another game until Wednesday and Maurice believes that Byfuglien should be ready to return for that game in Colorado. With the loss of Joseph Morrow, the Jets will be shorthanded on defense, although Sami Niku was recalled earlier today to step into the lineup.

  • Sticking with the Jets, rumors have been thriving about the Jets’ attempts to pick up a top rental player before the trade deadline. However, that acquisition may have to prove themselves to work their way into the Jets’ top six as Maurice defended second-line center Bryan Little, suggesting that Little will not be leaving the team’s second line even if the team acquires a big-name player, according to TSN. “Other than the 16 points in the last 17 games, he’s gotta tighten that up, doesn’t he?” Maurice said. “He’s playing with two really young, unique players (Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic/Nikolaj Ehlers) and he’s done that for the last year and a half and he’s carried them in so many ways. Maybe it’s only the coach’s point of you to see how hard he works to get in and make things happen, but also to get out, to be on the right side of the puck, to battle every shift, to work with these kids who are really unique players.”
  • Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times writes that goaltender Corey Crawford has been cleared to return to the ice after sitting out for the last two months with another concussion. However, the team wants to be cautious before throwing him back in and won’t activate him for Saturday’s game. Lieser reports the team is considering putting him in the lineup on Monday when the host Ottawa, setting the veteran up with an easy home matchup to ease him back into the lineup. Crawford’s return could also force Collin Delia to return to the AHL despite faring well since being recalled.

Senators Closely Scouting Winnipeg

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The Senators have been keeping a very close eye on the Jets lately, notes Jason Bell of the Winnipeg Free Press.  GM Pierre Dorion along with two other front office members have been in Winnipeg since Thursday to take a closer look at some potential trade targets; Bell speculates that center Jack Roslovic, defenseman Sami Niku, and goalie Eric Comrie are among the players they’re keeping tabs on.  Ottawa has a pair of prominent rental players that the Jets would certainly be interested in with center Matt Duchene and winger Mark Stone but each would command a significant return that would likely involve Winnipeg’s first-round pick and potentially one of those youngsters as well.

Snapshots: Murray, Boudreau, Stone, Stewart

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There was more than a bit of scrutiny and criticism when Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray named himself interim head coach despite not having any coaching experience. Yet, Murray’s first game behind the bench last night was the Ducks’ first win in weeks. A shutout performance by Kevin Boyle played a major role, but USA Today’s Mike Brehm writes that Murray’s presence made an obvious impact. Anaheim came out hot, scored early, and played with energy and aggression that they haven’t displayed during this disappointing stretch. Brehm advocates that all NHL GM’s consider spending time as a coach following a coaching change, as he feels the pressure and seriousness that Murray brought to the Ducks’ locker room was the reason for their sudden change of spirit. The next question, of course, is how long Murray’s role as coach can maintain this level of play.

  • Another coach is trying to motivate his team a different way, one that required some boldness. Appearing on KFAN radio in Minnesota today, Wild head coach Bruce Boudreau guaranteed his team to make the playoffs. Yes, you read that correctly. It’s not often that anyone on a team offers up such a prediction, never mind the head coach, but the veteran Boudreau apparently feels confident and surely wanted to energize his players. “I can tell you right now”, Boudreau proclaimed, “we’re going to make the playoffs. And we’re going to be somebody hard to deal with.” It’s big talk from the Minnesota bench boss, but can he back it up? The Wild are currently clinging to the final wild card spot in the Western Conference, having picked up just one win in the past seven games, but still hold a two point lead over the Vancouver Canucks with a game in hand, with several more teams right behind. Minnesota also stands little chance of climbing further up the standings, as the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues have played their way to solid leads over the Wild. Boudreau has consistently qualified for the postseason during his long career as a head coach, but with one seed up for grabs and arguably seven teams within striking distance, it could be a tall task for the Mikko Koivu-less Wild to hold on.
  • BSN Denver’s A.J. Haefele reports that the Colorado Avalanche have had discussions with the Ottawa Senators about impending UFA trade target Mark Stone. It’s unclear how far back these talks were, but it seems very unlikely that the two sides are still talking given that GM Joe Sakic has made it clear that his first-round picks and top prospects are off the table at the deadline. Haefele himself even doubts that a deal is made. However, if Stone doesn’t end up re-signing in Ottawa, the Avs could circle back on their interest this summer when the world-class winger likely hits free agency. With Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog signed long-term to below-market deals, Colorado could more than afford to bring in Stone while also extending Mikko Rantanen. Stone may be eager to join the Avs, who have top young offensive talent and a treasure trove of promising prospects still to come. It’s an interesting possibility to consider in a few months time.
  • A journeyman forward who has suited up for the Ducks, Wild, Avalanche, and several other NHL teams in his career is hoping to make a comeback. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman hears from brother Anthony that Chris Stewart is gearing up for another try at an NHL contract this off-season. A veteran of 652 NHL games, Stewart played for the Wild and Calgary Flames last year, recording 16 points in 54 games. The physical winger has tallied 321 points to go with 729 penalty minutes in the NHL, but is looking to add more. Although he had PTO offers from the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs this off-season, per Friedman, Stewart instead chose to spend the year training in England and has played a handful of games with the Nottingham Panthers of the EIHL. Stewart, still just 31, could have a chance to land a contract, or at least a PTO, next season due to his reputation for physicality, his work ethic, and his ability to be a difference maker along the boards.

Minor Transactions: 02/14/2019

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Although there were only two games yesterday, it was a notable night as the Ducks got back in the win column for the first time in almost a month. The Canucks have the unfortunate designation of being the team on the other side of that result and are right back in action tonight against the Kings as one of eleven games on the schedule. Valentine’s Day or not, there will be no love lost between several competitors tonight, as the surging Blue Jackets host the Metro Division-leading Islanders, Shea Weber and the Canadiens visit P.K. Subban and the Predators, and the Avalanche look to right the ship versus the Jets, who are now atop the Western Conference. With 22 teams in play, including many impact match-ups, today should be another busy day for minor moves. Keep track right here:

  • The Colorado Avalanche announced that they have recalled forward Dominic Toninato from the AHL. After skating in 37 games with the Avs as a first-year pro last season, Toninato has yet to see NHL ice this year through several call-ups. He continues to be an effective two-way forward for the Colorado Eagles, but his production at both levels simply hasn’t justified further play time on an Avalanche team that is desperate for secondary scoring. Perhaps he will finally get another look on this recall opportunity.
  • Connor Brickley has earned his first call-up of the season, now on his second team of the campaign. Brickley, a veteran of 67 games with the Florida Panthers over the past three seasons, signed as a free agent with the Nashville Predators this off-season. However, the Preds flipped him to the New York Rangers last month for Cole Schneider before Brickley ever played a game for the club. Now, the Rangers have announced that they are willing to give the center a shot to get back to the top level, promoting him from the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. Brickley has six points in 13 games since joining Hartford and the Rangers hope he can bring more of a spark to their offense than frequent recall Vinni Lettieri has been able to this season.
  • Another day, another Darren Archibald transaction. The veteran grinder has again been recalled by the Ottawa Senators, the team announced. This time he’s joined by defenseman Cody Goloubef, acquired from the Boston Bruins earlier this season. Head coach Guy Boucher stated that both Archibald and Goloubef are being considered for a spot in the lineup tonight when the Sens visit the Detroit Red Wings.
  • The Los Angeles Kings have assigned forward Jonny Brodzinski to the AHL’s Ontario Reign for the purpose of a conditioning stint. Brodzinski was hurt in training camp and has been on the season-opening injured reserve with an upper-body injury. Brodzinski played in 35 games as a rookie last year and recorded six points, but the Kings hope he can show more of the offensive touch he displayed in the minors and at the college level once he is fully healthy.
  • Similarly, the Philadelphia Flyers have activated forward Pascal Laberge from the season-opening injured reserve and have assigned him to the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Laberge was injured in training camp and underwent hip surgery this fall, delaying the start to his first pro season. A second-round pick in 2016, Laberge is a hard-working two-way center who should challenge for a bottom-six role for the Flyers down the line.

A Case For Ottawa To Buy At The Deadline

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There are plenty of eyes on the Senators right now with the trio of notable pending unrestricted free agents that they need to deal with over the next week and a half.  Between that and their position in the standings, many are viewing them as sure-fire sellers leading up to the February 25th trade deadline.  However, TSN’s Travis Yost argues that Ottawa should actually be buyers at the deadline (and not because they don’t have their first-round pick).  If they wind up moving out Matt Duchene and Mark Stone, they will likely have to either retain some salary or take some contracts back to remain over the salary floor.  Accordingly, it would make sense for them to look at taking on some back-diving deals (where the salary is lower than the AAV) and look to leverage their cap room into adding some extra assets from cap-strapped teams.

Trade Rumors: Panarin, Staal, Dzingel, Clifford

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For all the talk of an Artemi Panarin trade, The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun cautions that the Columbus Blue Jackets keeping the star forward as an “own rental” is a very real possibility. Lebrun believes that it is all a cost-benefit analysis for the team, “because there’s almost no chance GM Jarmo Kekalainen simply sells off Panarin without also trying to replace him in some fashion via a separate transaction.” The Blue Jackets are on a four-game winning streak and, with a win last night over the Washington Capitals, leapfrogged their rivals in points percentage to put them on pace to finish second in the Metropolitan Division. Columbus is still searching for it’s first playoff series win in franchise history and is not going to give up all hope of that accomplishment this season when they have played so well all season and could earn a home ice advantage in the first round. As LeBrun notes, that means that if the Blue Jackets do in fact trade away Panarin, they would only do so knowing they could acquire another player of similar ability for a favorable price. LeBrun believes that Kekalainen continues to monitor the situation in Ottawa, as Senators forwards Matt Duchene or Mark Stone would be the most likely targets. However, if the Senators’ asking price for either Duchene or Stone is too similar to the return on a Panarin trade, the Blue Jackets lack incentive to shake up their roster for only a minor gain in trade capital. Most likely, this means that Panarin could stay in Columbus as an “own rental” rather than be traded if, of course, the Blue Jackets remain hot through the deadline, but also if the demand from Ottawa is more of a flip of trade assets from a Panarin deal. If the Blue Jackets cannot walk away from the deadline with both an immediate replacement from Panarin and significant future piece, it’s possible that the star scorer isn’t going anywhere until this summer.

  • LeBrun also touches on another team having to tackle a cost-benefit analysis. The Minnesota Wild are in a tough spot; the team has been in playoff position all year, but have just one win in their past seven games since the season-ending injury to captain Mikko Koivu. At this rate, the Wild are going to miss the playoffs, as the Vancouver Canucks, Colorado Avalanche, and Arizona Coyotes are right on their tail. However, even a slight improvement could be enough for Minnesota to clinch the final wild card spot. But does that mean they shouldn’t also be sellers? LeBrun writes that without considerable improvement before the deadline, first-year GM Paul Fenton will need to seriously consider trading his most valuable rental piece, Eric Staal. Staal’s absence, especially in light of the loss of Koivu, would likely see the team fall out of playoff position. Yet, his presence likely isn’t enough to get them through the first round anyway. For what it’s worth, LeBrun adds that Staal has not made it easy on the Wild to move him. The veteran center’s trade protection includes a ten-team no-trade list, which LeBrun reports is primarily contenders. This could force Fenton’s hand when it comes to making a decision on Staal. However, even if Staal is open to a move, the team will have to consider the repercussions on their season. The return on the trade in future value would have to be worth the immense risk of missing the postseason, even with little hope of advancing.
  • In updating TSN’s Trade Bait List, Frank Seravalli writes that interest is picking up on Ottawa Senators forward Ryan Dzingel. While the media, and seemingly the Senators themselves, have been primarily focused of Matt Duchene and Mark Stone, Seravalli notes that Dzingel is enjoying a career year and teams are taking notice. With his trade value at a new high, his cap hit still low, and no sign of an extension, Dzingel is certainly on the block and is a valuable asset and Seravalli feels that the chatter points toward a trade. He has moved Dzingel up to No. 19 on the list.
  • Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that Los Angeles Kings forward Kyle Clifford is a person of interest for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the two sides discussed Clifford during the recent Jake Muzzin negotiations. Toronto could go back to Clifford in their pursuit of a physical, bottom-six forward before the deadline. Like the reported interest in Luke Glendening, the only problem for Toronto when it comes to Clifford is term and salary. Clifford has just one year remaining at $1.6MM, but even that might be difficult for the cap-crunched Maple Leafs to spend on a probable fourth-liner. It remains a good potential fit, but the Leafs will likely look for pure rentals before returning to Clifford, unless the Kings are willing to retain salary.

Minor Transactions: 02/13/2019

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It’s a quiet lineup for the NHL tonight, with just two games on the docket. Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers visit Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, while the Anaheim Ducks look to snap a seven-game losing streak against the division rival Vancouver Canucks. However, more than just these four teams will be busy. With the NHL Trade Deadline just twelve days away, look for another flurry of activity today:

  • Patrick Brown was promoted by the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday and just as soon demoted to the AHL on Tuesday night. The ’Canes announced after last night’s game that they have reassigned Brown to the Charlotte Checkers. The AHL captain did not suit up for Carolina in their win over the Ottawa Senators and still has not seen any NHL action since 2016-17. Yet, he remains a dependable producer in Charlotte and a capable depth option for the Hurricanes down the stretch.
  • Also yesterday, the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda signed veteran forward T.J. Hensick to a contract for the remainder of the season, per a league release. Hensick, 33, had been playing in the ECHL with the Toledo Walleye, affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings, and was leading the league with 58 points in 47 games. Hensick now brings that ability and experience back to the AHL as one of the more accomplished active players in the league’s history. It’s unlikely that Hensick – who has over 100 NHL games to his credit as well as a member of the Colorado Avalanche – will end up with a contract from the Sharks, but should be a positive locker room and on-ice presence for the Barracuda the rest of the way.
  • The Boston Bruins have opted to fill David Pastrnak’s roster spot by giving a first-year pro his first NHL call-up. The team announced that Karson Kuhlman has been recalled from the AHL’s Providence Bruins and will join the team on their upcoming five-game west coast road trip. Kuhlman captained the University of Minnesota – Duluth to an NCAA Championship last year, was a standout in the preseason, and has been one of Providence’s most consistent contributors, so it was only a matter of time before the two-way winger earned an NHL recall. As the Bruins continue their pursuit for secondary scoring, Kuhlman is the latest to get a shot at earning a spot in Boston.
  • Vinni Lettieri is headed back down to the minors. The New York Rangers announced that their most frequent recall has again been reassigned to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. Lettieri should not be surprised; while he’s been close to a point-per-game scorer for the Wolf Pack, he’s now been held scoreless in 18 games with the Rangers this season.
  • The Tampa Bay Lightning have flipped their transaction from yesterday, calling up forward Mathieu Joseph – who never really left – and sending defenseman Jan Rutta back to the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch. Rutta, acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks last month, was brought up to be the extra defenseman with Erik Cernak sidelined, so this move would suggest Cernak is ready to go tomorrow against the Dallas Stars. Meanwhile, Joseph should return to his role as a capable bottom-six contributor.
  • The Ottawa Senators have returned veteran grinder Darren Archibald to the AHL’s Belleville Senators. Archibald, acquired from the Vancouver Canucks alongside Anders Nilsson, has been sent back in forth by the Sens several times, but still has one lone appearance with the team back in January.
  • CapFriendly reports that the Anaheim Ducks have swapped out a veteran defenseman for a young forward. Max Jones has been recalled by the team, while Korbinian Holzer has been reassigned. Neither player has had much of a role for the Ducks this season; Jones was held scoreless through four games earlier in the year, while Holzer has one point in two games since coming off season-opening injured reserve. However, it’s Jones who has a future in Anaheim and should compete for a starting job next season, so better to see him get some NHL minutes down the stretch. The big winger is a 2016 first-round pick who has 28 points in 40 games for the AHL’s San Diego Gulls in his first pro season.

Snapshots: Oilers, Duchene, Skinner

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The Edmonton Oilers are six points out of a playoff spot. They’re also just two points out of last place in the Western Conference and just 3-5-2 in their last ten games. Despite that, interim GM Keith Gretzky is still hoping his team can be buyers at the trade deadline. Gretzky spoke on several topics with Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic (subscription required) including his hope for the playoffs this season.

The team has six games remaining before the trade deadline and will have to go on quite a run to really prove that they are contenders in the Western Conference. While you can’t rule anything out when a team has Connor McDavid driving the charge, it’s tough to imagine the Oilers competing with the top contenders in the NHL.

  • Matt Duchene’s agent spoke with Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion again today according to Chris Johnston of Sportsnet, but still nothing is decided on whether the pending free agent will re-sign or not. Duchene’s decision is likely holding up the entire trade market, given he would likely become the most desirable center available if he chooses to be dealt. The Senators would love to keep their prized forward, but Duchene has to decide whether he wants to go through another rebuild. Even their owner doesn’t believe the team will be competitive until 2021.
  • Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic was on TSN radio recently and wanted to remind people that Jeff Skinner likely won’t be traded away from the Buffalo Sabres, but not necessarily because of an extension. Skinner has a full no-movement clause that came with him even though he waived it to come to Buffalo in the first place. As CapFriendly pointed out today on Twitter, players normally keep the clause even if they waive it for a single trade.

Ottawa Senators Recall Filip Gustavsson

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The Ottawa Senators have decided it is time to give one of their top prospects a shot, recalling goaltender Filip Gustavsson from the minor leagues. This comes after Craig Anderson suffered a minor injury—a tennis ball to the eye—and will be held out of tonight’s game. Darren Archibald has also been recalled for the Senators.

Gustavsson, 20, was the main piece brought back when the Senators traded Derick Brassard to the Pittsburgh Penguins last season. The young goaltender made his North American debut at the end of the year, getting into seven games with Belleville. Unfortunately things haven’t gone swimmingly in his first full AHL season, as the Swedish netminder carries just a 12-15-1 record with an .886 save percentage.

Whether Gustavsson gets into a game during this call-up, he is the future in net for the Senators. The team currently has no goaltenders other than him under contract past 2019-20, and one would expect Anderson to be on his way out of the NHL by that time. The veteran netminder is already 37 and is now almost two years removed from his excellent 2016-17 season.

Ryan Dzingel Reportedly Seeking Between $5.5MM And $6MM Per Season

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While Mark Stone and Matt Duchene have garnered the majority of the attention among Ottawa’s pending unrestricted free agents, Ryan Dzingel’s situation is certainly worth monitoring as well.  The 26-year-old is in the midst of a career year and already has 20 goals and 21 assists on the season in 53 games.  His future with the team appears to be dependent on what happens with Stone and Duchene but as Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch notes, the asking price appears to be quite high, coming in between $5.5MM and $6MM on a long-term deal.  Even though Dzingel has a chance to reach 30 goals this season, that price tag may very well be too rich for the Senators which should increase his odds of being dealt by the February 25th trade deadline.

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